our riches through Christ's poverty - DN

 Here goes some thoughts. In my shallow way of thinking about our riches through Christ's poverty. The old song said it well, when it stated I went down a beggar but I came up a millionaire. The truth that's known is that we got up richer than a millionaire.

My the difference He made in our Lives both now and eternally.

Just as we fail to see how rich Christ was in his glory and how deep in poverty he became, multiplied numbers of Gods children fail to see what was accomplished for us by him during his poverty.

We that were fallen and enslaved in poverty ( O! The Debt we owed! ) with no hope of escaping our beggarly state.

There was a reason the SCRIPTURES declared concerning redemption, It was not with silver and gold receive from your vain conversation by the traditions of your fathers; because silver and gold could not purchase your freedom. It could not pay your debt.

Galatians 4:4,5

When the fullness of time was come God sent forth his son...To redeem them that were under the law The Law was a document that held a record of our debt, that moved us to declare no hope! no hope!..

But he that was rich became poor that we might be rich in his riches.

BLESS HIS NAME!!!!

The story is told, “Do you see these extended fields?” said the owner of a vast plantation to a friend. “They are mine. All this is mine.” “Do you see yonder poor cottage?” was the reply of the friend as he directed his attention to the abode of a poor widow. “She has more than all this. She has Christ as her portion; and that is more than all.” He who has an interest in the Redeemer has a possession that is of more value than all that princes can bestow.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

To name a few of our riches in Christ we have

John 14;1-3 - a mansion in yonder city

John 14:16 - An abiding comforter

Hebrews 10:19 - His Access

2 Corinthians 5:21 - His Righteousness

Rev DN

He cares for us Luke 12:29

 Wow! I have to share this with you: As I was reading in Luke 12 this morning about how God takes care of the birds and grass and that he will certainly care for us even more.....you know the story, right? Well, the last phrase of verse 29 really spoke to me. As much as I have heard these verses preached and read them myself, I don't remember this phrase: "neither be ye of doubtful mind." This is exactly what I needed from the Lord this morning! Of course He knew that, but I didn't. How can I doubt God to meet my needs and fulfill my desires when He has already blessed me with so much? He has already proven Himself (not that He needs to prove anything). God cares for me. God loves me. God died for me. God has saved me from an eternal hell and my Heavenly home is awaiting me. Just because I don't get just what I want when I want it doesn't mean I should doubt my Lord. It's all in His hands, His way, and His timing. He loves me and He loves you. Never doubt God! His ways are the best for ways for you and me!

Bringing Others to Jesus

 Bringing Others to Jesus

John 1:35-42

Andrew is the disciple known for bringing people to Jesus. Immediately after meeting the Lord, he introduced his brother Simon to the Messiah. Another time, when a great multitude was hungry, he found a boy with five loaves and two fishes and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). When some Greeks wanted to meet Christ, Andrew and Philip made the introductions (12:20-22). This disciple never lost his enthusiasm for the Savior.

Andrew's own conversion experience motivated him to let others know about the One who'd changed his life (1:36-37). How about you--have you lost the joy of your salvation? If your Christian life has become stale and musty, it's time to remember what Christ has done for you and to ask that He restore your excitement.

In addition, Andrew longed to know the Savior and spend time with Him (vv. 38-39). The disciple's example is a good reminder that sweet fellowship with the Lord isn't supposed to end with devotional times. It should also stimulate a desire to share with others the joy we find in our relationship with Christ.

Finally, Andrew was motivated by his conviction that Jesus was the Messiah (v. 41). He'd found the answer for a lost and hurting world and wanted others to know.

When Andrew answered the call to discipleship, Jesus told him he'd be "catching men" instead of fish (Luke 5:10). Since we, too, are followers of Christ, we have this same assignment. Our styles and opportunities vary, but we're each responsible to develop a lifelong habit of bringing others to Jesus.

copied & pasted

Dr. Charles F, Stanley

who is this coming up ?- DN

 The Lord spoke to my heart this morning and gave me a word and I thought there may be some one else that might need this.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness (desert) leaning on her beloved (lover) ? Song of Solomon 8:5

The Lord spoke to my heart this morning and gave me a word and I thought there may be some one else that might need this.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness (desert) leaning on her beloved (lover) ? Song of Solomon 8:5

My what a verse we have here before us. The question is asked, who is this coming up ? Could it be you, me or someone else. Truth is this, before we get out of this world and finished with this journey, there is going to be some dry and leaning times we will face.

I. A Place - Desert

It was defined as being a desert.

Webster: 1. Literally, forsaken; hence, uninhabited; as a desert isle. Hence, wild; untilled; waste; uncultivated; as a desert land or country. Deserts are:

Dry

Desolate

Deathly

II. A Placement: leaning

To Lean denotes: To bend or incline so as to rest on something.

Are you a leaner? You better be!

( I do not know if leaner is a word or not,

it should be. My wife tells me all the time, quit making up words. Lol )

John was a leaner and heard the heart of God.

III. A Power:

In leaning times, I'm glad there is a power that's greater than our weakness. Truth is you do not know how weak you are until you start coming up out of the desert.

1. The leaner was not alone:

You ever feel you're alone? The Lord is right there with us.

2. The leaner was not without affection (thus her lover) arnt you glad we have a lover? One that will enter the desert wth us?

He loved loved her before the desert, in the desert and coming out of the desert.

IV.. A promise:

Our lover, whose name is Jesus will not leave you in the desert, he is going to bring you out.

Rev DN

U R Not alone

 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Da. 3:25

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow before the king’s idol and were thrown into the fiery furnace.

To the King’s amazement, the three were unharmed and joined by a fourth person who looked like the Son of God.

Whatever challenge you face today, you do not have to face it alone. The Lord will be with you if you ask Him to.

Rev DB

The Blesser - DN

While studying the Songs of the Assent, in Pslams 129 Ths Song of the Afflicted

I found me a blessing today, that I couldn't wait to share.

Verse 2 states, Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth..yet they have not prevailed against me.

In verse 2 we have the blessing, they have not prevailed or they could not endure, hold out, finish what they started.

With heart failure I can start things but finishing is another story. The afflictors may be many, but we have a Blesser!!

In verse 4 the Lord is Righteous..he is the one who blesses the Afflicted.

The blessing is only as good as the Blesser is. REV DN

Jesus came to save - DB

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1:15

Paul remembered who he was and what he had done before meeting Christ.  From personal experience he knew Jesus loved sinners.

Like Paul, I know from personal experience Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jesus loves you and wants to wash away all of your sin. Rev DB