The Church on Cedar Street

 

Please pray that the church on Cedar Street gets a Christ centered pastor as the one there now is retiring at then end of this month and they do not have another one. Thank you.

Faith is an Action Word.

 

 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed in (trusted, relied on) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living, right standing with God).” Romans 4:3The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Faith is an action word.

Abraham was told to leave the comfort of the city he dwelt in and to leave all the wealth he had to go out into the unknown.

He did not know where Jehovah was leading him, He did not know where his daily provisions were going to come from.

He did not have any protection from the wild animals nor bandits. At that time He did not even know Jehovah.

Yet, through all of this he obeyed when Jehovah told him to leave his comfort and security to go out to the unknown world ( at that time leaving the security of the city you were living in was like going to another planet).

You are told to go when it does not makes sense to go. You are living a comfortable life. You are going to leave family and friends, have no means of financial support and no protection will you have the faith ( which is another word for trust) to obey Jehovahs command?

You are told to stay when it does makes sense to. You have no job but there is another one offered in another city. Your savings have been depleted. There is rising crime rate with little protection from the authorities. Will you have the faith to stay when all else says to flee?

Faith is obedience.

Will you trust Jehovah to do what does not make sense to do and to not do what does make sense to do?

In my life all of my failures can be traced back to lack of faith in Jehovahs commands.

My greatest successes were when I was obedient unto Jehovahs commands even though they seemed insane ( indeed many of my biggest fights with the family was when they were trying to convince me to disobey Jehovahs commands and I was bitterly mocked for my obedience ).

Prayer: Please Jehovah Emunah (God is faithful) bless me to always be faithful and obedient unto You knowing that You are the most faithful of all and Your commands are for my good. I sincerely request this in the name of He who was obedient and faithful unto You all the way to the cross Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

With a True and Sincere Heart.

 Let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22 Holy Bible Amplified Version

You cannot con, deceive or manipulate Jehovah so do not even try. When you have messed up fess up. Do not try to give excuses or try to shove the blame on someone else or circumstances. It does not work.

Instead, without excuses, humbly and sincerely apologize to Jehovah and ask how to reconcile what you done wrong. Then, no matter how hard, obey Him. The results are amazing.

If you want something from Jehovah do not try to bargain with Him.

How can you bargain with the Creator that has everything?

Do not foolishly try to make promises you cannot fulfill or refuse to one He has fulfilled His end of the bargain. Beware, when you do that you are trying to make a fool out of Jehovah and He will bring down severe judgment upon you and you will lose more that you gain.

Just, with a sincere heart ask of Him and accept His reply. Open your heart unto Him in all love gratefulness and respect and see how He blesses you with a deep close strong loving relationship with Him.

“Sincerity carries the soul in all simplicity to open its heart to God.” — John Bunyan

Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit Rabbi (God our Teacher) for blessing me with teaching me to always have a sincere heart in all my conversations with my Beloved Father in Heaven, my loving King Jesus and You my wise Teacher. May all of my conversations be true and honest with You, especially since those are the only ones You will listen to. I humbly joyously thank You in the name of the most sincere heart Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

We are All Healers

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. Galatians 6:2 Holy Bible Amplified Version

We are to help others as we need them to help us. Joseph son of Jehovah

Do you know any seniors ( Christian or otherwise ) that need help cutting their lawns in the summer and shoveling the snow off of their sidewalks and driveways in the winter? Do you see the need and turn a blind eye? How do you think Jesus feels about that?

Do you know a single working mother that needs a babysitter but cannot afford one? Do you offer to watch the children for her if you are able or do you turn a blind eye to that? How do you think Jesus feels about that?

Do you know of someone that has just had surgery and is at home alone? Do you offer to clean their apartment and cook their meals for them or do you turn a blind eye to that? How do you think Jesus feels about that?

If you are looking to serve Christ, begin by looking in your own neighbourhood. Joseph son of Jehovah

Are you trying to carry a heavy burden by yourself when you know Christian brothers and sisters that are willing to help but you are too proud to ask or accept their gracious offer? How do you think Jesus feels about that? After all, did He not require help to carry His cross to die for our sins?

“We are all healers who can reach out and offer health, and we are all patients in constant need of help.” — Henri Nouwen

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Ezer (The LORD our Helper) for always being there to help me and I humbly request that You bless me to be emulating Your gracious love and assistance towards others as You have unto me. I rejoice in this blessing and ask for this blessing in the name of He who alawys took the time to help those who were in need Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

A Bag with Holes in It.

 “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your [expensive] paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways and thoughtfully reflect on your conduct! You have planted much, but you harvest little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have enough to be intoxicated; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns wages earns them just to put them in a bag with holes in it [because God has withheld His blessing].” Haggai 1:3-6 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Do you have a bag with holes in it ( instead of bag insert wallet )?

Could it be because you are so selfish that you earn a penny and spend a dollar ( on yourself of course)? So when you refuse to share your wealth Jehovah allow the devil to tempt you into getting into dept to satisfy your unquenchable desire for more, more, more. Then you are miserable.

Could it be that you plant a lot of seeds to be friends with others while neglecting the crop of daily interaction with Jehovah so you harvest a little from your relationship with Him?

Could it be that in your quest for recognition form others ( self-centeredness- look at me, look at me) that you never get enough and go to foolish and many times dangerous lengths to get noticed by others instead of directing them to Jehovah? As a consequence you are never satisfied. Instead of nurturing a loving relationship with Jehovah you nurture your own ego and as a result you are cold with little or no love in your life. As a result the temple of Jehovah that resides within you is in ruins.

Prayer: I humbly pray my loving Jehovah Helech ‘Olam (The Lord our King Forever) that You daily guide this modest servant of Your to constantly build upon and glorify Your Holy Temple so that it is a beacon to those walking in the cold dark world to You amazing Temple. I sincerely request this in the name of He who shines the most brilliantly of Your holy temple Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Have the Same Mindset as Christ.

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus Philippians 2:5 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

What is the mindset of Christ?

Yes we are to love one another just as He loves us. We are to help each other as He helps us. We are to be patient with one another as He is patient with us. We are to forgive one another as He forgives us. We are not to allow the wicked to abuse us as He did not allow the wicked to abuse Him. We are to stand up for truth as He stood up for truth. We are to defend those weak as He defended the weak. We are to call out injustice and liars as He called out those perpetrating wicked deeds and liars.

Living the Christian life is hard but its rewards are Heavenly. Joseph son of Jehovah

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; Ephesians 5:1The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Pryyand (God is my friend ) for blessing me with showing me the proper manner in which to interact with those I encounter on a daily basis. I pray that I emulate my best friend in all my thoughts, words and deeds every day. I praise You ans ask this in Your loving wise name. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Grandmas Sweater.

 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” So David purchased the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 2 Samuel 24:24 Holy Bible Amplified Version

David paid for this because He wanted Jehovah to know it was a personal gift unto Him as a present of love, respect and gratefulness.

The best Christmas present I received every year was grandams sweater. It took her many months to knit it and it always felt of her love. Mom would have to fight with me to get it off of me to wash it.

Think of how cherished your gift is to Jehovah when it took a lot of time and effort to make it and freely offer it to Him as an act of love unto Him.

Do you insult Jehovah by giving Him something that cost you nothing or something cheap like you would buy in a Dollar Store?

For a church supper do you go out and buy something cheap at the grocery store instead of taking the time and effort into making a home made meal? This is a gathering of His people to commune with each other and Him. That is a cheap gift. That is an insult to Him.

And when you present the lame and the sick, is it not evil? Offer such a thing [as a blind or lame or sick animal] to your governor [as a gift or as payment for your taxes]. Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you graciously?” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:8 Holy Bible Amplified Version

When you give unto Jehovah from your heart that is more precious to Him than the most expensive gift given out of obligation. A gift from the heart is the most precious gift. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Jireh (God is our Provider) for blessing me so generously and with the best. Please always guide me to give nothing less back to You as a gift of love and appreciation every day. I thank You in the name of He who gave His precious blood unto me as the price of adoption unto Your magnificent family Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

You Will be Held Accountable for That.

 An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife. Proverbs 28:25 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

To cause strife is to cause fights.

Watching a documentary about what caused World War 1 there were two blatant conclusions.

One the one king wanted his son to cause a war with a weaker one so that he could overthrow that government. That is greed. He never imagined the consequences of his actions. Your greed will cause untold innocent ones to suffer. You will be held accountable for that.

The other reason was hate. The man that executed the prince had a hatred for his nationality that goes back centuries. He never dreamed that his one shot would cause landscapes across Europe to be soaked with innocent blood. 

A heart filled with love builds others up. A heart filled with hate only destroys. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Your hate will cause many innocent to suffer. You will be held accountable for that. Your hatred will not only destroy you but many innocent ones. For that you will suffer worse than the one you inflicted your hate upon by Divine judgment. 

Prayer: Please Jehovah Heseh (God is love) fill me daily with Your Divine love so that hatred has no place to be nurtured in my heart. I dread the damage it will do.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Cheers Him Up.

 “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. “ Proverbs 12:25 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Anxiousness is described as feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty .

We have all encountered those around us that are suffering. How many have reached out and touched them with healing kindness ?

How can we help them ?

The best thing to do is to show you care by listening to their problems ( Jehovah takes the time to listen to our problems should we not emulate Him by doing the same for those that are suffering around us ? ) .

We are not just talking about the homeless .

We are talking about those that are suffering a disease . Yes , for many , going into a hospital is an uncomfortable experience but how comfortable do you think it is for them. Why not go in and reminisce with them about the good ol days . Why not go in with some photo’s of happy times . Speaking from experience you will be amazed at the amount of good you accomplish.

We are talking about those who are having difficulty in their studies or at work. Those of us who are older can relate and provide encouraging words to strengthen , guide them and encourage them. What about those that are experiencing relationship problems like with marriage or children? Again , those of us who are older have walked that walk and can provide positive affirmation to them by our experiences which will guide them , strengthen them and reassure them .

There are so many other opportunities available unto you Christian. All you have to do is be available , pray and be obedient unto Jehovahs guidance where your help is needed.

Prayer: Please Jehovah-Machsi – Lord my Refuge bless me with the opportunity to be a refuge unto those enduring trials and tribulations , sorrows and snares just as You are for me. Bless me with Your divine wisdom , grace , meekness and humbleness to help them as You have aboundingly done for me . I humbly request this in the name of He who was a refuge to the poor , the sick and the weak when He walked amongst us Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

And Then Look Out.

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil [person] dwells with You.

When you dwell with in Jehovahs presence he blesses you with guidance and protection.

If you are evil He will leave you to the demons for their pleasure. And then look out.

The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight; You hate all who do evil.

When we walk with Christ our lives are built upon the solid ground. We withstand life’ s storms even though sometimes we are battered and bruised by them.

When you are arrogant and proud oh how terrible your destruction shall be when the storms come pounding in. The shame shalt encover you like a heavy blanket of dung. And then look out.

You who laugh when you cultivate evil shall have it come pounding down upon your heads like fire from the sky. There shall be no remedy nor pity for you. And then look out.

You destroy those who tell lies; The Lord detests and rejects the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

When we tell the truth, even though it may cause temporary discomfort, we enjoy peace of mind and a close loving relationship with Jehovah.

Those who tell lies to advance themselves or to wickedly gossip about others shall be like dung on a table presented to a king in Jehovahs eyes and your wickedness shall come upon you seven times worse than those you lied to. Your offerings and prayers shall be rejected by Jehovah. The same fate awaits those who delight in participating in deceit and those who enjoy shedding innocent blood. And then look out.

My words have been added to each verse.

Psalms 5: 4-6 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Prayer: Please Holy Spirit guide my every thought, word and deed so as to avoid suffering the terrible fate awaiting the wicked ones when they face Jehovah- Hashopet ( The Lord is the supreme Judge ). I so anxiously pray this inn the name of the Supreme Judge Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.