Be Patient and Persevere to the End

12  God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(James 1:12 NLT)

Trust Completely in Jesus

Do you truly believe that Jesus is absolutely trustworthy?

"Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water."   (Hebrews 10:22 AMP)

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."  (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)

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Become more productive

Any Unemployment in Jesus Enterprise?  How can we become more productive in the Enterprise of Jesus?

"And other seed [of the same kind] fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up to thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even a hundred times as much as had been sown."   (Mark 4:8 AMP)

"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
(Joshua 1:8 NLT)

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."   (Psalm 1:3 NIV)

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Becoming Brother and Sister of Jesus

How do we become the brother and sister of Jesus?

"Then Jesus looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.  Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Mark 3:34-35 NLT)

"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.   Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures:   I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”   (Psalm 40:6-8 NLT)

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Rekindle the Holy Spirit inside you

How do we live in true freedom from the power of sin and Satan?

"That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire]."    (2 Timothy 1:6 AMP)

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
(2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

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Follow the Light

Are you guided by the Truth in your decisions?

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

"Jesus called out to Simon and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”  And they left their nets at once and followed him." (Mark 1:17-18 NLT)

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Jesus bore hunger and insult for us

Can you endure hunger and insult for Jesus?

"Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.

When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
(Mark 3:20-21 NLT)

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Answer without fear the Call of Jesus

Do you know what Jesus is Calling you to do?

"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him."  (Mark 3:13 NIV)

"Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,  giving them authority to cast out demons."
(Mark 3:14-15 NLT)

Accept the Call and Mission, Receive the Anointing.

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Open yourself fully to Jesus

Do you know that Jesus has absolute power to deliver us from all trials?

"Therefore Jesus is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf."
(Hebrews 7:25 NLT)

" Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." (Hebrews 7:26 NIV)

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Do Good Save Life Even On Sunday

What is God's intention for the commandment, "Keep holy the Sabbath" (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)?

"They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him." (Mark 3:2 NABRE)

"Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him."
(Mark 3:4 NLT)

"Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath."  (Mark 2:27 NLT)

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Cling to the promises of Jesus

"For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do."
(Hebrews 6:10 NLT)

"Follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance."
(Hebrews 6:12 NLT)

God Never Fails!

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Consider the discipline of fasting

How and when do you fast?

"Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”
(Mark 2:18 NLT)

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get."
(Matthew 6:16 NLT)

There is a time to fast and a time to feast.

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Behold the Lamb of God

Who is Jesus for you?

"John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”

"The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus."  (John 1: 36-37)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Word of God, Light of the World. Jesus is Lord  and Savior. 

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The Word of God Not Dead Letter but Dynamic

What value do you place on Sacred Scripture?

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
(Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

"The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple." (Psalm 19: 8 NABRE)

The word of God is spirit and it is life.

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Take all your troubles to Jesus

Where do you need healing today in your life?

"Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
(Mark 2:9 NLT)

"But that you may know positively and beyond a doubt that the Son of Man has right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins—He said to the paralyzed man,  I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home."
(Mark 2:10-11 AMP)

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Encourage yourselves daily

How do you handle discouragement in your daily walk with Jesus?

"But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]."  (Hebrews 3:13 AMP)

"Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God."
(Hebrews 3:12 NLT)

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Becoming like Jesus

Why is it necessary for Jesus to become like us in everything?

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17 NLT)

"For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]."
(Hebrews 2:18 AMP)

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Receive the word of God with faith

"The people were amazed at his teaching, for Jesus taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law."
(Mark 1:22 NLT)

" The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”
(Mark 1:27 NIV)

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Offer to Jesus your Time, Talent and Treasure

"One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”  And they left their nets at once and followed him."
(Mark 1:16-18 NLT)

Jesus is Heir of All Things (Hebrews 1:2)

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Respond to Call of God with Generosity

“I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.

 You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons."
(Isaiah 42:6-7 NLT)

The Choice. The Call. The The The Anointing.

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Ask for the Holy Spirit

"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."    (1John 5:14 AMP)

"So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you."
(Luke 11:9 AMP)
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Ask Jesus for a healing

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, there came a man full of (covered with) leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cure me and make me clean.

And [Jesus] reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed! And immediately the leprosy left him."  (Luke 5:12-13 AMP)

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Become an Overcomer

"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."
(1John 5:4 NLT)

What is this faith that overcomes the world?
Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is God. Jesus is Savior. Jesus is Emmanuel.

Believe and do this and you will become an overcomer.

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Let Go and Let God

"In souls abandoned to God everything is efficacious, everything is a sermon and apostolic.  God imparts to their silence, to their repose, to their detachment, to their words, gestures etc., a certain virtue which, unknown to them, works in the hearts of those around them; and as they are guided by the occasional actions of others who are made use of by grace to instruct them without their knowledge, in the same way, they, in their turn, are made use of for the support and guidance of others without any direct acquaintance with them, or understanding to that effect. 

God it is who works in them, by unexpected and often unknown impulses; so that these souls are like Jesus, from whom proceeded a secret virtue for the healing of others.  There is this difference between Him and them, that often they do not perceive the outflow of this virtue and even contribute nothing by co-operation; it is like a hidden balm, the perfume of which is exhaled without being recognized, and which knows not its own virtue.”  (John-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

Ask for and Enjoy the Holy Spirit

"And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us."
(1John 4:13 NLT)

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future."
(John 16:13 NLT)

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Experience God’s Perfect Love

"This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1John 4:10 NLT)

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."
(1John 4:18 NLT)

No fear.  No worry.  No doubt.

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We receive as we ask

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
(1John 3:22 KJV)

"Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession."
(Psalm 2:8 NLT)

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Come with your gifts and worship Jesus

"We have seen His star in the east, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord."  (Matthew 2: 2)

"Abba Father, accept the offerings of your Church, not gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the sacrifice and food they symbolize: Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. "

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Give Thanks to Abba Father with a Song

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we! "
(1John 3:1 NLT)

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known."  (1John 3:2 NIV)

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Never forget your first lesson

"As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always]." (1John 2:24 AMP)

Your first lesson:
Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is God. Jesus is Savior. Jesus is Emmanuel.

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Accept God’s Gracious Blessings

"The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;  The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;

The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
(Numbers 6:24-26 AMP)

Trust Completely in Jesus Who Never Fails to Keep His Word.
Amen brother.  Amen sister.
Happy 2015!

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Becoming a credible witness for Jesus

"God sent a man, John the Baptist,  to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony."
(John 1:6-7 NLT)

“In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
(John 18:37 NIV)

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Do not love life too much

"Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]."
(1John 2:15-16 AMP)

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You fulfilled your promise

"And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, Simeon came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law, [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God."
(Luke 2:27-28 AMP)

"(Lord, now let your servant go in peace;  your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29)

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Fear the Lord Honor your Parents

"God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother."(Sirach 3: 2-6)

"My son, be steadfast in honoring your father;
do not grieve him as long as he lives.  (Sirach 3 : 12)

A family that prays together stays together.

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What is Kairos?

What is Kairos?

Kairos is History's moment when all is ready.
It is the fullness of time, God's appointed time for an event to happen.  God never acts arbitrarily.  Every event, every action of God happens in the Kairos moment.

In the fullness of time, Sarah gave birth to Isaac.  In God's Kairos moment,  John the Baptist was conceived.  Christ Jesus was born in the fullness of time.  It was History's moment when all was ready to receive the Lord of History.

The opposite of Kairos is Chronos.  Chronos is the human measurement of time.

We see We hear We touch We believe

"We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."   (1John 1:3 NLT)

The Apostles saw, heard and touched Jesus.  They gave a credible eye witness account of the Lord.  We believe because of their truthful testimony for which they gave their lives.

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Let your face shine upon your servant

"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God."
(Psalm 31:3, 5 NIV)

" Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love."
(Psalm 31:16 NIV)

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At last God spoke to us through Jesus

"And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth."
(John 1:14 AMP)

Happy Birthday Jesus.  Thank you Emmanuel for sharing our humanity.  We love you so much!

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Set us free from the hand of our enemies

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,  to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins."  (Luke 1:76-77 NIV)

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant,
He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’
I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail."
(Psalm 89: 3, 26, 28 NIV)

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Prepare your heart Prepare the way

1   “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
(Malachi 3:1 NLT)

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

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God has done great things for me

"What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for all His bountiful dealings?]"
(Psalm 116:12 AMP)

“Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD.  I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.  Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there."
(1 Samuel 1:26-28 NLT)

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Abba Father My Son My Father

"And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’
I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end."
(Psalm 89:26, 28 NLT)

"I WILL sing of the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation".
(Psalm 89:1 AMP)

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Ask Look for the sign this Christmas

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."  (Isaiah 7:14 NIV)

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
(Luke 1:35 NLT)

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Time for Prayer and Time for Answer

"But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John."   (Luke 1:13 NLT)

"For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
(Luke 1:20 NLT)

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”  (Luke 1:25 NABRE)

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Do not be afraid of Mary

"Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us."   (Matthew 1:23 AMP)

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
(Matthew 1:20 NIV)

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All that is necessary

"All that is necessary is to accept everything, placing no obstacle in the way of its action but letting it accomplish its work.  All things are intended to guide, raise, and support you, and are in the hand of God whose action is vaster and more present than the elements of earth, air, and water." (John-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

Rejoice for the LORD is coming

"Rejoice, O heavens, and exult, O earth, for our Lord will come to show mercy to his poor. (Cf Isaiah 49:13)

"Behold, the Desired of all the nations will come, and the house of the Lord will be filled with glory." (Haggai 2 :8)

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The Lord hears the cry of the poor

"Those who look to Jesus are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."
(Psalm Ps 34:5-6 NIV)

"O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34:8 AMP)

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Prepare to receive love and peace

"Come to us, Lord, and bring us peace.  We will rejoice in your presence and serve you with all our heart."  ( Cf. Ps 106 : 4-5; Isaiah 38: 3)

Jesus is coming soon.  No more fear.

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Rejoice Always Give Thanks Always

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it."
( 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NABRE)
If God is with you, it is accomplished.
Rejoice! God Never Fails!

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