Month: January 2012

In Him

Morning Praise & Worship

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship  through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.  In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory. (Ephesian 1:3-14)

 

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Over a hundred!!

I am celebrating the hundredth view on my blog today…Special thanks to everyone who has taken the time to stop by for a visit.  Hope your visits are a blessing to you and the information posted serves as an addition source in your work and growth in Christ.  Remember your comments on the blog are welcome and you can also sign on as a follower.  Again, thank you and may the Light of Christ shine through you for the world to see.  How yeah…we will have another celebration party when we hit the thousandth viewer!

In his Service,

JR Tracey

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Personal Choices

Morning Praise & Worship

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die. Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—how much more do human hearts! Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:1-33)

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The Custodians

As spiritual leaders and custodians of God’s Holy Word, one of the most important responsibility we have is to keep heresy at bay and prevent corruption in the impartation of God’s message to mankind. We must be cognizant that as we take the good news of the Gospel to a fallen world, we are equipped with the ordained, true, and infallible Word of God.

2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, Who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. “ This aroma Paul referenced can be interpreted as the Word, the Gospel, the Good News of our Savior. So if the word in us is corrupted, how can this aroma that protrudes from us be pleasing to Christ?

The responsibility given to us as Christians and custodians of the Word of God is of the greatest significance because the eternal destiny of others is a very serious matter. 2 Corinthians 3:15-16 “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” Did you know that when you preach the Word of God you are preaching life and death? There are those who hear the Word and are condemned by it; to another, the Word will bring life and hope. This is why Paul asked this question of the Corinthians in verse 16, “And who is equal to such a task?” The New King James version states it like this, “Who is sufficient for these things?” This is why we should seek the wisdom of God, examine ourselves often, and engage in regular Bible study so that we are able to separate the heretic from one who bears the true Word of God.

Another way that the Word of God is corrupted is not from false teachings but of the intentional purpose of the use of the Word. 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ. we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” If we are sent from God, why are we using His Word for our own earthly personal gains? In today’s high tech world, crafty men have raised up mega church empires that are as efficient in profit gain as a well oiled corporation. These men often keep their flocks by showing off their riches, claiming that it is gained through the fullness of God’s blessings. They teach that similar blessings are available to everyone, but it may depend how much is given to the church. Do they understand the seriousness of the responsibility given to them as they impart the Word of God?

Let us be good custodians with God’s Holy Word, not being deceived by corrupted and misleading versions of the Truth. We should also avoid the traps of placing or marrying our own earthly personal gains with the Scriptures, not using our personal ambitions as a catalyst to minister to others. Rather, our motives and actions should come purely from our love for Christ. It is that perfect Love that propels us to preach to others, to teach others and strive to reveal the Incarnate Word to a hurting world.

Let our mission be to let the true light of Christ shine through us. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

In His Service,
JR Tracey

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The Epiphany

Today is the beginning of the Epiphany season on the Church calendar. Epiphany is observed starting on January 6th which is the end of the twelve days of Christmas.  Hispanics and some Europeans call it Three Kings’ Day because it is seen as the time when the Magi or the Wise Men visited the Baby Jesus bearing gifts.  The duration of the season is dependent on the start of the Lenten season.  The meaning of the word Epiphany is “to show” or “to reveal” Jesus’ manifestation to the world as the Son of Man. It is also a time that the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River is observed.  Epiphany, as well as the other Church seasons, are not means to salvation, which can only be obtained through the Blood of Christ.  The Church seasons are used as a guide for mankind in their devotion to their faith; it is a guide to worship and a reminder of who we serve.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Go out spread and reveal the Light of Christ to the world!

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The value of contentment…Priceless!!

Morning Praise & Worship

The following passages seem to contradict all those Prosperity Gospel preachers that are so prevalent on the Televangelist programs today. Happiness comes from God, not our possessions, God portions out to each of us according to his will so we should at least be receptive and be thankful in all situations.  The only thing in life that is assured us is salvation through Christ.

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.  This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them.  And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:  wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart.  They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil:  As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.  Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20)

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Do not be shamed of your hope in Christ!

Morning Praise & Worship

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wet have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And wet boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

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