Where does true freedom come from? Doesn't it come from God?
When God called Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh on behalf of his people,
the Israelites had been ruthlessly mistreated, harassed and subjected to slave labor.
Exodus 6:58
"I have heard the groaning of the Israelietes, whom the Egyptians
are enslaving,and I have remembered my covenant.
Therefore, say to the Israelites:
I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an
outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.
Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out
from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land
I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob.
I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord."
God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt and delivered them from the hand
of Pharoah as He had promised. When God had delivered them out of
bondage and brought them to the land they would possess as their inheritance,
He proclaimed liberty throughout the land. This liberty was to be
celebrated in remebrance of what God has done for them,
how He fought for them from all their neighboring enemies by His
mighty hand and awesome deeds of power.
Exodus 13:3
Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you
came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought
you out of it with a mighty hand.
...Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. When the Lord brings you
into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites--
the land He swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with
milk and honey--you are to observe this ceremony in this month. (v.4-5)
...On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the Lord did for me
when I came out of Egypt.' This observance will be for you like a sign on
your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord
is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with His
mighty hand. (v.8-9)
What else has God delivered us from?
...God has delivered us from all SIN through His Son Jesus Christ.
I have come into the world as a LIGHT, so that no one who BELIEVES
IN ME should stay in darkness.
(John 12:46) (Isa.60:1-2) (Rom.8:1-2)
So If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light
for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the TRUTH comes into the LIGHT,
so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done
through God. (John 3:20-21)
...God has delivered us from the power of darkness.
I Am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Whoever follows me will never walk
in darkness, but will have the LIGHT OF LIFE.
(John 8:12) (Isa.50:10)
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us
into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)
...From the power of the GRAVE.
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishabe,
and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with
the impershable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying
that is written will come true:
"DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
"Where, O death, is your victory?" Where, O death, is your sting?"
(1Cor.15:52-55) (Isa.25:8) (Hos.13:14) (John 11:25)
...From the power of FEAR
God is LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have
confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear
has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
(1John 4:16-18)
...From the grasps of the Devil.
Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity
so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--
that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery
by their fear of death. (Heb.2:14-15) (1John 3:8)
Remember these freedom God has done for us.
Let us go to God and ask Him to help us whenever we are experiencing
difficutlies, trials, or temptation.
1Peter 5:6-7 said,
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift
you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
(1Pet.5:6-7)
Read also Mat.11:28-30, Isa.50:4, Job 23:10, 1Cor.10:13, Isa.61:1-3
Creating an atmosphere where we can all learn together as we continue growing in God's knowledge so that we can live a victorious life as we abide in Him...finding new treasure each day. Follow me on my Instagram account helen_schasteen eternity_no_othersavior_Jesus
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The Fellowship Of The Believers
Jesus Washes His Disciple's Feet
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had
come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.
Having loved his own who were in the world, He now showed them
the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power,
and that He had come from God and was returning to God;
so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped
a towel around His waist. After that He poured water into a basin
and began to wash his disciple's feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around Him. (v.3-5)
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes
and returned to His place.
"Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them.
"You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what
I Am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet,
you also should wash one another's feet, I have set you an example
that you should do as I have done for you.
I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messanger
geater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know all these things you will be blessed if you them.
(v.12-17)
come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.
Having loved his own who were in the world, He now showed them
the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power,
and that He had come from God and was returning to God;
so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped
a towel around His waist. After that He poured water into a basin
and began to wash his disciple's feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around Him. (v.3-5)
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes
and returned to His place.
"Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them.
"You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what
I Am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet,
you also should wash one another's feet, I have set you an example
that you should do as I have done for you.
I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messanger
geater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know all these things you will be blessed if you them.
(v.12-17)
(I do not own this picture)
May you all have a wonderful time of fellowship as you worship God,
when you assemble together at your church. Greet anoyne with a smile, a hug,
or a kiss, whatever your customs are when you greet your people.
Encourage one another and lift them up with the LOVE OF CHRIST.
Remeber everytime you come together at the house of worship.
Think about all these things. And may God Bless you All.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Look Unto ME And Be Saved
(I do not own this picture)
When you read the book of Lamentation, You will find that it is not a pleasant read.
You will feel the deep frustration and sadness, as the people of Judah grieve for their
beloved city of Jerusalem, as it is being reduced to rubble by their Babylonian invaders.
We know that God was behind this disaster. He had the right and reason to inflict
punishment on the people of Judah because of their unrepentant hearts...their
unwillingness to turn away from their evil ways even after God sent repeated warnings
to them through his servants, the prophets.
But in all this disaster that fell upon them, still God provided a glimmer of HOPE.
How comforting to know that even in the midst of God's punishement,
he offers hope and salvation! GOD IS MERCIFUL!
In Lamentation 3:22, we see the depth of God's love in the midst of despair:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions
never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief,
he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For He does not
willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. (v.31-33)
God still deals with us today! For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and forever. (Heb.13:8)
If you are sitting in darkness, feeling you have nothing to hold on to, and feeling alone....
LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED
If you are depressed, struggling with difficult circumstances, abandoned, abused,
your marraige is on the rocks, or you are haunted by your past then....
LOOK UNTO HIM!
If you have walked away from God then....LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED
If you want to escape the judgment of God and be saved, now it is time to turn your life
to Him and receive Him with all of your heart. God is the only One who can save us (you)
from being eternally lost.
...LOOK UNTO THE LORD AND BE SAVED.
For Jesus said, "All that the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me
I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will
but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me,
That I shall not lose none of all that He has given me, BUT RAISE THEM UP
AT THE LAST DAY."
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him
shall have ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY.
(John 6:37-40)
Jesus also says, "Neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand."
My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:28-30)
"Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present
nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Rom.8:38-39)
What a guarantee promise!
Friday, August 31, 2012
The Greatness Of God
How Great Is Our God
Who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength.
Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil
of the nations.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggere like
drunken men; they were at their wit's end.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
(Psalms 65:6-7,107:25-27,29)
At your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
They flowed over the mountain, they went down into the valleys, to the place
you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot crosss; never again will they cover the earth.
(Psalms104:7-9)
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the
ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
When He is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath.
(Jer.51:16,10:10)
The mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth,
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. (Psalms 50:1-2)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Parable Of The Fig Tree & Its Profound Message
The Parabale Of The Fig Tree
" 'A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit
on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard,
'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and
haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' "
(Luke 13:6-8)
(Note: This is not a Fig Tree)
This parable, though brief, is packed with a profound message!
God the Father is the OWNER of the vineyard and the Lord Jesus Christ is the GARDENER.
The Father says, "Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
He has grown weary of this fruitless tree that is just taking up ground.
But Jesus intervenes and pleads with the Father to give him more time.
'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' "
God uses the parable of the fig tree to show us how unrepentant people are just like
fig trees that bears no fruit. What other uses are there for fig trees if they bear no fruit?
God stresses the importance of repentance in our life.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance". (Mat 3:8)
The fig tree that produces fruit represents those people who have truly repented,
and are seeking to live a God honoring life.
God is watching to see if the fig tree will produce fruit.
'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't
found any.' (v.7)
Just as the gardener will go through great lengths to care for this tree, so it is with God.
HE IS MERCIFUL.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.(2Pet.3:9)
But the decision is for you to make. God provided for us a way to salvation through His Son
Jesus Christ. (John 14:6,15:1) (Rom.3:25)
"I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE
FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."
God, the Father has granted His Son Jesus Christ authority: (Mat.28:18,11:27)
...Authority to forgive sins. (Mat.9:6-8, Mrk.2:10, Luk.5:24)
...Authority to give them life. (John 5:21,26)
...Authority to Judge (John 5:27)
God has made everything ready and pronounced His judgment on days to come.
(Mathew 3:10)
The axe is already at the root at the trees, and every tree that does not produce good
fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat.3:10,12)
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
You do not want to be the chaff and to be burn up but the WHEAT that is kept
and restored.
Just remember God is watching to see if any of the fig trees will produce fruit!
Are you one of them?.....
If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior...now is the time to ask
Him.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while He is near." (Isa.55:6)
Jesus said, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents." (Luke 15:10,7)
And the Father's reaction to those who come back and repent, as described in
Luke 15:22:
"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger
and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate."
A.M.E.N.
" 'A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit
on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard,
'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and
haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' "
(Luke 13:6-8)
(Note: This is not a Fig Tree)
This parable, though brief, is packed with a profound message!
God the Father is the OWNER of the vineyard and the Lord Jesus Christ is the GARDENER.
The Father says, "Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?
He has grown weary of this fruitless tree that is just taking up ground.
But Jesus intervenes and pleads with the Father to give him more time.
'Sir, the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it
and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine if not, then cut it down.' "
God uses the parable of the fig tree to show us how unrepentant people are just like
fig trees that bears no fruit. What other uses are there for fig trees if they bear no fruit?
God stresses the importance of repentance in our life.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance". (Mat 3:8)
The fig tree that produces fruit represents those people who have truly repented,
and are seeking to live a God honoring life.
God is watching to see if the fig tree will produce fruit.
'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't
found any.' (v.7)
Just as the gardener will go through great lengths to care for this tree, so it is with God.
HE IS MERCIFUL.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.(2Pet.3:9)
But the decision is for you to make. God provided for us a way to salvation through His Son
Jesus Christ. (John 14:6,15:1) (Rom.3:25)
"I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE
FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."
God, the Father has granted His Son Jesus Christ authority: (Mat.28:18,11:27)
...Authority to forgive sins. (Mat.9:6-8, Mrk.2:10, Luk.5:24)
...Authority to give them life. (John 5:21,26)
...Authority to Judge (John 5:27)
God has made everything ready and pronounced His judgment on days to come.
(Mathew 3:10)
The axe is already at the root at the trees, and every tree that does not produce good
fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat.3:10,12)
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
You do not want to be the chaff and to be burn up but the WHEAT that is kept
and restored.
Just remember God is watching to see if any of the fig trees will produce fruit!
Are you one of them?.....
If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior...now is the time to ask
Him.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while He is near." (Isa.55:6)
Jesus said, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents." (Luke 15:10,7)
And the Father's reaction to those who come back and repent, as described in
Luke 15:22:
"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger
and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate."
A.M.E.N.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Remember The Lord
When distress, anxiety, illness, or broken relationships steal your joy...when you feel
that you have wandered away from God then:
...REMEBER THE LORD.
When you are tempted by the devil and fall prey to his deceiving words and start
thinking that you are just weak and vulnerable...
When you feel this way...REMEBER THE LORD.
When you have been enticed by the pleasure of this world and there is no longer
any room for God in your life...When you no longer seek Him, or call on Him but
rather worship the idols of your life, then come to your senses and turn back to him...
REMEMER GOD AND GO TO HIM.
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Jer.6:16)
"You have forsaken your first love. Remeber the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. (Rev.2:5)
Moses instructed the Israelites and warned them about the coming calamities that will
come upon them if they sinned against God. He says in Deut.4:30
"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days
you will return to the Lord your God and obey him."
Only God can help you If you are sincere and ready to re-dedicate your life to God.
"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us;
He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us,
that we may live in His presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3)
God sometimes uses a crisis in order to strengthen us, encourage us, and discipline us.
Lift your head up! It is a blessing when God disciplines us. He can then direct our
footsteps onto the path of righteousness and HUMBLE US.
...To humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether
or not you would keep His commands. (Deut.8:2-3)
...To teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes
from the mouth of the Lord. (Deut.8:2-3)
...To humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. (v.16)
...Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God
disciplines you. (v.4) (Prov.3:11)
Charles Sprgeon once said, "Blessed is the discipline of the great Father in these cases.
It is well for the troubled if trilas bruise their hearts to repentance, for repentance leads
them to seek and find pardon.
(From devotional book/ Beside Still Waters)
And this verse sums it all up when we recognize our fallen nature. (Psalms 119:71)
"It was good for me to be afflcited so that I might learn your decrees."
You are not cast out by the Lord; for you were once delighted in His Words.
(Psalms 119:92)
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
So in God we can only have hope and restored.
that you have wandered away from God then:
...REMEBER THE LORD.
When you are tempted by the devil and fall prey to his deceiving words and start
thinking that you are just weak and vulnerable...
When you feel this way...REMEBER THE LORD.
When you have been enticed by the pleasure of this world and there is no longer
any room for God in your life...When you no longer seek Him, or call on Him but
rather worship the idols of your life, then come to your senses and turn back to him...
REMEMER GOD AND GO TO HIM.
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Jer.6:16)
"You have forsaken your first love. Remeber the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. (Rev.2:5)
come upon them if they sinned against God. He says in Deut.4:30
"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days
you will return to the Lord your God and obey him."
Only God can help you If you are sincere and ready to re-dedicate your life to God.
"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us;
He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us,
that we may live in His presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3)
God sometimes uses a crisis in order to strengthen us, encourage us, and discipline us.
Lift your head up! It is a blessing when God disciplines us. He can then direct our
footsteps onto the path of righteousness and HUMBLE US.
...To humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether
or not you would keep His commands. (Deut.8:2-3)
...To teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes
from the mouth of the Lord. (Deut.8:2-3)
...To humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. (v.16)
...Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God
disciplines you. (v.4) (Prov.3:11)
Charles Sprgeon once said, "Blessed is the discipline of the great Father in these cases.
It is well for the troubled if trilas bruise their hearts to repentance, for repentance leads
them to seek and find pardon.
(From devotional book/ Beside Still Waters)
And this verse sums it all up when we recognize our fallen nature. (Psalms 119:71)
"It was good for me to be afflcited so that I might learn your decrees."
You are not cast out by the Lord; for you were once delighted in His Words.
(Psalms 119:92)
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
So in God we can only have hope and restored.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
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