Archive for the ‘Encourgement’ Category

Spiritual Training 22 February 2012

Posted: February 22, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested

John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?

Trying to protect Jesus, Peter pulled a sword and wounded the high priest’s servant. But Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and allow God’s plan to unfold. At times it is tempting to take matters into our own hands, to force the issue. Most often such moves lead to sin. Instead we must trust God to work out his plan. Think of it-if peter had had his way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross, and God’s plan of redemption would have been thwarted. Luke records that Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him (Luke 22:51).

The cup means the suffering, isolation, and death that Jesus would have to endure in order to atone for the sins of the world.

Proverbs 17:05 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 17, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 17:5 –He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker, whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

Few acts are as cruel as making fun of the less fortunate, but many people do this because it makes them feel good to be better off or more successful then someone else. Mocking the poor is mocking the God who made them. We also ridicule God when we mock the weak, those who are different, or anyone else. When you catch yourself putting down others just for fun, stop and think about who created them.

Spiritual Training 17 February 2012

Posted: February 17, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested

John 18:1-6 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley, On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus knowing all that was going to happen to him went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” Jesus of Nazareth, “they replied. “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

The officials from the chief priests and Pharisees were probably members of the temple guard; they were Jews given authority by the religious leaders to make arrests for minor infractions. The soldiers may have been a small contingent of Roman soldiers who did not participate in the arrest but accompanied the temple guard to make sure matters didn’t get out of control.

John does not record Judas’s kiss of greeting (Matthew 26:49; Mark 14:45; Luke 22:47) which was set up to identify Jesus was and also marked a turning point for the disciples. With Jesus arrest each one’s life would be radically different. For the first time, Judas openly betrayed Jesus before the other disciples. For the first time, Jesus loyal disciples ran away from him (Matthew 26:56). The band of disciples would undergo severe testing before they were transformed from hesitant followers to dynamic leaders.

They drew back and fell to the ground.
The men may have been startled by the boldness of Jesus question, or by the words “I am he,” a declaration of his divinity ((Exodus 3:14). Or perhaps his obvious power and authority overcame them.

Proverbs 16:07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 16, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

We want other people to like us, and sometimes we will do almost anything to win their approval. But God tells us to put our energy into pleasing him instead. Our effort to be peacemakers will usually make us more attractive to those around us, even our enemies. But even if it doesn’t, we haven’t lost anything. We are still pleasing God, the only one who truly matters.

Spiritual Training 16 February 2012

Posted: February 16, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:18-23 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctity myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, jus as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus prayed for all who would follow him, including you and others you know. He prayed for unity, protection from the evil one, and sanctity. Knowing that Jesus prayed for us should give us confidence as we work for his kingdom.

Jesus great desire for his disciples was that they would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love. Are we helping to unify the body of Christ, the church? You can pray for other Christians, avoid gossip, build others up, and work together in humility. Give your time and money, exalt Christ and refuse to get sidetracked arguing over divisive matters.

Jesus prayed for unity among the believers based on the believers’ unity with him and the Father. Christians can know unity among themselves if they are living in union with God. For example, each branch living in union with the vine is united with all other branches doing the same.

Spiritual Training 15 February 2012

Posted: February 15, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:14-18 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

The world hates Christians because Christians’ values differ from the worlds. Because Christ’s followers don’t cooperate with the world by joining in their sin, they are living accusations against the world’s immorality. The world follows Satan’s agenda, and Satan is the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people.

A flower of Christ becomes sanctified (set apart for sacred use, cleansed, and made holy) through believing and obeying the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). He or she has already accepted forgiveness through Christ’s sacrificial death. But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path.

Jesus didn’t ask God to take believers out of the world but instead to use them in the world. Because Jesus sends us into the world, we should not try to escape from the world, nor should we avoid all relationships with non-Christians. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), and we are to do the work that God sent us to do.

Proverbs 15:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 15, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 15:1 –A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger and angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.

Proverbs 14:06 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 14, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 14:06 – The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

We all know mockers, people who scoff at every word of instruction or advice. They never find wisdom because they don’t seek it seriously. Wisdom comes easily to those who pay attention to experienced people and to God. If the wisdom you need does not come easily to you, perhaps your attitude is the barrier.

Spiritual Training 14 February 2012

Posted: February 14, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:11-13 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

Jesus was asking that the disciples be united in harmony and love as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united-the strongest of all unions.

Judas was the “one doomed to destruction,” who was lost because he betrayed Jesus.

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teachings-he wants us to be joyful. The key to immeasurable joy is living in intimate contact with Christ, the source of all joy. When we do, we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain.

Spiritual Training 12 February 2012

Posted: February 13, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:6-10 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They know with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

What did Jesus mean when he said “glory has come to me through them”? God’s glory is the revelation of his character and presence. The lives of Jesus disciples reveal his character, and he is present to the world through them. Does your life reveal Jesus character and presence?

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