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Comment by ALCEDES JONES on July 12, 2011 at 7:35pm

Today's Bible Verse:

Colossians 3:13
... bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Forgive as the Lord Forgave You

Bearing with one another and forgiving isn't easy. But I have found that when I begin to pray for the person who has wronged me, God gives me new eyes to see and a new heart to care for that person. As I pray, I start to see that person as God sees them, and I realize that he or she is precious to the Lord.

I also see myself in a new light, just as guilty of sin and failure as the other person. I too am in need of forgiveness. If God did not withhold his forgiveness from me, why should I withhold my forgiveness from another?

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on May 10, 2011 at 3:15am

	Walking Through the Storm TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Everyone faces the storms of life. Sometimes we have the faith to be delivered from the storms instantly; sometimes we have the faith to walk through the storms. But no matter which route you take, you can be sure that God is right there with you. He will equip you and sustain you. He will give you the grace, the supernatural empowerment, to make it through. Today, maybe you are facing a storm and can’t quite see a way out. Maybe you’re not sure what the answer is. All you have to do is take it one step at a time by saying, “God, I know You have a good plan for my future.” “God, I am doing better today than I was yesterday.” “God, I know You are leading and guiding me.” With every step you take, know that God is doing a work in your life. Know that He is with you, and He will comfort you. Keep moving forward. Keep taking those steps of faith and keep walking through the storm into the place of victory He has prepared for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Heavenly Father, thank You for walking with me through every season of life. I thank You for being a shield of protection around me, for going before me and preparing the way. Keep me close to You and give me strength as I move forward into the victory You have for me! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on April 19, 2011 at 4:25am

Christianity for Realists
The Myth of a Problem-free Life

From Jack Zavada
See More About:



Everyone has different expectations from Christianity, but one thing we should not expect is a problem-free life.

It just isn't realistic, and you won't find one verse in the Bible to support that idea. Jesus is blunt when he tells his followers:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

Trouble! Now there's an understatement. If you're a Christian and you haven't been ridiculed, discriminated against, insulted or mistreated, you're doing something wrong. Our trouble also includes accidents, illness, job layoffs, broken relationships, financial setbacks, family strife, the deaths of loved ones, and every kind of nastiness that unbelievers suffer as well.

What gives? If God loves us, why doesn't he take better care of us? Why doesn't he make Christians immune from all the pains of life?

Only God knows the answer to that, but we can find our solution in the last part of Jesus' statement: "I have overcome the world."
The Major Cause of Trouble
Many of the world's problems come from Satan, that Father of Lies and Dealer in Destruction. In the past couple decades, it's become fashionable to treat that fallen angel like a mythological character, implying that we are too sophisticated now to believe in such nonsense.

But Jesus never spoke of Satan as a symbol. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert. He constantly warned his disciples to beware of Satan's traps. As God, Jesus is the supreme realist, and he recognized the existence of Satan.

Using us to cause our own problems is Satan's oldest ploy. Eve was the first person to fall for it and the rest of us have been doing it ever since. Self-destruction has to start somewhere, and Satan is often the small voice that assures us our dangerous acts are all right.

There's no doubt: Sin can be enjoyable. Satan is doing everything he can to make sin socially acceptable in our world. But Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." What did he mean?
Exchanging His Power for Our Own
Sooner or later, every Christian realizes that their own power is pretty puny. As hard as we try to be good all the time, we just can't make it. But the good news is that if we allow him, Jesus will live the Christian life through us. That means his power to overcome sin and the problems of this world is ours for the asking.

No matter whether our problems are caused by ourselves (sin), others (crime, cruelty, selfishness) or circumstances (illness, traffic accidents, job loss, fire, disaster), Jesus is always where we turn. Because Christ has overcome the world, we can overcome it through his strength, not our own. He is the answer to the problem-filled life.

That doesn't mean our problems will end as soon as we surrender control to him. It does mean, however, that our unbeatable ally will bring us through everything that happens to us: "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all ..." (Psalm 34:19 NIV)

He doesn't spare us from them all, he doesn't shield us from them all, but he does deliver us. We may come out the other side with scars and losses, but we will come out the other side. Even if our suffering results in death, we will be delivered into the hands of God.
Confidence During Our Problems
Each new problem calls for renewed trust, but if we think back on how God has delivered us in the past, we see that unmistakable pattern of delivery in our lives. Knowing God is on our side and supporting us through our troubles can give us a sense of peace and confidence.

Once we understand that trouble is normal and to be expected in this life, it will not catch us off-guard as much when it comes. We don't have to like it, we certainly can't enjoy it, but we can always count on God's help to get us through it.

A problem-free life is a myth here on earth but a reality in heaven. Realistic Christians see that. We don't view heaven as pie-in-the-sky but rather our reward for trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior. It's a place where all will be made right, because the God of Righteousness lives there.

Until we reach that place, we can take heart, as Jesus commanded us. He has overcome the world, and as his followers, his victory is also ours.

Jack Zavada, a career writer and guest contributor for About.com, is host to a Christian lessons h lives. His articles and ebooks offer great hope and encouragement. To contact him or for more information, visit Jack's Bio Page

Comment by rosary flasius on April 12, 2011 at 11:11am

"And THIS is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  john 17:3

praise to our lord all my brothers and sisters, if anyone of you did't have faith that "i (you) will be in paradise ", just read given scripture. the key of the kingdom of heaven is in your hand, so don't afraid yourself. read BIBLE EVERYDAY and go SPRITUAL church which near to you to HEAR lord's words. praise to our lord shelter and many many thanks for His recover, Amen
  
thank you my beloved all
your small in christ
rosary plasius

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on April 4, 2011 at 7:23am

	Hold On to Your Peace TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28, NIV). TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I've learned that some people are peace stealers. They feel like it's their calling in life to aggravate you, try to make you look bad, and tell you what you can't do. They'll try to bait you into an argument to get you upset, annoyed and frustrated. But don't take the bait! Nothing is worth losing your peace over. They may think they're getting the best of you, but in the end, God can use that to take you higher. When people come against you, choose to keep your peace. Choose to forgive. Pray for that person because that's how you disarm the enemy against you. Scripture says your battle isn't against flesh and blood. In others words, that person isn't your enemy; the accuser—Satan—is your enemy. He's trying to bring division and get you upset. But when you choose to keep peace, when you keep walking in love and keep a smile on your face, you are overcoming his tactics. That's how you win. Today, choose peace, choose to walk in love, and choose the victory God has prepared for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for giving me Your peace and strength today. I choose to hold my peace and bless those who come against me. I choose to walk in love and forgiveness so that I can honor You in all that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 21, 2011 at 5:23am

DARE You To Be Healthy!

Inspiration   >  Bible   >  DARE You To Be Healthy!

 

DARE You To Be Healthy!

 

Who doesn’t want to be in good health—filled with stamina and energy, able to fight off disease and fatigue? And while you can’t deny your genetics, you have more control over your health than you may realize. It’s all a matter of:

 

Diet — Choose foods that your body needs: fresh fruits and vegetables, crisp salads, plenty of water (why fill up with sodas and caffeine drinks?), lean meats. The Bible speaks in no uncertain terms about the wisdom of a common-sense diet and life-style. “The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty” (Proverbs 23:21). The Living Bible paraphrases 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to read: “Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because he owns it.”

 

Attitude — What happens in your life is far less important than the attitude you bring to it. Hatred, guilt, fear and discontent can take their toll on your body. Stop dwelling on the negative! “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

 

Rest — No machine can run long without stopping periodically for maintenance. Your body, infinitely more complex and precious than the most valuable machine, is designed by your Creator for regular periods of rest and relaxation. But treat your mind and spirit to intervals of repose, too. After you have prayed about a problem, and after you have done all you can, leave it in God’s hands. “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). Jesus promises, “Come to me…and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

 

Exercise — Two of the greatest dangers to health are being overweight and the lack of physical activity. All exercise is beneficial, but one of the best forms is simply walking. It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart disease and enhances muscle tone. Walking also strengthens the chest, shoulders and back muscles; it increases bone density in the hips and lower vertebrae. “Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success” (Proverbs 3:6). Ask God to help you get a move on and be healthy!

 

Ready to begin a healthier life? DARE you to start today!

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 20, 2011 at 10:40am

PSALM 27:1-7

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD gives me light and saves me. Why should I fear anyone? The LORD is my place of safety. Why should I be afraid? 2 My enemies are evil. They will trip and fall when they attack me and try to eat me alive. 3 Even if an army attacks me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war breaks out against me, I will still trust in God. 4 I'm asking the LORD for only one thing. Here is what I want. I want to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. I want to look at the beauty of the Lord. I want to worship him in his temple. 5 When I'm in trouble, he will keep me safe in his house. He will hide me in the safety of his holy tent. He will put me on a rock that is very high. 6 Then I will win the battle over my enemies who are all around me. At his holy tent I will offer my sacrifice with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord. 7 Lord, hear my voice when I call out to you. Show me your favor and answer me.

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 20, 2011 at 10:25am

ACTS 7:42-50 ⁴²But God turned [away from them] and delivered them up to worship and serve the host (stars) of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you [really] offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness (desert), O house of Israel?^(AB)

    ⁴³[No!] You took up the tent (the portable temple) of Moloch and carried it [with you], and the star of the god Rephan, the images which you [yourselves] made that you might worship them; and I will remove you [carrying you away into exile] beyond Babylon.^(AC)

    ⁴⁴Our forefathers had the tent (tabernacle) of witness in the wilderness, even as He Who directed Moses to make it had ordered, according to the pattern and model he had seen.^(AD)

    ⁴⁵Our forefathers in turn brought it [this tent of witness] in [with them into the land] with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations which God drove out before the face of our forefathers. [So it remained here] until the time of David,^(AE)

    ⁴⁶Who found grace (favor and spiritual blessing) in the sight of God and prayed that he might be allowed to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. [II Sam. 7:8-16; Ps. 132:1-5.]

    ⁴⁷But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. [I Kings 6.]

    ⁴⁸However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says,^(AF)

    ⁴⁹Heaven [is] My throne, and earth the footstool for My feet. What [kind of] house can you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place in which I can rest?

    ⁵⁰Was it not My hand that made all these things?^(AG)

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 20, 2011 at 10:25am

THIS WAS TAKEN FROM MATTHEW HENRY COMPLETE BIBLE COMMENTARY

Comment by ALCEDES JONES on March 20, 2011 at 10:24am

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS TO ALL WHO THINK A FOUR WALLED BUILDING IS GOD CHURCH OR TEMPLE,TAKEN FROM ACTS7 :42-50

Verses 42-50

Two things we have in these verses:—I. Stephen upbraids them with the idolatry of their fathers, which God gave them up to, as a punishment for their early forsaking him in worshipping the golden calf; and this was the saddest punishment of all for that sin, as it was of the idolatry of the Gentile world that God gave them up to a reprobate mind. When Israel was joined to idols, joined to the golden calf, and not long after to Baal-peor, God said, Let them alone; let them go on (v. 42): Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven. He particularly cautioned them not to do it, at their peril, and gave them reasons why they should not; but, when they were bent upon it, he gave them up to their own hearts; lust, withdrew his restraining grace, and then they walked in their own counsels, and were so scandalously mad upon their idols as never any people were. Compare Deu. 4:19 with Jer. 8:2. For this he quotes a passage out of Amos 5:25. For it would be less invidious to tell them their own [character and doom] from an Old-Testament prophet, who upbraids them,1. For not sacrificing to their own God in the wilderness (v. 42): Have you offered to me slain beasts, and sacrifices, by the space of forty years in the wilderness? No; during all that time sacrifices to God were intermitted; they did not so much as keep the passover after the second year. It was God’s condescension to them that he did not insist upon it during their unsettled state; but then let them consider how ill they requited him in offering sacrifices to idols, when God dispensed with their offering them to him. This is also a check to their zeal for the customs that Moses delivered to them, and their fear of having them changed by this Jesus, that immediately after they were delivered these customs were for forty years together disused as needless things.2. For sacrificing to other gods after they came to Canaan (v. 43): You took up the tabernacle of Moloch. Moloch was the idol of the children of Ammon, to which they barbarously offered their own children in sacrifice, which they could not do without great terror and grief to themselves and their families; yet this unnatural idolatry they arrived at, when God gave them up to worship the host of heaven. See 2 Chr. 28:3. It was surely the strongest delusion that ever people were given up to, and the greatest instance of the power of Satan in the children of disobedience, and therefore it is here spoken of emphatically: Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, you submitted even to that, and to the worship of the star of your god Remphan. Some think Remphan signifies the moon, as Moloch does the sun; others take it for Saturn, for that planet is called Remphan in the Syriac and Persian languages. The Septuagint puts it for Chiun, as being a name more commonly known. They had images representing the star, like the silver shrines for Diana, here called the figures which they made to worship. Dr. Lightfoot thinks they had figures representing the whole starry firmament, with all the constellations, and the planets, and these are called Remphan —"the high representation,’’ like the celestial globe: a poor thing to make an idol of, and yet better than a golden calf! Now for this it is threatened, I will carry you away beyond Babylon. In Amos it is beyond Damascus, meaning to Babylon, the land of the north. But Stephen changes it, with an eye to the captivity of the ten tribes, who were carried away beyond Babylon, by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 2 Ki. 17:6. Let it not therefore seem strange to them to hear of the destruction of this place, for they had heard of it many a time from the prophets of the Old Testament, who were not therefore accused as blasphemers by any but the wicked rulers. It was observed, in the debate on Jeremiah’s case, that Micah was not called to an account though he prophesied, saying, Zion shall be ploughed as a field, Jer. 26:18, 19.II. He gives an answer particularly to the charge exhibited against him relating to the temple, that he spoke blasphemous words against that holy place, v. 44–50. He was accused for saying that Jesus would destroy this holy place: "And what if I did say so?’’ (saith Stephen) "the glory of the holy God is not bound up in the glory of this holy place, but that may be preserved untouched, though this be laid in the dust;’’ for, 1. "It was not till our fathers came into the wilderness, in their way to Canaan, that they had any fixed place of worship; and yet the patriarchs, many ages before, worshipped God acceptably at the altars they had adjoining to their own tents in the open air—sub dio; and he that was worshipped without a holy place in the first, and best, and purest ages of the Old-Testament church, may and will be so when this holy place is destroyed, without any diminution to his glory.’’ 2. The holy place was at first but a tabernacle, mean and movable, showing itself to be short-lived, and not designed to continue always. Why might not this holy place, though built of stones, be decently brought to its end, and give place to its betters, as well as that though framed of curtains? As it was no dishonour, but an honour to God, that the tabernacle gave way to the temple, so it is now that the material temple gives way to the spiritual one, and so it will be when, at last, the spiritual temple shall give way to the eternal one. 3. That tabernacle was a tabernacle of witness, or of testimony, a figure of good things to come, of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not men, Heb. 8:2. This was the glory both of the tabernacle and temple, that they were erected for a testimony of that temple of God which in the latter days should be opened in heaven (Rev. 11:19), and of Christ’s tabernacling on earth (as the word is, Jn. 1:14), and of the temple of his body. 4. That tabernacle was framed just as God appointed, and according to the fashion which Moses saw in the mount, which plainly intimates that it had reference to good things to come. Its rise being heavenly, its meaning and tendency were so; and therefore it was no diminution at all to its glory to say that this temple made with hands should be destroyed, in order to the building of another made without hands, which was Christ’s crime (Mk. 14:58), and Stephen’s. 5. That tabernacle was pitched first in the wilderness; it was not a native of this land of yours (to which you think it must for ever be confined), but was brought in in the next age, by our fathers, who came after those who first erected it, into the possession of the Gentiles, into the land of Canaan, which had long been in the possession of the devoted nations whom God drove out before the face of our fathers. And why may not God set up his spiritual temple, as he had done the material tabernacle, in those countries that were now the possession of the Gentiles? That tabernacle was brought in by those who came with Jesus, that is, Joshua. And I think, for distinction sake, and to prevent mistakes, it ought to be so read, both here and Heb. 4:8. Yet in naming Joshua here, which in Greek is Jesus, there may be a tacit intimation that as the Old-Testament Joshua brought in that typical tabernacle, so the New-Testament Joshua should bring in the true tabernacle into the possession of the Gentiles. 6. That tabernacle continued for many ages, even to the days of David, above four hundred years, before there was any thought of building a temple, v. 45. David, having found favour before God, did indeed desire this further favour, to have leave to build God a house, to be a constant settled tabernacle, or dwelling-place, for the Shechinah, or the tokens of the presence of the God of Jacob, v. 46. Those who have found favour with God should show themselves forward to advance the interests of his kingdom among men. 7. God had his heart so little upon a temple, or such a holy place as they were so jealous for, that, when David desired to build one, he was forbidden to do it; God was in no haste for one, as he told David (2 Sa. 7:7), and therefore it was not he, but his son Solomon, some years after, that built him a house. David had all that sweet communion with God in public worship which we read of in his Psalms before there was any temple built. 8. God often declared that temples made with hands were not his delight, nor could add any thing to the perfection of his rest and joy. Solomon, when he dedicated the temple, acknowledged that God dwelleth not in temples made with hands; he has not need of them, is not benefited by them, cannot be confined to them. The whole world is his temple, in which he is every where present, and fills it with his glory; and what occasion has he for a temple then to manifest himself in? Indeed the pretended deities of the heathen needed temples made with hands, for they were gods made with hands (v. 41), and had no other place to manifest themselves in than in their own temples; but the one only true and living God needs no temple, for the heaven is his throne, in which he rests, and the earth is his footstool, over which he rules (v. 49, 50), and therefore, What house will you build me, comparable to this which I have already? Or, what is the place of my rest? What need have I of a house, either to repose myself in or to show myself? Hath not my hand made all these things? And these show his eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20); they so show themselves to all mankind that those who worship other gods are without excuse. And as the world is thus God’s temple, wherein he is manifested, so it is God’s temple in which he will be worshipped. As the earth is full of his glory, and is therefore his temple (Isa. 6:3), so the earth is, or shall be, full of his praise (Hab. 3:3), and all the ends of the earth shall fear him (Ps. 67:7), and upon this account it is his temple. It was therefore no reflection at all upon this holy place, however they might take it, to say that Jesus should destroy this temple, and set up another, into which all nations should be admitted, ch. 15:16, 17. And it would not seem strange to those who considered that scripture which Stephen here quotes (Isa. 66:1-3), which, as it expressed God’s comparative contempt of the external part of his service, so it plainly foretold the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, and the welcome of the Gentiles that were of a contrite spirit into the church.

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