Spiritual Check-Up

1. Don’t just pretend to love others.  Really love them.
How is my love walk?  Do I really love others or am I just pretending to love them?


2. Hate what is wrong.

Do I really hate what is wrong or do I often make excuses to continue doing, enjoying or participating in those things that I know are wrong in the eyes of God?

3. Hold tightly to what is good. Do I hold on tightly to the things of God?  That which is good?   Do I sometimes allow pride or the love of the world to allow me to loosen my grip on the things of God?

4. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Is my love genuine?   Do I esteem others better than myself? Am I living out true love as described in 1 Corinthians 13? Do I delight in honoring others?

5. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Do I give the Lord my all or do I only give Him my leftovers?   Do I serve from a happy heart or do I moan and groan?    Is my service to Him real?

6. Rejoice in our confident hope.
Do I rejoice in the hope I have in Christ? Do others see God's hope springing out of me?

7. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Am I patient, even when things aren't going my way? Do I keep pressing in to God?  Does my hope remain steady and sure?

8. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.

Am I there for those in need?  Can God count on me to be His hands and His feet?   Do I help willfully and cheerfully?

9. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Do I look for opportunities to serve others? Do I welcome people into my home, into my life?

10. Bless those who persecute you.
Do I do this?   Do I give back good in place of the evil I have received?

11. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
Again ... Do I do this?  Do I pray for God to extend His hand of mercy, grace and love to those who have hurt me?

12. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Do I honestly share in the joy and sadness of those around me? Are my tears genuine?   Is my joy sincere?

13. Live in harmony with each other.

Do I live peacefully with those in my own home, at my office, or sharing the highway with me?  Do I avoid gossip, backbiting, etc.  Do I go the extra mile to keep the peace?

14. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
Do I ever think I am better than other people? Or act as if I am? Am I exclusive?

15. And don’t think you know it all!
Do I do THIS?!


[message from the Internet]

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:9-16 ❤

I'll Fly Away

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ❤

Empowered

God has defeated Satan through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this overwhelming victory, God has also empowered you to overcome any temptation to sin and has provided sufficient resources for you to respond biblically to any problem of life. By relying on God’s power and being obedient to His Word, you can be an overcomer in any situation.


[Biblical Counseling Foundation]

1 John 5:4-5 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Isaiah 54:17 ... No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ❤

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to fell guilty.If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to life himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
 
[Dorothy Law Nolte]

Ephesians 6:4 ... And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Psalm 34:11 ... Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 ... Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  ❤

Better Than a Ton of Gold

Learn to think less and less of the wealth of this world,  and more and more of the unsearchable riches of Christ!  Lower the estimate which pride and vanity form of the importance of worldly distinctions. How dim, how worthless, does everything earthly appear when seen in the sunlight of the cross!

[John Angell James]

1 Corinthians 1:18 … For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Galatians 6:14 … But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Colossians 3:1-2 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ❤

Overcome the World

Walk like Enoch.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

Believe like Abraham.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.Romans 4:3


Work like Nehemiah.

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah 2:18

Weep like Jeremiah.

Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Jeremiah 9:1

Obey like Job.

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:22

Lead like Moses.

And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. Exodus 14:31

Pray like Daniel.

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; Daniel 9:3-4

Win like Paul.

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. Acts 26:28-29

Live like Jesus.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:5-6

1 John 5:4 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ❤

Memorial Day 2012

Thank God for the citizens, of the USA! 

Who put their lives on the line each and everyday.

Who walk in bravery every step of the way.

Thank God for the citizens, of the USA!

Who sacrifice their life long stay, to cut it short at any day.

For the peace and the freedom of us who in homeland stay.

Thank God for the citizens, of the USA!

[D.Alsup]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ❤

Sovereign

Contrary to what you might think, see or feel --- God is in control.

Psalm 97:1 ... The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

Psalm 22:28 ... For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations.

Isaiah 45:7 ... I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

1 Chronicles 29:11 ... Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Colossians 1:16 ... For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Psalm 24:1 ... The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 103:19 ... The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.  ❤

His Dominion

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14 ❤

Led by the Spirit

Enter into the promises of God. It is your inheritance. You will do more in one year if you are really filled with the Holy Ghost than you could do in fifty years apart from Him.

[Smith Wigglesworth]

Acts 2:1-4 … And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:31 … And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Luke 3:16 … John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Romans 15:13 … Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. ❤

Focus on ...

What is true.

(JESUS - Truth) John 14:6

What is noble.

(JESUS - King of Kings and Lord of Lords) Revelation 19:16

What is right.

(JESUS - Our righteousness) Jeremiah 33:16

What is pure.

(JESUS - Our holiness and purity) 1 Corinthians 1:30

What is lovely.

(JESUS - Personification of love) 1 John 4:8

What is admirable.

(JESUS - Only One worth admiring) Hebrews 3:3

Philippians 4:8 ... Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ❤

Promise Keeper

God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.

[ Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Proverbs 3:5-6 ... Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 4:8 ... But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Psalm 25:4-5 ... Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. ❤

Seven Things God Wants You to Know About Yourself

Your true identity can’t be found by “looking within yourself” for the answers. Our identity can only be found by looking to the One who Created us. Here are seven important principles God wants you to know about Yourself:

1. You are loved. One of the most mind-blowing realities the Bible teaches is that the God of the universe loves us! He loves you so much He sent His only Son Jesus to rescue you and bring you home. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

2. You need Jesus. He desires to be the Savior of your soul, the leader of your life, your guide and your friend. Without Him, your life will never be what God intended it to be. With Him, you can experience all God has for you. Jesus did not come to make you religious; He came to make you alive! “Jesus answered, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

3. You are a masterpiece. You might not feel like it, but how you feel doesn’t change who you are! God’s sees you as a one-in-a-trillion priceless masterpiece created in His own image. The Mona Lisa has got nothing on you!  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

4. You are forgiven. Once you trust Jesus for forgiveness, your sins are no longer counted against you, so don’t live in regret! You are not defined by what you’ve done. God never measures our value by what we’ve done or by what’s been done to us, but by what He has done for us on the cross. God’s grace takes away our sin and makes us a new creation so we can live in freedom and peace. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

5. You are not alone. We all have those moments where we feel lonely and abandoned, but even in your darkest hour, God is with you. He has never left your side and He never will.  God has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Hebrews 13:5

6. You are part of God’s family. Our faith in Christ brings us adoption into God’s family.  You are literally a son or daughter of God and an heir in His eternal kingdom. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:”  1 John 3:1

7. You have a home in heaven. Jesus is preparing a place just for you.   A perfect place awaits where the trouble and pain of this life will be no more and you’ll celebrate forever with your Savior and all of God’s family!  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  John 14:1-3

[message from the Internet]

1 Corinthians 3:23 … And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.  ❤

There is a Purpose

God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son.
 

[Jerry Bridges]

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:28-31 ❤

Sheep Gate

In Jerusalem there is a gate called the "Sheep Gate". It is where the sheep were lead to their death as a sacrifice for the sins of the people.

A gate is something that gives us access to something. We go through a gate to get to the other side, and it is a barrier keeping some things or someone out. It controls who comes in and who goes out.

Jesus the Gate of Salvation who chose to lay His life down that we might have life.  Jesus, the Gate is the way,the truth and the life and only through  Him do we have access to Heaven's Gate!

By Jesus we can leap out of the sheep pen and find green pasture, and lie down beside the peaceful waters, and find guidance and safety.  Yes! abundant life,  here and in the kingdom to come!

[message from the Internet]

 

John 10:7-10 ... Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Matthew 7:13-14 ... Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Acts 4:12 ... Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ❤

Stand

Stand for what is right; even if it means standing alone.

Exodus 14:13 ... And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ... Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 16:13 ... Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Ephesians 6:12-13 ... For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ❤

The Golden Rule

Jesus gives us a general rule on how to treat people. We’re not to treat people the way they treat us, we’re to treat people the way we would like them to treat us. This is how the Christian is to live.

This is a golden rule indeed! It doesn’t simply forbid petty malice, revenge, cheating and deceit. It does much more. It prevents the need to lay down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases.

It sweeps away the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and measure, by which everyone may see at once how they should act.

Is there something we wouldn’t like our neighbor to do to us? Then let us always remember that this is the thing we ought not to do to him. Is there a thing we would like our neighbor to do to us? Then this is the very thing we ought to do to him.

[J. C. Ryle]

Matthew 7:12 ... Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. ❤

The Heart

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7  ❤

Directed Prayer

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3 ❤

So Much More

God does not give us just peace ~ He gives us Peace That Passes Understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

God does not give us just love ~ He gives us Fullness of Love. (Ephesians 3:19)

God does not give us just joy ~ He gives us Great Joy. (Philemon 1:7)

Not just to be a conqueror, but to be more than a conqueror.
( Romans 8:37)

When He fills our cup, it is overflowing. (Psalm 23:5)

When He flows through us, it is as rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

When He meets a need, He does it out of the riches that are in Christ. (Philippians 4:19)

God is not the God of the half empty or half full in our lives ~ He is the God of the “exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Amen. ❤