Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 4:11

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Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 4:10

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Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 4:7

Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 3:21-22

I was happy to get my advanced reader’s copy of Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll. I only have a little bit of knowledge of what they’ve been doing at MarsHill Church in Seattle, so I really didn’t know what they were going to say.

I appreciate the “principles-not-method” approach they consistently remind the reader of. I appreciate the candid-ness of their story. I appreciate their reliance on the word of God. Here’s a bit about my experience reading the book…
 

The video trailer for the book is here…

Do I recommend the book? I’ve seen a lot of critics say it’s a return to the 1950′s marriage. Dude, it’s a return to 3050′s BC marriage. I’m reminded of an Emerson quote “All my best ideas were stolen by the ancients.” It’s certainly true for marriage.

Trevor

“Advanced Reader’s Copy of the book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson”.

Get the courage to do what you can.

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio (Part 4)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify4.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

• Part 1 
• Part 2 
• Part 3

I’d like to introduce my readers to Brother Amartey. We’ve been exchanging emails for a while now and I’ve been encouraged by him. I know you will be as well. Find out more about him in his bio below. 

For days I’ve been thinking about what to write for this blog. Many different topics kept popping in and out of my head, and I just couldn’t decide on what to write. Then, suddenly it hit me !

I want to write about the Bible, the book above all books, the word of God, breathed by the Spirit of God, through holy men who were moved by the Spirit, to write. 2 Peter 1:21. And this is why the Bible is called the Holy Bible. It’s not just another book, but a supernatural book, a special book from God to mankind. It’s words are inspired, meaning it’s not written through the imagination of a man’s heart or mind or feelings, but the Spirit of God carefully chose the words to be written and the writers were directed to write accordingly.

NATURE OF THE WORD :   Unlike the ordinary words of man spoken or written in a book, the word of God is spirit and is life. John 6:63. It’s also creative, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing between soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12. The whole creation came into existence by the word of the Lord. God spoke the word, He commanded, and it happened. Psalm 33:6,9. The word of God is compared to a sword, and to fire and to a hammer that breaks the rock to pieces. Eph 6:17; Jeremiah 23:29. Beloved, we have a powerful weapon in the word of God, to heal, to comfort, to edify, to encourage and to destroy the works of the Devil and the enemies of God. God’s word is true, holy, righteous and everlasting and shall never fail !

AUTHENTICITY: When God became manifest in the flesh, He read the Bible, even though there were many other books in the world at the time. Jesus referred to the Bible only as the authentic word of God and validated many things in scripture: He accepted the account of creation in Genesis, Matt 19:4; He confirmed that in the beginning God created Adam and Eve, Matt 19:4-6, Genesis 1:26-27; He confirmed that Satan is real and not imaginary, Luke11:18; Ezekiel 28:11-19; He confirmed the story of Jonah, Matt 12:39-40; John1:7; He also confirmed that Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt, Luke 17:32,Genesis 19:26. All these tell us that the Biblical records are true and Jesus had no problem with the Bible, but accepted it as the word of God, upon which He based all His teachings.

PURPOSE : Just as it was in the days of Jesus, the Bible was given to us, not as a decoration for our homes or to be put under our pillows while we sleep, but to be read and learned, as the Bereans did in Acts 17:10-11. The Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:15-16. Just as it was for Jesus, the Bible is our only standard for faith, teaching and practice and if any teaching or doctrine or practice does not line up with scripture, it means there’s no light in them. Isaiah 8:20.

BENEFITS : 

•  The Bible is our light in a world of darkness and gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:105,130.
•  The Bible provides the spiritual food we need to grow and mature in our knowledge of God and of this life. Matt 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2, Eph 4:12-15
• The Bible is our defense against the lies of Satan and the enemies of God. Use the Bible to fight every temptation of Satan, as Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11. Use the Bible to defend the faith.
• The Bible helps us in our prayer life as we learn and memorize the words.
• The Bible cleanses and keeps us clean. John15:3, Psalm 119:9,11.

As we go into the New Year, I’d like to exhort you to make a habit of reading and learning the Bible. Just as you eat everyday, make it a habit to eat some word of God, so you could grow and mature in the faith.

Brother Amartey is the founder and leader of Gospel Faith Revival, an evangelistic and teaching ministry in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, in West Africa. He believes that a fresh move of God is imminent and is now an itinerant evangelist in the United States, sharing the revival message and preparing the church for revival. Follow him on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/Revival4Now

Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 3:18

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Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 3:17

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 This is a powerful spoken word message. What do you think about it?

Welcome to everyone that signed up for Twitter Tips, LifeAbovetheNegativity.com and RevTrev.com this week. I’m continually amazed to see how many new people I get to meet whenever I check the email. 

In my new job I commute about an hour each way so I’ve gotten back into reading A LOT. I’ve had to put a moratorium on reviewing books. I have four sitting in front of me and another five ebooks I’ve promised to review. I have another five books I got over Christmas that I really want to get through. 

So why did I respond to another review that needs to be done in just over a month? Because it’s for a new translation of the Bible. I get the New Testament to review. Now, I could just check the passages I always check to see the bias of the translators. I have a few places I know the Greek is open to interpretation and how they interpret it tells me why they’ve written the translation. But…as long as it’s not so out of whack to be useful (I’ve read a few of those translations)…I’m going to try to read through the entire thing before I do a review. I know I read the New Testament in less than 20 days. 

How to Let the Bible Read You

You may think that reading the Bible so quickly is one of the worse things you can do. It can be, but I’ve learned to let the Bible read me as I read it.

I remember the day I had the epiphany. I don’t know how old I was – probably before I was twelve. I had memorized John 1 and John 3, Revelation 4 and a few other large portions of Scripture before I could read them. I “knew” about the Bible. I could say all the books in order before I was five and the I could tell you a bit about each one before I was ten. But the epiphany I had that day I was reading about David was, “This guy really lived. He wasn’t a myth or a legend. He lived and he loved and he fought and he died.”

It’s amazing how ancient this book we have is.

My wife bought me uncleaned Roman coins for Christmas. I have cleaned coins that I bought on eBay years before people thought to charge more money for them. I wanted uncleaned coins because I thought cleaning the coins and keeping the patina would be a good hobby for my kids and I. I got the coins the other day and I took one out and placed it in Karen’s hand. I said, “Just imagine, you may be the third or fourth person to hold that coin since the Roman soldier who buried it 2000 years ago.” I’m thinking about  how that person lived and how that person died and who that person knew and what that person did. Did he here about Jesus? Was he an original pagan? We might guess more once it’s clean but right now it’s just exciting to wonder.

Karen responded, “Should I wash my hands?”

Much of the book we leave gathering dust on our shelf is was ancient when Aristotle lived. The absolute newest part was old when Rome was first sacked. In pre-classical literature it stands apart in the way it talks about people’s failures and fears. It’s rare. It’s unique. It’s more life-changing than winning the lottery.

We can read the Bible to learn knowledge, to learn how people lived and thought. We can read it to find wisdom, to light our path and guide our steps. We can read for the words of Life that flow though it as they flowed through Christ, The Word.

We can read it out of habit or just to say we did. Anything not done in faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

We can let it read us.

To let the Bible read us we need to read it regularly and not just when we feel like it. We invite the Holy Spirit to teach us. We read until something jumps out at us and then we stop and camp out there for a while. We meditate on what the Word and Spirit is saying. We change our thinking so it lines up with God’s.

Have you read your Bible today? What’s been keeping you? It’s a love letter from the lover of your soul. It’s part of His part of His conversation with you.

Don’t even follow links. Take some time to shut yourself in and let the Bible read you.

You’ll be glad you did.

Upcoming on RevTrev

RevTrev.com is becoming more of a magazine and less of a blog. I’m seeing myself more as a publisher and less of a blogger. I’m still not ready to launch it all, but I should have a video up soon that walks you through the changes and explain why I’m doing them.

Featured Articles

• Practical God Talk – The Nicene Creed with Scripture References 
• Q&A – Should I Be Begging God To Change My Deadbeat Husband
• RevTrev Radio – Can God Amplify Your Story (part 3)  

Mind If I Pray For You?

Heavenly Father, Eternal Savior and Holy Spirit, reveal your love and challenge to everyone who seeks You in Your Word. Help us to make choices to stop busy-ness and other excuses. Show us how to make it part of our daily routine. The manna in the wilderness was only good for one day so to Your words of life and faithfulness is new every morning. Thank you for the spirit of wisdom and revelation so we know the hope to which you have called us, the glorious inheritance of the saints and incomparably great power for all who believe. 

On Last Thing

Thank you so much to everyone who responded with comments about my upcoming book  “RevTrev Q&A Volume 1”. Just so you know, review copies aren’t usually done the final edit. I’ll try to respond to each one soon.

I’ve had a surge of people like revtrev on facebook. Thanks for keeping on mentioning it to your friends. http://www.facebook.com/revtrevdotcom

Here’s a question from a reader who is going through a difficult situation. You can leave her your encouragement in the comments.

Question:

I am so much confuse right now.  I wanted to move from the heartaches and for being abandon of a husband. We just married for almost 4 years but I never felt being loved instead he showed how he had hurt me for having an affair to many women and worse had already a child of their own.

He returned to us and I forgave but again he continue with his sin.

I am trying to forget him because he left us again but i am still hoping and praying that God will change him.

For almost 4 years of crying out to the Lord that He would change him why is it he gets even more worse. I love him as my husband even he doesn’t cares on me. Is it right of begging the Lord that he will give  my husband  and be transformed. Is he not the will of God for me? I have a hard time understanding  the plans of God. Please send me a message of wisdom to fully know the will of God?

Answer:

My prayers are with you. I’ve learned it’s much better to agree with God than beg him. What is His promise for you and your children, and all who are far off? I know at least it’s the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:39). There are a lot of more promises you can pray in agreement with God for your life. Don’t stop with that one.

That being said, your husband has broken his vow and his covenant with you. You are not bound to it. IF you choose to continue to show him love, I strongly suggest boundaries.

In either case, if you try to reconcile again or if you go your own way, keep on forgiving him. It’s for the sake of your relationship with God, not your relationship with him. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, it means turning him over into God’s hand. Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 1:20) that he turned to people over to satan so they “would be taught not to blaspheme.” It seems to me that blaspheming is one of the things you’re husband is doing. He’s blasphemed his covenant, you and therefore God.

I’m assuming this doesn’t matter to him, but in 1 Corinthians 7:14-15 Paul is talking about a Christian spouse living with an unbelieving spouse. He says,

For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

So you sanctify your husband with the grace you’ve accepted from God. Removing that sanctification from him is “turning him over to satan”.

If you’re not ready to do that, another thing you can do is stand in his place before God and ask for forgiveness. Jesus did this on the cross when he prayed “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what to do”. When we do that for people we pray for who only seem to get worse, we find they often get a lot better.

I hope something in that helps. I really felt I needed to get something out to you quickly. I am praying for you.

Trevor

I’m planning a series on the early church councils. I thought it would be great to start with the Nicene Creed with Scripture References. Feel free to tell me what you think of it in the comments. Am I missing any verses that should be in?

The Nicene Creed with Scripture References

We believe in ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6: 4, Ephesians 4: 6)

Father, (Matthew 6: 9)

Almighty, (Exodus 6: 3)

Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1: 1)

and of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1: 15-16)

And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11: 17)

Son of God, (Mathew 14: 33; 16: 16)

Only-Begotten, (John 1: 18; 3: 16)

Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1: 2)

Light from Light; (Psalm 27: 1; John 8: 12; Matthew 17: 2,5)

True God from True God; (John 17: 1-5)

Begotten, not made; (John 1: 18)

of one essence with the Father (John 10: 30)

through whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)

Who for us men and for our salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4-5)

came down from heaven, (John 6: 33,35)

and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1: 35)

and became man. (John 1: 14)

And He was crucified for us (Mark 15: 25; 1 Corinthians 15: 3)

under Pontius Pilate, (John 19: 6)

suffered, (Mark 8: 31)

and was buried. (Luke 23: 53; 1 Corinthians 15: 4)

And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, (Luke 24: 1 1 Corinthians 15: 4)

and ascended into heaven, (Luke 24: 51; Acts 1: 10)

and sits at the right hand of the Father; (Mark 16: 19; Acts 7: 55)

and He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24: 27)

to judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10: 42; 2 Timothy 4: 1)

Whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1: 11)

And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14: 26)

Lord, (Acts 5: 3-4)

Giver of Life, (Genesis 1: 2)

Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; (John 15: 26)

Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; (Matthew 3: 16-17)

Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19: 20; Ezekiel 11: 5,13)

In one, (Matthew 16: 18)

holy, (1 Peter 2: 5,9)

Church. (Acts 2: 42; Ephesians 2: 19-22)

We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. (Ephesians 4: 5; Acts 2: 38)

We look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11: 24; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-49; Hebrews 6: 2; Revelation 20: 5)

and the life in the age to come. (Mark 10: 29-30)

Are you ready to risk for the sake of the other?

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio (Part 3)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify3.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

• Part 1 
• Part 2

Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 3:8

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Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 2:17

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Welcome to the first newsletter of 2012. For those of you who have signed up in the last two weeks to Twitter Tips, RevTrev.com or LifeAbovetheNegativity.com you won’t see the difference. For those of you who have been here for a while you’ll notice some significant changes. 

I had several people tell me the newsletter was too long and as the person who was writing them I had to agree. I’m switching over to a new format that has less flagrant self-promotion and more direct encouragement for you. Let’s get on with it shall we?

Soon…Can Be a Four-Letter Word

I’ve been thinking a lot about soon being a four-letter word. Obviously it is only four letters but I think we can think of it as a four-letter word in a couple other different ways.

First, I’ve been saying, “Soon” so often when people ask me about when I’ll get to all the plans for RevTrev.com. I had plans that should have been done over Christmas but too major things took place. My hosting company said revtrev.com was taking over too many resources (ie. it was too busy). One of the problems with a successful website is that you need to grow it. I had to spend time I would rather spend on developing the site on making sure it was up and functioning. The other issue was I agreed to help a friend with his book that I suddenly realized he needs launched by the end of this month. I’m really excited about “Closer to the Fire” by Greg Mussleman. It’s stories from the persecuted church and how they apply to us in North America. You’ll be hearing more about it in coming weeks but I should really be working on it now instead of writing this newsletter.

I really detest saying “soon” when people ask about when they can advertise on RevTrev or when the course on overcoming sin will be available or when the training on Kingdom finances will be ready to roll. “Soon” has become a four-letter word for my unachieved goals. I’ve needed to remember “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

But “soon” is more often a four-letter word for an entirely different reason. Our family just past a significant milestone. Jan 1, 2012 marked seven years to the day we immigrated to New Zealand and arrived in Auckland to find out the rest of the city was at the beach. Seven years since we left what I knew was my “sweet spot”. Seven years of questions, frustration, accusations and rejection. Seven years of thinking we couldn’t handle any more just to realize God thought we could… “soon” has often been a four-letter word. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (NIV) Do you know Jesus said twice in Revelation “I am coming soon”? He obviously has a different definition of the word. All I can say is it’s better for me to agree with God’s thoughts and the thought that keeps me going is “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV)

I’m not the man I was seven years ago. I like to think that’s a good thing. A lot of the reason why is that I’ve learned to agree with God that “soon” is a word for hope, not despair. (Hope is another four-letter word, but I’ve written a book on that one, read it if you want more.) “Soon” means He is not slow in keeping His promises, even if it seems that way to me. “Soon” means the good work He’s started in me He will complete. “Soon” means He never leaves me or forsakes me.

“Soon” still brings a smile to my face. I hope it does to yours as well.

Upcoming on RevTrev

I’m really excited to launch “Counseling Corner – with Cheryl Shea” next week on RevTrev.com. Cheryl and I have recorded a number of interviews answering questions that you and other readers have sent me. Look for it on Thursdays. You can sign up for weekly email reminder here: http://revtrev.com/cc and download “How to Fight with Honor”

Featured Discussion

You can read more about all the categories I’ll be featuring here. This week I only have a few to feature.

• Guest Bloggers – Striving for Perfection 
• RevTrev Reviews - MindBlowing SF 
• Social Media Tips -  How to Create Smart Tweets with TweetSpinner
• RevTrev Radio - Can God Amplify Your Story? Part 2

Mind If I Pray For You?

Lord I pray for everyone who feels that “soon” is a four-letter word. I ask for those that have so much on the go to have your direction for their plans so they can walk confidently in the directions of your dreams for them. I pray for those who have had hope deferred that they would believe you once more that “soon” is a word of hope. Thank you for the many doing so much for you. Thank for the ones doing only what they can. Bless them, encourage them, and help them this week. Surprise them with your goodness once more. 

On Last Thing

Can you let me know what you think of me hosting auctions on RevTrev.com? I don’t have a poll for you today, just let me know if you’ll check them out when I launch them.

Thanks.

PS. Don’t forget to tell your friends about RevTrev.com I really appreciate it.

This guest blog is the first of 2012 and is by Giselle Aguiar. Find out more about her and her writing below.

We’re not perfect. How many times have you used the line, “I’m not perfect!” to explain away a mistake, faux pas or a bad decision?

We’re human. Humans make mistakes. The idea is to learn from the errors of our ways. If we don’t, then we’re doomed to repeat them.

If we keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting the same results, that’s insanity. (Or stupidity – depends on how you look at it.)

God is perfect. Jesus was and is perfect.

Even though Jesus got angry at the money changers and sellers in the temple, he had a right. They were cheating people in the middle of the temple grounds!

Being angry is not wrong. Lot’s of things make us angry. It’s what we do with the anger that matters. If we try to change something that’s wrong to make it right, then it’s ok. If we harm someone just to get revenge or even taking it out on an innocent person, that’s wrong.

Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ~Matthew 5:48

We must strive to be perfect, like Jesus.

That should be the goal of every Christian. When a non-believer becomes a believer, Jesus gives the new Christian the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is inside each believer and with them constantly.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ~Galatians 5:22-23

Every Christian can call on the Holy Spirit 24/7 to help them with any of these fruits. For instance, self-control and patience when you feel angry and vengeful.

Or remember WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? If we all stopped and asked ourselves WWJD? Before reacting to a situation, our world would be a different place.

It’s that simple.

Giselle Aguiar

Award-Winning Christian Author

Giselle’s debut novel, Deo Volente (God Willing): Love in the First Century won second prize in the 2010 Women of Faith Writing Contest and is available through your favorite book seller. (http://www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1)

She currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona where she works as freelance social media strategist and is working on the second book in the series – “Follow Me: Love in the Second Century”. She is an avid blogger and an active member of First Christian Church of Phoenix where she volunteers at the food pantry. She recently started the WWJD Revival. (http://www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd/blog)

We continue to find out our part in God’s plan.

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio  (Part 2)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify2.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

•  Part 1

Meditate, Memorize, or Simply Be Encouraged By: 1 John 2.15-16

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