Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission

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Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexicor
E-mail: Contact

#401 6 Jan 09

. . . They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus . . .
Romans 2:15-16

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! What a joy and privilege it is to have this time with you . . .
This [above] particular passage of the Bible mentions 'conscience' .. my study Bible teaches us that God gave man a conscience beginning with Adam and Eve. In the Garden of Eden that conscience was uncorrupted. Subsequent to the fall, it was corrupted and depraved, but it was not totally erased. Conscience serves man as a witness to truth (also read Prov 20:27), but moral choice determines whether a man will obey what his conscience dictates .. Josh 24:15 .. The conscience accuses men of sin .. Gen 42:21; Sam 24:10 Mat 27:3, 4 .. and its indictment will be confirmed in the last judgment when the books are opened. Every mouth will be stopped and His judgment will be seen to be according to righteousness .. Rev 20:12-15 .. The spiritual Christian .. 1 Cor 3:1 .. has a conscience cleansed of guilt by faith in the atoning merits of Jesus Christ; he maintains a clear conscience by a sincere purpose of self-surrender to God and immediate repentance and confession of any known sin .. 1 Cor 11:31 .. In this sense it is void of offense Acts 24:16; Rom 9:1; 14:22 .. But conscience can be perfected and delivered from its bondage only through a genuine faith and trust in the atoning work of Christ .. Heb 9:14; 10:2ff
Men are not judged for refusing to accept Christ if they have never heard of Him. They are then judged in the light of their own consciences.

Be a blessing this week!

* * * * * * * * *

This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ]
1. Where was Jesus when a sinful woman poured an alabaster jar of perfume on his feet?
2. Who was buried at Mt. Nebo?

* * * * * * * * *
If we believe what we believe, why do we do what we do?
* * * * * * * * *

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"...which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...even Jesus." Hebrews 6:19-20
"We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Hebrews 2:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A New Year is like an ocean. There will be untested winds and waves. We'll meet ships we never knew, and we'll have all kinds of opportunities as we sail into an uncharted sea. In our quest to discover the good life this year, we must be careful that we do not drift into an aimless life. The worst thing that could happen to us this coming year is that we just let this year happen to us rather than charting a course and getting into God's appointed harbor. More than likely, you won't decide to drift. It'll just happen. You'll be coasting along at a good clip, and then, before you know it, you're drifting away. . . that is, unless you have an anchor.
Have you ever written down some God-given goals to keep you from being a drifter? Without goals, you're a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure. Most people don't plan to fail. They simply don't plan. How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God-given goal? First, have you prayed over it and asked for God's blessing? Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled? Third, does it demand the very best in you? Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out-of-bounds from God.

ACTION POINT:

Take a few minutes to reflect on this past year. What were some things you did right? What were some things you would do differently this next year?
Take some time now; it's time to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.

* * * * * * * * *
God's plan is to take ordinary people with ordinary talents,
do extraordinary things through them,
and give the glory to Himself
* * * * * * * * *

This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

The Tribulation's SEAL Judgments Rev 6:1-17

In Revelation 5:1-7, Christ received a scroll sealed with seven seals. The scroll contained the title deed to the earth. Unlike normal title deeds, it did not contain a description of Christ's inheritance, but details of how He will reclaim what is rightfully His. Beginning in chapter 6, the scroll is unrolled and its seals broken. The unrolling of the scroll marks the beginning of God's judgment.
Each of the scroll's seven seals represents a specific divine judgment that will be poured out sequentially on earth. The seals encompass the entire tribulation (3:10), ending with the return of Christ. It seems best to understand the first four seals as taking place during the first half of the tribulations, the fifth stretching from the first into the second half, the "great tribulations" in 7:14, and the sixth and seventh taking place during that "great tribulation." Apparently the seventh seal contains the seven trumpet judgments (8:1-11:19) and the seventh trumpet (11:15) contains the seven bowl judgments (16:1-21). The seven seals contains all the judgments until the end, when Jesus Christ returns.
The unfolding of the seven seals parallels out Lord's chronology of tribulation events found in His own message in Matthew 24. (See the chart "The Coming Seven Seal Judgments."

Just as a mother's birth pains increase in frequency and intensity as the time to give birth approaches, so the judgments will intensify throughout the tribulation until the arrival of Christ in judgment glory. The first four seals cover the period Jesus described as "the beginning of birth pangs" .. Mat 14:8 .. As terrible as those four judgments are, they are but the preliminary outpouring of God's final wrath in the last three seals.

THE FIRST SEAL: FALSE PEACE

Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come." I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (6:1-2)

Chapters 4-5 described the praise offered in heaven to the Father and Jesus. As the seals begin to be opened in chapter 6, the praise ceases in anticipation of the coming judgment. The scene now shifts from heaven to earth, the focus of events through the return of Christ in chapter 19 and His earthly kingdom in chapter 20.
Having received from His Father the title deed to the earth (5:7), the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals. As each seal is broken in the vision, what is written on the scroll is not read, but acted out. Immediately, John heard one of the four living creatures saying with a powerful voice of thunder, "Come." In response to the angelic summons, a white horse came forth bearing its rider.
The first four seals involve horses and riders, the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Horses in Scripture are associated with triumph, majesty, power, and conquest .. 19:11, 14; Job 39:19-25; Prov 21:31 ..
Some, seeing a parallel with 19:11, identify the one who sat on the white horse as Christ. But since Christ opens the sealed scroll, He cannot be the rider. Further, this rider wears a crown won as a prize. In 19:12 Christ wears many royal crowns. Unlike this rider, who carries a bow, Christ carries a sword (19:15). Finally, Christ returns at the end of the tribulation, not at its beginning.
Others identify the rider as Antichrist. But since the other three riders represent impersonal forces (war, famine, and death), it is best to view the first one as a force as well. That force is best defined as a worldwide peace, shattered during the second seal of the second rider (6:4).
So before the terrors of the tribulation break loose and lead to the battle of Armageddon, there will come a period of world peace. But it will be a deceptive peace, as the world is lulled into a false sense of security followed by war, famine, and death. The world's desperate desire for international peace will serve as the bait for the satanic trap. That longing for security and safety will play into the hands of Antichrist, Satan's ruler, who will convince the world that he can provide them.
That the rider had a bow but no arrows, and that he was honored with a crown that was freely given to him, reveals that his conquering will involve bloodless victories. His crown is a winner's crown. He is not a real king, but has won a crown from the world for his triumphant achievements leading to world peace. He will not conquer by military force, but by deceit .. 2 Thess 2:9-11 .. His conquest will be a peace won by agreement, not conflict .. Dan 9:24-27 .. Even as the final doom of the world approaches, Antichrist will promise a golden age of peace and prosperity. In gratitude, the world will honor him and elevate him to the position of supreme leadership. Yet his promises and the peace will be short-lived.

next week: THE SECOND SEAL: WAR ... THE THIRD SEAL: FAMINE

JESUS' WORDS: THE SEAL: ITS CONTENTS:

Matt 24:4-4 1st Seal False peace
Matt 24:6-7 2nd Seal Worldwide war
Matt 24:7 3rd Seal Famine
Matt 24:7 4th Seal Earthquakes -- death
Matt 24:9 5th Seal Divine judgment
Matt 24:29 6th Seal Cosmic darkness -- physical destruction
Matt 24:37 ff 7th Seal Cataclysmic events (the seventh trumpet)

* * * * * * * * *
God does not change us in order to love us.
He loves us in order to change us.
* * * * * * * * *
Inspiration:
* * * * * * *
SHOVELING SNOW
By: Joseph J. Mazzella

I woke up the other day to find that 10 inches of freshly fallen snow was waiting for me outside my door. The flakes were still falling heavily too. I didn't want my little dogs drowning in it, so I reluctantly pulled on my heavy coat and grabbed the snow
shovel to make a path. I had only gotten a bit done, however, when the handle of my old snow shovel broke with a "snap." Laughing and shaking my head I decided then and there to wait out the storm for awhile.

It was late in the afternoon when the snow finally stopped and I trudged over to my Dad's house to borrow his shovel
and try again. By then the 10 inches of snow had turned into a foot and a half. I started out slow setting a steady pace and
stopping to rest whenever my back started to ache. After a while, though, the clouds finally broke and the sun peeked out
to cheer me on. The work seemed a lot easier then even though it was warmer. I even sang a few Christmas carols and
smiled up at God while I cleared out the drives, cleaned off the cars, and shoveled out the paths. After an hour of hard work
the job was finally done. Laughing, I let the child that still lives inside of me fall back into the snow and make a snow angel for
the angels in Heaven to see. It felt good walking back to my house after a job well done. It felt even better looking around at
this wonderful world of white. But it felt best of all knowing that God and His angels were watching over me with a love that
passes all understanding.

I don't know why life sometimes gives us Spring days and sometimes dumps a ton of snow on us. I do know, however,
that we can pray, laugh, love, and choose joy through it all. God loves us always. He comforts our souls and warms
our hearts on the coldest Winter days. He laughs with us when our snow shovels break and smiles down on us when we
make a snow angel. He is with us forever and that is the greatest Christmas present of all.

* * * * * * * * *
Where God guides, God provides.
* * * * * * * * *

Q & A: taken from the library of messages by Adrian Rogers

Why do I need to understand the Book of Revelation and all of those symbols?

The Book of Revelation promises a special blessing for those who read and heed it .. Rev 1:3 .. That ought to be reason enough! But here are a few more suggestions as to why it's important to understand the book of the Revelation.
First, Revelation is a great comfort .. 1 Thess 4:18 .. When things get dark, we can read Revelation and know that this is still our Father's world, and that He will come for His own.
Second, Revelation strengthens our faith as we see God's sovereignty unfold and realize that there is no panic in heaven, only plans.
Third, revelation gives us a motivation to pray. Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come," and Revelation says it will come! Prayer is not changing God's will, but finding God's will and getting in on it.
Fourth, Revelation is a motivation to share our faith. If we would really grasp the things that are ahead for this world, we'll be out winning people to Jesus!

* * * * * * * * *
The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.
* * * * * * * * *

Answers to this week's Trivia's:

1. Where was Jesus when a sinful woman poured an alabaster jar of perfume on his feet?
A. At the home of Simon the Pharisee. Luke 7:36-50
2. Who was buried at Mt. Nebo?
A. Moses Deut 34

* * * * * * * * *

This week's chuckle:
Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, "What do you think about all this Satan stuff?"
The other boy replied, "Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad."

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

* * * * * * * * *

Uh oh . . .

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"
God loves you and yours . . . He really does!

Nancy <><<

Something To Ponder:
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The tongue weighs practically nothing, But so few people can hold it.

Added: January 7, 2009

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#400 30 Dec 08

. . . Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcome the world -- our faith . . .
1 John 5:1-4

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! What a joy and privilege it is to have this time with you . . . This is the last Bible Study you will recieve from me . . . until next year . . . ( ; - ) sorry, couldn't resist..)
While the Bible uses many terms to describe what Christians are .. believers, friends, brothers, sheep, saints, soldiers, witnesses, etc .. John highlights one particular term in this chapter: the overcomer. John clearly defines who these overcomers are: they are all who believe that Jesus is God's Son. The word for "overcomes" or "overcomer" comes from a Greek word meaning "to conquer," "to have victory," "to have superiority" or "conquering power." The word reflects a gunuine superiority that leads to overwhelming success. Victory demonstrates overthrowing an enemy so that the victory is seen by all. Jesus also used this word to describe Himself .. Jn 16:33 .. Because of believers' union with Christ, they too partake in His victory .. Rom 8:37; 2 Cor 2:14 .. The word "overcomes" in the original language conveys the idea that the believer has continual victory over the world.

Be a blessing this week! Start 2009 as being a conquerer in Christ!

This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ]
1. What did the Egyptian magicians say to Pharaoh when they could not duplicate the plague of lice caused by Moses and Aaron?
2. Finish the following verse of scritprue: "For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; . . ."

* * * * * * * * *
who saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose
and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago 2 Tim 1:10
* * * * * * * * *

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It's the day after Christmas. The glow on the tree is just a little dimmer because the anticipation of the day is now past. Ever feel that way about your walk with the Lord? Well, let me give you some good news, my friend. The best is yet to be! That's right. Christmas Day is past, but Resurrection Day is coming soon, and I don't mean Easter. I mean the Second Coming of Our Lord is imminently on the horizon. He is coming again. And that's not just a nice thing; that's a rock-ribbed truth! Jesus is coming again!

People join churches today with wrong expectations. They think that church membership guarantees blessings and no burdens. Some think that God is just a heavenly cafeteria. And if it doesn't work out as they wish, they say, "Well, it's not paying off! I thought if I gave my heart to Jesus, then He would supply everything I wanted and I'd have no more worries." People fall away because their expectations are not met. Let me tell you what real faith is. Real faith is not just receiving from God the things you want. Real faith is accepting from God the things He gives.

ACTION POINT:
Write down John 14:3 on a little note, and as you say goodbye to family and friends, give them this note of encouragement.
How are your spiritual eyeglasses? Are you looking at life with the eyes of the Lord and trusting that He will provide, not
necessarily what you want, but what you need?

* * * * * * * * *
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" Isa 41:13
* * * * * * * * *

This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

The Song of The Worthy One Rev 5:8-14 [too much to type in, so, the verses are in italics..]

The appearance of the Lamb as He moves to take the scroll causes praise to break out from everywhere in the universe. To the two majestic praises of chapter 4 are added three more in chapter 5. The spontaneous outburst of worship results from the realization that the long-anticipated defeat of sin, death, and Satan is about to be accomplished. Christ will return to earth in triumph and establish His glorious millennial kingdom. The curse will be reversed, the believing remnant of Israel will be saved, and the church will be granted the privilege of reigning with Christ.
As they began their song of praise and worship, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. That they offer the same worship to Christ that they did to the Father in 4:10 offers convincing proof of Christ's deity, since only God is to be worshiped .. 19:10; Matt 4:10 ..
As they prostrated themselves before the Lamb in worship, John noticed that each one of the twenty-four elders was "holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Harps were frequently associated in the O.T. with worship .. 2 Sam 6:4-5; Ps 33:2; 71:22 .. but they were also closely linked to prophecy .. 2 Ki 3:15; 1 Chr 25:1 .. The harps held by the elders probably symbolize all the prophecy, which culminates in the momentous events about to take place.
In addition to the harps, the elders were also holding "golden bowls full of incense." These wide-mouthed bowls were used in the tabernacle and the temple .. 1 Ki 7:40, 45, 50; 2 Ki 12:13-14 .. where they were connected with the altar. They symbolized the priestly work of intercession for the people. Scripture associates the burning of incense with the prayers of the saints in Ps 141:2, Lk 1:9-10, and Revelation 8:3-4. The incense in these bowls represents the prayers of believers throughout the ages. Taken together, the harps and the bowls indicate that all that the prophets ever prophesied and all that God's children ever prayed for is finally to be fulfilled.
As the elders brought before God the desires and prayers of the saints, they "sang a new song." Since [with the possible exception of Job 38:7] the Bible nowhere records angels singing, it is best to see only the elders as singing here. That is consistent with the rest of Scripture, which pictures the redeemed singing praise to God .. Acts 16:25; Eph 5:19 .. and angels speaking it .. Lk 2:13-14 .. Throughout Scripture the new song is a song of redemption .. Ps 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1 ..
The song opens with a reaffirmation that Christ is "worthy . . . to take the book and to break its seals." He is worthy because He is the Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. To break the book's seals means to enact the judgments written in it.
Then, further reinforcing Christ's worthiness, the song continues, "for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." That phrase elaborates on the statement of verse 6 that the Lamb had been slain, explaining the significance of His death. "Purchased" is from a Greek word for redemption that pictures slaves purchased in the marketplace and then set free. At the cross, Jesus Christ paid the purchase price -- His own blood .. 1 Pet 1:18-19 .. to redeem from the slave market of sinful humanity those "from every tribe [descent] and tongue [language] and people [race] and nation [culture]."
The song moves on to express the results of redemption: "You have made them to be a kingdom and p*** to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." The use of "them" instead of "us" indicates the vastness and comprehensiveness of redemption. The twenty-four elders move beyond themselves to sweep up all the saints of all the ages into praise and adoration. The redeemed are a part of God's kingdom ..1:6 .. a community of believers under God's sovereign rule. They are also p*** to our God .. 20:6 .. signifying their complete access to God's presence for worship and service. The present priesthood of believers .. 1 Pet 2:5, 9 .. foreshadows that future day when we will have total access to and perfect communion with God. During the millennial kingdom, believers will reign upon the earth with Christ .. 20:6; 2 Tim 2:12 ..
In verse 11 John says for the fourth time in the chapter that he "saw something." To the voices of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are now added those of innumerable angels. Myriad means "ten thousand," apparently the highest number the Greeks had in their language. The phrase "myriads and myriads" describes an uncountable host. Hebrews 12:1 also says that the number of holy angels cannot be counted. They number at least twice as many as the fallen angels according to Revelation 12:3-4.
The vast host began saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Once again, the emphasis is on Christ's death providing a perfect redemption. He is worthy to receive recognition because of His power and the spiritual and material riches He possesses .. Ps 50:10-12 .. He is also worthy to receive recognition because of His wisdom and omniscience. For all those things and all His other absolute perfections, Jesus Christ is worthy of all honor and glory and blessing.
As the great hymn of praise reaches a crescendo, "every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them" join together. This all-inclusive statement is reminiscent of Psalm 69:34: "Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them," and the concluding verse of the Psalms, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" ..Ps 150:6 .. This mighty chorus cries out, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." Endless worship belongs to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The creation is unable to contain its joy over its upcoming redemption.
Lost in praise, the four living creatures could only keep saying, "Amen." That solemn affirmation means "let it be," "make it happen.
Soon, this mighty host would march out of heaven to execute judgment, gather God's people and return with Christ when He sets up His earthly kingdom. The stage for God's ultimate plan has been set in the throne room of God.

next week: The Tribulation's SEAL Judgments Rev 6:1-17

To give you a 'peek' on THE COMING SEVEN SEAL JUDGMENTS:

JESUS' WORDS: THE SEAL: ITS CONTENTS:

Matt 24:4-4 1st Seal False peace
Matt 24:6-7 2nd Seal Worldwide war
Matt 24:7 3rd Seal Famine
Matt 24:7 4th Seal Earthquakes -- death
Matt 24:9 5th Seal Divine judgment
Matt 24:29 6th Seal Cosmic darkness -- physical destruction
Matt 24:37 ff 7th Seal Cataclysmic events (the seventh trumpet)

* * * * * * * * *
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble ...
for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" Ps 9:9,10
* * * * * * * * *

This is a Season of new beginnings . . . Give Him your heart . . .
Resolve to do and be what ever will give glory to God:
** never speak evil of anyone **
** study the Scriptures **
** grow in the knowledge of Him **
** let there be something of benevolence in all that you say **

James 5:16 .. confess your faults (sins) to one another, and pray for one another ..
Be in fellowship with people, find 1 or 2 to share life with.
Its an opportunity for you -- to make the needed change in character qualities, habits,
break up the unplowed weeds in your life ... you've been delivered in Christ -- from fearfulness.
Will you have Him as your Savior? Will you ask Him to forgive you?
Are you ready to leave the past behind and go forward in Christ fearlessly?
Did you know that you were created to be in fellowship with God? Don't you want to learn how
to walk, talk, be guided, experience the freedom in Christ ... all who call upon His name will be saved.
May the Lord help you turn away from yourself and come to Him ...

Can you say.. "I have lived a half hearted life of belief and want to live a full hearted life of belief in the One who created me and make the changes necessary to make me the person God wants me to be .."

Make the year 2009 the year of new beginnings for YOU! Resolve to make the changes
that only God can do in and for you .. Allow Him to make your paths straight.

* * * * * * * * *
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me,
and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
* * * * * * * * *

God,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can change,
and the wisdom to know the difference . . . . . Reinhold Niebuhr

* * * * * * * * *
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:18
* * * * * * * * *

Answers to this week's Trivia's:
1. What did the Egyptian magicians say to Pharaoh when they could not duplicate the plague of lice caused by Moses and Aaron?
A.That it must be from God ... Ex 8:19
2. Finish the following verse of scritprue: "For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; . . ."
A. ...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor 5:17

* * * * * * * * *

This week's chuckle:
A woman is in a grocery store and happens upon a grandpa and his poorly behaving 3 year-old grandson. At every turn it's obvious gramps has his hands full with the kid screaming for candy in the candy aisle, cookies in the cookie aisle, same for fruit, cereal and soda.

Meanwhile, gramps is working his way around, saying in a controlled voice, 'Easy, Albert, we won't be long ... easy, boy.' Another outburst and she hears gramps calmly say, 'It's OK, Albert, just a couple more minutes and we'll be outta here, hang in there.'

At the checkout, the little terror is throwing items from the cart, and gramps again in a controlled voice is saying, 'Albert, Albert, relax buddy, don't get upset -- we'll be home in five minutes .... stay cool, Albert.'

Very impressed, the woman goes up to gramps as he's loading the kid and the groceries into the car and says, 'You know, sir, it's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. The whole time you kept your composure and no matter how loud and disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying things would be OK. Albert is very lucky to have you for his grandpa.'

'Thanks, lady,' said gramps, 'but I'm Albert -- the little brat's name is Johnny.'

* * * * * * * * *

Wow .. this is one of those 'Patience is a virtue' kind of day . . .

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"
God loves you and yours . . . He really does!

Nancy <><<

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: If He had not died, you would have to die without hope. If He had not borne the pangs of hell, that's where we all would go. This is His life. And He gave it for you and me. "It is not His will that any should perish but have everlasting life..."

Added: January 4, 2009

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#399 23 Dec 08

. . . And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life . . .
1 John 5:11-12

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! What a joy and privilege it is to have this time with you . . . We all know that December 25 is not the exact date of Christ's birth, we can only guestimate the date. But I am thankful that He allowed Himself to be born of a woman. It was His way .. the only Way .. to be able to save us from our sins. To give us life, in Him and with Him! He became a man to symathize with our weakness. He became a man so that God can be touchable and reachable. To secure our hope of heaven .. He came down so that we can go up! He had to come the way He did and live the way He lived -- both God and man. He knew that we were a lost people and we needed a Savior.
Thank You Jesus, for loving us. You were the gift to us. All you want from us is our humbleness to believe and trust in You. To accept You .. to love You .. to honor You .. to praise You .. to know You .. to obey You ..

Be a blessing this week! What can you give to Jesus?

* * * * * * * * *

This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ]
1. In which gospel did Jesus predict that children rebelling against their parents would be a sign of the end times?
2. Who had 70 sons?

* * * * * * * * *
You don't get saved by works - -
But when you get saved, good works proceed
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BIBLE MEDITATION:

"For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." Psalm 116:8
"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
Philippians 2:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I believe that the holidays are the most lonely time of the year. Everywhere you look people are told they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. Just walking down the mall can make you feel lonely, but Jesus has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). When I'm discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I'm lonely, His presence cheers me up. When I'm worried, His presence calms me down. And when I am tempted, His presence will help me out.
Jesus came in a manger for you and for me. He willingly left the glories and riches of heaven to be born in a stable. Jesus became poor, so that we might become rich. He lived a life of such abject poverty that when He had to pay taxes, He had to look for a coin in a fish's mouth. When He sent out His disciples, He told them to take nothing, but a staff and the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-9). He was put to death like a common criminal so that we could wear a royal robe! Child of God, you are rich! I am rich! Praise God!

ACTION POINT:
Write down the last portion of this devotional thought and personalize it. Now use it as a prayer of faith and trust.
Read Philippians 2:6-11 with your family or friends today as a Christmas devotional. Spend time praising God for His Son, Jesus.

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If you doubt God's Character ... then you'll never be Thankful
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This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

The Selection of The Worthy One

and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Rev 5:5-7

Because his tears were unnecessary, one of the elders told John to stop weeping. Then he drew John's attention to a new Person emerging on the scene: "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." No human or angel can redeem the universe, but there is One who can -- Jesus Christ. The title "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah" derives from Jacob's blessing on the tribe of Judah given in Genesis 49:8-10. Out of the lionlike tribe of Judah would come a strong, fierce, and deadly ruler.
The Jews of Jesus' day expected the Messiah to be powerful and to liberate them from the heavy hand of their Roman oppressors. It was partly because Jesus failed to live up to those expectations that they rejected Him. Tragically, the Jews completely misjudged their Messiah. He is a lion, and will tear up and destroy their enemies. But He will do so according to His timetable, not theirs. His lionlike judgment of His enemies awaits the yet-future day that He has chosen.
Jesus is also seen here as "the Root of David." This title derives from Isaiah 11:1, 10. As Matthew 1 and Luke 3 reveal, Jesus was a descendant of David both on His father's and mother's side. In Romans 1:3 the apostle Paul said that Jesus was "born of a descendant of David according to the flesh."
Jesus is the One worthy to take the scroll because of who He is -- the rightful King from David's descendants -- and what He is -- the Lion from Judah's tribe with the power to destroy His enemies.
As he looked at the incredible scene before him, John found his attention irresistibly drawn to what he saw between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders. Instead of the anticipated mighty Lion of the Tribe of Judah, John saw a Lamb. The Lord Jesus could not be the Lion of judgment, or the King of glory, unless He was first "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" .. John 1:29 ..
The Greek word used here for "lamb" refers to a little lamb or pet lamb. The imagery derives from the Passover, when Jewish families were required to keep the sacrificial lamb as a household pet for four days before sacrificing it .. Ex 12:3-6 .. While every lamb sacrificed under the Old Covenant pointed toward Christ, He is only referred to as a lamb once in the Old Testament .. Isa 53:7 .. In the New Testament outside of Revelation, He is only called a lamb four times .. Jn 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet 1:19 .. In Revelation He appears as the Lamb thirty-one times.
Several features indicate that this was no ordinary lamb. First, He was standing, alive, on His feet, yet looking as if He had been slain. The scars from the deadly wound this Lamb received were clearly visible, yet He was alive. Though demons and wicked men conspired against Hima nd killed Him, He rose from the dead, defeating and triumphing over His enemies.
Another feature about this Lamb that John noted was that it had seven horns. In imagery drawn fromt eh animal world, horns in Scripture symbolize strength and power. Seven, the number of perfection, symbolizes the Lamb's complete, absolute power. The Lamb in John's vision also had seven eyes, again denoting perfect and complete understanding and knowledge. The eyes represented the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. The phrase "seven Spirits of God" describes the Holy Spirit in all His fullness.
Verse 7 records the final, monumental act in the heavenlyscene. Everything John has been describing since this vision began in 4:1 had been building toward this moment. This views the great, culminating act of history, the act that will signal the end of man's day. The ultimate goal of redemption is about to be seen; paradise will be regained, Eden restored. Before John's wondering eyes the Lamb came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
The worthy One has arrived to take back what is rightfully His.
next week: The Song of The Worthy One [prepare for it by reading Rev. 5:8-14 .. it is quite lengthy, will be alot of reading, but so worth it, for what it is teaching...]

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God gave us eternal life and its in His Son
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The Gifts of the Wise Men and Our Gifts to Jesus taken from a message given by Adrian Rogers
Myrrh—His Sacrificial Death

The third gift the wise men brought was a valuable gum-like substance called myrrh that was used to embalm the dead. Stop and think of the significance—bringing a child something that would be used to embalm the dead? They did this because they recognized that this little one was born to die.
Myrrh was also used as a narcotic to dull pain. Mark 15:22-23 tells us, “And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not.” There upon that cross, instead of tasting myrrh to numb His pain, Jesus tasted death for every man. And finally, to prepare Him for burial, Nicodemus brought myrrh (see John 19:38-40).

As I said, I don’t know whether the wise men understood all of this, but I know the Holy Spirit did. And this is not by accident. Of everything that could be listed as gifts to the King, we read they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to recognize His sovereign dominion, sacred deity, and sacrificial death.

What will you give Jesus this Christmas? Because of His sovereign dominion, will you give Him your wealth? All that we have belongs to Him. Because of His sinless deity, will you give Him your worship? Fall on your face before Him. Because of His sacrificial death, will you give Him your witness? I want the whole world to know that He died for me. Do you? My wealth, my worship, and my witness belong to my Lord. And according to His Word, so does yours.

[note of interest: Myrrh got is name from Smyrna .. for it was manufactured in the city of. Joseph of Arimathea brought 100 pounds of myrrh for the burial of Christ.]

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Mary was a virgin who was with child who was to be the Savior of the world
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Question & Answer with McGee . . .

Q: Will our children still be ours in heaven?
A. This is a question that isn't answered in Scripture. I think questions like this should not disturb us for the very simple reason that God is going to work it out in a way that will be entirely satisfactory to everyone. If you think that in heaven you're going to move into a house with your family as it was as they grew up, know that it's going to be an altogether different situation. I think heaven is going to be so wonderful- we're all going to be the children of God through faith in Christ. We're all going to be members of one family. I think that this physical family division will be entirely broken down so that every person there is going to be your brother or your sister. There are certain things that I have wondered about, but I have no answer for them. For instance, what about a child that dies in infancy? Mrs. McGee and I lost our first child, and I've always entertained the rather sentimental notion that maybe the Lord will let us have this child to raise in heaven. But I don't know that. I wish He'd let us, because we'd be able to raise her under ideal circumstances and we'd sure know more about raising children than we did when we started out! But I don't know if that is true. Whatever He arranges, it's going to be the very best that could possibly be. So this is a question that ought not to worry you at all. Just turn it over to Him and He'll work it out.

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Joseph never spoke a word in the Christmas story but what he did speaks for us all:
"Lord God, just tell me what to do . . ." is what we should say and do ..
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CHRISTMAS IN PROPHECY: Matthew 1:1-25

The true Christmas story as told in the Bible is filled with the miraculous. This is not by accident or coincidence. Within the Biblical accou nt of the incarnation, God has put prophetical truth that, when studied, causes even a skeptic to acknowledge: This is a miracle. Long before the birth of Christ, God revealed that the Savior would be a descendent of the seed of Abraham .. Gen 22:18 .. of Isaac .. Gen 221:12 .. of Jacob .. Num 24:17 .. of the tribe of Judah .. Gen 49:10 .. of the family of Jesse .. Isa 11:1 .. and of the house of David .. Jer 23:5 .. The New Testament opens with a genealogical record, Matt 1:1-17, documenting the miraculous fulfillment of these Old Testament promises. The prophet Micah names the place of our Lord's birth more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth ahve been from of old, from everlasting" .. Micah 5:2 .. Seven centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin and that she would call "His name Immanuel" .. Isa 7:14 .. The N.T. reveals, "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 'Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring for th a Son,and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" .. vs 23 .. The birth of Jesus was, without any question, a miracle. What is the purpose of a miracle? "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" .. John 20:31 .. JMC

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Jesus wants you to know Him .. He wants you to see Him ..
Experience and touch Him ...
and you can - He touches us by His Spirit ...
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Answers to this week's Trivia's:

1. In which gospel did Jesus predict that children rebelling against their parents would be a sign of the end times?
A. Mk 13:12
2. Who had 70 sons?
A. Gideon Judges 8:30
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This week's chuckle:
A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem .
A small child replied, "They couldn't get a baby-sitter."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat
our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

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A quick response huh?

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"
God loves you and yours . . . He really does!

Nancy <><<
Did you sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus???

Added: December 23, 2008

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#397 9 Dec 08

. . . My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the expiation for our sins , and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world . . .
1 John 2:1-2

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! What a joy it is to be with you again, sharing the gospel with you! I am so thankful for this time of year. Its a time when the Word really gets 'heard'. Where people go to church, see and hear little children up on stage, even at schools when they do their Christmas plays ... oh wait, for a second there I forgot that things have changed in that area. Well, at least its a time when more people actually go to church and hear about the love of God and the birth of Jesus.
Christ is our advocate. This is the same Greek word which is used for the Holy Spirit in John 16:7 [parakletos, "the one called alongside in order to help"]. Children of God whose fellowship with God has been broken by sin have One whose finished work is sufficient to remove their guilt [after repentance and confession] and to bring them back into full fellowship with their Father in heaven.

Be a blessing this week! Share the joy of a 'new birth' of a baby named Jesus ... that He came to save the lost ...

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This week's Trivia's: [answer below . . ]
1. What two women said, "Lord, of thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."?
2. Fill in the following two blanks of Philippians 2:10 with one word each: "At the name of Jesus every ____ should ____."

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Don't rest in your salvation experience.
It is the Christ of your experience that keeps you
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BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Exodus 20:8
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy." Isaiah 57:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Is it okay to watch television on Sunday? Is it okay to go to a ball game on Sunday? Is it okay to eat out on Sunday? Is it okay to read the newspaper on Sunday? Can I play softball on Sunday? Can I go out on a boat on Sunday? Can I go to the grocery store if we're out of milk on Sunday? Good questions. I hear them all the time, but do you know what's wrong with these questions? You're asking the wrong man. It's not my day -- it's the Lord's day. Ask Him.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7). We all know that profanity is one way that you can take God's name in vain, but I'll tell you another way, and that's in frivolous talk. That is, just taking the name of God carelessly or lightly. Ephesians 5:4 mentions "silly talk." What does that mean? God's name is holy. We are never ever to use His name unless we are serious. Now if you use humor to illustrate something, that's fine, but it's repugnant to use the Holy name of God frivolously.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God, "How can I honor You on the Lord's Day so that at the end of the day I can know that it was indeed Your day?"
Begin the day by meditating on the holiness of God.

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I am .. the visible part of the invisible Christ.
He is .. the invisible part of the visible me.
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This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

The WORTHY One: Rev 5:1-14
The events of chapter 5 follow immediately after those of chapter 4. The scene is once agian the throne of God in heaven. The cherubim, the twentyfour elders, and the Holy Spirit in His sevenfold glory are all present. The events described in these two chapters anticipate the divine judgment about to strike the earth .. Rev 6:19 .. Awestruck by the majesty of God's throne, the cherubim and elders begin a series of hymns to God. Those hymns celebrate God as creator and redeemer, and rejoice that He is about to take back what is rightfully His.
As that moment approaches, God begins to stir. The opening phrase "I saw" introduces the various scenes described in this chapter and stresses John's status as an eyewitness. In his vision, John saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up woth seven seals. God stretched out His hand, as it were, and in it He held a book. The Greek word here refers to a scroll. A scroll was a long piece of papyrus or animal skin, rolled from both ends into the middle. Scrolls were commonly used before the invention of the modern book.
While Roman wills were sealed up with seven seals, this scroll is not a will but a deed or contract. Jeremiah 32 provides a good illustration of the use of such a document. In the waning days of the southern kingdom, shortly before the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiah's cousin Hanamel approached him. Hanamel was desperate to sell a field he owned in Jeremiah's hometown of Anathoth, near Jerusalem. Hanamel knew the land would be seized once the Babylonian army conquered. Jeremiah, in obedience to God's command .. Jeremiah 32:6-7 .. purchased the field in spite of its potential loss as a sign that the Babylonian captivity would not be permanent.
The scroll John saw in God's hand is the title deed to the earth. Unlike other such deeds, however, it does not record the descriptive detail of what Christ will inherit, but rather how He will regain His rightful inheritance. It will occur by the divine judgments about to be poured out on the earth. While the scroll is a scroll of doom and judgment, it is also a scroll of redemption. It tells how Christ will redeem the world from Satan and those with him. Ezekiel describes this same scroll in his vision of heaven .. Ezekiel 2:9-10 ..
next week ... The Search For The Worthy One

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Jesus is our way to God and God's way to us
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The Gifts of the Wise Men and Our Gifts to Jesus taken from a message given by Adrian Rogers
It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again...time for gift-buying, gift-wrapping, and gift-exchanging. Where does Jesus fit into that picture? And what are the gifts we could bring Him this Christmas? I think one way we can discover that is to look at the account in Matthew 2:1-12 as to the gifts the wise men brought Him on that tender, blessed night when God became flesh and dwelt among us.

Gold—His Sovereign Dominion

Gold was a gift presented to a king. It was the most precious metal of that day and it symbolized royalty. The wise men recognized that this baby who was born in a manger was no ordinary baby—this was King Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The wise men did not cuddle Him. They did not play games with Him. Instead they bowed the knee in reverence to Him. They recognized that indeed He is King.

On a memorable trip to Washington, I had an opportunity to speak with the President of the United States. I mentioned that I heard he was visiting my city the next day. He said, “That’s right. Why don’t you ride back to Memphis with me on Air Force One.” I said, “Why, Mr. President, that would be an honor, but I have a plane going back today.” He replied, “Well, if you can arrange it, I’d love to have you.”

Do you know what I did? I quickly made a hotel reservation and bought a toothbrush. Do you know why? You don’t get those kinds of invitations every day—at least I didn’t! Later I thought, “Adrian, you rearranged your schedule, made a reservation, bought toiletries to spend another night, just so you could spend a few moments with that man.” Although I would have done it again, I thought, “Adrian, how much difficulty did you go through and how would you compare that to what you do for the King of kings?” My heart smote me—that sometimes I am more impressed with the men of this world than I am with heaven’s King. My friend, He is King of kings.

next week: Frankincense—His Sinless Deity

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How come your always running around looking for God?
He's not lost . . . . .
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Answers to this week's Trivia's:
1. What two women said, "Lord, of thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."?
A. Martha and Mary John 11:21 and 32
2. Fill in the following two blanks of Philippians 2:10 with one word each: "At the name of Jesus every ____ should ____."
A. Knee; bow

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Jesus became forever like me
that I might become forever like Him
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This weeks chuckle: for those with memories of their childhood days.... [true story..]

IT WAS THE FIRST SNOW OF WINTER—an exciting day for every child but not for most teachers. Up until now, I had been able to dress myself for recess, but today I would need some help. Miss Finlayson, my kindergarten teacher at Princess Elizabeth School near Hamilton, Ontario, had been through first snow days many times in her long career, but I think she may still remember this one.

I managed to get into my itchy wool snow pants. But I struggled with my jacket because it didn’t fit well. It was a hand-me-down from my brother, and it made me wonder why I had to wear his ugly clothes. At least my hat and matching scarf were mine, and they were quite pretty. Finally it was time to have Miss Finlayson help me with my boots. In her calm, motherly voice she said, “By the end of winter, you will all be able to put on your own boots.” I didn’t realize at the time that this was more a statement of hope than of confidence.

I handed her my boots and stuck out my foot. Like most children, I expected the adult to do all the work. After much wiggling and pushing, she managed to get the first one into place and then, with an audible sigh, she worked the second one on too.

I announced, “They’re on the wrong feet.” With the grace that only experience can bring, she struggled to get the boots off and went through the joyless task of putting them on again. Then I said, “These aren’t my boots, you know.” As she pulled the offending boots from my feet, she still managed to look both helpful and interested. Once they were off, I said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My mother makes me wear them, and I hate them!” somehow, from long years of practice, she managed to act as though I wasn’t an annoying little girl. She pushed and shoved, less gently this time, and the boots were returned to their proper place on my feet. With a great sigh of relief, seeing the end of her struggle with me, she asked, “Now, where are your mittens?”

I looked into her eyes and said, “I didn’t want to lose them, so I stuffed them into the toes of my boots.”

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It sure takes a special teacher . . . . .

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"

God loves you and yours ... He really does!

Nancy <><<

Added: December 15, 2008

Submitted by

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Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#396 2 Dec 08

. . . In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God; all things were made
through him, and without him was not anything made that was made . . .
John 1:1-3

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! Are you like a lot of people that when you read the Bible, you just read it and accept it as to what it says, and not giving it another thought? Take the verse above for instance .. Change the word Word to Jesus .. "In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. He was in the beginning with God .." Jesus did not begin when He was born as a baby, for He already was .... He came to show us what God is like! Verse 14 says this [and I'm changing the word Word again..] "And Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us..." He came to be among us and to 'dwell' in us .. to dwell is the same meaning as 'tent' .. He came to be among us and dwell in us .. Why did Jesus become a man? So that men and women could come to know Him as a man.. To show us the Father: In John 14 Jesus was talking to Philip and because Philip said "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." Jesus' response was this "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.." Jesus lowered Himself to our level to help us understand Him and His love for us.

Be a blessing this week! Why do you love? Because He first loved you!

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This week's trivia's: [answers below...]

1. Fill in the blank in the following verse with one word: "Whosoever findeth a ____, findeth a good thing."
2. One gospel (Mark) records that a young man ran away when Jesus was arrested. What was unusual about him?

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If you want to know who God is, you need to know Jesus
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BIBLE MEDITATION:
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child. If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His footsteps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus, in essence, was saying, "What looks like is going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
Have you ever noticed that the title God chose to describe Himself is an incomplete sentence? Now, most people would finish that sentence, "I am..." but not our Lord. He purposefully did not complete the sentence. "I AM" He is. Are you hungry? He is the bread. Are you in the dark? He is the light. Are you searching? He is the truth. Are you lost? He is the way. Are you in need? He is your Shepherd.

ACTION POINT:
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember what is over your head is under His feet.
What need are you looking to God to meet today? Trust Him right now to meet you there.

* * * * * * * * *
The Bible is God's love letter to His children.
If you don't understand it,
it's because you're reading someone else's mail
* * * * * * * * *

This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

TOWARD THE THRONE: and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." Rev 4:8b-11
This scene in heaven ends in worship directed toward God on His throne. Here and in chapter 5 are five great hymns of praise, each gradually increasing in the number of singers -- from a quartet (the four living creatures) with the twenty-four elders joining in [vs 10], then myriads of angels adding their voices [vs 11], and finally, all created beings in the universe filling in the mighty chorus of praise to God [vs 13]. This mighty oratorio of praise and worship can be divided into two movements: the hymn of creation [ch 4], and the hymn of redemption [ch 5].
This hymn of creation, the first movement, may be divided into several elements. The four living creatures begin by focusing on God's holiness: "day and night they do not cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.'" The threefold repetition of holy is also found in Isaiah 6:3. Holiness is the only one of God's attributes repeated in this way, since it is the summation of all that He is.
Next, the four living creatures refer to God's power. He is the Almighty, a title by which God identified Himself to Abraham .. Gen 17:1 .. That term identifies God as the most powerful being, devoid of any weakness, whose conquering power and overpowering strength none can oppose. Because God is Almighty, He can effortlessly do whatever His holy will purposes to do .. Isa 40:28 ..
God's power is seen in creation. Psalm 33:9 says, "He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Having created the universe, God also controls it. But as was the case with His holiness, the aspect of God's power most clearly in view here is His power exhibited in judgement. For example, He judged Satan and the sinning angels, expelling them from heaven; destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain; drowned Pharaoh's army; and shattered the most powerful king in the world, Nebuchadnezzar, reducing him to eating grass like an animal for seven years. And it will be God's power that unleashes the terrible, irresistible judgments on sinful mankind during the tribulation before the Lord's return.
The four living creatures also praise God for His eternity, extolling Him as "He who was and who is and who is to come." Scripture repeatedly affirms God's eternity, that He has neither beginning nor ending .. Ps 90:2; Isa 57:15; 1 Tim 1:17 ..
The praise of the four living creatures, as they give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, triggers a response from the twenty-four elders. They will "fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever." This is the first of six times the elders bow before God .. 5:8, 14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4 .. This is a posture of reverential worship, a natural response to the majestic glory of God.
Amazingly, after prostrating themselves the twenty-four elders "cast their crowns before the throne." They are not concerned about their own holiness, honor, or reward. All those things pale into insignificance and become meaningless in light of the glory of God.
The elders add their own note to the chorus of praise, crying out, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." The Greek word for "worthy" was used of the Roman emperor when he marched in a triumphal procession. The focus of the elders' song is on God's glory in creation. He is presented as Creator throughout Scripture .. 10:6; cf. Gen 1:1; Exo 20:11 .. The elders are acknowledging that God has the right both to redeem and to judge His creation. Their song anticipates paradise lost becoming paradise regained.
next week: THE WORTHY ONE

* * * * * * * * *
The Word of God is to your spirit what blood is to your body
* * * * * * * * *
"But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?" Gal 4:9

What does it mean, "you know God"? Lots of people know God. The drunk in the gutter knows God - he uses His name in vain daily. The hardened sailor knows God - he prayed through the latest hurricane. Let me explain it this way. I know President George Bush. I know a lot about him. I know his face, his voice, his mannerisms, his political views, his successes and failures as President.

Now, what does "or rather are known by God" mean? That means God knows me. He knows my strengths, my weaknesses,
my sins, my victories -- and He loves me anyway! That is the difference.

Let me put it this way. My knowing George Bush and having a dollar and eighty cents will get me a ride on the bus. George Bush knowing me will get me into his home in Texas! Now there is the difference.

Knowing God gets me little but the satisfaction that I do -- after all, satan knows God (probably a lot better than you or I!) Ah, but being known by God. That gets me salvation. That buys my entrance into Heaven. That gets my prayers answered. That gets me somewhere!

Which is more important? Which best describes your relationship with God? Think about it?
Amen and Amen. Pastor Jeff Lilley

* * * * * * * * *
The more of the WORD OF GOD you give away,
the more of it will stick to you
* * * * * * * * *
Answers to this week's trivia's:

1. Fill in the blank in the folowing verse with one word: "Whosoever findeth a ____, findeth a good thing."
A. Wife Prov 18:22
2. One gospel (Mark) records that a young man ran away when Jesus was arrested. What was unusual about him?
A. He was naked Mark 14:51-52

* * * * * * * * *

This week's chuckle:

A cat died and went to heaven. God met her at the gates and said, "You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking."
The cat thought for a minute and then said, "All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on."
God said, "Say no more." Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.
A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat.
The mice said, "Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again."
God answered, "It is done." All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.
About a week later, God decided to check in on the cat. He found her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, "Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?"
The cat replied, "Oh, it is WONDERFUL! I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!"

* * * * * * * * *

What can I say??

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up"
God loves you and yours ... He really does!

Nancy <><<

Added: December 5, 2008

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#394 18 Nov 08

. . . For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which
we feel for your sake before our God . . .
1 Thessalonians 3:9

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! In a few short days, we will all be celebrating Thanksgiving with our friends and family. In the midst of the recent economic catastrophes in the U.S. and around the world, it could be easy to forget to be thankful. Not to mention 'the new changes' that will take place for us as a Nation.

God has given me so much to be thankful for--and one of those things is you. You have allowed me to come into your home and share the Word of God on a weekly basis. Thank you for that.

You have encouraged me time and again not to stop. "Keep sharing with us the Word" or "You have no idea how many lives you have touched by what you are doing" is something I read often in your e-mails and/or hear in your voices. [no, I don't know how many ppl I've touched, I don't need to know .. I'll know when I get to glory land...]

So as I face the final days in this calendar year, I am mindful of the need to get the Word out to as many people that the Lord brings on the path of this Bbl Stdy. This is the mandate you have given me-- a weekly commission I'm on. And as I have said before, its a true privilege for me. Give Thanks with a Thankful Heart . . .

Be a blessing this week! What are you thankful for? Gather around with others and discuss all that you are thankful for...

* * * * * * * * *
I am thankful for my family and that all of my children are saved. Andrea
* * * * * * * * *

This week's Trivia's: [answers below...]
1. Where did Adam and Eve hide when they heard God walking in the Garden of Eden?
2. What kind of flower did Jesus say was dressed more beautifully than king Solomon?

* * * * * * * * *
I'm thankful for how God has blessed me with a wonderful wife,
children who love the Lord, and grandkids who
will see Jesus in their parents...as well as the knowledge that
all of us are saved by faith and not by works. Larry
* * * * * * * * *
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever." Revelation 7:12
"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I heard about a man who got a little excited in a church. He kept shouting, "Praise the Lord!" One day, some of the brethren called on him while he was plowing his fields. When they were finished talking, he hung his head and said, "I know it's the truth. I have disturbed the services, but, you know I sit there and think what the Lord has done for me . . . how He died in agony and blood for me upon the cross . . . how He's forgiven all of my sins . . . how He's filled me with the spirit and . . . here, hold this mule while I shout!" If being a Christian and going to heaven doesn't excite you, you have calluses on your soul. It's exciting to know the Lord Jesus Christ!
I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time. I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room! Sometimes our mind tells us something is true when it's not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true. How critical it is for us to focus on the truth! Jesus died for you. He lives for you. You died with Him. You live for Him. Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.

ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you raised your hands and shouted "Praise the Lord!" Maybe right now is a good time!
Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you!

* * * * * * * * *
Le doy gracias al Senor por sus misericordias
y abundantes bendiciones para mi y mi familia durante este ano.... Melba
* * * * * * * * *

This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

From The Throne: Out from the throne come glashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder Rev 4:5a

"Flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder" are associated with God's presence in Exodus 19:16 and Ezekiel 1:13. They are also associated with God's judgment during the tribulation. In Revelation 8:5, "The angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds of flashes of lightning" .. 11:19; 16:18 ..
Thus John saw a preview of the divine wrath that will be poured out on the earth, described in chapters 6-19.

Before The Throne: And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was, something like, a sea of glass like crystal; 4:5b -6a
John saw two things before the throne. First were "seven lamps of fire." Unlike the lampstands mentioned in 1:12-13, these were outdoor torches, giving off the fierce, blazing light of a fiery torch. John identifies them as "the seven Spirits of God." This phrase describes the Holy Spirit in all His fullness .. Isa 11:2; Zech 4:1-10 .. Torches are associated with war in Judges 7:16, 20 and Nahum 2:3-4. John's vision depicts God as ready to make war on sinful, rebellious humanity and the Holy Spirit as His war torch. The Comforter of those who love Christ will be the Consumer of those who reject Him.
Second, he saw "something like, a sea of glass like crystal." That sea is metaphorical, since there is no sea in heaven .. 21:1 .. What John saw at the base of the throne was a vast pavement of glass, shining brilliantly like crystal. Exodus 24:10 records a similar scene when Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel saw the God of Israel. Heaven is a world of Brilliant light, refracting and shining as through jewel and crystal in a manner beyond our ability to describe or imagine .. Rev 21:10-11, 18 ..
next week: In and Around The Throne

* * * * * * * * *
I am thankful that because of Jesus, I can know the omnipotent God! Maureen
* * * * * * * * *

PLACES: Jordan River . . . The Jordan River is one of the longest and most important water ways in the Holy Land. It's the setting for many great events in the Bible.
As the Jordan River flows south through the Holy Land, it descends nearly 2,500 feet, a remarkable drop in altitude! The river begins at an elevation of nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, near Mount Hermon. But for most of its winding, 200-mile length, it's below sea level. This is because the river flows through the Jordan Rift Valley, a deep fault created by shifting landmasses.
Three small rivers form the beginning of the Jordan. The first, the Banyasi, streams out of a cave near Caesarea Philippi, the place where Peter first recognized Jesus as the Christ .. Mk 8:27-29 .. The second and the largest is the Lidani River, near Dan. And the third is the Hasbani River.
As the Jordan continues southward, it connects three lakes. The first is Huleh, 250 feet above sea level and only 4 miles long. The river then descends quickly with its strong current and many rapids before joining the Sea of Galilee 10 miles downstream and 695 feet below sea level. It was on this lake and in the towns along its shores that Jesus taught, called upon His first disciples, and worked miracles.
In the region right around the Sea of Galilee, the river is bordered by thick forests. But as it flows south, the surrounding area becomes desolate, hot, and enclosed by cliffs. The third lake fed by the Jordan is the Dead Sea, which is 1,294 feet below sea level. It is here that the river ends.
DID YOU KNOW? It is probably the river's dramatic fall in altitude that gave it its name, Jordan, which means "descender."

* * * * * * * * *
I am thankful for God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Glenn
* * * * * * * * *

"You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house" Haggai 1:9

Sometimes we are on top of the world; other times we are in the pits. Ever wonder why? Have you ever tracked your
spiritual development and compared it to your financial status? I have, and I sometimes find that when I have sin abounding in my life, my financial status does a serious reversal. I have also discovered that I have received plenty of warning and opportunities to repent before the inevitable happens. Oh, one more thing: I have taken note that I am a slow learner.

Perhaps you have noticed the same thing happening in your life. Oh, it may not be financial, it may take the form of emotions, or family relationships, or failing friendships, or any number of other things including illness, but it still happens. Then again, you may need to have someone point this out to you.

It is for certain the Israelites who returned from captivity needed a reminder and it was an all-too-familiar event that brought them to their knees. Drought. That's right, the rains were withheld and crops failed and famine was spreading across the land. Then, at the right moment, Haggai hears from the Lord the words we read in today's verse. These folk had returned to Israel to rebuild the Temple. That was their mission. And what had they done? They built homes for themselves while God had no dwelling place.

If we continue to read in this little book, we will find the rains come, the famine ends, the profits return, after the people fulfill their mission. It has proven to be the same in my life. I have witnessed it myself all too many times, I told you I am a slow learner. I have witnessed it in the lives of many of my friends, they seem to be slow learners, too. Because of this, I am not going to be hard on you. But I do encourage you to check your relationship with the Father if you are in a time of "reversal." Amen and Amen. Pastor Jeff Lilley

* * * * * * * * *
Give thanks in all circumstances:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
* * * * * * * * *

Answers to this week's Trivia's:
1. Where did Adam and Eve hide when they heard God walking in the Garden of Eden?
A. In the trees .. Gen 3:8
2. What kind of flower did Jesus say was dressed more beautifully than king Solomon?
A. Lillies .. Matt 6:28

* * * * * * * * *
This week's chuckle:
Wanda's dishwasher quit working so she called in a repairman.
Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check."
"Oh, by the way," she adds, " don't worry about my dog Spike. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!"
"I MUST STRESS TO YOU: DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!"

When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking dog he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.
The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling.

Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, "Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!"
To which the parrot replied, 'Get 'im Spike!'

* * * * * * * * *

See ... men just don't listen ...

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"
God bless you and yours ..

Have a wonderful, blessed Thankful Holiday!

Nancy <><<

Added: November 23, 2008

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Max Hashbarger
From: Mexico
E-mail: Contact

#393 11 Nov 08

. . . For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor . . .
1 Peter 2:15-17

Grateful for . . . .

THE WORD OF GOD !

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Greetings! note to above verse: The concept of the brotherhood of man must be understood within the limitations imposed by Scripture. There is a sense in which all men are brothers in that they are descended from Adam as their common ancestor. But the Scripture nowhere speaks of this brotherhood. It does speak, however, of a brotherhood which springs from the new birth and adoption of sons. By this new spiritual relationship believers are not only connected with God through Christ, but also with each other as children and heirs of God .. 1 Jn 3:2; Gal 3:26 .. Only those who have a Christian faith in the Lord are accounted as children of God in the biblical sense, and because of this they are brothers to all who own the same Lord.

Be a blessing this week! Hug another brother/sister in the Lord . . .

*This week is Veterans Day... Thank a Vet for Serving on our behalf so we can have the freedom to worship our Lord whenever we want. * [at least for the time being...]

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
1 Cor 1:30

This week's Trivia's: [answer below..]

1. Who said to whom: "I am that I am."?
2. What did Jesus say a man could and must do, a comment which amazed Nicodemus?

* * * * * * * * *
I may be a nut, but I'm fastened to a good bolt, the Lord Jesus Christ
* * * * * * * * *

BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11
"For He hath put all things under His feet. . ." 1 Corinthians 15:27

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what Napoleon said about China? "There lies a sleeping giant, and let him sleep, because if he awakens, he will shake the world." I believe the devil says that about the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe the church is just that, a sleeping giant. We're asleep because we have been chloroformed by the spirit of this age. We're bombarded on every side by all kinds of amusement. Do you know what amuse means? It's a combination of two words. Muse means to think, and the alpha prefix in front of it means not to. We are a generation that is amusing ourselves into oblivion. And it's time to wake up!
Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered. When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies interceding for you. Where are your problems? Under His feet. Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!

ACTION POINT:
Are you taking the Christian life seriously? If this were your last day on earth, how would you spend it? In amusement? Or in evangelism?
Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.
from the Ministries of Love Worth Finding .. by Adrian Rogers

* * * * * * * * *
The Christian life is not all honey and no bees.
* * * * * * * * *

This week's teaching by John MacArthur on the book of Revelation: Because The Time IS Near.

Around The Throne: and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Rev 4:3b-4
Moving away from his description of the throne to describe what was around it, John first noted that there was a rainbow around it. That John described it as being "like an emerald in appearance" reveals that green was the dominant color. This again is introduced to show the many-splendored glory of God .. Eze 1:28 .. The rainbow provides a comforting balance to the fiery flashings of judgment earlier seen from God's throne. According to Genesis 9:13-17, a rainbow symbolizes God's covenant faithfulness, mercy, and grace. God's attributes always operate in perfect harmony. His wrath never operates at the expense of His faithfulness.
John also saw around the throne twenty-four elders sitting upon twenty-four other thrones, "clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads." The identity of the twenty-four elders has been much debated. While some see them as an order of angelic beings, it seems best to view them as human representatives of the church. Why? First, the reference to the twenty-four thrones they sit upon indicates that they reign with Christ. Nowhere in Scripture do angels sit on thrones, nor are they pictured as reigning. The church, on the other hand, is repeatedly promised to rule with Christ .. Rev 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4; Matt 19:28; Lk 22:30; 1 Cor 6:2-3; 2 Tim 2:12
The Greek word translated "elders" is never used in Scripture to refer to angels, but always to men. It is used to speak of older men in general, and the rulers of both Israel and the church. There is also no clear use of this word outside of Revelation to refer to angels. Further, "elder" would be an inappropriate term to describe angels, who do not age.
While angels do appear in white .. Jn 20:12; Acts 1:10 .. white garments more commonly are the dress of believers. That is particularly true in the immediate context of Revelation. Christ promised the believers at Sardis that they would "be clothed in white garments" ..3:5 .. He advised the Laodiceans to "buy from Me . . . white garments so that you may clothe yourself" .. 3:18 .. At the marriage supper of the Lamb, His bride will "clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean" .. 19:8 .. White garments symbolize Christ's righteousness imputed to believers at salvation.
That the elders wore golden crowns on their heads provides further evidence that they were humans. Crowns are never promised to angels in the Bible, nor are angels ever seen wearing them. This crown in Greek refers to the victor's crown, worn by those who successfully competed and won the victory. Christ promised this crown to the loyal believers at Smyrna ..2:10; cf. 1 Cor 9:25; 2 Tim 4:8; Jas 1:12 ..
If the twenty-four elders are humans, who do they represent? In the Bible, the number twenty-four is used in Scripture to speak of completion and representation. There were twenty-four officers of the sanctuary representing the twenty-four courses of the Levitical p*** .. 1 Chron 24:4-5, 7-18 .. Whoever the twenty-four elders are, then, they likely represent a larger group.
Some believe the elders represent Israel. But while individual Jews have been and will continue to be redeemed throughout history, at the time of this vision the nation as a whole had not yet been redeemed. The elders also cannot be tribulation saints, since they too had not yet been converted. Others split the twenty-four elders into two groups of twelve, one representing the church and the other Israel. Yet in all their appearances in Revelation, they appear as a unified group of twenty-four, never as two groups of twelve.
The most likely option is that they represent the raptured church, which sings the song of redemption ..5:8-10 .. They have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone to be with Jesus .. Jn 14:1-4 ..

next week .. From The Throne

* * * * * * * * *
There are two classes of people: the saints and the ain'ts.
* * * * * * * * *

Here is another excerpt from this book I have been reading by David Jeremiah: "What in the world is going on?"

There Will Be a Return "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God..." .. 1 Thess 4:16a .. The details of this passage paint an amazingly complete sensory picture of the Rapture. Paul even gave the sounds that will be heard -- a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. The purpose and relationship of these three sounds have generated considerable discussion. Some have claimed that the shout is for the church, the archangel's voice is for the Jews, and the trumpet is for all gentile believers. But these claims are mistaken. The three allusions to sounds are not to be taken as coordinate but rather as subordinate. Paul was not describing three separate sounds; he was describing only one sound in three different ways.
This sound will be like a shout, ringing with command authority like the voice of an archangel. It will also be like the blare of a trumpet in its volume and clarity. And the sound will be exclusively directed -- heard only by those who have placed their trust in Christ. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he shouted "Lazarus, come forth!" .. Jn 11:43 .. I've heard Bible students speculate as to what might have happened had Jesus forgotten to mention Lazarus's name. Would all the dead within the range of His voice have emerged from their graves? At the Rapture that is exactly what will happen. His shout of "Come forth!" will not name a single individual, but it will be heard by every believer in every grave around the world. All those tombs will empty, and the resurrected believers will fly skyward. [are you picturing this???]

* * * * * * * * *
I'm what they call a prison singer:
always behind a few bars and looking for the right key.
* * * * * * * * *

Giving Thanks Always [taken from a message given by Adrian Rogers]
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

I imagine that all of us would agree that this commandment—to thank God at all times for all things—is perhaps the hardest in all of the Bible to practice. But it is the secret to a happy and productive life.

When Should We Be Thankful?

I want you to notice several things about this passage of Scripture. First, I want you to notice when we should be thankful. We are to give thanks always. If Paul had said sometimes, that wouldn’t be so hard. But he clearly said always.

Now we’re coming to Thanksgiving Day, but you and I both know that one day is not enough. Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits...” Every day you get a fresh load. You should never pray without thanking God.

Why should God give you anything else if you don’t thank Him for what He’s already given you? Many of us need to pull out some of the groans in our prayers and shove in some hallelujahs. If you don’t already, begin putting some thank yous in your prayers.

For What Do We Give Thanks?

And what should we our thanks be for? For all things! Thank God for your faith, for your friends, for your food, and for the water you drink? You may ask, “Do I have to thank God for dirty dishes?” Well, a lot of people would like to have some dirty dishes; that would mean they had something to eat. But also, just be thankful for your fortune—the things that God has given you and done for you.

In church, a family heard of a couple giving a significant love offering in memory of their son who had died on the battlefield. On the way home, the wife asked her husband, “Why don’t we give an offering of an equal amount for our son?” He said, “Why? Our son wasn’t killed.” She replied, “Don’t you think that’s a good reason to give an offering?”

How Do We Give God Thanks?

But how? How is it possible to thank God always for all things? Beginning in verse 18, Paul says it is possible because of three things. First of all, we are to give thanks in the Spirit. He says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” You see, to be Spirit-filled is to be thankful. If you’re not thankful, you’re not Spirit-filled. In contrast, there is no way you can be Spirit-filled and be unthankful. The mark of a Spirit-filled life is gratefulness.

So give thanks in the Spirit, and verse 20 says to give thanks “unto God and the Father.” James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Don’t think negatively about God. God is good. He is your Father.

So, in the Spirit … unto the Father … and through the Son. Verse 20 also says to give thanks “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” You thank God in the name or with the authority of Christ. You don’t have to understand all that God is doing. Even if you don’t understand it, you can just say, “In the name of Jesus, I thank You.”

Make it your daily habit to lift your heart to God in praise as you get out of bed each morning. Just say, “Lord God, I love You, and I praise You.” What a great way to start your day and to live your life!

Four Levels of Life

There are basically four levels of life. The first is represented by people who are constantly complaining and grumbling. They brighten up a room just by leaving it.

The second includes people who just live lives of ingratitude. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That’s a little better but not much.

Then, there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’re grateful. That’s a better level.

But let me tell you what the highest level is. It is to be grateful for all things at all times. Now folks when you get to that place, then you have learned the secret of joy.

* * * * * * * * *
Do you know where Greece came from?
It o o z e d out of Turkey.
* * * * * * * * *
Answers to this week's Trivia's:

1. Who said to whom: "I am that I am."?
A. God to Moses Ex 3:14
2. What did Jesus say a man could and must do, a comment which amazed Nicodemus?
A. Be born again John 3:3-7

* * * * * * * * *
Said one demon to another: "If Christ ever gets out of that tomb,
hell help us all heaven will break loose."
* * * * * * * * *
INTERESTING FACTS:
The Egyptians are the ones who invented the eyeliner and the toilet seat as well as other items including anesthesia, ink, scissors and toothpaste!

* * * * * * * * *

WOW! I often wondered who invented those items! That was interesting....

Until next time, remember, "Keep Looking Up!"
God bless you and yours ...

Added: November 12, 2008

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Rob

Please pass this Prayer Request to as many Christians and Churches as possible***(Terrorist plotting against the U.S,Taliban,Bath Party officials,those caught in the battlefield fighting against U.S troops and enemies of the U.S).When these enemies are caught by the U.S,Pray GOD makes all these enemies tell the truth about everything they know,holding nothing back when talking to U.S interigators.Pray all these enemies of the U.S are forced to tell the truth about everything they know when asked by U.S interigators,just like Demons were forced to to the truth when they were asked questions by JESUS and the apostles in the old testament.....Many in the Liberal media pretend to be objective and unbiased,but they are not objective and they are biased.Pray GOD makes all bias liberals in the media tell the truth to their American audience always.Pray they will not have any control of themselves and won't be able to deceive the American people anymore.No more covering up,and no more hiding the truth...Liberals in the government deceive people and use the liberal media to cover for them.Pray liberals in our government will not be able to lie to,or deceive the American people anymore.Pray GOD makes all liberals in our government tell the truth to the American people,no more covering up,and no more hiding the truth.Pray they will have no control over themselves and will not be able to lie, or deceive the American people no more.Pray GOD makes them tell the truth the way He makes demons tell the truth In JESUS Name.***Please pass this Prayer Request to as many Chuches and Christians as possible.***

Added: November 12, 2008

Submitted by

Comments:

Name: Anthony
From: Pennsylvania
E-mail: Contact

Hello Max,

Thankyou for posting the Bible study.

Regards,
Anthony

Added: October 16, 2008

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