Posted by: missionventureministries | May 30, 2010

THE HABIT OF PRAYING BEFORE MAKING A DECISION – Psalm 32:8

Praying before deciding - Psalm 32 vs 8“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:8).

The habit of always praying before making a decision is a key to consistent obedience. Often we forget or we do not see the need. We have not because we ask not.

Everything should be the subject of prayer, and to ask God for help in our decisions. Maybe such attentiveness to prayer seems impossible, but it is a habit we gain through perseverance. To God nothing that concerns His children is too small for Him to listen.

If we always lift our moments of uncertainty to Him, we discover that He is willing to direct every detail of our lives. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We make no move; say no words, without His knowledge.

Often our greatest regrets result from simply failing to seek Him in all things even when we think the answer is obvious. Satan often tries to deceive us, by making the wrong decision seem so correct that we feel no need to ask for God’s guidance.

God had warned Joshua not to make a treaty with people who lived close to them, so when the Gibeonites came with moldy bread and patched sandals, Joshua assumed they had come from afar. He and his men “sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).

The answer seemed obvious. Common sense told them what to do. We do not know if they forgot to inquire of the Lord, or if the idea to inquire came and they rejected it. Satan’s plans are often so subtle that we think we are making it all right choosing our own way. But the Holy Spirit, our Counselor who is with us always, invites us to bring our decisions before Him.

We need to train ourselves to prayerfully look to God on a moment-by-moment basis.

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Posted in Acts, Joshua, PRAYERS, Psalms, SCRIPTURE, THE HABIT OF PRAYING BEFORE MAKING A DECISION | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 23, 2010

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Over thirty years after the death of Christ, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote the Jewish Christians, who were discouraged in their faith to the point of thinking about returning to Judaism.

The author does not hide his concerns by saying that by the time that had elapsed, these believers ought to be teachers of the Word and knowledgeable about Jesus Christ. However, they had returned to a spiritual infancy stage, still “Needing milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12).

Years after their conversion, they knew very little about Christ, and now were in danger of falling away and returning to their old practices. A similar message was sent by Paul to the Corinthians, referring to his first visit: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2).

Unfortunately this is the reality of many churches and members who continue feeding on the rudiments of the doctrine, without being able to bear solid food, which represents the most profound teachings. It is important to note that the lack of intellectual and spiritual progress leads not to stagnancy, but to a reversal and apostasy.

The conversion is represented by the figure of new birth in which the individual allows the Holy Spirit to operate in his life, making him a new creature in Christ. Thereafter he lived in “Newness of life” (Romans 6:4), growing spiritually, always targeting the perfection of Christ.

Someone likened the Christian walk to a sailor, in order not to lose track, he keeps the bow of the boat towards a star. Acting in this way, he will remain in the right direction. So do we, if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we remain on track until his coming, when we “shall be changed” and covered with “the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

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Posted in SCRIPTURE

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 19, 2010

WHY DO WE KEEP PRAYING?

What keeps us from praying when it looks as if God is not hearing us?

In my case I have looked back many times and said “thank you Lord, Your answer was and is amazing!” Some of us may not get our answers until we get to heaven, but the one thing I am certain of, is that God answers prayers no matter how the situation looks at the moment.

We confirm our faith in God by praying and waiting. Sometimes the answers come amazingly quick and other times we have to wait. One of the key indicators of the strength of our faith is that we continue to wait before God when the answer is slow in coming.

There is one particular passage in the Bible where the Canaanite woman came to Jesus and she was pleading with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter and “Jesus did not answer a word.” She continued crying, but Jesus remained silent.

When He did speak, His words were not encouraging. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”  However, she did not give up and her prayers were answered.

There are two times where Jesus speaks of someone’s great faith, and this lady was one of them. This gives us courage to be persistent when we pray,  and not to give up.  Jesus told this mother: “You have great faith! Your request is granted!” (Matthew 15:28).

Paul talks about “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When Christians pray the perfect will of God, they never cease to pray, and never will until the return of Jesus. They may not see any change or improvement for long periods of time. Things may even grow worse. Nevertheless, they don’t cease to lift prayers to the Lord regarding that seemingly impossible problem.

Luke 18:1-8 reads, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ”

 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. . .”

If the persistence of one widow moved an unjust earthly judge, how much more will the persistent prayers of an entire body of believers move their Lord Jesus, the righteous Judge?

 

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Posted in DEVOTIONS

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 16, 2010

Was the prophecy of Jonah fulfilled?

 

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

 

Prophecy versus Tradition 

As Jesus tells us in (Matthew 12:38-42) “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth “

Was the prophecy of Jonah really fulfilled in the burial experience of Jesus? According to the conventionally accepted chronology of events, it was not.

The customary chronology places the crucifixion on Friday morning and the burial on late Friday afternoon and the resurrection on Sunday morning. Thus, according to the traditional view, the body of Jesus was in the tomb only one full day (Saturday) and two full nights (Friday and Saturday). Jesus said His body would be in the tomb three days and three nights.

Jesus said all Messianic prophecy had to be fulfilled in Him, and we should believe that He meant every fact of every Messianic prophecy. Otherwise, it could be disputed that He was not the Messiah.

Let us think about the events in the last week of Jesus’ life to see if we can find some indication that will solve this dilemma. Perhaps the best place to begin is with the Scriptures. In (Mark 15:42) it says that the crucifixion took place on “the day of preparation before the Sabbath.”

This verse has led most people to believe that the crucifixion took place on a Friday since the Jewish Sabbath is Saturday. And that theory has in turn led to the conclusion that the crucifixion had to take place in 33 AD because that is the only year in the general time period of Jesus’ death when the day of preparation (14 Nisan on the Jewish calendar) fell on a Friday. In the year 31 and 32 AD the 14th of Nisan fell on a Monday.

Let us look at the Jewish Calendar

A careful study of Jewish calendar will show that it is presumed that the day of preparation in the year of Jesus’ death had to fall on a Friday. Such a statement is based upon Gentile lack of knowledge about Jewish feast days. (After much research I have found that the 14th of Nisan falls only on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday, starting at sundown the day before and ending at sundown on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday). Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31 states: “and there was evening and there was morning.” Therefore the Jews start their day in the evening.

CONTINUE READING – THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

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Posted in BIBLE STUDIES

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 15, 2010

PERFECT FAITH – PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Perfect faith gives thanks while waiting. If we trust, we know He is going to provide and therefore we are grateful.

Jesus said: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)

Dear Jesus, help me to remember that anxiety is a reminder to pray and to be thankful for the answers that will follow.

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Posted in SCRIPTURE

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 12, 2010

THE CHRISTIAN’S CALLING

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

The Christian’s calling in Christ is a high calling. Since we are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of this calling, it behooves us to make careful study of it, lest our lifestyle bring reproach to the One who has called us. Consider the following sampling of the uses of this important word:

First, the calling is “of God” and irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We are called “by his grace” (Galatians 1:15) and “into the grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6). We are called “out of darkness” and “into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Furthermore, we are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). He has “called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9). We are “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1), and in response, we should “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3;14).

The New Testament writers as well mention many things to which we are called. We are “called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are “called into liberty” (Galatians 5:13) and are now free to “serve one another,” even though it means accepting the call to suffering. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). The “eternal life to which you were called” may not come easily, for it involves the “good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). We are called “to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3), even “his eternal glory by Christ Jesus” (1 Peter 5:10), for we are “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.” (2 Peter 1:10).

By John D. Morris, Ph.D. – The Institute for Creation Research

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Posted in SPECIAL MESSAGE

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 8, 2010

MOTHERS DAY

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

Paul mentions these two women for having taught their son and grandson the values of Christian faith.

It must have been challenging for Eunice, and grandmother Lois, to give a Christian education to Timothy because even though they were Jewish believer, his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). It is hard to teach religious principles to children when a parent is not a believer. It is possible that Timothy’s father had died when he was a child, since he is no longer mentioned.

However his mother and grandmother played an important role in his formation. Eunice and Lois put into practice the great biblical truth “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Christian Mothers are best equipped to inspire their children not only in faith in God, but also to give them confidence in who they can be, by the grace of God.

Therefore the maternal influence is so important. Mothers received from God the power to shape the character of the children for time and eternity. I’ve heard this saying many times: “After God, the power of the mother is the greatest force on earth.”

You, who are a mother, with God’s help have that power. Educate your children so that they are useful in this world and most of all, so they are well equipped to teach others about Jesus, salvation and eternal life. “Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Happy Mothers Day, God bless.

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Posted in SPECIAL MESSAGE

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 8, 2010

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Weather things are true. If you think about what is accurate, correct, right, honest, sincere, truthful, you will keep from thinking or saying anything what is inaccurate, wrong, dishonest, insincere or untrue.

Whatever things are noble. If you think about what is admirable, honorable, righteous, graceful, you will keep from thinking or saying things that are unworthy, dishonorable, sinful or disgraceful.

Whatever things are just. If you think about what is fair, reasonable, proper, lawful, right, correct, you will keep from thinking of saying anything that is unfair, improper, unlawful, wrong or unjustified.

Whatever things are pure. If you think about what is holy, spotless, undefiled, clean, sparkling, you will keep from thinking of saying things that are dirty, adulterated, defiled, corrupted, tarnished or unholy.

Whatever things are lovely. If you think about what is divine, beautiful, pleasant, delightful, you will keep from thinking or saying anything that is worldly, ugly, offensive or disagreeable.

Whatever things are of good report. If you think about what is positive, commendable, worthwhile, encouraging, you will keep from thinking of saying things that are negative, undeserving, worthless or discouraging.

Whatever things are virtuous. If you think about what is moral, honest, descent, proper, you will keep from thinking or saying anything that is immoral, negative or improper.

Whatever things are praiseworthy. If you think about what is commendable, valuable, exalted, uplifting you will keep from thinking of saying things that are critical, condemning, disapproving or depressing.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me (Paul speaking), put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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Posted in SCRIPTURE

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 5, 2010

FOREGIVENESS IS A CHOICE WE MUST MAKE EVERY DAY

Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. If we wait for good feelings, we could end up waiting a lifetime to forgive someone. We need to ask God to give us a forgiving heart.  We need to pray for those who have hurt us and it is amazing how God softens our hearts when we pray for people.

Everything we do in life that has eternal value hinges on the two greatest commandments. Loving God and loving others. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

One of the most loving things we can do is to forgive. It is hard to forgive those who have hurt, offended, or mistreated us. But God wants us to love them and our enemies. In the process of doing so, he perfects us.

Forgiveness opens our heart and mind and allows the Holy Spirit to work freely in us. It releases us to love God more and to feel His love in greater measure.

Don’t let unforgiveness limit what God wants to do in your life.

Lord, where there is distance between me and any other family member because of unforgiveness, I pray You would break down that wall. Help me to be an instrument of reconciliation. Make me understand the depth of Your forgiveness toward me, so that I will be able to forgive others.

I don’t want anything to come between You and me, Lord. I choose this day to forgive those that have trespassed against me and to walk free from the death that unforgiveness brings. I know that I cannot be a light to others as long as I am walking in the darkness of unforgiveness.

Help me to forgive myself for the times I have failed. Enable me to love my enemies as you have commanded in Your word. Teach me to bless those who curse me and persecute me. Make me a person who is quick to forgive, Lord.

I choose to walk in the light as You are in the light and be cleansed from the sin of unforgiveness and all sin.

– – – – – – –

If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

 

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Posted in PRAYERS

Posted by: missionventureministries | April 29, 2010

DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU

It is very important to cover your life in prayer so that you can have more of God in your life.

Lord, open my eyes so that I can see new riches every time I hear or read Your Word. Please make Your Word come alive in me and use it to nourish my soul and spirit.

As I draw near to your Lord give me revelation and guidance so that I may know Your will for my life. Let the light of Your truth shine on me and show me the next step to take.

I pray that nothing will draw me away from fulfilling the plans You have for me. May I never drift from what You have called me to be and to do. Show me through your Holy Spirit if what I am doing now is what I am supposed to be doing. Help me to see the purpose you have for my life, as I place everything in Your loving hands. I want everything that I say, think and do to be for Your honor and glory and to last for eternity.

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Posted in PRAYERS

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