A Chronological NT

(Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written)

1 Thessalonians
"The first document in this chronological New Testament is Paul's letter to a Christ-community in Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia, a province in northern Greece. It was written around the year 50, possibly a year or two earlier. Somewhat surprisingly, given the movement's origin among Jews in the Jewish homeland, the earliest Christian document is written to a community in Europe, which was largely Gentile."

Galatians
"Whether this letter should be second in a chronological New Testament is a toss-up. The other serious candidate is Paul's first letter to Corinth, customarily dated around 54. Because some scholars date Galatians as early as 50 and many others in the first half of the 50s, I have decided to put it before 1 Corinthians."

1 Corinthians
"First Corinthians is the second longest of Paul's letters. Only Romans is longer, and thus this letter comes right after Romans in the canonical New Testament. But in this chronological New Testament, it comes after 1 Thessalonians and Galatians. According to Acts, Paul created a Christ-community in Corinth in southern Greece around the year 50."

Philemon
"In the canonical New Testament, Philemon is the last of the 13 letters attributed to Paul because it is the shortest, only 25 verses long, so brief it is not even divided into chapters. But in this chronological New Testament, it comes early, in the middle of the seven letters universally accepted as by Paul himself.

Philemon is one of Paul's 'prison letters. From details in the letter, we know that it was a Roman prison. Some scholars think it was in the city of Rome and thus date Philemon to Paul's imprisonment there in the early 60s. But there were Roman prisons throughout the empire, especially in provincial capitals such as Ephesus in Asia Minor. A majority think these two letters were written during an imprisonment in Ephesus in the mid-50s. Because they were written near each other in time, it is arbitrary to place one ahead of the other. For didactic rather than historical reasons, I have put Philemon before Philippians."

Philippians
"Philippians is the most consistently affectionate of Paul's letters. Philippi was the capital of ancient Macedonia, in northern Greece. According to Acts 16, it was the first city in Europe in which Paul founded a Christ-community after leaving Asia Minor in the late 40s. We do not know if he had visited it in the years since, though it seems likely, given his visits to Macedonia. In any case, his relationship to the community seems to have been uncomplicated. The tone of the letter is not only affectionate, but filled with gratitude. It also contains important and extraordinary passages.

Like Philemon, Philippians was written from a Roman prison, probably from the same imprisonment in Ephesus in the mid-50s. Unlike in the closing of Philemon, in which Paul writes that he hopes to be freed, in his letter he is uncertain about whether his imprisonment might end in execution."

2 Corinthians
"Second Corinthians is not a single letter, but a combination of at least three letters from Paul to the Christ-community in Corinth. Though there is consensus within modern scholarship about its composite character, there is no unanimity about the extent of each letter. The most common divisions are chapters 1-7, 8-9, and 10-13, though probably not in that sequence. The community in Corinth preserved these letters and later combined them into one letter as 2 Corinthians.

That this letter combines several letters is important not only for reading and interpreting it, but also because it provides a vivid glimpse of Paul's continuing relationship to one of his communities. Recall that Paul founded the community in Corinth around the year 50 and spent a year or two there. Recall also that 1 Corinthians refers to a previous letter that he had written to the Corinthians and also to a letter he had received from them. Second Corinthians adds to this correspondence."

Romans
"Paul's letter to the Christ-communities in Rome is distinctive in many ways. It is his longest letter. Only 1 Corinthians is a serious rival. It is the only letter he wrote to people he didn't know; Paul had never been to Rome. Unlike his other letters, it does not deal with highly specific issues like whether it's acceptable to eat meat sacrificed to idols, for women to prophesy with their heads uncovered, for male Gentile converts to remain uncircumcised, or for a Christian master to have a Christian slave. Except for a brief section near the end on 'weak' and 'strong' within the community, Romans has none of this specificity.

It is probably his last letter. Though a small minority of scholars think that the 'prison letters' -- Philippians, Philemon and Colossians -- are later, most think Romans is the last of the universally agreed upon seven genuine letters of Paul. He wrote it from Corinth around the year 58, just before he began what became his final journey to Jerusalem, arrest, imprisonment, and eventual execution in Rome itself."

Mark
"Around the year 70, an early Christian put the story of Jesus into written form for the first time. Though the location is uncertain, the best guess is a Christ-community near the northern border of Galilee in the Jewish homeland. We call the document 'Mark,' though it is not certain that somebody named 'Mark' wrote it. The gospel does not name the author; he did not write 'The Gospel According to Mark' at the top of the first page. So also the authors of Matthew, Luke, and John do not name themselves. Names were assigned only in the second century when the existence of several gospels required a way of distinguishing among them. Perhaps somebody named 'Mark' wrote the earliest gospel, and perhaps not. It really doesn't matter; its value doesn't depend upon who wrote it. But we will call him and his gospel 'Mark.'

James
"The dating and authority of James are inextricably intertwined. The author identifies himself as 'James' (1.1). For centuries, Christian tradition took it for granted that the author was James, the brother of Jesus. According to Acts and Paul, James was the 'leader' or 'head' of the Christian community in Jerusalem. He was executed in the early 60s.

If by this James, the letter must have been written before the early 60s, thus making it earlier than any of the gospels. Indeed, some scholars argue that it could have been written in the 40s or 50s, which could make it as early or even earlier than the letters of Paul -- perhaps the earliest document in the New Testament.

But the majority of mainstream scholars do not think the author was the brother of Jesus. The author does not say so, but describes himself simply as 'James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.' Moreover, his use of Greek language and grammar is quite sophisticated -- not impossible for a brother of Jesus from the peasant class who native language was Aramaic, but at least somewhat unlikely.

If the author was not the brother of Jesus, then its date becomes wide open. There is no scholarly consensus. Estimates range the 70s or 80s to as late as the early 100s. I have decided to place it in the 70s or 80s, later than Mark, but before Matthew, because much of James seems like early tradition."

Colossians
"Colossians is almost certainly the earliest of the letters attributed to Paul but not actually written by him. Its strongest literary connections are to Ephesians, whose author most likely knew Colossians. Ephesians was most likely written no later than around the year 90, and thus Colossians must have been written earlier, probably in the 80s."

Matthew
"Matthew was written a decade or two after Mark, in the 80s or perhaps early 90s. Along with John, it is one of two gospels named after a disciple of Jesus. According to 9.9, Matthew was a tax collector before Jesus called him to be a disciple. Mark and Luke tell the same story, but name the tax collector 'Levi.' They could be different names for the same person. The name Matthew also appears in all the lists of the 12 disciples in the gospels and Acts.

For centuries, it has been taken for granted that this gospel was written by this Matthew, and thus by an eyewitness to the historical life of Jesus. And not just any eyewitness, but one of the inner circle of 12."

Hebrews
"The document we know as 'the letter to the Hebrews' is exceptionally rich. Its central and best-known metaphor presents Jesus as the 'great high priest' who offers himself as the 'once for all' sacrifice. Its chapters on faith is one of the most famous in the New Testament. Its creative use of texts from the Jewish Bible, especially from Psalms and the prophets, is powerful.

We do not know who wrote it. In the 200s, an early Christian theologian named Origen said that its author 'was known only to God.' In the centuries since, there have been guesses, Around the year 400, Augustine and Jerome suggested it was written by Paul, and thus it has sometimes been called the 14th letter of Paul. But there is no reason to think Paul wrote it, and many reasons to think he did not. Other guesses have included Barnabas, Apollos, and Priscilla. None is persuasive, and modern scholarship agrees with Origen: God only knows who wrote it."

John
"Mainline scholars commonly date John around the year 90. Most also think that John has earlier and later layers. The clearest example is that the gospel seems to end twice -- once at the end of chapter 20 and again at the end of chapter 21. The most plausible explanation is that John 21 was added to a 'first edition' that ended with John 20. Scholars have also argued that the author may have had what is commonly called a 'signs source.' Despite uncertainty about what might be earlier and what is likely later, there is a strong consensus that the form in which we have John came from the decade of the 90s. It tells us how Jesus was spoken of in a Christian community near the end of the first century. It does not tell us very much about how Jesus himself spoke."

Ephesians
"Like Colossians, Ephesians is one of the 'disputed' letters of Paul. A minority of modern scholars argue that it was written by Paul, but a majority have concluded that it was written by a generation or so after Paul's death. Though it has the typical forms of a Pauline letter and echoes some important themes from the seven genuine letters of Paul, it also differs in a number of ways.

The framework for dating it is created by its close parallels to parts of Colossians that indicate that Colossians is earlier; and it seems to have been known by the Christian author Ignatius around the year 100. The suggests a date around 90."

Revelation
"Because Revelation refers to persecution, it has been commonly dated either in the mid to late 60s, shortly after Nero's persecution, or in the mid-90s near the end of the reign of the emperor Dormitian (c. 96 CE). But Nero's persecution of Christians was confined to the city of Rome and did not affect Asia Minor, and the historical evidence for official Roman persecution under Dormitian is very weak.

Moreover, the document itself does not indicate that large-scale persecution was already under way. The letter to Smyrna warns that suffering is imminent, but has not yet begun: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death" (2.10). The letter to Pergamum names one Christian who has already been killed (2.13). One of the visions refers to 'those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given' and to future persecution of 'their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed' (6.9-11). But the massive persecution of which it warns is still future from its point in time.

Thus most contemporary scholars affirm that the persecutions in Revelation were unofficial, local, sporadic, and not official Roman persecution. With the link to Roman persecution severed, the primary reason for dating it in the 60s or the 90s is gone. Along with most scholars, I date it no earlier than the 90s, in part because its criticism of Christians in the seven communities sounds as though it is directed to second- or third- generation followers of Jesus who have begun to accommodate to the norms and values of the dominant culture. But it is also possible that it was written in the early decades of the second century."

Jude
"Jude is perhaps the strangest document in the New Testament. It is one of the shortest, about a page long,and is the most enigmatic. Its authorship, the community to which it was addressed, and its date involve more 'guesswork' than any other document.

The author identifies himself as 'Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James' (v.1). Jude (Judas) was a common name in New Testament times. According to Mark 6.3, one of Jesus's brothers was named Jude. Because the author of this letter also identifies himself as 'brother of James,' another brother of Jesus and leader of the Christ-community in Jerusalem, it was taken for granted until recently that the author was also a brother of Jesus.

If so, that would make Jude one of the earliest documents in the New Testament. But modern mainline scholars have concluded that it was written much later. The precision is impossible, most date it around 100. It contains nothing that suggests the location of either the author or its recipients."

1 John, 2 John and 3 John
'Three letters are attributed to 'John' in the New Testament. The first is the most substantial and important. Five chapters long, it emphasizes love as much as any document in the New Testament. The other two are less than a page long and are among the shortest documents in Christian scripture.

Dating these letters is difficult. There is a consensus that they are later than the gospel of John, most likely written around 100. But there is no way of knowing whether all were written at about the same time or whether they might be separated by a decade or more. I have decided to keep them together without any particularly good reason to do so, just as there is no particularly good reason to do so, just as there is no particularly good reason to separate them chronologically."

2 John
As mentioned in the previous slide, this letter was most likely written around 100.

3 John
As mentioned in the previous slide, this letter was most likely written around 100.

Luke
"The gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles belong together.

For about a century, the conventional wisdom of mainline scholarship has dated Luke and Acts to the late 80s or 90s. But in the last decade, a growing number of scholars have dated them significantly later, in the first decade or two of the second century.

Thus there is no consensus about their dating, though probably at least a slight majority still favor the 80s to 90s. They see Luke, like Matthew, as written a decade or two after Mark and thus as a voice from a generation or so later. In this view, there is no compelling reason to date Matthew earlier than Luke or vice versa. Thus Luke and Acts would belong in the first half of the New Testament chronologically -- not long after Mark, roughly contemporary with Matthew, and before John, Revelation, and several letters. Dating them later, as I do, is the exception to the rule that I have sought to follow, which is to reflect consensus conclusion when possible, and, when there is no consensus, to follow majority opinion.

The growing movement to date Luke and Acts in the early second century has more than one foundation. Some scholars argue that the author knew passages from the works of Josephus, a Jewish historian who wrote in the 90s, thus making Luke-Acts later than that. Though the evidence that the author dd know the writings of Josephus is not completely persuasive, there is another reason for a date a decade or two later than Matthew, namely, both Luke and Acts emphasize the constant rejection of Jesus by 'the Jews.'"

Acts
As mentioned in the previous slide, this letter is dated to the first decade or two of the second century.

2 Thessalonians
"Paul's first letter to the Christ-community in Thessalonica in northern Greece is the earliest document in the New Testament, but 2 Thessalonians is one of the disputed letters of Paul. The majority of mainstream scholars do not think it was written by Paul, but by someone writing in his name some three to four decades after his martyrdom in the 60s." (Pg. 547)

1 Peter
Two letters in the New Testament are attributed to Peter, the most important of Jesus' male disciples, who was executed in Rome around the year 64. But the majority of mainstream scholars do not think that either one was written by Peter. The letters reflect a later historical context. Moreover, they were not written by the same person. Second Peter is significantly later than 1 Peter.

There is no unanimity about [1 Peter's] date. Some mainline scholars date it to around 90 or as early as 80s. The reason is that some think that the author of 1 Clement, an early Christian letter not in the New Testament but dated by some to around the year 96, knew of 1 Peter. If so, 95 or so is the latest possible date for 1 Peter. But is is not clear that 1 Clement was written that early. Moreover, because both 1 Clement and 1 Peter were most likely written in Rome, their authors might well have known each other. Given that, similarity of language need not mean literary dependence. Some of its themes, especially its endorsement of Roman authority and imperial conventions about slavery, suggest a date early in the second century."

1 Timothy
"In the canonical New Testament, 1 Timothy is the first of three letters known as the 'pastoral letters' or 'pastoral epistles.' The other two are 2 Timothy and Titus. They are called 'pastoral' in part because they are addressed to two early Christian 'pastors,' Timothy and Titus. 'Pastor' did not yet refer to an official institutional role, but had its ancient meaning of shepherd, leader of the flock. Their themes are also pastoral, providing practical advice for ordering the community's life.

Though all three letters claim to be written by Paul, most modern scholars see them as written long after his death in the first decades of the second century. There is a consensus that they were all written by teh same person. But was that person Paul? For more than one reason, authorship by Paul has been rejected."

2 Timothy
As mentioned in the previous slide, along with 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy was composed in the first decades of the second century.

Titus
As mentioned in previous slides, along with 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, it this letter is believed to have been composed in the first decades of the second century.

2 Peter
"There is a strong scholarly consensus that 2 Peter is the last New Testament document to be written. Some date it as late as 150, and most date it between 120 and 150. Among the reasons for its late dating are its references to 1 Peter (3.1), its mention of the letters of Paul (3.15-16), and its use of phrases from the letter of Jude. In addition, it offers an explanation for the delay of the second coming of Jesus (3.3-10)."

ORIGINAL SOURCE

Relax

In the keeping power of god

Psalm 91:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

A Lady who works for me says that she does not have a “big” testimony.  She grew up in the church, loving God. She got married, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and then came to work for us. Through our ministry, she was moved by the testimonies of drug addicts and people who have suffered abuse. 

One day she asked God, “Lord, why don't I have a testimony?” He said, “You do have a testimony. Your Testimony is that I kept you from all of it.” God had kept her from the pain that results from being separated from Him.

The keeping power of God is a great Testimony! Some people are kept from tragic things, Some people are kept as they go through tragic things. His Plan for each one of us is perfect, and we can trust His keeping power. Psalm 91 teaches that He will give His angels charge over us, and they will protect and defend us. It is true that some things happen in our lives that we do not like, but what has God kept us from that we never knew Satan had planned against us? 

We need to thank God for His keeping Power. 

We can relax knowing that He is our Keeper.

I do not know how I have done what I have done over the past years. I look back at my calendars and see how hard I have worked. I read some of my prayer journals and remember some of the things I have gone through with people, and the hurt I have felt. I think, how did I ever get through that? However, God held me together. He strengthened me. He Kept me. In addition, I can see now I worried about many things I did not have to worry about because they worked out okay anyway. God will do the same thing for you, as you trust Him.

and He is working His plan. We can trust that and relax. Psalm 145: 14 Says, “The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down”

Trust in Him: The Bible says that God never sleeps nor slumbers. When you go to sleep at night, He stays up and watches over you. Relax and trust Him to strengthen you and keep you all the days of your life.

By Joyce Meyer

extracted from "Trusting God day by day 365 Daily Devotional" page 264-265

God's Presence

You Can Carry God's Presence With You

'...I am the Lord your God...who directs you...' Isaiah 48:17 NIV

The Ark of the Covenant represented three things to the people of Israel. And these are three things you need in your life. Let's look carefully at each:

(1) Victory. When Israel went into battle they must have looked strange to their enemies because the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of the army. Indeed, when their enemies saw it they may have laughed and said, 'What's that all about? What's the big deal with the box?' But after they had been humbled by defeat they realised they weren't fighting man, but God. And when you are in right standing with God He will go before you and fight your battles. And the great thing is God has never lost a battle.

(2) Guidance. When the Israelites needed direction, God spoke to them in the place where the Ark rested in the tabernacle. And they discovered what you will discover: when you seek God's guidance and listen to Him, you won't get it wrong. His guidance system is infallible: '...I am the Lord your God...who directs you in the way you should go.' (Isaiah 48:17 NIV)

(3) Prosperity. Prosperity simply means, 'Having enough to do the will of God.' And that's how much God wants you to have, no more and no less. When the Ark rested for three months in the house of a man called Obed-Edom, all that he had was blessed and multiplied (2 Samuel 6:10-12). Could you use more victory, more guidance and more prosperity? Spend time in God's presence, and then carry it with you wherever you go.

SoulFood: 1 Chr 3:1-4:23, Luke 11:29-44, Ps 78:65-72, Pr 20:11-14

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Tuesday, 6 August 2013

APPS available here

Flesh or Spirit

Understanding Our Emotions

I talk a lot about how we need to follow the Spirit, not our emotions. However, I find that a lot of people don't even understand how our emotions operate in the first place.

Emotions are in the realm of the soul. Our soul is the intangible area between our spirit, the place where God lives, and our physical body. It is made up of our mind, will and emotions, it tells us what we think, what we want and how we feel. Of these three areas of the soul, it's our feelings that get stirred up the fastest.

In other words, our God-given inner voice of insight and understanding become easily drowned out by the cries of our emotions.

The Bible says that this kind of fleshly life doesn't please God.

This doesn't mean that God doesn't love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied with nor will He accept fleshly behavior.

However, once you understand how negative emotions work, you can combat them. Our souls may be strong, but our spirits can be stronger if we strengthen them. Get in the Word today, and give your spirit the strength to overcome your emotions.

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to let my emotions overpower my spirit. As I spend time with You and read Your Word, give me the power I need to be led by the Spirit, not just how I feel.

By Joyce Meyer

Parents #01

What is a Parent to Do?

'But his sons did not walk in his ways...' 1 Samuel 8:3 NIV

At times every parent despairs over a child's decisions and actions. 

'I did my best to bring them up correctly; did I fail as a parent?'

Failure is a fact of life - and of parenting - and nobody does it perfectly!

Parents assume a heavier load of guilt than they deserve.

Consider some Bible examples of real-world parenting: Isaac had, at best, a 50 percent success rate with his sons, Jacob and Esau. Aaron struck out completely with Nadab and Abihu. Manoah's boy Samson didn't win the 'son-of-the-year award'! And Samuel, a recognised moral and spiritual giant, watched his sons reject his example and teaching and pursue lives of bribery and shame.

Since Adam, children 'doing their own thing' have broken their parents' hearts! 

So what is a parent to do? 

(1) Realise you're not responsible for their decisions. They make their own choices. Condemning yourself just discourages you, and it undermines your ability to be the parent they need. The Bible says, '...Salvation is of the Lord.' (Jonah 2:9 NJKV) He saves and delivers - not you.

(2) Pray for them and give them to God. Anxiety and frustration will only make you the kind of parent they don't enjoy being around, and who can't enjoy them. You're not built to carry such a load; your heavenly Father is, and He wants to carry it for you! (1 Peter 5:7)

(3) Remember that God loves them more than you do! He gave His only child to save yours. He knows their heart, and how to reach it and turn it toward Him. So give your child to Him!


SoulFood: 1 Jn 3:11-5:21, Luke 11:1-13, Ps 78:40-55, Pr 20:4-6

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Saturday, 3 August 2013

APPS available here

Shade or Magnify

Rose-Colored Glasses and Magnifying Glasses

When we think and talk about what is wrong with everyone else, we are usually deceived about our own conduct. 

Jesus commanded that we not concern ourselves with what is wrong with others when we have so much wrong with ourselves (see Matthew 7:3-5).

The Bible clearly tells us that when we judge others, we often judge them for things that we also do!

I once asked God why we would do something ourselves and think it was perfectly alright but judge someone else who does it. The Lord said, "Joyce, you look at yourself through rose-colored glasses, but you look at everyone else through a magnifying glass." It's true! We make excuses for our own behavior, but when someone else does the same thing we do, we are often merciless.

reverse the process:

I encourage you to reverse the process, assume the best in others, but keep your own life under the magnifying glass. 

Allow God to deal with you first, and then you will learn the scriptural way of helping others grow.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, instead of examining the lives of others, I want You to help me examine my own life. 

I know that with Your help, I can correct the issues I have and find the proper way to help others grow as well.

By Joyce Meyer

Suddenly

Light Will Come

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
"When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in."
(Psalm 112:4, NIV)

Anytime you are going through difficult, dark times, know that God already has a plan to bring you through to victory. When you call on His name, when you surrender your circumstances to Him, that’s when His light will come forth through the darkness. Notice, it’s not going to trickle in, it’s not going to just barely get there. No, like a flood, like the breaking forth of waters, it’s going to come bursting in!

I believe it means that suddenly, you’re going to get well. 

Suddenly, you will meet the right person.

Suddenly, you're able to pay your house off.

Our attitude should be, “My child may be off course, making poor decisions, but I'm expecting a flood of God’s mercy to bring him back.” Or, “My house has been on the market for a year and still hasn't sold, but I’m expecting a flood of favor to cause it to stand out and sell.”

In the midst of that difficulty, don't get discouraged. You're in a prime position to see a flood of God’s goodness.

• Keep praising Him. 
• Keep thanking Him and stay in faith because His light will break through the darkness!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for being the light of the world. Today I lift my heart to You trusting that Your light will burst forth through the darkness. Thank You for Your good plan to renew and restore me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

The great escape #02

Tip #02

Acknowledgement Tim Mather and his book "Escaping Church"

The great escape #01

Tip #01

Acknowledgement Tim Mather and his book "Escaping Church"

When You Feel Down (2)

'Let us not grow weary while doing good...' Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Fatigue: 

Remember the old saying, 'You can't burn the candle at both ends'?

Today we've gone from candle power to electric power, and few of us pay heed to that old saying anymore. We want bigger homes, fancier cars and more exotic holidays etc. So we start earlier, work harder and finish later. Then we stagger home and fall asleep in front of the television, worn out and feeling guilty about spending so little time with our family. We forget that God designed us to need one work-free day a week for rest and spiritual renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). As a result, fatigue saps our creative energy, distorts our outlook, diminishes our joy, erodes our confidence and drains us spiritually.

Elijah is a great example of this. Single-handedly he defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-46). In answer to his prayer God sent fire from Heaven that consumed the altar and turned Israel back to God. It was a spectacular victory, yet on the heels of it he got so down that he actually asked God to take his life. Now that's reaching an all-time low! 

So what did God do? Like any good doctor, He diagnosed the man's problem and prescribed three things:

1. proper diet, 
2. adequate rest, 
3. and a good assistant - Elisha.

Many of us, who love what we do for a living, can have a tendency to get out of balance. We have no boundaries so we risk burning out. 

We 'grow weary while doing good.' What's the answer? 'He restores my soul' (Psalm 23:3 NKJV). The word 'restores' has two parts: 'rest' and 'store'. Relax physically, and replenish spiritually. That's what to do when you feel down!

SoulFood: 2 Sam 17:14 - 19:43, Luke 8:1-15, Psa 123, Pro 18:13-16

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Thursday, 18 July 2013

APPS available here

When You Feel Down (1)

'...We will stand in Your presence...cry out to You...and You will hear us and save us.' 2 Chronicles 20:9 NIV

A parishioner asked his pastor, 'Do you ever feel down?' 'Sure,' he responded.

'What do you do about it?' the parishioner said. 'I get up again.

Being down isn't my problem - staying down is. I'm either up, or I'm getting up. I've learned not to park in between.' Although feeling down is universal, sociologists warn us to guard against its two most common causes: 1} fear and 2} fatigue. Let's look at them:



Fear: 

When Edomite armies marched against Israel's king, fear gripped him and his nation. Feeling powerless, they feared losing their God-given land and possessions. If the stress of the last few years has left you feeling fearful, do what Judah's king did. He turned to God and prayed: 'Whenever we are faced with any calamity...we can...stand in Your presence...We can cry out to You...and You will hear us and rescue us' (2 Chronicles 20:9 NLT).

Don't let fear cause you to abandon your hope and your vision. Instead, stand in God's presence, cry out to Him, and watch Him rescue you. Throughout the Old Testament, God reminded His people of His track record of goodness. He wanted them to remember it and take courage. 

But sometimes fear would cloud their memory and they'd begin to doubt. Sound familiar? So He told them, 'Do not be...discouraged...the battle is not yours, but [Mine]' (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV). In other words, 'You don't have to defeat the foe, that's My job. I'm in charge; trust Me to work it out.'

So remember Who's in control of your circumstances today. Stand in His presence, believe His promise!

SoulFood: 2 Sam 14:21 - 17:13, Luke 7:36-50, Psa 118:19-29, Pro 18:10-12

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Wednesday, 17 July 2013

APPS available here

Evict

Your Worries

'...The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid...' Hebrews 13:6 NIV

Worry is a squatter; you must evict it. 

In certain situations if a house lies empty long enough, anyone can move in and occupy it. 

Worry does that too. 

It roams around looking for an empty mind, and then moves in. Has worry taken up residence in your mind today? 

Is it there when you wake in the morning and go to bed at night? As a follower of Christ you have the authority to serve worry an eviction notice and it must leave. 

The only thing that enables it to stay is your ignorance of that truth. 

When your mind is occupied with God's Word, worry sees a 'no vacancy' sign and moves on.

Paul writes: 'For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ' (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV). 

The weapons God has given you to fight with are greater than the fears you face. But you must know your weapons, keep them in good repair, and be able to use them. 'Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: "Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and [your worries] wood, and it shall devour them"' (Jeremiah 5:14 NKJV).

When you believe God's Word with all your heart and begin to speak it in the face of your worries, 'It shall devour them.'

SoulFood: 2 Sam 7:18 - 11:27, Luke 7:11-23, Psa 118:1-9, Pro 18:4-6

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Monday, 15 July 2013

APPS available here

Do You Know

... Any Needy People?
'...I sat where they sat...' Ezekiel 3:15 NKJV

In an attempt to insulate ourselves against the evils in the world, we can isolate ourselves from those God's called us to reach out to. At the beginning of Ezekiel's ministry he wrote, 'The hand of the Lord was strong upon me. Then I came to the captives...and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days' (Ezekiel 3:14-15 NKJV). 

True ministry begins with sitting in the other person's seat. Former President Jimmy Carter was a Sunday school teacher in his church. Recalling it in an interview, he said: 'Most church members - including me - rarely reach outside to people who are different from us or less fortunate. Quite often my Sunday school class will say, "Why don't we take up a collection and give a nice Thanksgiving meal to a poor family?" The next question is: "Who knows a poor family?" Nobody does! We have to call the Welfare Office to get the name and address.'

So, do you know any needy people? 

Compassion is putting yourself in the other person's place. 

• It's asking God to help you understand what's really going on with them. 
• It's hearing what they're not saying as well as what they are. 
• It's understanding that sometimes their anger is only masking their fear, that they're crying out for help in the only way they know how. 

Before Peter denied the Lord, Jesus said to him, 'When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren' (Luke 22:32 NKJV).

When God's grace touches your life you will always reach back for others! 

And here's why: people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.


SoulFood: 2 Sam 1:1 - 3:21, Luke 6:37-49, Psa 109:1-15, Pro 17:27-28

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Friday, 12 July 2013

APPS available here

Ashes

Give Him Your Ashes

When we let God take our messes and turn them into miracles, the Father has the ability to use our mistakes for our good if we will only trust Him.

Isaiah 61:3 says He will give us "beauty instead of ashes," but I find that many people want to hold on to their ashes, the cinders of the past, as reminders of their shortcomings and failures. I encourage you to let go of your ashes and reach for something new.

Too many people live in the past, feeling like they'll never have another chance. 

Do you need a second chance? 

Ask God for a second chance or a third, fourth or fifth, whatever you need. God is full of mercy and long-suffering. His loving-kindness never fails or comes to an end. The Bible says that He has removed your transgressions from you, so you don't have to hang on to them anymore.

Jesus came to lift burdens, but you must be willing to let them go and believe He is greater than your mistakes. 

Give Him your ashes today.

Prayer Starter: God, I know it doesn't do me any good to hang on to the past when You lovingly stand before me with a fresh chance, so I let go of my ashes. I give them to You, excited to see the beauty that You will bring from them.

By Joyce Meyer

The Blame Game

'...I am innocent...It is your responsibility!' Matthew 27:24 NIV

More and more we are becoming a blame-oriented culture. Today our misfortunes are deemed to be somebody else's fault. 'I'm this way because of them. They did it to me.' And it didn't begin with us. It goes all the way back to Adam in the Garden of Eden when he told God, 'The woman...You gave...me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate' (Genesis 3:12 NKJV).

It's in our DNA! 

We say the breakdown in our marriage was our partner's fault, or we drink too much because somebody drives us to it, or we're unwell because of the fast-food industry. Let's sue them! Shifting responsibility may alleviate momentary guilt, but it's a deadly game with no winners.

In sentencing Christ to die, Pilate said, 'I am innocent of this man's blood...It is your responsibility!' He thought by dumping the blame onto the Jews he would avoid upsetting either his wife or his critics, and prove himself innocent. But the buck stopped at his desk!

Understand this: 

God holds you responsible for your decisions and actions: 'God...will judge all people according to what they have done' (Romans 2:6 NLT). And your failure to make the right decision, or take the right action, also earns you His guilty verdict.

Paul writes, 'You cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant' (Galatians 6:7 NLT). Others may be guilty of offending you, and that's their harvest to reap. But your harvest depends on your reactions. Accepting responsibility before God is how you alleviate your guilt, discouragement and stress.

SoulFood: Matt 5:7, Matt 18:21-35, Psa 103:8-18, Lam 3:22-24 (Beatitudes: Merciful)

Written by Bob & Debby Gass ,
Sunday, 7 July 2013

APPS available here

Wrong is not Right

I was told you're just a Right Fighter:

My response was: isn't that Good; God help this world if there were none of us "Right Fighter" left, Evil would rule. 

Right is not Wrong ... the reason why this world is so sick is plain and clear.

The LIES of the Devil has been embraced as Right and the Truth from God has been embraced as Wrong ...

We only have to look at morality to see this plainly revealed Worlds Standards: Adultery, Fornication, Homosexuality, Marriage Lessness, Divorce; all have become accepted norms and in much of the films and entertainment channeled to the masses today portray the moral behaviour which God has spoken against as being unacceptable to God as being normal and expected and acceptable and having no connection to Sin or God and consequences which are eternal.

And any individual who stands up and speaks out against such values is tagged as intolerant bigoted and a contender of breaking the UN charters of Vilification and Hate Crimes. Now becoming the Villain and lawbreaker of society's standards of right and wrong. 

Inspite of this there will always be Gods "Right Fighters" whom will be as a voice crying out in this wilderness of Sin and Godlessness calling for "Repentance from Wrong and a Turning to what Gods Saying is Right."

Wise is the person who pays heed to the voice crying out, as the night is coming and not far when the unhindered effects of the rebellion of man from Gods Rights will take its full effects along with this Gods interjection of men's affairs and his dealing with the terminal sin/disease will come and he will execute Just Judgements and sentence the guilty accordingly . "Using His Standards and Judgements, remember Romans 6 vs 23.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

to avoid the wages of sin read here for the keys to receiving Life

Choices

Choose God's Standards, Not the World's

Living above society's moral decline involves the choices we make regarding our conversations, the way we dress, what we read, and the TV shows and movies we watch. It also has to do with the level of integrity with which we live our personal lives, interact with other people and conduct ourselves in our businesses or professions.

As Christians, we need to encourage one another to live by godly standards and resist the pull of the world. A well-known quote offers some good advice: 

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. 

Watch your words, for they become actions. 

Watch your actions, for they become habits. 

Watch your habits, for they become character. 

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

One of God's great gifts to mankind is the power of choice. If we want to enjoy the blessings He has for us, we need to make lifestyle choices that align with His Word and are consistent with the values of His Word, not choices reflecting the constantly eroding values of the world.

I urge you to make a decision to serve God wholly, putting Him first in everything you do.

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to live by the world's standards. I put You first in my life, because I know that Your ways are the best.

By Joyce Meyer

Responsibility

Taking Responsibility

When life or people disappoint us, we have a responsibility to remain stable and continue with God's purpose for our lives.

Consider Psalm 94:12-13. Notice that it does not say that God keeps us calm. It says He gives us power to keep ourselves calm. We are partners with God. His part is to give us ability and our part is to be responsible.

Responsibility means 'to respond to the ability we have.' An irresponsible person wants God to do everything while he does nothing except follow his feelings. But don't let your feelings run the show. Declare out loud right now, "I have attended my last pity party."

I can promise you: in the end you will feel much better about yourself if you take responsibility than if you avoid it.

God cares for you, but He won't do your part. He enables you to do it, but let me emphasize that He won't do it for you! I dare you to stand firm, take responsibility and begin working with God to have the blessed life He's planned for you.

Prayer Starter: God, Your Word says that You've given me the ability to remain calm. I receive that today. I won't let my feelings run my life, and I will be responsible and respond the way You want me to.

By Joyce Meyer

Stop Doubting

Stop Doubting Your Salvation

'...Perfect love casts out fear...' 1 John 4:18 NKJV

Are you trying your best to serve the Lord, yet you sometimes doubt your salvation? 

Though you're unaware of any particular sin in your life, you still feel unworthy to stand in God's presence, confident of His acceptance.

Read this Scripture. Better yet, write it down and carry it with you: 'Perfect love casts out fear.' Now, if God loved you with an imperfect love you'd have cause to worry. Man's love, which is imperfect, keeps a list of sins and consults it often. But not God's love. The moment you place your trust in Christ He views you as 'righteous' and fully accepted from that point on. His love casts out your fear because it casts out your sin.

Do you remember these words from John's epistle? 'If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.' (1 John 3:20 NKJV) That means it's possible to be forgiven, yet feel unforgiven. So when you feel unforgiven, doubt your feelings instead of doubting God. 

Don't give your emotions a vote. 

Go back to Scripture. God's Word outranks all self-criticism and self-doubt. As Paul told Titus: 'The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people...You must teach these things... You have the authority' (Titus 2:11-15 NLT).

Are you trusting in Christ as your Saviour? 

Then begin to love boldly and live robustly. Nothing fosters courage like a clear grasp of grace. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9 NKJV). 

Note the words, 'All unrighteousness.' Having received God's forgiveness, live forgiven!

SoulFood: 1 Sam 11-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psa 95, Pro 16:31-33

Written by Bob & Debby Gass

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

APPS available here