Tuesday, December 23, 2014

He's Alive by Don Francisco

Holy Spirit Baptism

Acts 1:5 – Holy Spirit Baptism

    This is where the phrase, “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” comes from.  Jesus said that John had baptised with water.  The concept here is to be fully immersed.  To be willing to die to self and live for God.  To identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the same way the disciples would be immersed in the Holy Spirit.  All that was of the flesh would die.  They would submit to leadership of the Holy Spirit and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  They would be fully immersed in the things of God.  The things of this world would be washed away and the new life of Christ would be their goal.  When one is Baptised in the Holy Spirit new life and purpose arise.  You have gifts that are designed for service.  You have the oral gifts, the power gifts and the revelational gifts.  Each designed to be under t he complete control of the Holy Spirit.  The hymn writer puts it beautifully, “the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”  These are graces or virtues that come when you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit.  Seek the Baptism today we all its benefits for His praise and glory.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Command to Wait

Command to Wait – Acts 1:4
    Jesus had some final instructions for His disciples in their final assembly together.  He told them to not leave Jerusalem.  They were to wait for the promise of the Father.  Jesus had told them in John 14 and 16 that the Holy Spirit would come and lead them into all truth.  His role would be one of comforter.  He would take what He heard the Father say and bring it to us.  It was essential for them to wait.  Waiting is an act of obedience and discipline.  It is a time of reflection, expectation and faith.  Cam Floria said, “Waiting is often providential discipline for those who have been given a big task or work.”  They needed the power of the Holy Spirit with its gifts to change their world.  You will never truly change the world around you without the indwelling and out flowing of the Holy Spirit.  You will never truly have power until you have been endued with power from on high.  When you wait on the Lord wait in faith, expectation, obedience and a readiness to go.  Remember when the Spirit moves you want to move with Him and not find yourself trying to catch up.  Tarry until you have everything that you need from the Lord through the Holy Spirit.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord - Psalm 150

    One of the most resounding themes as has been mentioned before in the psalms is praise.  This is what David says in this psalm for us today.

1.  Praise God in His sanctuary and in His heavens.  Let all creation praise the Lord.
2.  We are to praise God for the mighty things He has done.  Things such as opening the
    Red Sea, stopping the sun for a day and bringing rain to the earth after three years of
    Drought.
3.  Praise Him for His surpassing greatness, there is no one like the Lord.
4.  We are to praise Him on the trumpet, harp and lyre.
5.  To express our worship we should praise Him with the tambourine and dancing.
6.  Praise Him with strings, flute and the clash of the cymbals.

7.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

God is love

God is love - Psalm 136

    It is very clear that the main message of this Psalm is that the Lord’s love endures forever.  Jess Himself said that, “God is love.”  The Lord is the one that does great wonders and that His understanding made the heavens.  
    One time a little boy came to his father and asked him how much God loved man.  The father held out his hand and stretched them as far as he could to the sides.  With his hands stretched out like Jesus hanging on the cross, the father said, “This much.”

    The greatest expression of God’s love is when Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for the sins of mankind.  Jesus came to give mankind life and more abundantly.  Jesus showed His love for us by dying for us even though we did not know Him or love Him.

Unhappy people try to control their lives

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Working Together

Working Together - Psalm 133

    David had just brought the Ark of the Covenant back to the city of Jerusalem.  There had been a great celebration and David danced before the Lord.  At the end of the day. David sat down and penned these words, “It is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity.”   David had seen a co-operated effort on the part of the people to get along.   David to the best of his ability tried to describe how he felt.  It is like the precious anointing and presence of the Lord as we worship Him.  It is like the dew on the mountains when the sunlight hits it.  
    When people work together the Lord is pleased.  When churches and preachers work together for the cause of Christ many things are accomplished.  One of the pleasant times that I have worked together with my brothers in Christ was when Billy Graham came to our city.  It was great to see church leaders working together to see souls saved.  I know what David was talking about.  Let us as Christians work together for the cause of Christ.  Jesus Himself said that people will know that we are His disciples by the way we love another.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Working Together

Working Together - Psalm 133

    David had just brought the Ark of the Covenant back to the city of Jerusalem.  There had been a great celebration and David danced before the Lord.  At the end of the day. David sat down and penned these words, “It is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity.”   David had seen a co-operated effort on the part of the people to get along.   David to the best of his ability tried to describe how he felt.  It is like the precious anointing and presence of the Lord as we worship Him.  It is like the dew on the mountains when the sunlight hits it.  
    When people work together the Lord is pleased.  When churches and preachers work together for the cause of Christ many things are accomplished.  One of the pleasant times that I have worked together with my brothers in Christ was when Billy Graham came to our city.  It was great to see church leaders working together to see souls saved.  I know what David was talking about.  Let us as Christians work together for the cause of Christ.  Jesus Himself said that people will know that we are His disciples by the way we love another.  

Monday, December 15, 2014

A Mature Man

A Mature Man Psalm 112

    This psalm describes a mature man.  This teaching that we will look at today was given by Dave Lagore of Calgary Christian Centre.
1.  A mature man’s children are mighty in the Lord and are blessed.  Vs 2
2.  Wealth, riches and righteousness are part of his house.  Vs 3
3.  The light of righteousness shines, for the gracious, compassionate and righteous man.
    Vs 4
4.  Good will come when he lends freely and is honest and just in his affairs.  He won’t
    be shaken.  He will be remembered forever.  Vs 5
5.  No bad news will cause him to fear, he will trust in the Lord.   He is secure and will
    Triumph over his foes.  Vs 7-8
6.  He gives to the poor, his righteousness endures forever and he will be honoured.  Vs 9

Friday, December 12, 2014

There are consequences to what we do.

here are consequences to what we do – 1 Cor 11:32

Vs 32 – Paul makes it clear that our view of communion has three consequences.  First, when we have proper view, we will not be judged by the Lord.  Next, We will not be disciplined by the Lord for this matter and lastly we will not be condemned with the world.  Anyone who does not accept Jesus Christ is going to a lost eternity.  We however because of our acceptance of Jesus Christ and the celebration of His broken body and shed blood will not be condemned with the world.

     This week has been a week of serious contemplation.  You have realize how precious is God`s sacrifice through Jesus Christ.  Jesus went all the way to the cross for our salvation.  He allow His body to be broken and His blood to be shed for our salvation.  He died a horrible death so by His stripes we might be healed.  He was buried in a borrow grave so we might be rescued from death.  He rose from the dead to destroy the works of sin, hell and the grave.  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.  Never take these things for granted.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Unworthy Manner

Unworthy manner – 1 Cor 11:29

Vs 29 – If a person goes into the communion in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment and damnation upon themselves.  The broken body and the shed blood are the two elements that Jesus offered for the redemption of the whole planet.  They are the most precious thing Christ gave and must never be taken lightly.  These two elements are the most powerful in the universe.  They have the ability to deal with all your sin, past, present and future.  You never have to live under the guilt or stain of sin.  The devil will never again have any place in your life when you discern the Lord`s body and blood.  The broken body brings healing and the shed blood brings salvation.  Today enjoy these benefits but first make sure you heart and life are right with God.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Time of Self Examination

Time for self examination – 1 Cor 11:28

Vs 28 – Communion is a time of self examination.  It is a time to look deep into our hearts and see where we are in our relationship with God.  If there are areas that need to be taken care of pockets of rebellion or resistance to the Lord.  This is the time to get everything right.  This does not take very long in most cases but it enables us to receive communion with a clear heart and conscious.  You are discerning the Lord`s body and blood until He comes.  In this time of examination you can be as real and honest as you need to be.  The Holy Spirit will help and enable you to face whatever comes your way.  Just be honest with God and yourself.  

Monday, December 8, 2014

Un-forgiveness

Unforgiveness – 1 Cor 1:27

Vs 27 – Paul then gets very serious about the manner in which we look at the Communion.  If a person takes communion in an unworthy manner they are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  For example having un-forgiveness in your heart or unconfessed sin.  

Unforgiveness I is one thing that will stop the blessing of God in your life.  It keeps you from having your prayers answered.  It colors everything you think, speak and do.  It keeps the devil working in your life.  It makes you distrust and question the motives of others.  You cannot see life clearly because you are always looking at life through the glasses of unforgiveness.  So today release this to the Lord and enjoy the abundant life God wants to give you.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Background for Communion

Background for Communion – 1 Cor 21-22

Vs 21 – The Corinthians when they got together some of them have been having private dinners in the format of the church.  The result was that people go hungry and others get drunk.  The early church in Jerusalem had all things common and all were taken care of.  Paul in Corinth could see the followers of Peter in one Corner, his followers in another and those that followed Apollos in another.  A great advertisement for church unity.  In the middle some poor chap who had no idea what is going on or refusing to play the game and ending up offending everybody.  

Vs 22 – He states that they have houses to eat and drink in.  By their present conduct they are humiliating the church and the poor.  Paul was not going to praise them in this matter.   This was the background for what Paul was going to talk about next, the importance and proper view of communion.  

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Be in one accord

Be in one accord – 1 Cor 11:19-20   

Vs 19 – These divisions Paul sarcasticly says show God’s approval.  In reality they do not.  God is no respecter of person.  He is glorified when people dwell together in unity.  The first real out pouring on the church after the believers were one accord and ready to receive.
Vs 20 – Paul makes it very clear that when they come together they are not celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  Division does not bring people together but breaks them apart.  Paul tells them not to call their love feasts the Lord’s Supper because it is a false hood.  The Lord’s Supper is a celebration designed to bring people together and to remind all who participate of the Lord’s broken body and shed blood.  To help them understand the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Are you ready for the Lord`s Coming

Are you ready for the Lord`s Coming

The shed blood

The Shed Blood – 1 Cor 11:25-26

Vs 25 – In the same manner or way after the supper He took the cup and when He had given thanks he told them that the cup represented His shed blood.  This ordinance was implemented to give us a clear reference point to what had been secure for us through the broken body and the shed blood.  Communion is a time of reflection and thanksgiving.  Jesus instituted this practice to remind us of His sacrifice and why we are Christians.
Vs 26 – Paul states that whenever we eat the bread or drink the cup we are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.  The evangelical wing of the church there are two ordinances that they celebrate.  Two focal points for us, the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism.  They were instituted by the Lord Himself and help us to keep focus on why we have our faith.  They remind us of the price Jesus paid for our victory and redemption.  Let us never forget this.

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct – 1 Cor 11:17-18

Vs 17 -  Paul now rebukes the Corinthians for what their meetings have become.  The following directives were designed to bring order back into the services.  

Vs 18 – Paul states that when they come together in a public manner that there are divisions among them.  He is shock by not surprised.  Division is a tool in which satan can divide and disrupt the church.  Paul points out in Titus 3:11 that people who sow division are selfish, sinful and self condemned.  Division is a product of a heart that is full of rebellion.  1 Samuel says that rebellion is like witchcraft.  Witchcraft tries to control without confrontation.  Division is manipulation without direct attack.  Rebellion uses gossip, slander and contention to do its dirty work.  As an agent of division a person will always attack the character of another by accuses, slandering or gossiping about them.  The way to shut division down is confront the person who is doing it and tell them to stop.  If they do not expose them for what they are doing.  Paul told Titus to do this twice to a divisive person and then have nothing to do with them.    

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct – 1 Cor 11:17-18

Vs 17 -  Paul now rebukes the Corinthians for what their meetings have become.  The following directives were designed to bring order back into the services.  
Vs 18 – Paul states that when they come together in a public manner that there are divisions among them.  He is shock by not surprised.  Division is a tool in which satan can divide and disrupt the church.  Paul points out in Titus 3:11 that people who sow division are selfish, sinful and self condemned.  Division is a product of a heart that is full of rebellion.  1 Samuel says that rebellion is like witchcraft.  Witchcraft tries to control without confrontation.  Division is manipulation without direct attack.  Rebellion uses gossip, slander and contention to do its dirty work.  As an agent of division a person will always attack the character of another by accuses, slandering or gossiping about them.  The way to shut division down is confront the person who is doing it and tell them to stop.  If they do not expose them for what they are doing.  Paul told Titus to do this twice to a divisive person and then have nothing to do with them.  

Monday, December 1, 2014

Hair today or not

Hair today or not – 1 Cor 11:13-15

Vs 13 – Paul tells the Corinthians to make their own decision about this issue.  Is it wrong for a woman to pray with her hair uncovered?    Paul is leaving this issue as an issue of conscience.  We are to be firmly anchored in what we believe.  
Vs 14 – Nature itself teaches that it is disgrace for a man to have long hair.  Men will never attain the beauty of a woman.  We look so much better with shorter hair.  

Vs 15 – When a woman has long hair it is beautiful to behold.  Paul says it is her glory.  It is her physical glory.  Her hair was given to her as her covering.  It gives as well a sense of modesty and beauty.