Psalms 37:4

Good morning guys and dolls,

Psalms 37:4 says "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

I wanna share with you that this verse DOESN'T mean that if you delight yourself in God, He'll give you everything you want..

In the original hebrew language of this passage, it really says.. "if you delight yourself in the lord, He will give you desires to desire"

As you grow in your relationship with God, many things start fading away, and you start desiring after things that you know will help you bring glory to God. If your desires don't ultimately emphasize the excellence of God and the authority of Jesus Christ, you may have to re-think on what you want. But if your heart is close Him, you'll start wanting exactly what He wants for you too...

Welcome!

Welcome to the new Season 4 blog! Hope you like it.

For season 4 we went for a simple, clean look. A look and feel that doesn't over complicate things. I encourage you to take some time to navigate through the site, not much has changed persay, but here are some of the key things that did:

• We added "Hebrew of the We-brew?" on the sidebar along with Greek of the week. We figured if we're learning greek why not learn hebrew as well? We can start getting some insight into the OT as well as the NT
• The "Worship" & "Teaching" pages are found on the top now and not on the sides.
• You'll notice something different about the videos on the pages. We've collected the videos and put them into a playlist. All you have to do is go to the season you're looking for and scroll through the playlist to find the message or worship set you want to hear. Simple as that.
• We don't need to sign our names at the bottom of our posts anymore because our names will automatically be signed under our Title as in "posted by _____"
• We wanted to encourage you guys to put tags or "labels" for your posts. That way if anyone ever wants to focus in on a specific topic, they can go to the tag cloud located on the sidebar (under the pictures)
• We also wanted to encourage comments on the posts so we can further get insight into any encouragements, devotions, studies, or pictures that is posted on the blog. You can post a comment by clicking "__ comments" next to the date posted.
• We have it made it possible to respond to peoples posts by clicking one of the response boxes below each of the posts. If you read this entire post, click "Word" when you're done and you'll understand.

This season we want to start discussing and communicating on this blog as opposed to just posting on it.

If you have any more ideas or additions to the blog that you think would be beneficial or fun, let Jay or I know.

word?

Season 4

It's was about a year ago that we met in that room at IBA.

A gathering that we had decided to call "Bibletalk"

I don't think any of us would have expected or envisioned us to be where we are at now as a group. I guess that's classic Jesus right there - going far and beyond anything we could even attempt to imagine.

It's pretty cool seeing each week by week huh? Going from a place where we maybe saw each other twice a year to seeing each other every tuesday is a pretty dramatic step. Going from a place where we identified ourselves to our individual churches to a place where we can identify ourselves as brothers and sisters is an even bigger one. A lot of time, effort, sacrifice, money, and prayer has been exhausted by this entire group to get to this very moment where we can read this post and realize that we are collectively moving into a new season.

This season we'll be going in hard on the practical side - from manners, to social skills, to etiquette, to daily living skills - each week will bring new surprises. We've done a pretty good job building a community, now it's time to really start striding towards the second part of that vision: "to be like Christ".

Let's not take this for granted, what we have here is very special, this blog and our tuesday meeting is only a small portion of the work that we need to do in our lives daily.

So with that, let's get moving on Season 4

See you tonight.

The life of Amaziah

Amaziah became the king of Judah at the age of 25. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:1-6, and then in 2 Chronicles 25:1-2.

Amaziah was born into the royal throne of King David, but he did not love the Lord like David had, but followed after the ways of his father, Joash (2 Ki 14:3)
The verse in 2 Chronicles brought me to my knees, because it says “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.”
It's explained here that you could do “right in the eyes of the Lord” but still not with a whole heart. I would not want to be in that category...I wouldn’t want any of my fellow brother/sister in that category. As an illustration pointed out, it would a tragic sight to have that written on our tombstone. "so-and-so did right in the eyes of the Lord, but not with a whole heart."
I'll tell you one thing...I certainly do not want such a statement on my tombstone!!
To not do it with a whole heart, with a loving heart, with a heart that wholly given to God’s will is the same as not doing right in God's eyes at all. Worse, it creates an illusion of faith, worship and adoration where there's not a true heart for it. Let's strive to be men and women who follow God's will with a pure and perfect heart. Wholly given to His will.

God bless

John 4:23-24

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Reevaluate true worship
remember its ok to be completely honest with God
honesty contributes to true worship

Image of the Invisible God

Colossians 1:15- 18

15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Image of the invisible God

Image- (eikon) representation, resemblance, likeness

Invisible- (aoratos)- incapable of being seen

God- (Theos)

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. John 8:19

When we look at Jesus we see the reflection of the Father’s heart. Jesus Christ is the picture of who God the Father is. Jesus does what the Father wants done, Jesus says what the Father wants said. There is nothing Christ does of His own will, it is all aligned to the Father’s will.

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." Matthew 14:14

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." John 11:33

God sees and knows exactly what His people need. Since He has deep compassion and love for us to the point where His heart is moved to aching due to our situation, He presents the ultimate provision for each and everyone of us. All of who the Father is, it is represented through Christ. His love, His forgiveness, His intimacy, His wisdom, His power, His authority, His passion, and the list goes on.

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

Jesus Christ is the bodily representation of the Godhead.

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Rev 22:3-4

Jesus sits bodily on the throne of God.. and when we get to Heaven, we will be face to face with Him. Face to face with God himself because Jesus is God, physical, never spirit.

Perspective

Matthew 9:36 :: But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

God's been speaking to me the last few days, and he's been saying the same thing in different ways

I guess. In short, "How do you view other people?" What I mean by that, when we see other people, wherever we are, the dude at the gas station, or the lady at the grocery store, what's the

first thing that pops into our heads about them? It's our natural reaction to try to size them up,

isn't it? And generally speaking, usually, it's something negative. Jesus saw things with a different perspective. He had a godly perspective. He looked upon them with love and compassion. I encourage you guys, when you encounter people, to consciously have your perspective conformed to that of Jesus. Things tend to look totally different.

yaaaay for more gals at Bible Talk :)

since there are more ladies coming lately, I want to echo an old post from my blog ...guys, read at your own discretion and don't take things the wrong way :P

be encouraged pretty ladies :)

To my sisters ..

Know what?? I am so thankful for you. I love you and the way you love God and others. God does too.

Know this. A man can never love others the way you do. In humility, thank God for this. God knows you and I represent a side of Him that men don't and probably can't even if they tried. And I am not saying this in a prideful, feminazi kind of way. It really is a beautiful thing and I know you know what I'm saying!

God knows how much you hold inside of you, your ability to forgive, to undergo situations, to overcome, to heal. He knows you are strong; maybe not like guys but you are. It's a different kind of strength. He created you the way you are for a reason and thank God we are indeed different.

-Many of Jesus's followers were women and Jesus knew them intimately
-They cared for Him during his ministry (Mark 15:41 - they waited on, ministered unto, provided for, served Him and most of all loved Him)
-The first proclaimers of the gospel were women ..they were the first ones at their Lord's tomb ..how awesome is that! (they went to the disciples to tell them Jesus wasn't in the tomb!)
-I LOVE that Jesus chose to appear first to Mary (John 20) ..this wasn't a coincidence but purposeful. He could have easily chosen to appear to any one of the disciples but he revealed Himself FIRST to Mary! He knew how much she loved Him ...

He knows ..He has always known ..take comfort in that ..and remember that He is your beauty and your joy ..he gives you beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3)

Psalm 45:11 "So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him."

-LisaLove

Believe in Prayer

Hebrew 7:25 he is able also to save
he is able - dunamai = possible
save - sozo = deliver, protect , heal, to make whole (including all components without exception)
God is able to deliver you
God is able to protect you
God is able to heal you
God is able to make you whole

God is able to do so much for you
but how do you get this healing, delivering, protection? how do can i be made whole?

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
By prayer

word-greek=meaning

all things- pas = all or any or every
whatsoever- hosos = how great , as much, all
ye shall ask- aiteo = beg, crave, desire , to call for
in = by
prayer - proseuche = pray earnestly ( in a serious manner or being very sincere)
believing - pisteuo = to have faith or to commit
ye shall receive- lambano = to take or to obtain

Whatever you desire no matter how big or small it is if it is done by prayer in faith you will receive (matt7:7, 1 john 5:14&15, mark 11:24, John 14:13&14 , John 15:7&16, John 16:23&24)

Definition

Protos- chiefly (first) i.e. God should be chief. 

God should be first principally, not on a list of other priorities. 

Go

We're giving it all away away... We're giving it all to go your way... 

In the father, there is hope and there is freedom and there is hope in the name that is Jesus, lay your life down, give it all now, be found in the love of the savior. We come alive in you, You've set free the chosen few. Our live will never be the same

We're giving it all away away... We're giving it all to go your way...

We are souled out, to your calling, we'll give all we are for your glory take our hearts now, have it all now, Shine your light, shine your light now, We come alive to you, your set free the chosen few our live will never be the same....We're giving it all away away... We're giving it all to go your way... We're giving it all away away... We're giving it all to go your way... In the way we're singing

Hillsong United

What A Mighty God We Serve

So the other day I saw a scary movie that really freaked me out. Now normally I don't usually get scared but this one ...the images stayed in my mind. Driving back home, I prayed to the Lord to give me peace and that the images I saw would not stay with me . When I got home I needed a little more confidence so I started to read and the passage I turned to was Acts 9.

This chapter describes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Now Saul was known as a persecutor of the Lord's disciples and even more descriptive of his nature is in verse 1 "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord." - WOW he was BREATHING threats and murder....this was what he was about.
moving on we see here that he was on a mission to bring the believers "bound to Jerusalem." Now what really stuck with me was verses 3-9.

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Couple of Points
-He fell to the ground. - His encounter brought fear
-He was rebuked- Voice called out "Saul, Saul" - Luke points that out in many other occasions
-Saul knew it was the Lord before it was addressed
- Lord reveals to Saul his problem- "It is hard for you to kick against the goads"- It is hard for you to be rebellious....
Goad- an instrument used by ploughmen for guiding their oxen. Sometimes an irritated ox kicks the goad and when it does that the ox ends up getting hurt.
-He was trembling and astonished - He believed fearfully

Main Point
- I LOVE this when Christ says "I am Jesus Christ , Why are You persecuting ME?'' You can say ya well Saul didn't persecute Jesus! But Christ is saying when you persecute the Christians, You persecute me, We are INSEPARABLE.

So you can imagine... my fear melted away and the Word of God strengthened me that night because it proved to me over and over again... The Father we love, The Master we worship, The God we praise is united with us as ONE. He is so mighty, so powerful, and He overcomes ALL.

You know in these scary movies they always show that God's ways never prevail...they always show the darkness winning, but we can confidently say that Our Light always wins. He always wins and when Christ wins, we win. Praise be to Him Always ...

-Jincy

He Humbled Himself

Jesus Humbled Himself
In John 13 we see Jesus humility in his relationship with others when he washed the disciples feet he was showing his Love toward them. John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end. How did he manifest that Love? by washing their feet and he said  "I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master". Jesus even washed Judas feet verse 21 Jesus was troubled in spirit because Judas was going to betray him. It was difficult to love Judas also until the end. But Jesus did it his love is Unconditional, Everlasting,

Tony

A Simple Thought

I've been thinking a lot about the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25

If you notice the servants that took the talents (wealth, sum of the money) from the Master and multiplied it were counted as "good and faithful" servants. (vs 21, vs 23)

the other, that did nothing with the portion allotted to him was counted as "wicked and slothful" (vs 26)

I know that we all have a desire to be good & faithful as opposed to wicked & slothful, but I guess the real question becomes are we multiplying the wealth of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, talents, and gifts that the Lord has allotted to us?

Are we growing in them and actively seeking to receive a return in them that in turn benefits our master?

Just some things for you and myself to think about

Bible Studies

The bible studies have been great so far! Props to Costin, Robin, Jivin and Tony for last week's presentations. I just wanted to give a couple of verses. 1 Samuel 30:1-6 was our presentation. I was just reading it over again. It's amazing how much you can learn from 6 verses.