Who is God?

Happy New Year!

I haven't spoke God's word for a while but I have been working on myself to get ready for a closer relationship with God.

Here is my first sermon for the year. A remind of who God is.

Who is God? Sermon

Intro

The question is always asked is there a God or does God exist? Some answers could be no, because I can’t see Him or that well we’ve been taught that we evolved from monkeys and fish. How do you explain that there is a God?

When it comes to the possibility of God’s existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God. Romans 1:19-21.

On the other hand, for those who want to know God if He is there, He says, you will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I found by you. Jeremiah 29:13-14.

I like design and in my work I am a communication officer. I am also the Communication leader the term for the church. In order to design a newsletter at work or the program for the church, from scratch, I have to create a new file. So when you think of the complexity of our planet it all points to a deliberate designer who not only created our universe from nothing, but sustains us today. The Bible tells us and in our lessons this week that God created out of nothing by the power of His Word. How can anyone explain that with science except that it is what it is?

Let us look at the earth.

I am not an expert but I am assuming that earth is the perfect size and is the right distance away from the sun because if the earth was further away from the sun we would all freeze and if the earth was nearer to the sun we would all burn up.

What about our water? – colourless and without taste and yet no living thing can live without it.

The brain – look at how much information our brain can take in. It takes in the colours and objects you see, the temperature around, the sounds, the dryness of the mouth even the texture of your keyboard. Your brain holds and processes all your emotions, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body.

The eye – can distinguish among seven million colours. It has automatic focusing and handles an astounding 1.5 million messages simultaneously. Evolution focuses on mutations and changes from and existing organisms. Yet evolution alone does not fully explain the initial source of the eye or the brain.

And you mean to tell me there is no God.

Scientists are convinced that the universe began with this big bang, but yet they have no explanation for the sudden explosion of light and matter. The universe has not always existed it has had to have a start.

The start was with God.

We know there is a God because He pursues us. He is constantly initiating and seeking for us to come to Him and He reveals Himself in Jesus.

God came to this earth as flesh and Jesus said God exists and you’re looking at Him. Though He talked about His Father in Heaven, it was not from the position of separation, but very close union, unique to all humankind. Jesus said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father, anyone who believed in Him believed in the Father.

He said, "I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

He claimed characteristics belonging only to God: to be able to forgive people of their sin, free them from habits of sin, give people a more abundant life and give them eternal life in heaven. Unlike other teachers who focused people on their words, Jesus pointed people to himself. He did not say, "follow my words and you will find truth." He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me."

So, does God exist? Looking at all these facts, one can conclude that a loving God does exist and can be known in an intimate, personal way.

Main

Our God is a mighty and powerful God and He has led His people in the past and continues to lead His people today.

(Exodus 13:18-22)

When God led His people out of Egypt He did not take them through the way of the land of the Philistines because that was the quickest way. There was no short cut.  We are impatient beings and at times cannot wait on Gods direction - you want to do things your own way. You want a promotion and in order to get that ideal job you compromise and work on the Sabbath, but yet if you were to wait and be obedient you would get an even better job and get the weekends off to worship you Saviour. I’ve been in my present job for eight years and eight years ago, after returning from maternity leave, I said I must get my promotion in the next year. Eight years later I am in the same position but I’m not looking for promotion here on this earth. I am looking for my promotion to Heaven.

There is no short cut to Heaven. God took His people through the wilderness of the Red Sea, and God lead them out of the land of Egypt. That is the power of God for Him to be able to take His people out of Egypt to safety unharmed. God could only do that and there is more. He not only lead them out but He alone was there by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. That is the power of God not man.

If we look at the Waldenses. It is people like them who have paved the way for us as Christians. At the time of Rome supremacy people had to follow there laws including Sunday worshiping and idol worshipping. Surrounded by heathenism the Waldenses continued to regard the Bible as truth and in faith remained devoted to its instruction including the observance of Sabbath.

Not being able to worship freely even if they were to abstain from working on the Sunday. Rome was not happy. So the only solution was to flee to the mountains. Was God with them? Yes because they stood firm to the truth. God prepared them with strength; no arm but that of Infinite Power could move them out of their place. A confirmation of His Power, a confirmation of His never-failing care.

From youth they were taught from the Bible and to trust on God’s word. We hear these children recite one or two memory verses. These children memorised whole chapters because they had few Bibles.

They were educated to carry on despite their hardship. They were taught to bear responsibilities, to guard their speech and to understand the wisdom of silence. One indiscreet word would have killed the speaker or hundreds of his brothers and sisters. But God was with them and He sent Angels from heaven to surround them.

If He can do these things for them imagine what He can do for you and me. This hardship is coming back round again as history continually repeats itself. We will be persecuted because of our beliefs. We will no longer will be able to worship freely, we no longer will have our Bibles. Are we ready for such a time when if a person even looks at you in the wrong way you get upset? Or you fail in your relationship and life is not worth living. When a member of your family dies and ask where was God?

We all of our trials and tribulations but the time has come that things are to get very uncomfortable but yet we are very comfortable sitting in the same seat every week at church. God has not brought us here to be comfortable as this place is only temporary. God is preparing a place for us that is even more comfortable than what we have now. We will get that promotion, with company car in fact your own set of wings, free health care but then that won’t be of no use because you will never get sick, yearly bonuses and a holiday to all the planets of your choice. In fact give your resignation because the big boss is coming. He’s not waiting for you to give 4 weeks notice. He is ready to take you NOW!

Proverbs 3:35 says the wise shall inherit glory – so be wise.

John 3:36 says he who believes in the Son has everlasting life.

Matt 7:21 says - Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

You see, Satan is ever at work endeavouring to pervert what God has spoken, to blind the mind and darken the understanding, and thus lead men into sin. Satan makes God out to be unfair and unjust. That is why God is so specific and plain speaking. God is constantly seeking to draw men close under His protection, that Satan may not practice his cruel, deceptive power upon them.

Divert from what?

Every soul is elected who will work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected who will put on the armour, and fight the good fight of faith. He is elected who will watch unto prayer, who will search the scriptures, and flee from temptation. He is elected who will have faith continually, and who will be obedient to every word that comes out of the mouth of God. The provisions of redemptions if free to all; the results of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the conditions.

We are to have faith, we are to be obedient. Sounds so easy but we all fall by the wayside. For God says that all have sinned. How we have faith and be obedient in a hopeless world in a world with laws so far from God even in the church has gone far from Gods word. The words ring in my ears Hold fast til he comes!

Conclusion

God is many things

Who is God?

He is eternal and everlasting

He is the high and lofty One whose ways are everlasting (Habakuk 3:6) who changeth not.

He is the beginning and the end.

Who is God?

He is greatest physician. Every vital part – the brain, the heart, the nerves – the power of God touches with healing. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care that crush the life-forces. What do we feel when we are sick and get better? We feel the joy for God has healed us and given us life.

Who is God?

God is faithful

Hebrews 6:18 says God cannot lie, nor can He break an unconditional promise that He says He will fulfill. Every covenant He made is kept. Every promise or foretelling has or will come true. Testimony after testimony of God’s faithfulness is certainly found throughout the Bible and is still given in testimonies by people today.

In fact, accounts of covenants between God and His people can be found approximately 277 times in the Bible. Deuteronomy 7:9 says “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." And there is only ONE true God.

Who is God?

God is just

The Bible tells us that God is just. This means that He is fair and impartial. It also means that He hates the ill-treatment and oppression of people and of nature, which He has created. He hates lying, cheating, gossiping, hatred, jealousy, bitterness and other forms of mistreatment of others. These things are not of God. The fact that God is just means that He can and will judge between right and wrong and He will administer justice in accordance with His standards.

Many times in the Bible God is pictured as a judge. The Bible says that He will one day judge the world. Many of us shy away from the thought of God as a judge because the examples of justice that we see on earth are flawed: some judges are corrupt and, even when their intentions are good, they can make mistakes. However, the fact that God is just assures us that when He acts as a judge, He will administer justice perfectly. His ability to do this involves other aspects/attributes of His character, including His ability to discern the truth in every situation and see into the hearts and minds of men, His wisdom, His strength, His authority, and His moral character in establishing what is right and wrong.

Who is God?

God is Love (1 John 4:16) In His nature. In His law, is love.

Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. He supplies our daily needs, for man and the living creatures.

In His law He instructs to love one another. And because of His love Christ died for us and the salvation of every soul is determined by obedience or disobedience. God was revealed in the character of Jesus, in His sensitive, loving nature.

If the love of God dwells in us, we shall not only cherish no hatred toward our fellows, but we shall seek in every way to manifest love toward them.

Scripture states that we will never be able to fully comprehend God and his ways (Isaiah 55:9; Job 11:7). However, the Bible still says that we can know God (Jeremiah 9:23–24), and most clearly through Jesus Christ ( I John 5:20). So although we may never know everything about God, we can still comprehend what he has revealed to us through his creation, the Scriptures, and his Son.

I know God because He has worked in my life. When times got too much that I gave up all hope. He was there to pick up. I know who God is because no matter how hard Satan tries to knock me down I get up and give God the praise. Through His love and forgiving nature I gather more and more strength. You may see my tears. But don’t take them for weakness, it is the realisation of what God has taken me through and overcome. If God can lead His people, if God can lead me what can He do for you?

God wants His sons and daughters to reveal before Satan, before the heavenly universe, before the world, the power of His grace, that men and angels may know the Christ has not died in vain. Let us show the world that we have power from on high.

The Lord is coming. Look up and rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh. Jesus is someone who is a compassionate, loving Redeemer, One who can save those who come to Him. Bear your whole weight on the promises of God.

Know who God is.

Jesus says there IS a God, see Him here, you are looking at HIM. Jesus in obedience did not sin. Let us be the ones to say there IS a God – see HIM here in me.

May you be encouraged by these words from Lord today.

Amen.

the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Don't give up!

Never give up on your goals and dreams even when things don't seem to be going your way. Sometimes we have everything planned out but we lack patience, we want everything now and we see others excel faster and wonder why am I not there yet..but maybe God wants to take you places where you never thought you could be and develop you in areas you never thought you need. Listen to that voice directing you and you will be a winner every time, reaching your maximum potential that God planned for you all along.




'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

The Banquet Of God’s Word

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: . . . and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51.
The only safety for any of us is to plant our feet upon the Word of God and study the Scriptures, making God’s Word our constant meditation. Tell the people to take no man’s word regarding the Testimonies, but to read them and study them for themselves, and then they will know that they are in harmony with the truth. The Word of God is the truth. Of a good man the psalmist declares, “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:2). He who puts mind and heart into this work gains a solid, valuable experience. The Holy Spirit is in the Word of God. Here is the living, undying element so distinctly represented in the sixth chapter of John. . . .

Let us believe the Word. He who thus eats the bread of heaven is nourished every day and will know what these words mean, “Needeth not that any man teach you.” We have lessons pure from the lips of Him who owns us, who has bought us with the price of His own blood. The precious Word of God is a solid foundation upon which to build. When men come to you with their suppositions, tell them that the Great Teacher has left you His Word, which is of incalculable value, that He has sent a Comforter in His own name, even the Holy Ghost. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). . . .

Here is presented before us a rich banquet, of which all who believe in Christ as a personal Saviour may eat. He is the Tree of life to all who continue to feed on Him. . . .

All who study these precious utterances may have strong consolation. If they will feed upon the banquet of God’s Word, they will gain an experience of the highest value. They will see that in comparison with the word of God, the word of man is as chaff to the wheat.

I am instructed by the Word of God that His promises are for me and for every child of God. The banquet is spread before us; we are invited to eat the Word of God, which will strengthen spiritual muscle and sinew.

From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 245.


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Gods promises that come to us through faith

“We are born into eternal life through faith; we are declared righteous before God
by faith; we are forgiven by faith; we are healed by faith; we understand the mysteries
of creation by faith; we learn God’s Word by faith; by faith we understand things to
come; we walk by faith and not by sight; we overcome the world by faith; we enter
God’s rest by faith; and we are controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit by faith.
The issue of faith pervades every aspect of our relationship with God and our
service for Him. Faith is the source of our strength, our provision, our courage, our
guidance, and our victory over the world system, the flesh and the devil. Faith is the
only thing that can sustain us in the trials and persecutions predicted for the last
days. It is therefore imperative that we understand exactly what faith is, how we get it
and how it grows.”


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Faith is important

Faith is important.

No matter how you pray, meditate, relax.

Have faith that it will work

and

it really will


Faith is important because it affects everything we think, say and do. Faith is the victory

that overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil. (1 John 5:4) Faith is the only way we are

able to stand, the only way we are able to live and the only way we are able to love (2 Cor.

1:24; Gal. 5:6). Thus, the most important thing we can do as God’s children is learn how to

understand, possess and walk in complete faith.



'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Cultivate Tenderness In The Home

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8.

The young man who came to Jesus asked what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and enumerated several of the precepts of the law. The young man said, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matt. 19:20). The first four commandments enjoin upon man the duty of loving God supremely and the last six present the requirement of loving our neighbors as ourselves. How many are truly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly doing this?

The Lord is coming in a little while, and are we performing the duties that result from righteousness? Love is the basis of godliness. No man has love to God, no matter what his profession may be, unless he has unselfish love for his brother. As we love God because He first loved us, we shall love all for whom Christ died. We shall not feel like letting the soul who is in the greatest peril, and in the greatest need, go unwarned, unlabored for, and uncared for. We shall not feel like holding the erring off, and being critical and exacting, or letting them alone to plunge into further unhappiness and discouragement, and to fall on Satan’s battleground, for God will deal with us as He deals with our brethren or the younger members of the Lord’s family.

Cultivate tenderness of heart; surround yourselves in your home life with the atmosphere of love. But the spirit that has largely pervaded the church is an offense to God. Everyone who has been free to condemn, to dishearten, and to discourage, who has failed to give tender kindness, sympathy, and compassion to the tempted and the tried, will in his own experience be brought over the ground which others have passed over, and suffered with their hardheartedness, and will feel what others have suffered because of his want of sympathy, until he shall abhor his hardness of heart and open the door for Jesus to come in.

The converting power of God must come to every soul who has any connection with the work and cause of God that each one may be filled with the love and compassion of Christ or many will never see the kingdom of heaven.

From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 241.  http://www.whiteestate.org/devotional/ofc/09_19.asp
'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

There is one friend who will never fail

Before you start your day. Have a quiet time- Commit to the Lord Jesus whatever you do and your plans will succeed, each in his own time.


When earthly help is no avail,

There is one friend who wil never fail. Just lift ur eyes,

The answer is there. For nobody knows the power of prayer.

Have a worry free day.

Some encouraging texts and links....

What a friend we have in Jesus song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NshR2v2Pqgg

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Not just a smile

Wishing you not just a smile but laughter,
Not just happiness but joy, not just riches
But wealth and most of all, love and peace of mind.


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Never give up!

When you feel the entire world is against you, there is still a little voice in the back of your head that keeps saying…
“You can do it!, I know you can!”
That is because you can. When things turn out
Bad and your strength is
Longer enough to carry them.
You must never give up,
Cause when your strength ends,
My worth as your friend begins


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Be perfect and complete

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB)


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Jesus Deserves Our Thanks

One stormy night in Lake Michigan, a side-wheeler steamboat was rammed by another boat. The steamboat sank just a mile offshore from the village of Winnetka, Illinois. Out of 393 passengers on board, 279 drowned. 

A man named Edward Spencer after seeing the situation unfold plunged into the lake and swam to the drowning people. He towed one person to shore and went for another. In all, he brought seventeen people to safety. However, the strain on this young man caused him to collapse. The nerves in his legs were so completely destroyed that he could never walk again. He was an invalid wheel chair victim for his entire life. 

On his eightieth birthday, someone asked him to relate his most vivid memory of that dreadful day. He replied, "Not one of the seventeen returned to thank me." 

Can you imagine what the Lord feels like when we show Him little gratitude for what He did for us? 

In (Luke 17:11-19), Jesus healed ten people of leprosy. Out of the ten people who were healed only one person returned to thank Jesus. What did Jesus think about that? 

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner" (Lk. 17:17, 18). 

With this comment, Jesus was expecting the other nine to also return and give Him thanks. 

God expects us to be grateful and to express thanks to Him. The cross should compel us to give thanks to the Lord every single day of our lives for the great blessings that we received from the cross. 


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

The Power(lessness) of Money

Acts 8:18–20 tells a very interesting story that has a lot of insight regarding justification:
“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”



Peter is addressing a man named Simon, who appears to be some kind of sorcerer for hire. He witnessed Peter and Philip laying hands on the people of Samaria. As the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and miracles occurred, Simon thought, Wow! Just think how my business would profit if I had that power! So Simon offered them money, hoping that they could sell the power of the Holy Spirit to him.


Peter’s response was quick and to the point, even harsh. His response basically boils down to saying, “To hades with your request!” For Peter, it was outrageous to think that the gifts of God could be purchased for money.

Yet many people believe and insist that salvation can be earned the same way—by purchase. This theology is not any different than what Simon tried to do, even though the Bible has such a severe response to those claiming they can pay for what God gives!


Why does the Lord react so strongly to the notion that His gifts can be purchased? “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Luke 18:21, 22).


Go back to the beginning of this book and read the amazing fact about the former slave. He wanted to give money to Lincoln as payment for his freedom. But for Lincoln the price was already paid in blood, and to take money for it would be an insult.

What has been paid for our freedom from Satan’s bondage? The blood of Christ. Do you think offering money to God, who gave the life of His only Son, makes much sense at all? Might it be insulting to God to be paid for the gift He has offered freely to you?


The saying goes that “freedom isn’t free.” Christ paid your debt because you couldn’t pay it. How silly then would it be to give God money, or works, to obtain your salvation in light of the work Christ already did on your behalf? Ephesians 2:8 confirms, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Encouragement Provides Hope

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference.' 

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week. 

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened." 

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure.' 

The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people." 

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you. 

"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!" 

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to." 

At this moment, there may be someone in your life that needs your encouragement. It may give them the hope that they have longed to have. 

1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13 

Chicken Soup For the Soul
Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, HCI, pp. 19-21.

'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

The Power Of An Encouraging Word

Jesse Owens seemed sure to win the long jump at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, Germany. Just the year before, he had set three world records in one day. He was the record holder for the running broad jump with 26 feet 8 1/4 inches—a record that would stand for 25 years.

As he walked to the long jump pit, however, Owens saw a tall, blue-eyed, blond German taking practice jumps in the 26 foot range. Owens was nervous. He was aware of the tension created with his presence. He knew the Nazi's desire was to prove Aryan "superiority," especially over the blacks.

The pressure was overwhelming, and on his first jump Owens inadvertently leaped from several inches beyond the takeoff board. Rattled, he fouled on the second attempt, too. He was only one foul away from being eliminated. 

At this point, the tall German approached Owens and introduced himself as Luz Long. Then an amazing event took place. The black son of a sharecropper and the white model of Nazi manhood chatted in view of the entire stadium. What were they talking about? 

Since the qualifying distance was only 23 feet 5 1/2 inches, Long suggested making a mark several inches before the takeoff board and jumping from there, just to play it safe. Amazing! At the beginning of World War II, this model of Germany's strength was providing technical assistance and words of encouragement to a foe both on and off the field. 

Owens qualified easily. In the finals, he set an Olympic record and earned the second of four gold medals during the 1936 Olympics. The first person to congratulate Owens was Luz Long—in full view of Adolf Hitler. 

Owens never saw Long again, for Long was killed in World War II. "You could melt down all the medals and cups I have," Owens later wrote, "and they wouldn't be plating on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long." 

Citation: Ken Sutterfield, The Power of an Encouraging Word (New Leaf, 1997), pp. 105-106


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Who can give us peace

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the day to day activities and we forget who we are and who we serve. Pray everyday that the we keep that focus on the one and only who can give us peace. Take time to be holy.

May God be with you and bless you abundantly this week.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,-the Son of God uplifted on the cross of Calvary. OFC 33.

'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

God’s Gift To The Human Race

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift.

Through that gift there comes to us day by day the unfailing flow of Jehovah’s goodness. Every flower, with its delicate tints and sweet fragrance, is given for our enjoyment through that one Gift. The sun and moon were made by Him; there is not a star that beautifies the heavens which He did not make. There is not an article of food upon our tables that He has not provided for our sustenance. The superscription of Christ is upon it all. Everything is supplied to man through the one unspeakable Gift, the only-begotten Son of God. He was nailed to the cross that all these bounties might flow to God’s workmanship.

In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Isa. 9:6. God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven. . . . Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.

Christ bowed down in unparalleled humility, that in His exaltation to the throne of God, He might also exalt those who believe in Him, to a seat with Him upon His throne.

From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 65.



'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Preparing For The Holy Day

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Ex. 20:8.

At the very beginning of the fourth commandment the Lord said, “Remember.” He knew that amid the multitude of cares and perplexities man would be tempted to excuse himself from meeting the full requirement of the law, or would forget its sacred importance. Therefore He said: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and be making preparation to keep it according to the commandment. . . .

When the Sabbath is thus remembered, the temporal will not be allowed to encroach upon the spiritual. No duty pertaining to the six working days will be left for the Sabbath. During the week our energies will not be so exhausted in temporal labor that on the day when the Lord rested and was refreshed we shall be too weary to engage in His service. . . .


Check out full devotion here: http://www.whiteestate.org/devotional/ofc/03_02.asp

Changing the Word

In this video a hands on approach of the Bible is followed, exposing the blatant changes that have been made in modern translations to rob Christ of His pre eminence. See for yourselves and prove whether these things are so.



'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32

Battle of the Bibles

Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Spiritual forces would wish to rob man of the only source of inspiration outlining the road to salvation - the Bible.



'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32