Help us O God to fully present the Good News of Jesus Christ.
"Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name."
"And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ."
(Romans 1:5-6 NLT)
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
"You know the commandments:
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Mark 10:17-30 RM)
Abba Father spoke just One Word - Jesus, who is the Logos. Jesus Christ is the full Disclosure of God.
"As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
(Luke 11: 27 - 28 NLT)
On whose side are you?
"When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he's beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered. "
(Luke 11:21 - 22 MSG)
"This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy if you're not helping, you're making things worse."
(Luke 11:23 MSG)
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
The Father knows exactly what we need.
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?
As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing—you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
(Luke 11:10 MSG)
"I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish." (Jonah 4: 1-11)
Lord, you are merciful and gracious.
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."
Lord, you are merciful and gracious.
"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading." (Psalm 86: 3-4, 5-6 RM)
Choose today what is better and what will not be taken away from you.
"But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
"But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!"
"There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10: 40 - 42 NLT)
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers."
"A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight."
"Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37 RM)
God made His Son Jesus a perfect Man through suffering.
"God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation."
(Hebrews 2:10 NLT)
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?" (Hebrews 12:7 NIV)
He who brought disaster upon you will bring you back with enduring joy.
The Lord listens to the poor.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive, for the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!”
The Lord listens to the poor.
"For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it, and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
The Lord listens to the poor.
(Psalm 69: 33-35, 36-37 RM)
The Lord has put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion.
But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.-
(Exodus 23:20-22 NLT)
“Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.”
For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
(Nehemiah 8:9-10 NLT)
"Come. Follow me." What are your excuses?
"I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
"Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." (Luke 9: 61 - 62 MSG)
"They all began making excuses." (Luke 4: 18 NLT)
See how we overcome our Accuser.
"The accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die."
(Revelation 12: 10 - 11 NLT)
"Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest.
But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side.
Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9: 46 - 48 NLT)
"Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth." (John 17:17 AMP)
"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32 NLT)
"For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant." (2 Samuel 7: 28 NLT)
Open our minds and hearts to the Scriptures O Christ our Teacher!
“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it." (Luke 9: 44 - 45 NIV)
"Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" (Luke 24:32 MSG)
“Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
“But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” (Luke 9:18-20 NLT)
Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and my Redeemer. You are my Good Shepherd. You are my Security in everything. Without You, life is completely meaningless.
How to be content and satisfied:
“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!"
(Haggai 1:4-6 NLT)
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
(Matthew 6:33 NLT)
Amazing Grace is my Portion.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy;
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,
for though he has scattered you among them,
he has shown you his greatness even there.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of ages.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
(Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8 RM)
