From Bill —Psalm 132 (NKJV) For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There I will make the horn of David grow”. The Lord loves all of His creation and all the people of the world Equally. But He has a special role for Jerusalem in the future. One day, the Bible tells us, He will rule the world from Jerusalem for 1000 years. Rev 20 says “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” This is referred to as the Millenium. After that comes eternity where we will live in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Rev 21 (NIV) says: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Those who believe in Jesus as savior with child-like faith have much to look forward to. Just keep trusting & believing. Love Mel
Numbers 11:13-15 Moses Was Frustrated and God Understood
Numbers 11:13-15 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead & kill me. Do me a favor & spare me this misery!” Job 3:11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly. 1Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done & how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the Gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Elijah was afraid & ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it & prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors. Jonah 4 God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” — God has a divine plan! Moses, Job, Elijah, & Jonah did great things for God! They also got very frustrated when they lost their focus! God promises that ALL things are possible with Christ who strengthens us! That is the key! Don’t forget to go to Him for strength! Love Mel
John 1:1 In The Beginning was The Word and The Word Was God!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the Word was God. Deut 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. Matt 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven & earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. — So thankful that Christ came to fulfill the word! It is He who will accomplish it all! So grateful! Have you ever come up against something that you could do absolutely nothing to change the outcome! This is those hard places that require HELP! Well I am here to tell you He HELPS! And HELPS! How awesome is that! Love Mel
Ephesians 2:8 We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith
Eph 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith. James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. Romans 3:24 We are Justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 2Tim 2:1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Acts 20:32 Now I commend you to God & to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up & to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Gal 1:15 When He who had set me apart before I was born, & who called me by His grace. Titus 2:12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness & worldly passions, & to live self-controlled, upright, & godly lives in the present age. —Saved by Grace! Humility in Grace! Redemption in Grace! Salvation in Grace! Justified by Grace! Strengthened by Grace! Built up by Grace! Called by Grace! Live by Grace! It’s all about His Grace! Love Mel
Love is the Principal Thing
From Bill : Gut check. Remember salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone & heavenly rewards are merit based. Note this scripture: Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, & cast out demons in your name, & do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 & then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” How can we be absolutely sure we know the Lord? —How can we be sure our works will not burn up at the Judgement Seat of Christ leaving us with salvation but little reward? 1.We must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 2.We should see some progress in our lives over time & Have a desire to be like Him. BUT HERE is the acid test. 3. Do you love God & love each other. This is “the will of God” mentioned above. Ask God to increase your capacity to love. Just like faith – it is at once a gift & a decision. Though it may sound confusing it seems to be the eternal currency. Love is the most important thing. Jesus said we MUST love God & our neighbor. It’s a command. You Shall love… . Ask for love. Pray for love. What is love? Love is service. Love is compassion. Love is intimacy with God. Love is crying out inside for the poor, the sick, the hurting. It is seeing Jesus in everyone. He doesn’t really care if you heal the sick, feed the hungry or cast out demons if you have not love. He cares that you love Him & serve others from love. Love God as daddy & your neighbor as yourself. If you have love you will have it all. Love Mel
