Follow Jesus

 

Knowing and Doing the Will of God

 https://youtu.be/5VMZbhterjQ

A Community of Equals

 https://youtu.be/FpqxRl30j7A

A Reflective look at the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

 In the joyful celebration of Christmas, there is a certain note of sadness that echoes

throughout the ages: Jesus was born to die. His birth brings hope and promise. Yet, it is his death that makes possible our salvation.

Most all of the great Renaissance paintings of Madonna and child reflect the reality of Jesus’ life. The loving eyes of Mary look down at the newborn child with happiness and sorrow. She is full of delight and wonder. But her tears of bliss are mingled with mourning, for she knows what he must do. She realizes what his birth means. He must also suffer death.

In the background of the manger scene is the cross, already waiting. All too soon it will hold the body of this tiny, innocent child. All too soon his life on earth will end. He will take the sins of the world with him to death and rise victorious.

We have much to be thankful for this Christmas as we remember our Savior’s birth 2,000 years ago. Not only did He come down to earth, but He also allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified – all for our sake. He now looks down on us from His heavenly throne, with his heart full of compassion, and says, “I did all this because I love you.”

There was nothing loud or flashy about His birth. Jesus was born in a lonely, dark stable among animals and nearby shepherds. The world barely knew about this event that would change all time and life. There were no colored lights, no Christmas carols, no Santa, no snow, and no presents, except the most important gift of all.

What God did that night was beyond comprehension. Through His Son, He came to earth to reveal what could not be seen by the naked eye, what could not be understood through the rational mind. He showed the world a hope that could be experienced only through the heart by the power of His love and grace.

Behind the tinsel and trees is a light that shines brighter than all of the others. Sadly, many will not see it because they are caught up in all of the decorations and displays. They will not truly realize what they are doing when they give presents to loved ones. Their simple act of love is re-presenting the greatest act of love the world has ever known.

The words of John 3:16 take on new meaning when put into the context of Christmas morning: "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son." Because of His overwhelming compassion for each one of us, God sacrificed His Son both in life and death. Today, we can celebrate with hope in our hearts and joy in our souls for Jesus' birth gave us new life now and forever.

The Joy of Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving Prayer

 

Thanksgiving

 

Shepherd Ministries' Thanksgiving Worship Service

 Topic: Shepherd Ministries Thanksgiving Worship Services

Message: The Joy of Thanksgiving. 

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Background Scripture: Psalm 100.

Time: Nov 26, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Sharing Love in Uncommon Ways

 

Don't Lose Your Joy encouragement

Church Worship and Fellowship sermon

The Good Shepherd: Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:11

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

As a word of encouragement, allow me to remind everyone that the Lord God is the good shepherd who
provides His sheep-humanity. The Lord God, as the good shepherd, provides for our every need. There is no part of our lives that the Lord is not active in; for example, he is comforting when we need comforting. When we need a prayer answered, He answers our prayers. When we need healing, He heals. He is water in dry places. He is our bridge over troubled waters. In times of trouble, He is our deliverer.

The Lord God is the good shepherd as He is unchangeable, just as He was with the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the Lion’s den, He is with us today during this pandemic, and He is the One who will safely deliver us from this crisis.

Believe in God for His deliverance, His protection; trust Him and never doubt His words when He says I am the good the shepherd who cares for His sheep, who gives His life for His sheep (John 10:11partial paraphrase).

Comments are welcome.

White3285@sbcglobal.net
http://theshepherdministries.org
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
https://willie-writing.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUya5OrWPvzru4dpaTF80KQ

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An Unwavering Faith.

 

We serve a Powerful God

 

The Church

Thanksgiving: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We are approaching Thanksgiving set aside to give thanks unto the Lord for all of His blessings.

 

Our scripture text encourages us to give thanks for everything; this includes the trials and afflictions we may have encountered this year, and yes, there have been many, but through it all, we have made it through. Thank God for His love, grace, and mercy.

 

We are still suffering from this pandemic-Covid19, and there appears to be no end in sight. Even despite the lingering effects of the Covid19, we are always blessed because God has blessed us with another day, and it is an opportunity to praise His holy name. It is another opportunity to tell the Lord, I thank You because You didn’t have to wake me this morning, but You did, and I thank You.

 

When we look back over our lives, reflecting on our troubles, we will find that our blessings outweigh our problems. That is praiseworthy; then we can say like the Psalmist in Psalm 150 God by saying:

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

² Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

³ Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

⁴ Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

⁵ Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Comments are welcome.

White3285@sbcglobal.net
http://theshepherdministries.org
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
https://willie-writing.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUya5OrWPvzru4dpaTF80KQ

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Who is God to You?

 Today's message asks a powerful question.

The Brightness of God’s Glory: Isaiah 60:1-3

 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

This message can be labeled as one of prophecy looking forward to the coming of Christ that would usher in the dawn of a new day and will appear as the bright light of God’s glory. Another interpretation is that Christ would bring the presence of God’s glory and will be among His people.

Who are God’s people? God’s people are all believers who believed in God during Isaiah’s day and before Isaiah’ prophecy was looking for the coming Messiah. Believers during and after Christ’s earthly ministry are looking back on the cross and a future glory when we all are gathered together in the New Jerusalem with Christ.

The brightness of God’s glory is drawing unbelievers to Him and there will come a day when all nations, kings, and princes will confess that yes, Jesus is Lord, and every knee will bow before Him.

This prophecy is being fulfilled, and as more of us believers shine bright the light of Christ and continue seasoning the earth with the word of God, His presence will be felt with even greater intensity.

The brightness of God’s glory will and is dispelling the darkness of sin.

We welcome your comments.

Author’s contacts:

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https://willie-writing.blotspot.com

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www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUya5OrWPvzru4dpaTF80KQ

 

 

 

A New Heart

 

Abide in Love

Shared messages from my friend.

 Let God Lead You: Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Today's message is encouraging everyone to let God lead you because He knows the way and is the perfect leader. Without God's direction, we will be lost in this vast sea known as the world. God's Word: The Bible is our roadmap, the indwelling Holy Spirit as our heavenly compass as we travel heaven's highway.
God left His holy Word shows the love, care, and compassion He has for His children. He loves us too much to leave us wandering in the wilderness.
In the words of this song, "Let Jesus lead you all the way from earth to heaven. He is a mighty good leader. Let Jesus lead you.

Never Alone: 2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth, thou shalt have wars.

With the world in chaos and it appears as though everything and everyone is against you; remember you are never alone. Reflect on today's scripture and know that God sees, hears, and knows everything. God is true to His promise of never to leave nor forsake His own. God has proven Himself to be trustworthy because He is a God who never fails. He is there beside you when all is gone. Keep your eyes and heart focused on God who is a friend to the friendless, mother to the motherless, and a comforter to the comfortless.
God is all we need.

23rd Psalm Inspiration and Meaning.

 

Prayer and Faith

 Regardless of the final outcome, we know that God is in control because He is our shepherd (Psalm 23) and will see us through. My prayer is that Joe Biden wins and take some Democrats with him. We need to return to being a God-fearing country, one of civility and love for one another.

Effective, Fervent Prayers of the Righteous: James 5:16b

 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Monday was the Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer, where the Metropolitan Baptist District Women's Auxiliary is part of the organization. It was a beautiful event with women coming together praying for our sisters in Christ around the world.

This is an event that I enjoy attending because there is power in prayer, the need for prayer, and Christian women being unified in making supplication for others the world over.

Just a few days before our event, by Christian brother from China informed of their world Day of Pray and asked me if I would pray for the countries in Asia, and wouldn't you know the prayer countries I was assigned to pray for was Asia Baptist Women's Union, which included some of the countries in his prayer request.

The commonalities from listening to different countries and their prayer requests were that there is a need for prayer because sin and evildoers are everywhere. The message to Satan is this: we are going to tear your kingdom down. A line in this song is Satan, "we are going to pray your kingdom down." Satan, you may be riding high now, but get ready; your fall is near.

Our most effective weapon against evil is our fervent prayer to Almighty God and, who is a God of justice and in His time, punishes all injustice.

Therefore, pray on, keep the faith, because God is on our side. He is the warrior who is fighting our battles.

Comments are welcome.

White3285@sbcglobal.net
http://theshepherdministries.org
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
https://willie-writing.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUya5OrWPvzru4dpaTF80KQ

 

Believers, Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice

Loving By Serving