5 AWESOME REVELATIONS ABOUT THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL
So you think superheroes are a big deal . . . whether from the Marvel world or the DC universe.
Let’s up the game a level. Let’s call on the big dog... View More5 AWESOME REVELATIONS ABOUT THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL
So you think superheroes are a big deal . . . whether from the Marvel world or the DC universe.
Let’s up the game a level. Let’s call on the big dogs, the superheroes of biblical antiquity.
Let’s put our fist where our mouth is and bring out the big guns.
Let’s talk the super-angel of Bible lore, the Archangel Michael.
Here are 5 awesome revelations about Michael you may not know.
Revelation #1: Michael is a spirit, sent from God to care for his children that walk in the salvation of Christ. Hebrews 1:14 says:
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”
Revelation #2: Michael draws his power directly from God. Jude 1:9 tells us:
“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ ”
Revelation #3: Michael will one day deliver the redeemed who have their name written in the Book of Life. Daniel 12:1 says:
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And . . . your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”
Revelation #4: Michael is a prince, chief among all God’s angels. Daniel 10:13 tells us:
“The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.”
Revelation #5: Michael is the bearer of truth, trusted of God and man to bear witness. Daniel 10:21 reveals:
“But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.”
Comic book superheroes have nothing on Michael, the greatest angel of all time. He’s the best that ever was.
When we want real heroes, let’s crack the Book. That’s where we find real power, for it flows directly from God above.
Copyright © 2021 MyChurchNotes.net
5 WAYS DAVID PLEASED GOD
Are you a people pleaser?
Do you naturally say things people want to hear, follow the rules others set up, even go out of your way to ask how you can make their day better?
... View More5 WAYS DAVID PLEASED GOD
Are you a people pleaser?
Do you naturally say things people want to hear, follow the rules others set up, even go out of your way to ask how you can make their day better?
If so, you are a blessing to the church. You make the pastor’s life easier, and you are someone the deacons want around.
The rest of us struggle a bit. We sometimes grumble as we smile, and we only give in to the rules if we must.
After all, we weren’t on the committee that created them in the first place!
We need a guideline to help us find a better way to walk with Christ.
We can look to David, a man who desired to live in a manner to please God in all things.
Here are 5 ways David lived to please God:
Way #1: David lived responsibly even before he was chosen to be king.
Acts 13:22 says:
“I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.”
Way #2: David used his musical skills to celebrate God.
1 Chronicles 15:16 says:
“David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.”
Way #3: David placed his faith in God over his fear of the world.
1 Samuel 17:26 says:
“. . . For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Way #4: David tirelessly served Israel even when Saul got the credit.
2 Samuel 5:2 says:
“In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel . . .”
Way #5: David treated his subjects fairly, not favoring one over another.
1 Chronicles 18:14 says:
“So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”
David is our example leading to excellence, a “man after God’s own heart,” a plumb line for right living. Let’s let David be our guide when we want to please God.
Our way toward God is written in the annals of the Word. Let’s read it today.
Copyright © 2021 MyChurchNotes.net
PRIMING GOD'S WAR MACHINE
By the time of the American Revolution, many of the great wartime artillery pieces we are now familiar with were commonplace. Short cannons, called mortars, and the long gun... View MorePRIMING GOD'S WAR MACHINE
By the time of the American Revolution, many of the great wartime artillery pieces we are now familiar with were commonplace. Short cannons, called mortars, and the long guns we picture as cannons had been in use for centuries. Using the raw power of gunpowder and deadly projectiles, they changed the outcome of history.
They both had a major drawback, though. Mortars and long guns had to be primed before they could be fired. And priming was a full time occupation. It took six highly trained soldiers to operate a Revolutionary artillery piece, plus the officers over them. If the soldiers assigned to prime the weapon were killed, the gun was useless.
In our earthly battle against the evil one, we are the soldiers, and Christ is our officer in charge. He commands us, but it is our job to keep the war machine primed.
How can we keep God’s war machine primed? Is it with black powder and shells? A rammer and priming irons? No. God requires something of us at once much simpler and at the same time much greater.
He requires our praise.
Illustration #1:
In 2 Chronicles 7:6 David the king instructed the Levites to praise God using instruments of music. David raised his voice in a shout, and the priests sounded trumpets before the people. In the midst of the praise, the entire nation of Israel stood in tribute before the Lord. Through their praise, his power and strength grew strong in them.
When we stand before God with our hearts filled with praise, he comes to us, and he imbues us with his power, for he inhabits the praise of his people.
Illustration #2:
In 2 Chronicles 8:14-16 Solomon continued his father David’s orders for thanksgiving to be lifted unto the Lord. The Levites sang praises before the priests. Buoyed by the songs of praise, the House of the Lord was completed, and God was honored.
When we face a seemingly impossible task, and we are certain that the enemy is ready to overtake us, we only need to lift our hands in thanksgiving, and God will give us strength.
Illustration #3:
2 Chronicles 20:19 finds Judah on the eve of an overwhelming battle. Jehoshaphat, Solomon’s son, is now king. The Ammonites, Moabites, and children of Mount Seir have come against him, yet God has promised a great victory.
What does Israel do the night before the battle? Sharpen their swords? File the tips of their spears? No, they stand up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a mighty cry of thanksgiving.
Illustration #4:
2 Chronicles 20:21-23 tells the story of the morning of the battle. The singers went out before the army, and they began to raise their voices in praise before the Lord. God sent angels amongst the enemy to confuse them. Those who had come against Israel turned upon one another, fighting until all were dead.
Praising God won the battle, and not a man of Judah was harmed. In addition, the men of Judah found more riches and precious jewels among the dead than they could carry away.
Our Revolutionary forefathers won the victory with mortar and artillery. We win the battle with praise unto the Almighty God.
When we lift our voices in praise unto the Father, he goes into battle before us and gives us the victory.
Copyright © 2013 MyChurchNotes.net
POWER FROM PRAISE
The single most powerful word in the English language is please. The two most powerful words are thank you. The three most powerful words are I love you.
God commands all three of ... View MorePOWER FROM PRAISE
The single most powerful word in the English language is please. The two most powerful words are thank you. The three most powerful words are I love you.
God commands all three of these from us. He wants us to come before him with our needs; thank him for his blessings; and love him with all our hearts.
Our God, the most powerful being in the universe, commands us to do the very things that will draw power from him.
Let’s look at the book of Chronicles to find six ways praise can draw power directly from the almighty source, our Father in heaven.
Way #1: Praise plugs us into the power.
The Ark of the Lord was the most powerful thing the Israelites owned. It contained the essence of God. In 1 Chronicles 16:4 David appointed specific men to stand before the Ark to minister and send praises before heaven.
When we give our thanks to God for his blessings, we allow him to plug us into his magnificent power.
Way #2: Praise flips the switch.
1 Chronicles 16:35 reveals David’s fervent prayer before the Lord. In this verse, he asks the mighty ruler of all creation for salvation and for deliverance from the heathen, in order that he might give thanks to him.
When we come before God with our needs, we give him the perfect opportunity to bless us. Our praise flips the switch that starts his power flowing our way.
Way #3: Praise throws a party.
David had been greatly blessed in his lifetime. When it came time to turn his kingdom over to his son, Solomon, 1 Chronicles 23:5 tells us he instructed 4,000 musicians to praise the Lord with the instruments David had made.
When God gives us great blessings, he expects us to praise him in a great way. We should invite everyone we know.
Way #4: Praise turns up the volume.
The tribe of the Levites was assigned specifically to minister to the Lord. In 1 Chronicles 23:30, they were given instructions to come before the Lord in the mornings and the evenings to thank and praise the Lord.
There is never a time at which we can say we have given God enough praise. It is an ongoing process, for without our praise, God cannot let his power flow our direction.
When we turn up the volume, God turns up the power.
Way #5: Praise rings with our loudest voice.
David separated the praising of God in the tabernacle into specific categories, giving jobs to those who excelled in certain areas. 1 Chronicles 25:3 tells about Jeduthun, who gave thanks and praised God with his harp. Because Jeduthun was an honorable man of impeccable standing, his sons also praised God at his side.
When we offer the best of our skills in praise to God, he will bless our children and our children’s children with his goodness and mercy, and our praise will ring throughout the generations.
The sound of our praise will be carried unto the whole world and all will know our rejoicing.
Way #6: Praise shares the credit.
The construction of the Temple was David’s lifelong dream. He spent a lifetime filling storehouses for its construction, yet he left it unfinished.
As he turned the reins of power over to Solomon, he took no credit for his participation. In 1 Chronicles 29:13-16, David prayed before the congregation, giving thanks to God and praising his glorious name, acknowledging that all he had gathered came from God’s hand alone.
David accepted none of the acclaim for the mighty works God had done, and neither should we. We must give God all the credit, for all creation is his, and all power comes from him.
We have a direct feed to the greatest power source in all creation. All we have to do is lift our voices in praise, and the power will start to flow.
Copyright © 2013 MyChurchNotes.net
5 ANOINTINGS FROM SIMEON
There’s more than one Simeon in the Bible.
The most devout of them is found in the book of Luke. The story takes us to Jerusalem where we find our Simeon, who was elderly ... View More5 ANOINTINGS FROM SIMEON
There’s more than one Simeon in the Bible.
The most devout of them is found in the book of Luke. The story takes us to Jerusalem where we find our Simeon, who was elderly by this time.
The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
What a promise! To have the assurance that the hope of your people will be fulfilled in your lifetime!
While Jesus was still a baby, Mary and Joseph were required to carry him to the Temple to be presented to the Lord. Simeon was there the same day, and he took Jesus in his arms and praised God that his eyes had seen the salvation of the Lord.
Luke 2:34-35 reveals the words Simeon shared with Mary:
“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’ â€
Simeon placed 5 anointings on the life of Jesus.
Anointing #1:
Many people who thought themselves elevated would fall from their pedestals due to the revelatory presence of the Messiah.
Anointing #2:
Still others would be lifted from low places, taking positions of spiritual respect through the authority of Jesus.
Anointing #3:
Jesus would face opposition from the ruling elite and those who oppressed the people, and his life would not be easy.
Anointing #4:
The pain Jesus suffered would be near to unbearable and bring great grief to Mary.
Anointing #5:
Truth would be drawn from the darkness into the light through the life and suffering of the Christ child.
Let’s shift Simeon’s words to us. What’s our anointing? What has God planned out for us to do, to live out, to endure for his name?
When we let God have control, he will be with us every step of the way. Even in the worst of Jesus’ experiences, his Father was there. Read the Bible. You’ll find it true every time.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus keeps our feet walking the path that leads to him.
Copyright © 2021 MyChurchNotes.net
Prophecy, Russia war. Part
#4. Ezekiel 38:22--23
FIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAISE GOD
Too many times we are like the rat on the wheel. We are so busy asking from God that we hardly have time to offer him praise for the good gifts he gives us.
In the O... View MoreFIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAISE GOD
Too many times we are like the rat on the wheel. We are so busy asking from God that we hardly have time to offer him praise for the good gifts he gives us.
In the Old Testament, we find where God shows us five opportunities where we should set aside our wheel in order to take the time to offer our praises to him.
Opportunity #1:
Jacob loved Rachel, but due to her father’s trickery, Jacob was forced to marry Rachel’s older sister, Leah, before he was able to marry the woman he loved.
Leah knew she wasn’t Jacob’s first choice. Worse, she felt hated. In Genesis 29:35 we read that God opened her womb, and she bore four sons. The fourth one she named Judah, which means “praise.â€
When God answers our most fervent prayers, we should offer our praises up to him.
Opportunity #2:
In Leviticus 19:23-25 God laid out a business plan for the Israelites. All profits from the fruit trees they planted were to be untouched for the first three years and sowed into God’s kingdom with praise and thanksgiving on the fourth. Only during the fifth year were they allowed to eat of the fruit.
That is a business model we can still count on today. For the first three years, invest all profits back into the company. In the fourth, offer God the firstfruits in thanksgiving, for it is by his hand that our business becomes profitable. In the fifth year, we can reap God’s rewards by enjoying the fruits of our labor.
When God has his hand on our business ventures, he deserves praise from us.
Opportunity #3:
Canaan had come mightily against Israel, for without proper spiritual leadership, the children of Israel had become evil in God’s sight. The prophetess Deborah announced God’s commands to the people, and they listened, offering themselves to be used of God.
We read in Judges 5:2 of the first lines of Deborah’s song of triumph against the defeated king of Canaan.
“Praise you the Lord for the avenging of Israel...â€
When we allow ourselves to be used of God, and he gives us victory over our oppressors, we should sing a song of praise unto him.
Opportunity #4:
The Ark of the Covenant was the most revered relic in Jewish possession. It symbolized the might and glory of Israel.
David had a special place built for the Ark. He offered burnt offerings and sacrifices, and then he gave to each man and woman in Israel food to eat and wine to drink.
1 Chronicles 16:4 says that during this celebration, David appointed men to praise the Lord God of Israel.
When we gather together with our Christian brothers in fellowship and rejoicing, we should take time to lift our praises before the Lord.
Opportunity #5:
The children of Israel had traveled from Canaan to Egypt, where they grew from a group of 30 to about 4 million, and while fleeing back to their homeland, they weathered many mighty and fearsome wonders underneath the guiding hand of God.
Deuteronomy 10:21 tells the children of Israel to look back on what their eyes have seen, and lift their praises to the God of all creation.
When we grow old and look back upon our lives, we should lift our hands in a shout of praise, for we will see the touch of God on every phase of our journey.
There is no time in our lives that God is not walking beside us. He deserves our praise each and every moment of each and every day.
Copyright © 2013 MyChurchNotes.net
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
For the non-Jews among us, Pentecost might best be compared to the American tradition of Thanksgiving. Observed seven weeks after the beginning of Passover, it is a culinary fest... View MoreTHE DAY OF PENTECOST
For the non-Jews among us, Pentecost might best be compared to the American tradition of Thanksgiving. Observed seven weeks after the beginning of Passover, it is a culinary festival to celebrate the summer wheat harvest.
The coming of the Holy Spirit changed all that for the gentiles. On the Day of Pentecost, a mighty wind came from the heavens, and tongues of fire rested on the disciples. They began to speak in languages unknown to them, and 3000 converts were added to the kingdom of God.
What does Pentecost mean to us 2000 years later? God’s Word gives us clear reasons why the series of events leading up to the passage about Pentecost in Acts 2 is still important to the modern day Christian.
Reason #1:
We base our hope of salvation in him.
Mark 16:16 tells us that we must believe in Jesus’ message. The words are those of the Christ, and he speaks of the redemption he brought at the cross. Then he says we are to be baptized, and not just with water, but into him. Paul clarifies this in Romans 6:3-5, where he tells us that we must be buried with Christ unto death, but raised with him unto life.
Reason #2:
We must be expectant that he will carry us to greater glories.
Paul speaks to his young assistant Titus about finalizing his plans for setting up the churches in Crete. There was much yet to do, and Paul outlines the steps to establishing a successful ministry based on true salvation in Jesus Christ.
In Titus 2:13 Paul says we should continually look forward to the future blessings of the coming of Christ. His words tell us that we should never surrender our hope for a greater infilling of God’s redeeming Spirit.
Reason #3:
We must be responsive to his inner promptings when he showers us with his presence.
The disciples were in the upper room praying when God’s presence manifested itself in the wind and the fire. That was stunning enough, but the 120 in attendance didn’t let it stop there. When the Holy Spirit filled them with power, they began to speak with Tongues, giving evidence to those around them of the power of God.
If they had not responded to the Spirit’s inner prompting, would the church have added 3000 to its numbers that day? The Scriptures don’t say, but in Acts 2:6, it does say that men gathered to listen because of all they heard.
Reason #4:
We must make an outward declaration of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling as a testament of our changed life.
Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 3:21 that water baptism is not just for removing dirt from the body, but it is a sign of our confession and a pledge of our commitment to follow Christ.
Acts 4:31 tells us the power of God will shake us up, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us.
Mark 16:17 says it best: These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.
The power of Pentecost rocks our world, both figuratively and literally. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the world will see the signs of his indwelling and know the Lord leads us in everything we do.
Copyright © 2013 MyChurchNotes.net
TURNING INTO THE WIND
On a sailboat we depend on the wind for our strength. If there is no wind, we have no propulsion. We are, to speak a familiar phrase, dead in the water.
When the wind does blow... View MoreTURNING INTO THE WIND
On a sailboat we depend on the wind for our strength. If there is no wind, we have no propulsion. We are, to speak a familiar phrase, dead in the water.
When the wind does blow, we have to deal with it as it comes. We cannot say, “Blow from this direction, Wind,†or, “Blow from that direction, Wind.†It comes from the direction it will, without regards to what we want it to do.
To the inexperienced, the only option seems to be to run with the wind. That means to let the wind blow us the direction it chooses. Running with the wind is fast, too, and it gives us a sense of thrill, as if we’re going somewhere and getting there very quickly.
And we are, too. The only question is whether the wind is taking us where we need to go.
Experienced sailors know how to turn into the wind. Trim the sail this way, adjust that line to its most advantageous length, and we can sail directly into the wind.
This world is the wind. It will try to blow us the direction it will, without regards to where we need to go. We have to learn to turn into the wind, to tack back and forth, and to find the path God wants us to travel.
Let’s look at five verses that give us clear instructions on how to turn into the wind:
Tacking Maneuver #1 – Spend time with God-fearing believers.
1 Corinthians 5:11
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.â€
Tacking Maneuver #2 – Keep our eyes focused on Christ.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.â€
Tacking Maneuver #3 – Compare what we’re taught against the Bible.
2 John 1:10-11
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.â€
Tacking Maneuver #4 – Make new believers feel at home in our churches.
Romans 15:7
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.â€
Tacking Maneuver #5 – Show the love of Christ to everyone we meet.
Colossians 3:12-14
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.â€
The winds of this world will blow against us. Walking with Christ will not change that. Our goal is to use those very same winds to tack toward Christ, and to set an example the world will want to follow.
When we turn into the wind, we turn towards Jesus. In the midst of our troubles, we will find him every time.
9/28/23
"this man's blood"
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