Viruses

Recently, we found a virus on one of our family computers and it got me thinking. Viruses get "injected" onto our computers often going under the radar of our virus protection software which is supposed to protect and guard our computer. Once there, these viruses cause damage without us even knowing they are there. If we are lucky we catch it before the damage is too great, but sometimes the damage is irreversible.

It's the same with thoughts and behaviors we have in our life that don't please God. They often fly in under our radar. Events, thoughts or behaviors come into our lives and sometimes slip in under our "guard". If we don't recognize these for what they are, they can cause much damage before we even realize it.

Moral? Make sure your virus protection is up to date and running both on your computer and especially  in your life. Search your mind and actions for things that may not be pleasing to the LORD.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13 NASB)

In the beginning...Thoughts from Sunday's Sermon

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

(NASB)

In the beginning GOD. 

The creation event was historical and not mythological. We must believe that before we can believe the gospel.

In the beginning GOD. 

Scripture itself bears witness to the Genesis 1:1 account and so should we. 

In the beginning GOD.

Creation exists for the pleasure of the Creator. Why? 

In part, the answer is:

In the beginning GOD.

Everything had a beginning except God. He is the creator of everything. Everything begins with creation and history is His Story about everything.

In the beginning GOD.
This is the beginning of worship.

Sin will find you out

David probably thought his sin with Bathsheba was hidden forever, but generation upon generation has knowledge of his murderous affair.

Judas probably thought that no one would know it was he who betrayed Christ, but it is recorded in holy writ for all eternity.

Scripture says:
Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:3 HCSB

and

"I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. Jeremiah 17:10 NASB

We have a holy walk before the Lord because of our love for Him and because of His commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(1 John 5:3 KJV)

And, if this love fails you for a brief moment Christian, have a holy walk for fear of the Lord because he searches our hearts and your sin will find you out.

Coming In, Going Out

Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. (Deuteronomy 28:6)

The blessings of the law are not canceled. Jesus confirmed the promise when He bore the penalty. If I keep the commands of my Lord, I may appropriate this promise without question.

This day I will come in to my house without fear of evil tidings, and I will come in to my closet expecting to hear good news from my Lord. I will not be afraid to come in unto myself by self-examination, nor to come in to my affairs by a diligent inspection of my business. I have a good deal of work to do indoors, within my own soul; oh, for a blessing upon it all, the blessing of the Lord Jesus, who has promised to abide with me.

I must also go out. Timidity makes me wish that I could stay within doors and never go into the sinful world again. But I must go out in my calling, and I must go out that I may be helpful to my brethren and useful to the ungodly. I must be a defender of the faith and an assailant of evil. Oh, for a blessing upon my going out this day! Lord, let me go where Thou leadest, on Thy errands, under Thy command, and in the power of Thy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, turn in with me and be my guest; and then walk out with me and cause my heart to burn while You speak with me by the way.

-

C. H. Spurgeon

When it doesn't make sense

Sometimes where God leads us does not make sense. 

He will never lead us to sin and will ALWAYS lead us in accordance with Scripture and in all righteousness, but honestly, sometimes where He leads doesn't make sense to us until we look back in hindsight. Here are just a few instances where what God said, or did didn't make sense.

• Abraham - told he would have a child when he and his wife were passed child bearing age. Not medically possible, yet he did.

• That Peter could walk on water to Jesus. This defies the law of gravity. Yet, while Peter had faith, he did.

• That King David's descendants would rule on the throne FOREVER. No one family rules forever. Yet, Christ descended from David and does rule forever.

• That through the work of 12 men, the gospel message would be spread throughout the whole earth. A dozen men would change the world forever?? Yet, by the Spirit working through them they did.

• Some of the New Testament's most powerful epistles were written by Paul from a prison cell. This would have thrown many for a loop, thinking, "God, how can I witness for you NOW that I am incarcerated?? I thought you called me to do great things for you. What now?" 

 Yet Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were written from a cell and have reached far more people than if Paul had given personal testimony just to those he saw and not written these letters.

          

So, next time God leads you to take a step that doesn't make sense, just remember, it makes perfect sense to Him that created all things!

~~~

Col 1:16-17  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)

Ecc 8:4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?" (NASB)

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (NASB)

Hide the Word in Your Heart

Scripture memorization is good, but takes discipline. Here are some reasons to memorize and some tools to help you.

Reasons:

-Not sin against God (Psalm 119:11)
-To meditate on God's word (Psalm 119:148)
-So we don't let things of God slip (Hebrews 2:1)
-So OUR steps don't slip (Psalm 37:31)
-So we will delight to do God's will (Psalm 40:8)
-To help keep our mind on God which gives perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)


Psalm 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:148  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 

Heb 2:1  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip (NASB)

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart. (NASB)

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee

Tools for you:

• Website: memverse.com

This website is free, will keep track of your verses for you as well as when you need to review! More review for the more recent ones...less review for the old familiar ones. More as well. Galilee has a group there. If you go to Galilee,you can join our group when you sign up for memverse.

• Scripture Songs (You know how you always remember word to songs? Well....)

1. Free memory songs (varied translations I think): http://www.scripturesongs.net/
2. Pop Scripture Songs  http://www.forevergratefulmusic.com/ (pop and contemporary Christian kind of music style. Professionally done. Not free.  First 2 cd's are NIV. Last 6 or 7 are ESV )
3. Folk Style Scripture Songs:  http://www.scripturesongs.com/Scripture_Songs/SCRIPTURE_SONGS_-_KJV_BIBLE.html (These are the KJV sung in a Peter, Paul and Mary style. Professional. Cost associated)

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