I am Not There Yet

 

‘I Am Not There Yet’

Philippians 3:12-14.

a) Philippians 3:12. I Have Not Already Attained Being Worthy of My Resurrection.

i) Psalm 119:5. I want my actions to consistently reflect God’s principles.

ii) Romans 8:1. There is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ.

iii) Galatians 5:17. I need to make right choices.

b) v.12. I Am Not Already Perfect.

i) Psalm 138:8. The Lord’s faithful love endures forever, and He will work out His   plans for my life.

ii) 2 Corinthians 7:1. We need to work towards complete purity because we fear God.

iii) Hebrews 13:21. God will produce in us, Through the Power of Jesus Christ, All That is Pleasing to Him.

c) v.12. I Follow After What God has Called Me to.

            i) Psalm 63:8. I follow closely behind you, your strong right hands hold me                           closely.

            ii) 1 Timothy 6:11. Follow What is right and good.

            iii) Deuteronomy 13:4. Follow the Lord Our God and Fear Him.

d) v.12. I Want to Lay Hold of That for Which I was Laid Hold of By Christ Jesus.

            i) Acts 9:15. Laid Hold of to Be a Chosen Instrument to Take God’s Message.

            ii) Ephesians 1:4. To Be Holy, and without Fault in God’s eyes.

iii) 2 Thessalonians 2:13. To Experience Salvation that Comes through the Spirit who makes us Holy and by Our Belief in the Truth.

e) v. 13. I Have Not Laid Hold of It Yet.

i) Philippians 3:8. I Have Discarded Everything Else, Counting it All as Garbage, So That I May Have Christ.

ii) Philippians 1:19. I Need Your Prayers and the Spirit of Jesus Christ to Help Me.

iii) Philippians 4:13. I Can Do Everything with the Help of Christ Who Gives Me Strength I Need.

f) v.13. I Do One Thing.

            i) Psalm 27:4. One Thing I Ask of the Lord.

            ii) Luke 10:42. There is Only One Thing Worth Being Concerned About.

            iii) John 9:25. One thing I know, I Now See.

g) v.13. I Forget the Things of the Past.

            i) Psalm 45:10. Forget My People and My Homeland Far away.

            ii) Isaiah 43:18. Do Not Remember the Former Things.

            iii) Isaiah 54:4. Forget the Shame of My Youth.

h) v.13. I Reach Forward What Lies Ahead.

            i) Romans 15:23. Eagerly.

            ii) Romans 15:24. With Planning and Joyful Fellowship.

            iii) Romans 15:29. To Be a Blessing to Others.

i) v.14. I Press Towards the Goal.

            i) Luke 16:16. Into the Kingdom of God.

            ii) 2 Corinthians 4:18. Into the Joy to Come that will Last Forever.

            iii) 2 Timothy 4:7. Fighting the Good Fight.

j) v.14. I Want to Receive the Prize of the High Calling of God in Jesus Christ.

            i) Romans 8:30. Called to Receive Right standing with God and His Glory.

            ii) Romans 9:23-24. Called to Receive the Riches of His Glory.

            iii) 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Called Us into His Kingdom to Receive His Glory.

(Pray: - Forget the Things of the Past and Reach Towards the Goal of God in Christ Jesus for the Kingdom of God.)

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Chris.

(Copied and Typed by Priscilla)

Real Friends

 ‘Real Friends.

a)    Proverbs 27:6. Sometimes wound us.

b)   John 15:15. Are good communicators.

c)    John 11:16. Are committed.

d)   John 13:1. Love to the end.

(This QT teaches me about Real Friends and real friendship)

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‘After Initially Receiving Christ.’

a)   Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19. Be baptized.

b) 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 & 27. Become part of the Body of Christ (the Church) in actuality.

c)  Romans 8:9. Realize that we have new Spiritual Life.

d)  Galatians 3:27-28. We become united with other Believers in Christ.

e)  Galatians 2:20. We are crucified with Christ, now we live by Faith in the Son of God.

f) Romans 6:3-4. We now live in newness of life.

g) Romans 8:4. As we live in the Holy Spirit we begin to fulfill the requirement of the Law of God.

h) Romans 6:5. We have a resurrection to look forward to.

i)  Romans 6:6; Colossians 2:13. We need no longer be enslaved to sin.

j) Romans 6:7. We are freed from sin.

k)  Romans 5:1. We are justified by Faith and have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

l)  Colossians 2:12. We have Faith in the Working of God and live a new life.

m) 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 7:37-39. We can drink from Christ.

n)  Joshua 4:1-11. We cross over a river and enter a new land in a spiritual sense.

o) 1 Peter 3:21. We now have a clean and clear conscience.

p)  Galatians 6:14. We can glory in the Power of the Cross.

q)   Acts 8:35-36. We can respond by Faith to the Word of God.

(This Second one shows me what to expect of the new Believer After Initially Receiving Christ and how to Disciple the new Believer)

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Chris.

We need to have Faith in the Working of God. This is an important part of our life in Christ. God works in us by the Power of the Holy Spirit and by His Word as we respond to it. We need also to have Faith to pray for the Working of God in our home and daily environment. As we do this we can experience meaningful answers to our prayers.

(Copied and typed by Priscilla)

From An Empty Life to A New LIfe

 

'From An Empty Life To A New Life.'

1 Peter 1:18-21.

a) 1 Peter 1:18. We should know that God paid a ransom to save us from the empty life that we inherited from our ancestors. We cannot live on an historical experience. 

1. Psalm 49:7-8. We cannot redeem ourselves.  

2. 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23. God bought us with a High Price.

3. Romans 1:21. When people who know God do not simply worship Him as God or even give Him thanks, then they begin to think up foolish ideas of what God is like (cruel daddy or sugar daddy). The result of this is that their minds become dark and confused.

4. 1 Peter 4:3. People living the empty life usually try to fill it with sin.

5. Matthew 15:2. True Believers are often accused by religious traditionalists.

6. Galatians 1:4. Our Ransom, Jesus Christ, died for us just as God our Father planned.

b) 1 Peter 1:18-19. God paid for us with the Precious Life Blood of Christ.

1. 1 Peter 2:24. Jesus Christ personally carried away our sins in His Own Body on the Cross.

2. Matthew 20:28. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give His Life as a Ransom for many people.

3. Matthew 26:28. The Blood of Christ seals the Covenant between God and His People. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many people.

4. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14. He purchased our freedom through the Blood of His Son.

5. Hebrews 9:12. Christ took His Own Blood into the Most Holy Place and with it He secured our Salvation forever.

c) 1 Peter 1:19. Christ was the spotless and sinless Lamb of God.

1. Isaiah 53:7. He was led as a Lamb to the slaughter.

2. John 1:29 & 36. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World.

3. 1 Corinthians 5:7. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.

4. Revelation 14:1. Christ is the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion.

d)1 Peter 1:20. God chose Christ for this purpose long before the World began, not at the  end of the Old Testament.

1. Romans 16:25. From the beginning of time.

2. Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2. Long ago, even before He made the World.

3. Ephesians 3:11. This was God's Plan from all Eternity.

e) 1 Peter 1:20. Now Christ has been sent to Earth for us.

1. Colossians 1:26. Now the Message is revealed.

2. 1 John 1:2. The One Who was Life from God was shown to us.

3. 1 John 3:5. Jesus came to take away our sins.

4. 1 John 3:8. The Son of God came to destroy the works of the Devil.

5. 1 John 4:10. God Loved us and sent His Son as a Sacrifice to take away our sins.

f) 1 Peter 1:21. The New Life:-

1. Through Christ we have come to Trust in God.

  A. John 5:24. Listen to Christ's Message and Believe in God who sent Him.
  B. John 12:44. If we Trust Christ, we are really Trusting God Who sent Him.
  C. John 14:6. No one can come to the Father except through Christ.
  D. Hebrews 7:25. Christ is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him.

2. God Raised Christ from the dead.
  A. Acts 2:24. Raised Him back to Life again.
  B. Acts 2:32; 4:10. Jesus, Whom God Raised from the dead.
  C. Acts 3:15. God Raised the Author of Life to Life.

3. God gave Christ Great Glory.

  A. 1 Peter 1:11. The Holy Spirit within the Prophets was talking to them in advance about Christ's  suffering and Great Glory.
  B. Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:21. Now Christ has been given complete Authority in Heaven and on Earth.
  C. John 5:23. We should Honor the Son just as we Honor the Father.
  D. John 13:32. Christ is now in His Glory.
  E. John 17:1. Christ in His Glory gives all the Glory back to the Father.
  F. Hebrews 2:9. Jesus is now crowned with Glory and Honor.

4. Our Faith and Hope can now be placed confidently in God - this is New Life!

  A. Psalm 42:5; 146:5. Put our Hope in God and Praise Him.
  B. Jeremiah 17:7. Blessed are those people: -
       i) Who Trust in the Lord.
       ii) Who have made the Lord their Hope.
       iii) Who have made the Lord their Confidence.
  C. Ephesians 1:13. Faith sealed by the Holy Spirit.
  D. 1 Timothy 1:11. Christ Jesus our Hope.

(Through this QT I find the pathway From An Empty Life To A New Life)

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Chris

(Copied and Typed by Priscilla)

The Sermon from the Boat

                         

'The Sermon from The Boat.'

Matthew 13:1-52. 

a) Matthew 13:1-2. To enable Himself to teach the large crowd, Jesus got into a small boat just off the shore. 
b) Matthew 13:3-8. The story with a meaning of the Sower and the seed.
c) Matthew 13:9. Jesus wanted the crowd to understand this story with a meaning. 
d) Matthew 13:10-13. Jesus explained to His Disciples why He was telling stories with a meaning. 
e) Matthew 13:14-15. This kind of Teaching was a Prophecy of Isaiah being fulfilled. 
f) Matthew 13:16-17. The Blessing on the Disciples. 
g) Matthew 13:18-23. Jesus gave a practical exposition of the story with a meaning. 
h) Matthew 13:24-30. Another story with a meaning. 
i) Matthew 13:31-32. A further story with a meaning. 
j) Matthew 13:33. A final story with a meaning. 
k) Matthew 13:34-35. Jesus further explained that these stories He was telling were a fulfilment of prophecy, not merely trying to make people understand. 
l) Matthew 13:36-52. Jesus moved from the boat into the house to give private teaching to His Disciples. 

(Through this QT, The Sermon in The Boat, I learn there are two major sectors of Biblical Teaching: Firstly, to those people who have yet received Christ - He did not give them a concert - He Taught Them. Secondly, to the Disciples, He also taught them and clearly explained to them the Word of God.

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'Give the Land A Rest.'
Leviticus 25:3-5. 
a) 25:3. For six years sowing seeds and producing harvests. 
b) 25:4. The seventh year gives complete rest to the land.
c) 25:5. The seventh year gives complete rest and do not even go to the land and do any work on it. 
d) Matthew 12:1-12; Luke 6:5. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath.
e) Mark 6:2. The Sabbath was a time for: -
                        1. Worship.
                        2. Acts 13:42-44. Teaching - even to the Gentiles.
                        3. Learning. 
                        4. Acts 16:13. Friendship and personal evangelism. 

(Through this Second one, I get a further understanding of Missions, especially after considering the stories that Jesus told. Often, Churches encourage Missionaries to take a Sabbatical every seven years. This is good counsel. However, it seems very beneficial for churches to take a Sabbatical from Missions every seven years, too. It does not mean that the churches should stop supporting missions; of course, that should continue. It means the churches should stop planning Missions for a year. Do not ignore missions, rather spend much time in purifying, searching and contemplative prayer, preparing for Mission in the following six years, that is to glorify God truly.
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Chris.

Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath. This gives me very much pleasure and joy to read and think about. A Sabbath is not meant to be a time of lazing around doing nothing. A Sabbath is not meant to be a time to neglect the Worship of God. A Sabbath is not a legalistic religious ritual that is imposed on adherents of Christianity. A Sabbath is not meant to be a time of working hard on something different. A Sabbath is for Jesus Christ the Lord, time to be with Him, to learn from Him, to love Him, to prepare ourselves for the next steps that He may be commissioning us with. A time for worship. A time of healing relationships, especially family ones. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath.

(Copied and Typed by Priscilla)

Our Heavenly Father

‘Our Heavenly Father.’

a) Matthew 5:16. As we let our light shine before people with our good deeds they will Praise our Father in Heaven.

b) Ephesians 1:5. We are predestined to be adopted as His Children.

c) Matthew 5:44-46. Will give us confidence in His Fatherhood as we love our enemies and pray for the people who may persecute us.

d) Mark 11:25; Matthew 6:15. When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.

f) Matthew 6:1. Our acts of Righteousness should be done unto Him.

h) Matthew 7:11. Will give good Gifts to those people who ask Him.

i) Luke 12:32. Is pleased to give us the Kingdom.

j) Matthew 6:8. Knows what we need before we ask Him.

k) Luke 11:13. Will give the Holy Spirit to those people who ask Him.

l) Luke 10:19-20. His Spirit will speak through us when we need Him to.

m) Matthew 18:14. Is not willing that any of the little ones be lost.

n) Luke 6:36. Wants us to be Merciful in the same way that He is.

(This QT has me in awe of My Heavenly Father)

‘A Healthy Church.’

a) Ephesians 4:16. The whole Body will be healthy and growing when each part does its special work and helps the others grow.

b) 2 Corinthians 2:9. The Church should take responsibility for its own health.

c) James 3:18. We can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if we do the hard work of getting along with each other.

d) Acts 2:42. Together:-

1-   Studies Bible.

2-   Fellowships.

3-   Has common meal and Holy Communion.

4-   Prays.

e) Acts 2:43. Is living in the Fear of the Lord.

f) Acts 2:44. Is in Unity.

g) Acts 2:45-46. Has:-

1-   Generosity.

2-   United purpose.

3-   Gladness.

4-   Simplicity.

h) Acts 2:47. Is constantly Praising God and in favour with all the people.

(This Second one teaches me about A Healthy Church)

Chris.

A healthy and robust community or family Church does not just “happen”. It is the Believers’ responsibility to make it so. God’s Plan is that every Church that is opened in His Will and for His Glory should be a healthy Church. If we open a Church for other motives it will never be healthy. Time does not heal. 

Copied and typed by Priscilla 

The Holy Spirit Brings Life

'The Holy Spirit Brings Life.' 

a) Isaiah 44:3. Poured out on the next generation.

b) Genesis 1:2. At the time of Creation.

c) Exodus 31:3. And skill.

d) Isaiah 11:2. Giving Strength.

e) Isaiah 32:15. Creating Harvest.

f) Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18. Anointing to do the Will of God.

g) Ezekiel 37:14. Within us.

h) Romans 9:1. Giving a pure conscience.

i) Romans 15:13. Giving abundant Hope.

j) Romans 15:16. As a Sanctifier.

k) Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 2:4. Ministering in His Power.   

l) Romans 15:30. Creating Love.

m) 1 Corinthians 2:12. So we can know the things freely Given to us by God.

n) 1 Corinthians 2:13. Through Teaching.

o) 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Through distributing His Gifts.

p) Revelation 2:7. Through speaking to the Churches.

(Through this QT I know that The Holy Spirit Brings Life)

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'Believe.'

a) John 7:38. And be filled with the Holy Spirit as a River of life and healing flowing out from us to touch and bless other people.

b) Psalm 119:66. In the Lord's Commandments.

c) Matthew 9:28. In the Ability of Jesus Christ.

d) Mark 1:15. In the Gospel.

e) Mark 5:36. And overcome fear.

f) Mark 11:24. That we receive the answer from God for the things we pray about.

g) John 1:12; 20:31; 1 John 3:23. In the Name of the Lord Jesus.

h) John 9:38. Comes before Worship.

i) John 11:26. In Christ and have Eternal Life.

j) John 12:36. In the Light.

k) John 14:1. And overcome a troubled heart.   

l) Acts 8:37. With all our heart.

m) Acts 15:11. That we are saved through the Grace of the Lord Jesus.

n) Romans 4:24. In Him Who R  aised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

o) 1 Corinthians 1:21. The Message preached.

p) Ephesians 1:19. And know what is the Greatness of His Power towards us.

q) 1 Thessalonians 2:13. The Word of God.

r) 1 Timothy 4:3. And enjoy your food.

s) Hebrews 11:6. That God is and that He is a Rewarder of those who seek Him.

t) 1 Peter 1:8. In God and love Him, then great Joy will be in our hearts.

(Through this Meditation I confess that I Believe)

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Chris.

In the Gospel Message is the complete answer for all of our lives and life problems. We find Christ is and as the Center of the Gospel. He is Able to do far more than we even ask or think. His Ability is huge, gigantic and enormous. Let us remember the full extent of the Gospel Message:- i) Christ Crucified. ii) Christ Resurrected. iii) Christ Ascended. iv) Christ now at the Father's Right Hand Interceeding for us. v) Christ the coming King with all His Angels in Glory. The complete answer for all of our lives and life problems is found in this Gospel  Message.

New Life in Every Way

'The Will To Praise God.'

Psalm 108:1-3.

a) Psalm 108:1. With a fixed heart.

b) Psalm 108:1. With song.

c) Psalm 108:2. With alertness.

d) Psalm 108:2. With music.

e) Psalm 108:2. Early in the morning.

f) Psalm 108:3. In the congregation.

g) Psalm 108:3. In the Nations.

(This QT encourages me to have The Will To Praise God)

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'New Life In Every Way.'

a) Deuteronomy 28:18. In the Old Testament Law, no New Life could mean a part of a curse.

b) 1 Samuel 1:5-6. Humanly loved, but no New Life.

c) Deuteronomy 8:1. Obedience to the Word of the Lord brings New Life.

d) Genesis 41:52; 1 Samuel 1:7; Revelation 12:11. New Life, even in the land of our affliction.

e) Deuteronomy 16:13-15. New Life in fellowship, rejoicing before the Lord.

f) 1 Samuel 1:8. Sometimes New Life is not understood by our own family.

g) Hebrews 11:1. Our Faith has an important part in receiving New Life.

h) 1 Peter 5:7. Giving all our burdens to the Lord, so that we can receive New Life.

i) John 15:2. The pruning of Heavenly Father, that we might produce more New Life.

j) John 15:4-5. Co-Abiding with Christ that we might produce New Life.

k) John 15:8. Our producing New Life glorifies Father God.

l) John 15:16. We are chosen and appointed to go and have enduring New Life.

m) Zechariah 14:6; Acts 1:8. We cannot produce New Life with own energy, we have to trust in the Holy Spirit's work.

n) Luke 1:35-37. The distinct possibility of New Life - with God all things are possible.

o) 1 Samuel 1:17-20. God makes New Life possible peacefully as an answer to Prayer.

(This Second one creates Faith in my heart - New Life In Every Way)

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Chris.

Burdens only hinder us in our Life as True Believers and in our walk with God. He wants us to be free from burdens. Burdens can hinder us in the race that God has for us to run. Jesus actually invites us to give all our burdens to Him. We are told in the Scripture to cast all of our burdens to the Lord, in other words, we need to strip off our burdens by Faith and surrender them to Him.

(Copied and Typed by Priscilla)