Sunday, November 6, 2022

LOVE in a GENTLER time


 Matthew 11:29-30

King James Version

29 Take my yoke upon you, 

and learn of me; 

for I am meek and lowly in heart: 

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, 

and my burden is light.


Do you know of a gentler time in your life?

When everything seemed right, felt right, and was right?

There was a time, man experienced that.

That was the time GOD walked with Adam.

Genesis 3:8-9

King James Version

8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God 

walking in the garden in the cool of the day: 

and Adam and his wife hid themselves 

from the presence of the Lord God 

amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, 

and said unto him, Where art thou?


Imagine, GOD walking with man!

They were in the same garden of Eden.

Can we get back to a time like that?

Where love was, in a gentler time?

Only through JESUS can we do so.

Because JESUS was loving, gentle, and compassionate.

Here's what gentleness means:

Psalm 18:35

King James Version

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: 

and thy right hand hath holden me up, 

and thy gentleness hath made me great.


Psalm 116:5

King James Version

5 Gracious is the Lord, 

and righteous; 

yea, our God is merciful.


Proverbs 15:1

King James Version

15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: 

but grievous words stir up anger.


Proverbs 25:15

King James Version

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, 

and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.


Isaiah 40:11

King James Version

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: 

he shall gather the lambs with his arm, 

and carry them in his bosom, 

and shall gently lead those that are with young.


Isaiah 53:2

King James Version

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, 

and as a root out of a dry ground: 

he hath no form nor comeliness; 

and when we shall see him, 

there is no beauty that we should desire him.


Isaiah 53:7

King James Version

7 He was oppressed, 

and he was afflicted, 

yet he opened not his mouth: 

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, 

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, 

so he openeth not his mouth.


Isaiah 53:9

King James Version

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, 

and with the rich in his death; 

because he had done no violence, 

neither was any deceit in his mouth.


Matthew 5:5

King James Version

5 Blessed are the meek: 

for they shall inherit the earth.


Matthew 21:4-5

King James Version

4 All this was done, 

that it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken by the prophet, 

saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, 

Behold, 

thy King cometh unto thee, 

meek, and sitting upon an ass, 

and a colt the foal of an ass.


John 13:34

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.


John 14:26

King James Version

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.


John 14:27

King James Version

27 Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, 

give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.


Romans 12:10

King James Version

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another 

with brotherly love; 

in honour preferring one another;


1 Corinthians 13:1-9

King James Version

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, 

and have not charity, 

I am become as sounding brass, 

or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, 

and understand all mysteries, 

and all knowledge; 

and though I have all faith, 

so that I could remove mountains, 

and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, 

and though I give my body to be burned, 

and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, 

and is kind; 

charity envieth not; 

charity vaunteth not itself, 

is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, 

seeketh not her own, 

is not easily provoked, 

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, 

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, 

believeth all things, 

hopeth all things, 

endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: 

but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; 

whether there be tongues, they shall cease; 

whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, 

and we prophesy in part.


1 Corinthians 16:14

King James Version

14 Let all your things be done with charity.


2 Corinthians 10:1

King James Version

10 Now I Paul myself beseech you 

by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, 

who in presence am base among you, 

but being absent am bold toward you:


Galatians 5:22-23

King James Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 

joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, 

goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law.


Galatians 6:1-2

King James Version

6 Brethren, 

if a man be overtaken in a fault, 

ye which are spiritual, 

restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; 

considering thyself, 

lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, 

and so fulfil the law of Christ.


Ephesians 4:1-3

King James Version

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, 

beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation 

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, 

with longsuffering, 

forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit 

in the bond of peace.


Ephesians 4:24

King James Version

24 And that ye put on the new man,

 which after God is created in righteousness 

and true holiness.


Ephesians 4:32

King James Version

32 And be ye kind one to another, 

tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, 

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.


Colossians 3:12-17

King James Version

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, 

holy and beloved, 

bowels of mercies, 

kindness, humbleness of mind, 

meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, 

and forgiving one another, 

if any man have a quarrel against any: 

even as Christ forgave you, 

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, 

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to the which also ye are called in one body; 

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; 

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms 

and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, 

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.


1 Thessalonians 2:4-8

King James Version

4 But as we were allowed of God 

to be put in trust with the gospel, 

even so we speak; 

not as pleasing men, 

but God, which trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, 

as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; 

God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, 

neither of you, nor yet of others, 

when we might have been burdensome, 

as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, 

even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, 

we were willing to have imparted unto you, 

not the gospel of God only, 

but also our own souls, 

because ye were dear unto us.


1 Timothy 6:11

King James Version

11 But thou, 

O man of God, 

flee these things; 

and follow after righteousness, 

godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.


2 Timothy 1:7

King James Version

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


2 Timothy 2:24-26

King James Version

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; 

but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; 

if God peradventure will give them repentance 

to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves 

out of the snare of the devil, 

who are taken captive by him at his will.


Titus 3:1-6

King James Version

3 Put them in mind 

to be subject to principalities and powers, 

to obey magistrates, 

to be ready to every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man, 

to be no brawlers, 

but gentle, 

shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, 

disobedient, deceived, 

serving divers lusts and pleasures, 

living in malice and envy, 

hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love 

of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, 

but according to his mercy he saved us, 

by the washing of regeneration, 

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly 

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;


James 1:17

King James Version

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.


James 1:18-19

King James Version

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, 

that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, 

let every man be swift to hear, 

slow to speak, 

slow to wrath:


James 3:17-18

King James Version

17 But the wisdom that is from above 

is first pure, 

then peaceable, gentle, 

and easy to be intreated, 

full of mercy and good fruits, 

without partiality, 

and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness 

is sown in peace of them that make peace.


1 Peter 3:3-4

King James Version

3 Whose adorning let it not be 

that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, 

and of wearing of gold, 

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, 

in that which is not corruptible, 

even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, 

which is in the sight of God of great price.


1 Peter 3:15-17

King James Version

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: 

and be ready always to give an answer to every man 

that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience; that, 

whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, 

they may be ashamed that falsely accuse 

your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better, if the will of God be so,

 that ye suffer for well doing, 

than for evil doing.


1 Peter 4:8

King James Version

8 And above all things 

have fervent charity among yourselves: 

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.


1 John 4:7-11

King James Version

7 Beloved, 

let us love one another: 

for love is of God; 

and every one that loveth is born of God, 

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; 

for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 

because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, 

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, 

not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us, 

and sent his Son 

to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, 

if God so loved us, 

we ought also to love one another.


1 John 4:18

King James Version

18 There is no fear in love; 

but perfect love casteth out fear: 

because fear hath torment. 

He that feareth is not made perfect in love.


1 John 4:19

King James Version

19 We love him, 

because he first loved us.


Related material:

GOD's LOVE


Image: Wallpaper Access


Saturday, November 5, 2022

For THOSE in NEED of HEALING

 

The LORD JESUS calls:

Matthew 11:28

King James Version

28 Come unto me, 

all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.


Are you in deep need of rest?

To get away from the demands of life, or the noise of your surroundings?

Or, perhaps, you don't feel too well, and would just like to lie down, and rest?

You will find comfort in where SPIRIT led me today.

For I, too, needed to recharge.

If you're up to it, please look into these healing, and comforting articles:

FOUNTAIN of LIVING WATERS

PEACE through JESUS

LIVING WATERS

As you read, listen to soothing nature.



Let's have our quiet moments with GOD.

We need the living water of CHRIST.

Make time to rest.

Knowing GOD loves us all.

Have the peace of CHRIST in your heart.

We all deserve those quiet moments.


Related material:

The Still Small Voice - Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon Sermon 1 Kings 19:12-13


Image: Unsplash


Monday, August 15, 2022

COMFORT from GRIEF

 

The LORD JESUS said:

Matthew 5:4

King James Version

4 Blessed are they that mourn: 

for they shall be comforted.


How long does it take to grieve?

How long before we go back to normal?

But can things really get back to normal?

What is normal?

Can you paste a smile on your face?

Even after months that a loved one is with JESUS now?

What does it take to grieve?

People who see your suffering, hope you'd move on.

Move on, to what?

You know, like rejoin humanity.

But I was never in humanity.

Sure, I'd go through the motions.

But, more often than not, humanity rides a different train.

They're able to do what I could not.

They're able to find many ways of temporary enjoyment.

I've always sought that which lasts.

The kind that feeds your soul.

The kind that creates peace.

The kind you can share with others.

Since I've been born again over 35 months now, I found that peace.

THROUGH Jesus.

I also know GOD made me born again, for sorrow would come.

My MERCIFUL GOD gave me time to enjoy my sister.

He gave me time to gather strength.

Even a sense of "preparation".

He gave me clues.

A premonition.

When He thought it time to take my baby sister 10 months ago, that nearly destroyed me.

Surely, to the great delight of the enemy.

But that was not to be so.

GOD had a task for me to do.

He did not make me born again, for nothing.

His SPIRIT led me to Scripture.

And from that, we wrote, and warned.

How can we stop?

Now that the world goes about their temporary pleasures even more?

As if, in revenge for those covid times.

Of being kept at home, locked up, not knowing what to think.

In those times, many perished.

Many families grieved.

Many didn't even get to see their loved ones.

For they were kept, and isolated.

Many were cremated.

I can barely imagine the grief of those left behind.

Knowing they shall never see their loved ones again.

At least, on this earth.

Imagine not being able to hold, kiss, or care for your ailing loved one.

Imagine not being able to hold rites properly, for when they passed on.

Imagine not seeing them for the last time.

Just committing their faces to memory.

Even just one more time.

I imagined all that.

I've heard of many such stories.

But GOD was merciful in my case.

And I am grateful for that.

I was able to hold my baby sis, for as long as I was allowed to.

Of course, I never wanted to let her go, ever.

That's why it's painful to grieve.

The tears come, and go.

All that's left are memories.

It's always hardest on us left behind.

I searched Scripture for a verse that would really comfort me.

But the LORD JESUS is merciful.

Knowing I had been searching for a verse about my sister.

He gave me one.

A month after He took her back:

Matthew 5:8

King James Version

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: 

for they shall see God.


My other sister gave me one, too:

2 Corinthians 5:8

King James Version

8 We are confident, 

I say, 

and willing rather to be absent from the body, 

and to be present with the Lord.


How those verses comfort me!

And I think to myself how wonderful that GOD made me born again.

He gave me His SON, His SPIRIT, and His SCRIPTURE.

That I may be comforted for the things to come.

Our days are marked by longing.

To see JESUS.

And to see our loved ones.


What makes things easier?

How can we conquer grief?

How can we keep going?

The only way I know how?

Go THROUGH it.

Go through the tumult.

Go through the storm.

Go through the pain.

JESUS is there to lift us up.

JESUS knows your heart.

Your very tender, raw heart.

The one that bleeds profusely.

The one that misses your loved one.

GOD knows the pain.

He, too, gave us His SON.

He knew what His beloved SON would go through.

How can anyone go through such pain?

How can anyone bear the inevitable?

How can anyone bear your SON's suffering?

Being beaten, taken to trial, crucified, and humiliated?

And yet, people didn't know what they were doing.

They had no idea what they had done.

Luke 23:34

King James Version

34 Then said Jesus, 

Father, 

forgive them; 

for they know not what they do. 

And they parted his raiment, 

and cast lots.


Only GOD, and His SON, knew.

"That Scripture might be fulfilled."

And they had to suffer all that.

It was the GREATEST sacrifice of all.

As I tell you all these, the LORD's lifting sorrow from my heart.

For I'm not the only one suffering.

My family isn't the only one.

We're all in this TOGETHER.

By the GRACE of GOD, we'd all have compassion for each other.

Let us see, THROUGH the eyes of our own suffering GOD.

The ONE who doesn't want any of us to perish.

The ONE who bears all our iniquities.

The ONE who waits for our repentance.

The ONE who waits for our worship.

Let's find TRUTH and COMFORT in JESUS.

Only He can save us from all pain.

Only He can heal our hearts.

JESUS is ALL.


Related material:

BORN AGAIN articles


Image: Unsplash


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