2 Timothy Chapter 1 verse 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but ofpower, and of love, and of a sound mind.
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I recently endured a physical pain that was greater than the pain when I broke my leg. It literally had me laying on the bed scared to move again, because I didn't want that pain to come back. The pain was so bad that I laid very still for the next two days.

This explains a lot to me about life. This world is filled with people who have been hurt.

Some physically, some mentally and some spiritually but many have discovered INCREDIBLE pain.

The question is after that pain will you be paralyzed by fear of that pain coming back?

How long will you lay on your bed of affliction, scared to move again, scared to try something new again or scared to love again?

God didn't give you the fear. Faith is pushing past the pain. Pain is a factor of life and so is healing and resurrection.
 
Don't let fear or pain box you in, keep on pushing!

Sent from my iPad

1 Corinthians 15:31
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
KJV

2 Corinthians 4:10-12
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
KJV
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Have you ever wondered why Jesus promised the abundant life yet you still suffer and struggle?

We are supposed to be New Creatures in Christ, yet the old man remains.

The old Tony or Kim or whoever still lives.  He or she is struggling to survive.  They want to live with all of their selfishness and sin.

The Apostle Paul talks about "walking circumspectly".  In some translations that means "walking in a straightline".  Walking straight is a metaphor for walking righteous.

Ironically our walk in our New Life is never perfectly straight until the Old Life flatlines.

Who is living within you?

Ephesians 3:8-11

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

 

Have you ever noticed that most computer systems have “bugs” or “errors” in them?  Often times this is because the programmers do not account for human failure.  Many times, they design programs with the thought that everyone will understand computers and software the way that they do.  They do not account for the free will, lack of maturity and lack of understanding of the every day user. Henceforth the program does not endure or accomplish what it was designed to do.

 

Thankfully OUR GOD is a greater programmer than any man!!!!

 

When He created the universe, He knew that He would give us free will.  He knew that with that free will, we were going to hurt ourselves, our families and our environment.  Knowing that, He planned for our human failure.  He put several “triggers” within the programming system of the universe.  The most significant “trigger” is the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

 

So don’t worry about the “errors” in your life, Jesus has planned for your human failure.  Just reboot in Christ and remember that “Jesus SAVES”.

 

 

Exodus 12:1-6

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

KJV

 

Romans 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

KJV

 

In the Old Testament, God required sacrifices to make the people think about the consequences of sin.  The sacrifice was costly.  With a scarcity of resources an unblemished lamb was costly.  This was ordained to synchronize the soul.  The sacrifice brought awareness to the spirit about the depravity of sin and the need for God, specifically a savior.

 

In the New Testament, what does God require?   God requires a sacrifice of the Spirit.  He already died for our sins.  He is the sin sacrifice.  He still requires a sacrifice from us though.  It’s no longer for our sins, it’s in appreciation of His grace and mercy.  What do we give now?  How much do we give?  Answer:  We give our lives and we give in remembrance of the unblemished lamb.  We give until it hurts and then some.

Matthew 16:15-18

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

 

When Jesus used the word “church”, he wasn’t talking about a building.  The word in the original language meant, “congregation”.   It’s amazing that today that word has been twisted to mean “building”. 

 

It’s always been about the people…and not the steeple.
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"Why build these buildings glorious, when man unbuilded goes, in vain we build the world unless the builder also grows."  - Markham

2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

 

Have you ever heard the saying, “Let the baby cry, it develops their lungs”?  Well, actually that’s not true.  There is no scientific evidence that crying develops a babies lungs.  Actually that can cause despondency in a child.  This is especially true for the first three months.

 

It is believed that this “old wives tale” developed because in the olden days there was manual labor that needed to be accomplished.  Some mothers were constantly nursing and attending to their babies.  For the sake of the tribe, they needed to put their babies down and get something done.

 

Most old wives tales have a glimmer of truth though.  After the first three months, as the child develops, slowly but surely a parent must wean the child and prepare them for the rigors of life.  While it won’t develop the lungs per say, consistent “spoiling” will delay or impede their spiritual, social and physical development.

 

This is also why God does not immediately answer all our prayers in the affirmative.  It’s important for us to not remain “babies” in understanding.  We should remain childlike in our disposition but not our understanding. Part of adulthood is understanding that everything is not about us.  We don’t or shouldn’t eat every time we are slightly hungry.  It’s alright if we are a little cold or a little warm.  God will not hug us the second we get a little uncomfortable.

 

God has a plan to develop us all and to lead us to adulthood.  His decisions of whether to bless us are not based upon our “feelings” or “cries”.  They are based upon what’s best.  So the next time you cry out to God, remember He hears your cries.  He will pick you up and comfort you.  He will feed you.  He will CHANGE you.  He will anoint you with oil. (and baby lotion)  He will do all of this…when the time is right.  He is preparing you for an ABUNDANT LIFE.

Disclaimer:  I thought about posting the references for the "child development" portions of this devotional.  I know that some mom will email me arguing about the details of child rearing.  Please don't allow the analogy to shake you off the greater spiritual truth.

 

 

 

 

Psalms 22:3-5

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

KJV

 

Psalms 27:7

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

KJV

 

Psalms 40:1-4

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

KJV

 

Romans 5:3-4

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

KJV

 

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

KJV

 

Family,

This is for the ministers at the Institute where I train but the Scriptures and principles within this PODCAST are helpful to all believers.  If you are wondering where to start your weekly bible study...this is a great place to start.  The little icon with the arrow  is the audio podcast and the text below is the written version.

I hope you enjoy and I hope this is helpful!

Love,

Tony

ORDINATION CATECHISM PROCEDURE FOR GOSPEL MINISTRY

 

 

1.      Call to ministry;  What is the meaning of Gospel?

 

God’s goodwill and peace toward all men through his Son.

 

2.      What is meant when you say Bible?

 

The word “Bible” in the Greek means book.

 

3.      How many books are there in the Bible?

 

There are 66 books in the Bible.

 

4.      How are the books of the bible divided?

 

The books in the Bible are divided into the “Old Testament and the New Testament.”

 

5.      What is meant by “Testament”?

 

The word testament refers to the will of the testor when he is gone.

 

6.      How many books are there in the Old Testament.

 

There are 39 books in the Old Testament.

 

7.      How are they divided?

 

The 39 books of the Old Testament are divided into the “Law, History, Poetry, and Prophecy”.

 

8.      How many books of Law, History, Poetry, and Prophecy?

 

There are 5 books of the Law, 12 books of History, 5 books of Poetry, and 17 books of Prophecy.

 

9.      Name the books of the Old Testament.

 

The books of the Law are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

 

The books of History are Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

 

The books of Poetry are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiates and the Song of Soloman.

 

The books of Prophecy are divided into two categories: 

 

Major and Minor.

 

The books of the major prophecy are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. 

 

The books of the minor prophecy are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Johah, Michah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

 

10. How many books are there in the New Testament?

 

There are 27 books in the New Testament.

 

11. How are they divided?

 

The 27 books of the New Testament are divided into the Gospel, History, Epistles, and Revelations.

 

12. How many books of Gospel, History, Epistles, and Revelations?

 

There are 4 books of the Gospel, 1 book of History, 21 Epistles, and 1 book of Revelation.

 

13. Name the books of the New Testament.

 

The books of the Gospel are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

 

The book of History is The Acts.

 

The Epistles are Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Phillippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude.

 

There is only one book of Revelation.

 

14. What do we believe the Scriptures are?

 

“We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end; and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Spiritual union(for all sincere followers of Jesus Christ) and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. “

Where is this taught in the Bible?

2 Timothy 3  ¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 3  ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

Philippians 3:16  Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

 

1 Corinthians 2  ⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ¹⁰ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. ¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

 

15.  Is there more that one God?

 

 There are many gods, but there is but one True and Living God.

 

16.  What do we believe about the True God?

 

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah(I AM), the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love, that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. “

Exodus Chapter 3 verse 14

 

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.

 

John Chapter 8 verse 58

 

Verily, Verily,

I say unto you,

Before Abraham was,

I AM.

 

Matthew Chapter 28 verse 19

 

Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

 

John Chapter 10 verse 30

I and my Father are one.

Mark Chapter 12 verse 30

 

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind,

and with all thy strength:

this is the first commandment.

 

III.  OF THE FALL OF MAN 

“We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners; not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin; without defense or excuse.” 

Genesis 1

²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

 

 

Romans 5

¹⁹ For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,

 

Isaiah 53

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;

 

 

Romans 3:12 - They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

18.  What do we believe about The Way of Salvation?

 

IV.  OF THE WAY OF SALVATION 

“We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience,  and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;  that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.” 

Ephesians 2

 ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

John 3

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Philippians 2

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Hebrews 2

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

 

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born

Christ, the Saviour is born

 

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

 

Psalms 46:10-11

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

KJV

 

Joshua 6:10

10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

 

There is a famous story in the bible where Joshua and the children of Israel are commanded to conquer a walled city named Jericho.  They are commanded to march around the city for a period of time and then at a designated moment blow horns and shout God’s Word.  They do so and the walls of Jericho miraculously come tumbling down.

 

Much emphasis has always been placed on the horns and the holy shouting.  Something more powerful happened before that and it was a direct result of obedience and discipline.  The power of the miracle did not lie in the horns and shouting alone.  Six days prior to the shouting…God’s people were SILENT.

 

This is a principle that is universal.

Prior to the most powerful musical notes being played…there is silence.

 

Prior to any military sneak attack…there is silence.

 

Within any romantic relationship there most be comfortable silences, non stop chatter is a death knell.

 

Prior to a baby breathing his first breathe outside his mothers womb…there is alarming silence.

 

All truly funny jokes are reliant upon timing and well placed silences before the punch lines.

 

For those of us who leave the television or radio on at night, the alarm clock has less power.  For an alarm clock to really do it’s work…it needs to pierce…SILENCE.

 

If you ever speak to a wise and sincere person, you will notice that their speech is littered with pregnant pauses.  This is because they are listening and thinking before they speak.

 

In the Psalms, the word Selah appears over and over again.  The word means, “pause and reflect”.

 

Regardless of the historical realities involving “Christmas”, this is the time of year where families come together.

 

This is the time of the year where people are given the time to “pause and reflect” from work.

 

The days are shorter and the weather is colder.

 

I am not big about “holidays” or man’s calendar but there is one thing that I can not deny.  Around this time of year, thru His providence, God gives us time to “pause and reflect” about our lives and what He is telling us.

 

Take these days and this time to be quiet and to be still.  If your snowed in that is okay.  You don’t have to go anywhere because the Kingdom of God is within.  We don’t always have to talk because trust me…God is saying something.

 

I am not a big fan of many of the commercialized “Christmas” trappings but there is one thing that I believe…prior to the advent of the World’s Savior…there was a Silent Night.

 

This is a great gift from God to us…remember Silence is golden!!!

Psalms 133:1

133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

Unity nowadays is easier and easier.

 

People unite behind the complexion of their pigmentation and the texture of their hair.

 

People unite behind the martial arts.

 

People unite behind Weed.

 

People unite behind Facebook.

 

People unite behind food.

 

People unite behind football teams.

 

People unite behind a family name.

 

People unite for all kind of reasons.

 

How often do we unite for Jesus Christ, the one who created us, lived for us, died for us and arose again for us?

 

How often do we unite for the common purpose of “Loving Our Brother”?

 

Unity is powerful.  Unity is wonderful.  In the end though, we have to ask what are uniting for?

 

I have come to the point in my life where I realize that Jesus and His Family deserve my unity.  This cause is Eternal.