EMERGENCY BIBLE VERSES

 

                                                             SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

EMERGENCY BIBLE VERSES 

Many of us have emergency phone numbers to call in case of an emergency.  Beyond 911 there is the doctor, lawyer, plumber, computer tech, etc.  But what about when you are in need and you don’t know where to turn in God’s Word?  Keep this handy chart in your Bible or somewhere close and refer to it often.  The Word of God answers all our needs and dilemmas! 

When you need SALVATION (Romans 10:9-10) 

When you are DEPRESSED (Psalm 42 & 43) 

When you are ANXIOUS (Philippians 4:6-7) 

When you are LONELY (Hebrews 13:5) 

When MONEY is low (Philippians 4:19) 

When you’ve been HURT (Ephesians 4:32) 

When you need a JOB (Psalm 90:17) 

When you need PATIENCE (James 1:2-4) 

When you are WORRIED ABOUT THE KIDS (Isaiah 54:13) 

When you have an UNSAVED LOVED ONE (Acts 16:31) 

When you have BACKSLIDDEN (Jeremiah 3:22) 

When your goals have been FRUSTRATED (Psalm 37:3-8) 

When you have been DISAPPOINTED (Revelation 3:7-8) 

When your MARRIAGE is being tested (1 Corinthians 13)

When you have SINNED (Psalm 51) 

When you are feeling WORTHLESS (Matthew 10:29-31) 

When there is nothing hopeful in your FUTURE (Jeremiah 29:11) 

When you need GUIDANCE (Psalm 32:8) 

When things DON’T MAKE SENSE (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

When you are FEARFUL (Isaiah 41:10) 

When you are ANGRY (Ephesians 4:26) 

When you lack COURAGE (Joshua 1:9) 

When you need FORGIVENESS (1 John 1:9) 

When you are facing TEMPTATION (1 Corinthians 10:13)

 

When you need HEALING (Exodus 15:26)

 

When you are SUFFERING (Romans 5:3-4)

 

When you need STRENGTH (Isaiah 40:27-31)

 

When you lack PURPOSE in life (Ephesians 2:10)

 

 

GOOGLE OR GOD?

                                                             SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOGLE OR GOD?

(Mat 6:33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Oh, the wonderful Internet.  When you need something you can just look it up and satisfy your knowledge.  You can buy and sell, interact with people through social media, pay your bills, watch entertainment, and a million other things.  But has the Internet replaced God?  I mean, when you have need of something do you go to Google or do you go to God?  

Now don’t get me wrong.  I love technology and I keep up with the latest devices.  They are so helpful to me on a personal and professional level.  It’s just that we have become so accustomed to running to the Internet before we seek the Lord on the things we need to be seeking the Lord about.  

Think about how the Lord is omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful).  Well, the Internet can act like that, too.  The Internet is everywhere, full of wisdom, and a very powerful tool.  But the habit we need to develop as God’s children is to go to God first.  If not, the Internet becomes an idol because an idol is anything that replaces the Lord in your life.  (Deu 5:7) You shall have no other gods before Me.  

Here are some scenarios to ponder as case in point:

- A mom is concerned about a rash on her child.  She searches diligently on the Internet for what might be the cause and cure.  She researches all day and never really stops to pray over the child.  

- A couple looks online for houses because they want to move.  They spend countless hours investigating the socio-demographics of the community including schools for the kids etc.  Not once did they pray together.  

- A man is in the market for a commodity.  He compares all the deals out there and ends up going back and forth with different sellers.  He never took it to the Lord and prayed about it.

- A lonely woman is looking for a meaningful relationship.  No one at church pops up so she finds a dating site and spends hours viewing profiles of potential men instead of waiting on God for His direction.  

Oh, how God wants to be sought!  (Amos 5:4) …Seek Me and live.  (Mat 7:11)…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Louie

SCRIPTURES FOR THE NEW YEAR

 

(Numbers 10:29) … the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”

(Psalm 65:11)  You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.

(Psalm 91:9-12) Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

(Proverbs 3:25-26) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

(Isaiah 41:10) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

(Isaiah 42:16) I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

(Isaiah 43:18-19) “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 

(Isaiah 45:2) ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…

(Jeremiah 29:11)  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(Jeremiah 33:3)  ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

(Habakkuk 1:5) “Look among the nations and watch—Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you.

(Haggai 2:19) … But from this day I will bless you.’”

(Zechariah 8:15) So again in these days I am determined to do good To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear.                                                                

(Ephesians 3:17-20) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

(Philippians 3:13-14) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Titus 2:13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

(2 Timothy 1:7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(2 Peter 3:14) Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

(Revelation 21:5) Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

(Revelation 22:20-21) He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

 

 

Have you been wanting to read the Bible more consistently but sometimes lack the drive or just don't know where to read? Then let me suggest reading the Bible through in a year. Here's a handy chart that will tell you where to read each day. You can print it out and put it in your Bible.

We put the chart out on the back table of the church in January and encourage anyone who has the desire to join us in our through the Bible in a year journey. It averages three chapters a day and takes about ten minutes. Just think, in the whole year you would have read the Bible through!

 

Lost your print out?  Then go to the church website and find it on the left hand side.  It will be there every day for you!  

(Psa 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

PERSONAL DISCIPLINE

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PERSONAL DISCIPLINE

(1 Cor 9:25, 27) And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things…27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection…

Well, here we are on top of another new year.  We’ve indulged during the holidays in lots of food and fun and are now feeling bloated and broke.  We’ve set some goals and are motivated to take on some challenges.  But what will we do when we start losing that inspiration down the line?  We’re going to need some personal discipline to keep on with the task and accomplish what God has set before us.  

If there is one thing that sets apart a winner from a loser it is personal discipline.  Paul references the Olympic games when it comes to being self-controlled in one’s desires and how a person needs to reign in the body appetites to win the prize.  Are you ready to be one of those winners in life when others give up and give in?  

Brothers and sisters, it’s time we say NO to ourselves and our desires so we can reach the goal that is set before us.  God has great plans for our lives this year but we need to do our part in making the right choices.  We can’t have our way and God’s way at the same time.  Once we turn our will over to the Lord then we will get that stimulus we need to forge on despite the obstacles before us.  

A lot of us were spoiled and coddled growing up.  Our parents did so much for us that the instinct to fight was never really bred into the fabric of our life.  Others of us are just so laid back that we need a push in the right direction.  Some of us are so indecisive and are afraid of taking any risks because it’s all about being safe.  When we give into these fears and apprehensions we think we are in a safe house but we are really in a prison of procrastination, losing ground to the territory God has for us.  (Josh 13:1) Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.

Are you ready to say no to laziness and taking the easy way in life?  Disciples of Christ must have discipline so they will accomplish the Father’s will and not their own.  (Mat 16:24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  Cry out to the Lord and ask Him for the incentive you need to really do something for the kingdom of God this year.  (Phil 2:13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Tell yourself that even if you don’t feel like it you will read your Bible, exercise, make that phone call, take that class, etc.  And you know what it will cost you in less TV, computer, entertainment, sleep, etc.  But by this time next year your goals will have been met and your joy level full.  Personal discipline will lead to praise the Lord!

Louie

PET PEEVES

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PET PEEVES

Pet peeves.  We all have them whether we admit it or not.  It’s those annoying and inconsiderate bad habits of others that irritate us to no end.  Here’s a list of common pet peeves:

Drivers who don't use a turn signal.  Loud chewing. Talking during a movie.  People who drive too slow in the fast lane.  Family members who don’t replace the toilet paper.  People who don’t cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.  Tapping noises.  People who interrupt   you.  Those who talk on their cell phones in public.  And the list goes on.

When we experience a pet peeve we usually issue a reaction.  We either verbally object or we at least reprimand in our minds.  But have you ever challenged yourself by asking why certain things bother you?  As Christians we must be gracious and keep from succumbing to being so petty and peevish in our attitude.  Here’s some things to think about from God’s Word:

OVERLOOK PEOPLE’S FAULTS:  (1 Pet 4:8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  

BE CAREFUL, YOU HAVE FAULTS TOO!:  (Mat 7:1-5) “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

RESIST THE URGE TO VENT: (James 1:19) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

BE GRACIOUS, AND DISPLAY THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:  (Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control…

FOCUS ON THE LARGER ISSUES OF LIFE: (James 5:8) You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

PERIODICALLY READ AND PONDER THE LOVE CHAPTER: (1 Cor 13:4-8) Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails…

Louie

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHESIES OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

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OLD TESTAMENT PROPHESIES OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

It is amazing how the Old Testament predicted the advent of the Messiah to earth.  Below is a chart of some of the Divine expectations and their New Testament fulfillments:

1. Messiah born of a woman.                        Genesis 3:15               Mat 1:20/Galatians 4:4

2. Messiah born in Bethlehem.                     Micah 5:2                    Mat 2:1/Luke 2:4-6

3. Messiah born of a virgin.                           Isa 7:14                        Mat 1:22-23/Luke 1:26-31

4. Messiah from the line of Abraham.         Gen 12:3; 22:18          Matthew 1:1/Romans 9:5

5. Messiah a descendant of Isaac.                Genesis 21:12              Luke 3:34

6. Messiah a descendant of Jacob.               Numbers 24:17           Matthew 1:2

7. Messiah the tribe of Judah.                       Genesis 49:10              Luke 3:33/Heb 7:14

8. Messiah heir to King David's throne.       2 Sam 7:12-13/Isa 9:7 Luke 1:32-33/Rom 1:3

9. Messiah's throne anointed and eternal. Psa 45:6-7/Dan 2:44   Luke 1:33/Heb 1:8-12

10. Messiah called Immanuel.                       Isaiah 7:14                   Matthew 1:23

11. Messiah spends a season in Egypt.        Hosea 11:1                  Matthew 2:14-15

12. A massacre of children.                            Jeremiah 31:15           Matthew 2:16-18

13. A messenger prepares the way.             Isaiah 40:3-5               Luke 3:3-6

Wow!  What do we do with all that?  FIRST, we notice how God sees the future: (Isa 46:10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’  SECONDLY it points to Jesus as the only Messiah and Savior and no other: (John 14:6) Jesus said…“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. THIRDLY it speaks to the fact that all of God’s promises come true!: (Josh 21:45) Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.  Is there an issue in your life that you are concerned about?  God sees ahead, Jesus is your only Savior, and His promises will absolutely come true!  

Louie