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Noonday Devotion
Welcome to Noonday Devotion
What a great joy it is to share with you. I count it a rare privilege to be able to share what God has laid on my heart. The Bible is the most amazing book, so full of gems.. Amen.
Please pass on these devotions to all your friends and contacts. Let's get the word out into the world. Use facebook which is a tool that God can use through us to relay His Word to reach all corners of the world.
Take time to click on the featured page links at the bottom of these messages. I truly hope that your fellowship with the Father is deepened by these messages.
I love you all
God bless you
Your friend and Partner in God's service
Keith
Noonday Devotion by Keith
SIT AT THE FEET OF GOD
Luke 10
38Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching.
40But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[j]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
I love this passage of Scripture. It centres around the choices made by the two sisters.
When I was a young Christian, I was warned about the barrenness of a busy life. This is so true, when lots of us are so busy with doing this or that job, within our church situation.
Don't get me wrong, serving the Lord is not wrong, indeed it is good, but sometimes it is not the BEST THING.. AMEN.
Before, we can give out to people, we must receive from the Lord. We must take the conscious decision to sit at the feet of Jesus.
The beautiful words of invitation of Our Lord, should always, be taken up.. Amen?. How often do we refuse this invitation?
Matthew 11
29Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([a]relief and ease and refreshment and [b]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
Jesus had to say to his disciples in Mark 6
31And He said to them, As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while--for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.
As believers, we must set apart quality time, for our Lord. This means taking decisions on what we do, maybe this will mean turning off the TV, this my friend is redeeming the time. By doing this, you are buying back that time and putting it to the BEST USE.. AMEN?
So many believers are like Martha, they are too busy to hear from the Lord, or they hear snatches or fragments of what He says. Are you prepared believer to be like Mary and to sit and receive from Jesus?.
Or will you be like Martha, undertaking many jobs and activities, but not achieving very much.
Believer, the most precious time you have is time with the Saviour, sat at his feet, receiving from Him, learning of Him.
Before the Day of Pentecost, The disciples spent 40 days, being taught by Jesus. They were instructed by the Lord, in a forty day Bible school. What happened there gave them a solid foundation for what was going to happen. Just imagine being taught by Jesus face to face. When we set aside time to be with HIM, he promises to come and meet with us Revelation 3:20 and James 4:8-10.
When we sit at his feet, he wants to reveal HIMSELF to us in a new and deeper way.
Please take time to sit at the feet of the Master and learn of Him.
God bless you
Keith
Guest Devotion by Mick Alexander
You Don't Have To Take It Any More
"Sin shall not be your master." (Rom. 6:14)
I don't think that there can be greater heartache than knowing Jesus and yet still be a slave to sin. It's common knowledge that there are many churchgoers secretly addicted to pornography, alcohol, drugs and other sins. They don't want to be that way but don't know how to overcome their slavery to unrighteousness and their hearts ache because of the darkness that is hidden within them. They feel great shame but put on happy faces. Only they, and God, know the awful shame that is deep within their souls. They want to change but remain as they are because no one has ever told them that they don't have to take it any more, that is, they don't have to take sin any more. Jesus came to set the captives free so that no one has to remain a slave to sin. In John 8:34, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin," BUT He continued on to say, "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). So, if you are battling with the likes of pornography, alcohol or drugs, then you too can be freed and enter into the wonderful peace of God which comes when inner darkness is replaced with light. How is this done?
Firstly, Let's Look At Our Sinful Nature
There is no question that we will be influenced by our sinful nature until we see Jesus but this does not mean that we have to give in to it. Many people say that we are only human and can't be free from slavery to sin despite the fact that Jesus says we can be. I once heard the following: "We have a body which gets hungry so we eat, a body which gets thirsty so we drink and a sinful nature so we will always sin." This is a terrible lie which leaves many souls burdened with the guilt of their sin. Jesus clearly says that He can free us. In Rom. 7:24-25, Paul openly admitted to the wickedness of his flesh when he said, "What a wretched man I am!" BUT he went on to say, "Who will rescue mefrom this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Plainly, Paul tells us that through Jesus he was changed and rescued from his fleshy body of death. In Rom. 6:14, he said, "sin shall not be your master" and this is made possible through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Empowers Us To Overcome Sin
God knows very well how weak we are so when we repent and accept Jesus He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to guide us and to empower us to overcome our lusts. Through the Spirit we can be freed from our sinful nature as Gal. 5:16 so clearly states:"live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." This is not a fairy tale, it's God's Word and millions of Christians, past and present, can testify to being rescued from the worst of sins. The Bible says that God has no favourites so if you have not been rescued from your body of death then you can be sure that God is waiting to deliver you also. God has given us the ability and responsibility to live a holy life.
Ability And Responsibility
Firstly, regarding our ability, the reason God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us is to transform our lives so that we are able live a life which pleases Him. Speaking about the Spirit, 2 Pet. 1:3-4 says, "His divine power [the Holy Spirit] has given us everything we need for life and godliness [so that] you may participate in the divine nature andescape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." From these verses we can see that the divine power of the Spirit gives us the ability to escape the corruption of sin and live a godly life (see Ezek. 36:25-27 also).
Next, regarding our responsibility, we are commanded to "live by the Spirit." We do this by repenting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength whenever the Spirit convicts us of sin. If, for example, pornography is a problem to you then the next time you desire it, fight it with all your might and call upon God to strengthen you to resist. You can be sure that God loves you as much as He loves any other person and will strengthen you to overcome when you are truly repentant. If your repentance is half-hearted then God will not deliver you because He sees that you love your sin more than His righteousness. You have to come to the point where you hate your sin as much as He does. When you reach that point, and call out to Him in repentance, He will rescue you and change your heart attitude toward that sin so that you can resist it when tempted in the future. When temptation comes again, and it will, you have to stand firm and not give in to it in the least otherwise you will be hooked again and have to start over. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God does not lie so believe this with all your heart, resist sin with all your strength, and you will be freed.
Pornography, alcohol and drugs are not the only addictive sins. In a sense, all sins are addictive. Many churchgoers are addicted to gossip, hate, jealousy, etc. and these sins need to be repented of in the same way as pornography, alcohol and drugs. Gal. 5:19:21 lists many other sins which will exclude people from the kingdom of God.
Finally
You don't have to take it any more. Jesus offers you freedom from the burden of sin. Don't believe the lie that has many thinking, "That's just me. I'm only human." If you are caught up in sin then I urge you to accept Jesus' loving invitation: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at
http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html
Mick Alexander
Special Sermon
Be blessed by this sermon, it blessed me and I hope it does you to
http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.as ... 7121647558
Guest Website
This website is awesome, please take time to read it
http://www.missionsasia.webs.com/
What a great joy it is to share with you. I count it a rare privilege to be able to share what God has laid on my heart. The Bible is the most amazing book, so full of gems.. Amen.
Please pass on these devotions to all your friends and contacts. Let's get the word out into the world. Use facebook which is a tool that God can use through us to relay His Word to reach all corners of the world.
Take time to click on the featured page links at the bottom of these messages. I truly hope that your fellowship with the Father is deepened by these messages.
I love you all
God bless you
Your friend and Partner in God's service
Keith
Noonday Devotion by Keith
SIT AT THE FEET OF GOD
Luke 10
38Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching.
40But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[j]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
I love this passage of Scripture. It centres around the choices made by the two sisters.
When I was a young Christian, I was warned about the barrenness of a busy life. This is so true, when lots of us are so busy with doing this or that job, within our church situation.
Don't get me wrong, serving the Lord is not wrong, indeed it is good, but sometimes it is not the BEST THING.. AMEN.
Before, we can give out to people, we must receive from the Lord. We must take the conscious decision to sit at the feet of Jesus.
The beautiful words of invitation of Our Lord, should always, be taken up.. Amen?. How often do we refuse this invitation?
Matthew 11
29Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([a]relief and ease and refreshment and [b]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
Jesus had to say to his disciples in Mark 6
31And He said to them, As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while--for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.
As believers, we must set apart quality time, for our Lord. This means taking decisions on what we do, maybe this will mean turning off the TV, this my friend is redeeming the time. By doing this, you are buying back that time and putting it to the BEST USE.. AMEN?
So many believers are like Martha, they are too busy to hear from the Lord, or they hear snatches or fragments of what He says. Are you prepared believer to be like Mary and to sit and receive from Jesus?.
Or will you be like Martha, undertaking many jobs and activities, but not achieving very much.
Believer, the most precious time you have is time with the Saviour, sat at his feet, receiving from Him, learning of Him.
Before the Day of Pentecost, The disciples spent 40 days, being taught by Jesus. They were instructed by the Lord, in a forty day Bible school. What happened there gave them a solid foundation for what was going to happen. Just imagine being taught by Jesus face to face. When we set aside time to be with HIM, he promises to come and meet with us Revelation 3:20 and James 4:8-10.
When we sit at his feet, he wants to reveal HIMSELF to us in a new and deeper way.
Please take time to sit at the feet of the Master and learn of Him.
God bless you
Keith
Guest Devotion by Mick Alexander
You Don't Have To Take It Any More
"Sin shall not be your master." (Rom. 6:14)
I don't think that there can be greater heartache than knowing Jesus and yet still be a slave to sin. It's common knowledge that there are many churchgoers secretly addicted to pornography, alcohol, drugs and other sins. They don't want to be that way but don't know how to overcome their slavery to unrighteousness and their hearts ache because of the darkness that is hidden within them. They feel great shame but put on happy faces. Only they, and God, know the awful shame that is deep within their souls. They want to change but remain as they are because no one has ever told them that they don't have to take it any more, that is, they don't have to take sin any more. Jesus came to set the captives free so that no one has to remain a slave to sin. In John 8:34, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin," BUT He continued on to say, "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). So, if you are battling with the likes of pornography, alcohol or drugs, then you too can be freed and enter into the wonderful peace of God which comes when inner darkness is replaced with light. How is this done?
Firstly, Let's Look At Our Sinful Nature
There is no question that we will be influenced by our sinful nature until we see Jesus but this does not mean that we have to give in to it. Many people say that we are only human and can't be free from slavery to sin despite the fact that Jesus says we can be. I once heard the following: "We have a body which gets hungry so we eat, a body which gets thirsty so we drink and a sinful nature so we will always sin." This is a terrible lie which leaves many souls burdened with the guilt of their sin. Jesus clearly says that He can free us. In Rom. 7:24-25, Paul openly admitted to the wickedness of his flesh when he said, "What a wretched man I am!" BUT he went on to say, "Who will rescue mefrom this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Plainly, Paul tells us that through Jesus he was changed and rescued from his fleshy body of death. In Rom. 6:14, he said, "sin shall not be your master" and this is made possible through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Empowers Us To Overcome Sin
God knows very well how weak we are so when we repent and accept Jesus He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to guide us and to empower us to overcome our lusts. Through the Spirit we can be freed from our sinful nature as Gal. 5:16 so clearly states:"live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." This is not a fairy tale, it's God's Word and millions of Christians, past and present, can testify to being rescued from the worst of sins. The Bible says that God has no favourites so if you have not been rescued from your body of death then you can be sure that God is waiting to deliver you also. God has given us the ability and responsibility to live a holy life.
Ability And Responsibility
Firstly, regarding our ability, the reason God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us is to transform our lives so that we are able live a life which pleases Him. Speaking about the Spirit, 2 Pet. 1:3-4 says, "His divine power [the Holy Spirit] has given us everything we need for life and godliness [so that] you may participate in the divine nature andescape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." From these verses we can see that the divine power of the Spirit gives us the ability to escape the corruption of sin and live a godly life (see Ezek. 36:25-27 also).
Next, regarding our responsibility, we are commanded to "live by the Spirit." We do this by repenting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength whenever the Spirit convicts us of sin. If, for example, pornography is a problem to you then the next time you desire it, fight it with all your might and call upon God to strengthen you to resist. You can be sure that God loves you as much as He loves any other person and will strengthen you to overcome when you are truly repentant. If your repentance is half-hearted then God will not deliver you because He sees that you love your sin more than His righteousness. You have to come to the point where you hate your sin as much as He does. When you reach that point, and call out to Him in repentance, He will rescue you and change your heart attitude toward that sin so that you can resist it when tempted in the future. When temptation comes again, and it will, you have to stand firm and not give in to it in the least otherwise you will be hooked again and have to start over. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God does not lie so believe this with all your heart, resist sin with all your strength, and you will be freed.
Pornography, alcohol and drugs are not the only addictive sins. In a sense, all sins are addictive. Many churchgoers are addicted to gossip, hate, jealousy, etc. and these sins need to be repented of in the same way as pornography, alcohol and drugs. Gal. 5:19:21 lists many other sins which will exclude people from the kingdom of God.
Finally
You don't have to take it any more. Jesus offers you freedom from the burden of sin. Don't believe the lie that has many thinking, "That's just me. I'm only human." If you are caught up in sin then I urge you to accept Jesus' loving invitation: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at
http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html
Mick Alexander
Special Sermon
Be blessed by this sermon, it blessed me and I hope it does you to
http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.as ... 7121647558
Guest Website
This website is awesome, please take time to read it
http://www.missionsasia.webs.com/
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