Happy Thanksgiving

• Enjoy your relationships with family and friends. But most of all, enjoy your relationship with God. Take time today to communicate with Him. Don't just talkTO Him; have a conversation WITH Him.

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Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. (Psa 118:1 CEV)

How do you feel about this?

• Some people read Scripture and see history that is not relevant to today. I read it and see the same feelings, frustrations, and challenges we face today. But then, I am an "application" teacher.
  
  Times are different. Technology is different. But the human nature is as it has always been. Today's Scripture sounds as current as the evening news... to me.
  
  How do you feel about that?

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Even Michael, the chief angel, didn't dare to insult the devil, when the two of them were arguing about the body of Moses. All Michael said was, "The Lord will punish you!" But these people insult powers they don't know anything about. They are like senseless animals that end up getting destroyed, because they live only by their feelings. These people grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want. (Jud 1:9-10,16 CEV)

Lord help me when I get Angry.

• We cannot make decisions for others. It can hurt to see people make destructive choices--especially when their choices affect innocent people we love. You know the feeling: we want to "do" something.
  
  Especially then, we must pray, trust God, and keep on doing what is right. Seldom is it easy. But it is always right.

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For some godless people have slipped in unnoticed among us, persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Long ago the Scriptures predicted the condemnation they have received. (Jud 1:4 GNB)

Contend for the Faith

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Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write to you and urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith that was passed down to the saints once and for all. (Jud 1:3 ISV)

Prayer: LORD, sometimes I cannot do what I want for having to do what is necessary or what circumstances demand. When I find myself in this conflict, help me trust that regardless of what I feel or think, to the degree I give You authority in my life, You can order my steps and have me where I need to be, when I need to be there, doing what I need to do. Wisdom is to surrender what I want to Your purpose and trust You to work it out. Help me make it so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The World Hates You

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. (1 John 2:15-17 MSG)

Prayer: LORD, I choose to love You and Your way of life, rather than the world's way of living. That way and its systems will come to an end, but the life You give me is forever. Thank You for making it possible for me to have hope of eternal life with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Excuses, Excuses!

Some times we expect God to believe our excuses.

After that, he turned to Aaron. "What did the people do to you?" he demanded. "How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" "Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. "You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. They said to me, 'Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.' So I told them, 'Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire--and out came this calf!" (Exo 32:21-24 NLT)

Prayer: LORD, when I make mistakes or intentionally go against what You have said, help me have the integrity and courage to admit it without making excuses; You already know the truth anyway. Thank You for the confidence that I can be truthful with You because of Your promise that You will not reject me or condemn me when I confess sin to You. I am grateful for the assurance that You are always ready to forgive me and receive me back in fellowship with You. Then , help me forgive myself and move on to grow deeper in our relationship. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Rebellion

If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don't let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he'll think twice. But don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares. (2 Th3:14-15 MSG)

Prayer: LORD, when someone fails, others are quick to judge and treat them as a traitor or an enemy. I want to be patient and understanding with them just as You have been with me when I failed You. They need to be taught the truth as well as to know that they will be accepted when they repent. I know I cannot condone their sin, but I want to be available to help them. Show me what I can do to help, teach, and encourage them in whatever way is best in Your sight. In Jesus' name, Amen.

IT IS WRITTEN

• You can find people who want to talk about what they think. And that, doesn't amount to a hill of beans". What does matter is what Jesus said in Matthew 4:
• You have taught wrong things, and it makes the LORD very sad. People were doing evil things, but you said that this pleased the LORD and that he accepted those things. And you taught that God does not punish people for the evil they do. (Mal 2:17 ERV)

Prayer: LORD, many people today think as Malachi wrote centuries ago: they think they can do whatever they want and it is all right because You are loving and would not punish anyone. They are as wrong today as then. Yes, You love us and want us to be in right standing with You; however, there are consequences if we choose not to. Your love is expressed in giving us a choice. Help me make wise choices and be aware that sin has the same penalty today as it did then--and there are no exceptions. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Actions speaks Loud

• Know anyone who claims to love God, but they treat others badly?
  
  Hmmm. What are their actions saying?

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We all have the same father. The same God made every one of us. So why do people cheat one another? They show that they don't respect the agreement. They don't respect the agreement that our ancestors made with God. (Mal 2:10ERV)

Prayer: LORD, I tend to think of my relationship with You as separate from relationships with other people. You, however, do not recognize that distinction: You have made it clear that the way I treat other people reflects my relationship with You. Help me be mindful that I am accountable to You in all my interactions with others--no exceptions. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pray Often

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Th 3:10-13 NIV)

Prayer: LORD, bring across my path those who will help complete that which is lacking in my faith, and help my love for You and others increase more and more to overflowing. Strengthen me more each day as I eagerly look toward Your soon coming. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Distinction

• Distinction" defined:
  
  1. a difference or contrast between similar things or people;
  
  2. excellence that sets someone or something apart from others.

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And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. (Mal 3:18 NIV)

Prayer: LORD, in most cases today it is difficult to tell the difference between those who really love You and those who do not. This should not be so! Give me strength and courage to stand up and out for You and be willing to be different if need be to exemplify Your love, character, and ways to a world that needs to see real-life examples. It will be uncomfortable at times and may result in being rejected by some. But it will be acceptable to You, and that is most important. Do whatever You need to do in my life to cause me to be what I need to be in You. In Jesus' name, Amen

Stay true the the call

• Throughout history, some people in ministry have perverted their responsibility to God and taught for their own purposes: sometimes by intent, sometimes because they were misled.
  
  If you have been hurt by one of them, do not be angry with God or shut out genuine teachers and preachers. God can restore a broken heart and He can use the real ones to help.

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It is the duty of priests to teach the true knowledge of God. People should go to them to learn my will, because they are the messengers of the LORD Almighty. "But now you priests have turned away from the right path. Your teaching has led many to do wrong. You have broken the covenant I made with you. (Mal 2:7-8 GNB)

Prayer: LORD, not everyone who teaches in Your name teaches what is right and true. I do not want to be misled; give me greater discernment to recognize when someone is teaching truth and when they are speaking error. Help me stand strong and reject anything that is not in agreement with Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

GOD'S MERCY

• Keeping rules brings a sense of accomplishment because it is something we do. Breaking rules brings a sense of failure for the same reason. Judging someone for breaking rules--especially the ones we have not (yet) broken--makes us feel superior.
  
  In contrast, God's mercy has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. We cannot earn it; it is an unmerited gift. All we can do is be grateful.

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For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James2:10-13 NIV)

Prayer: LORD, "rules are rules", but help me not become so focused on the harsh judgment of rules and regulations that I forget that You desire for me to walk in love and mercy above all else. Your mercy has triumphed over the judgment I deserved in my life. Help me extend it to others in my relationships and interactions. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness and for not giving me the harsh judgment my actions would have incurred by the law. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How to be save

"HOW TO BE SAVED" 

Step 1.) Ask GOD to save you
Step 2.) BELIEVE he did (belief is NOT a feeling)

1Peter 1:18-21 -"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" (1 Peter 1:18-22 KJV).
These "corruptible things" can't save you (silver and gold)
The precious blood of Christ was perfect love shed for us so that we could live for GOD
We must believe GOD through Jesus Christ
We were all born in sin and shaped in iniquity...we must all be born again
1Peter 1:23-25 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1:23-25 KJV)
The word "being" shows that being saved is a continual process
GOD is trying "raise" us or mature us into what we should be similar to how we try to raise our children
GOD is trying to prepare us on earth for heaven
The word of GOD helps you to realize that you're lost. After confessing that you're lost then you can ask GOD to save you
All your earthly glory (flower) will fade away BUT the word ofGOD endure forever!
John 3:5-8 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8 KJV)
This water is referring to a spiritual "washing by the word of GOD" see Ephesians 5:26
"Verily, verily" means Truly, Truly
We must be born again spiritually
Just lime you can't see the wind you can't see the Holy Ghost but you can see the evidence and results of both!
John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:18-21 KJV)
There is no hell for the believers but if you don't believe you are already condemned

KEY NOTES AND POINTS

Jesus came from GOD on a mission to bring us back to GOD
GOD, JESUS and THE HOLY GHOST are all one!
When you get RIGHT GOD can call us home
When the world ends we will be with Jesus in heaven above the earth. Israel (Jews) will inherit the earth and we will be their guardian angels
**IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE PICKING ON YOU AT WORK SCHOOL OR PLAY PRAY PSALMS 56 EVERY MORNING!**