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8/16/09 GLADNESS FOUND IN CHRIST

8/16/09 GLADNESS FOUND IN CHRIST

AUGUST 16, 2009

The Old Testament declares believer's gladness.

We are glad when God is our habitation. Our joy is internal and private, becoming outwardly evident to our nearest loved ones, overflowing to our spiritual family, radiating to a Christ-less society and to an antagonistic world. Gladness comes from personal righteousness and is manifested continually. Rejoice every day. Approach God with joy.

Verses to consider.

Psalms 9:2

(2)  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Psalms 32:11

(11)  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalms 40:16

(16)  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalms 64:10

(10)  The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalms 70:4

(4)  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Psalms 104:31

(31)  The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

Psalms 118:24

(24)  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 122:1

(1)  A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

8/11/09 FRIENDS ARE TREASURES

8/11/09 FRIENDS ARE TREASURES

FRIENDS.

Some folks are "friends" because they gain an advantage, whether in profit, power or prurience.

Then there is true friendship. It is good for TRUE FRIENDSHIP to reach higher levels, but friendships at all levels must be cultivated to reach their full potential. Treat your friends as TREASURES, because they are. Here are some Scripture verses on FRIENDS.

PROVERBS...
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:5-6
(5) Open rebuke is better than secret love.
(6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:9-10
(9) Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
(10) Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

JOHN AND JAMES...
John 15:13-15 (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

James 2:22-24 (22) See thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect (23) And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

8/9/09 SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

8/9/09 SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

God expects short and quick prayers as well as extended prayers and overnight prayers. Sometimes God calls His closest followers to all night prayer and worship. He supplies the strength. Prayer is co-laboring with God. If we don't do our part, it won't get done. I have included some verses that address the subject of prayer in the Christian life.

Jesus Prayed

Luke 6:12

(12) And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Hebrews 5:7

(7) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

We Pray for Our Enemies

Matthew 5:44

(44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Pray for those Who are Demonized

Matthew 17:19-21

(19) Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

(20) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

(21) Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Pray for Israel

Romans 10:1

(1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Pray for Deliverance from Temptation

Matthew 6:13

(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 26:41

(41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Pray for Christian Workers

Matthew 9:38

(38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Pray for One Another

James 5:16

(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Be Importune

Luke 18:1

(1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(17) Pray without ceasing.

Pray for All People

1 Timothy 2:1-2

(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Pray in Faith

Matthew 21:22

(22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Pray in Jesus Name

John 16:26

(26) At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Jesus Prayer (John 17)
(1, 4, 5) Asked to be glorified and to glorify the Father.
(2, 6, 8) To give eternal life to the elect.

(3) That people may know God and Christ and have eternal life.

(9, 11, 15) Jesus prayed for the believers.

(13) He prayed for the joy of the believers.

(17, 19) He asked that His followers be Sanctified.

(18) He prayed for His followers to be sent into the world.

(20-22) He prayed for future believers to be in unity.

(21) He prayed for the unsaved to come to faith.

(23) He prayed for believers to be perfected in unity.

(24) He prayed for believers to join Him in heaven.

Jesus prayed for the Love of God to be in His followers.

Prayer for the Ministry

We should follow the example of the early Church, which prayed fervently for one another.

Romans 1:9

(9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Romans 12:12

(12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 15:30

(30) Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Philippians 1:9

(9) And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Colossians 1:9

(9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Colossians 4:2-3

(2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

(3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Colossians 4:2-3

(2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

(3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

1 Thessalonians 5:25

(25) Brethren, pray for us.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

(1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Pray for Perfection of Believers.

Colossians 4:12

(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:10

(10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Colossians 4:12

(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:10

(10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 5:23

(23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

(11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

Pray in the Spirit

Romans 8:26

(26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Ephesians 6:18

(18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Jude 1:20

(20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Upward and Onward in Jesus,
Pastor David L. Gould

8/7/09 SOME THOUGHTS ON THE DIVINE IF/THEN

8/7/09 SOME THOUGHTS ON THE DIVINE IF/THEN

Divine Cause And Effect (If/Then).
God designed nature with an "if/then" system. If the ground dries up, then the plants will wither. If the plants wither, then the animals will die. All of life is coded with an if/then plan.

The If/Then Principle in the Spiritual Realm
If a person does not repent, then he shall perish (Lk. 13:3).
If a person calls on the name of the Lord, then he shall be saved (Ro. 10:13).
If a person walks in the light as Christ is in the light, then he has fellowship with believers and the blood of Christ will cleanse him from all unrighteousness (1Jn. 1:7).
If a person confesses his sins, then he shall be forgiven his sins (1 Jn. 1:9).

TO READ OR NOT TO READ
Reading, Understanding and Obeying God's Word Is Essential To God's Blessings
Deuteronomy 29:29
29) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
DLG note... Knowing His word enables us to Obey His word.

Proverbs 13:13
13) Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.
DLG note... Rejectors of God's word will be ruined (not annihilated). Keepers of God's word will be rewarded.

Isaiah 5:24
24) Therefore as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
DLG note... Rejection of God's word is the road to total ruin.

Isaiah 45:19
19) I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
DLG note... God has clearly revealed His plan for righteousness.

Matthew 11:27
27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
DLG note... A knowledge of Christ is pre-requisite to a knowledge of the Father.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
DLG note... Perfection comes through received, life changing revelation.

2 Peter 1:19
19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
DLG note... God's word is the light that leads us from darkness to light, then to greater light.

Revelation 1:3
3) Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
DLG note... Desire for His word results in obedience to His word, which results in blessedness.

Revelation 22:7
7) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the saying of the prophecy of this book.
DLG note... Blessings await those who keep (obey) God's word.

Revelation 22:14
14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
DLG note... Eternal life is reserved for those who keep His commandments.

Revelation 22:18-19
18) For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
DLG note... Our eternal destiny is determined by the way we treat the word of God.

Upward and Onward in Christ,
Pastor David L. Gould

8/2/09 FOLLOWSHIP

8/2/09 FOLLOWSHIP

AUGUST 2, 2009

These notes were taken from SS and Worship services.

FOLLOWSHIP

I. JESUS CALLS US TO FOLLOW HIM
Mathew 4:19
19) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Matthew 9:9
9) And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 16:24-27
24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 19:21
21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Luke 9:23-26
23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26) For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:57-62
57) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58) And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.... Read More
59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61) And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

II. Two Ways to Follow Christ

A. Follow His Example

Peter told us to follow in Christ's steps, committing no sin, being selfless, trusting God.

1 Peter 2:21-23

(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

DLG note... The call of God is the call to faithful obedience and Christ likeness (21). The call of God is to living without sin (22). The Bible tells us several times that Jesus, “suffered” for us and because of our sins, but it NEVER says Jesus was punished for our sins. That is because there is a difference between suffered and punished (23). We are also told the call of God is to trust Him when we suffer for Him (23).

B. Follow His Word.

1. David told us to hide the word of God in our hearts.

Psalms 119:11

(11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

2. Jesus told us to obey Him.

John 14:15

(15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

3. John said believers keep God's commandments.

1 John 5:3

(3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

We are able to follow Christ's example and follow His word because through salvation God conforms us to the image of His Son and God we become partakers of His divine nature.

Conformed to His Image

Romans 8:29

(29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

DLG note... Notice, God knew who would believe on Christ and He predestined those with a living faith in Christ to be conformed to the image of Jesus. By accepting God's salvation, we accept His standards.

Partaker of Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:4

(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

DLG note... It is through following His leading and living by His promises that believers are constant recipients of His nature.

III. Landmarks Along the Way

A. Love

1 John 3:16

(16) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

B. Resurrection From the Dead

Philippians 3:11-12

(11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

(12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

C. Follow Godly Qualities

1 Timothy 6:11

(11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

D. Peace and Holiness

Hebrews 12:14

(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

E. Follow Good, Not Evil

3 John 1:11

(11) Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

IV. Follow Our Leaders

We either follow Truth or Error. Many voices call us away from God & His truth. Satan can be subtle, so be careful. God tells us to follow, which actually means to obey, those who lead with authority.

Hebrews 13:7

(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (behavior, conduct).

DLG notes...Their authority stems from these 3 traits.

A. They Teach the Word of God

B. They are Men of Sound Faith

C. They Live Godly Lives.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould

 

7/24/09 HATE IS OK

7/24/09 HATE IS OK

July 24, 2009

It Is OK To Hate

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I hate hatred, violence, racism, greed, perversion, deceit, suspicion, pride, wantonness, envy, anti-Christianity, laziness and every kind of wickedness. I hate sickness and death and division and all the by products of sin. It is good to hate, so long as we hate that which is evil.

Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin

We need to love the sinner and hate the sin; God does and we should too.

Love God, Hate Sin.

The more we love God, the more we hate sin. We don't love God if we don't hate sin. We don't love God if we hate sinners.

We Are Told To Hate Evil

Psalms 97:10

(10) Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 8:13

(13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Amos 5:14-15

(14) Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

(15) Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Upward and Onward in Christ,
Pastor David L. Gould