Category: Bible

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Bible Christian God Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

This morning I preached a sermon titled “Pride & Prejudice”. Here are my highlights:

  • There’s no such thing as “partial sin” with God. It’s sin. You’re all in – with sin.
  • Only God has the power to save your souls.
  • We must take possession of our “Promised Land” – that is – God’s promises to us.
  • God’s promises are our inheritance. God’s promises belong to us. We must claim them. We must receive them. We must have faith in them. We must act on them. We must possess the land.
  • Gotta be humble on this fantastic journey. Gotta lose our pride. Pride has no place in God’s promises for us.
  • The whole Bible applies – Old Testament and New Testament – all 66 books from Genesis to Revelation. Every single word.
  • If God is truly your Lord – then you must obey His Word. Every single word.
  • We must believe every single word because it is the Truth – whether we like it or not.
  • Each verse of the Bible reflects God’s voice.
  • I believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible.
  • I believe that the Bible – the whole Bible – is the actual Word of God.
  • The world wants to change our Bible – or even outlaw it.
  • They call it archaic, antiquated, obsolete, and even dangerous in the 21ST Century.
  • They say it needs to be updated and revised to reflect today’s world.
  • The world doesn’t save souls. The world corrupts souls and destroys lives.
  • Only God saves souls. His voice is in each verse of the Bible.
  • God’s will for you will give you freedom. So lose your pride. Have faith in Him.
  • We should not be the Judge & Jury.
  • We should not discriminate.
  • We should treat everyone – all God’s children – with respect and dignity – no matter how they look on the outside.
  • Rich people should love poor people, and poor people should live rich people. All people should love all people.
  • We all show favoritism. We shouldn’t – because God doesn’t.
  • I want glory and honor and peace from God.
  • When we care about what God cares about – that’s worshipping Him.
  • We please God when we show love to others.
  • I wouldn’t want to belong to a church family that wasn’t open and friendly for everyone.
  • I don’t wanna be a part of a church family where everyone looks like me.
  • I wanna be a part of a church family that looks like Heaven.
  • There are no colors – no races – no nationalities in Heaven.
  • “Pride & Prejudice” do not exist in Heaven.

Read James 1:19-25,2:1-5,8-9,12-13; Psalm 37:7-9; 2 Peter 1:3-5a; Romans 2:9-11,15:5-7; Matthew 22:35-40

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Bible Christian God Ministry Scripture

National Day Of Prayer

Today – Thursday May 03RD 2018 – is National Day Of Prayer here in the U.S.A.

I recently preached this to my church family:

… This is family. I think about each of you – not just on Sunday mornings – while we are all here in the same place together. I think about each of you often – every day – all week long. I pray for each of you as well. Some prayers are general / non-specific / overall. Some prayers are very specific – by issue / by name. Sometimes I forget names (I’m 50½), but God knows who I’m talking about.

I think that each of you do the same for your brothers and sisters of this church family as well. It’s important that we pray for each other. God needs to hear from us. He wants to know that we really care for each other. He wants to see that we truly love each other. That’s what distinguishes us as being a family rather than merely a group of people gathered in the same area at the same time …

Use this day – and every day – and every opportunity of every day – to pray.

Don’t worry about anything. Instead – pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace – which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

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Bible Books Christian God Scripture Travel

Sunday Scripture

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I have returned from vacation. Regular Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday blogs resume.

I spent 4 of my vacation days at sea on this beauty (pictured above in Nassau) – the Disney Magic. It was my 21ST cruise overall (since 1991), 1ST cruise in nearly 4 years, and 1ST cruise on Disney Cruise Line. I enjoyed this cruise (with family) immensely. Other ports-of-call on this short cruise were Key West (just 130 miles down the Overseas Highway from my home) and Castaway Cay (Disney’s private Bahamian island).

I took a book with me to read. It was recently given to me by a Brother in Christ. It’s a short 140-page book titled, “Holiness, Truth, And The Presence Of God” by Francis Frangipane. I intended to read the whole book while on this cruise, but I only managed the first 52 pages. It’s been an amazing 52 pages. I loved how Francis described the beginning of salvation as seeing God’s Kingdom from a distance, and the expansion of salvation as entering God’s Kingdom. And I’ll add that God’s Kingdom continues to expand as you continue to move forward towards His light – bringing others with you.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth – unless you are born again – you cannot see the Kingdom of God. I assure you – no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:3,5 NLT)

I may be preaching my next sermon next Sunday, so I should get that enhanced and finalized. It’s great to be back home – where I belong. It’s great to have you walking this fantastic journey with me.

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Bible Christian God Health Scripture

Drinking & Smoking

Nearly 6 months ago I celebrated 10 years of sobriety. I quit drinking alcohol during the middle of a 14-day transatlantic cruise on the Carnival Freedom (its maiden voyage to the U.S.A. from Europe). I drank for about 22 years. I was mostly a binge drinker in that I could go days, weeks, and even months without drinking a drop of alcohol, but then I’d make up for it all at once – usually while on vacation somewhere. I asked God for His help – His intervention in this area of my life. He came through for me – just as He always does.

In a few days – on the 22ND of April – I’ll mark 10 years of being smoke-free. I quit smoking after over 30 years. I smoked cigarettes from age 11 to almost age 41. I tried quitting a few times previously, but it didn’t work out for me. Quitting smoking was far more difficult than quitting drinking. Yet again I asked God for His help, and I relied on Him in freeing me from yet another addiction. Yet again He was wildly successful. He is always successful. He never lets me down. His promises are genuine. His miracles are abundant.

I quit drinking 14 months into my salvation, and I quit smoking 20 months into my salvation. God said, “Come as you are”, and I did. Whatever addictions you may have. Ask God for His intervention. Believe that He will free you from those chains.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit – who lives in you and was given to you by God ?  You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT)