WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (First half)

 

 Joyce Meyers, from her book, Healing the Soul of a Woman 

 "I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18)

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him, who created me (Colossians 3:9-10).

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and
running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches by Christ Jesus  (Philiippians 4:19).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13)

I show forth the praises of God, who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).  

I am God's child, for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God's workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being alive to God (Romans 6:11; Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him, who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony." (Revelation 12:11).

       [The other half of her list will be listed on the 28th of December!]

Another post from the past: Some Basic Truths About who You Are in Christ by Jill Savage. (Great post! Worth reading!)

Let's pray-

   Father, as believers in Christ Jesus, we have received wisdom and revelation knowledge, as our eyes of our understanding are being enlightened. As His Spirit comes to live within us, we are able to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Demons are cast out in the name of Jesus, and we are able to speak with new tongues, upon being baptized with His Spirit. We have power over the enemy, and nothing shall harm us!

   We're renewed in the knowledge of Jesus, and have put off the old man and have put on the new man, created after His likeness. He causes us to receive from others, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. We have no lack for You supply all of our needs according to Christ's riches in glory!

   I am Your child, that You have called out of darkness into Your marvelous light. I can quench all the firey darts of the wicked one with the shield of faith Christ has given me. I am able to do all things that He wants me to through His name. His Word is alive in me, as I have the incorruptable seed of His Word which abides forever.

   Because I am Your workmanship, created in Christ to do good works, and as I am a new creature in Christ, His Spirit is alive in me shining through my actions. I am a joint-heir with Christ, and am more that a conqueror through Him, as He loves me, and covers me with His blood and helps me use the word of my testimony!

   I'm thankful for all of this, and praise the Lord Jesus for His help! Amen 

 Making Prayer a Priority
   James Banks

#61 Quote- Martin Luther

 

"And though this world, with devils filled,

 Should threaten to undo us,

 We will not fear, for God hath willed,

 His truth to triumph through us.

 The Prince of Darkness grim,

 We tremble not for him;

 His rage we can endure,

 For lo! his doom is sure;

 One little word shall fell him."

1331-1335 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1331- Pro. 2:2 "Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding."

1332- Ps. 139:24 "And see if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way                  everlasting."

1333- The Song of Solomon 2:4 "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his                      banner over me was love."

1334- Is. 61:11b "The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth                    before all the nations."

1335- Pro. 13:18b "He that regardeth reproof shall be honored."

 #61  Hymn- Breath on Me, Breath of God

   The simplicity of this profound hymn belies the education and knowledge of its author, Edwin Hatch (1835-1889).  In spite of Hatch’s scholarship, his one remaining hymn reflects both a profound simplicity and a deep knowledge of Scripture. Our hymn draws largely from John 20:21-22, following John’s account of the Resurrection, for its inspiration: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even, so send I you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (RSV)

   The author invokes the Holy Spirit to come into his life and transform it. Using the first-person perspective throughout the hymn adds to the hymn’s power as the singer seeks the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) as a source for renewal.

   Summarizing the message of the hymn, British hymnologist J.R. Watson, suggests that the breath of God “brings new life and love, purity and obedience, surrender and inspiration, and finally eternal life, as the hymn moves through various stages of Christian experience and discipline towards a unity with God.”

 

CHURCH NOTES: 

   Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, where forgiveness was granted through their works. In the New Testament, Jesus did the "work" of salvation for us. We now have free access to heaven through His blood, and are cleansed thorougly from all sin when we believe in Him and invite Him into our hearts and lives! We are thus changing into Holy temples with His Spirit living within us. Christ is on the throne in heaven continually interceding for us! We are challenged to FINISH THE RACE!

 Some encouraging words-

   To pray in Christ's name means something more that adding "for Christ's sake" to our petitions. His name expresses His personality, character and essence. When we pray in the name of Christ, we are to be in agreement with His character, desires and purpose.  

Upcoming posts:

23rd-    LIFT UP THE WORD, LIGHT UP THE WORLD- Kathy Branzell

30th-    PUTTING ON HUMILITY- Katara Patton

12/7th- PRECIOUS TO GOD- JASMINE GOH

 

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

                            

GOD'S REST AND RENEWAL

 

Melissa Meek-  "Searching for answers and God can be a weary task, especially when we are already carrying sin, oppression, and doubt. But I had to accept and believe this so I could move on. When the time came to give it all to God, I rested on my knees and surrendered to His strength.

Many don't realize how difficult carrying extra weitht is for our bodies. The same holds for our hearts and minds. The weight slowly robe us of our freedom to be a child of God. (Mountains and sunset)

 

COVID-19 brought a sense of relief for many as it curtailed all the outside-of-home activities and to-dos, giving us permission to stay home. It was nice to just “be,” to rest from the running and be still physically. For many, it brought a time of spiritual rest too.

For me, it brought me back to God and to the life and purpose He had chosen for me. I couldn’t be a servant without strength. And the physical and spiritual rest did the trick.

Think of a heavy yoke that you need to give to God."

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and JancickaL)

Let's pray-

   Father, we've searched for answers, especially when we've dealt with our sins. Help us rest in the Attonement that Christ provided for humanity, and to give our everything into His care, as we surrender to His strength. May we sense the freedom from carrying the extra weight of it, and receive the robe of righteousness in becoming children of Yours.
   With COVID- 19, we had a sense of relief in its curtailing all the outside-of-home activities and obligations. It gave us permission to stay home and rest from the running around we normally did. For many, it gave a time of spiritual rest too. 

   For Melissa, it brought her back to You and to the life and purpose You had chosen for her. Lets think of a heavy yoke that we need to give to You, Father, releasing it into Your Hands in and through our Lord Jesus for our good and Your glory! Amen.

 

 #60 Quote- M.J. from Joyce Meyer's book, (pg. 110)  

HOW TO AGE WITHOUT GETTING OLD

"I have less stamina now than I once had. 

 In a way, this is a great thing. 

 It's made me more gracious and kind to myself. 

 I've also become better at setting boundaries, 

 but softer and gentler at communicating them 

 and saying no when needed. 

 Best of all I'm comfortable with the reality that sometimes 

 I just need an afternoon nap. 

 The daily afternoon quiet times my mom insisted on 

 when I was a child have circled back around to becoming, 

 at long last, treasured gifts." 

1326-1330 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1326- Job 36:26a " Behold, God is great."

1327- Pro. 3:32b "His secret is with the righteous."

1328- Ps. 103:22 "Bless ye the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: 

          bless the LORD, O my soul."

1329- Ps. 140:13a "Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name."

1330- Ps. 89:1 "I will sing of the meries of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will 

          I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

 #60 Hymn- Jesus Shall Reign

  Isaac Watts devoted himself to a massive project, adapting the Book of Psalms for Christian worship. He worked his way through most of the 150 Psalms, paraphrasing them with New Testament truth, and framing them in singing form.

   Several of these have become favorites that have withstood the ages. His rendition of Psalm 72, for example, has been called the first missions hymn: Jesus Shall Reign Where'er The Sun." (The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 37)

Church note: A life-changing alteration is to sing to the Lord a new song, stiring ourselves up, to keep us from complainig about life's problems. God will supply His wisdom, if asked! Let's come against the sin of complaining with songs of praise!

 Some encouraging words-

   If you don't know Christ as your Savior, there is no solution to depend on apart from Him. You don't need more of Him — you need Him! You need a relationship with the One who made you, loves you and died for you. He's actually what you've been wanting all along; the only One that can staisfy your deepest longing of your heart.

Upcoming posts:

16th-   WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST- (First half) Joyce Meyers

23rd-   LIFT UP THE WORD, LIGHT UP THE WORLD- Kathy Bronzell

30th-   PUTTING ON HUMITY- Katara Patton

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

REMOVE THE DEBRIS

 

Andrea Merrel- The fire took it all.

It started in one shed and quickly jumped to the one beside it. We watched in horror as years’ worth of earthly possessions went up in smoke. Tools. Furniture. Clothes. Antiques. Fall and Christmas decorations. And so much more.

A large portion of our backyard was left in black, sooty ruins. The next day we began picking through the rubble, hoping to find something salvageable. The only thing we found intact was a Bible, barely even singed.

For many days afterward, we lived with the devastation—a constant reminder of what had taken place. It was hard to look at the mess without tears, thinking of what we had lost and wondering if our backyard would ever return to normal.

The clean-up crew came. They loaded up the debris and hauled it away. Then another crew came and cut down over a dozen burned trees. They also ground the stumps. Once again, the debris was loaded up and taken away, leaving the ground smooth and free of any signs of that dreadful fire. With two new sheds in place, it now looks even better than before, as though the fire never happened.

That’s what happens when God forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He removes all the clutter and debris from our heart and tosses it into the sea of forgetfulness. He washes us, as the Bible says, “white as snow.” He gives us beauty instead of ashes. He turns our mourning into joy and clothes us with a garment of praise. He makes all things new.

That Bible survived a terrible fire when nothing else did. The Word of the living God. Alive and sharper than a two-edged sword. Powerful and eternal. It proved to be a constant reminder of how blessed we were—blessed that no one was hurt and that the fire did not come near our home, the woods behind our home, our chickens, or our motorhome (parked beside the second shed). Things could have turned out so much worse, but God was faithful and merciful.

When life comes at you, leaving a mess in its wake, don’t lose hope. You can always count on God and His Word to remove the debris and make things even better than before.

 "To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (Isaiah 61:3 NIV).

(photo courtesy of author)

Let's pray-

   Father, Andrea Merrel relates how fire took all their possessions one day, jumping from one shed to another. They watched in horror that years' worth of tools, funiture, clothes and many other things went up in smoke.

   Even a large portion of their backyard was left in ruins. The only thing they found intact was a Bible, barely even singed!

   For many days afterward, they lived with the devastation—a constant reminder of what had taken place. The clean-up crew came and hauled the debris away. They  wondered if their backyard would ever return to normal. 

  With two new sheds now in place, they see that things even look better than before the fire happened. 

   That's what happens when God forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He removes all the clutter and debris from our hearts and tosses it into the sea of forgetfulness, and washes us white as snow! He turns our mourning into joy and clothes us with a garment of praise, making all things new.

   How grateful we are that we're blessed with Your powerful and eternal Word that gives us the revelation of what Christ did at the Cross so many years ago.

   When life comes at us, leaving a mess in its wake, we can always count on You and Your Word to remove the debris and make things even better than before through Christ Jesus our Savior!  Amen.

   

#59 Testimony - Michael Evans' report from Ukraine:

   "It was a heartbreaking day of ministry in Ukraine. Today I brought aid to people touched deeply by the torror of war. Some wounds only Jesus can heal, as the heart is the Lord's domain. One family I'll never forget. A single grandmother desperately trying to hold together her family.

   Her son-in-law sick with cancer and her gandchildren sunken-eyed from the killing of their mother in a Russian attack. The home has been completely destroyed. We'e helping them in every way we can, but where we can't reach, the Holy Spirit can. 

   While I prayed for them today, the grandmother received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and a peace came on the family. I will never forget them or this tender moment of God's love."  [From the magazine of the Jerusalem Prayer Team International]

1321-1325 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1321- Ps. 107:22 "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with rejoicing."

1322- Ps. 16:9 "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope."

1323- Ps. 16:2a "O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord."

1324- Ezra 10:4 "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee; we also will be with thee, be of good courage, and do it."

1325- 1 Chron. 28:9b "The LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imginations of the thoughts; if thou seek him, he will be found of thee."

 # 59 Hymn- There's A Green Hill Far Away  

	As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (b. Redcross, County Wicklow, Ireland, 1818; Londonderry, Ireland, 1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal. In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling many miles each day to visit the sick and the poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies.    She and her sister also founded a school for the deaf. Alexander was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble's Christian Year. Her first book of poetry, Verses for Seasons, was a "Christian Year" for children. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and prayer, writing in simple language for children. Her more than four hundred hymn texts were published in Verses from the Holy Scripture (1846), Hymns for Little Children (1848), and Hymns Descriptive and Devotional (1858).

 Some encouraging words-

   A pastor cannot lead his people higher that he is himself. It is his duty to train his people to be people of prayer, if he desires to have God's blessing on his work. It is nothing but the sin of prayerlessness that is the cause of the lack of a powerful spiritual life in anyone of us and our churches!

CHURCH NOTES:

   - Christ is superior to Moses and the angels. Jesus is the Redeemer. He has finished what the Father had instructed Him to do for mankind! He has become heir of all things. Everything belongs to Him. He is the Source of life. We're to become His images through the power of His Word. We're to serve and reflect Him, and to stay true!

Upcoming posts:

11/9-  GOD'S REST AND RENEWAL- Melissa Meek

16th- WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS- Joyce Meyers

23rd- LIFT UP THE WORD, LIGHT UP THE WORLD- Kathy Branzell

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

    Rich Carmicheal- The Holy Spirit is the source of life, joy, peace and hope. Jesus gives this beautiful word picture of the Spirit's presence within us: " 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, who those believing in Him would receive . . . " (John 7:37-39).

   Similarly, Isaiah prophesied about the day "the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest" (Is. 32:15) Do we not need and long for such overflowing life, such fruitfulness in our lives?   

   And what about the need for joy and peace in these difficult days? The fruit of the Spirit includes joy and peace (Gal. 5:22), and the kingdom of God is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17).

   Even in the midst of much affliction, we can be filled with the "joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6). How wonderful it is that the God of hope is able to fill us "with all joy and peace in believing, that [we] may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"! (Rom. 15:13).

   The Holy Spirit fills us with the love of God. 

   In a time when the love of many is growing cold (Matt. 24:12), how we need the Holy Spirit to keep pouring out God's love into our hearts (Rom.5:5), and to bear the fruit of love in our lives (Gal. 5:22).

   Only by the enabling of the Holy Spirit and "through the love of the Spirit" (Rom. 15:30) are we able to love and minister to others. Oh that we may be known for our "love in the Spirit"! (Col. 1:8).

   The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of holiness (Rom. 1:4). 

   In these last days in which sin and lawlessness abound (Matt.24:12; 2 Tim. 3:1-4), how grateful we can be for the sanctifying work of the Spirit in our lives! (2 Thes. 2:13).

   As we walk in Him, we "shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal 5:16), but rather by Him we "put to death the deeds of the body" (Rom. 8:13). He renews us (Titus 3:5) and strengthens us with might in the inner man (Eph. 3:16). By His glorious ministry we are being transformed into the likeness of the Lord! (2 Cor. 3:18).

   The Holy Spirit helps in our weaknesses and in prayer.

   ". . . We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26). We are able to pray "always with all prayer and supplicaiton in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18).

   As Jude points out, our prayer in the Spirit is vital to our faith and life with God: 

   "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21).

   The Holy Spirit directs our lives and equips and empowers us for ministry.

   We are absolutely dependent upon the leading of the Spirit, for only those led of the Spirit are the children of God (Rom. 8:14). What an unbelievable blessing it is to "live in the Sprit" and "walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25), and to minister based on the gifts and calling entrusted to us by the Spirit! (1 Cor. 12:11; Acts 13:2; 20:28).

   Likewise, what a privilege it is to serve in the newness of the Spirit (Rom. 7: 6) and by the empowering of the Spirit! (1 Cor. 2:4; 1 Thes. 1:5; 1 Peter. 1:12).

By Rich Carmicheal, July/August 2024 Herald of His Coming Newspaper, (pg 2)

Let's pray-

    Father, the Spirit of Jesus is our Source of life, joy, peace and hope. This gives us a beautiful word picture of His presence within us.

    Isaiah prophesied that the day would come that You would pour out this overflowing life. We need and long for such life to dwell within us today!

   As this includes joy and peace, we ask for Your righteousness too, to flow from us through these difficult days, as folks' godly love is growing cold. 

   We need the Holy Spirit to keep pouring out Your love into our hearts, so we can bear the fruit of love.

   As we walk in Jesus, we will learn to not fulfill the lust of flesh, but by Him, put to death the deeds of our bodies. He renews and strengthens us with might in our inner man daily as His ministry transforms us into His likeness.

   Your Word instructs us to pray in the Spirit, as we simply don't know what we should pray for. Help us have the perseverance and supplication that's needed! 

   May we build ourselves up in our most holy faith in the heavenly language, as we continue to pray for You to extend mercy to those we're prayinig for.

   In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

#58  Words from Mary Carothers:

   "When we abide in Jesus (see John 15), when we hide God's Word in our hearts (see Proverbs 3), when we obey the Lord (see Job 36:11), walking in the Spirit (see Galatians 5:25), God has told us we would tread upon and trample the counterfiet lion (see Psalm 91). He will give us authority over all the power of the enemy (see Luke 10:19).  

   Let's remember what the Lord tells us in Job 4:10: The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken. How was this done? Jesus accomplished this for us on Calvary. Our enemy - the counterfeit lion- has been defeated by the true lion 

of the tribe of Judah. Let us therefore go forth as more than conquerors in Christ who loves us" (see Romans 8:37).    [Taken from PRAISE NEWS for September]

 

1316-1320 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1316- Ps. 9:11b "Declare among the people his doings."

1317- Ps. 27:9b "Thou hast been my help; leave me not; neither forsake me, O God of my salvation."

1318- Jer. 18:11c "Make your ways and doings good."

1319- Ps. 150:1 "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power."

1320- Ps. 22:4 "Our fathers trusted in thee; they trusted and thou didst deliver them."

 #58 Hymn- Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated

 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 191)

   Although hymnist Frances Hargal, 36, had served the Lord for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. After reading "All for Jesus," which stressed the importance of making Christ the King of every corner and cubicle of one's life, she soon thereafter made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to Christ.

   After leading several to Christ one night, too excited to sleep, she wrote this song, Take My life and Let It Be

 Some encouraging words-

   God wants us to live in community with others (church fellowship), loving and being loved, giving and receiving forgiveness, enjoying one another and bearing with one another's weaknesses (Gal. 6:1-3).

Church notes: 

   We're to hold fast to our salvation! God is trustworthy, as He has vowed His committment to us by His Own name! We're to hold onto Jesus as our Anchor in heaven! We're to have confidence in the salvation that He provided! He is the foundation for everything! We're to live as though we could lose our salvation. 

So HOLD FAST at all costs!

 

Upcoming posts:

11/2- REMOVE THE DEBRIS- Andrea Merrel

9th-   GOD'S REST AND RENEWAL- Melissa Meek

16th- WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS- Joyce Meyers  

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library