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Showing posts from December, 2010

Happy New 2011 Message

Before: "I long for the day when.... I reach my goals and aspirations." I love to day dream and imagine where God will take me.. I hang on to one of my life verse .. .. Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. For years and years I hang on to "what I can think or imagine" as if God will magically make it happen. Its like some mantra I can conjure and create something out of nothing. However in the past few months I realize, the real work is knowing and trusting God Himself. The context of Paul’s prayer is found in the previous verses Ephesians 3:14-19  When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,  the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your root

Hidden Meaning .. Christmas Carol..

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.  -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.  -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.  -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.  -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.  -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitude

True Faith

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:18 At first glance, this verse seems to contradict Romans 3:28, “We are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Deeper investigation, however, shows that the teachings of James and Paul are not at odds. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul speaks against those who try to be saved by deeds instead of true faith; James speaks against those who confuse mere intellectual assent with true faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is, but they don’t obey him. True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God. Laverne Riley