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Tarfoot · 26-02-25, 21:46

Embrace God

"And you shall be my people, and I will be your God." - Jeremiah 30:22

Jeremiah 30:22 reveals how God desires a relationship with us. He calls on the people to embrace His love, guidance, and kindness in every aspect of their lives.

As you journey through life you will encounter challenges and pressures. It becomes easy to lose our way and forget that we are children of the Most High King. Instead, we often adopt identities shaped by our circumstances, failures, or the opinions of others. However, dear friends, let us find it within ourselves to thank God for loving and accepting us enough to call us His children.

As you reflect on this verse, thank God that you are a child of the King. Dear friend, whenever you feel discouraged or dismayed, remember that you are part of God's family.

We must acknowledge this truth and hold our heads high because God is our helper. He is a loving and kind Father who walks with us through life's ups and downs. Remember that God is with you and will guide you through difficult times when you cannot walk on your own.

Beloved, you are free today to respond to God's invitation with the words, "I am His, and He is mine." You will discover His peace and guidance as you cast your burdens on Him. I hope and pray that you always hold onto the truth that you are never alone. You are one of many precious strings composing the tapestry of His people, and He is your God, who is righteous, faithful, and omnipresent.

Tarfoot · 27-02-25, 22:02

The Sureness of God's Love

"Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him"(Genesis 37:18, NKJV).

What a tragic step it is to doubt a father's love and take matters into our own hands. The first thing that changed in Joseph's brothers after they began to doubt their father's love was the way they talked. Listen to them: "Come, let's kill him. No, cast him into a pit. Better yet, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and make a little money!" Their hearts swelled with contempt and betrayal. Out of their corrupted hearts burst a stream of wicked words, the language of the world.

Unholy speech is a sure sign of a hardened heart. Joseph's brothers became insensitive to sin, and their corrupted conversation led to criminal behavior. First, they talked like the wicked, and then they began to act like them. Before long, they became cold, calculating criminals. Not only did they sin, but they covered it up and then went about their business of tending sheep as though nothing had happened.

How corrupt and insensitive we can become when we doubt our Father's love. Malachi, the prophet, warned the children of Israel concerning the hardness of their hearts. Like Joseph's brothers, the Israelites had fallen prey to doubt and had grown calloused to their sin. The book of Malachi begins, "The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, says the Lord. Yet you say, 'In what way have you loved us?'" (Malachi 1:1-2). Incredible! They dared to tell God, "We see no evidence in our lives that you love or care for us."

Show me a Christian who begins to doubt God's love and decides to take matters into his own hands, and I will show you a Christian whose conversation has become corrupted. The more he doubts, the more unholy his speech will become.

The way some Christians talk is absolutely shocking. Once, they spoke with godly awe and reverence, uttering words of faith and joy. Once, they spoke softly, with an edifying speech. Now, they speak bluntly, irreverently. Their words betray what is in their hearts: fear, unbelief, and despair. Beloved, throw off all evil, unbelieving thoughts. Do not continue to doubt God's great love for you. Embrace the sureness of your Father's love! AMEN

Tarfoot · 02-03-25, 00:38

Our Source of Peace

"But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Psalm 37:11, NKJV).

In a dream, I saw an army that refused to break rank. Despite all the wickedness and cruel violence around them, they were unperturbed. They were going down into the living waters of praise and worship and coming out on the other side of the river with perfect peace and rest. They are the redeemed of the Lord, who have been given a peace that passes all understanding.

Joel saw an army of mighty men and said, "Everyone marches in formation, and they do not break ranks" (Joel 2:7).

God's people will not break rank nor run in fear because they know they are secure under the precious blood of the Lamb. They know that in spite of all the violence and wrath of men, the body of Christ on earth is in excellent health and is growing stronger every day.

While all that is earthly is being shaken, and world governments are spinning out of control, the true church of Christ is solid and unmovable.

The specter of devastating violence and potential destruction has robbed mankind of peace and security. Yet at the same time, God is bringing his people into their greatest hour of rest and safety. While the ungodly cry for peace and safety and never find it, God's chosen are now possessing great peace and perfect security.

God's people who rest in him can say with David the psalmist:

"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive. When their wrath was kindled against us; then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul, then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:2-8)

Today, rest in the peace of knowing our help is in the name of the Lord!

Tarfoot · 04-03-25, 00:35

Mercy in Suffering

I receive many heartrending letters from godly Christians who are going through the greatest testing they have ever known. Never have so many come down with cancer. Never have there been so many hurt by divorce, with spouses abandoning homes and giving up on marriages. So many are burdened with financial problems. Many are enduring a time of trial, confusion, pain and deep hurt.

God's most beloved children are going through refining fires. While it is true that "many are the afflictions of the righteous," it also is true that "the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19, NKJV).

I have been praying, "God, you told us to come boldly to your throne of grace to obtain mercy to help in our time of need. We desperately need your mercy."

Is there hope for any of us in these trying times without the Lord's mercy? What do we do as believers when the enemy comes in like a flood? Why do those who are so deeply devoted to Christ have to endure such unusual testing?

I do not have all the answers. I know that the righteous suffer, and I know that many godly people reading this message are hurting and may be wondering why they must endure so much pain. I also know that when you take your place in the holy of holies, you discover trials and testing unknown to those in the outer court.

The daily news is filled with horror and violence, but do not for a moment let that mar your vision of a glorious church rising up in the midst of the ruin and confusion to take dominance and authority.

A holy, forgiven, rested body, holding to Christ the head, is being revealed in clearer measure. This victorious body is coming into sharp, well-defined view, flexing its spiritual muscle, threatening the very powers of Satan.

Beloved, the prognosis for the body of Christ is unbelievably glorious and nothing this ungodly world does can adversely affect it or change its purpose!

Tarfoot · 05-03-25, 17:17

Eyes of Understanding

"Then it happened, as he was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging....And he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him...'What do you want me to do for you?' He said, 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.'" (Luke 18:35-41, NKJV).

Isn't it amazing that they're in Jericho, the stronghold with impenetrable walls that God brought down when the people shouted to him? Now a man's shouting for his walls of hopelessness to come down, and they're telling him to be quiet. Isn't it amazing what religion can become over time? We start to think that it's reverent to never shout out, to never get desperate with God. Everything must be measured, and we must never lose our integrity, as we see it, by admitting our needs.

This blind man didn't care about all that. Because he was willing to cry out for God to move, his walls were about to come down.

First, though, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Isn't that odd? The man was blind. Wasn't it obvious what he would want? But the man could have answered, "Well, I need a new coat. My old one is stinky and ratty." Or he could've said, "I need a better begging spot, Jesus. I've worn this one out like a fishing spot. I need a job. I want a friend." None of those things were his greatest needs, and Jesus wanted to see if he knew that.

In this context, read what Paul prayed for the church: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18).

You need spiritual sight. You need to understand who Jesus Christ is. You need to know that God hasn't called you to be sitting on the side of the road with your spiritual cup out. Cry out, and Christ will give you eyes of understanding!

Tarfoot · 05-03-25, 17:24

Eyes of Understanding

"Then it happened, as he was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging...And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him...'What do you want me to do for you?' He said, 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.'" (Luke 18:35-41, NKJV).

Isn't it amazing that they're in Jericho, the stronghold with impenetrable walls that God brought down when the people shouted to him? Now a man's shouting for his walls of hopelessness to come down, and they're telling him to be quiet. Isn't it amazing what religion can become over time? We start to think that it's reverent to never shout out, to never get desperate with God. Everything must be measured, and we must never lose our integrity, as we see it, by admitting our needs.

This blind man didn't care about all that. Because he was willing to cry out for God to move, his walls were about to come down.

First, though, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Isn't that odd? The man was blind. Wasn't it obvious what he would want? But the man could have answered, "Well, I need a new coat. My old one is stinky and ratty." Or he could've said, "I need a better begging spot, Jesus. I've worn this one out like a fishing spot. I need a job. I want a friend." None of those things were his greatest needs, and Jesus wanted to see if he knew that.

In this context, read what Paul prayed for the church: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18).

You need spiritual sight. You need to understand who Jesus Christ is. You need to know that God hasn't called you to be sitting on the side of the road with your spiritual cup out. Cry out, and Christ will give you eyes of understanding!

Tarfoot · 08-03-25, 18:08

Restoring the Wasted Years

"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25, NKJV).

This promise is incredible! We want to make up those lost years when we weren't following him, to make amends and repay him. However, God says, "You cannot repay me for a single wasted hour. Turn from your sins, and walk before me in righteousness, and I will make up all the losses."

To repentant sinners, the Lord declares, "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things" (Joel 2:21). You need not be ashamed of your wasted years. God is going to remove from you the evil army, and you will eat and be satisfied. You will never again be ashamed (see Joel 2:19-20, 26-27).

You were born for his eternal purposes. He planned for you a life of satisfaction, joy and usefulness in his kingdom. Then sin entered, and God's plan for your life was interrupted. The devourer moved in, and years were wasted and lost.

Now, in Christ, all is new. The Lord removes all those wasted years and starts counting again from the moment you repent. All those blessings you missed were stored up. All the joy, peace, revelation and usefulness that you thought were dead and gone forever were actually kept by the Lord.

In hell, the damned may be haunted with a vision of what their lives could have been. Some may see what they lost. However, this is not so for the repentant. All will be restored. They need never again say, "Oh, what I missed. God had so much for me, but I blew it." No! God can restore all the wasted blessings.

The Lord desires to pour out on us all the blessings and joys in him that we missed earlier. Yet he does not make it all up with outpourings alone. The outpourings become overflowings, and "the threshing floors shall be full of wheat; the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil" (Joel 2:24). There is power in repentance, and it restores to us all that the cankerworm destroyed. God resurrects it all!

Tarfoot · 10-03-25, 01:37

God's Promises in Times of Need

All Christians can stand on a few promises that apply to the whole body of Christ.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV).

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).

These well-known promises have brought great comfort and blessing to God's people worldwide for many centuries. Beyond these general promises, though, God gives us specific promises for special times and hard times. We must know them and bring them with us when we come boldly to his throne of grace.

The Puritans, who were mightily blessed by God, said every promise of the Lord is a holy argument. They believed a Christian should not come before the Lord with just a general faith.

When God tells you to come boldly before the throne of grace, to receive mercy and grace in your time of need (see Hebrews 4:16), you cannot have just a general idea of why you are there. You cannot just say, "Okay, Lord, you know my heart. Give me whatever you see fit."

That may sound good, but God has specific promises for specific times in our lives. He wants us to hold these promises in our hearts so that we might stand strong and assured as we reason with him. He wants us to stand before his throne with perfect consolation, absolute assurance, and no doubts whatsoever.

Maybe the reason you are not hearing from God is that you have given him a general faith without being specific with him. "'Present your case,' says the Lord. 'Bring forth your strong reasons'..." (Isaiah 41:21). Beloved, why should God do this for you? Why should he bless you? Of course, he knows why, but he also wants you to know why. His promises are true.

Tarfoot · 11-03-25, 00:17

Hope, Love, and Fear

The apostle Paul was one of God's most faithful servants. I believe three important motivations behind Paul's faithfulness were hope, love, and fear.

Paul's blessed hope of eternal life motivated him to faithfulness. He also had a great love for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, he says, "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died."

The love of Christ compelled him to remain faithful to God, but Paul's faithfulness also was motivated by something else: the reverential fear of the hour when he would stand before the judge of the world on judgment day.

Today, the vast majority of Christians possess only the first two motivations. Virtually every believer claims to have the hope of eternal life, and many say with all sincerity, "I love Jesus with all my heart."

Yet the truth of a coming day of judgment is the very thing that produces serious, godly believers. Those who put it out of their minds are usually cold, careless and indulgent. However, the fact remains that sometime very soon, every person who has ever lived will be gathered to the place of judgment to be judged by Jesus Christ. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV). "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

At this very moment, legions of angels stand ready for Jesus's command to gather from the corners of the earth both the wicked and the righteous: "The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 13:41).

All the rich, famous and powerful of all ages will be brought to stand before him: "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Revelation 6:15-17).

Like Paul, let's walk out hope, love, and fear before the judge of all the world!

Tarfoot · 12-03-25, 22:32

Where has all of the Wisdom Gone?

"Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?'" - Jeremiah 49:7

In this verse, God asks a sobering question: Where is the wisdom of Teman, a region in Edom? The Edomites were once renowned for their sagacity, but they went astray in their quest for human understanding. Their downfall began when they rejected God's truth.

Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The Edomites' wisdom failed them because they relied on their own understanding rather than God. Today, we observe the same trend among those who reject biblical truth in their pursuit of independence.

This is evident in our culture when people believe they can change their biological gender, that men competing in women's sports represent equality, or that a baby can be killed in the womb without consequences. The issues I have mentioned, among many others, represent our culture's misalignment with God as they seek to live apart from Him.

We also live in a time where many believe that there are multiple ways to enter the Kingdom of God. Yet, according to John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Friends, we must take this to heart: there is only one way to enter the Kingdom of God and attain eternal life, and we must pursue a relationship with God and humbly obey His Word. May we hold fast to the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6 to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

May this verse inspire us to seek wisdom from on high. James 1:5 assures us that when we ask God for wisdom, He will provide it generously. Friends, let's resolve right now not to become wise in our own sight, but rather to come humbly before the Lord, seeking His wisdom and trusting in His eternal guidance.

Pray with Me
Heavenly Father, I ask that You keep my eyes focused on You and guide me to seek You in all things so that my understanding aligns with Your will. Lord, I pray that You grant me wisdom for daily living, and may I be found faithful to walk in Your ways all the days of my life regardless of the season. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tarfoot · 14-03-25, 00:14

A True Faith in the Word

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'"(Matthew 4:1-4, ESV).

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to fast. Satan wants Jesus to prove that he's the Son of God by getting him to disobey God. Isn't that interesting? This is similar to the way that Satan tempted Eve in Eden by questioning God's words regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan appealed to the desire of her flesh to undermine the truth of God's Word. Unlike Eve, Jesus uses the Word of God to overcome the devil.

Jesus suffered in order to be true to God's Word. The apostles suffered for their faith in the truth of God's Word. I hear many people who think that God has promised them things about loss or suffering that he hasn't. "Oh, God promised me that I'd never go through this trial again." Wait, where's that in the Bible?

If Scripture was good enough for Jesus and the apostles, and both suffered, why is it "not good enough" for us? The problem is that we have invested our hearts in fleshly things that we hope God promised us but not what he has really spoken in his Word. The real promises of God do not fail, and if you put your trust in them, you will not be put to shame.

Scripture says we should diligently seek God's Word, "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'..." (Isaiah 30:21). Psalm 119:11 says, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

Hang your security on God's words, brothers and sisters. Listen, God is working all things --not just good things-- all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (see Romans 8:28). The most important thing is, are you called according to his purpose? Do you know and trust Scripture?

Tarfoot · 15-03-25, 02:13

The Book of Life

God has recorded every thought, word and deed of every person. The motives of every Christian are entered in a "book of remembrance," which is the Book of Life; and on the day of judgment, Christ is going to remember all who are in this book.

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord... They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him' (Malachi 3:16-17, NKJV).

If you love Jesus with all your heart and are cleansed by his blood, your name is written in his book of remembrance. This message should not produce fear; it should bring great rejoicing to your heart as you see all that God has planned for those who love him.

There are books, but then there is "The Book." The Bible says each life has its own book, a record of an entire lifetime on earth.

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away... And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books... they were judged, each one according to his works" (Revelation 20:11-13).

One by one, the wicked and ungodly will be judged by everything written in these books before the judge of all!

Scripture says every person will have a resurrection body at that time. The sinner will have a body "prepared for destruction" (Romans 9:22), yet the godly will be given a new body, likened unto the Lord's. When the judgment is over, the Lamb will rise up from his throne and lead his flock into eternal paradise. Oh, what rejoicing there will be!

Tarfoot · 16-03-25, 21:38

The Unprofitable Servant

In the Bible, the unprofitable servant is the one who hid his talent. He became too lazy to invest his life and time in God's interests. This man came to God's house once a week to maintain a semblance of religion.

Here is what the Lord will say of haphazard, halfhearted service to him: "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest... Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:26-27, 30, NKJV).

What weeping and wailing there will be when the unprofitable servant's life is examined. God will show the world how much time and effort he wasted making money, seeking personal security, building up bank accounts, fretting, ignoring family, forgetting God, and forsaking the assembly of believers.

On that day, God will bring forth the record of every neglected church meeting and every lazy and self-centered activity. Before this servant's eyes, everything he spent his lifetime accumulating will appear: houses, cars, furnishings, boats, clothes, jewelry, stocks, and bonds.

A spark from Christ's eye will ignite everything like a hydrogen meltdown. An angel will be standing before him, holding a mound of dust. The Lord will turn to the unprofitable one, saying, "This is what your lifetime amounted to. I needed you and called you, but you neglected me. You gave me so little of your time until, finally, you pushed me out of your life completely. You wasted your life for a handful of dust. You were warned that it would all burn as grass in an oven!"

Oh, beloved, what regret there will be on that day for the one who has no time for God. Attending the obligatory Sunday morning service is not profitable if we do not have a heart for God. Remember, "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart!" (Psalm 119:2).

Tarfoot · 18-03-25, 02:31

Confidence on Judgment Day

"All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:32-34, NKJV).

On the day of judgment, the first thing on the Lord's agenda will be to separate his sheep from the goats. He will not allow his righteous ones to be numbered with the transgressors.

The Bible is very clear that those who have been abiding in Christ and looking for his appearance will be bold and confident on that day. "And now, little children, abide in him, that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28). "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).

How can you have such boldness, joy and confidence on the day of judgment? It comes only through knowing Christ as your friend, brother, redeemer-kinsman, high priest, advocate, intercessor, Lord, the love of your heart and your very life!

If you know in your heart that you are not ready to stand before Jesus on the day of judgment, you have to answer for what I have written here. This one message is enough to damn you to eternal hell if you reject it. It will stand as a witness on judgment day.

Have your interests, work, possessions, or even your ministry become more important to you than the Lord's interests? Have you neglected your family? Are you satisfied because you go to church on Sunday and say, "I've done my part for God?" God's Word to you is clear: It is not enough!

Beloved, if you have judged yourself and come up short, pray this from your heart: Jesus, I need you. I need to be forgiven. I confess all my sins and stubbornness. I have neglected you, Lord. From this day on, I will put you first and make you my life, my everything! Amen.

Tarfoot · 18-03-25, 20:57

Taking Spiritual Inventory

"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more" (Luke 12:48, ESV).

Most Christians are powerless. This statement will sound bold to some readers, and to others, it will sound obvious. Either way, it is a commentary on the church I would rather not have to make.

Consider what "normal" Christianity looks like to the typical believer today. This person is a bit self-seeking and a little materialistic, and most of his daily choices are about improving his life. That includes his spiritual pursuits, from church groups to the podcasts he downloads to the seminars he attends.

There is nothing wrong with any of these things. Our Lord wants our lives to be blessed, but for some Christians, these are nothing more than worldly pursuits. They are about self-improvement, not the kingdom of God, and they can drain a believer of true gospel power.

What passes for normal Christianity today must be an outrage to God. It is not only powerless but passionless and lacking in self-sacrifice. In other words, it is cross-less and therefore, Christ-less.

Do not misunderstand. I am all about God's grace, and I would not lay an undue burden on anyone. However, it's time for the church to take a spiritual inventory to see whether our spiritual pursuits are leading us closer to God's heart or causing us to run in circles.

Let me pose a few questions. Do you think it would be better for your spiritual health to attend a church that doesn't preach much gospel, teach much of God's Word or have much passion for his kingdom? A church where no one really lives out his commands? Or would it be better to attend a church that exalts God's Word, proclaims the gospel and has a home group for every type of believer?

I would humbly suggest that the second option might be more dangerous to your spiritual health. Why? Because Jesus declares that to whom much is given, much is required.

For someone whose life doesn't match this biblical truth, the day of judgment will be scary. As Jesus warned, "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Luke 12:40).

Tarfoot · 19-03-25, 23:37

Longing for the Lord

Have you been longing and yearning for the coming of the Lord? Do you yearn for the day when he will appear?

"Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13, NKJV). "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).

This world is not our home, but are you putting down roots or are you pulling up roots, praying that Jesus will keep your heart awake?

Have God?s enemies become your enemies? Are you engaged in the battle against those who oppose God? Have you taken up his fight against the flesh, the world and the devil?

Yes, Jesus said we are to love our enemies but what about his enemies? What about those who hate him, refuse his grace and mercy, defame his name and drag it through filth? We are not to hate men, but we are to hate the sin that is in their hearts and the demonic powers that rule over them. We are to hate the wickedness that is in the world.

Have you made a habit of forsaking the house of God? Scripture says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

It is no accident that the very next verse in this passage refers to "willful sin" after the truth has been revealed. "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26).

It is a proven historical fact that people become most careless and neglectful just prior to judgment and calamity.

Beloved, if you have judged yourself and come up short, pray these words from your heart: "Jesus, I need to be forgiven. I confess my sin. I have neglected you, and I have not put you first. From this day forward, I make you my life, my everything!"

Tarfoot · 23-03-25, 22:46

Empowered by God

Many of us want to know God's way and hear gospel truth, but we avoid living it. Sadly, in today's church it is acceptable to enjoy sermons and worship, yet go home completely unchanged.

Paul preached a message of gospel power, and wanted that power for Timothy for a specific reason. "In the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless...not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV).

Here, Paul speaks of churchgoers and describes them as having only "a form of godliness." These Christians didn't mind going to the synagogue, reading spiritual texts or participating in religious activities. Yet Paul's advice to Timothy was, "Avoid them." He was saying, "It's dangerous to be around those people. You'll start to think their way is acceptable. They may look godly, but the Lord looks on the heart and sees unholiness and conceit."

Paul said these Christians were "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). In other words, they listened to all the gospel teachings but never took them to heart. That made them powerless because they "opposed the truth" (see 2 Timothy 3:8).

Note how Paul begins this passage: "In the last days there will come times of difficulty" (2 Timothy 3:1). He makes clear that perilous times will wither a superficial faith. I am probably the least prophetic Christian alive, but even I can see bad times on the horizon. When global economies teeter, the average American faces financial disaster and political upheaval heightens, then something has to give.

What will most Christians do when things turn really bad? Are our hearts truly prepared to deal with hard times? Friend, if we are not living a life empowered by God, the problem is with us, not the Lord. Seek God and his Word, and he will empower us to endure to the end.

Tarfoot · 28-03-25, 02:09

A Promise for Difficult Times

I believe God has given us a very specific promise for the difficult times ahead. It was given to Abraham and his seed as an oath. "The oath which he swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life" (Luke 1:73-75, NKJV).

God has sworn to deliver us from every enemy and fearful thing so we can serve him all the days of our lives without fear. Beloved, hunger is an enemy, as are nakedness and poverty.

This oath from God must be the foundation of our trust in every crisis, calamity and fearful time. Memorize it. Let it be your holy argument at the throne of grace.

In Psalm 121, David provides one of the most powerful Holy Ghost arguments ever given to man. The entire psalm tells us that all our help comes from the Lord alone. Psalm 124 is yet another holy argument, a specific promise to enable us to build special trust.

Signature judgments bear a special mark of God in that they mirror the sins committed against him. As these judgments occur before our eyes, our only answer is to have Jesus as our shield.

Today, run to meet him in the secret closet of prayer. Let your roots go deep into him; know he will keep you in all circumstances. Take hold of the following special promises in readiness for any and all calamities we may face.

"Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness... His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid" (Psalm 112:4, 7-8).

"He shall judge the world in righteousness... The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:8-10).

Tarfoot · 02-04-25, 02:28

The Gate of Grace

Isaiah prophesied, "They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4, ESV).

Isaiah's listeners could not fathom the freedom and exploits he described here. For generations, God's people had been crushed under the law, devastated by its burden.

The same was true for the people of Jesus's day. They were hard on themselves, accepting the legalistic burdens placed on them by religious leaders. That is why Christ's words were so revolutionary when he quoted directly from Isaiah to announce his ministry: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1).

Jesus knew that the gift of grace would set us free completely. His message was not just for the unsaved. When he spoke of setting captives free, he was speaking to believers too. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

Today, we are just as hard on ourselves. We think of grace as being soft or getting a pass, yet grace is the mightiest power we will ever see at work in our lives. It is also the only power that brings real fruit to our walk with God. Only as we enter fully into God's grace will his church be stirred and empowered to walk in the glorious works he has set before us.

After reading this, are you still striving to be perfect? There is only one entrance to the path of perfection: the gate of grace. You are already perfect in God's eyes through the righteousness of his Son, Jesus Christ. Now, here is your responsibility: Stop striving!

Your efforts only send you backward, not forward, causing you to miss God's grace completely. A grace that brings freedom, joy and power to do all that God has called you to do. As you go forward with Jesus, you will need grace upon grace. So now is not the time to redouble your own efforts. It is time to trust that Christ has provided all the grace you need at every step to walk in his unique calling for you.

Tarfoot · 03-04-25, 00:07

Hallow the Sabbath

I believe the following passage is prophetic of Christ and his church: "And it shall be, if you heed me carefully, says the Lord, to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever" (Jeremiah 17:24-25, NKJV).

We know that Christ is the seed of David and that he sits as King on David's throne; but who are the kings and princes Jeremiah describes here, the inhabitants of Jerusalem riding on horses and in chariots?

We are those people and have been given an incredible promise. By taking all our burdens to the burden bearer, we will live in peace forever, free of all bondage. Indeed, Jesus's command to lay our burdens on him is not an option. We are to do it as a matter of trust in him.

"But if you will not heed me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched" (Jeremiah 17:27).

The prophet says, "If you do not obey God's command to stop carrying your burdens, you'll end up being consumed by them." Tragically, this describes many believers today. Some can hardly sleep at night because they never stop thinking about their problems. They replay things repeatedly in their minds, wondering, "Where did I go wrong? How can I make things right?"

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He is saying, "By faith, you must enter into the Father's Sabbath."

We are to give all our burdens over to Jesus and trust his Holy Spirit to give us strength for life. We honor the Sabbath by laying down all self-effort in trying to make our way through sin and temptation. We are to observe this command not just on Sunday but every day!

Tarfoot · 05-04-25, 17:11

Guard Your Affection

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent" (Revelation 2:5, NKJV).

In this passage, Jesus is saying, "Think back to what you were like when I first saved you. You rejoiced that I came to live in your heart! You couldn't wait for church on Sunday, and you spent all your free time digging into my Word and learning about my love for you. You never considered prayer a burden because I meant everything to you. You loved me more than life itself. However, now you've fallen away from all that. I get so little of your time now, so little of your attention. You've grown cold toward me. Something else has your heart."

Look at the serious warning in this verse: "Repent-- else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent." Theologians have tried to soften this warning for many years, wanting it to mean something different. It cannot be softened; it means exactly what it says.

Jesus tells us, "If you claim to have the fire of God, and yet I am no longer the delight of your heart, I will take away every bit of light you have. No matter what good works you do for me, you will no longer be my witness. I won't recognize anything you do because you have lost your love for me."

Is your love for Jesus exclusive? Do you regularly make quality time to be with him? Have other things crept into your heart, taking up your thoughts and affections?

Jesus is asking you right now to repent and start over. He wants you to stop and realize, "Wait a minute. I see how this thing has crept into my life, and it is robbing me of my exclusive love for Jesus. I can't let this go on any longer. Lord, forgive me! Light my candle anew."

Beloved, return to your first love today. Ask him for grace and strength to begin again guarding your affection for Christ.

Tarfoot · 07-04-25, 18:09

A Zeal for God

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:1-2).

The Jews could not be saved by the righteousness they perceived they were gaining by following the law of Moses. In Romans, Paul urged them to understand they could be saved if they removed the veil from their eyes that was blinding them.

Many legalistic people have a zeal for God, but they do not have that zeal according to the knowledge of God's Word. Conversely, some believe they can live however they want because of God's grace. They form Christ into their own image, and their zeal for God is a god of their invention. However, unless both groups follow the God of the Bible, their zeal is in vain.

Likewise, today, there are people with vague spiritualism. They say the gospel is about a relationship, not about a religion. This is wrong. It is definitely about religion and also about a relationship. It is about a God we have a relationship with, but his words dictate the terms of that relationship. To think that we have some relationship with God apart from his Word is utterly foolish, blasphemous, and wicked.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it" (Matthew 5:17). Christ has fulfilled the law and conquered death. He justifies us before God if we believe in his name, evidenced by a life that lives according to his Word.

There is only one way to be right with God: through true belief and surrender to the gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the scriptures.

The Jews ignored God's righteousness. The law is God's character, and we are not like God. That is what the law was meant to show us: to produce deep dependence and gravitation toward the salvation of the Messiah. Scripture says, "None is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Yet the good news is that the narrow road to redemption is found in Christ alone.

Tarfoot · 09-04-25, 00:22

Grace Rains Down

Our life in Christ begins in grace, continues in grace, and will end in grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).

Once we grasp this truth, our lives will be marked by freedom, joy, and delight, not bondage, weariness, or dread. Spending time in God's presence will seem like a joyous gift rather than a duty. After all, Jesus says we are no longer his servants but his friends.

None of this negates our responsibility. Of course, there is a time to set the alarm clock to rise and pray, but don't you dare do it without the oil of God's grace. Don't read your Bible without grace, or you will come away condemned and fearful rather than enlightened and empowered. Why? It is God's work of grace to show us our inability. That's the only way we will ever acknowledge his ability.

No, don't give up on your accountability group. Don't give up on your dedicated prayer time. Don't give up on your Bible study group. Don't give up on any of these wonderful disciplines, unless they are getting in the way of God's grace working fully in your life.

Some of you might say, "The way you're talking, nobody will ever pray again. No one will discipline himself to the task. We don't have it in us. If we follow your suggestion, no one will ever know God's way for us."

Just remember that grace rains down on us from the Lord's throne; it doesn't rise upward from us to him. That is what will draw the world to our lives and testimonies. When people see real grace raining down on us, they will see the wonders that it works in us. They will know our hearts have been won not by our work but by God's. May it be so in your life today!

Tarfoot · 10-04-25, 18:04

Cut to the Heart

Those who were headed for the Upper Room loved Jesus dearly. They were compassionate, self-sacrificing and soul-loving. However, they were not yet qualified to be his witnesses. It takes more than a love for Jesus and compassion for souls to qualify you as his witness.

The disciples had been taught in the school of Christ. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed miracles. They had been nearby when he sweat drops of blood as he prayed, and then they watched him hanging on the cross. They witnessed his resurrection, viewed the empty tomb, ate and talked with him in his glorified body, and even saw him ascend into heaven. Yet they were still not ready to be witnesses of him.

Why couldn't Peter go to those milling crowds in Jerusalem and immediately testify of Christ's resurrection? Hadn't he witnessed that event firsthand? It seems he could have preached, "Jesus is alive! He ascended into heaven! Repent!"

The answer is in Peter's powerful statement to the chief priests: "And we are his witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him" (Acts 5:32, NKJV).

Because of the words of the Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, the priests "were furious and plotted to kill them" (Acts 5:33). The Holy Spirit also had spoken through Peter on the day of Pentecost, and all who heard "were cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37).

Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached to the religious leaders, "'You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you...'. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth" (Acts 7:51, 54).

When you emerge from seeking God, full of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to stand boldly before others, and your witness will provoke one of two reactions: People will either cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" or they will want to kill you. You will speak a word that cuts to the heart, but the difference is found in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tarfoot · 11-04-25, 23:53

Holy as God is Holy

The Old Testament is full of types and shadows of New Testament truth. Whenever I have difficulty understanding a truth from the New Testament, I turn back to its foreshadowing in the Old Testament. In fact, I believe every single episode or story in the Old Testament is full of ripe truth for New Testament believers.

One such example is the passage concerning Moses at the burning bush. This particular story is full of profound New Testament truth on the subject of holiness.

While Moses was alone on Mount Horeb herding his father-in-law's sheep, a strange sight suddenly grabbed his attention. A bush was burning brightly, as if on fire, yet it was not consumed.

Moses decided to look closer, and as he stepped nearer, God called to him out of the bush. "Then Moses said, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.' So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'" (Exodus 3:3-4, NKJV).

That bush was burning without being consumed because God was present in it. It was a visual representation of God's holiness. Indeed, wherever he is present, that place is holy.

The New Testament tells us we are called to be holy even as God is holy. "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). In other words, it is written, recorded and settled once and for all: We are to be holy, as our God is holy.

"For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). God has not called us just to salvation, to heaven, or to receive his pardon. Rather, these things are the benefits of our one true calling, which is to be holy as he is holy.

Every believer in the church of Jesus Christ is called to be pure and blameless in God's sight. If you have been born again, the cry of your heart must be, "God, I want to be like Jesus and walk holy before you all the days of my life."

Tarfoot · 14-04-25, 21:18

Encountering Jesus

The apostle Paul was a great evangelist, missionary, and theologian. He was a great man of God, but what was it that drove him? What was in his life that caused him to fulfill the purposes of God?

In Acts 9, Paul had a revelation and an encounter with Jesus. "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" (Acts 9:3-6, NKJV).

There is a difference between an experience and an encounter with Jesus. Some people have had an experience with an invitation to the altar, in prayer, or even in baptism. That's great, but in a world full of wickedness, brokenness, and depression, what people need is an encounter with Jesus.

Paul was on his way to persecute Christians. He came near Damascus, and suddenly, a light shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" He had an amazing encounter with Jesus.

Do you see the difference? Many today have all the trappings of religion and church, but they miss the greatest thing about Christianity. An experience is great, but when you fall on your knees before God, you have an encounter. It is all about the presence of Jesus.

"Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank" (Acts 9:8-9).

When you encounter Jesus, he begins to turn your whole world around. This is what happened to Paul, and it was the beginning of his Christian life. An encounter with the presence of Jesus changes everything. It moves you to become more like him, his chosen vessel, to fulfill God's purposes in the world.

Tarfoot · 15-04-25, 23:05

The Father's Promise

The book of Acts describes one of God's most glorious works in history. It is an amazing sequence of action-filled events: powerful preaching, mass conversions, and miraculous healings. All were the fulfillment of a divine promise foretold by Jesus.

Before his resurrection, Christ instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Father's promise. "I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49, ESV).

That promise began its fulfillment on Pentecost, Israel's feast of "first fruits." The world was about to see the first fruits of Christ's labor on the cross for us.

The disciples could not possibly have imagined what God had in mind for them. They probably thought, "Great! This promise means God is about to restore Israel. He'll free us from the shackles of Roman bondage forever, and we'll be his people again."

Today, I think perhaps the Church would react similarly if we had heard the same promise from Jesus. We might think if God's promise comes, our churches will be filled to bursting. The Holy Spirit will move to other cities, and people will travel from all over to get a taste of it. We'll be blessed as never before.

We should want the Holy Spirit to fill our sanctuaries and bring joy and comfort to God's people. However, when God's glory comes, it will not be for our benefit alone. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth."

God's power is meant to go beyond the walls of the church to the very farthest reaches of the world. That is what we see unfolding in the book of Acts. When Peter got up to preach to the crowd that had gathered, three thousand were saved. Later, as Peter and John testified throughout Jerusalem, signs and wonders followed in miraculous healings and deliverances.

That was only the beginning! If the work of the Spirit had stopped in Acts 6, all the power of God would have remained in the hands of the twelve apostles. Instead, a tectonic shift took place. It's a promise for us today. God said, "My Spirit will no longer move through just a select few. I am going to empower every man, woman and child who calls on my name."

Tarfoot · 16-04-25, 16:32

You Belong to God

"And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God."- Ezekiel 34:31

"I am your God," declares the Lord. What a powerful declaration from God as He tells us who we are in a world that often tries to define us by our achievements, possessions, or societal roles. He is everything to us, for He is our shepherd. The Lord God calls us His sheep (Ezekiel 34:31)! As His sheep, we are not merely members of a flock being cared for by a shepherd; we are His beloved.

This verse invites us to reflect on our relationship with the Lord and His love for us. Just as sheep depend on the shepherd for guidance, nourishment, and protection, we are called to trust in God for our needs, believing that He knows what is best for us. We find security and purpose when we embrace our identity as His beloved children.

As we face life's challenges, we must remember that we are not alone. Our Shepherd is with us every step of the way, guiding us through valleys and leading us to green pastures. He understands our struggles and joys, and life thrives in His presence.

Friends, let us give thanks to God for who we are in Christ. We are His sheep, and He is our God. May we have hope and live with confidence, knowing that we are loved and guided by the Creator of the Universe. It is comforting to realize that in every situation, we can find help through our relationship with Him.

Pray with Me
Heavenly Father, thank You for declaring who we are in Christ. Lord, I pray that we, Your people called by Your name, will fully embrace Your love and our hope in You. May we take our identity in You and Your command to share Jesus with others seriously. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thank you for sharing this journey as we seek the Lord to advance faith, family, and freedom.

Tarfoot · 18-04-25, 23:24

The Path to Holiness

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually" (1 Corinthians 12:27, NKJV). We are the very members of Christ's body. By faith, we are made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. We all have been adopted into one family: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:5).

You see, out of the grave came a new man, and from the time of the cross, all who repent and believe in this new man are gathered up in him. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many" (1 Corinthians 12:13-14).

There is no longer any black, white, yellow, brown, Jew, or Gentile. We are all of one blood in Christ Jesus. Because of Christ's work on the cross, man could no longer attempt to be holy by keeping the law and the commandments. He could not become holy by good works, righteous deeds, human effort, or strivings of the flesh.

"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:15-16).

The Father would accept only one man: the new, resurrected man! When this new man presented to his Father all who had faith in him, the Father responded, "I receive you all as holy because you are in my holy Son."

"He made us accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

Furthermore, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ...in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:10,13).

You see, holiness is not something we do, attain, or work up. Rather, it is something we believe. God accepts us as holy only as we have faith in Christ and abide in him. The path to holiness is not through human ability but through faith!

Tarfoot · 20-04-25, 23:34

Who Is Greater than Our Heart?

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12, NKJV).

Peter reminds us that the struggles we go through are not strange. They are prescribed, as Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). We will be opposed. There really is a devil. Some people are in league with the powers of darkness and are jealous of what God is doing in our lives.

Peter continues, "But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Peter 4:13-14).

However, what if you feel that Jesus Christ is not being glorified in your life? People are reproaching you, but you think maybe they are right. You have the foundation of salvation in your life, but it seems everything is at a standstill.

The apostle John reminds us, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things" (1 John 3:20).

If your heart is condemning you, God is greater than your heart. He called you to rebuild a life that is a testimony for him. You will be opposed. There will be accusations and times of discouragement and difficulty, yet King David encourages, "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging for bread" (Psalm 37:25).

Be encouraged; you will not fail, and you will not be overcome. Search the Scriptures. You have a righteousness given to you by God, and no one can take that righteousness from you. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Tarfoot · 21-04-25, 16:29

True Pentecost

In Acts 11, we read of a historical change in the church that came through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of Judaism to the Gentiles. "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20, ESV). I love the phrase "some of them." These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea of their crucial role in history.

Pentecost isn't just an event that occurred over 2,000 years ago but a living phenomenon still happening around the world. Somewhere at this moment, small groups of people are crying out to God, and his Spirit is falling on them, empowering them to be his witnesses to an unsaved world.

I once visited the city of Varanasi in northern India. A young, Christian woman arrived there at a time when less than one percent of the population attended church. She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and those converts began leading others to the Lord. This young woman didn't keep Pentecost to herself, and now thousands of dynamic believers in the region are powerful witnesses for Christ.

There are other Christians like her worldwide who cry out to the Spirit to take the Father's love further. Pentecost is happening right now. These disciples are twenty-first-century Christians who have been given first-century power.

Likewise, you and I are called to be equipped by the Spirit to do the work of God. I believe it is time for many in the church to no longer be mere hearers of the Word but also doers. Bible studies and prayer groups are good, but it is one thing to know about Jesus and his glory and quite another to have his Spirit living inside us so that we minister as he did. The Holy Spirit has come to live in us to accomplish his purposes through us.

I urge you to pray with me: "Lord, may I be strong in learning your Word and equally strong in doing your Word. Bring Pentecost here today, Lord! Amen."

Tarfoot · 23-04-25, 23:36

Christ's Holy Standard

Our total trust in Christ means confidence in his saving and keeping power. We must trust his Spirit to make our lives conform to his and to keep us in Christ.

At one time, you were alienated, cut off from God by wicked works. What good work did you do to make things right with him? None! No one has ever been able to make himself holy. Rather, we are brought into Christ's holiness by faith alone, by accepting what God's Word says, "Because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:16, NKJV).

Yes, he wants your practical, daily walk to measure up to your faith walk. However, we have to believe him even for that. We must trust in his promise to give us the Holy Spirit and conform us to Christ's likeness in our daily walk.

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in his sight, if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister" (Colossians 1:21-23).

Please note that Paul was saying, "Just continue trusting in Jesus, living by faith, and he will present you as clean and faultless, holy before the Father." That is the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost.

No one Christian is holier than another because there are no degrees of holiness, only degrees of maturity in Christ. You can be a baby Christian and still be absolutely holy in Jesus. We are all measured by one standard: the holiness of Christ. If we are in Christ, his holiness is ours in equal measure.

You must never again look at another Christian leader or layperson and say, "Oh, I wish I were as holy as he is." You may not have that person's prayer life; you may make more mistakes than he does, but he is no more accepted by the Father than you are. Beloved, don't compare yourself to others because no one is more loved in the eyes of the Father than you!

Tarfoot · 25-04-25, 02:53

Are You Mad at God?

There is nothing more dangerous to a Christian than to carry around resentment against God. I am shocked by the growing number of believers who hold a grudge against him. Why? They are convinced God does not care because he hasn't answered a particular prayer or acted on their behalf.

Jonah received a missionary call from God and went to Nineveh to preach the message of judgment he had received. After delivering the message, Jonah sat on a hillside, waiting for God to begin his judgment. Days passed, but nothing happened. Why? Nineveh had repented, and God had delayed their judgment.

Most rage against God begins with disappointment. God may call us, burden us, and send us. When things do not go as planned, though, we may feel misled or betrayed. God understands our cries of pain and confusion. It is no different from Jesus's cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, NKJV).

If we continue nursing a peeved spirit, it will grow into rage. God asks us the same question he asked Jonah, "'Is it right for you to be angry...? And he [Jonah] said, 'It is right for me to be angry, even to death!'" (Jonah 4:9). This prophet was so full of rage at God that he said, "I don't care whether I live or die. My ministry is a failure. I have every right to be angry."

God's Word says there is hope. "Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:16). In other words, "Stop complaining. I am going to reward your faithfulness."

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Beloved, your cries and prayers have not been in vain. All your pain and tears have been for a purpose. God is telling you, "You may see only your failure and ruin with no results. Yet this is not the end; it is the beginning. I see the reward that I am about to pour out on you. Stop crying, for I have wonderful things in store for you!"

Tarfoot · 27-04-25, 01:21

Blessed to Be a Blessing

God wants to bless and favor you. He wants you to be wise and discerning and make astute decisions that will bring blessings to your life. However, we need to be careful with what we do with God's blessings. Many of us receive blessings from God, but then we turn them into something selfish.

In Luke, Jesus talks about a man who was blessed: "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'" (Luke 12:16-17, ESV).

God is generous and loves to pour out gifts on his children. The man in this story was blessed abundantly, but as we look closely at the contrast in this story, we see that it takes a turn in the wrong direction.

The blessed man "thought to himself." That is often where the problem begins, my friend. God begins to bless us, and we start thinking, "What am I going to do with this?" When we start wondering what to do with our resources, selfishness usually follows.

Whose crops (blessings) are they? They belong to God. Everything belongs to God! However, this man's mind was becoming selfish. He was beginning to see the gifts from God as things that could be used for his own benefit, and selfishness began to permeate the very fiber of who he was.

""And he said, 'I will do this: 'I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.' And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'" (Luke 12:18-19).

We must be very careful when we hear preaching about God's blessings. Our perception of his blessings is vitally important. Do we want to heap blessings on ourselves to create a perfect little cocoon for our comfort and enjoyment? Or do we want to look around us and bless others? Friend, we are blessed from the very beginning of God's covenant of blessing with mankind. We are blessed to be a blessing!

Tarfoot · 29-04-25, 17:06

Is It True?

We live in a world where it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truth from falsehood.

A few years ago, the phrase "fake news" became popular. Some social media sites posted warnings that content may be untrue. There were also concerns that biases were influencing these censors' views of what was true.

Truth is essential for a healthy spiritual and emotional life. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32, ESV). In a world where absolute truth is often dismissed as an obsolete idea, we must ask, "What did Jesus mean when he said the above?"

Fortunately, Jesus told us exactly what he meant in the previous verse. The most important part of this statement is, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31). Jesus wasn't just referring to his teachings (though he certainly included that), but as the "Word of God" made flesh (see John 1:1), he was referring to all of Scripture. To paraphrase, he said, "If you fully embrace me and what I teach, you'll find the truth that's necessary to live a life of freedom."

The apostle Paul told the early believers in Philippi to pray concerning their needs and that the peace of God would then guard their hearts. However, that's not the whole story. He goes on to tell them to set their minds on several things. The first is whatever things are true.

The devil is a liar. Jesus, speaking of the devil, said, "He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

When you combine these passages, you understand that one of the primary ways God defends our hearts and minds is through the truth of his Word. Is your heart troubled? Are you worried? Go to God and his Word. In it, you will find the God of peace who wants to give you his peace.

Tarfoot · 30-04-25, 19:59

Jesus, Our Example

"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully...who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth; who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:19-23, NKJV).

Peter described how Jesus handled every situation in life. When people hurt and reviled him, he did not fight back or threaten them. When they wanted to argue with him, he did not get involved. Instead, he simply walked away. Peter makes it clear that Jesus is to be our example of behavior. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

The apostle Paul taught that if you don't have charity, which is the love of Christ, you are nothing. According to 1 Corinthians 13, charity means showing kindness to everyone, with no exceptions: having no jealousy, not boasting or promoting oneself, seeking others... interests above our own, not being easily provoked, not thinking evil of anyone, and not rejoicing when someone falls even if they're an enemy.

Both Peter and Paul stated very clearly in these passages, "Our command to you is that there be no fighting back, no revenge, no threatening among you. Instead, commit all your agitations, fears, and bitterness to Christ."

Our hearts may answer, "Lord, that's what I want!" We may get a few victories under our belt and start to feel confident. Out of nowhere, though, someone says or does something that plunges an ugly, unexpected arrow into us, and we have a quick rush of angry thoughts. Before we know it, we are shooting poisoned arrows back at the one who crossed us.

We realize we failed despite our best efforts in praying, seeking God, clinging to truth, and enjoying many successes. When the enemy came in like a flood, we completely failed in our effort to be like Jesus.

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

Beloved, be patient with yourself and your growth. After all, the race will continue until Jesus returns. Yes, you will stumble, trip, and get winded, but if you fail, you will get up and move on.

Tarfoot · 01-05-25, 19:43

Trusting in Christ's Forgiveness

Does a sense of unworthiness plague you? Do you think, "I did it again! I haven't changed at all. I'll never be Christlike. I still react like a babe, not a mature Christian. Why haven't I changed?"

Beloved, the devil wants you to keep worrying over your shortcomings and lack of growth, thinking the race is impossible, so you will become discouraged and drop out. It is certain that, at times, we will stumble because the race will continue until our Lord returns. However, we must always get on our feet and continue moving on.

God's Word speaks of overcoming: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4, NKJV). "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7).

To overcome is to conquer and get the best of all temptations and obstacles. What are our obstacles? They are every new reaction in the flesh, every failure to be Christlike, every uprising of temper, bitterness, or agitation.

David wrote, "For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is always before me" (Psalm 51:3). This man was exposed before the whole world as an adulterer and a murderer. He also wrote, "For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me...I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long" (Psalm 38:4-6).

What if David had worried and fretted over his failures? He repented wholeheartedly, and therefore, he could say, "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness" (Psalm 30:11).

The fastest way to get rid of a sense of unworthiness is to trust in Christ's forgiveness. He is always ready to forgive: "For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you" (Psalm 86:5).

Tarfoot · 03-05-25, 14:36

Anxiety-Free in Christ

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on" (Matthew 6:25, ESV).

Jesus does not want you to be anxious about your life. It is easy to get apprehensive about small things, such as what you are going to wear or what you are going to eat. He goes on in verse 27, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" Jesus is saying, "Don't do that! You can't add anything to your life by worrying." He is setting us free from anxiety and calling us into a glorious revelation of the liberty that the children of God can have.

In Matthew 6:33 of this passage, Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." He already knows what you need, and as you seek him, he will give you everything you need.

Hallelujah! Christ adds his righteousness to the life of a seeker who is hungering and thirsting after him. Our victory was won when we met Jesus at the cross and became his blood-bought, sanctified followers.

Some may say, "I know he brought his righteousness to me, but I might do something that displeases him, and he'll take it away." No, the Bible does not say that. It says, "Don't be anxious for your righteousness." The Holy Spirit will convict you of sin, and God knows who you are and what you are going through. Today, I want to assure you that he is more powerful than sin and our sinful nature.

"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Friend, know that he is cleansing you and making all things new. Knowing him means rest and peace so that you can lay your head down at night and sleep peacefully. He does not do that just once but every single day of your life. He is walking with you, working with you, and overseeing everything in your life.

Tarfoot · 04-05-25, 17:02

God's Heart of Forgiveness

"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22, ESV).

In response to Peter's question about forgiveness, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant (see Matthew 18:23-35). He communicates a very important lesson about forgiveness and repentance in our relationships with others.

Considering the parable of the unforgiving servant means understanding that we should forgive in light of the gospel. Jesus summarizes this at the end of the Lord's Prayer: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15).

I believe Jesus's statement asks an evidence question. There is no way we could ever account for our lifetime of sin: past, present, and future. Being mindful of God's forgiveness to us, how could we not forgive someone who comes and asks us to forgive them?

Now, this is not always easy. Many people suffer extreme and hurtful situations. However, when we consider that Christ has forgiven us of all our sins that are punishable by death according to God's holiness, how could we not forgive someone who has wronged us no matter how grievous it is?

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, it is important to understand who God is, his attributes, and the grievousness of our sins. We have committed trespass after trespass against God, yet he pardoned us through the death of his own Son. This is staggering! The very idea of that forgiveness should impact every area of our lives.

The unmerited nature of God's forgiveness toward us helps us understand our responsibility as Christians to forgive others. When I reflect on God's forgiveness toward me, I may still feel the pain of someone who has harmed me, but it thrusts me to acknowledge that I must forgive that person. I must get to the place in my heart where I have God's heart of forgiveness.

Tarfoot · 06-05-25, 15:59

The Everlasting Kingdom

"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." - Daniel 7:13-14

In Daniel's vision the "son of man" is referring to Jesus. Daniel sees the future of Christ's eternal kingdom that cannot and will never be destroyed. This verse reminds us that while the world seems to be falling apart, God is in control. He is our Hope, the King of Kings, and the creator of all. He is sovereign and is on the throne. Despite how things may appear, His divine plan and outcome are already established. They will come to pass.

As you meditate on this passage, consider what kind of Kingdom Jesus Christ established. It is a kingdom of righteousness, mercy, and love. It is not like the temporal hierarchies of this world. Kingdoms on this earth rise and fall, but the Kingdom of Christ will endure forever. Daniel 7:13-14 should serve as an encouraging truth that compels us to live deliberately and confidently, recognizing that we are part of God's divine plan; a design that is far larger than we can imagine.

Friends, let us accept this miraculous truth and live our lives accordingly. I want to remind you: don't be discouraged or give in to fear or despair when you encounter difficulties, but trust God, assured that He loves you and that His plans are far greater than your own. Hold onto the promises of God for yourself and share them with others. Look beyond the horizon of hopelessness to the eternal reign of Christ. Let us be salt and light for the rest of the world and live in the daily grace of Jesus so that others will want to surrender their life and follow Him.

Pray with Me
Heavenly Father, thank You for this vision of Your eternal Kingdom. Lord Jesus, please help me not to lose sight of the fact that You are in control, regardless of the challenges I face or the situations in which I may find myself. Lord Jesus, I call on You to help me love as You have loved me. Father, I commit to living out my faith and hope in You as I wait for Your promise to be fulfilled. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tarfoot · 08-05-25, 15:54

Walking in the Spirit

I hope I am not the only person who sometimes wonders if I am living out God's gift of righteousness. Galatians says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16, ESV).

We can take any passage of Scripture and read it through the lens of either grace or of works and the law. When I read Galatians 5:16, I sometimes get in the "works" mentality that says, "Okay, I'm going to do this today; I'm going to walk in the Spirit!" I get anxious; and suddenly, I am not walking in the Spirit at all.

The next thing Galatians 5:16 says is, "You will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Sometimes we read this passage through the lens of, "I'm in the flesh. No, I'm back in the Spirit." Despite our momentary success, something comes along, we get mad and are back in the flesh again!

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" (Galatians 5:18).

Are you in the Spirit? Has Jesus come into your heart? If so, did he say, "I'm going to check you out, and if your heart is righteous enough, we'll invite the Holy Spirit to come later on?" No, he did not say that!

You cannot be saved unless you have the Holy Spirit living in you. When Jesus says, "Walk in the Spirit," this does not mean trying to be spiritual. He says, "The Spirit of God lives in you, so walk it out!" He has granted you access to his righteousness and is now saying, "Catch up with the work I have already put in you. Put to practice the things you already have in life and quit being anxious and fearful and stressed out."

Friend, do not wonder if you are too much in the flesh. You don't need to say, "God, can you help me become more spiritual?" No, you already are spiritual because the life of God lives in you. Remember the Spirit, the breath of God, is in you; and you are not under the law.

Tarfoot · 10-05-25, 23:43

Character over Giftings

The Bible teaches about the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many times, the Church overemphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Yet spiritual maturity is not gauged by our gifts but by how the fruits of the Spirit are expressed in our lives: love, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

Great spiritual character is formed when we grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Instead of focusing on that, though, we have placed much more importance on giftings. Now, everyone is given gifts from God. Some are natural gifts like intelligence, business ability, or musical talent. Some are spiritual like servanthood. Either way, it is important that we value character over these giftings.

Many great speakers and orators can tell stories, making people laugh and cry. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that they are driven by the Holy Spirit and are people of character. Character should always trump giftings.

"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:2-7, ESV).

These verses express that when we humble ourselves under the hand of God Almighty, he will exalt us and put us in great places. This only happens when we kneel and humble ourselves before the Lord. In humility, he will reveal our giftings.

It is vital that we operate with this discernment in the church today. Don't be fooled just because somebody is a great orator. Thank God for great speakers and singers, but if character doesn?t match the gift, remember to prioritize character over giftings.

Tarfoot · 13-05-25, 14:29

Building on a Strong Foundation

"And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel." And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." - Ezra 3:11

After seventy years of exile, the Israelites returned to the promised land filled with hope and gratitude. As they lay the foundation of the temple in, they sang and praised God. Friends, as the Israelites celebrated the beginning of a new chapter, we must recognize our own need for a firm foundation in life.

I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. For those that don't know, the city is located below sea level. When construction workers begin constructing new houses and businesses, it takes them weeks, or even months, to prepare the land. The builders haul a large pile-driving machine to the site, and pilings are hammered into the ground before the slabs are shored up and poured. This process allows homes to sit above the ground. Despite these efforts, yearly attention must be given to the foundation to manage sinkage.

Today, it is much more common in Louisiana to see homes built on pilings, elevating them above the ground to withstand flooding and storm challenges. I believe this offers us an image of our spiritual lives. Just as those pilings, both seen and unseen, provide stability and protection in constructing homes and businesses, our faith in God should serve as the foundation of our lives. Together, let's immerse ourselves in His Word and put our faith in His promises -- the only sure foundation that can withstand the storms of life.

Friends, as you consider Ezra 3:11 and the attitude displayed by the Israelites, I pray that you will approach your days with gratitude. We need to show that having a heart of praise and thanksgiving is not merely a reaction to our circumstances but a declaration of our trust in God's goodness. The testimony of acknowledging God's love and faithfulness strengthens the foundation of our lives, leading us to rise above life's challenges.

May the Holy Spirit guide you in examining your heart and considering how you are building your life. Are you reaching for the fleeting things of this world that falter, or are you anchoring your hope in God's eternal love? I encourage you to sing praises to the Lord and thank Him for who He is and what He is doing in your life, just as the Israelites did. Commit to God and to yourself to build your life on the hope and foundation of Jesus Christ. Even when the storms of life roll against you, you will stand firm.

Tarfoot · 14-05-25, 15:46

The Prayer Closet

Jeremiah prophesied that all shepherds who refuse to seek God in prayer will fail: "For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered" (Jeremiah 10:21, NKJV).

The scene Jeremiah described is exactly what we see today in the church. Many shepherds have become lazy and neglectful. They see their calling as only a job or a paycheck. They lean on the arm of their flesh instead of seeking to know God's heart through prayer. They have lost all power to feed and keep the sheep in order, and the sheep are being scattered. The unity that once kept churches strong is now breaking apart.

Jeremiah said of his day: "My tent is plundered, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are no more. There is no one to pitch my tent anymore, or set up my curtains" (Jeremiah 10:20). The cords he spoke of, the binding power of God that kept unity among the people, had been obliterated. The flock was scattered, and there was such uncleanness among the priesthood that no one dared go near the holy things of God. No priest was worthy to touch the holy curtains.

Do you have a closet of prayer? To have a "secret closet" means simply to be shut in with God anywhere, anytime, giving quality time to seeking him and calling on his name. Prayer closet also means "prayer habit." Practice means disciplining yourself to come before God, having a heart that says, "I must get alone with God. I must talk with my Father today!"

Sometimes my secret closet is alone in my car. It is often my study at home or on the streets of New York City. A few weeks ago, it was a Florida beach, where I walked for hours, shut in with God. The kind of prayer I am talking about involves intimacy with God and seeking aloneness with him.

Beloved, do you have a daily practice of getting alone with God?

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6).

Tarfoot · 17-05-25, 14:25

The Father's Embrace

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of a young man who decides he doesn't want to live within the confines of what his father has destined his life to be, so he leaves his father's house and goes to a faraway place. Scripture says he spent all his substance and strength on himself.

When we become self-focused, we lose touch with God's heart and his created purpose for our lives on earth. We no longer live our lives for the sake of others.

The young man in the parable loses sight of his calling. Scripture says, "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want" (Luke 15:14, NKJV). Self-gratification is a horrid task master. It always leads us to a place we don't want to be.

The son travels far from his father's heart, but God sends a famine of mercy. He is hungry and empty, and God uses it to bring the son home. God will do whatever he has to do to get our attention and bring us home.

Then the Bible says, "He came to himself" (Luke 15:17). It's like his mind had an awakening. He thought, "What am I doing here? I was created for a divine purpose, but I rejected it." He travels back home but feels like he has ruined his relationship with his father. He feels unworthy.

Then the beauty of this story is revealed: "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). The father ran, opened his arms, and embraced his son.

In this parable Jesus shares God's heart. You may feel like you're a million miles away from God. Perhaps the calling that you felt on your life is so far off that you can't even see it anymore. But God sees you and loves you!

Remember, the cross has the final word. When you go to the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ covers all your sins. Wherever you've been, whatever you've done, you are covered. You are forgiven. When the Son of God spread out his arms, he opened his heart to you. When you are clean, you are clean. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

Tarfoot · 20-05-25, 16:24

Forgiveness Leads to Joy

The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Without it, we have no power to stand. We must be on guard because guilt and condemnation over sin destroy the joy of the Lord!

Many Christians are in this bondage right now. They fail to accept full and free pardon and believe they have no right to be joyful. Throughout Scripture, God pours out his oil of gladness on those who have learned to hate their sin and love his righteousness. That's what scripture says of Jesus: "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions" (Hebrews 1:9, NKJV).

People who have laid down their sins and are walking with the Lord may have an unsettled struggle. Still, they are drawn toward the Lord with a hunger that makes the outcome inevitable; they will have joy.

Suppose Jesus were to appear in the flesh, dressed as an ordinary man, and sat beside you. A wounded, defeated Christian, wearing a look of gloom, guilt, condemnation, and fear, you fail to recognize him as he begins to talk to you.

"Do you really love the Lord?" he asks.
You probably would answer, "Very much so!"
"You've sinned, haven't you?"
"Y-yes," you answer.
"Do you believe he forgives all who confess and turn from their sin?"
"Yes, but I'm sorry, sir. I believe I've hurt my Savior, truly wounded him."
"If you've confessed, why haven't you received his forgiveness?"
"I've done it so many times!"
"Do you believe he will forgive each time you confess and repent?"
"Yes."
"Do you hate your sin? Do you still want him?"
"Oh, yes!"
"Then why are you letting the devil rob you of the victory of the cross, the power of the blood of the Lamb? Why aren't you appropriating his joy and looking up?"

Beloved, don't quit and give up your joy in the Lord. You have a right to praise him, sing, shout, and be happy in the Lord because you have a Father who forgives.

Tarfoot · 22-05-25, 15:16

The Gospel of Peace

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27, NKJV).

Many Christians have troubled hearts and live in fear. Very few believers can honestly say they enjoy constant peace of mind. For many, peace comes and goes, leaving them worried, restless, and battered by stress.

Zacharias prophesied of the coming Messiah. "To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life" (Luke 1:74-75).

Beloved, Jesus came to this earth and died for sinful man so that we could walk with God without fear and enjoy his peace all the days of our lives. No fear, just peace of mind and heart for all of our days! This includes good and bad days, days of suffering, turmoil, testing, and uncertainty. No matter what comes our way, we are to enjoy peace at all times.

Zacharias added these words about Jesus, "To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). He said that Jesus would guide all his children into the path of peace, not restlessness, emptiness, or fear.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. At his birth, the angels sang, "Peace on earth!" His gospel is called the gospel of peace, and he promised, "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Peace is what the gospel is all about. "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36).

We will face tribulation, persecution, and fiery trials in this world. We will be tempted, and we will suffer for the sake of Christ. The winds of adversity will try to topple the house of faith we build on Jesus, the rock of our salvation; but we will walk in peace because of him.

Tarfoot · 25-05-25, 22:12

The Abiding Believer

"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love" (John 15:10, NKJV). Jesus faithfully obeyed every commandment of his Father, and he called that abiding.

Some Christians think they can pick and choose which commandments of Christ to obey. If they don't like what is commanded, they ignore it or explain away their disobedience with, "I just don't see it that way." If someone does not like a pastor's call to be holy, they leave and look for a pastor who will accentuate the positive. That is why the terrible plague of apathy is sweeping over the church today.

How is it possible for a branch in him not to abide? Jesus said, "If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6).

Abiding includes rest and responsibility. It is possible to be in him, connected to the vine, and not have a flow of life that produces fruit. Abiding has to do with absolute obedience to the commandments of Christ because every branch has free will, a life force in it.

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). The Word is the Father's pruning knife. How can any branch bear fruit if the Word of the Lord is ignored, unknown, or neglected?

We see the fruits of dryness springing up all over the Lord's vineyard: adultery, fornication, drinking, and drugs. Many Christians today do not know the Word of God because they do not read it. It is impossible to bear the fruit of righteousness without God's Word abiding in you. Neglect of the Word is causing barrenness and bringing a terrible withering to God's people.

Beloved, the Word of God is a two-edged sword. The abiding believer loves and fears God, hungers for the Word, and trembles at its power of conviction. He delights in having the Word prune away all hindrances, prays that Christ's very life and likeness will ever increase in him, and grows increasingly mature in obedience and love.

Tarfoot · 26-05-25, 23:53

Jesus Is the Covenant

Isaiah was speaking of Jesus when he prophesied these words: "Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages" (Isaiah 49:8, ESV).

The prophet declares that God is about to send his Son as the answer to every cry and prayer. However, there is more embedded in this verse. We are told that Jesus was sent in human form to reveal God's covenant with humanity.

When God gave us a new covenant, he did not establish a new system with a new set of rules. Instead, he sent us a person, Jesus, as the covenant.

The old covenant was a set of rules based on conditions. It stated, "If you do this or that, God will give you life. If you don't, you will miss God's blessing." Of course, the people constantly fell short of God's standard. They were unable to keep his law, which was holy and pure; and as a result, their lives were dogged by guilt, shame, and despair.

Somewhere along the way, we decided that God's old covenant needed to be tweaked. But Jesus didn't come to modify a covenant; he came as the covenant. He didn't come to show us the blessings of grace; he is the blessing of grace.

Throughout church history, men like Luther and Wesley have emphasized the importance of understanding the new covenant for God's people. They saw it as a matter of rightly dividing God's Word, grasping what is law and what is grace. If we fail to comprehend this one matter, they said, we are doomed to a lifetime of despair. Luther and Wesley knew this to be true because they had experienced that despair for themselves.

Under the new covenant, God's law was no longer an external standard to strive for. Instead, his law would be written on our hearts through the Holy Spirit. "Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

Friend, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the very life of God himself, to help us obey his holy Word. Christ loved us and gave himself for us that we might have this newness of life.

Tarfoot · 28-05-25, 00:33

The Watchmen on the Walls

The Old Testament concludes with this remarkable prophecy from Malachi: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6, NKJV).

This prophecy was largely fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist. An angel appeared to John's father and prophesied that his son would turn many in Israel to the Lord and that "he will also go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17).

Jesus, speaking to his disciples about John the Baptist, said, "And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:14-15). I believe Jesus was asking them to see the spiritual significance of John's coming, as prophesied, in the spirit and power of Elijah.

John was anointed with the same fearless spirit and power that was upon Elijah. He spoke openly about the sins of the disobedient, pleasure-seeking people of his day. Christ was soon to appear, and this mighty man of truth suddenly came on the scene to prepare a people for the Lord. John preached repentance, restitution, purity of heart, justice, and a practical walk of holiness to correspond with an open confession of sins.

Beloved, I believe the prophet Malachi, as well as other Old Testament prophets, speaks of a company of holy people who will be raised up just before Christ's second coming. They will minister under the very same spirit and power that rested upon Elijah and John the Baptist.

On the last day, the company of believers will heed the prophecy of Isaiah, "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).These are the watchmen upon the walls, who "shall never hold their peace day or night...and give him no rest till he establishes and till he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isaiah 62:6-7).

26-02-25, 21:46	#1551
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Embrace God "And you shall be my people, and I will be your God." - Jeremiah 30:22 Jeremiah 30:22 reveals how God desires a relationship with us. He calls on the people to embrace His love, guidance, and kindness in every aspect of their lives. As you journey through life you will encounter challenges and pressures. It becomes easy to lose our way and forget that we are children of the Most High King. Instead, we often adopt identities shaped by our circumstances, failures, or the opinions of others. However, dear friends, let us find it within ourselves to thank God for loving and accepting us enough to call us His children. As you reflect on this verse, thank God that you are a child of the King. Dear friend, whenever you feel discouraged or dismayed, remember that you are part of God's family. We must acknowledge this truth and hold our heads high because God is our helper. He is a loving and kind Father who walks with us through life's ups and downs. Remember that God is with you and will guide you through difficult times when you cannot walk on your own. Beloved, you are free today to respond to God's invitation with the words, "I am His, and He is mine." You will discover His peace and guidance as you cast your burdens on Him. I hope and pray that you always hold onto the truth that you are never alone. You are one of many precious strings composing the tapestry of His people, and He is your God, who is righteous, faithful, and omnipresent. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

27-02-25, 22:02	#1552
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Sureness of God's Love "Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him"(Genesis 37:18, NKJV). What a tragic step it is to doubt a father's love and take matters into our own hands. The first thing that changed in Joseph's brothers after they began to doubt their father's love was the way they talked. Listen to them: "Come, let's kill him. No, cast him into a pit. Better yet, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and make a little money!" Their hearts swelled with contempt and betrayal. Out of their corrupted hearts burst a stream of wicked words, the language of the world. Unholy speech is a sure sign of a hardened heart. Joseph's brothers became insensitive to sin, and their corrupted conversation led to criminal behavior. First, they talked like the wicked, and then they began to act like them. Before long, they became cold, calculating criminals. Not only did they sin, but they covered it up and then went about their business of tending sheep as though nothing had happened. How corrupt and insensitive we can become when we doubt our Father's love. Malachi, the prophet, warned the children of Israel concerning the hardness of their hearts. Like Joseph's brothers, the Israelites had fallen prey to doubt and had grown calloused to their sin. The book of Malachi begins, "The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, says the Lord. Yet you say, 'In what way have you loved us?'" (Malachi 1:1-2). Incredible! They dared to tell God, "We see no evidence in our lives that you love or care for us." Show me a Christian who begins to doubt God's love and decides to take matters into his own hands, and I will show you a Christian whose conversation has become corrupted. The more he doubts, the more unholy his speech will become. The way some Christians talk is absolutely shocking. Once, they spoke with godly awe and reverence, uttering words of faith and joy. Once, they spoke softly, with an edifying speech. Now, they speak bluntly, irreverently. Their words betray what is in their hearts: fear, unbelief, and despair. Beloved, throw off all evil, unbelieving thoughts. Do not continue to doubt God's great love for you. Embrace the sureness of your Father's love! AMEN __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Last edited by Tarfoot; 27-02-25 at 22:10.

02-03-25, 00:38	#1553
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Our Source of Peace "But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Psalm 37:11, NKJV). In a dream, I saw an army that refused to break rank. Despite all the wickedness and cruel violence around them, they were unperturbed. They were going down into the living waters of praise and worship and coming out on the other side of the river with perfect peace and rest. They are the redeemed of the Lord, who have been given a peace that passes all understanding. Joel saw an army of mighty men and said, "Everyone marches in formation, and they do not break ranks" (Joel 2:7). God's people will not break rank nor run in fear because they know they are secure under the precious blood of the Lamb. They know that in spite of all the violence and wrath of men, the body of Christ on earth is in excellent health and is growing stronger every day. While all that is earthly is being shaken, and world governments are spinning out of control, the true church of Christ is solid and unmovable. The specter of devastating violence and potential destruction has robbed mankind of peace and security. Yet at the same time, God is bringing his people into their greatest hour of rest and safety. While the ungodly cry for peace and safety and never find it, God's chosen are now possessing great peace and perfect security. God's people who rest in him can say with David the psalmist: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive. When their wrath was kindled against us; then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul, then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:2-8) Today, rest in the peace of knowing our help is in the name of the Lord! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

04-03-25, 00:35	#1554
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Mercy in Suffering I receive many heartrending letters from godly Christians who are going through the greatest testing they have ever known. Never have so many come down with cancer. Never have there been so many hurt by divorce, with spouses abandoning homes and giving up on marriages. So many are burdened with financial problems. Many are enduring a time of trial, confusion, pain and deep hurt. God's most beloved children are going through refining fires. While it is true that "many are the afflictions of the righteous," it also is true that "the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19, NKJV). I have been praying, "God, you told us to come boldly to your throne of grace to obtain mercy to help in our time of need. We desperately need your mercy." Is there hope for any of us in these trying times without the Lord's mercy? What do we do as believers when the enemy comes in like a flood? Why do those who are so deeply devoted to Christ have to endure such unusual testing? I do not have all the answers. I know that the righteous suffer, and I know that many godly people reading this message are hurting and may be wondering why they must endure so much pain. I also know that when you take your place in the holy of holies, you discover trials and testing unknown to those in the outer court. The daily news is filled with horror and violence, but do not for a moment let that mar your vision of a glorious church rising up in the midst of the ruin and confusion to take dominance and authority. A holy, forgiven, rested body, holding to Christ the head, is being revealed in clearer measure. This victorious body is coming into sharp, well-defined view, flexing its spiritual muscle, threatening the very powers of Satan. Beloved, the prognosis for the body of Christ is unbelievably glorious and nothing this ungodly world does can adversely affect it or change its purpose! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

05-03-25, 17:17	#1555
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Eyes of Understanding "Then it happened, as he was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging....And he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him...'What do you want me to do for you?' He said, 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.'" (Luke 18:35-41, NKJV). Isn't it amazing that they're in Jericho, the stronghold with impenetrable walls that God brought down when the people shouted to him? Now a man's shouting for his walls of hopelessness to come down, and they're telling him to be quiet. Isn't it amazing what religion can become over time? We start to think that it's reverent to never shout out, to never get desperate with God. Everything must be measured, and we must never lose our integrity, as we see it, by admitting our needs. This blind man didn't care about all that. Because he was willing to cry out for God to move, his walls were about to come down. First, though, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Isn't that odd? The man was blind. Wasn't it obvious what he would want? But the man could have answered, "Well, I need a new coat. My old one is stinky and ratty." Or he could've said, "I need a better begging spot, Jesus. I've worn this one out like a fishing spot. I need a job. I want a friend." None of those things were his greatest needs, and Jesus wanted to see if he knew that. In this context, read what Paul prayed for the church: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18). You need spiritual sight. You need to understand who Jesus Christ is. You need to know that God hasn't called you to be sitting on the side of the road with your spiritual cup out. Cry out, and Christ will give you eyes of understanding! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Last edited by Tarfoot; 05-03-25 at 17:24.

05-03-25, 17:24	#1556
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Eyes of Understanding "Then it happened, as he was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging...And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him...'What do you want me to do for you?' He said, 'Lord, that I may receive my sight.'" (Luke 18:35-41, NKJV). Isn't it amazing that they're in Jericho, the stronghold with impenetrable walls that God brought down when the people shouted to him? Now a man's shouting for his walls of hopelessness to come down, and they're telling him to be quiet. Isn't it amazing what religion can become over time? We start to think that it's reverent to never shout out, to never get desperate with God. Everything must be measured, and we must never lose our integrity, as we see it, by admitting our needs. This blind man didn't care about all that. Because he was willing to cry out for God to move, his walls were about to come down. First, though, Jesus asked him what he wanted. Isn't that odd? The man was blind. Wasn't it obvious what he would want? But the man could have answered, "Well, I need a new coat. My old one is stinky and ratty." Or he could've said, "I need a better begging spot, Jesus. I've worn this one out like a fishing spot. I need a job. I want a friend." None of those things were his greatest needs, and Jesus wanted to see if he knew that. In this context, read what Paul prayed for the church: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18). You need spiritual sight. You need to understand who Jesus Christ is. You need to know that God hasn't called you to be sitting on the side of the road with your spiritual cup out. Cry out, and Christ will give you eyes of understanding! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Last edited by Tarfoot; 05-03-25 at 17:31.

08-03-25, 18:08	#1557
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Restoring the Wasted Years "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25, NKJV). This promise is incredible! We want to make up those lost years when we weren't following him, to make amends and repay him. However, God says, "You cannot repay me for a single wasted hour. Turn from your sins, and walk before me in righteousness, and I will make up all the losses." To repentant sinners, the Lord declares, "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things" (Joel 2:21). You need not be ashamed of your wasted years. God is going to remove from you the evil army, and you will eat and be satisfied. You will never again be ashamed (see Joel 2:19-20, 26-27). You were born for his eternal purposes. He planned for you a life of satisfaction, joy and usefulness in his kingdom. Then sin entered, and God's plan for your life was interrupted. The devourer moved in, and years were wasted and lost. Now, in Christ, all is new. The Lord removes all those wasted years and starts counting again from the moment you repent. All those blessings you missed were stored up. All the joy, peace, revelation and usefulness that you thought were dead and gone forever were actually kept by the Lord. In hell, the damned may be haunted with a vision of what their lives could have been. Some may see what they lost. However, this is not so for the repentant. All will be restored. They need never again say, "Oh, what I missed. God had so much for me, but I blew it." No! God can restore all the wasted blessings. The Lord desires to pour out on us all the blessings and joys in him that we missed earlier. Yet he does not make it all up with outpourings alone. The outpourings become overflowings, and "the threshing floors shall be full of wheat; the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil" (Joel 2:24). There is power in repentance, and it restores to us all that the cankerworm destroyed. God resurrects it all! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

10-03-25, 01:37	#1558
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You God's Promises in Times of Need All Christians can stand on a few promises that apply to the whole body of Christ. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV). "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). These well-known promises have brought great comfort and blessing to God's people worldwide for many centuries. Beyond these general promises, though, God gives us specific promises for special times and hard times. We must know them and bring them with us when we come boldly to his throne of grace. The Puritans, who were mightily blessed by God, said every promise of the Lord is a holy argument. They believed a Christian should not come before the Lord with just a general faith. When God tells you to come boldly before the throne of grace, to receive mercy and grace in your time of need (see Hebrews 4:16), you cannot have just a general idea of why you are there. You cannot just say, "Okay, Lord, you know my heart. Give me whatever you see fit." That may sound good, but God has specific promises for specific times in our lives. He wants us to hold these promises in our hearts so that we might stand strong and assured as we reason with him. He wants us to stand before his throne with perfect consolation, absolute assurance, and no doubts whatsoever. Maybe the reason you are not hearing from God is that you have given him a general faith without being specific with him. "'Present your case,' says the Lord. 'Bring forth your strong reasons'..." (Isaiah 41:21). Beloved, why should God do this for you? Why should he bless you? Of course, he knows why, but he also wants you to know why. His promises are true. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

11-03-25, 00:17	#1559
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Hope, Love, and Fear The apostle Paul was one of God's most faithful servants. I believe three important motivations behind Paul's faithfulness were hope, love, and fear. Paul's blessed hope of eternal life motivated him to faithfulness. He also had a great love for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, he says, "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if one died for all, then all died." The love of Christ compelled him to remain faithful to God, but Paul's faithfulness also was motivated by something else: the reverential fear of the hour when he would stand before the judge of the world on judgment day. Today, the vast majority of Christians possess only the first two motivations. Virtually every believer claims to have the hope of eternal life, and many say with all sincerity, "I love Jesus with all my heart." Yet the truth of a coming day of judgment is the very thing that produces serious, godly believers. Those who put it out of their minds are usually cold, careless and indulgent. However, the fact remains that sometime very soon, every person who has ever lived will be gathered to the place of judgment to be judged by Jesus Christ. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV). "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). At this very moment, legions of angels stand ready for Jesus's command to gather from the corners of the earth both the wicked and the righteous: "The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 13:41). All the rich, famous and powerful of all ages will be brought to stand before him: "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Revelation 6:15-17). Like Paul, let's walk out hope, love, and fear before the judge of all the world! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

12-03-25, 22:32	#1560
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Where has all of the Wisdom Gone? "Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?'" - Jeremiah 49:7 In this verse, God asks a sobering question: Where is the wisdom of Teman, a region in Edom? The Edomites were once renowned for their sagacity, but they went astray in their quest for human understanding. Their downfall began when they rejected God's truth. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The Edomites' wisdom failed them because they relied on their own understanding rather than God. Today, we observe the same trend among those who reject biblical truth in their pursuit of independence. This is evident in our culture when people believe they can change their biological gender, that men competing in women's sports represent equality, or that a baby can be killed in the womb without consequences. The issues I have mentioned, among many others, represent our culture's misalignment with God as they seek to live apart from Him. We also live in a time where many believe that there are multiple ways to enter the Kingdom of God. Yet, according to John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Friends, we must take this to heart: there is only one way to enter the Kingdom of God and attain eternal life, and we must pursue a relationship with God and humbly obey His Word. May we hold fast to the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6 to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." May this verse inspire us to seek wisdom from on high. James 1:5 assures us that when we ask God for wisdom, He will provide it generously. Friends, let's resolve right now not to become wise in our own sight, but rather to come humbly before the Lord, seeking His wisdom and trusting in His eternal guidance. Pray with Me Heavenly Father, I ask that You keep my eyes focused on You and guide me to seek You in all things so that my understanding aligns with Your will. Lord, I pray that You grant me wisdom for daily living, and may I be found faithful to walk in Your ways all the days of my life regardless of the season. In Jesus' name, Amen. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

14-03-25, 00:14	#1561
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You A True Faith in the Word "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'"(Matthew 4:1-4, ESV). The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to fast. Satan wants Jesus to prove that he's the Son of God by getting him to disobey God. Isn't that interesting? This is similar to the way that Satan tempted Eve in Eden by questioning God's words regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan appealed to the desire of her flesh to undermine the truth of God's Word. Unlike Eve, Jesus uses the Word of God to overcome the devil. Jesus suffered in order to be true to God's Word. The apostles suffered for their faith in the truth of God's Word. I hear many people who think that God has promised them things about loss or suffering that he hasn't. "Oh, God promised me that I'd never go through this trial again." Wait, where's that in the Bible? If Scripture was good enough for Jesus and the apostles, and both suffered, why is it "not good enough" for us? The problem is that we have invested our hearts in fleshly things that we hope God promised us but not what he has really spoken in his Word. The real promises of God do not fail, and if you put your trust in them, you will not be put to shame. Scripture says we should diligently seek God's Word, "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'..." (Isaiah 30:21). Psalm 119:11 says, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Hang your security on God's words, brothers and sisters. Listen, God is working all things --not just good things-- all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (see Romans 8:28). The most important thing is, are you called according to his purpose? Do you know and trust Scripture? __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Last edited by Tarfoot; 14-03-25 at 00:20.

15-03-25, 02:13	#1562
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Book of Life God has recorded every thought, word and deed of every person. The motives of every Christian are entered in a "book of remembrance," which is the Book of Life; and on the day of judgment, Christ is going to remember all who are in this book. "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord... They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I make them my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him' (Malachi 3:16-17, NKJV). If you love Jesus with all your heart and are cleansed by his blood, your name is written in his book of remembrance. This message should not produce fear; it should bring great rejoicing to your heart as you see all that God has planned for those who love him. There are books, but then there is "The Book." The Bible says each life has its own book, a record of an entire lifetime on earth. "Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away... And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books... they were judged, each one according to his works" (Revelation 20:11-13). One by one, the wicked and ungodly will be judged by everything written in these books before the judge of all! Scripture says every person will have a resurrection body at that time. The sinner will have a body "prepared for destruction" (Romans 9:22), yet the godly will be given a new body, likened unto the Lord's. When the judgment is over, the Lamb will rise up from his throne and lead his flock into eternal paradise. Oh, what rejoicing there will be! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

16-03-25, 21:38	#1563
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Unprofitable Servant In the Bible, the unprofitable servant is the one who hid his talent. He became too lazy to invest his life and time in God's interests. This man came to God's house once a week to maintain a semblance of religion. Here is what the Lord will say of haphazard, halfhearted service to him: "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest... Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:26-27, 30, NKJV). What weeping and wailing there will be when the unprofitable servant's life is examined. God will show the world how much time and effort he wasted making money, seeking personal security, building up bank accounts, fretting, ignoring family, forgetting God, and forsaking the assembly of believers. On that day, God will bring forth the record of every neglected church meeting and every lazy and self-centered activity. Before this servant's eyes, everything he spent his lifetime accumulating will appear: houses, cars, furnishings, boats, clothes, jewelry, stocks, and bonds. A spark from Christ's eye will ignite everything like a hydrogen meltdown. An angel will be standing before him, holding a mound of dust. The Lord will turn to the unprofitable one, saying, "This is what your lifetime amounted to. I needed you and called you, but you neglected me. You gave me so little of your time until, finally, you pushed me out of your life completely. You wasted your life for a handful of dust. You were warned that it would all burn as grass in an oven!" Oh, beloved, what regret there will be on that day for the one who has no time for God. Attending the obligatory Sunday morning service is not profitable if we do not have a heart for God. Remember, "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart!" (Psalm 119:2). __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

18-03-25, 02:31	#1564
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Confidence on Judgment Day "All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:32-34, NKJV). On the day of judgment, the first thing on the Lord's agenda will be to separate his sheep from the goats. He will not allow his righteous ones to be numbered with the transgressors. The Bible is very clear that those who have been abiding in Christ and looking for his appearance will be bold and confident on that day. "And now, little children, abide in him, that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28). "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). How can you have such boldness, joy and confidence on the day of judgment? It comes only through knowing Christ as your friend, brother, redeemer-kinsman, high priest, advocate, intercessor, Lord, the love of your heart and your very life! If you know in your heart that you are not ready to stand before Jesus on the day of judgment, you have to answer for what I have written here. This one message is enough to damn you to eternal hell if you reject it. It will stand as a witness on judgment day. Have your interests, work, possessions, or even your ministry become more important to you than the Lord's interests? Have you neglected your family? Are you satisfied because you go to church on Sunday and say, "I've done my part for God?" God's Word to you is clear: It is not enough! Beloved, if you have judged yourself and come up short, pray this from your heart: Jesus, I need you. I need to be forgiven. I confess all my sins and stubbornness. I have neglected you, Lord. From this day on, I will put you first and make you my life, my everything! Amen. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

18-03-25, 20:57	#1565
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Taking Spiritual Inventory "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more" (Luke 12:48, ESV). Most Christians are powerless. This statement will sound bold to some readers, and to others, it will sound obvious. Either way, it is a commentary on the church I would rather not have to make. Consider what "normal" Christianity looks like to the typical believer today. This person is a bit self-seeking and a little materialistic, and most of his daily choices are about improving his life. That includes his spiritual pursuits, from church groups to the podcasts he downloads to the seminars he attends. There is nothing wrong with any of these things. Our Lord wants our lives to be blessed, but for some Christians, these are nothing more than worldly pursuits. They are about self-improvement, not the kingdom of God, and they can drain a believer of true gospel power. What passes for normal Christianity today must be an outrage to God. It is not only powerless but passionless and lacking in self-sacrifice. In other words, it is cross-less and therefore, Christ-less. Do not misunderstand. I am all about God's grace, and I would not lay an undue burden on anyone. However, it's time for the church to take a spiritual inventory to see whether our spiritual pursuits are leading us closer to God's heart or causing us to run in circles. Let me pose a few questions. Do you think it would be better for your spiritual health to attend a church that doesn't preach much gospel, teach much of God's Word or have much passion for his kingdom? A church where no one really lives out his commands? Or would it be better to attend a church that exalts God's Word, proclaims the gospel and has a home group for every type of believer? I would humbly suggest that the second option might be more dangerous to your spiritual health. Why? Because Jesus declares that to whom much is given, much is required. For someone whose life doesn't match this biblical truth, the day of judgment will be scary. As Jesus warned, "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Luke 12:40). __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

19-03-25, 23:37	#1566
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Longing for the Lord Have you been longing and yearning for the coming of the Lord? Do you yearn for the day when he will appear? "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13, NKJV). "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). This world is not our home, but are you putting down roots or are you pulling up roots, praying that Jesus will keep your heart awake? Have God?s enemies become your enemies? Are you engaged in the battle against those who oppose God? Have you taken up his fight against the flesh, the world and the devil? Yes, Jesus said we are to love our enemies but what about his enemies? What about those who hate him, refuse his grace and mercy, defame his name and drag it through filth? We are not to hate men, but we are to hate the sin that is in their hearts and the demonic powers that rule over them. We are to hate the wickedness that is in the world. Have you made a habit of forsaking the house of God? Scripture says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). It is no accident that the very next verse in this passage refers to "willful sin" after the truth has been revealed. "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26). It is a proven historical fact that people become most careless and neglectful just prior to judgment and calamity. Beloved, if you have judged yourself and come up short, pray these words from your heart: "Jesus, I need to be forgiven. I confess my sin. I have neglected you, and I have not put you first. From this day forward, I make you my life, my everything!" __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

23-03-25, 22:46	#1567
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Empowered by God Many of us want to know God's way and hear gospel truth, but we avoid living it. Sadly, in today's church it is acceptable to enjoy sermons and worship, yet go home completely unchanged. Paul preached a message of gospel power, and wanted that power for Timothy for a specific reason. "In the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless...not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV). Here, Paul speaks of churchgoers and describes them as having only "a form of godliness." These Christians didn't mind going to the synagogue, reading spiritual texts or participating in religious activities. Yet Paul's advice to Timothy was, "Avoid them." He was saying, "It's dangerous to be around those people. You'll start to think their way is acceptable. They may look godly, but the Lord looks on the heart and sees unholiness and conceit." Paul said these Christians were "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). In other words, they listened to all the gospel teachings but never took them to heart. That made them powerless because they "opposed the truth" (see 2 Timothy 3:8). Note how Paul begins this passage: "In the last days there will come times of difficulty" (2 Timothy 3:1). He makes clear that perilous times will wither a superficial faith. I am probably the least prophetic Christian alive, but even I can see bad times on the horizon. When global economies teeter, the average American faces financial disaster and political upheaval heightens, then something has to give. What will most Christians do when things turn really bad? Are our hearts truly prepared to deal with hard times? Friend, if we are not living a life empowered by God, the problem is with us, not the Lord. Seek God and his Word, and he will empower us to endure to the end. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

28-03-25, 02:09	#1568
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You A Promise for Difficult Times I believe God has given us a very specific promise for the difficult times ahead. It was given to Abraham and his seed as an oath. "The oath which he swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life" (Luke 1:73-75, NKJV). God has sworn to deliver us from every enemy and fearful thing so we can serve him all the days of our lives without fear. Beloved, hunger is an enemy, as are nakedness and poverty. This oath from God must be the foundation of our trust in every crisis, calamity and fearful time. Memorize it. Let it be your holy argument at the throne of grace. In Psalm 121, David provides one of the most powerful Holy Ghost arguments ever given to man. The entire psalm tells us that all our help comes from the Lord alone. Psalm 124 is yet another holy argument, a specific promise to enable us to build special trust. Signature judgments bear a special mark of God in that they mirror the sins committed against him. As these judgments occur before our eyes, our only answer is to have Jesus as our shield. Today, run to meet him in the secret closet of prayer. Let your roots go deep into him; know he will keep you in all circumstances. Take hold of the following special promises in readiness for any and all calamities we may face. "Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness... His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid" (Psalm 112:4, 7-8). "He shall judge the world in righteousness... The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:8-10). __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

02-04-25, 02:28	#1569
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Gate of Grace Isaiah prophesied, "They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4, ESV). Isaiah's listeners could not fathom the freedom and exploits he described here. For generations, God's people had been crushed under the law, devastated by its burden. The same was true for the people of Jesus's day. They were hard on themselves, accepting the legalistic burdens placed on them by religious leaders. That is why Christ's words were so revolutionary when he quoted directly from Isaiah to announce his ministry: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus knew that the gift of grace would set us free completely. His message was not just for the unsaved. When he spoke of setting captives free, he was speaking to believers too. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Today, we are just as hard on ourselves. We think of grace as being soft or getting a pass, yet grace is the mightiest power we will ever see at work in our lives. It is also the only power that brings real fruit to our walk with God. Only as we enter fully into God's grace will his church be stirred and empowered to walk in the glorious works he has set before us. After reading this, are you still striving to be perfect? There is only one entrance to the path of perfection: the gate of grace. You are already perfect in God's eyes through the righteousness of his Son, Jesus Christ. Now, here is your responsibility: Stop striving! Your efforts only send you backward, not forward, causing you to miss God's grace completely. A grace that brings freedom, joy and power to do all that God has called you to do. As you go forward with Jesus, you will need grace upon grace. So now is not the time to redouble your own efforts. It is time to trust that Christ has provided all the grace you need at every step to walk in his unique calling for you. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

03-04-25, 00:07	#1570
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Hallow the Sabbath I believe the following passage is prophetic of Christ and his church: "And it shall be, if you heed me carefully, says the Lord, to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever" (Jeremiah 17:24-25, NKJV). We know that Christ is the seed of David and that he sits as King on David's throne; but who are the kings and princes Jeremiah describes here, the inhabitants of Jerusalem riding on horses and in chariots? We are those people and have been given an incredible promise. By taking all our burdens to the burden bearer, we will live in peace forever, free of all bondage. Indeed, Jesus's command to lay our burdens on him is not an option. We are to do it as a matter of trust in him. "But if you will not heed me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched" (Jeremiah 17:27). The prophet says, "If you do not obey God's command to stop carrying your burdens, you'll end up being consumed by them." Tragically, this describes many believers today. Some can hardly sleep at night because they never stop thinking about their problems. They replay things repeatedly in their minds, wondering, "Where did I go wrong? How can I make things right?" Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He is saying, "By faith, you must enter into the Father's Sabbath." We are to give all our burdens over to Jesus and trust his Holy Spirit to give us strength for life. We honor the Sabbath by laying down all self-effort in trying to make our way through sin and temptation. We are to observe this command not just on Sunday but every day! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

05-04-25, 17:11	#1571
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Guard Your Affection "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent" (Revelation 2:5, NKJV). In this passage, Jesus is saying, "Think back to what you were like when I first saved you. You rejoiced that I came to live in your heart! You couldn't wait for church on Sunday, and you spent all your free time digging into my Word and learning about my love for you. You never considered prayer a burden because I meant everything to you. You loved me more than life itself. However, now you've fallen away from all that. I get so little of your time now, so little of your attention. You've grown cold toward me. Something else has your heart." Look at the serious warning in this verse: "Repent-- else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent." Theologians have tried to soften this warning for many years, wanting it to mean something different. It cannot be softened; it means exactly what it says. Jesus tells us, "If you claim to have the fire of God, and yet I am no longer the delight of your heart, I will take away every bit of light you have. No matter what good works you do for me, you will no longer be my witness. I won't recognize anything you do because you have lost your love for me." Is your love for Jesus exclusive? Do you regularly make quality time to be with him? Have other things crept into your heart, taking up your thoughts and affections? Jesus is asking you right now to repent and start over. He wants you to stop and realize, "Wait a minute. I see how this thing has crept into my life, and it is robbing me of my exclusive love for Jesus. I can't let this go on any longer. Lord, forgive me! Light my candle anew." Beloved, return to your first love today. Ask him for grace and strength to begin again guarding your affection for Christ. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Last edited by Tarfoot; 05-04-25 at 17:17.

07-04-25, 18:09	#1572
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You A Zeal for God "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:1-2). The Jews could not be saved by the righteousness they perceived they were gaining by following the law of Moses. In Romans, Paul urged them to understand they could be saved if they removed the veil from their eyes that was blinding them. Many legalistic people have a zeal for God, but they do not have that zeal according to the knowledge of God's Word. Conversely, some believe they can live however they want because of God's grace. They form Christ into their own image, and their zeal for God is a god of their invention. However, unless both groups follow the God of the Bible, their zeal is in vain. Likewise, today, there are people with vague spiritualism. They say the gospel is about a relationship, not about a religion. This is wrong. It is definitely about religion and also about a relationship. It is about a God we have a relationship with, but his words dictate the terms of that relationship. To think that we have some relationship with God apart from his Word is utterly foolish, blasphemous, and wicked. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it" (Matthew 5:17). Christ has fulfilled the law and conquered death. He justifies us before God if we believe in his name, evidenced by a life that lives according to his Word. There is only one way to be right with God: through true belief and surrender to the gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the scriptures. The Jews ignored God's righteousness. The law is God's character, and we are not like God. That is what the law was meant to show us: to produce deep dependence and gravitation toward the salvation of the Messiah. Scripture says, "None is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Yet the good news is that the narrow road to redemption is found in Christ alone. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

09-04-25, 00:22	#1573
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Grace Rains Down Our life in Christ begins in grace, continues in grace, and will end in grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV). Once we grasp this truth, our lives will be marked by freedom, joy, and delight, not bondage, weariness, or dread. Spending time in God's presence will seem like a joyous gift rather than a duty. After all, Jesus says we are no longer his servants but his friends. None of this negates our responsibility. Of course, there is a time to set the alarm clock to rise and pray, but don't you dare do it without the oil of God's grace. Don't read your Bible without grace, or you will come away condemned and fearful rather than enlightened and empowered. Why? It is God's work of grace to show us our inability. That's the only way we will ever acknowledge his ability. No, don't give up on your accountability group. Don't give up on your dedicated prayer time. Don't give up on your Bible study group. Don't give up on any of these wonderful disciplines, unless they are getting in the way of God's grace working fully in your life. Some of you might say, "The way you're talking, nobody will ever pray again. No one will discipline himself to the task. We don't have it in us. If we follow your suggestion, no one will ever know God's way for us." Just remember that grace rains down on us from the Lord's throne; it doesn't rise upward from us to him. That is what will draw the world to our lives and testimonies. When people see real grace raining down on us, they will see the wonders that it works in us. They will know our hearts have been won not by our work but by God's. May it be so in your life today! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

10-04-25, 18:04	#1574
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Cut to the Heart Those who were headed for the Upper Room loved Jesus dearly. They were compassionate, self-sacrificing and soul-loving. However, they were not yet qualified to be his witnesses. It takes more than a love for Jesus and compassion for souls to qualify you as his witness. The disciples had been taught in the school of Christ. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed miracles. They had been nearby when he sweat drops of blood as he prayed, and then they watched him hanging on the cross. They witnessed his resurrection, viewed the empty tomb, ate and talked with him in his glorified body, and even saw him ascend into heaven. Yet they were still not ready to be witnesses of him. Why couldn't Peter go to those milling crowds in Jerusalem and immediately testify of Christ's resurrection? Hadn't he witnessed that event firsthand? It seems he could have preached, "Jesus is alive! He ascended into heaven! Repent!" The answer is in Peter's powerful statement to the chief priests: "And we are his witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him" (Acts 5:32, NKJV). Because of the words of the Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, the priests "were furious and plotted to kill them" (Acts 5:33). The Holy Spirit also had spoken through Peter on the day of Pentecost, and all who heard "were cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37). Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached to the religious leaders, "'You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you...'. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth" (Acts 7:51, 54). When you emerge from seeking God, full of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to stand boldly before others, and your witness will provoke one of two reactions: People will either cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" or they will want to kill you. You will speak a word that cuts to the heart, but the difference is found in the power of the Holy Spirit. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

11-04-25, 23:53	#1575
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Holy as God is Holy The Old Testament is full of types and shadows of New Testament truth. Whenever I have difficulty understanding a truth from the New Testament, I turn back to its foreshadowing in the Old Testament. In fact, I believe every single episode or story in the Old Testament is full of ripe truth for New Testament believers. One such example is the passage concerning Moses at the burning bush. This particular story is full of profound New Testament truth on the subject of holiness. While Moses was alone on Mount Horeb herding his father-in-law's sheep, a strange sight suddenly grabbed his attention. A bush was burning brightly, as if on fire, yet it was not consumed. Moses decided to look closer, and as he stepped nearer, God called to him out of the bush. "Then Moses said, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.' So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'" (Exodus 3:3-4, NKJV). That bush was burning without being consumed because God was present in it. It was a visual representation of God's holiness. Indeed, wherever he is present, that place is holy. The New Testament tells us we are called to be holy even as God is holy. "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). In other words, it is written, recorded and settled once and for all: We are to be holy, as our God is holy. "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). God has not called us just to salvation, to heaven, or to receive his pardon. Rather, these things are the benefits of our one true calling, which is to be holy as he is holy. Every believer in the church of Jesus Christ is called to be pure and blameless in God's sight. If you have been born again, the cry of your heart must be, "God, I want to be like Jesus and walk holy before you all the days of my life." __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

14-04-25, 21:18	#1576
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Encountering Jesus The apostle Paul was a great evangelist, missionary, and theologian. He was a great man of God, but what was it that drove him? What was in his life that caused him to fulfill the purposes of God? In Acts 9, Paul had a revelation and an encounter with Jesus. "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" (Acts 9:3-6, NKJV). There is a difference between an experience and an encounter with Jesus. Some people have had an experience with an invitation to the altar, in prayer, or even in baptism. That's great, but in a world full of wickedness, brokenness, and depression, what people need is an encounter with Jesus. Paul was on his way to persecute Christians. He came near Damascus, and suddenly, a light shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" He had an amazing encounter with Jesus. Do you see the difference? Many today have all the trappings of religion and church, but they miss the greatest thing about Christianity. An experience is great, but when you fall on your knees before God, you have an encounter. It is all about the presence of Jesus. "Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank" (Acts 9:8-9). When you encounter Jesus, he begins to turn your whole world around. This is what happened to Paul, and it was the beginning of his Christian life. An encounter with the presence of Jesus changes everything. It moves you to become more like him, his chosen vessel, to fulfill God's purposes in the world. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

15-04-25, 23:05	#1577
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Father's Promise The book of Acts describes one of God's most glorious works in history. It is an amazing sequence of action-filled events: powerful preaching, mass conversions, and miraculous healings. All were the fulfillment of a divine promise foretold by Jesus. Before his resurrection, Christ instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Father's promise. "I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49, ESV). That promise began its fulfillment on Pentecost, Israel's feast of "first fruits." The world was about to see the first fruits of Christ's labor on the cross for us. The disciples could not possibly have imagined what God had in mind for them. They probably thought, "Great! This promise means God is about to restore Israel. He'll free us from the shackles of Roman bondage forever, and we'll be his people again." Today, I think perhaps the Church would react similarly if we had heard the same promise from Jesus. We might think if God's promise comes, our churches will be filled to bursting. The Holy Spirit will move to other cities, and people will travel from all over to get a taste of it. We'll be blessed as never before. We should want the Holy Spirit to fill our sanctuaries and bring joy and comfort to God's people. However, when God's glory comes, it will not be for our benefit alone. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." God's power is meant to go beyond the walls of the church to the very farthest reaches of the world. That is what we see unfolding in the book of Acts. When Peter got up to preach to the crowd that had gathered, three thousand were saved. Later, as Peter and John testified throughout Jerusalem, signs and wonders followed in miraculous healings and deliverances. That was only the beginning! If the work of the Spirit had stopped in Acts 6, all the power of God would have remained in the hands of the twelve apostles. Instead, a tectonic shift took place. It's a promise for us today. God said, "My Spirit will no longer move through just a select few. I am going to empower every man, woman and child who calls on my name." __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

16-04-25, 16:32	#1578
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You You Belong to God "And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God."- Ezekiel 34:31 "I am your God," declares the Lord. What a powerful declaration from God as He tells us who we are in a world that often tries to define us by our achievements, possessions, or societal roles. He is everything to us, for He is our shepherd. The Lord God calls us His sheep (Ezekiel 34:31)! As His sheep, we are not merely members of a flock being cared for by a shepherd; we are His beloved. This verse invites us to reflect on our relationship with the Lord and His love for us. Just as sheep depend on the shepherd for guidance, nourishment, and protection, we are called to trust in God for our needs, believing that He knows what is best for us. We find security and purpose when we embrace our identity as His beloved children. As we face life's challenges, we must remember that we are not alone. Our Shepherd is with us every step of the way, guiding us through valleys and leading us to green pastures. He understands our struggles and joys, and life thrives in His presence. Friends, let us give thanks to God for who we are in Christ. We are His sheep, and He is our God. May we have hope and live with confidence, knowing that we are loved and guided by the Creator of the Universe. It is comforting to realize that in every situation, we can find help through our relationship with Him. Pray with Me Heavenly Father, thank You for declaring who we are in Christ. Lord, I pray that we, Your people called by Your name, will fully embrace Your love and our hope in You. May we take our identity in You and Your command to share Jesus with others seriously. In Jesus' name, Amen. Thank you for sharing this journey as we seek the Lord to advance faith, family, and freedom. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

18-04-25, 23:24	#1579
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You The Path to Holiness "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually" (1 Corinthians 12:27, NKJV). We are the very members of Christ's body. By faith, we are made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. We all have been adopted into one family: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:5). You see, out of the grave came a new man, and from the time of the cross, all who repent and believe in this new man are gathered up in him. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many" (1 Corinthians 12:13-14). There is no longer any black, white, yellow, brown, Jew, or Gentile. We are all of one blood in Christ Jesus. Because of Christ's work on the cross, man could no longer attempt to be holy by keeping the law and the commandments. He could not become holy by good works, righteous deeds, human effort, or strivings of the flesh. "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:15-16). The Father would accept only one man: the new, resurrected man! When this new man presented to his Father all who had faith in him, the Father responded, "I receive you all as holy because you are in my holy Son." "He made us accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). Furthermore, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ...in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:10,13). You see, holiness is not something we do, attain, or work up. Rather, it is something we believe. God accepts us as holy only as we have faith in Christ and abide in him. The path to holiness is not through human ability but through faith! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

20-04-25, 23:34	#1580
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Who Is Greater than Our Heart? "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12, NKJV). Peter reminds us that the struggles we go through are not strange. They are prescribed, as Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). We will be opposed. There really is a devil. Some people are in league with the powers of darkness and are jealous of what God is doing in our lives. Peter continues, "But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Peter 4:13-14). However, what if you feel that Jesus Christ is not being glorified in your life? People are reproaching you, but you think maybe they are right. You have the foundation of salvation in your life, but it seems everything is at a standstill. The apostle John reminds us, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things" (1 John 3:20). If your heart is condemning you, God is greater than your heart. He called you to rebuild a life that is a testimony for him. You will be opposed. There will be accusations and times of discouragement and difficulty, yet King David encourages, "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging for bread" (Psalm 37:25). Be encouraged; you will not fail, and you will not be overcome. Search the Scriptures. You have a righteousness given to you by God, and no one can take that righteousness from you. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

21-04-25, 16:29	#1581
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You True Pentecost In Acts 11, we read of a historical change in the church that came through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of Judaism to the Gentiles. "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20, ESV). I love the phrase "some of them." These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea of their crucial role in history. Pentecost isn't just an event that occurred over 2,000 years ago but a living phenomenon still happening around the world. Somewhere at this moment, small groups of people are crying out to God, and his Spirit is falling on them, empowering them to be his witnesses to an unsaved world. I once visited the city of Varanasi in northern India. A young, Christian woman arrived there at a time when less than one percent of the population attended church. She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and those converts began leading others to the Lord. This young woman didn't keep Pentecost to herself, and now thousands of dynamic believers in the region are powerful witnesses for Christ. There are other Christians like her worldwide who cry out to the Spirit to take the Father's love further. Pentecost is happening right now. These disciples are twenty-first-century Christians who have been given first-century power. Likewise, you and I are called to be equipped by the Spirit to do the work of God. I believe it is time for many in the church to no longer be mere hearers of the Word but also doers. Bible studies and prayer groups are good, but it is one thing to know about Jesus and his glory and quite another to have his Spirit living inside us so that we minister as he did. The Holy Spirit has come to live in us to accomplish his purposes through us. I urge you to pray with me: "Lord, may I be strong in learning your Word and equally strong in doing your Word. Bring Pentecost here today, Lord! Amen." __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

23-04-25, 23:36	#1582
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Christ's Holy Standard Our total trust in Christ means confidence in his saving and keeping power. We must trust his Spirit to make our lives conform to his and to keep us in Christ. At one time, you were alienated, cut off from God by wicked works. What good work did you do to make things right with him? None! No one has ever been able to make himself holy. Rather, we are brought into Christ's holiness by faith alone, by accepting what God's Word says, "Because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:16, NKJV). Yes, he wants your practical, daily walk to measure up to your faith walk. However, we have to believe him even for that. We must trust in his promise to give us the Holy Spirit and conform us to Christ's likeness in our daily walk. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in his sight, if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister" (Colossians 1:21-23). Please note that Paul was saying, "Just continue trusting in Jesus, living by faith, and he will present you as clean and faultless, holy before the Father." That is the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost. No one Christian is holier than another because there are no degrees of holiness, only degrees of maturity in Christ. You can be a baby Christian and still be absolutely holy in Jesus. We are all measured by one standard: the holiness of Christ. If we are in Christ, his holiness is ours in equal measure. You must never again look at another Christian leader or layperson and say, "Oh, I wish I were as holy as he is." You may not have that person's prayer life; you may make more mistakes than he does, but he is no more accepted by the Father than you are. Beloved, don't compare yourself to others because no one is more loved in the eyes of the Father than you! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

25-04-25, 02:53	#1583
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Are You Mad at God? There is nothing more dangerous to a Christian than to carry around resentment against God. I am shocked by the growing number of believers who hold a grudge against him. Why? They are convinced God does not care because he hasn't answered a particular prayer or acted on their behalf. Jonah received a missionary call from God and went to Nineveh to preach the message of judgment he had received. After delivering the message, Jonah sat on a hillside, waiting for God to begin his judgment. Days passed, but nothing happened. Why? Nineveh had repented, and God had delayed their judgment. Most rage against God begins with disappointment. God may call us, burden us, and send us. When things do not go as planned, though, we may feel misled or betrayed. God understands our cries of pain and confusion. It is no different from Jesus's cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, NKJV). If we continue nursing a peeved spirit, it will grow into rage. God asks us the same question he asked Jonah, "'Is it right for you to be angry...? And he [Jonah] said, 'It is right for me to be angry, even to death!'" (Jonah 4:9). This prophet was so full of rage at God that he said, "I don't care whether I live or die. My ministry is a failure. I have every right to be angry." God's Word says there is hope. "Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:16). In other words, "Stop complaining. I am going to reward your faithfulness." "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). Beloved, your cries and prayers have not been in vain. All your pain and tears have been for a purpose. God is telling you, "You may see only your failure and ruin with no results. Yet this is not the end; it is the beginning. I see the reward that I am about to pour out on you. Stop crying, for I have wonderful things in store for you!" __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

27-04-25, 01:21	#1584
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Blessed to Be a Blessing God wants to bless and favor you. He wants you to be wise and discerning and make astute decisions that will bring blessings to your life. However, we need to be careful with what we do with God's blessings. Many of us receive blessings from God, but then we turn them into something selfish. In Luke, Jesus talks about a man who was blessed: "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'" (Luke 12:16-17, ESV). God is generous and loves to pour out gifts on his children. The man in this story was blessed abundantly, but as we look closely at the contrast in this story, we see that it takes a turn in the wrong direction. The blessed man "thought to himself." That is often where the problem begins, my friend. God begins to bless us, and we start thinking, "What am I going to do with this?" When we start wondering what to do with our resources, selfishness usually follows. Whose crops (blessings) are they? They belong to God. Everything belongs to God! However, this man's mind was becoming selfish. He was beginning to see the gifts from God as things that could be used for his own benefit, and selfishness began to permeate the very fiber of who he was. ""And he said, 'I will do this: 'I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.' And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'" (Luke 12:18-19). We must be very careful when we hear preaching about God's blessings. Our perception of his blessings is vitally important. Do we want to heap blessings on ourselves to create a perfect little cocoon for our comfort and enjoyment? Or do we want to look around us and bless others? Friend, we are blessed from the very beginning of God's covenant of blessing with mankind. We are blessed to be a blessing! __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

29-04-25, 17:06	#1585
Tarfoot Honoured Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: US Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 547 Thanked 1,124 Times in 1,009 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You Is It True? We live in a world where it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truth from falsehood. A few years ago, the phrase "fake news" became popular. Some social media sites posted warnings that content may be untrue. There were also concerns that biases were influencing these censors' views of what was true. Truth is essential for a healthy spiritual and emotional life. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32, ESV). In a world where absolute truth is often dismissed as an obsolete idea, we must ask, "What did Jesus mean when he said the above?" Fortunately, Jesus told us exactly what he meant in the previous verse. The most important part of this statement is, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (John 8:31). Jesus wasn't just referring to his teachings (though he certainly included that), but as the "Word of God" made flesh (see John 1:1), he was referring to all of Scripture. To paraphrase, he said, "If you fully embrace me and what I teach, you'll find the truth that's necessary to live a life of freedom." The apostle Paul told the early believers in Philippi to pray concerning their needs and that the peace of God would then guard their hearts. However, that's not the whole story. He goes on to tell them to set their minds on several things. The first is whatever things are true. The devil is a liar. Jesus, speaking of the devil, said, "He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). When you combine these passages, you understand that one of the primary ways God defends our hearts and minds is through the truth of his Word. Is your heart troubled? Are you worried? Go to God and his Word. In it, you will find the God of peace who wants to give you his peace. __________________ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4