Category: Ministry

the work or vocation of a minister of religion

Faith

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“Your Spiritual Muscle”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

A good definition for faith is; having complete trust, dependence and confidence with a firm belief in something or someone for which there may be no tangible proof of existence.

In the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the word faith is used 24 times.

In that same chapter of Hebrews the words “by faith” are used 19 times.

I heard someone describe faith as:

  • Seeing the invisible
  • Hearing the inaudible
  • Touching the intangible
  • Believing the impossible

If faith is looked at as a believer’s “Spiritual Muscle”, a comparison can then be made to the muscles in the human body.

Muscles in our bodies become stronger when we feed and exercise them. The same rule can be applied to our faith, the more we feed and exercise faith in our lives, the stronger our faith will become.

The bible gives scriptures that will help with feeding, building and exercising faith giving needed strength to our “Spiritual Muscle”.

2nd Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.“

Walking by faith is remaining focused on what we believe and not what we see. The more we walk by faith, the more our “Spiritual Muscle” is exercised and becomes stronger.

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Often times people will put more faith in what people say than what the word of God says.

If a weather report states that there is a 30% chance of rain, many people will leave home and take a umbrella because of the weather report they heard, even though the sun is shining when they leave the house.

Remaining focused on what the word of God says helps our “Spiritual Muscle” to become stronger.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Believing that God exists not only sets believers up for a reward from God, it also builds up strength for our “Spiritual muscle”.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Vs 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“

Having a strong “Spiritual Muscle” will give believers the endurance needed to run, and finish the race set before them.

Father in heaven, thank for remaining faithful to your people. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

The Tongue

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The Untamable Tongue

James 3:8 “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” [NKJV]

In the book of James chapter 3 verses 1-12 the author  writes about the tongue and gives practical instructions about what a person says, and the words that they use.

A person should always try to use wisdom with their words and speech. Once words have been said, they cannot be taken back. What is said can be encouraging, comforting and supportive or, can do damage that can be irreversible.  

The tongue is one of the smallest members of our bodies but has enormous power and if allowed, it will take full control of what is said or done.

James chapter 3 gives several descriptions about the tongue:

Vs 3 compares the tongue as bits that guides horses

Vs 4 compares the tongue as a rudder on large ships

Vs 5 describes the tongue as a little member that boasts great things

Vs 6 describes the tongue as a small fire that can be the cause of a great fire

Vs 6 also describes the tongue as a world of iniquity that can defile the whole body

Vs 8 the tongue is untamable and full of deadly poison

Vs 9 with the same tongue blessings and curses proceed out of the mouth

James chapter 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

Paying close attention to what is being said helps with slowing down an angry response.

James chapter 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but decides his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

We can’t always respond with the first thing that comes to our mind.

James chapter 4:11 “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.”

Words spoken about someone should be positive and uplifting.

Colossians 4:6”Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

In our daily conversation with others, the words that are used should be holy, courteous, desirable, full of wisdom and respectful. The words that are used should not only honor God, but also be encouraging to others that are around us that can hear what is being said.

Proverbs 15:1-2 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Vs.2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” [NKJV]

Father in heaven, may our speech and the words are said out of our mouths, always magnify and glorify You and Your kingdom, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service Rev

The Name of Jesus

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The name that is above every other name

Jesus

Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV)

Poverty                  High blood pressure                 Cancer   

Tuberculosis             Arthritis        Heart disease                  

High cholesterol        Diabetes       Gout       Drug addiction

Alcoholism      Mental illness    Eating disorder  

Pneumonia        Influenza        Depression    PTSD                          

Anxiety         Glaucoma           Eczema          Heart disease

 Kidney failure   Alzheimer’s     Dementia  Rheumatoid  Arthritis    

HIV          AIDS          Suicide       Parkinson Disease                

Stroke   Cerebral Palsy        Hypertension   Autism

Multiple Sclerosis   Abortion     Lupus   Gun Violence  

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

John 14:13  “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”

Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

Jeremiah 10:6 “There is none like you, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might.”

Acts 3:6 “But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Lord Jesus, we take full authority over sickness, disease and anything that is not like you, we cast it out of our lives and send it back to the sender…By your stripes we are healed…in the name of Jesus we call those things that be not as though they were…and stand on your word that all of your promises are yes and Amen.   

Continuing in His service…Rev      

Messianic Prophecy

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“Wonderful Counselor“

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament that prophesied about the coming Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many have said that the book of Isaiah contains more references to the coming Messiah than any other book in the Bible. It has been considered to be a major prophetic book in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 9:6 is one of many “Messianic prophecies” that not only tells of the Messiah coming, but describes who He is and what He will do:  

A Son is given (Emanuel)…..He came as a Gift

He has a responsibility…Government

Has several names:

Wonderful….excellent / great

Counselor….someone who gives guidance, teaches or gives encouragement / having supernatural wisdom

Mighty….possessing great power and strength

God….the great “I AM” being everything

Everlasting….eternal, never ending, lasting for ever

Father….having the nature of protecting / providing

Prince of peace….ruling with dignity and authority

The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament Messianic Prophecy in several of the New Testament books:

Born in Bethlehem [Mica 5:2, Matthew 2:1]

Anointed by the Holy Spirit [Isaiah 11:2, Matthew 3:16-17]

Ministered in Galilee [Isaiah 9:1, Matthew 4:12-16]

Rejected by Jews [Psalm 118:22, 1st Peter 2:7]

Betrayed by a friend [Psalm 41:9; John 13:18]

Rose from the dead [Psalm 16:10, Mark 16:6]

“Father in heaven, thank you for the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy that prophesied the coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ…Amen”

Continuing in His service…Rev