Tag Archives: open my eyes

Aroma of Christ

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Dear all,
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Aroma of Christ Jesus:
Word: Thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. II Corinthians 2: 14
Thought: Life does have a sweet fragrance – remember the sweetness of a rose. How much more is “the fragrance of Christ Jesus”. Believers recognize the life giving fragrance of the message.
Proclaiming the King of Kings – Christ Jesus Wherever He Leads us!
thechapelbr.com
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Spiritual Rebirth In Christ Jesus

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Dear all,
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Word: Heart of the Gospel:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God”. John 3: 3
37
Thought: To Know Him is to Love Him – Deuteronomy 34: 10 and Colossians 1: 15-20
What do I know about God?
1. Knowing Christ Jesus is expressed in “Belief” in Christ now and eternally. Prayer is the power of that “Belief”. Plug in to the prayer power.
2. Life is God’s gift for the exercising of that “Belief” and is given one day at a time.
3. Looking back in our lives we should be able to see Christ character and nature increasing and our nature decreasing.
The Journey Team
thechapelbr.com
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Psalms 90 – A prayer of Moses the man of God

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Dear all,
Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Ephesians 6: 10
Word
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Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us yes, establish the work of our hands.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: 16
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

ON FEARING GOD – Written by Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj

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Dear all,
Herewith I am forwarding the writings of Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj.
In Christ
The Journey Team
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Listen to the wisest man, King Solomon, as he summarizes his findings. “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The commandments of our loving heavenly Father are a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. To fear the LORD is to obey and honour Him. Christ died for us on the cross; therefore I want to obey Him. The cost of disobedience is very high. Remember Adam and Eve the first parents and the consequence of disobedience! The wicked do not fear God, and it will not go well with them (Ecclesiastes 8: 13).
One of the Bible verses which has had a deep impression on me since my childhood is Job 28: 28: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; to depart from evil is understanding.” The Bible says:”the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33:8). All of us in the world need to do just one thing — fear God. The world needs billions of God fearing people.
WHY SHOULD WE FEAR GOD?
1. He is our Creator
The realization of who we are and who God is must make us fear or revere God throughout our life. The greatness and wisdom of God as well as his eternal power and divine nature are understood through His creation. “Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross”(Jeremiah 5: 22).
2. He has forgiven us
We fear God, because He has forgiven us. The psalmist prays, “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130: 3,4).
3. Jesus the Messiah is our model
Jesus had the fear of the LORD, and He delighted in it. About 700 years before His birth, it was foretold: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD, and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears” (Isaiah 11:2, 3). Do we delight in the fear of the LORD?
Jesus has asked us to fear God. He told his friends not to be afraid of those who could kill only the body. “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:5).
4. To be wise and secure
”He (the LORD) will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). People seek various treasures in this world. Many regard beauty, education, riches or pleasures as the sure foundation of their life. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” From the God of the Bible, we can draw salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. We have access to this store of treasure with the key of the fear of the LORD. He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge (Proverbs 14:26).
5. He alone is holy and righteous
We fear Him because He alone is holy and His righteous acts have been revealed in history. These will be revealed also during the period of Great Tribulation. The apostle John saw those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name, and they sang: “Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:3-4).
6. God removes our other fears
When we know God and fear Him, we have eternal life and Jesus removes our fear of death.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he[Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14,15).
We will not have the fear of the future. We will not worry about anything.
PROVERBS FOR OUR MEDITATION
1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
2:1-5 My son, … if you … search for it (wisdom) as for hidden treasure then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.
10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life.
14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
15:33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom.
19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honour and life.
23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea the springs of water” (see Revelation 14:6,7). We must worship, witness and serve God in reverential fear. In every city, town, village, we are to teach people the Word of God. Then the fear of the LORD will fall on all the people. The Bible records a similar instance.
In the third year of his reign, King Jehoshaphat sent his officials together with certain priests and Levites to teach in the towns of Judah. They went to all the towns and from the Book of the Law of the LORD taught the people throughout the kingdom. Let us praise our great God. Let us do our best and order our lives so that all the peoples will praise Him. Then “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” (Psalm 67:7)
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“JOYFUL JOURNEY WITH GOD IS INITIATED AND IGNITED IN LORD JESUS CHRIST BY THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT”

Make Every Effort – Ultimately depending on God – Part II

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Word:

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; II Peter 1: 4-6

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, II Peter 1:10

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. II Peter 3:13-15

Thought:

Peter concludes this brief letter as he began, urging his readers to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every day we need to draw closer to Christ Jesus so that we will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances.

B-I-B-L-E = Believe it –Immerse In –Brainstorm -Love it -Export it

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

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“JOYFUL JOURNEY WITH GOD IS INITIATED AND IGNITED IN LORD JESUS CHRIST BY THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT”

The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

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Dear all,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Word: “The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem”

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” Matthew 21:1-3

The Coming of Zion’s King

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Thought:

The triumphal entry of Jesus was predicted by Zechariah more than 500 years before it happened. Just as this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came to earth, the prophesies of his second coming are certain to come true. We are to be ready for his return, for he is coming!

Be strong and glad!

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Jealousy ???

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Dear all,

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Phil 1: 2

Word:

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.

Thought:

Jealousy can be difficult to recognize because our reasons for it seem to make sense. But left unchecked jealousy can grow quickly and lead to sequences of sins.

When our attitude is like Christ Jesus’s (Phil 2:5) we will serve God and others out of love.

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

 

Living with grateful Heart

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

 Word: “Living with grateful Heart”

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalms 100: 4 and 5

Thought:

Remember God’s goodness and dependability. Worship him with thanksgiving and praise. Our Lord Jesus Christ has earned salvation for us on the cross and His love is amazing. Let us live for Him every day and His grace is new every morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXBxImes110

Have a wonderful Thanks giving – May God bless

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

 

Heart of Marriage – Week 4

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The Heart of Marriage

Dennis & Jill Eenigenburg

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4. WHO IS GOD’S POWER FOR MARRIAGE?

In many cultures, marriage is an endangered institution. In the United States for example, it is estimated that of all the marriages taking place in 2012 at least 50% will end in divorce. Also in the States, fewer couples are getting married, opting instead for informal cohabitation. In some segments of American society, close to 70% of children are born out of wedlock. Of those who are married, many say they are unhappy or are just remaining together for cultural, religious or economic reasons. Why do people find marriage to be such a difficult living arrangement? How did what God intended as a gift and blessing, become for too many, an unwanted burden? For the answer, one needs to revisit the garden in which the first marriage took place.

I. IN THE BEGINNING MARRIAGE WAS IDEAL:

ADAM AND EVE REFLECTED THE PERFECT PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE

A. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM AND EVE REFLECTED GOD’S IMAGE PERFECTLY

Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage because they were morally perfect. They always loved each other consistently; they always served each other sacrificially. They always spoke words of encouragement and good. They enjoyed perfect oneness with each other and perfect fellowship with God.

B. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM AND EVE OBEYED GOD’S WILL PERFECTLY

Adam and Eve were given responsibilities to manage and maximize their resources and potential. They were to maximize their reproductive potential by filling the earth with their offspring. They were to manage the natural resources such as fish and animals. To “subdue the animals” may have referred to domesticating them for work. Thus they would maximize their productivity. The cultivation of the garden indicates the garden needed tending and that Adam and Eve could improve its potential by caring for its plants. This assignment received no negative response from Adam and Eve and it was all pronounced, “very good.”

C. IN THE BEGINNING ADAM RECEIVED EVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY

The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib, which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:22-23

II. MARRIAGE BECAME AN ORDEAL: ADAM AND EVE’S DISOBEDIENCE DISTORTED THE PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE

A. God established a test of Adam and Eve’s loyalty and submission to Him

• The test was a prohibition against eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

• The test was set in the midst of freedom to enjoy the fruit of all the other trees.

• The test reminded Adam and Eve that they were under the authority of their Creator.

• The test reminded Adam and Eve that God was their source of Life and Blessing.

• The test would result in death, if failed.

B. God’s test of Adam and Eve’s loyalty was failed.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field, which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6

C. God’s warning of “death” took place.

The consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience was “death.”

The definition of “death” is separation from life. After eating the forbidden fruit death took place. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life God has given them. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of personal holiness. They were immediately separated from the life of perfect fellowship with God. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of perfect marital oneness. Adam and Eve were immediately separated from the life of eternal existence on the earth as God’s overseers.

D. The “death” caused by disobedience produced devastating consequences.

• SHAME

Adam and Eve were ashamed before each other.

Adam and Eve were ashamed before their Creator.

• BLAME

Adam blamed the woman God had given him.

Eve blamed the serpent God had created.

• PAIN

Eve would experience pain when she gave birth to children.

Adam and Eve would experience pain in their marriage.

Adam would experience pain in his labors for food.

Adam and Eve would experience the pain of physical death.

Adam and Eve would experience pain in their parenting.

Summary: “the wage of sin is death.”

III. THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST MARRIAGE CAN BECOME A NEW DEAL: THE PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE CAN BE RESTORED THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. GOD PREDICTED ONE WHO WOULD REVERSE THE CURSE OF SIN ON MANKIND

Genesis 3:14-15

B. GOD PROVIDED THE ONE WHO WOULD REVERSE THE CURSE OF SIN

Matthew 1:20-23

Romans 3:21-26

C. GOD PROMISES TO REVERSE THE CURSE FOR ALL WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

John 3:16

1. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE CAN EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FROM SIN’S PENALTY.

Romans 8:1-2

2. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE CAN EXPERIENCE FREEMDOM FROM SIN’S POWER.

Romans 6:12-13

3. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE WILL EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FROM SIN’S PRESENCE.

John 14:2-3

IV. GOD’S NEW DEAL FOR US BEGINS WITH OUR PERSONAL REQUEST FOR FORGIVENESS BY FAITH

A. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ is a personal choice

John 1:12-13

B. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ shows trust in His work not our works.

Ephesians 2:8-9

C. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ acknowledges He is the only way of salvation.

Romans 6:23

John 14:6

D. Placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ means you accept the Gospel as true.

I Corinthians 15:1-4

TAKING IT TO HEART:

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and would like to ask Him to forgive you and grant you new life you can do it now through a simple prayer of faith.

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross in my place. I confess that I am a sinner unworthy of your grace. I believe that you paid for my sins through your death. I believe that you can grant me forgiveness and new life by the power of your resurrection. Lord Jesus, be merciful to me a sinner and forgive me of my offenses against you. Lord, grant me your new everlasting life by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

As a child of God we need spiritual food and exercise to be healthy. God’s word is our food and God’s work is our exercise. In the book of James it says, “Faith without works is dead.” So we need to feed on God’s word and obey what it says. As we trust and obey we will grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As we grow closer to Christ’s likeness we will see growth in our marital oneness as well. The pure love of God described in I Corinthians 13 is now within our Spirit filled ability to live out. At this point consider the following simple Bible study method for your daily feeding on God’s Word.

V. GOD’S NEW DEAL IS EMPOWERED BY OUR PERSONAL SUBMISSION TO THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

A. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead along with the Father and the Son.

B. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to empower our new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit ministers to believers on earth until they are reunited with Christ in heaven.

*He is called a “helper.”

*His is called “the Spirit of truth.”

*He is with the believer forever.

*He is indwelling every believer.

C. The Holy Spirit is our Source of Power unleashed through our obedience. Jesus promised to send His disciples One who would give them the power to do His will and work on earth.

D. The Holy Spirit’s power is neglected when we disobey.

1. The Holy Spirit is “grieved” by disobedience.

2. The Holy Spirit is “quenched” by disobedience.

3. The Holy Spirit is unleashed by willful submission.

The filling of the Holy Spirit is contrast to the drunkenness of wine. When a person is drunk he is under the influence of that drink. The world offers many drinks, drugs, addictions and influences to which we are tempted to yield for temporary pleasure. All of the world’s offerings ultimately destroy our bodies, our morals and our relationships. The only influence we can trust to have control over us is the Holy Spirit. He is perfect and brings only good things to those who will trust Him with their daily decisions and behavior.

F. The Holy Spirit is our Source of the behavior and attitudes that exhibits Christ’s likeness.

Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:22-26

Summary:

GOD’S NEW DEAL ENABLES US TO FUFILL HIS PURPOSES IN OUR MARRIAGES

The Holy Spirit enables us to Mirror God’s image

The Holy Spirit enables us to Mutually complete each other

The Holy Spirit enables us to Multiply a Godly legacy

Life – Full of new beginnings

Word:

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Mat 13:16

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Ps 119:18

Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Ps 119: 33-34

I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. John 17:14

Thought:

Life – Full of new beginnings

God’s word – The Holy Bible is the only sure guide for living a pure life. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ and guides us back to the right path.