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November 2015
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Days are:
Matt: Monday
Tamara: Tuesday
Me: Wednesday
CWho: Thursday
Zeke: Friday
Lee: Saturday
Emily: Sunday
Anyone let me know if you'd like to be an extra. Thanks much y'all!!!!
This weeks topic is:
"The Hopeful Countenance:"
May the Lord lead and guide us!!! (((:
Awesome! ! I'm looking forward to this month!! :)
November 2nd, 2015 - Hopeful CountenanceI will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2
It's easy, natural to get downtrodden and depressed, even angry, at the direction of our world, the cruelty of people. I know strong Christians who write angry Facebook posts about our government, political candidates, situations overseas, climate change, human tragedies...
It seems that the world has no hope. My pastor told a story of a Chinese family -- the mother and father worked hard to afford the annual New Year's trek home to see their family. It's the highlight of their life -- work work work, then one trip home each year. They made the difficult journey on crowded trains to their home, where they immediately got into arguments with their daughter. The father reviled the girl and beat her. The mother went to a Buddhist shrine and offered incense and prayer for her family.
What a tragic, hopeless scene! Buddha has no power to change a person, even a Buddhist realizes that. Nor do the other "gods" of religions.
Only Jesus has the power to change a person as the Holy Spirit comes to live in those who choose Him.
Lord my hope is in You, my salvation is in You. Mold me and make me more like You.
Mod
@Matt- That was beyond terrific!!! Amen!!! That was great!!!! Thanks!!! :D
November 3, 2015: “The Hopeful Countenance”Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Peace! I think peace is something every person hopes for in the end. And is this not what God promises us? It says in Jeremiah that he gives us thoughts of peace and not evil. I don’t know about you, but when I surrendered my life to Christ I was filled with the utmost peace. I had no worries, the things I had struggled with before seemed so tiny amidst that reassurance. I do admit, I don’t always have peace, there are times when I’m stressed or struggling and peace of mind seems so far away, but it’s only when I call on God that my fears are put to rest.
Let me give you another verse that takes this line of thought even further.
Psalm 119:114-115 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God.
Hope! Wouldn’t you think that hope would have a lot to do with peace? I do. When you put your hope in God and His word, you are not putting your hope in man or the world. And when you trust in God, He gives you peace and you can rest in His will and ultimate design. I personally have put my hope in Christ, and my fears, struggles, and stresses are also put in Christ. When I remember that He is the one in control and I lay my burdens on Him, it all goes away and the peace of Christ fills my life.
I know many people who were never at peace till they put their hope in Christ. Their lives were filled with misery and worry, constantly searching for a truth way beyond them. True peace is only found in Jesus Christ. When you put your hope in Him and stop looking to yourself for fulfillment He gives you peace and your life is completely changed!
So put your hope in Christ today! See what He can do, and let the peace of Christ rule your hearts when you trust in Him! And now I’ll leave you with this verse to conclude.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Thanks for switching days with me Mary Kate!! :D
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"The Hopeful Countenance"
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18King James Version (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
"My feet hurt!" "My job is hard!" "The days seem to flash by and I'm so lost!" "I can't get ahead!" "I can't... Stop... Sneezing!!"
Haha, okay well those are some of the things that run through our minds on a regular basis, right? (Okay minus the sneezing one. I just had to add that one in xP) And since I'm a worrier I tend to overplay those thoughts again and again.... Now we have two choices here: 1) We can dwell upon these worrisome thoughts- OR - we could choose to take a gift the Lord has so graciously given, we can HOPE!!
Now I've heard those lines, "Hope is only for the optimists?" "Hope is for the good times when we actually have something to hope for."
Actually hope is something we can use 24/7. Honestly, where would we be without it?
The world gets bleaker every day, its true! We have so many pains and challenges, its true! Every one of us have felt alone, confused, it is true!! But something else is also true- a God who made the world with His very hand, He loved YOU so much that He took the punishment for your sin!! He came down from HIS throne to die just for you- just to give you eternal life- the HOPE no one -ever- can take away!! That's our hope!! We are NOT alone!!
The world teaches we are alone, we are made from nothing, worth nothing! That is not truth- you were made straight from God and you are worth everything to Him!!
Hope tells us when we are down that we can get back up! Hope lends a helping hand for when we get confused! Hope- Is Jesus Christ! He gives Hope!
You may be so lost; you feel alone- Hope is never gone! Hope is there telling you Someone loves you!!
Life is hard. It will never be easy. But life isn't about the pain or challenges - life is about so much more- life is finding and serving the Lord!! Life means finding the meaning, truth, and hope on the tough times!!
You'll always have problems- but Jesus is always there!
So today, in the midst of your trouble, heartache, pain, stress, confusion- do something to help- HOPE!! Its a gift God gave us, make sure to use it ((;
Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Psalms 39:7 - And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.
One of my favorites- Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.
*Praying*
Lord Jesus,
Please hear your servant. Thank you for giving us a hope that will never fail! We love you so! God, please fill us with hope and let us know you are here always with us!! Guide us and help us with everything we do!! We give this all to you! Bless your holy name! We love you our Lord Jesus!!
Amen!
Hope y'all enjoyed this *winks* Stay cool and always remember Jesus Loves YOU!!!! ((:
Thank you Mary Kate. Maybe a good title for a book would be "From Worrier to Warrior" :-)
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November 5: The Hopeful Countenance (Hope)Hope, without hope of something there seems to be nothing to live for. We live and breathe for a little while. Then we die, and life goes on.
Ecclesiastes 1:2
”Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
This is what Solomon said, and he had more wisdom than any of us! But the Israelites were given hope through prophecies. Prophecies of a coming savior who would rescue them from their sins. That savior came and made that hope a reality. What was once a prophecy to be fulfilled is now what brings meaning and hope into our lives.
Jesus gave us that hope. His death, his resurrection, gave us the ability to be saved from our sins if only we accept him. Now we have something truly meaningful to live for. Jesus, who now wipes away our sins. Who gave the ability to talk directly to God and not have some priest do it for us. Who we will live with for eternity after death in peace and joy. Who also has given us a duty to fulfill here on earth.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
So lets not throw our lives away on worries and things that don't mean much. But lets turn our attention to Christ who has given us everything we could ever need. If we focus on him and the hope he brings, I think we will come much closer to him in our journey with Christ. Also, we'll probably be a more joyful people too!
G. Paige
Solomon saw, in his wisdom, that everything in this world is meaningless. Wealth and power are meaningless.The only way you can take it with you is to use it to further God's kingdom here on earth.
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@Matt- Exactly right! And its sad how many people can be trapped in the thoughts that only money matter. Its like they forget their family and anything important in search of it. Its so sad how the love of money consumes them. And sadly, it will only vanish away.
I'm a bit late in reading November's devotions, but they are so uplifting!
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Christ speaks a 'hard word' in John 16:33.John 16:33
King James Version (KJV)
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
However, when we root ourselves in Christ, we are rooted in a firm foundation. We align ourselves with the Overcomer. So when trouble comes, nothing can budge that foundation in love, faith, and hope.
Know this also: faith and hope work hand in hand.
Hebrews 11
King James Version (KJV) 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
What do you hope for?
Do you hope to be better at a particular talent or subject?
Do you hope to overcome fear?
Do you hope to get out of your current circumstances?
Do you hope to see the world change?
1 Corinthians 13 is often known as the 'love' chapter and outlines the qualities of love. One such quality is that love "always hopes." That's not a sometime, or a maybe.
If you want to see your hopes realized, then have faith ("the substance" of things hoped for).
When we have faith, we always hope, we always persevere. We act as if the substance, the desired outcome, is already accomplished.
If I am in faith, I must not give power to circumstances. By that I mean saying things like
"Augh, when am I going to get over this cold?"
"Yeah, I'm sick with a cold. I wish I'd get over it already."
"I'm just not a caring/loving/sharing/trusting/(fill-in-with-the-quality-you-struggle-with-but-will-overcome) person. I can't help it."
These statements, besides the one in parentheses, are negative, lamenting over circumstances, and reinforcing obstinance. When I harden my heart by saying such things, I prevent faith and hope from being made manifest. I am not acting as Christ, and seeing the circumstances in light of His overcoming Spirit in me.
For this is the great mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). If we welcome him in (Revelation 3:20), we partake in that great mystery. The mystery for which Satan would not have crucified Jesus, had he known (1 Corinthians 2:8, Ephesians 2:2).
Satan did not realize that Christ not only died for sins, but to bring us and Him together in unity. For us to be conformed as Him, to walk upon Earth in Christ. That is our destiny, and that is how we have hope, faith, and enact the reality of Heaven and disrupt every plan of the enemy.
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I decided that today I would share a few verses and an excerpt from Jesus Lives by Sarah Young. Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Joel 1:15
Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Luke 14:15
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
"I give you hope -- hope that the best part of your life is not behind you. Rather, it stretches out before you gloriously: into an eternity of experiences that will get better and better and better. For now, though, you inhabit a world of death, sorrow, crying, and pain. Let the hope of heaven empower you to live well in this broken world that is passing away. In heaven I will wipe away every tear from your eyes -- permanently!"
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November 9th, 2015 "New Testament Heroes"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. - Acts 17:11-12
The Berean Jews listened to Paul, but didn't blindly believe, rather they studied what he told them and discovered it was true.
it's a good reminder for us to never accept the latest book or theology or popular belief, but always refer back to what the scripture says. I've even challenged my own pastors when they've said something that I don't find in the Bible -- usually they are speculating. I don't like speculation unless it's clearly stated as such.
A modern Berean story is our associate pastor, Bob, and his wife. They received Jehovah's Witnesses into their home for several years. JW's are typically accepted to be a cult due to their belief that Jesus is not God.
Bob and his wife took their literature and such and then searched the bible to find out if it was true. They came to a saving knowledge of Christ because they were able to refute the JW's by simply looking through scripture, and they discovered Christ in the pages.
Lord help us to search the scriptures daily to find Your truth within -- Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
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@Matt- Wow!! Awesome!! So true! My Dad works with several JW's and their belief is just clearly shocking and opposite the Bible. That's wonderful! (:
My pastor had a bible college paper where he proved the divinity of Jesus using the JW's New World translation. It's very hard to subtly alter the text to remove Jesus as God -- only obvious gross manipulations will get rid if Him.
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November 10, 2015: "New Testament Heroes"Matthew 3:1-3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John the Baptist was a very important and influential person before and during the time of Jesus. Most of you already know his as the forerunner, to prepare the people for the coming of the Son of God. He was also the one who first started baptizing people, hence the reason he was called John the Baptist. It wasn’t until he baptized Jesus Christ that his role as a forerunner was finished.
He was called by God for that very important role for a reason. No one else was like him, just like no one else is like you. Everyone is called to do something, and though that something may not be known to you yet, just remember that you live for a reason. And that is to glorify God and to do His holy will! Never forget your true purpose for being here on this earth!
Now you may not have roles that seem very important to you compared to all the great things other people have done. But we should to remember that God sees everyone’s calling as the right and perfect one for them, and just as equally important as any other person. God sees things differently than us, and we so often forget this. We’re temporarily trapped in our sinful human bodies, but one day we will be given resurrected bodies and new eyes that will be able to see everything!
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John the Baptist also recognized that there is one greater than he. He was merely readying the people for the true baptism of the Holy Ghost, and he knew that he was only an instrument in God’s ultimate plan. This is something all of us should recognize in our roles for the Lord.
Our callings are to glorify and worship God and to bring the focus of others on Him and not man. If we only look at what we do, we miss the bigger picture of what God does. He is the One, not us! This is a point that must be made over and over again, we’re forgetful and sinful, when we fall we look to ourselves or man for our help, we constantly forget who is really behind everything. Our ultimate purpose in life is to bring the glory and honor to God! Amen!
Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Tamara wrote: "November 10, 2015: "New Testament Heroes"Matthew 3:1-3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Fo..."
I really liked when you said that if we only look at what we do we miss the big picture that God has in mind. That is so true! We get so caught up in what we do in our "own" strength, even if it is for a good cause, and we forget to look for how God is using us and guiding our every move.
Our ultimate purpose through everything we do should be to bring honor and glory to God.
Great message Tamara.
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@Karis- Amen!! Right on!! (;
Sorry y'all I didn't do my devotion today. I actually asked someone and they were going to do it but I guess they forgot ); So sorry!!
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November 12: New Testament GreatsToday, I want to talk a bit about James, the brother of Jesus. He may not be necessarily considered a "great" but our faith might be quite different without his book James, which he is believed to have written.
We don't see much of James when Jesus is alive. In one verse it is mentioned that his brothers did not believe in him. But we see him in Acts 15 and a few other places. So at some point he came to faith in Christ.
I wonder how it must have been like to be the brother of Jesus. I bet some ridiculed him for it and others revered him. But it must have been intimidating.
Then he wrote the book James, which is more accurately called a letter. This was a letter to "the "twelve tribes"—Jewish believers scattered abroad" (James 1:1). Why were they scattered?
Acts 8:1
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
So these scattered Jewish believers were given this letter. This letter talks about how faith and works are entwined. Paul enforced that belief that you cannot be saved by works but only through faith, while James says that if you have faith without works it is not faith at all. These are not contradictions.
James 2:14
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Works can NOT save us. No matter how "good" we try to be, we can never be good enough. That's why we can be so thankful for God's Grace and Mercy. But if we do believe in Christ, we'll want to be like Christ, and that involves works.
James was a great man. He can teach us many things in his small, but powerful, book. I hope you all are able to learn something from him.
G. Paige
Sorry for this being late! I was out most of the day and didn't have Wi-Fi!
Mod
I love James too -- seemingly a skeptic at first, but becomes the first leader of the New Testament church. I think it's interesting that he didn't focus on the humanity of Jesus, although he might have been the one writer who best knew of it.
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Thank you, guys! I really appreciate it!!!
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That it such a good point, Matt! I've never thought of it that way before.
Bible GreatsDaniel was thrown into the lion's den because he refused to 'sell out' Jesus -the true and living God. Many of us, well let me speak for myself. If I was told to give up Jesus or be eaten alive by lions, I am almost sure that i'd do it instantly. The fact that Daniel went to God in the open -as he did everyday- even when it was against the laws makes him a bible great.
Many Christians today are ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. Many of us only fast and go to knee city when we want something which is not right. Christianity is not a free pass to get things when we want them. NO!! it's a relationship with God. Many of us deny God daily. We should strive to be like Daniel i.e we should go to him wholeheartedly. We should praise him in the good times and bad.
Today, I'd like for everyone to draw for a piece of paper and fold it in half. On one half write all the things God has done for you and on the other write what you accomplished ALL BY YOURSELF. Which list is longer? Take just a few minutes and thank God for all the things He has done for us and our families even though we don't deserve it.
No prayer today. I'd like us to jsut thank him and give him praises for all that he has done for us while listening to this medley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63jGC...
Such a good reminder that we need to be bold for Christ.
Happy Sunday, everyone!Sunday, November 15: New Testament Greats
I chose to write about Timothy today. The Bible doesn't have a lot to say about Timothy, but I feel that there is so much to be learned from him. He was Paul's "son in the faith" and from what I gather, a good friend who stood by Paul when everyone else deserted him. (2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.)
Timothy was known to be quite timid, but despite it all, he is also known for his genuine faith in God. His faith enabled him to be strong and bold through suffering and persecution. In his letters to Timothy, Paul instructs him on what is required of church leaders. Paul trusted him enough and found him capable of being church leader, even though he was young. That, of course, had fair share of difficulties. Because Timothy was young, others who were older than him looked down on him and questioned his leadership ability. Paul encourages him, in one of my all time favorite verses, to not get discouraged and to instead set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Timothy forever remained strong in faith, despite it all.
Let us all learn to be like Timothy, a dear friend, strong and bold in the faith, and a great leader.
November 16th, 2015 - New Testament GreatsSaul/Paul
No list of New Testament Greats is complete without Paul. In Acts 1:12-26, the apostles chose Matthias as a replacement for Judas Iscariot, but I think that Paul is really person that Jesus had in mind. In Revelation, there are various symbols that seem to be for the tribes of Israel and for the 12 disciples of Jesus. I think Paul is going to be represented there.
How strange it was for Jesus to choose Saul! Here was a Pharisee of Pharisees, devoted to the Law as men had defined it, giving his support at Stephen's death, persecuting the early church.
Yet it was Paul who confronted Peter in Galatians 2:11-14, telling him "“If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?" Peter's hypocrisy was stumbling many of the Jews and even Barnabas.
When Paul went all in for Jesus, he went all in!
Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33.
Lord help us to run the race that You have set before us, guiding our feet and correcting us when we stray from Your path.
Mod
November 17, 2015: “"New Testament: Hall of Faith"Acts 6:7-8 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
I’m sure you all know about Stephen. He was the first man to die for believing in Jesus Christ, therefore making him the first Christian martyr. It says in the verse above that he was a man “full of faith and power”, and that he “did great wonders and miracles”. We know that this was a gift given to him by God, for no man can act in his own power.
Through Stephen God spread his word, he blessed him greatly and and rewarded him for his faith. You may be thinking that the death of Stephen couldn’t have been a blessing, never mind a reward, why would God let someone like Stephen die for his faith? I want you to read the following passage very closely for the answer to that question.
Acts 7:55-60 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
I don’t know about you, but I think Stephen acted in a very Christ like manner. Not only did he call upon the name of the Lord, but he forgave the men who were stoning him. God gave Stephen the strength and the faith to persevere in his persecution, and in the end he rewarded him for his faith by taking him up to be with him. Remember the verse that says to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Stephen died defending his faith, and he was rewarded for it.
Now I think I should make it clear that this doesn’t mean we should go looking for martyrdom, that is the wrong way of approaching this concept. Instead you should accept whatever God sends your way and trust Him to give you the strength to persevere when it comes. He won’t put you through anything you can’t handle, through the power of God you can go through anything, in your own strength you would never make it.
So remember that today. Give your all to God and He will take care of the rest, trust in His holy plan and you will be at peace no matter what comes your way, lean on His arms and He will carry you through the difficulties. He will give you the faith and strength to make it through! Amen!
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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Okay well haven't figured the days out yet... but I will :P Future message coming (: