16 posts from May 2008 (page 2)

I want to tell all Bible Fellowship members how I love your photos, music, posts. So beautiful to share God's love. We grow stronger every day through our fellowship with Him together. Thank You! elsalioness:D

Angeloval

READ: Jeremiah 6:16-21

More than 2,500 years ago, Jeremiah reminded us that there is nothing more relevant than the truth of the past. Even though he was regarded as a relic of his time, he urged his neighbors to walk in the old paths of truth so that they would find peace and rest for their souls (Jer. 6:16). Today, we can still find rest and peace in Jesus, our eternal source of truth (Matt. 11:28).

READ: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Our moods can affect the people around us—our family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. Our life touches people, whether for good or bad. Each person is responsible for his or her own reaction to us, of course. Yet the way we behave makes a difference in others’ lives.

The apostle Peter encouraged us to have compassion for others, to love, to be tenderhearted and courteous, and not to return evil for evil but rather blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9). Following his instructions may be difficult for us on a day when we feel cranky. By depending on the Holy Spirit, we can have a positive impact on everyone we meet—even if all we do is smile or listen.

Let’s paint our world in bright colors today.

Read: Isaiah 40:25-41:1

There is a promise of spiritual vitality that defies the ravages of time. “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:30-31).

Isaiah used the eagle as a symbol of freedom and endurance, held aloft by a source of power outside itself. As we put our hope and trust in the Lord, we are carried along by His strength and not our own. The psalmist said it is the Lord who nourishes us so that our “youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:5).

Are we taking advantage of God’s anti-aging power? It’s promised to all who put their trust in Him for strength of heart, vigor of spirit, and energy of soul. Growing old is a blessing when you’re growing closer to God.

Do you ever wonder what it takes to please God? It couldn’t be clearer than in Proverbs. Ask God to give you a willing heart as you prepare to be counselled by him.

Proverbs 1:1-19

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7)

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There is a well-known saying in Spanish: ‘Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are.’ Who you associate with reveals a lot about you.
It is interesting that fear of the Lord (vs 1–7) and choosing friends (vs 10–19) are the first two subjects in the book of Proverbs. As Solomon, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, lays the foundation on how to live a successful life, he gives two clear points of emphasis – wisdom through fear of the Lord and foolishness through poor relationships (v 7).
Take time to check out Psalm 128:1, Psalm 112:1, Proverbs 8:13, Job 1:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:11a. In each passage, fear of the Lord has a direct correlation to walking in his ways. Each is a direct rebuke of foolish, undisciplined living.
Do you desire to be filled with wisdom and knowledge? Do you want to honour God with your life and fear him with a holy fear? Then start by looking at your influences. Who do you spend time with? Who influences you? Is it God, or is it unhealthy friendships?

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better (Ephesians 1:17).

Paul writes to the Ephesians to encourage them and here he explains the significance of Jesus’ ascension recorded in Acts 1:1–11.

Paul prays for the Spirit of wisdom, revelation, deeper knowledge of God (v 17), understanding of our hope (v 18) and experience of God’s power (v 19). This power at work in us was revealed in Christ’s victory over death (v 20). What a prayer!
What matters most from the ascension story (v 20) is that Jesus was not removed from having influence on earth. The ascension took Jesus into the place of ultimate influence above everything else on earth and in heaven and in the whole of history (v 21). And all this power and authority that has been invested in Jesus is at work in the church (vs 22,23). We are to rely on the power of Jesus’ name in our life and witness. That’s the relevance of the story of Jesus’ ascension for us.