promises

Psalm 145:13 (NIV) Trustworthy in all He promises

Isaiah 38:7 (NIV) will do what He has promised

Luke 1:45 (NIV) believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to her (Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, believed everything the angel told her God would do)

Numbers 23:19 (NIV) God is not a human, that He should lie, not a human being that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) No matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

 

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S PROMISES

2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) Through THESE He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

THESE

2 Peter 1:1-3 (NIV)

• Righteousness of God
• Faith
• God’s Power 

When we believe in Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins and rose from the dead, we're born again. Jesus Christ is our Lord. We're waiting for his return. In Jesus we are the righteousness of God. Jesus has reconciled is with our Abba Father.

God has given us faith in him. We actually believe Jesus Christ is alive and God is real. The faith in our heart knows God is real even though we can't see him. He actually answers our prayers and we enjoy his presence. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one.  

Before Jesus ascended into heaven he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Father, the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples needed to be empowered by God before going out to spread the good news. 

Because we are righteous before God (in Jesus Christ), we have faith in God, and we have the Holy Spirit, we can receive the promises of God. There are many promises in the word of God.

The big question is, "How do we appropriate His promises?"

The first promise - remember that day so cleary - in 12th grade a classmate prayed with me to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It really happened! Jesus really did come into my heart! I really was born again! All things became new!

The second promise - was reading the Bible and a verse jumped out at me (a promise). Jesus said, "Whatever you ask of me, when you pray, I will do it." Right then and there, I prayed a super simple prayer, asking the Lord to do a very specific thing for me. The next day, he answered my prayer (the answer was so perfect and clear).

So, as we go to God with a particular promise, we actually believe He will do what He promised. Answers to prayer can come immediately, some after many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. As children of God, we learn to wait patiently for answers to prayer (which is the fulfillment of promises we bring to God's attention).

2 Peter 2:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone come to repentance.

As we appropriate God's promises, they become a part of our life. It's as if a small part of God's nature permanently resides in our spirit. It's also like we have digested some of God's word. The more promises we appropriate, the more of God's nature melds with our heart - from faith to faith, from glory to glory, we become more and more like Jesus. 

Some of God’s Promises

1^st John 2:25 (NIV) And this is what He promised us – eternal life.

John 14:14 (NIV) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Revelation 3:20 (NIV) …I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…

Luke11:13 (NIV) How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) By His wounds we are healed.

James 4:7-8 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and He will direct your paths.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Mark 16:17 (NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons…they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover…they will speak in new tongues.

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you.

John 7:38 (NKJV) He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

1 John 4:4 (NIV) Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Mark 13:26 (NIV) People will see the son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Hope this post is helpful to you. God bless you. 

rota - guata beach

A few weeks ago at the church I'm attending (Rota Christian Assembly), our pastor encouraged us to bring the church to the people.

Was a little concerned - if I go door to door here...too many dogs.

Really love how God speaks to us.  Out of the blue He drops something in my heart - "Make a poster and flash people from the side of the road as they drive by."

That got the questions going - What, how, where and when, Lord?

Had to order poster paint and brushes on line, which took a couple of weeks to get here. Scrounged up some cardboard, tape, and styrofoam backing. Wanted to make the poster big enough so drivers could easily read it.

Everything became pretty clear - Flash the poster at cars coming and going; stand on the west side of the road at Guata Beach; and, do it every other Friday afternooon, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

So, yesterday was my 2nd time. The 1st time, counted about 200 cars or trucks, with lots of horn honking and waving in response, which was quite surprising. Yesterday was even better - about the same amount of traffic with a few added school buses, and two cars pulled over to visit (a missionary friend, and a young boy and girl who, wanted to get a picture). One driver slowed his car down and read it to me out loud, "Jesus Loves You."

It wasn't my idea - give God all the credit. Besides, we do a lot of stuff like this on Rota, standing on the side of the road and waving at people to promote an event or special day. In the CNMI, everyone knows about the Rota Wave. It's a common custom for us to wave at anyone we pass on the road.

Please don't think it's strange that God talks to people. All through the Bible, Old Testament and New, are instances of Him talking to His people or servants. Even Jesus Christ said, "My sheep know my voice."  

Hope you enjoyed the post. Have a good day.

bro tone baptized today

Friday Bro. Tone gave his life to Jesus. He wanted to get baptized right away, but we had a dangerous surf alert from a nearby typhoon. Pastor John and Sis. Agi agreed for Monday baptism (for better weather).

This morning, at Sunday morning worship service, Bro. Tone was super eager to get baptized right away. At 4:00 this afternoon, we all met at the beach, and Bro. Tone got baptized, praise the Lord!

No turning back, no turning back.

God bless Bro. Tone and his bold decision to follow Jesus Christ.

his yoke

 

Jesus said, "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." (Matthew 11: 28-30, NIV)

Have had many jobs, and many bosses since entering the workforce in 1969, at 16 years of age. All in all, Jesus Christ always takes 1st place, as bosses go.

Most would agree that all bosses require a certain degree of control, some more than others. That's where the "yoke" comes in (like the picture of the old fashioned one above).

In agricultural communities, a yoke is ordinarily used to harness two oxen or cows together, for plowing, or pulling heavy loads. Single yokes are not uncommon, and in some countries there are one-person yokes for carrying buckets of water, or whatever. 

In terms of freedom and control, who wouldn't want to go with the "single-person yoke"?

Staying true to the Lord's metaphor in the Gospel of Matthew, his invitation implies being yoked together with Jesus Christ himself. 1st hand experience would easily verify that His yoke is easy, and indeed, His burden is light.

Some might grumble and complain of contradictions to this claim, as they grow weak, tired, and even burnt out in service to God. Is our Abba Father to blame? Or, maybe something was lost in the Greek translation?

The Sword of the Spirit is it's own commentary. The whole counsel of God is one, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. His yoke truly is a blessing.

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. (Proverbs 10:22, NIV)

OK, OK, being yoked up with Jesus is truly an unbelievably huge benefit (like eternal life, or the presence of God, for sure). So why are God's servants getting stressed out or burned out? What happened with that one clause, "rest to your souls"? 

Remember when Jesus was walking along with his disciples, and got hungry for a fig. He reached up - not a single one on the entire tree. Then and there,  Jesus cursed the tree. The next day when he and his disciples walked by that same tree, it was dead, withered, dried up, root, and stem

vs. 1-2: "I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. vs.5: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15, NIV)

It's all about fruitage, not leafage. The angels in heaven do not rejoice when we grow lots of beautiful leaves. The kingdom of God is all about bearing fruit, and fruit that remains. The Master Gardener is focused on fruit production - all else ends up in the compost bin or the fire pit.

No one is perfect, and no one has all the answers, but it really seems a little too obvious - someone's burden is a little too heavy. 

Jesus said, "My burden is light...and you will find rest to your souls."

Would it be possible for the Holy Spirit to give someone a specific assignment, the person follows through obediently, initially experiences wonderful fruit (glory to God), and then assumes that they should continue doing the exact same thing to bear more of the same fruit?

If the Holy Spirit wants us to do the same thing, over and over again, to continue bearing good fruit, he can and will tell us (it's not automatic). We all know what it means to assume something. 

But Jesus did mention that he only did what the Father told him to do and say. Did Jesus Christ heal everyone who was sick in Israel? Did Jesus turn water into wine for every wedding feast? Did Jesus cleanse every leper? Of course not, just the ones the Father designated.

Eventhough Jesus was 100% man, and 100% God, it's hard to believe that Jesus depended on his human brain for God's will regarding ministry on earth (sorry, if incorrect). He was led by the Holy Spirit. He knew God's voice. Jesus must have followed these  directions in the Word -

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Been on some pretty scarry and difficult paths in the jungle here on this tropical island of Rota (some even very dangerous). Hypothetically speaking, God would never take us to the head of a jungle trail and say something like, "OK, gang, take this path, and go in that direction for two miles", then leave us on our own.

No way! He would walk in the lead, on the trail. Everyone else would be focusing and making every effort to keep as close to him as possible, as we go forward.

Really trying to say something like this - 

NO MORE LEAVES ONLY. That testimony, that song, that approach to prayer, that way of reading the Bible, that ministry, that schedule, they were all fruitful at one time. It's very likely they were from the Holy Spirit once (fresh bread from the throne of God). Now they might only be good ideas, with good intentions (not God ideas). They might even be dead, incapable of bearing fruit, only leaves, and dead dry branches. 

Praise the Lord, the drought is over! It's a new season - time for new growth!

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51:10-13, NIV).

Sing a new song of praise to him. (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 96:1, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 144:9, Psalm 149:1, and Isaiah 42:10, NIV)  

Our Creator gives new life and new breath to all creatures every day. His mercies are new every morning. His creative nature is alive in our hearts. Out of our hearts flow rivers of living water, because we believe and trust our Lord Jesus Christ. Daily, God gave fresh manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness, even when they were stubborn and disobedient.

"His burden is light" and "His yoke is easy", amen! 

Is anyone being slowly tormented under a heavy burden, or perhaps vexed by intolerable circumstances? 

Then, their burden is not only from the Good Shepherd. And, someone or something extra has been added to the yoke (maybe more now, instead of only two harnesses).

As we always say in our Men's Friday Bible Study, "That's the end of the story." 

   

life after delivery

Love this story. You won't find it in the Bible, nor is there any reference to Jesus Christ.

Perhaps this story is to help our future brothers and sisters who still struggle with the very existence of God. 

As a senior citizen, it makes me wonder about my upcoming eternal life after death, with a hopeful smile and a positive outlook.

Many thanks to the author of this video clip. 

 

mango season

Thank the Lord for loads and loads of yummy Rota mangoes - two big trees next to my place. Plenty to share with everyone.

"Good trees have good fruit!"

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

bible smuggler

 

preached again

...at Rota Assembly of God Church (Sunday am 05-11-2025), on the island of Luta (aka Rota), Mariana Islands. Glory to God! Here are the sermon notes. Happy Mothers Day!

BIBLE 

Logos

John 1:1 – 4 (NLT) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 

Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 

Matthew 7:24 (NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 

 

Rhema 

John 6:63 (NLT) The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 

John 6:66-68 (NLT) At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 

Ephesians 5:25-26 (NLT) …husbands… love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 

John 1:1 – 4 (NLT) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 

HOW WE KEEP CLEAN FROM DAY TO DAY

• the blood of Jesus washes away our sin (as many times as necessary)
• the word of God washes away the dirt from living in the world, and regenerates us (like a software update from the Holy Spirit)

1 John 1:7&9 (NLT) But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

* We don't confess our sins to people or to a person - confess our sins to "him," that's God, our Abba Father.

Ephesians 5:26 (NLT) …washed by the cleansing of God’s word.  

 

WISDOM

From below

James 3:15-16 (NLT) For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 

* Living in the world for many many years, a person's wisdom is of this world, which is only a temporary thing. Jesus said, "Believers are in the world, but not of the world."

From above

James 3:17 (NLT) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Ask for wisdom every day

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

* CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord every day for his wisdom, for one year. Remember, when you ask God, he will give it to you generously. Be sure to act on the wisdom you receive.

 

ADOPTION

Documents & ID

Adoption is the legal process by which an individual or couple becomes the legal parent of a child, transferring parental rights and responsibilities from the child’s biological or legal parent(s). This process provides a new, loving home and family to children who cannot live with their birth parents.

The Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Romans 8:15 (NLT) So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:19 (NLT) Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

Colossians 1:27 (NLT) For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Romans 8:23 (NLT) And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NLT) and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

Ephesians 1:14 (NLT) The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 

 

WORSHIP

TV, online, or, by yourself 

John 6:15 (NLT)  When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

 

Luke 9:18 (NLT)  One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone.

 

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) ...let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

 

Matthew 18:20 (NLT) "...where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

 

Tickets to the Game

Leviticus 9:22-24 (NLT) … Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them. ...Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people again, and the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole community. Fire blazed forth from the LORD’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.

 

1 Samuel 4:5 (NLT) When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake!

 

2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (NLT) Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.

 

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) …let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God.

 

Psalm 63:4 (NLT) I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.

 

Psalm 47:1 (NLT) Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!

 

Psalm 98:4 (NLT) Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy

 

Psalm 149:3 (NLT) Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 

 

SORROW 

Godly

2 Corinthians 7:10a (NIV)…Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret… 

* There is always hope in God, even in the worst times and situations.

 

Worldly

2 Corinthians 7:10b (NIV)… but worldly sorrow brings death.

 

CONCLUSION

• read our Bible more 

• ask for God's wisdom every day

• there's always hope in Jesus

• our inheritance

• praise the Lord 

  * Here's the Facebook link to the Sunday morning service - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14vT2zFFzi/