Proverbs 21:5

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. (NLT)

Romans 4:18-19

For Abraham, when hope was gone, hoped on faith. His faith never quailed.

Isaiah 50:10

Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? He that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely upon his God.

Proverbs 28:13

People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.

God Understands Me

II Corinthians 12:19-21

19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Acts 13:32-33

32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

The resurrection of Christ was the great confirmation of Jesus being the Son of God. It was not possible for death to hold Him. He was the Son of God, having life in Himself, which could only be laid down with a design to return to life again after bearing all of the sins of the world. Christ serves all generations. By faith in Him we may walk with God, and serve our generation according to His will; and when death comes, we shall fall asleep in Him, with a knowledge of eternal life with Him.

Psalm 33:22 NLT

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

Proverbs 19:1

It is better to be poor and honest than to be a fool and dishonest.

Amos, Chapter One

The first chapter of the Book of Amos describes God's judgment against Israel's neighbors, specifically the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, and Ammonites.

GOD employed Amos, a shepherd, to reprove and warn the people. A simple man. This is how God works, sometimes. Those who God uses shouldn't doubt that God should use them because of their origin, or their employment. And through this simple man mighty judgments were denounced against Israel's neighbouring nations, the oppressors of God's people. They had gone beyond the measure of their sins, and were ripe for vengeance. The method in dealing with these nations was, in part, the same, yet in each there was something unique. In all ages this bitterness has been shown against the Lord's people. And when the Lord reckons with his enemies, how tremendous are His judgments!

Matthew 26:28-29

28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

The Lord's supper is to Christianity as is the passover supper is to Jews. However, we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. By eating, we are accepting what Christ has offered us; receiving the atonement, approving of it, submitting to His grace and His government. To simply gaze upon a meal will not nourish the body. The meal must be eaten. So it is with Christ.

The significance of the bread in the Lord's supper is that of us partaking of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his body. Christ's blood shed on the cross on that glorious day is signified and represented by the wine or grape juice. When with the disciples for the final supper, He gave thanks with the cup in His hand, to teach us to look to God in every part of the ordinance. The cup was giving to the disciples with a command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is given to all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. Then when He departed from the supper, he assured them of a happy meeting again.

Until that happy reunion with Christ I drink it new with Him, understanding the coming joys and glories of that future time, a time in the kingdom of his Father.

But until then, let us partake in communion with seriousness, looking at the outward signs of Christ's body broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, while also recollecting that the feast cost Him so much, that he had literally given his flesh for our salvation.

Amazing Grace

I viewed the movie "Amazing Grace" recently, and thought it was put together well, introducing a Christian viewpoint into an issue that we still feel the vibrations from today, slavery.

The song was my favorite hymn, growing up, by the way, and it's words sum up my faith.

Lyrics to Amazing Grace:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers,
toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.