DAVID SHARING WHAT HE LEARNED AS A SHEPHERD ABOUT GOD'S WATCH CARE OVER EACH PERSON IN HIS FLOCK.
You are my caretaker. I do not have to worry about my physical needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
You place me in environments where I can grow better (Philippians 4:19/Acts 17:26)
You show me how to obtain peace of mind (Philippians 4;6,7/Mark 6:31)
You revive my spirit (Psalm 51:12)
You show me how to live right in this world (Proverbs 3:6); so that You get the glory (1 Peter 2:9-13)
If I end up in dangerous situations, I will not be be afraid, because I know that Your presence is there (Psalm 91:9-13/Deuteronomy 31:6,8)
You uplift me with your right hand and send the Holy Spirit to be my Comforter(John 14:16)
You cause me to be invited to events with those that hate me and there provide for the nourishment of my body (Psalm 103:5)
You Baptise me with Your Spirit (Matthew 3:11)
I have so many blessings, that I have to share with others (Malachi 3:10)
I am certain that joy and forgiveness You will give to me as long as I abide with You (Psalm 16:11/1 John 1:9)
And by your grace, I will work in Your vineyard (Psalm 84:10/ Philippians 2: 12,13) and my name will not be blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5)
Amen
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY
Although I speak with foreign languages and the most angelic voice, but do not show love to my neighbors or strangers, I am like a noisy percussion instrument (1 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:6). And although I have been given insight into the future and spiritual matters and exercise faith, so that nothing is impossible for me (Matthew 17:20), but do not love my friends, I am worthless. And although I give to the homeless and fast for just causes but do not love my family, I am wasting my time and my money.
Love takes lots of mistreatment and is selfless; love does not envy what others have or is competitive; love does not show off, is not focused on self, does not behave in an obnoxious manner, is not self-willed, does not get irritated easily, does not entertain wicked thoughts; does not find sin funny, but enjoys talking or listening to what is worthy of praise;
Love handles all situations, believes the best of all people, hopes for the best, perseveres in all circumstances.
Love always wins; but predictions of the future will stop; those with the gift of foreign languages shall one day forget them; mass religious awakenings and revivals will end.
For we only have partial knowledge and understanding of spiritual matters. But when Jesus Christ returns, every subject that now confuses the mind or causes debate will be fully understood (Is there a God?, How the world was formed?, Is the concept of sin real?, Is there life after death?, Is there life in other worlds?)
When I was a child, I spoke as a child should speak, I had the understanding of a child, I had no interest in adult matters: but when I became a [woman], I let go of childish ways.
For now the eyes of our understanding is dim (Ephesians 4:18); but at His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8), we shall see Jesus for who He really is (God, a Prophet or just a good man): now I only understand some of life; but then I shall understand matters completely just like God now knows everything about me (Psalm 139:1-3).
But as for now, faith, hope and love keeps us going, love being the more powerful virtue of the three.
Love takes lots of mistreatment and is selfless; love does not envy what others have or is competitive; love does not show off, is not focused on self, does not behave in an obnoxious manner, is not self-willed, does not get irritated easily, does not entertain wicked thoughts; does not find sin funny, but enjoys talking or listening to what is worthy of praise;
Love handles all situations, believes the best of all people, hopes for the best, perseveres in all circumstances.
Love always wins; but predictions of the future will stop; those with the gift of foreign languages shall one day forget them; mass religious awakenings and revivals will end.
For we only have partial knowledge and understanding of spiritual matters. But when Jesus Christ returns, every subject that now confuses the mind or causes debate will be fully understood (Is there a God?, How the world was formed?, Is the concept of sin real?, Is there life after death?, Is there life in other worlds?)
When I was a child, I spoke as a child should speak, I had the understanding of a child, I had no interest in adult matters: but when I became a [woman], I let go of childish ways.
For now the eyes of our understanding is dim (Ephesians 4:18); but at His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8), we shall see Jesus for who He really is (God, a Prophet or just a good man): now I only understand some of life; but then I shall understand matters completely just like God now knows everything about me (Psalm 139:1-3).
But as for now, faith, hope and love keeps us going, love being the more powerful virtue of the three.
Monday, April 18, 2011
THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE (Previously Published)
"I LOVE YOU!" How many times in your life has someone said these words to you? How did these words make you feel? Did you believe the person who said them? Did you reject their words because you thought that you were not worthy of their love? Each and every one of us wants to be loved. If anyone says they don't care if they are loved, then you know immediately that they have been hurt so many times that they have put up a protective wall around their heart. God created us to love; to love Him, to love others and to love ourselves.
Along the way, we receive messages that damage our ability to give and receive love. This month's blog looks at these three avenues of love and comes in two parts.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE
“…which is the great commandment in the law?: Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself" Matthew 22:36-39.
How do you love God? You don’t have to look far for the answer, because He’s already told us in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments”
Commandments 1 through 4 show us how to love God.
#1 – Do not put anything or anyone else above Him
#2 – Do not worship idols (inanimate objects)
#3 – Do not use the Lord’s name in an inappropriate or disrespectful way
#4 – Remember the Sabbath day and do not work or transact business on that day
Commandments 5 through 10 show us how to love others.
#5 – Treat your parents with respect and those whom God has placed in authority
#6 – Do not do anything that kills life
#7 – Do not engage in an extra-marital affair, either physical or emotional
#8 – Do not take what does not belong to you
#9 – Do not be deceptive with what you say or what you withhold
#10 – Do not desire other people’s possessions
A CHRISTIAN'S CONFESSION AND PRAYER
Before coming to my new church (a multi-cultural congregation), I didn’t realize that I was walking in darkness. The darkness had blinded my eyes and I didn’t know where I was going. Being in a predominantly one-race church, I didn’t have to deal with or worship with the people against whom I was prejudiced. Snap judgments were made about everything from their style of worship to the way they raised their children. I made disparaging remarks about them--God’s children—without realizing the shroud of darkness that surrounded me.
Lord, today I confess that I have hated my brother. That’s probably why it’s been difficult to receive his love toward me. Free me from the bondage of hate and prejudice. Open my eyes to the love that unites us. Open my heart to the love he has to give. Open my heart to your love that binds us (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Along the way, we receive messages that damage our ability to give and receive love. This month's blog looks at these three avenues of love and comes in two parts.
LOVE FOR GOD
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF LOVE
“…which is the great commandment in the law?: Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself" Matthew 22:36-39.
How do you love God? You don’t have to look far for the answer, because He’s already told us in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments”
Commandments 1 through 4 show us how to love God.
#1 – Do not put anything or anyone else above Him
#2 – Do not worship idols (inanimate objects)
#3 – Do not use the Lord’s name in an inappropriate or disrespectful way
#4 – Remember the Sabbath day and do not work or transact business on that day
Commandments 5 through 10 show us how to love others.
#5 – Treat your parents with respect and those whom God has placed in authority
#6 – Do not do anything that kills life
#7 – Do not engage in an extra-marital affair, either physical or emotional
#8 – Do not take what does not belong to you
#9 – Do not be deceptive with what you say or what you withhold
#10 – Do not desire other people’s possessions
LOVE FOR OTHERS
A CHRISTIAN'S CONFESSION AND PRAYER
“He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even
until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none
occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hates his brother is in
darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that
darkness hath blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:9-11
Before coming to my new church (a multi-cultural congregation), I didn’t realize that I was walking in darkness. The darkness had blinded my eyes and I didn’t know where I was going. Being in a predominantly one-race church, I didn’t have to deal with or worship with the people against whom I was prejudiced. Snap judgments were made about everything from their style of worship to the way they raised their children. I made disparaging remarks about them--God’s children—without realizing the shroud of darkness that surrounded me.
Lord, today I confess that I have hated my brother. That’s probably why it’s been difficult to receive his love toward me. Free me from the bondage of hate and prejudice. Open my eyes to the love that unites us. Open my heart to the love he has to give. Open my heart to your love that binds us (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Friday, April 8, 2011
A PSALM OF PRAISE
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods
(Psalm 95:1-3)
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods
(Psalm 95:1-3)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
TRUE EDUCATION
"True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information it values power; above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character. The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by steadfast principle." From a book called, Education pg. 225 by Ellen G. White
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
MONEY MANAGEMENT AND AMUSEMENTS
Now the case where a man owns his place clear is a happy exception to the rule.
Merchants are failing, families are suffering for food and clothing. No work presents itself. But the holidays are just as numerous.
Their amusements are entered into as eagerly. All who can do so will spend their hard-earned pence and shillings and pounds for a taste of pleasure, for strong drink, or some other indulgence.
The papers that report the poverty of the people, have regular standing notices of the horse-races, and of the prizes presented for different kinds of exciting sports. The shows, the theaters, and all such demoralizing amusements, are taking the money from the country, and poverty is continually increasing.
Poor men will invest their last shilling in a lottery, hoping to secure a prize, and then they have to beg for food to sustain life, or go hungry. Many die of hunger, and many put an end to their existence. The end is not yet.
Men take you to their orchards of oranges and lemons, and other fruits, and tell you that the produce does not pay for the work done in them. It is next to impossible to make ends meet, and parents decide that the children shall not be farmers; they have not the courage and hope to educate them to till the soil. (Testimonies on Education, 94, Ellen G. White)
Merchants are failing, families are suffering for food and clothing. No work presents itself. But the holidays are just as numerous.
Their amusements are entered into as eagerly. All who can do so will spend their hard-earned pence and shillings and pounds for a taste of pleasure, for strong drink, or some other indulgence.
The papers that report the poverty of the people, have regular standing notices of the horse-races, and of the prizes presented for different kinds of exciting sports. The shows, the theaters, and all such demoralizing amusements, are taking the money from the country, and poverty is continually increasing.
Poor men will invest their last shilling in a lottery, hoping to secure a prize, and then they have to beg for food to sustain life, or go hungry. Many die of hunger, and many put an end to their existence. The end is not yet.
Men take you to their orchards of oranges and lemons, and other fruits, and tell you that the produce does not pay for the work done in them. It is next to impossible to make ends meet, and parents decide that the children shall not be farmers; they have not the courage and hope to educate them to till the soil. (Testimonies on Education, 94, Ellen G. White)
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