Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
November 2015 - Page 2 of 3 - GraceAndWorks
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Television, Radio, Internet, Newspaper. We are influenced by what we read, hear and see. We think we have a choice in what we read, hear, and see, but, do we really? It seems we are deluged with negativity and wrong doings to the point they seem to become acceptable, but, are they? I once heard a Sermon on staying three feet away from trouble and you will never be in trouble. The problem is, you keep moving back each time something becomes acceptable and soon you are “In The Muck” yourself. That is what is happening today.
Let’s look at Television first. We are in the midst of selecting the next President of these great United States. We see Republicans beat up each other as well as their opponents. We see Democrats beat up on each other as well as their opponents. Why can’t we here the good about about the ones running? I would rather base my decision on what is good rather than what is bad. All the negativity we hear and see is a lot of what is wrong with the process. We tune in to watch shows on Prime Time and we are encompassed with divorce, adultery, drugs, alcohol, sexual encounters, homosexuality and the list goes on. We watch these things over and over until they seem to become acceptable. It’s no wonder we have such a problem with kids we are trying to raise as well as our own lives. Why do we let this happen? The evening news is filled with reports of accidents, rapes, drive by shootings, etc. Very seldom do we hear about the good that is going on within the city and surroundings. Would it not be better for us to hear good news than to dwell on the bad? A lot of the reason we are sad and unhappy is because of all the negativity we deal with in our daily lives.
You can take all these things and you will find the same thing going on with Radio, Internet and Newspapers. Why do we keep doing the same thing and expect different results? We can’t!!! You all want change–start with getting the negativity out of your life. Stop accepting the things you hear and see that you know are wrong. Work on changing yourself first and society will become better.
I’m an avid sports fan and used to think I could escape the negative things on regular TV by watching sporting events. However, now I have to hear about athletes with drug problems, domestic violence, drinking while driving, etc. What about all the athletes that do good? The support and money that went into the Oklahoma City bombing, The hurricane in New Orleans, the countless visits to children in hospitals and that list also goes on. The athletes that do good far out number the ones in trouble, yet, we seldom hear about them. Why is that?
I have come to the conclusion we are a Negative Media Driven Society and thrive on bad news. Such a shame!!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our FAITH, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?—-“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by Him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of FAITH, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is FAITHFUL; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgement, and a story of which will consume the adversaries.
“Thus I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads, And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles–to whom I send you to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satin to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by FAITH in me.
But how are men to call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!” But they have not all heeded the Gospel; for Isiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So FAITH comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.
Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on FAITH says, Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into Heaven?” (That is, to bring Christ down) or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (That is, the word which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in Him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; The same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, “Every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
By scripture, we must 1) Hear–2) Believe–3) Repent–4) Confess–5) AND be baptized to be saved. Thereafter, live a righteous life.
SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.
Good News
A Greek philosopher asked his servant to provide the best dish possible. The servant prepared a dish of tongue, saying, “It is the best of all dishes, because with it we may bless and communicate happiness, dispel sorrow, remove despair, cheer the fainthearted, inspire the discouraged, and say a hundred other things to uplift mankind.”
Bad News
Later the philosopher asked the servant to provide the worst dish of which he could think. Again a dish of tongue appeared on the table. The servant said, “It is the worst, because with it we may curse and break human hearts, destroy reputations, promote discord and strife, set families, communities, and nations at war with each other.” He was a wise servant. Solomon wrote, “Whoever keeps his tongue, keeps his soul from trouble.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates. Seven of which are an abomination to Him. 1) Haughty eyes–2) LYING TONGUE–3) Hands that shed innocent blood–4) A heart that devises wicked plans–5) Feet that make haste to run to evil–6) A false witness who BREATHES OUT LIES–7) A man who sows discord.
As you would push in a clutch in a vehicle before you put it in gear, let your mind think for a moment before you put your tongue in gear.
SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, not about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O men of little FAITH? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious about itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.
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