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“‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’”
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV In the New Testament, Jesus Christ calls Him ABBA - Daddy! And Jesus declares "The Father and I are ONE." WHO IS HE? HE IS JESUS! He is the LAMB OF GOD. He is the RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. He is our ADVOCATE. He’s the GREAT GOOD SHEPHERD. He is the SHEPHERD and BISHOP of SOULS. He is the JUDGE. He is the KING OF KINGS. He is the LORD OF LORDS. He is the MAN OF SORROWS. He is the MASTER. He is the SAVIOR. He’s the HEAD OF THE CHURCH. He is the FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS. He’s THE ROCK. He’s our GREAT HIGH PRIEST. He is the DOOR. He is the LIVING WATER. He’s the BREAD OF LIFE. He is the ROSE OF SHARON. He is the LION OF JUDAH. He is the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, FIRST AND LAST. He’s the LILLY OF THE VALLEY. He is the TRUE VINE. He is the MESSIAH; TEACHER; the HOLY ONE. He is our MEDIATOR. He is the BELOVED SON. He is the BRANCH. He is the CARPENTER. He is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. He is the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD. He’s THE WORD. He is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. He is the SERVANT; and He is THE ALMIGHTY. He is the EVERLASTING FATHER. He is the PRINCE OF PEACE. He is SHILOH. He is the great I AM. He’s the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF THE FATHER. He is a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR. He is IMMANUEL, God with us. He is the KING OF THE JEWS. He is DAYSPRING. He is the PROPHET. He is our REDEEMER. He is our ANCHOR. He is the BRIGHT MORNING STAR. He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. He is THE BRIDEGROOM. He is THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. We call Him JESUS -- JESUS -- JESUS! -- There REALLY IS something about that name!!! WOW! He is everything you need! Call to Him. You'll be amazed. Bro. Joe
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There are times when we need to evaluate our relationship with Christ. Ask yourself a few questions today.
Be reminded what God's word says: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT He will complete what He starts. He will do His part. It is up to you to do yours. Your part is to obey. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 God's got a plan. Follow His plan. Bro. Joe “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:4-8 NLT
God has made promises to us that call for our response. We are to make every effort to respond to these promises. This promise is a plan for our own growth and understanding based on faith. Faith + Moral Excellence + Knowledge + Self-Control + Patient Endurance + Godliness + Brotherly Affection + Love = Productivity & Usefulness in Knowlege of Jesus Christ. Now that is quiet a formula. You begin with faith. Then you add other qualities, and as you do you share in His divine nature and rise above the corruption of human desires. We begin with faith that the promise is possible and faith in the one who made the promise. What do you need to add to your faith today in order to continue to grow? Bro. Joe Philippians 3:13-14 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Interestingly, Paul wrote, “This one thing I do” then mentioned two things. It must mean that those two actions are so connected that they can’t be done alone. We can’t strain toward something without forgetting what is behind. Forgetting doesn’t mean, of course, that we wipe out our memories. It means we make a conscious decision not to let the past absorb our attention and hinder our progress. We can’t focus our minds on Jesus and what He can do for us while we’re focusing our minds on our past and what we’ve done—either good or bad. Paul wanted all of us to know that we have to lay aside our past successes and failures to possess our futures. Listen to the terms he used to describe the future we’re to pursue. We strain toward...the goal...to win the prize...for which God has called...heavenward in Christ Jesus. Whatever those things behind were, we’re to focus on God and the goal He has for us in Christ Jesus. We can’t look both ways at once. That’s why turning from the things behind is something we are to do. Is there something in your past that hinders you from possessing your future? Let it go. Bro. Joe The Apostle Paul answers this question very clearly. Paul had been through a lot. He was flogged, ship wrecked, stoned, put in prison. During all this Paul learned a lot about God. That’s why he was able to confidently write in Ephesians 3:20:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NKJV) This scripture doesn’t just say God can do it. He said God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. So if you can imagine it, God can do exceeding abundantly above all that. Exceeding...abundantly...Now that’s what I'm talking about. If you can’t get excited about that…..You can't get excited. When you think about the fact that God can do exceedingly abundantly above "ALL" that we ask or even “THINK” - Now that’s an amazing God. Let’s try and clear up exactly what God is able to do. 1. When the Enemy is at your door, “He is able” to save you. 2. When life is closing in on you, “He is able” to give you strength 3. When you need victory, "He is able” to see you through "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy" Jude 1:24 Bro. Joe Would you join us in a journey? A pursuit actually...Pursuing a life that matters...A life of impact.
Life is full of decisions. Do you agree? But, do you know that the decisions that matter in life are not always earth-shaking? It’s our day to day decisions that either draw us closer or further away from God. It is done through steps of obedience. In Hebrews 12:1-2 there are three significant decisions we are challenged to make if we are pursuing a life of consequence. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NIV) Choose to... “...throw off everything that hinders…” “...run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” “...fix our eyes on Jesus…” Here life is pictured as a race. It's not a 100-meter dash - it's a marathon. Pace yourself by making choices that draw you closer to God. Bro. Joe Many of us want God to speak to us and give us an assignment. However, we are not interested in making major adjustments in our lives. Biblically, that is impossible.
Every time God spoke to people in scripture about something He wanted to do through them, major adjustments were necessary. They had to adjust their lives to God. Once the adjustments were made, God accomplished His purposes through those He called. He even required major adjustments of His own Son: "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" 2 Corinthians 8:9. Jesus emptied Himself of position and wealth in heaven in order to join the Father in providing redemption through His death on the cross. Are there any adjustments that you need to make in order to accomplish what God wants to do in you and through you? Bro. Joe What is a God moment? It’s a moment where you encounter the presence…the power…the hand…or maybe the voice of God. Where you experience His direction…His provision…His encouragement at any given moment during your day.
God moments are special, and once you have experienced one you want to experience another; you'll look for Him as you go about your day. Here is the good news: "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.I will be found by you,” says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:13-14. One of the greatest things about experiencing God moments is that they are worth sharing. They are an encouragement to others about the wonderful testimonies of God working in you. If you are looking for someone to share your God moments with and can’t find anyone to share with, I would love to hear from you. Bro. Joe “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
There are times in our lives where we find it difficult to patiently wait on the Lord. We want to take matters in our own hands. The key to patience is trust - trust in the Lord. As long as you are doing God's will, trust the Lord to handle whatever you are facing. He is stronger and wiser than anything the enemy can throw at you. When you are tested, trust the Lord and you will find peace. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT Bro. Joe I must admit that I don't understand a lot of the abbreviations used on the internet today. However, one that I did pick up on is BFF - best friend forever. I want to tell you about my true BFF.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John 15:13-15 NLT Isn't it great to realize just how intimate of a relationship that Jesus desires to have with you and me. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT Jesus is waiting to be invited into this relationship. Listen for His voice and open the door. He will come in, and you will discover a true BFF. Bro. Joe |
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