Jesus First

Advent

2006-12-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

Advent From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Advent (from the Latin Adventus, implicitly coupled with Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known as the season of Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday. (The Eastern churches begin the year on 1 September.)

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. As we celibrate Christ’s birth I can’t help but think about his life and death and resurection. All were prophespied in the Old Testement and have been fullfilled by Jesus. Even as the Old Testement prophsey pointed toward the coming of Jesus His death and resurection points towards his Second Coming. As much as His life and death and resurection are recorded history his second coming is future history. I look forward to the celibration of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Even so Lord Jesus come quickly !!!

Not so funny

2006-12-20T10:25:00.000-05:00

If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly. The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad. Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us

Study notes Godly Partners

2006-12-19T19:13:00.000-05:00

It is important to surround yourself with Godly partners. See how God plan works for people

Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Retorical question supplies its own answer.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Great men of faith always had supportive men around them! Men to help them bare their burdens. Helping one another.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; Gods own words.

God has never intended for men to work or be alone. In fact His whole creation plan revolves around fellowship. Remember God walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the evening, and Adam named all the animals of the world.

Lasting change require biblical friendship. You cannot flourish without lasting biblical friends.

Pro 12:26 The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

Abraham and Sara
Moses had Jethroe his Father in Law. He Gave Moses advice concerning governing Israel, and there was Aaron Moses’ brother who was his spokesman and he worked miracles with his rod.
Joshua and Caleb were Soldiers in Faith and spied out the promise land and came back with a good report.
Ruth and Naomi thru their relationship seduced Boaz their Godly near kinsman.
Paul and Silas Praised God together in prison and were delivered.
Peter and John faced the Sanhedrin together after healing the lame man.

Called together:

Peter and Andrew Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
James and John: Mat 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Act 15:40 but Paul took Silas and left after the followers had placed them in God's care.
In Praise:
Act 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.

Jesus had his 12 disciples.
He sent the seventy out Two by two.

In the negative:

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:1 Happy is the man who does not go in the company of sinners, or take his place in the way of evil-doers, or in the seat of those who do not give honour to the Lord.

In the negative with not good friends or bad friends.
Adam and Eve. They didn’t help each other
Jacob. Rich Potential for his life. Mostly alone he did foolish things.
Samson all qualitites. He was strong, handsome, intellegent, anointed of God, and appointed, but tragicly he was alone no friends. He didn't have accountability partners to say. "hey hey Samson. You're not going to do that with your life. Get away from those ungodly women. His parents not only allowed him to make a bad choice for a wife but helped him.

Job's comfortors: Job's wife who said. "Curse God and die" Wasn't Job lucky that his wife wasn't taken with his son's?

JEHOSHAPHAT and Ahab
2Ch 18:1 NOW JEHOSHAPHAT had great riches and honor, but was allied [by marriage] with Ahab.
2Ch 18:2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance and for the people with him and persuaded him to go up with him against Ramoth-gilead.
2Ch 18:3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead? He answered, I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.
2Ch 18:4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray you, for the word of the Lord today.

2Ch 19:1 JEHOSHAPHAT THE king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.
2Ch 19:2 Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.

It’s probably better to be without friends than to have ungodly friends who lead you astray.

What now? How can I keep this going? How can I keep growing in the Lord? I don't want to go back
where I've been. What does it take to stay strong in the Lord?

Lasting change requires biblical friendship.

Pro 12:26 The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

Psa 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

David and Jonathon is a picture of a transforming biblical friendship

Sa 23:16 But Jonathan went to see David, and God helped him encourage David.
1Sa 23:17 "Don't be afraid," Jonathan said. "My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you're going to be the next king of Israel, and I'll be your highest official. Even my father knows it's true."
1Sa 23:18 They both promised the LORD that they would always be loyal to each other. Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.

David was needy alone afraid. Jonathon was from a dysfunctional family. Father a maniac mother passive.

A biblical friend holds you up when you stumble (pressures of life causes us to stumble) You might say I’m doing great now. Well you won’t be doing just great later.

A biblical friend is Present:
vs 16 Jonathan went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. He went to him.
He risked his own position.
Sacrificial. friendship.
Present for your friend durning hardship.

Prayer: . You don’t have what they need, but God does. “I can’t fix this but God can let’s pray together. Friends must pray together, discuss thing
He strengthened his hand in God. He prayed for him. He didn’t come up with stupid comments. It’s ok, blaa blaa blaa.
Sometimes there is nothing to say. Just being there.
Isn’t sad when friends don’t pray together? They may say we have this or this in common, but they don’t go before the Lord with and for each other.
Never pray together, don’t talk about God together

Stirr one another up.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Protection:

vs17 Do not fear
1Sa 23:17 "Don't be afraid," Jonathan said. "My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you're going to be the next king of Israel,

(emotional protection) David was over loading Jonathon slows him down.
Relational Protection. Loyalty. . Are you a loyal friend. When you friend is critized? Spring to his defense?

Promise vs 18 Covenant before the lord
1Sa 23:18 They both promised the LORD that they would always be loyal to each other. Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.

Don’t go it alone. Reach for help.
We need to ask ourselves.
Am I like that? Do I have a friend like that?

Brother, I want you to know that I’m committed to you. You will never knowingly suffer at my hands. I will never say or do anything knowingly to hurt you. I will always in every circumstance seek to help you and support you. If you are down and I can lift you up I’ll do it. Anything I have If you are in need I will share it with you. If I have to I’ll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you and no matter what happens in the future either good or bad my commitment will never change. There is nothing you can do about it, and you don’t have to respond. I love you.
......................................

Expectancy by Jack Weinzierl

2006-12-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today’s call is going to focus on having Expectancy, not simply wishing, but having faith and expectancy according to what God already says is ours in His Word. There have been many key success factors in building our Advantage Conferences business, but I would estimate none as important as having the expectancy that by prayer, planning and perseverance that God will provide ALL that He says He will in His living Word.
If God said it in His Word, the Bible, we can be sure He will keep His promise….and expectancy is something you can choose intentionally. If you have resistance, check your current Mindset aside when I am sharing today, work through it and hopefully this will challenge you to get into God’s Word and see for yourself what promises He has for you.

I set the course of my life today with my words:
I declare today that I will not be defeated, discouraged, depressed or disappointed today.
I am the head, I have insight, I have wisdom, I have ideas, I have authority.
I exercise my authority today with my words and I decree a thing and it is so.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)…the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in me… (Romans 8:11)
As I speak words today, they come to pass (Job 22:28); they go before me, they bring the things to pass that I desire; and they stop all attacks, assaults, oppression, and fear from coming to my life.
God is on my side today and, therefore, I cannot be defeated.
His favor surrounds me today as a shield. (Psalm 5:12). I expect favor today from heaven and from the earth.
I expect and receive favor in my home, favor in my Advantage Conferences business, favor in my ministry, favor with my finances, favor in every deal I am involved in.
I have wisdom from God today. I will think the right thoughts, say the right words and make the right decisions in every situation I face today.
My mouth speaks wisdom and my heart is filled with understanding. (Psalm 49:3)
I ask for, and receive, an abundant supply of wisdom and understanding today from God (James 1:5)…wisdom from above, wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, unwavering, willing to yield, without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
Wisdom and understanding are better than silver and gold and nothing I desire can compare with them; therefore, I make it my ambition and desire to have understanding and wisdom; therefore I know I will have all of the other desires of my heart. (Proverbs 8:10-11)
My words go before me in securing my divine health and healing…
I will not be sick today; I will not be sad today; I will not be broke today; I will not be confused today.
I have health today; I have joy today; I have all the money I need in the name of Jesus.
My steps are ordered by the Lord… (Psalm 37:23)
I have a covenant with God and by the blood of Jesus I release my divine protection and divine provision.
I receive supernatural strength and encouragement from God and my angels. (Psalm 103:20)
I expect to have divine appointments today, to run into the right people, and to be delivered from the wrong people.
Any adversity, attack, accidents and tragedies that were headed my way are diverted right now in Jesus’ name.
I speak to the raging waters in my life: Peace, be still.
I say to my emotions, peace, be still.
I say to my mind, peace, be still.
I say to my body, peace, be still.
I say to my home, peace, be still.
I say to my family, peace, be still.
Now I speak to:
every mountain of fear
every mountain of discouragement
every mountain of stress
every mountain of depression
every mountain of lack and insufficiency
And I say, “Be removed and cast into the sea in Jesus’ name!” (Mark 11:23) I expect the best day of my life spiritually, emotionally, relationally and financially today in Jesus’ name!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Now if you are having resistance to those confessions then I encourage you to experience the JOY of expectancy.
James 1:17 reminds us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."Many Christians have quoted Jeremiah 29:11 and James 1:17 but they still live with negative and false expectancy about God. Romans 8:31-32 explains how the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is our assurance of God’s favor: "If God is for us, who can be against us? [God] who did not spare his own Son [Jesus Christ], but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

Psalm 113:3

2006-12-15T11:26:00.000-05:00

From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. The Name of the Lord is to be praised.
From time to time I have started my day at sunrise facing east as the sun comes up. When I do I dedicate the day to Lord with that Scripture. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. The Name of the Lord is to be praised. Usually I try to end the day of the west coast overlooking the Florida Westcoast Inland Water Way and the Gulf of Mexico with the same praise. Try it. You will be surprised how God honors your commitment to give him your day in praise.

It's me

2006-12-14T19:58:00.000-05:00

Who am I? Who are you?

2006-12-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Who am I? Who are YOU? I started writing this to encourage others to find out who God is,and then to ask God the question. Who am I? My motivation wascompletely external with no thoughts about myself or my calling orministry. I had the title and what is written below to my question.Just who is that? (Read to there.)
Exo3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. Exo 3:11 And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? Moses asked the question. What good thing is in me that I should be able to do this? He was hearing the voice of doubt and unbelief. Moses didn't need the devil to remind him that at his best he was a hired Shepard. He didn't even own the sheep. Is it any wonder that he doubted? God reassured Moses. Exo 3:12 God said, I will surely be with you... Exo 3:13 And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? Moses gets around to asking the real question. I know who I am (and that's not much), but who are YOU? Exo 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you! We can ask the question who am I until we are blue in the face, and not find the answer until we have answered the question who is God? Once we know that we can find out who God says we are and get the answer to the first question. Who am I that I should do these great things? Of course the answer from God is YOU ARE WHO I SAY YOU ARE! Just who is that? I asked. At this point I stopped to make a phone call to a man of God whom I met at Daytona, a man whom God had usedt o speak to me before. He talked almost rambled and preached at the same time. He spoke of responsibility for your own actions. Not blaming the Devil but looking in the mirror and accepting it. He spoke a word of knowledge and said that God had called me to be a/an______. I had heard it before in my spirit, but rejected it out ofhand, and out of fear, and almost without further question. Here I was tonight hearing it again. He got his bible out and read these passages to me to reinforce the Call. Earlier today I had a run-in with the Lord and I was greatly impressed to accept myself as who Hes ays I am.Isa 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for Iam thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, Iwill uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall beashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Isa 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be asnothing, and as a thing of nought. Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.Then my friend Joe began to preach again from Eze 33:2=9Eze 33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, when I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: Eze 33:3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Eze 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. Eze 33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning;his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. Eze 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Eze 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way,that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will Irequire at thine hand. Eze 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turnfrom it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. It wasn't an hour earlier that I encouraged the Visitation Pastor from my church with the same message. Isn't it funny how the messages that God wants to give us He causes us to preach? What's all this about? Ask your self this question. Who is God? Who does God say I am? The bible says in the mouths of two or three witnesses a thing will be established. If you really hear from God, and if you dare, fill in the blank to be another witness. But first answer the questionfor yourself. Who am I? Who does God say I am?

Promise Land/New Home

2006-12-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

Promise Land/New Home
This morning my OT bible reading was in Numbers chapters 13-16. You may remember. God selected 12 leaders to go into the Promise Land to spy it out. They returned with the report it is a Land flowing with milk and honey, but there are giants in the land. Only Joshua and Caleb reported We are well able to take it.

The Jews were in the wilderness. They had just received a mighty deliverance at the hand of God from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Just a little further back they came out of Egypt carrying the wealth of Egypt with them. How easy it is to see the Giants and Forget the past deliverance's. If we let it the voice of fear can drown out the voice of faith. Faith and Fear are opposite sides of the same coin. That coin is the spiritual force when applied by speaking brings about the good we desire or the evil which we fear. The spies gave voice to their fears saying "we are like grasshoppers in their sight and ours" Joshua and Caleb said "we are well able to take the land" We birth the thoughts be saying them. We reinforce them by repeating them. The fear is not the force. The force is in agreeing with the fear by saying it. We all occasionally have fear. The question is do we take hold of it? Do we embrace it by saying it? The night before last I woke up in a near panic attack. My head was swirling with doubt and unbelief. My friends, I didn't take or buy into any of it. While I was still sweating bullets of fear I open up my bible (the online audio bible) and began listening to my bible chapters for the day. I'm not ashamed to say I fell back asleep listening to Alexander Scorby.

We are in the wilderness, but we see the Promise Land. I have read that we need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I understand what that means now. Even as we commit by faith to take the Promise Land like Joshua and Caleb we know that when we have it there will be a new Promise Land to take. I am going to take my Promise Land, and when I have I'm going to ask God for a new vision and another Promise Land.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit.

2006-12-14T09:35:00.000-05:00

Parable of the two sowers
Two sowers went out to sow. They planned on staying all day in the field. They each carried their seeds and water to drink. One sower was wiser than the other sower, and he took along his lunch. The field wasn’t close to a McDonalds. They both walked up and down the rows all morning long sowing their corn seeds. It was a hot day and they often stopped for water. At lunch they both sat down. The wise sower took out in sandwich and happily ate it. He drank his water and took a nap. The not so smart sower realized he didn’t have lunch with him, and he was faint with hunger. As his friend dozed off for his nap he got the idea of making pop corn. Great idea he thought. All along telling himself how clever he was in solving his problem. He made a little fire and popped his corn in an empty can. So while his fellow sower slept he popped then ate. After a while his friend woke up rested and said “Let’s go back to work.” They both got up to return to work. The wiser sower was rested and ready for work. The other sower wasn’t rested and was just barely fed. After a short time of working about break time the hungry sower ran out of seeds to sow, and so He went home early. The wise sower stayed and worked all day. They both worked hard all summer in their fields. They hoed and irrigated they pulled weeds they both fussed over their fields. When harvest time came the wise farmers field was full and running over. He picked and picked and picked. The not so wise farmer couldn’t figure out why he didn’t harvest as much as the wise farmer. He finally got around to praying. God why didn’t you bless me like you did my friend? I worked just as hard. You promised to bless me and you didn’t. Why? He was finally quiet before God. “YOU ATE YOUR SEEDS”
Plan ahead. Don’t let your appetites get the best of you.