A living Word giving confidence

In these particular times people look for solutions for their restricted life. Because of the corona measures, many feel very restricted in their liberty. Some therefore want to go to court to reverse or stop the corona restrictions. They do forget that protecting the citizens in our society is the responsible role a government should take care off. Protecting everybody habiting in their state, should be the priority of a state.

People may be annoyed that they have to stay in the house or may not meet with so many people, but they should look it from the positive side. Now they can have more time for themselves.

In that extra time given, people also could use some more time with the One they can not see, but Who is always there. That Unseen God has given His Word. And now we could take some extra time to look at that Word, given to us with The Bible.

The Bible is not just a book of theological doctrine and premises; it is the living, breathing Word of God. In it, we encounter the very Voice of God—the same voice that created the stars, our universe with water, plants and animals. The same Voice which led a lot of people, guiding them through difficult situations, helping them when they needed help.

Scripture is not just about learning ancient truths. It is about God speaking to us, in real-time, with real direction. Without that, our souls will shrivel and die.

In “Word of God”  we can find the words of many prophets. one of them was the Nazarene Jesus christ (Jeshua)  Also his words are meticulously notated by his closest disciples, the apostles.
In the Word of the gospel, we can meet the promised one from God, Jesus who is also called the 'son of God', 'the sent one from God' and the Messiah or Christ.

That great preacher wanted to show to everybody (who wanted to hear) Who the Only Real God is. He also wanted others to know that he is the Way to God, the gate to God's Kingdom. He who gives us a taste of the goodness of God and teaches us that, in all things, we can trust him. In Jesus, we see that at our worst moment, he still loved us, and we know that if he loved us then he will never leave us now.

The apostle Peter advises us to nourish ourself constantly on that good gospel Word. We should drink it like the milk a baby drinks to survive and without which it will remain severely undernourished.

For many people, the only Bible they get is from the preacher on Sunday. Not having a daily quiet time, where you pour God’s Word into you, means you will shrivel up spiritually — and it won’t matter how long you’ve been a Christian or how many facts you know. We need the constant intake of the imperishable, life-giving Word of God. Even Jesus was saturated in it.

Let us not forget that all human teaching passes away but God His teaching shall stay forever. In times of crisis, lots of people bring up lots of questions and often also start doubting God, Who they suddenly seem to know as the One to blame. When there are no services any more in your church, please do not forget to regularly read the Bible and to meditate on it. If you have a partner or when you have children, please do take time with them to read the Bible and talk about what is been read. Make sure the Word of God can be echoing in your house at regular times. that way you also shall feel how God can also with you and your family and give you confidence to cope in this particular time.

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Additional reading 

1. Honest-hearted people are losing faith in humanity and humanity losing faith in God
2. All human teaching passes away
3. God Statements recorded in a book
4. The God speaking out providing provings, signs and miracles
5. God’s Blog recorded in a Book
6. God’s Self-Revelation
7. the Bible – God’s guide for life #1 Introduction
8. the Bible – God’s guide for life #2 Needs in life
9. Creator and Blogger God 3 Lesson and solution
10. Creator and Blogger God 4 Expounding voice
11. the Bible – God’s guide for life #3 Fast food or staple diet
12. the Bible – God’s guide for life #4 Not to get the best from our diet– or from ourselves
13. Today’s thought “Word of the Only One God – To be read and listened at” (November 21)
14. Today’s thought “Jehovah God makes us dwell in safety and confident trust” (January 02)

Stick to one God

"Consider the postage stamp:
its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."
- Josh Billings

“Do not trust holding God’s love;
let Him hold your hand.
Let him take care of the holding you and that you ensure the confidence.”
 - Hammer William Webb-Peploe

"It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him."
2 Timothy 2:11-12

My lord and my master,
in You I trust my life and my future.
On You I continually hope,
do not disappoint me and lead me to eternal life.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Hou vast aan één God

2016 linkupdate Related articles

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• For Dutch speaking readers #1 On the first component of a triptych
• For Dutch speaking readers #2 Second component of triptych

Gaining Christ, trusting Jehovah

“In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.” (Jer 23:6 ASV)

 “For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isa 64:6 ASV)

 “I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Ps 71:16 ASV)

 “Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, [even] that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:” (Php 3:8-9 ASV)

 “Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.” (Ps 18:2 ASV)

 “As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him.” (Ps 18:30 ASV)

 “But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah.” (Zep 3:12 ASV)

 “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.” (Mt 12:17-21 ASV)

 “And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.” (Ro 15:12 ASV)

 “who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;” (2Co 1:10 ASV)

 “And such confidence have we through Christ to God–ward:” (2Co 3:4 ASV)

 “but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.” (1Th 2:4 ASV)

 “for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;” (1Th 4:10 ASV)

Read also: It is not try but trust

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Christus winnen, Jehovah vertrouwen

How should we preach?

Jesus Christ has instructed us "to go and teach" to proclaim the "Good News" and to distribute it around the world.
How should we preach?

We should:

• preach to all who will listen (Acts 28:30)

• preach with confidence (v. 31)

• not preach with “wisdom of words” (1 Cor. 1:17)

• only preach the true gospel (Gal. 1:8)

• preach with sincerity and goodwill (Phil. 1:15)

• be “blameless and harmless” and “shine as lights in the world” (2:15)

• preach with warning and teaching (Col. 1:28).

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From - Preaching the Gospel
Basic Bible Principles
http://www.testimony-magazine.org/back/PreachingTheGospel.pdf

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Hoe moeten we prediken?

God my fence, my hope for the future

“But I am poor and needy; [Yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God.” (Ps 40:17 ASV)

“A man’s goings are established of Jehovah; And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.” (Ps 37:23-24 ASV)

“In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.” (Pr 14:26 ASV)

“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass; and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?” (Isa 51:12-13 ASV)

“Be not afraid because of them; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith Jehovah.” (Jer 1:8 ASV)

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (De 31:6 ASV)

“But I will sing of thy strength; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy lovingkindness in the morning: For thou hast been my high tower, And a refuge in the day of my distress.” (Ps 59:16 ASV)

“Thou art my hiding–place; Thou wilt preserve me from trouble; Thou wilt compass me about with songs of deliverance. [[Selah” (Ps 32:7 ASV)

Read more >God Helper and Deliverer

French >Dieu aide et libérateur
German > Gott Helferer und Retter

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > God mijn schutting, mijn hoop voor de toekomst
Full Dutch text: Uitgebreide Nederlandstalige tekst > God Helper en Bevrijder

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."
- Helen Keller (1880-1968)

"For You are my hope; O Lord GOD,
You are my confidence from my youth."
Psalm 71:5

I am grateful to you God for the many beautiful things in my life.
I am happy that I can look forward to the hope that you have given me.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Optimisme is het geloof dat leidt tot succes
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2013 update 

Helen Keller sitting holding a magnolia flower, circa 1920 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Come ye yourselves apart ... and rest awhile (Mark 6:31)

"Come ye yourselves apart ... and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31)

WHAT loving consideration for his disciples is suggested by these words of Jesus! They had been engaged in the work of the Gospel - preaching, teaching and healing - and had returned to the Lord to tell him of their experiences. But "there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat". So Jesus suggested they should go elsewhere to seek quietude and rest.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven", says the Preacher. Rest and recreation (i.e., re-creation) are essential to human well-being, whether on the physical or spiritual plane, and Jesus taught his disciples a very practical lesson in this respect in the incident recorded by Mark.

"Come ye apart and rest awhile! "Christ's advice is perhaps more needed to-day than ever before. The world is too much with us: it is well-nigh impossible to escape its insistent influence or find a quiet retreat free from its fret and turmoil. Many of us seek relief on holiday; but even in the solitude of the hills or in the wide expanse of the moors, the ubiquitous aeroplane intrudes, shattering the sense of seclusion and linking us again with man's unceasing endeavour to subjugate the physical universe.

How, then, can we come apart and rest awhile? There is no quietness or peace associated with the human world around us: stress, anxiety, clamour and warfare are its characteristics: we seek in vain in that direction. But one of old confidently tells us of a source of peace which he had discovered:

The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul (Psa. 23:1-3).

Here then is what we desire and seek: pleasant pastures, the waters of quietness, and refreshment for the soul: sought out and made accessible to us by the Shepherd of Israel. And does not His Son reveal similar consolation? Jesus, the good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep, invites us: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matt. 11:28).

Shepherds Crag (Photo credit: Mikey Bean)

Rest unto our souls! That is our greatest need to-day and our most fervent longing: to be free from the anxiety which so easily possesses us; to banish the sense of unrest which so frequently consumes us; to secure that contentment of spirit which so readily evades us, and which only confidence in God can inspire. If we are to secure this rest unto our souls, we must learn of Christ: and when we are truly his disciples, he takes us apart unto a desert place - far from the crowded haunts of human life - and we rest awhile with him, forgetting in his serene presence the cares and anxieties of life, and the interminable struggle of flesh and spirit; so are we strengthened for further endeavour.

Each first day of the week we are granted in a very special sense the privilege of spiritual re-creation. Christ may be "known of us in breaking of bread", as he was to the disciples of old. It is essential, however, that we should come apart from the world with its restless comings and goings, and seek to find him who has promised to be with us when we are gathered together in his name. This is no easy thing to accomplish, for we are very definitely still in the flesh, and liable to be too readily influenced by the merely human aspects of the memorial service; often we determine its success or failure by the word of exhortation. Let us remember, however, that the essential feature of the memorial service is the breaking of bread: that alone is commanded; all else is subservient to it. In that ordinance we remember Christ, learn of him, and so find rest unto our souls.

Brother F.W. Turner
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Meditations - Chapter 7 - Rest Unto Our Souls

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2013 update:

And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
As you* are going, make disciples of all the nations, immersing* them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:teaching them to observe all things whatever I commanded you* and behold, I am with you* all the days until the end of the world.
 Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20 MLV)

And he gave some to be apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, shepherds and teachers.These were done *for the equipping of the holy-ones, *for the work of the ministry, *for the building up of the body of Christ,until we all arrive to the oneness of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,in order that we may no longer be infants, tossed to and fro and carried around with every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;but be truthful with love*. We may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, who is Christ;from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through what every joint supplies, according to the working in due measure of each individual part, that makes the growth of the body to the building up of itself in love*.

(Ephesians 4:11-16 MLV)

Blogging for Jesus..

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A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for

A LIVING FAITH

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb 11:1

This is a well known quote from Paul spelling out the principles of faith. We have never met Abraham, Isaac, or any of the Patriarchs.  We have never met any of the prophets and not even one of the faithful men and women whose lives are recorded in scripture as examples for us. We have never walked the streets of the Jerusalem of David’s day nor witnessed the building of Solomon’s temple.  Unlike the disciples we have never seen the Lord Jesus Christ nor been privileged to hear his words first hand. We have not seen the Kingdom or even a glimpse of the glory and wonder of that time to come. But faith provides substance to the words of scripture and provides evidence of that which is not yet seen.

But faith is not blind; it is not a blind unknowing belief in the insubstantial. Faith is based upon a solid foundation and not on an elusive, flimsy account of a mans dreams. Faith looks up at the heavens and the myriads of stars each in their place and all governed by unchanging physical laws. Faith views nature and sees the myriad forms of life on the earth. Then faith sees in all things, the wonder of life wrought by the hand of an Almighty Creator.

Faith is born out of a knowledge about lives and events that are as real and tangible as any historical account. Faith sees the reality of promises and prophecy already fulfilled, and then concludes that what has not yet come, will equally be fulfilled.

Faith sees substance in the scriptures that paint a wonderful picture about a time to come of peace and safety such as has never been. The world as it is today maybe appears permanent, its roads, vast cities, transport systems and institutions unassailable. Yet the eye of faith sees a vastly changed vista, for faith views amongst many things:

Ø  A time when a vast temple over a mile square will be built as a ‘house of prayer for all nations’.

Ø  A time when ‘the desert will blossom as the rose’

Ø  A time when all shall know the Lord ‘from the least of them to the greatest of them’.

Faith is an essential component of salvation, for Paul writes that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6

Now, there are three key words in that quote from Hebrews, namely faith, substance and evidence.

The word ‘faith’ comes from the Greek word ‘pistis’, meaning assurance, belief, fidelity and faithfulness (the character of one who can be relied on). Faith therefore is a confidence engendered by knowledge, for as we read “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom 10:17

Now the word ‘substance’  comes from the Greek ‘hupostasis’, meaning confidence, substructure or foundation, steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution, firm trust, assurance. Faith can thus be viewed as an attitude of mind that is convinced of the Truth and which has a firm foundation for hope.

Finally we come to the word ‘evidence’ which comes from the Greek ‘elegchos’ meaning that by which a thing is proved or tested. Faith in that which is to come, has its evidence in the Word, which as Paul writes is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof (‘elegchos’ translated ‘for proof’ Diaglott, conviction YLT )… ..for instruction in righteousness” 2Tim 3:16

You may recall that Jesus once upbraided the disciples for having ‘little faith’.  There they were in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, the waves threatening to sink the boat. Jesus though had calmly fallen asleep in the stern of the boat. His disciples went to him saying:

"Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  His reply: "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"

With Jesus in that boat it was unsinkable, for his time had not yet come. The disciples had witnessed the expressions of belief and faith of others, particularly the profound faith of the Centurion of whom Jesus had said “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Matt 8:10. They had witnessed acts of healing and listened to the parables Jesus had told concerning the Kingdom, yet they themselves were chided for having ‘little faith’. I wonder how Jesus would view our level of faith when faced with the storms and the tossing waves of life. Are they viewed as simply time and chance, or do we see the hand of Yahweh at work moulding and shaping our lives? Most certainly the minutiae of life are very often time and chance, but the overall tenor of life is overruled, all things working to our good. Thus do we see trial and tribulation as an opportunity for our characters to develop and faith to be tested?

The term ‘little faith’ comes from the Greek ‘oligopistos’ meaning to be incredulous or lacking confidence.  One of the root words in Greek means puny, small, brief (in extent/duration). The other root word means persuasion, reliance and belief. Therefore having ‘little faith’ implies being little persuaded and lacking in reliance.

Thus a lesson is driven home which in effect says that it is easy to express faith when life is easy, harder when life events get tough.  It is the testing by the trial and tribulations of life that proves the value and depth of faith, plus of course our level of understanding. There are times when the storms and waves in life threaten to swamp our boat, yet Paul writes “no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man”. Therefore, the evidence of faith will recall the promise, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1Cor 10:13

The disciples once asked Jesus "Lord increase our faith". The reply came:

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree - be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you" Luke 17:5

Such a small amount of faith could accomplish so much! I wonder what an honest self examination would say about our personal level of faith. Is it as great as a small mustard seed or would Jesus upbraid us for having ‘little faith?

To be continued….A Living Faith #2

Andy Peel.

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In this series:

A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A living faith #2 State of your faith
A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
A Living Faith #4 Effort
A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
A Living faith #7 Prayer
A Living Faith #8 Change
A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
A Living Faith #11 My place in the body of Christ and my ecclesia
A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

Of interest: > Faith Requires a Basis

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2016 January update

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Free to be quiet

Free To Be Quiet  by Bob Gass He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 NKJV Sometimes it's wise to wait, to say, "I don't have the answer right now but I'll think about it, pray, and get back to you." Your need to rescue someone, or impress them and make points, will come back to bite you. The Bible says, "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly" (Proverbs 12:23 NIV). Allow wisdom to determine your response, not ego! When people are anxious for answers they'll pressure you into speaking before you have all the facts or have taken time to pray and consider the situation. If you ask Him, God will tell you what to say and when to say it. His promise is: "I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand" (Isaiah 51:16 NIV). Ego says, "Don't just stand there, say something." Wisdom says, "Don't just say something, stand there!" Quietly ask God for insight. One insight from Him can settle things in a hurry. Someone else's need to know shouldn't determine your need to speak. When Jesus stood before Pilate in judgment He said, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53 NIV). Yet the Bible says, "He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7 NKJV). When He was brought before Pilate, Jesus just stood there and said nothing. That's because He was not on trial, Pilate was. Jesus knew His destiny and, most importantly, He knew His Father intimately. And when you know God you can face anything with confidence - and be free to be quiet. What a wonderful place to be!

A Bee Bg

Give your tears to God

"We can give our tears to God because He is our COMFORTER
Our disappointments because He is our CONFIDENCE
Our pains because He is our HEALER
Our stress because He is our PEACE
Our heaviness because He is our JOY"
- Roy Lessin

"Sorrow may bring us to the earth, and death may bring us to the grave,
but lower we cannot sink, and out of the lowest of all we shall arise to the highest of all."
- C.H. Spurgeon

"Often the clouds of sorrow
reveal the sunshine of His face."
- Hilys Jasper

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand."
Psalms 37:23-24

"Therefore, having been justified by FAITH,
We have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
And REJOICE in the HOPE of the GLORY of GOD."
Romans 5:1-2

Comfort me, heal me, give me strength and confidence.
Give that I grow everyday and come closer to you,
finding peace and joy,
in Jesus name, Amen..

Dutch version / Nederlands > Geef je tranen aan God
+++
2013 update:

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