Uplifting Insights

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Crucifixion Friday, Resurrection Sunday

Luke 23:26-54; Luke 24:1-12

And when were also come to the place, which is called Calvary; there they crucified Him, and the malefactor, one on the right and, and other on the left (v. 33). ..The Son of man must be delivers into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (v. 7.)

It is during this time each year Christians come together to remember the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The importance of these days is that Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God the Father who could and would take the sins of the world and would rise on Sunday Morning. O what a glorious day-Sunday.

Crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday is the completion of Christ's earthly mission as all phases of prophecy was fulfilled. Christ came to earth to die for the sins of the world in God's redemptive plan for mankind and He rose Sunday Morning with all power in His hands. All who believe in Jesus Christ died with Him and was raised with Him to a life of righteousness.

Friday everything looked bleak, but thank God for Sunday Morning. We can shout hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory hallelujah! Glory to His name.

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www.shepherdministries.info.

Friday, March 22, 2013

God In The Midst Of The City

Psalm 46:4-5

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her; and that right early.

Today's discussion is taken from my monthly discussion that over the past several discussions were the New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God and His people; therefore, today I decided to discuss who would be in the midst of the city, which is God in the mist of the city. Some refer to the city of God as the New Jerusalem and as alluded to in earlier discussions the entire earth will be made new when Christ returns as He will have destroyed Satan and his army.

The river is the constant flow of God's grace, glory and His power that is in the midst of His people (v. 11; Isaiah 8:6; Revelation 3:12; 22:1) and this life-giving river flows from the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that refreshes and over flows believers while here on earth. God continuously gives His grace as it is sufficient for any troubles believers face while here on earth. His grace saved us, His grace keeps us and His grace will see us through.

Wherever God's people are He is there as His Spirit lives in every believer. He is a present help in the time of trouble. He is our all in all.

God is unmovable and unshakeable so is His city and people.

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Walk By Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight:

Being children of God or to become members of God's family requires a walk of faith as it is impossible to please God without faith. We believe in faith that first there is a God of the universe who is supreme to all other gods, second that Jesus Christ is God's Son who died for the sins of the world, and third that God the Holy Spirit lives in every believer.

That being said, faith is the key to our salvation as faith is our belief in the Almighty God. Just as faith was attributed to the Old Testaments patriarchs' righteousness as Christ came after their death; so is the same with all faithful who is looking back on the cross. Hebrews 11:1 gives a profound definition of faith as it speaks to believing the unseen as evidence or seeing things through spiritual eyes.

Faith incorporates trust into the equation as one must trust God for who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. God is faithful to His promises and have proven His trustworthiness. It is one's faith that enables him or her to endure trials and tribulations while trusting God that His grace is sufficient. It is one's faith that enables the person to rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit for guidance.

Let's close by saying that one's faith equates to salvation and spending eternity with Christ our Savior. What faith?

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Friday, March 15, 2013

"Giving Thanks To His Name"

Hebrew 13:15

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

Paul is encouraging his listeners and all today to continually offer praises to God which is the fruit of our lips as this should be the first order of business in the morning and the last at night; simply because God's goodness is continually imparted to us. Constant praise and worship to God is an expression of Christians' gratitude for all God has done, is doing and will continue to do in our lives.

Most importantly, God is worthy of all praises for providing salvation through His Son Jesus Christ to all who believe on Jesus. God and His love did not leave His people alone to live holy lives and obey His commandments; He indwelt us with the His Spirit the Holy Spirit. He provides for all our need both physical and spiritual. God of the universe never sleeps nor slumber; you can call Him anytime day or night and never get a busy signal. He stands ready to hear and answer our cry. What a good God?

Who would fail to give God continued praises; one who is immutable, who has no beginning or ending? A wise man will say this is the God of my salvation and I will praise Him for His goodness and will give Him endless thanks.

Only God the creator and sustainer of the universe is worthy of all praises.

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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Righteous Living

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of the sinners, nor siteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

This psalm contrasts the lifestyles of the righteous to that of the unrighteous while highlighting the blessings for the righteous. The righteous man love God, obey Him and live according to God's laws while refusing to abide by the world's system and unholy living. The ungodly gravitates to the ways of the world and look upon the ways of God as being foolish.

A godly man delights himself in the Lord and has a well of water that flows constantly to him from the Lord. This water is the indwelling Holy Spirit as water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is noteworthy to say that a godly man finds joy in God's Word and receiving instructions from God as they are designed to direct man's path. Abiding in God's Word brings bountiful blessings and is evidenced by actions, attitudes and godly thinking. Righteous living has a reward of eternal life whereas unrighteous living is pictured as chaff that will be blown away unto eternal separation from God. The path of life one chooses depends on where one wants to spend eternity.

Which do you choose, godly or ungodly?

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Friday, March 8, 2013

The Power Of Prayer

Acts 16:30-34

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

In Tuesday's discussion our focus was Paul and Silas' midnight prayer meeting, but today's focus is the power of prayer. Our scripture text makes a profound statement regarding the power of prayer. One that proves when sincere prayers are made, God through the Holy Spirit convicts the hearts of men and they too come to Christ.

There are prayers of confession, intercession, petition, forgiveness, thanksgiving, praise and benediction as each carries power and expresses a heart-felt love for God and His power to answer. There are also prayers of comfort as the prayer prays for comfort for self and or another. Healing prayers are often made for the sick as the leaders of the church come together and pray. Whatever the reason for the prayer it carries power and the results are profound. This commonly used phrase "prayer changes things" is true and a testament to the power of prayer.

In God's protective armour, prayer is called for constantly to remain in contact with God our Father. God's Word is the believer's offensive weapon used to take the fight to Satan.

We conclude that prayers of the righteous carry awesome power.

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A Midnight Prayer Meeting

Acts 16:25-27

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

This passage of scripture is famous for the actions taken by Paul and Silas while bound in prison. Instead of being afraid and sad the two began a midnight prayer meeting and worship service to God. This was in part due to these missionaries conditioning to being persecuted, humiliated and other adverse circumstances. Regardless of the outward situation they maintained a heart of peace, faith in God for His deliverance and joy. Their midnight worship service also speaks to faith in God's grace being sufficient.

The results of Paul and Silas' prayer meeting they were freed; the jailer and his household were saved. This also speaks to the spread of the gospel (vv.30-33). I remember when I was a child and even as a young adult while attending prayer meeting the saints would sing hymns and pray heart-felt prayers to the Lord. You could feel the Spirit moving as time was never a factor and some would come to Christ, saying, "I accept Jesus as Lord and Savior." This is a testimony to the power of prayer, sincere worship and praise.

Great things happen at prayer meetings.

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www.shpeherdministries.info

Friday, March 1, 2013

When Man Replaces God With Himself

Acts 12:20-24

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smoke him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

I felt moved to pose an implied question by the turbulent winds of sin that is swirling in today's society. This country was founded on godly principles and the God of all creation was first in our lives, but today it appears as though man feels that he is the supreme ruler. Man feels as though his desires, thoughts, decisions and emotions are what counts without giving any thought to God's standards. It also appears as though man is determined to remove God from every aspect of his life and make himself god as if he has arrived and doesn't need God. Some feels there is no God. There is a God and He is real.

Man has successfully taken prayer out of schools and there was a movement to remove the Ten Commandments from many courthouses. Our governing laws are based on the Ten Commandments. One can say that man is taking God out of the institution of marriage by stating that it is lawful for two men or two women to marry. What does God say? It is a sin and will be judged. There appears to be no value to human life, but all men are precious in the eyesight of God as He breathed the breath of life into mankind.

Let me close by saying, what happened to King Herod will happen to all who remove God from his or her life. Today's canker worms are the many forms of sin that is whirling through our society as a giant whirlwind.

God is supreme and should be first in our lives.

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