Focus & Meditate-April
We have started this segment to encourage you to read and study God's Word more and also meditate on the key thoughts of our recent articles. We pray this will encourage and assist you as you grow in the Kingdom.
April--Week Seventeen
Article: You Will Live for Eternity, Somewhere
We all make choices. We are ultimately choosing life or death. We choose to love and obey His commands or to embrace this world's system and lifestyles. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that the Lord first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later He destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment. Jude 1:5-7 NLT
Eternal life is for those who have His Spirit living in them. Those are the ones who have embraced the King's lifestyle. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment. John 3:36 NLT
I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 NLT
There are many who make their occupation and money their top priority, which places it above God. Here is the will of the Lord God: For it is my Father’s will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day....I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. John 6:40, 47 NLT
Eternal life means you shall never perish. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. John 10:28 NLT
The question is, do you love or hate this present life? Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying". John 12:25 NLT Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. I John 2:15-17 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 5-6--Miracles and ministry. Jesus sends out His disciples, feeds 5000 and walks on water. The death of John the Baptist.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Eternal life is for those who have His Spirit living in them. Those are the ones who have embraced the King's lifestyle. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment. John 3:36 NLT
I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 NLT
There are many who make their occupation and money their top priority, which places it above God. Here is the will of the Lord God: For it is my Father’s will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day....I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. John 6:40, 47 NLT
Eternal life means you shall never perish. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. John 10:28 NLT
The question is, do you love or hate this present life? Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying". John 12:25 NLT Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. I John 2:15-17 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 5-6--Miracles and ministry. Jesus sends out His disciples, feeds 5000 and walks on water. The death of John the Baptist.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
April--Week Sixteen
Article: What is the Substance of Your Foundation Pt 2
Keep in mind, your foundation is what will sustain you or cause you to fall to this world's system.
For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:9-11 NLT
Your foundation is what you put your total trust and faith in. A foundation of God's Word is eternal. Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’
I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:42-43 NLT
If you fail to embrace and live by His Words, commands and principles, it will be those very words you will be judged by Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” John 12:44-50 NLT
Now, take a moment to think and be honest with yourself. What is the substance of your foundation? If tragedy struck, would you still be standing or would you crumble? Would your marriage survive in time of trouble? If sorrow came knocking at your door, would you stand on your faith in God and His Word or cease to function, falling into a pit of depression and despair? When your foundation in God's Word is strong, no matter what comes your way you can say "I don't know why this had to happen, but I know I trust God. He loves me and His Word never fails."
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 3-4--Jesus begins His ministry, chooses His disciples, parables and Jesus calms the sea.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:9-11 NLT
Your foundation is what you put your total trust and faith in. A foundation of God's Word is eternal. Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’
I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:42-43 NLT
If you fail to embrace and live by His Words, commands and principles, it will be those very words you will be judged by Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” John 12:44-50 NLT
Now, take a moment to think and be honest with yourself. What is the substance of your foundation? If tragedy struck, would you still be standing or would you crumble? Would your marriage survive in time of trouble? If sorrow came knocking at your door, would you stand on your faith in God and His Word or cease to function, falling into a pit of depression and despair? When your foundation in God's Word is strong, no matter what comes your way you can say "I don't know why this had to happen, but I know I trust God. He loves me and His Word never fails."
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 3-4--Jesus begins His ministry, chooses His disciples, parables and Jesus calms the sea.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
April--Week Fifteen
Article: What is the Substance of Your Foundation? Pt 1
Keep in mind, the Lord God's Word (Constitution) is an eternal, unshakable foundation. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. Mark 13:31 NLT
An ambassador of the Kingdom of God doesn't mix his opinion with God's Word to sway others to see his point of view. That makes a poor foundation. The Word of the Lord Jesus is the strongest foundation mankind can embrace. Putting God's Word into practice in everyday living is laying a solid foundation. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:21-27 NLT
Remember, before you can put God's Word into practice in everyday life, you've got to get it IN you. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 1-2--John the Baptist, Jesus begins His ministry, and the disciples.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
An ambassador of the Kingdom of God doesn't mix his opinion with God's Word to sway others to see his point of view. That makes a poor foundation. The Word of the Lord Jesus is the strongest foundation mankind can embrace. Putting God's Word into practice in everyday living is laying a solid foundation. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:21-27 NLT
Remember, before you can put God's Word into practice in everyday life, you've got to get it IN you. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Mark 1-2--John the Baptist, Jesus begins His ministry, and the disciples.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
April--Week Fourteen
Article: Transforming Your Thinking
Keep in mind, transformation is always a process. It doesn't happen overnight. You must want to change. It is always a choice. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. Romans 12:1-7 NLT
The Lord Jesus wasn't a religious leader. He was born a King. His Kingdom is not of this world. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:36-37 NLT
If we are born again of His Spirit, then we are His children. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:16-17 NLT
Keep in mind, if we are His children, we should represent our King and government as ambassadors. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Matthew 27 & 28--Death of Judas. The trial, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. Romans 12:1-7 NLT
The Lord Jesus wasn't a religious leader. He was born a King. His Kingdom is not of this world. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:36-37 NLT
If we are born again of His Spirit, then we are His children. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:16-17 NLT
Keep in mind, if we are His children, we should represent our King and government as ambassadors. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NLT
Walking through the Gospels:
As you read your Bible (God's Constitution for the Kingdom) highlight key scriptures and phrases as the Holy Spirit guides you. What scriptures touch you and minister to you? We have also included links to Bible Gateway in case you don't have a Bible with you at the moment.
This week read and meditate on Matthew 27 & 28--Death of Judas. The trial, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Have a productive and prosperous week. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
