So Not Everyone Has Peace?

 So Not Everyone Has Peace?

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."

Isaiah 48:22 "there is no peace, saith the Lord unto the wicked."

Isaiah 59:8 there is no justice in their goings, they have made crooked paths. Whosoever goes in them shall not know peace."

Deuteronomy 23:6 God spoke of the peace of those who worshiped Balaam. We are not to seek after their peace and prosperity. Sin can build into a form of peace.

Will we always have peace?

Romans 10:15 preach the gospel of peace.

Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another."

And what is the final result of this peace?

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ."

for more posts like this go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com

God Bless You always, Sherry

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Peace

 Peace

An undisturbed state of mind, absence of mental conflict, calm, quiet tranquility, to be or become silent or quiet.

Where does peace come from? Luke 1:51 - Zachariah foretells the birth of Jesus. He says, "He come to give light to them that sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace."

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. This not only tells us where peace comes from, but it is a peace of comfort. 

God makes peace. Isaiah 45:5-7

Genesis 14:6 Joshua told Pharoah that peace does not come from him but from God who will give him peace concerning his dreams.

Numbers 6:22-27. Moses told Aaron to tell the Israelites that the Lord will give them peace. This is while they were in the wilderness.

Psalm 4 David wrote this in all probability to encourage the rowdy bunch that traveled with him while he was hiding from King Saul.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a time for peace.

Who shall have Peace?

Isaiah 26:3,4 "peace for those who keep their mind on God."

Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quiet and assurance forever"

Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through or Lord Jesus Christ."

Faith in Christ

 Faith in Christ

Faith in Christ means Christ has done the work for us.

Faith = Salvation + works saved by God, through grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus accomplished Salvation. It is not what we do, it's what He's done. 

The Gospel is central. Of God's Love. Every word is about Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

Christ conquers our giants, not us. 

Now matter how strong or how clever we are, we can't win our battles on our own.

The only reason we sin is because we love it. It's tempting and looks or feels good. 

God says in John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments."

for more posts like this go to: sherryasouthard.blogspot.com

God Bless You always, Sherry

Christianity is Not a Morality Program

 Christianity is not a Morality Program.

Matthew 5:20 "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect"

Messages like "be good" is damning to the pride and to character. 

Matt. 19:16,17 "One said to him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Jesus said to him, why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Matt. 19:20 "the young man said, all these things I have done from my youth, what do I lack? Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me."

We as humans are not moral, we are not good.

We take God's law and say we are in need of the law. We are bad compared to Christ. We have a nature of sin.

Ephesians 2:1 " And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sin, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (satan), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we are once conducted ourselves in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and by nature children of wrath, just as others. 

Good in God's book means morally perfect.

Jesus was good. He lived a perfect life and then He went to the Cross. He did this for us. The only way to God is through Jesus. 

John 14:6 'I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

for more posts like this go to: sherryasouthard.blogspot.com.

Stewardship, how we manage the things God has given us.

 Stewardship

How we manage the things God has given us.

1. Everything we have belongs to God.  I Cor. 6:19,20 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's.

We are stewards of God. I Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

2. He has entrusted us with His gifts. Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

3. God gifts people differently. We each have different talents. Romans 12:6-8, Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said to them, "repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

God will come back to settle our accounts.

Ask God to prepare you to hear.

Ask God to prepare your heart to understanding.

Ask God to prepare the hearts of those around you.

For more posts like this go to: sherryasouthard.blogspot.com

God Bless You always, Sherry

On Being Self-Serving

 On Being Self-Serving

Am I self-serving? Do I want to be the center of attention? the meaning of selfish is acting for or thinking of one's own interest and putting oneself above others.

Matthew 26:14 "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you? And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver." John 21:15 "Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?

Do I only Love God for what He can provide? Psalm 97:10 "You who Love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of HIs saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked."

Do I go to Church for what the Bride of Christ can give me? Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence."

Do I serve in order to be the center of attention? Matthew 23:11-12 "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. and whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Does my attitude reflect m relationship with Jesus? Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men."

Am I teachable? John 6:65 "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by the Father."

Judas rejected the teaching of Jesus.

Do I apply the lessons God speaks to me in my daily life? Deut. 6:5 & 9 "You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

You can read more posts like this at sherryasouthard.blogspot.com.

 

Church Family Q & A

 Church Family Q & A

1. Is my church family a priority in my life?  Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

2. Do I invest my talents to God through my church family? Romans 12:4-6a."There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works in all."

3. Do I invest my tithes and offerings to God through my church family? Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me in this, Says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

4. Do I invest my inner most needs to God through my church family: 2 Cor. 6:4a "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God."

5. Do I invest my worship of God with my church family? Eh. 5:19-20 "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

6.Do my words reflect the love I profess for my church family? John 13

7. Am I a good representative of my church family? 2 Cor. 5:20 "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."