Churches of God Outreach Ministries

08/20/2022

How Great Thou Art

by: Bill Bratt

Email: [email protected]

God is Great

Psalms 104:1-35 (NKJV) "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, {2} Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. {3} He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, {4} Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. {5} You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, {6} You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains. {7} At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. {8} They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them. {9} You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth. {10} He sends the springs into the valleys, They flow among the hills. {11} They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. {12} By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. {13} He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. {14} He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, {15} And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart. {16} The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, {17} Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees. {18} The high hills are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers. {19} He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down. {20} You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about. {21} The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God. {22} When the sun rises, they gather together And lie down in their dens. {23} Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening. {24} O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions; {25} This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great. {26} There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there. {27} These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. {28} What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. {29} You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. {30} You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. {31} May the glory of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works. {32} He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. {33} I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. {34} May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD. {35} May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!" As you read this chapter did you sense the greatness of God with His involvement in the creation of the mountains, valleys, waters, grass, trees, wine, birds, moon and the sun?
God is the Creator

How great is God? He is the creator of all creation. Gen 1:1-5 (NKJV) says: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. {2} The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. {3} Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. {4} And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. {5} God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." This universe did not just happen, it was created by God Almighty. "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)
God is the Great Life-Giver

Gen 1:11-12 (NKJV) says: "Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. {12} And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Gen 1:20-27 (NKJV) continues "Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." {21} So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. {22} And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." {23} So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. {24} Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. {25} And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. {26} Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." {27} So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Gen 2:7 (NKJV) "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."
The very existence of life demands a life-giver! God is that great life-giver! Did you notice in Gen. 1:24-28 that God is talking and says that the living creatures would bring forth "according to their kind." Cows produce cows and horses produce horses. To man, God says "be fruitful and multiply." Reproduction of life is a gift from God. God is the great life-sustainer.
God is the Great Law-Giver

Think for a moment about all of the laws that we take for granted. The laws of science, physics, chemistry and of our universe. You can depend upon these laws. These laws are a part of an orderly universe.
You know that if you drop a china dish that the law of gravity will cause it to fall to the floor and break. You know that water freezes at 32 degrees and it boils at 212 degrees. We can depend on these laws.
God also gave man His spiritual laws, statutes, and judgments. God's ten commandments are eternal. God gave them to us so we can have a good relationship with Him and with our neighbors, friends, family and co-workers.
The existence of law demands a great law-giver and that law-giver is God. James 4:12 (NLT) says: "God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. "
God is the God of Love and Mercy

God has all power, glory and majesty and yet He is also a God of love and mercy. We are all familiar with: John 3:16 (NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Psalms 107:1 (NKJV) "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
Eph 2:8-10 (NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast. {10} For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
God is very loving, merciful, kind and gracious. He wants all men to come to the knowledge of His truth and be saved (1 Tim 2:4 NKJV).
In Conclusion:

Take some time and meditate on How Great God Is. Think about God's creation: the beauty of a sunset, a snow-capped mountain, the trees turning color in the autumn, the blooming of the flowers in the spring and the birth of a baby.

Re-read Psalms 104 and meditate on it.

Let's remember How Great God Is!
Psalms 95:3 (NKJV) "For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods."

08/06/2022

The Making of Jewels

by: John Bair

Twenty-five years ago, I was sent overseas to Thailand during the Vietnam War. I was assigned to a tour of duty in B 52's called "Arc Light." I had been married only eight months, and to help cope with the loneliness of being apart, I learned a new hobby: lapidary. This art of cutting gemstones was being taught by local Thai craftsmen at the air base where I was stationed. I was sure this would be useful, especially from my wife's point of view.

Just recently I was intrigued by the use of an analogy to this gem making process in an oft quoted millennial verse found in Mal. 3:17. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Imagine - God making us His jewels, His special treasure! What incredible symbolism there is to be found in the qualities that make a jewel valuable and in the process it takes to fashion one. Let's begin by noting the qualities that make a gem valuable.

First and most obvious to the eye is the natural beauty of the stone that comes from its light dispersing quality. This may be the inherent reflected color of the stone or it may be produced by refraction as light passes through the stone and is separated into colors. This can be the result of the natural structure within the stone as is the case with opal, or the cut of the stone such as a diamond. But regardless of how it is dispersed, it is the effect of light that brings out the gem's beauty. That light doesn't arise from within the stone.

Our beauty, as well, doesn't arise from ourselves. It's the effect of the light we reflect. I John 1:5 tells us God is light. In John 8:12 Christ states, "I am the light of the world".

Now some may recall in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:14) that Christ tells his disciples "you are the light of the world". But we should always realize where our "light" comes from, and that is Christ himself (Eph. 5:14).

A second quality that makes a gem valuable is its durability or hardness. Obviously, for something to be valuable it must last. Here the diamond sets the scale at 10, a sapphire is 9, glass is 7, but an opal is less than 6, which is why it is considered only semi-precious. This I know only too well as I've cut a replacement opal for my wife's ring at least five times before we decided on a triplet opal, which has a clear sapphire cap.

Here, again, for us to be valuable to God, we must be able to last, to "endure to the end", according to Matt 10:22. To be durable, we must resist the abrasion and stress of this life without wearing out or cracking and still remain faithful. "He who overcomes and keeps my works until the end" will be given power over the nations. (Rev. 2:26)

A third quality that contributes to the value of a gem is its rareness; simply put, how difficult is it to find. We see at this time only a few being called. We're told we are a "little flock", and according to Matt 7:14, "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it". That makes us special to God now, because we are few in number.

A final quality that makes a gem valuable is the absence of any flaws or imperfections within the finished stone. This means no cracks, inclusions, even color distribution, as well as precise cutting. It is the job of the cutting and polishing process to remove flaws and in that we also find a beautiful analogy.

We're told in Matt 5:48 to "become perfect". How is this accomplished? By carefully noting the cutting and polishing process, we can see what God is endeavoring to accomplish in us.

First, the natural rough stone is selected from "out in the world" where it was produced. It is interesting to note that the more valuable stones underwent the most intensive heat and pressure to produce them. During this selection process, it is necessary to "see" into the stone past the dull, rough exterior. This may require rough grinding, cutting, or breaking the stone, but almost invariably, water is used in the process to wet the surface to examine the inside. (In some cases, such as star sapphire, mineral oil is also used to determine proper orientation.) We immediately see a comparison with God's Holy Spirit in our selection or calling. (John 7:37, 38)

The next step in the process is rough grinding to remove all non-gem material, imperfections, and to size the finished stone. Here again water must be constantly applied in just the right amount to keep the stone from cracking due to the heat, and to wash away the debris produced during grinding.

II Cor. 4:16 tells us, "even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day". We see the analogy of "water" again being applied daily to help us through our trials, which according to James 1:2-4 are to help, perfect us.

The final step in the gem making process is the polishing. Here jeweler's rouge (cerium oxide) is mixed with water to make a paste. The stone is dipped in this mixture and then pressed against a felt buffing wheel. This shines the exterior to allow light in (and out). We can see in our "polishing" the chance to put into practice the light we've been given, to reflect it to the world. Rom. 12:2 tells us to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind" which is exactly what this gem making process has accomplished in us. We're transformed into something beautiful. We become valuable to God - jewels to attract others to the light we reflect.

Now let's see the end of the matter and note what these jewels become. Rev. 21:19 describes the foundation of New Jerusalem (the bride of Christ according to verse 9) as adorned with all kinds of precious stones and, as always, God is the only source of light.

Who then will be there? Verse 27 tells us: those written in the Lamb's "book of life", which brings us back to the verse before Mal. 3:17 - where a similar "book of remembrance" is also mentioned. And what were these future "Jewels" doing that God took such note? They "spoke to one another"! They were sharing their faith, "not forsaking the assembling together", and obviously "about their Father's business"!

So let's get back to the "old grind"; the finished jewels are definitely worth it!

07/16/2022

His Mercy Endures Forever

In this Bible Study article, let’s notice the Bible passages that says: "His Mercy Endures Forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34, " Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:41, "And with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endures forever."

2 Chronicles 5:13, "Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever," that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud."

2 Chronicles 7:3, "When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever."

2 Chronicles 7:6, "And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, "For His mercy endures forever," whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood."

2 Chronicles 20:21, "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever."

Ezra 3:11, "And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel." Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."

Psalms 106:1, "Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalms 107:1, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalms 118:1-4, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. {2} Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever." {3} Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever." {4} Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever."

Psalms 118:29, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalms 136, "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. {2} Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. {3} Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: {4} To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; {5} To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; {6} To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; {7} To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever; {8} The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; {9} The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever. {10} To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever; {11} And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever; {12} With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever; {13} To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever; {14} And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever; {15} But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever; {16} To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever; {17} To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever; {18} And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever; {19} Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever; {20} And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever; {21} And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever; {22} A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever. {23} Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; {24} And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever; {25} Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever. {26} Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever."

Jeremiah 33:11, "The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever"; and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD."

07/16/2022

Happy Sabbath to everyone!

(Sunset from Maui, known also as “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest Hawaiian island... Of course copied, but love to visit one day)

May this Sabbath be a time to reflection and renewal of your energy and focus toward God the Father and Jesus Christ ...The path to a better world in the future can be stressful . For we must endure this present age which can be a challenge at times with it's struggles...

Matthew 24:12-14
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Hebrews 12:1-4
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

2 Timothy 2:3-7
{Paul to Timothy but also to all who read this}
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Psalm 145:12-14
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.

06/17/2022

Happy Sabbath Day to everyone!

May this Sabbath be a day of rest ,reflection on life and God's word, and day full of fellowship.

Remember that it is Father day on Sunday, thus remember to be grateful for both your physical father as well as Your Spiritual Father who loves you so much....

(Sunset in Mononaftis - Crete, Greece )

“The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family.” ―Reed Markham
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” —William Shakespeare
"A father doesn't tell you that he loves you. He shows you.”
-Unknown
Jesus States that :
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Matthew 6:25-33
Do Not Worry about life issues and seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness:
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We have a part in the Work of God:
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 John 3:1-2
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know [b]us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

God is Creating a Family

Galatians 4:6-7
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out,“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bo***ge again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

05/28/2022

Happy Sabbath to everyone!

(Makena Secret Beach at sunset in Maui, Hawaii with lava rocks)

May this Sabbath be a time for reflection and focus on the security that we have in Jesus Christ and God the Father...In this time of sorrow and trials that surround us in this world, may you find the Peace of God...

(One more week to Pentecost, Just a remember)

Psalm 27: 1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 145: 18-19
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.

Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Happy Sabbath to everyone!

(Makena Secret Beach at sunset in Maui, Hawaii with lava rocks)

May this Sabbath be a time for reflection and focus on the security that we have in Jesus Christ and God the Father...In this time of sorrow and trials that surround us in this world, May you find the Peace of God...

(One more week to Pentecost, Just a remember)

Psalm 27: 1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 145: 18-19
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.

Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

05/07/2022

Happy Sabbath to everyone!

(About the Photo: Gorgeous golden light over the spring Rhododendron bloom at Jane's Bald along the Appalachian Trail in the Roan Mountain Highlands of Western NC and Eastern TN.)

This Sabbath , in light of the events in the news of the week, I would like to encourage you to reflect on the value of human life in the view of the Bible...From the Bible, we can see that mankind is not just a product of this physical world but a special creation by God with a great purpose in mind.

Psalm 144:3-4
Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
4 Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.

Psalm 8:3-5
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower that the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [b]moves on the earth.”

David in Praising God , Praise God for how he was made:
Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Jeremiah 1:4-5
(The Prophet Is Called, To Jeremiah)
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jesus states:
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Romans 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bo***ge again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Revelation 1:4-6
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.