Rise Up Ministries, Inc.- Steve Swords

10/22/2024

“What is the meaning of life anyway?”

“What do people GAIN…
—from ‘ALL their labors’

—-under the sun’?”

(Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 from the Bible)
——-

I’m studying Ecclesiastes this next 30 days with some friends using the YouVersion App and a wonderful ministry call “Through The Word” (TTW)

Ecclesiastes 1 written by King Solomon, considered one of the wisest men that ever lived, suggests the question above about life.

Here are the TTW authors thoughts and my comments:

The authors propose Solomon using the phrase “under the sun” in context with “meaningless” is suggesting…

… a life…

“as if THIS EARTH and THIS LIFE
is ‘ALL there is’.”

This reminded me of an old old song from the 1960s called “Is that all there is” sung by Peggy Lee.

Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/LCRZZC-DH7M?si=d4cPRKpRkgRkpW15

—

The lyrics of Peggy Lee’s song suggests…

…if we know NO OTHER THING than…

—what we see and experience in the natural—

…we will indeed find ourselves thinking,

“then let’s just keep dancing;
let’s break out the booze
and
(try to) ‘have a ball’ (that never happens).”

But we Christians have inside information; a spirit that KNOWS there is “so much more”.

Breaking out the booze or any other thing that seems to offer us a temporary patch on life is only empty.

BUT GOD… is not empty.

My relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit offers me daily excitement into a world of unending joy in discovery and life.

I hope everyone reading this has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It changes everything from…

…”everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

To

…”You have shown me the way of life,
and
“you will fill me with
the joy of your presence.’ (Acts 2:28 NLT).

Peggy Lee -- Is That All There Is? 1969

08/04/2024

“…I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau” (Mal 1:2–3)

Malachi 1 (last book of the Old Testament) includes THAT tough statement repeated in the New Testament (Romans 9:13).

I asked the Lord, “What does it mean?”

A YouVersion study helped me understand the INCREDIBLE OFFER embedded in that statement.

An offer received…
…if we will just believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Messiah,
—the blood of His atonement, and
—the ongoing prayers of His Intercession for us from Heaven (Hebrews 7:25) combined with the Holy Spirit’s presence IN us on Earth (John 14:16-17).

———- (in that study)———-
The author has an audio component I love. In it the author explains…

…Jacob and Esau were brothers
and
…each had an alternate name:
Jacob = Israel
Esau = Edom

Then the author gives context for the statement above. Here are my notes:

——-

COUNSEL
[from author’s audio]

Esau “hated” is not about the feeling of hate.
It is about the justice of punishing the tribes of Esau/ Edom who zealously were killing God’s people Israel throughout history.

Justice: “if they got exactly what they deserved for their actions, that is the definition of justice.”
[Esau got Justice from God]

Grace: “Was (He) fair and just to Israel? …not even close. It was so much better than fair (for them).

“They did NOT deserve the goodness God gave them.

[author goes on…]
“That is the nature of the gospel!”
“It is NOT fair. It’s better than fair.”

————
[FOR YOU AND I(?)]

“If I refuse the gospel…
…refuse God’s forgiveness, I will get exactly, precisely JUSTICE on judgment day. That is what hell is. FAIR.

“Hell is by definition exactly what we deserve!”

“If I accept Christ…
…I do not get fair.
…I do NOT get justice.
I get grace. Undeserved, almost ridiculous….
God just loves me for no reason explainable by man.”

“Grace: God loves us, He loves us, He loves us. That’s how God treated Israel (back in the day).”

UNDESERVED, but GIVEN.

How about you?

Will you receive?

———- the study———
plan 'Malachi Explained | Getting Real With God'. Check it out BELOW:

When the Bible is confusing, Through the Word explains it–with clear and concise audio guides for every chapter. Here in Malachi, we find some of the Bible’s most down-to-earth passages. God’s people have been doubting His love and challenging His justice, and God’s response is direct and to...

12/25/2023

The Christmas Beginning Happened.

Then…

Matthew 9:29 (NASB95):
“Then He touched their eyes, saying,
“It shall be done to you according to your faith.”

Matthew 15:28 (NASB95):

“Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great;

it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

Matthew 8:13 (NASB95):
“Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; 
“it shall be done for you as you have believed.”
And the servant was healed that very moment.”

Blessings to you
“according to your faith”

12/21/2023

“When Jesus began teaching, He did not spread the Good News by word alone.

- The blind received sight,
- the lame walked, and
- the dead were raised

– all to communicate beyond words what the Good News meant.”

(Paul David Tripp, “Come let us adore Him” Advent devotional; December 14th)

Well said Paul. Reminds me of the song “Mary Did You Know”

‘THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS HITS’ AVAILABLE NOW https://ptx.lnk.to/greatestchristmash*ts PENTATONIX THE MOST WONDERFUL TOUR OF THE YEAR TICKETS AND VIP PACKAGE...

12/14/2023

I love this worship song at the church. We’re going to Preston Trail community Church

If you look closely, you’ll see me on the back row of the choir.



Trust in God | Preston Trail WorshipI trust in God, my SaviorThe one who will never failprestontrail.orgSundays, 9:15 & 11 a.m.

12/14/2023

While participating in a YouVersion 21-day Bible Study based Christmas Carols, the author wrote:

“While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our lives, they will happen.

“Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33),
…but He also promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16).”

_______
That about says all I need to remember in my moments of INTERRUPTED peace near Christmas.

In essence, “LOOK UP for a calming hand reaching down!”

And I love this confirmation where God says:

Isaiah 57:15 (NASB95):
“I dwell on a high and holy place (15b),

AND ALSO WITH…
… the contrite and lowly of spirit (15c)

[why?]

“In order TO REVIVE the spirit of the lowly
And TO REVIVE the heart of the contrite.”(15d)

______

…I’m soooo thankful God continues to…
…reach down to PICK UP the brokenhearted.

Praying with you today brothers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

…for any loved ones we have going through the toughest of times for them this season.

10/15/2022

Have you ever wondered HOW to be led of the Holy Spirit?
The most important thing to understand is that the Spirit is like rivers that flow things toward us.
Second, the Holy Spirit flows THROUGH YOU!

09/10/2022

Can you hear Him?☝🏻 Are you prepared?

05/18/2022

THE DIVINE INITIATIVE: Do you want to HEAR FROM HEAVEN? ☝ Do you need to know HOW God, a Spirit, can work IN and THROUGH you TODAY in power and glory? 💪 This video is for you.😃

04/21/2022

5 BIG WORDS THAT CHANGE LIVES

To my Christian friend… I hope this helps you take the abundance of scripture that relates to financial stewardship and planning…

…and breaks it down to …

…WHAT IN MY EXPERIENCE (39 years walking with the Lord as a Christian and Financial Advisor)…

…are “5 BIG WORDS THAT CHANGE LIVES”

06/11/2021

#14 Extra-ordinary Way: It’s an extraordinary way of living to know God and express thankfulness to Him — the fruit of lips that praises God.

Stir up gratitude and find yourself in more grace.

Sincere seeking believers move life from ordinary to extra-ordinary this way. - Pt 16

06/08/2021

A TOP 3 Extra-ordinary Way: the DISCERNING CONSCIENCE from human spirit; sincere seeking believers moving life from ordinary to extra-ordinary in 2021