From the moment you were born you've been on a quest -- you've been searching. Seek, find, and keep on seeking the Lord.

 Note to self ..and others if ya'd like to listen in:

Give you over to, yup, surrender yourself totally to the Lord and choose to live in the will of God according to His word. Repeat daily. Golden keys in that: humbly asking, believing, hearing, and then wise application. 

From the moment you were born you've been on a quest -- you've been searching. 

You've been looking for God, and God has been searching for you. Perhaps you thought a possession would do it for ya, or a certain job, or a house, or a fast car, or a passionate relationship, or a religion would do it. What have you tried to fill your life with? What have you thought would make you happy inside? You've been looking for God.

And He's been compassionately looking for you too (knowin' exactly where you are.. and knowin' all you've been through).

You've been looking for a relationship with the Lord (maybe unknowingly searching). Yes, a lasting love and home of love with unending life.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15

Ask, ask specifically...as much as you can. Ask, over and over again if you need to. Pray through, to your best Friend and Lord, pray candidly. 

“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe..” 1 John 5:10-13

Got JOY and LIFE in Him? 

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write these things so that our JOY may be complete.” 1 John 1:3

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ..if that's what they need done.. and if it's righteous for you to do this. Sure, let the Lord.. via His truth, and agape lov..e lead you. Be filled and empowered by his Spirit for such.

You know you can't get into heaven by doing the Golden Rule. True, we need Christ.

The Golden Rule doesn't take into account that their needs might be different than my needs. And the Platinum Rule trump's the Golden Rule ..kind of how it kind of like how it goes with your cards. Here it is: doing the others as they would like to have you do unto them.. if it's righteous for you to do it for them.

Cuz people often have different needs. Let every one of us look after the others interests. Let's not be selfishly seeking our own.

Pray and then work hard and smart. Act like men.. men. No excuses -- those are a dime a dozen.

“When men work, they work. But when men pray, God works." ~ Angus Buchan 

"The wicked man’s fears will all come true and so will the good man’s hopes." Proverbs 10:24

Listen, there is a fear that is unhealthy, and a fear that is good to have. 

There's nothing wrong with being somewhat scared of that computer, that bottle, that iPhone, that joint or place where you used to gladly fall down, that close party-animal friend who always loves your company. Bad company corrupts good morals!

Learn to love righteousness and to hate sin like ..and to the same degree as.. the Lord does. He loves you!

Yeah, choose to fear God too (live in respectful awe of your pure first love - your dear Friend Christ).

1 Peter 3:15 said — But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..

Rev. 11:11 — Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

"I have discovered who the enemy is and it be me." ~ Pogo (From a comic strip. Good idea, stop being your own enemy. Don't obey all your feelings or your fleshly nature. See Romans 7:24)

Don't even join your real enemies ever.. believer. Live in victory and witness to them with the Gospel -- win them to Christ. 

Who are they, the real enemies of your soul? Well. This world system is, I don't mean the earth or all those in the world. Your fleshly nature is, the devil and the other fallen angels are. But God loves you and is on your side.  

Ya can't cast out the flesh as many so-called churches and Christians try to do. The fleshly nature inside just doesn't go away like that. You have to crucify it.

Two natures within me they keep battling it out so to speak, the new nature and the old nature, but the one I feed the most seems to be winning.

Yeah, good idea: Don't feed your fleshly nature - starve it to death. Choose life now and daily (instead of doin' that which tears you down even if you feel like doing that). Sow the Spirit, believer, and not to the flesh or to the world and you'll not be suffering the hard consequences, but will reap abundant life.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability. Proverbs 28:2

“You only get Communism and this type of hard concrete authority when society has completely broken down. It just doesn't come in to the picture when there's moral stability in a nation.” ~ Liney

"Our Country (the USA) is broken, our elections are rigged, corrupt, and stolen, our prosecutors are politicized, and I will just have to keep on fighting like I have been for the last five years!" ~ Donald J.T.

Lord, when we're swimming in lies and deception and it's hard to know what current leader to trust in the USA, so may more of us turn to the light of Your Word for Truth and guidance. Help us know the Truth and may He who is the Truth, the Way, the Life set us free.. all to Your glory.

We're well aware of the spiritual illnesses, the contamination, and various horrible pollutions in our world gone astray.

Spiritual pollution is far worse than any other kind! No spiritual compromise, no stride from the Master's side, no excuses.

We serve a living unpolluted Savior who has conquered sin and death! Plan to join us in inviting others to Christ and to a well Bible teaching church. Let's remember the sacrifice of our pure and living Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate His glorious resurrection!

Rev. 19:5 — Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

Rev. 14:7 — saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

1 Peter 3:15 — But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..

1 Peter 2:17 — Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Don't have any world fear.

2Ti 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Really, sometimes it’s you, not it. It’s interior more so than exterior. 

Watch what goes into your ear and eye gates. Typically, what’s most on the heart, will be most often on the lips. What’s been on your mind, what have you allowed into your heart?

Watch over your heart and inner human spirit, cuz sometimes. “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Do you understand?” – Jack Sparrow

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Proverbs 4:23

Lord, help me grow and live pure in your will. I seek you will all my heart. Please use and keep me. Amen. 

Jesus said no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of heaven. But that doesn’t mean we must be bored or passive..or that there is always trials everyday, or suffering, or hard things to overcome. 

We want to walk with our Lord where He leads us. Being in the will of God is a blessing -- it’s the best sport for each of us even while working hard. Good idea -- advance with Him, no returning to live for self as Lord or for this corrupt world-system. 

So we can’t look back, why do it. That’d be lame.

Many people have been lookin’ for heaven on earth. True. And one day heaven will come down to earth. 

Many people here have a deep longing inside for heaven... to have that nagging empty void inside ..totally filled. 

They have a longing for Home.. I'm talking about for heaven where they can be happy and really feel at home.

Heaven is beyond words. The Bible says that God has set eternity in our hearts. Have you been homesick for heaven lately?

God makes all things new. No more old, painful, diseased or lame! Yes, God loves new too. He can make each of us new inside. 

God is alive and is madly in love with you. Yup, loves you so much He just can’t take His eyes off of ya! He loved you all the way to Calvary’s cross and a barrowed tomb. Still loves you today as much as He loves His own sinless Son, Jesus. 

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.“ John 3:14-18

Heaven is beyond words. Heaven is mentioned 532 times in the Bible, and more than 10% of those mentions are in Revelation. Did you know God loves new too! He said, “Behold, I make all things new.” After the millennial reign of Christ, we enter into “eternal timelessness.”

In this New Earth, we will have a new city. The New Earth and New Jerusalem are prepared places for prepared people. Jerusalem is the nerve center of the world geographically. The salvation center of the world spiritually. The storm center of the world prophetically.

• Jerusalem is the city of the past.
• Jerusalem is the city of the present.
• Jerusalem is the city of the future.

There’ll be a rapture up into the 3rd heaven (beyond the blue sky and 2nd one.. space). There is real place called Heaven -- it’s a place of real love where you and I will feel right at home. More so than here even. Anywhere here on earth. No more awkward, or pain, or tears of sorrow. Heaven will come down to earth and both will become one and we can be there with Jesus. You were meant to have an unending relationship with God the Father through Him.  

Seek, find, and keep on seeking the Lord. 

Today a good day to find Jesus. Here and now. Now is good to come to Him as you are. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Jesus, ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me the needed strength and made me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service for this ministry.” —1 Timothy 1:12

From the moment you were born you've been on a quest -- you've been searching. You've been looking for God, and God has been searching for you. Perhaps you thought a possession would do it for ya, or a certain job, or a nice house, or a fast car, or a passionate relationship, or perhaps you thought a religion would do it. Hey Sport, you've been lookin' for God.

And He's been compassionately looking for you too (knowin' exactly where you are.. and knowin' all you've been through). 

You've been looking for a relationship with the Lord (maybe unknowingly searching). Yes, a lasting love and home of love with unending life. 

Many people have been lookin’ for heaven on earth. True. 

They have a longing inside for heaven... to have that nagging empty void inside ..totally filled. 

They have a longing for Home.. I'm talking about for heaven where they can be happy and really feel at home.

Heaven is beyond words. The Bible says that God has set eternity in our hearts. Have you been homesick for heaven lately? 

God makes all things new. No more old, painful, diseased or lame! 

God is alive and is madly in love with you. Yup, loves you so much He just can’t take His eyes off of ya! He loved you all the way to Calvary’s cross and a barrowed tomb. Still loves you today as much as He loves His own sinless Son, Jesus. 

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.“ John 3:14-18

Heaven is beyond words to describe. Did you know that Heaven is mentioned 532 times in the Bible, and more than 10% of those mentions are in Revelation. It's true. Did you know God loves new too! He said, “Behold, I make all things new.” After the millennial reign of Christ, we enter into “eternal timelessness.”

In this New Earth, we will have a new city. The New Earth and New Jerusalem are prepared places for prepared people. Jerusalem is the nerve center of the world geographically. The salvation center of the world spiritually. The storm center of the world prophetically.

• Jerusalem is the city of the past.
• Jerusalem is the city of the present.
• Jerusalem is the city of the future.

Home in Heaven will come down to earth! There’ll be a rapture up into the 3rd heaven (beyond the blue sky and 2nd one.. space). There is real place called Heaven -- it’s a place of real love where you and I will feel right at home. More so than here even. Anywhere here on earth. No more awkward, or pain, or tears of sorrow. Heaven will come down to earth and both will become one and we can be there with Jesus. You were meant to have an unending relationship with God the Father through Him. fish4souls.org .. Photo by Nathan Fertig

Prayerfully meditate upon...

Revelation 21 Revelation 21:1–6 2 Corinthians 12:4 Revelation 21:5 Zechariah 12:2–3 Revelation 21:6 Ecclesiastes 3:15 1 Corinthians 15:52–54 Psalm 90:4 Galatians 4:4 2 Peter 3:9 Revelation 21:1 Revelation 21:3 1 John 3:2 Revelation 21:2 John 14:2–3 1 Corinthians 2:9

Jesus said no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of heaven. But that doesn’t mean we must be bored or passive..or that there is always trials everyday, or suffering, or hard things to overcome. 

We want to walk with our Lord where He leads us. Being in the will of God is a blessing -- it’s the best sport for each of us even while working hard. Good idea -- advance with Him, no returning to live for self as Lord or for this corrupt world-system. 

So we can’t look back, why do it. That’d be lame. 

If You can get it to us, then You can get it through us. Again, send it please.. to these cities here, Lord. All You want to pour out and send.

You did it before, it was so easy for You to do. One, two, three, four great awakenings in the USA.

Well, it's a new day with new needs. Again, send all You desire to send... to these towns, yes, in this Land, Lord. All You want to pour out and send. 

Revive Your bride, Lord. We need You Jesus, like never before. I ask for a double dose of the Holy Ghost so to speak -- Your Spirit, truth and grace. Don't deserve it all, but have mercy anyways. Help Your people and then add to em. 

Let the clouds break soon. Amen, with massive torrents of rain for our Land. Turn us back to You and the Bible, Lord. We ask for a gully-washer downpour.  

“This good news of the kingdom the gospel will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end of the age will come.” Matthew 24:14 amp

Lord, we worship You alone, cuz there is no other God. You are the most beautiful person in the whole universe. Help us every single day think, speak and live loyal to You. God, thank you for all your agape love for us sinners, but we're hungry for your Justice in our Land too. Some need to learn via consequences -- please keep the law abiding citizens safe here. May those people plotting the evil get convicted and repent, or quickly get snared in the same traps they set for others. May the deeds done in darkness all be exposed by Your light. Be glorified in and through your Church -- help the church be the church with no spiritual compromise. May the Truth of the Word set people free and literally spark a biblical revival (not some weird religious money-grubbing sorta one, sick of all those..) and an authentic spiritual awakening (sure, a 5th one) right here in our great Land. We want to be more than just inspired inside -- we want to be changed, and our nation too. Please bless and win some people through us..to Christ. Plain, and simple.. while we have time, do use us to share all nine yards of Your Gospel message. Anoint, plant seeds, water em, impact lives, reap. Be glorified. Pour out all that You want to pour out here. Let it rain, forgive us, turn us back to the Bible and You. Amen.

Hope - holding on purposely.. eternally. That's it, holding on to your first love (Christ) even when the world ditches Him.

Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in "I hope something will happen." This is not what the Bible means by hope. 

The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation." Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7). Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous (Proverbs 23:18). Without hope, life loses its meaning (Lamentations 3:18; Job 7:6) and in death there is no hope (Isaiah 38:18; Job 17:15). The righteous who trust or put their hope in God will be helped (Psalm 28:7), and they will not be confounded, put to shame, or disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). The righteous, who have this trustful hope in God, have a general confidence in God’s protection and help (Jeremiah 29:11) and are free from fear and anxiety (Psalm 46:2-3).

The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3). Christian hope is rooted in faith -- it's in the divine salvation of Christ (Galatians 5:5). 

The hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-25). 

It is the future hope of the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6), the promises given to Israel (Acts 26:6-7), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25), eternal glory (Colossians 1:27), eternal life and the inheritance of the saints (Titus 3:5-7), the return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14), transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3), the salvation of God (1 Timothy 4:10) or simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1).

The certainty of this blessed future is guaranteed through the indwelling of the Spirit (Romans 8:23-25), Christ in us (Colossians 1:27), and the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:26). Hope is produced by endurance through suffering (Romans 5:2-5) and is the inspiration behind endurance (1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:11). Those who hope in Christ will see Christ exalted in life and in death (Philippians 1:20). Trustworthy promises from God give us hope (Hebrews 6:18-19), and we may boast in this hope (Hebrews 3:6) and exhibit great boldness in our faith (2 Corinthians 3:12). By contrast, those who do not place their trust in God are said to be without hope (Ephesians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Along with faith and love, hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13), and love springs from hope (Colossians 1:4-5). Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power of the Spirit (Romans 12:12; 15:13). Paul attributes his apostolic calling to the hope of eternal glory (Titus 1:1-2). Hope in the return of Christ is the basis for believers to purify themselves in this life (Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 3:3).

It's no time to live in fear. How can you make the best decisions dominated by fear. It's time to get the doubt out, the fear, worldliness and unbelief out, and God's living hope.. in. Inside of us! Ask.  

1. What is the living hope in 1 Peter 1:3?

What is the living hope? What is the meaning of 1 Peter 1:3? What does it mean for hope to be alive?

2. What is the Christian’s hope?

What does the Bible say about hope in Christ?

3. What is the difference between faith and hope?

What is the difference between faith and hope? What is faith according to the Bible? What is hope according to the Bible?

4. What is hope theology / theology of hope?

What is hope theology.. what is this theology of hope and real love? Should all of theology be built on the foundation of hope?

5. What does the Bible say about hope?

What does the Bible say about hope? What is the difference between faith and hope?

6. What does it mean that faith, hope, and love remain (1 Corinthians 13:13)?Out of faith, hope, and love, why is love the greatest?

7. What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)?What is the meaning of Proverbs 13:12?

8. What is the blessed hope?

What is the blessed hope? Why is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ referred to as the blessed hope?

9. What does it mean that hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5)?What is the meaning of Romans 5:5?

10. What does it mean that Christ in us is the hope of glory?

What is the meaning of Colossians 1:27?

11. What does it mean that the greatest of these is love?

What does it mean that love is greater than faith and hope?

12. What does the Bible say about despair?

Do you have fear and distrust issues? Is it wrong to despair? What is the opposite of despair?

13. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11?

Does Jeremiah 29:11 apply to people today, or was it only a message for the people back in the day of old Israel. 

Not just staying there in doubt or in despair. Why live like that? Haven't we had enough yet? Live free, just filled with God's word, His Spirit and the hope that we have in His promises.  

I say pray intelligently instead, pray in the hope needed, pray biblically and as informed as you can be because real facts are our friends. Pray wisely regarding, pray as the Spirit leads you and then act when and how He says to act. In love and according to the truth. No spiritual compromise, no excuses. 

"Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will instead give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will instead give him a snake? If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven perfect as He is give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him." Matt. 7:7-11  

Faith and hope are distinct yet still related. That there is a difference between faith and hope is evident in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 

Two of the three greatest gifts are faith and hope, listed separately. That faith and hope are related concepts is seen in Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for.”

Love with no clear focus has no power. It’s not practical. The object of Love does matter and God who is love ..really loves you!

Love listens, love hears and grasps, and acts. If you have God's agape love in you, you won't just stay there sittin' on your blessed assurance.  

Not passive or distracted at all - love. Not some mere energy source or feeling. Love is pure.

Love leads to good actions on behalf of the object of love. You are the object of God's love. 

Over and over again. Love -- is a Person and He loves you. So SO loved. I can't overemphasize this.  

My friends and I here in Plano Texas just love to talk about Christ and how his love is connected with the truth. Always. 

Been thinking about how love is often about acting appropriately too, yes it's about applying God's word wisely. God is love all the time. Love is not just about talk, about yacking away, about nice words of charity or passion. Nope, it's about walking in love and showing God's love as Christ's witness. You know how anyone can talk about love, so easy to do, but Jesus acted in love every day. 

All the way -- He went the distance and still loves you. He came into this world to daily show us God’s great love.. walked in love sinless even to Calvary's cross, loved us unto physical death, and even beyond all that, and beyond the empty tomb.

Real love originated with God who is love, who is light and who is true. Love is a Person today. 

A real Person who is very interested in you. 

Real love manifested here with God's Son, Jesus. God came here in love. He walked all the way to Calvary's cross.. in love. He did this for you, for them, and for me. In our place.

"No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We love Him because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." 1 John 4:7-21

God’s way is the way of love. “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:5-7

1. What are the five love languages? Are the 5 love languages biblically sound concepts? How can I determine my love language?

2. Was the Apostle Paul actually a false prophet? Why do some question Paul’s apostleship? Was Paul’s message consistent with Jesus’ teachings?

3. What does the Bible say about how to love God? What does it mean to truly love God?

4. What does it mean to love one another? Why is loving one another so important?

5. What is the baptism of love? Is the baptism of love a biblical concept? Who came up with the baptism of love concept?

6. Is God’s love reckless? Is God’s love actually reckless, or does it just seem that way from our perspective?

7. What does “perfect love casts out fear” mean? What is the meaning of 1 John 4:18?

8. Why does God love us? How can God love us when we are so sinful?

9. Does God love the people who are in hell? Is hell essentially the place of eternal separation from the love of God?

10. What does it mean to have left your first love (Revelation 2:4)? Why had the Ephesian church left their first love?

11. What does it mean that love is not rude (1 Corinthians 13:5)? What does 'love is not rude' mean in terms of how I show love to others?

12. Does God love Satan? Since we are to love our enemies, does that mean we should love Satan? Please don't go and love the devil, or the works of Satan. Why do that? 

13. What is a love feast? Where is the love feast mentioned in the Bible? Why and how did the early church celebrate a love feast?

14. Who is my neighbor, biblically speaking? I know I am to love my neighbor, but who is my neighbor?

15. What is ultimate reconciliation? Will all of humanity and all of the fallen angels ultimately be reconciled with God?

16. What does the Bible say about infatuation? Is it a sin to be infatuated with someone else?

17. What is the new commandment? In what ways is Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35 new?

18. Is the ACTS formula for prayer a good way to pray? What does the ACTS acronym stand for in regards to prayer?

19. What was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)? What issue was decided upon at the Jerusalem Council?

20. What does it mean that in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28)? What is the meaning of Acts 17:28?

24. What is the Golden Rule? What is the meaning of Matthew 7:12? Do other religions have something similar to the Golden Rule?

25. What is Westboro Baptist Church? Why are the people of Westboro Baptist Church so hateful of homosexuals and of others? Why do they protest at funerals? Anyone can turn all religious in the name of Jesus, but Christ ain't at all about such pride and hate. 

26. Who was Peter in the Bible? How is understanding the life of Peter valuable to our spiritual growth?

27. What is brotherly kindness? What does the Bible say about brotherly kindness? Where is brotherly kindness mentioned in the Bible?

28. Why should I want to serve God? What does it mean to serve God? Does serving God mean being God’s slave?

29. Why doesn’t God save everyone? If God could save everyone, why doesn’t He save everyone? wouldn’t the loving thing to do be to save everyone?

Where does real love start with us? With Jesus. Q. Is there only one way for each of us to one day get into God’s holy heaven? Yes, and that way has a name -- Jesus. Some people feel ticked when they hear that. 

There is only one way to get born the first time -- you know that is true. (How narrow minded of God. Not!) 

There is only one way to get born the second time ..spiritually. Yup, people get triggered, upset, and offended when we say this, but it’s also true. 

There is only one way into God’s heaven says the Bible. Jesus said you must be born again. He said I am the way the truth and the life. Yes, God said that Jesus His Son is the only way. The forgiven people get in, and those unforgiven bad people are out. Lots of forgiven bad people will be in. Any can come to Jesus and be forgiven. Yes, Christianity is exclusive, (turn and trust in Christ today) but it's also the most inclusive exclusivity there is. knowGod.org

John 1:4 - In Him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 10:9 - I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.

John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

Acts 9:2 - and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Romans 5:2 - through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18 - For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Hebrews 9:8 - By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 10:20 - by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Happy Mother's Day to the Moms!

Hope you're blessed, amped, stoked and encouraged in the Lord today -- here's a good article for ya. Cathe Laurie wrote it regarding mothers and she knows gobs more about that.. (click here).

It's called, "When Your Children Are Hostile to Your Faith, Keep Praying."

"Moms, if you are weary and about to give up, don’t. Though it may be a long wait and it may seem like God is not at work, know that he is.

There is a heartfelt poem written by Ruth Graham in her book Prodigals and Those Who Love Them for her once wayward son, Franklin. I pray it will inspire you not to lose heart when it comes to your children:

“‘Lord, with my Jacob,’ I would pray, ‘wrestle till the break of Day’; till he, knowing who Thou art, tho’ asked, will not let Thee depart; saying, ‘I’ll not let Thee freesaving Thou wilt first bless me;’ O God of Jacob, who knew how to change supplanters then, so now deal, I pray, with this my son, though he may limp when Thou art done.”

My wife Liney has always been such a great mother. She still ministers to children every month at Prestonwood and she has helped me be a better father over the years too. She prays a whole lot, and God answers her. Even today we together prayed and saw an answer come in from the Lord. Thanks Jesus!

Happy Mother’s Day! In Jesus' name.. I pray you will be comforted, guided, empowered, and encouraged today as you simply trust God with your family. Sure, as you pray for your grown up and not so grown up children’s salvation etc. Yes, for their very lives. Our sovereign God doesn't make people do or not do anything. A lot's at stake and we can pray. Even major in this.  Fish4souls.org

All through the day, evening or night.. the mothers can, the fathers can, and the kids can too. You and I can pray through it all. No matter the location, body position, or age. Families and friends can pray together! 

"For the Lord is watching His children, listening to their prayers." 1 Peter 3:12

Photo by Nate Johnston

Up, in and out. Your holy ministry in the Lord is to go in those three directions.

Bless the Lord, then bless the saints, and then bless the unregenerate in love.

The Bible tells us we must have an intimate, obedient, close friendship-relationship with God through Christ... if we want to grow, please Him, and enjoy the future He has planned for us. But a spiritually born again relationship alone isn’t all we need. We must also dwell in fellowship with Him daily. He expects faithfulness and fruitfulness. Let Jesus lead you. HE calls us to this “Abiding in the vine”. (See John 15)

Doin' my best I commit the rest. 

Our ministry is upwards, inwards (to those of God’s church) and outwards to the lost, last and least. We biblically worship, respectfully witness, and then tactfully disciple other believers wanting this spiritual maturity as they too follow the Lord.

The psalmist wrote, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1 nkjv). 

Have you ever tried to walk in another person’s shadow? You must be close to them and in step with them.