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Devotional of the Week:
Job 5:8,9 - "But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause - Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number."
God is an everlasting and powerful God. He is capable of anything he wishes and He is who we turn to for support. Because He has allowed us to be His children, then it is to Him that we commit our lives and ourselves. In these powerful verses from Job, we see both what and why we should seek God in all things. Our cause is to see to it that His kingdom be moving upon this earth; that His name be lifted high. He is God Almighty, He is our fortress and our shield and He is worthy to be praised. May your life honor Him and give glory to Him in the coming days.
Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, we praise you in all things. We seek to do your will and ask that you use us in a mighty way in the coming week. Show us how to glorify you through our actions, through our praises and through proclaiming your name. May your kingdom move upon this earth, and may we carry the banner of our King! Thank you for saving us and for allowing us into your eternal kingdom. We praise you and we thank you, in Jesus mighty name, Amen!
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Mini-Study of the Week: Read 1 Samuel Chapter 8
As we dive back into our study of 1 Samuel, we jump forward to chapter 8. In this chapter we begin to see that the people of Israel are beginning to show displeasure. Samuel has decided to appoint his sons judges over the people of Israel. From the time of Abraham on it has been understood that the only ruler Israel would ever have would be God himself. God would appoint Judges to act on His behalf, but He was the sole and sovereign ruler over His people. In chapter 8 we see the people starting to rebel against that notion. They demanded to have a king.
It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.
Samuel was displeased with the request of the people; he could patiently bear what reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show our trouble before God.
As God answers our prayers today, so did He answer Samuel's prayers that day. What did God reply? Samuel is to tell them that they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolish counsels. If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy.
Those that submit to the government of the world and the flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule in the several relations of life; the latter should be the measure of our expectations from others. These would be their grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear them.
When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer, and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty.
Next week we will see whom God appoints. Our story will pick up with the introduction of one of Scriptures most fascinating people. The man called King Saul...
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Video of the Week:
We serve a MIGHTY GOD... We should never be ashamed to proclaim His name and His gospel!
Until next week, love each other, share His love and share His gospel...
See you next week!
In His Service,
Sergio
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
2009: A Year to be Molded
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Devotional of the Week:
2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In today's devotional verse we come across an exhortation that will serve us well this coming year. This year can be a year in which we allow God to continue molding us into who He wants us to be. Peter is teaching that we need to continue to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of" Jesus.
We need to draw close to Jesus through study and prayer in order to know Him more intimately. Notice that in this verse Peter uses 3 titles to refer to Jesus. Lord, Savior and Christ give glory and honor to our Messiah, stressing the importance of WHO Peter is saying we should grow in knowledge of.
The grace we have been given can be fully manifested if we grow to fully appreciate our salvation and what that requires of us. Seek God through His word. Start a daily devotional time. Spend that time reading God's word and letting it grow in your heart.
Seek direct discipleship and be under the teaching and accountability of someone stronger and wiser than you in the faith that they may help you "grow" as Peter exhorts us.
Finally attend every service your church offers. Sunday Service, Sunday School, Bible studies, fellowships are ways that we can grow as family and in God's word. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us to never forsake the gathering of the brethren, that we may encourage one another to do the things God has for us to do!
I will conclude this devotional time with a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge laid out to us by our pastor. This year make it a personal goal to not miss a single Sunday service. If you went today, then praise God there are only 51 more to go! Make this the commitment so that we can honor what God deserves. We can give Him the worship He is due and draw ever closer to Him!
Prayer: Father God thank you for giving us 2009. Thank you for the challenges, trials and successes of 2008. Thank you for the knowledge that you are already in 2009 and control all things. With that assurance help us to face whatever comes our way this coming year with courage, and with determination to let your will play out in our lives for Your honor and glory. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen!
Mini-Study of the Week: Read Isaiah 40: 28-31
This week we see a great lesson for how to start our new year out right. In these verses Isaiah shows us the reward of placing our entire lives in the hands of almighty God. God has no lack of strength and does not grow weary. Who better then to submit our lives to?
When we do so we will function using God's strength and not our own. We will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not grow faint. These verses say that the youth will stumble, that "young men will utterly fall". From these verses we see that those who try to do things in their own strength will ultimately meet an unsuccessful end.
With God however, when we wait on Him we will "soar on wings like eagles". Now that's an awesome promise! When we work under God's power and strength we soar! We are like the majestic eagle that can reach great heights. Eagles have been known to fly as high as a mile to a mile and a half in the air... They fly at speeds between 60 to 90 miles an hour. They are able to live long healthy lives of strength.
Such is the life of the Christian. We can be like the eagle and have a strong Christian live when we submit ourselves to an awesome and holy God who will work His perfect will through us!
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Video of the Week:
As 2009 begins and continues remember, if they breathe, they need Jesus! May the words of this song inspire you. The chorus is:
"Cause I got a feeling it won't be long, maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but I know one thing for sure, Only time will tell it. I got a feeling coming over me, nothing else here can set me free. But I know one thing for sure, well, I've got to show it"
Show them Jesus in 2009, pray for the lost, show them Jesus... He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE! Hallelujah!
Third Day - "I've Got a Feeling"
If you have found yourself away from God, if as a believer you have strayed, remember NOW is the time to come back. God wants you close so that He can make your life whole! He is saying to you "Come on back to me..." Run to Him, now...
Third Day - "Come On Back To Me"
Until next week, love each other, share His love and share His gospel...
See you next week!
In His Service,
Sergio
Devotional of the Week:
2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In today's devotional verse we come across an exhortation that will serve us well this coming year. This year can be a year in which we allow God to continue molding us into who He wants us to be. Peter is teaching that we need to continue to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of" Jesus.
We need to draw close to Jesus through study and prayer in order to know Him more intimately. Notice that in this verse Peter uses 3 titles to refer to Jesus. Lord, Savior and Christ give glory and honor to our Messiah, stressing the importance of WHO Peter is saying we should grow in knowledge of.
The grace we have been given can be fully manifested if we grow to fully appreciate our salvation and what that requires of us. Seek God through His word. Start a daily devotional time. Spend that time reading God's word and letting it grow in your heart.
Seek direct discipleship and be under the teaching and accountability of someone stronger and wiser than you in the faith that they may help you "grow" as Peter exhorts us.
Finally attend every service your church offers. Sunday Service, Sunday School, Bible studies, fellowships are ways that we can grow as family and in God's word. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us to never forsake the gathering of the brethren, that we may encourage one another to do the things God has for us to do!
I will conclude this devotional time with a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge laid out to us by our pastor. This year make it a personal goal to not miss a single Sunday service. If you went today, then praise God there are only 51 more to go! Make this the commitment so that we can honor what God deserves. We can give Him the worship He is due and draw ever closer to Him!
Prayer: Father God thank you for giving us 2009. Thank you for the challenges, trials and successes of 2008. Thank you for the knowledge that you are already in 2009 and control all things. With that assurance help us to face whatever comes our way this coming year with courage, and with determination to let your will play out in our lives for Your honor and glory. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen!
*************************************************************
Next week we will resume our study in 1 SamuelMini-Study of the Week: Read Isaiah 40: 28-31
This week we see a great lesson for how to start our new year out right. In these verses Isaiah shows us the reward of placing our entire lives in the hands of almighty God. God has no lack of strength and does not grow weary. Who better then to submit our lives to?
When we do so we will function using God's strength and not our own. We will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not grow faint. These verses say that the youth will stumble, that "young men will utterly fall". From these verses we see that those who try to do things in their own strength will ultimately meet an unsuccessful end.
With God however, when we wait on Him we will "soar on wings like eagles". Now that's an awesome promise! When we work under God's power and strength we soar! We are like the majestic eagle that can reach great heights. Eagles have been known to fly as high as a mile to a mile and a half in the air... They fly at speeds between 60 to 90 miles an hour. They are able to live long healthy lives of strength.
Such is the life of the Christian. We can be like the eagle and have a strong Christian live when we submit ourselves to an awesome and holy God who will work His perfect will through us!
*************************************************************
Video of the Week:
As 2009 begins and continues remember, if they breathe, they need Jesus! May the words of this song inspire you. The chorus is:
"Cause I got a feeling it won't be long, maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but I know one thing for sure, Only time will tell it. I got a feeling coming over me, nothing else here can set me free. But I know one thing for sure, well, I've got to show it"
Show them Jesus in 2009, pray for the lost, show them Jesus... He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE! Hallelujah!
Third Day - "I've Got a Feeling"
If you have found yourself away from God, if as a believer you have strayed, remember NOW is the time to come back. God wants you close so that He can make your life whole! He is saying to you "Come on back to me..." Run to Him, now...
Third Day - "Come On Back To Me"
Until next week, love each other, share His love and share His gospel...
See you next week!
In His Service,
Sergio
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