1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. 

He will take the teachings of Scripture and breathe Gods’ understanding into them, renewing your mind. He will teach you, precept by precept, allowing you to experience trials and tribulations giving you the opportunity to trust God and apply His wisdom in all situations.

The church at Corinth was a seriously troubled church. Though true believers, the Corinthians had a lot of growing up to do. They had to stop following the immoral, selfish, and contentious ways of their pagan neighbors. 

Yet Paul diagnosed the problem and aimed his efforts straight at the source: pride and a lack of true love in the church.

Only the Holy Spirit could reveal the truths of God.We could never have discovered the mysteries of God or the benefits of Christ’s death by ourselves. But we can know them by experience because they have been freely given to us by God.

1 Corinthians 2:11-12

¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

⁸ But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 

Job 32:8

⁷ Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

Ecclesiastes 12:7

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 

Romans 11:33

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ^v“Abba, Father.” 

Romans 8:15

Ezra 6:1-11

All things work for the good of those who trust in God. 

Man cannot stop what He has appointed because He has the final say in ALL matters…in heaven and on earth.

The Book of Ezra is a remarkable witness to God’s faithfulness to His people. Together with Nehemiah, Ezra describes the events leading to the return of the Judeans from captivity in Babylon and the discouraging experiences of that small community in the harsh world of the Promised Land. But through every experience God proved Himself faithful. Through the leadership of Ezra and Zerubbabel, God fulfilled His promises announced by His prophets to restore His people from Babylon, to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem, and to renew their hope that the Davidic kingdom would be restored. Based on the discovery of the decrees of Cyrus, King Darius issued an order of his own. He concluded that what the Jewish people were doing was legal and that the regional government should stop opposing them.

Ezra 6:1-11

6 Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. ² And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus:

³ In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, ⁴ with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. ⁵ Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God”—

⁶ Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. ⁷ Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

⁸ Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. ⁹ And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, ¹⁰ that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

¹¹ Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. ¹² And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.

⁷ And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 

Jeremiah 29:7

2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Proverbs 10:12

and the greatest of these is L.O.V.E.

That just about says it all don’t you think?

When people respond in love to each other, they cover over the sins, or offenses, that would otherwise come between them.

The Book of Proverbs makes it clear that all of these sayings are exclusively the domain of the wise. They are intended to instruct us in the realities of life, the truth, and most importantly the fear of God.

Proverbs 10:12

¹²  Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all sins.

⁴ 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. 

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 

1 Peter 4:8

Jeremiah 4:1-2

Jesus is the truth of God, His very word made flesh…only in Him is there righteousness! It is His right alone to judge both the living and the dead. To Him every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Christ within is the hope of glory.

Return to God, seek Him, and He will be found.

The phrase,The Lord lives, was regularly used in oaths. When spoken by those faithful to the covenant it should have been a sign of truth, judgment, and righteousness. These three terms summarize the ultimate and ideal demands of the covenant.

Jeremiah 4:1-2

4 “If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord,

“Return to Me;

And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight,

Then you shall not be moved.

² And you shall swear, ‘The Lord lives,’

In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness;

The nations shall bless themselves in Him,

And in Him they shall glory.”

¹² “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 

Joel 2:12

²³ I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. 

Isaiah 45:23

¹⁸ In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 

Genesis 22:18

¹⁸ Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! 

Psalm 72:18

³¹ that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 

1 Corinthians 1:31

Acts 11:4-18

When Jesus sets you free you are F.R.E.E. indeed! 

God through His Son gave an open invitation for all to come to the supper of the Lamb. The great IAM loves you. Come just as you are and prepare to be changed forever by the power of the Holy Spirit who will teach you everything you need to know about Jesus and God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

Because of the importance of the issue of personal prejudice, Luke repeats the account of the vision of the sheet and the unclean animals that God used to free Peter from his racial bigotry. Finally the Jewish Christians that made up the early church understood Jesus’ commission to them: they were to bring the gospel message to the Gentile too. 

Christ places believers in the care and safekeeping of the Holy Spirit until the day He returns.

Acts 11:4-18

⁴ But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. ⁶ When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ ¹⁰ Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹ At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. ¹² Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. ¹³ And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, ¹⁴ who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ ¹⁵ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

¹⁸ When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

John 16:13

⁸ So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 

Acts 15:8

⁹ and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 

Acts 15:9

42 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 

Isaiah 42:1

⁶ Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” 

Isaiah 49:6

¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 

Romans 10:12

¹³ For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

Romans 10:13

Mark 3:7-12

There is nothing that life can throw at us that He cannot handle. There is healing… mentally, physically and most importantly spiritually in the hands of our Savior and it all starts with believing. He makes a level playing field, where heaven and earth meet, for all who place their trust in Him. Blessed be His name, Jesus. 

ALL things rest securely in His hands.

In the measure that we believe in His power is the measure that we can receive from His bounty.

This Gospel is a record of Jesus’ actions and achievements. It presents Jesus as a Savior-King, who conquers demons, disease, and death.

Mark leaves no doubt that he is documenting a unique account of a unique man. He’s spotlighting the Son of Man who came from heaven to serve, not to be served, and to give His life as a ransom. So in Mark we see Jesus the obedient Servant of God actively and compassionately coming alongside hurting people. But it’s not just the physical hurts that haunt Him. Jesus is moved by the spiritual disease He sees all around Him.

Mark 3:7-12

⁷ But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea ⁸ and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. ⁹ So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. ¹⁰ For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. ¹¹ And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” ¹² But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 

Luke 6:17

²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 

Luke 7:21

²¹ For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 

Matthew 9:21

⁵⁶ Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. 

Mark 6:56

³⁴ Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. 

Mark 1:34

Matthew 18:32-35

Withholding forgiveness is not an option! 

When we have been forgiven our sins our love for other sinners should abound more and more. No one sin is greater than another and we have all sinned except one…Jesus Christ.

This verse is a warning about the penalty for not forgiving others. All of a Christian’s sins are forgiven and forgotten forever. But this parable illustrates the Christian duty to forgive others. If our forgiveness should be in direct proportion to the incredible amount that we have been forgiven, then we must always be willing to forgive.

Matthew 18:32-35

³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! ³ I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

¹² And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 

Matthew 6:12

^26 4But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” 

Mark 11:26

¹³ For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 

James 2:13

Matthew 25:41-43

We are judged by the mercy and compassion that we show to others. It is our privilege, as Christians. to show the love of Christ to the poor, the sick, the incarcerated and the foreigner. 

The way to the Father is love for Him above all and for all of humanity. When we deny their existence we deny God. It is all about Jesus and His creation…not ours.

Matthew 25:41-43

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 

Psalm 6:8

²⁷ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 

Luke 13:27

³¹He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. 

Proverbs 14:31

²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 

John 5:29

John 10:17-18

Christ in us, the very heart of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit resides in those who believe in the salvation that Jesus provides. We marvel that we are entrusted with the direction and guidance of Him who abides in us and through us works out God’s plan for mankind. Christ in us the hope of glory.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

As the good shepherd, Jesus had the power—that is, the authority—not only to voluntarily lay down His life for the sheep, but also to take it up again. No one but God can do that.

John 10:17-18

¹⁷ “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 

John 5:20

¹² Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. 

Isaiah 53:12

⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 

Hebrews 2:9

²⁶ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 

John 5:26

⁴ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 

John 17:4

²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 

Acts 2:24

Matthew 24:4-13

Keep the faith! The simplicity of the Gospel saves.It is all about Jesus!

These commandments He gave us “Love God above all and care for others as you do yourself”.

The final evidence of the end times will be the universal proclamation of the gospel.

Matthew 24:4-13

⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. ¹¹ Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 

Colossians 2:8

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 

1 John 4:1–3

⁴³ I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 

John 5:43

² They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 

John 16:2

¹³ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 

Mark 13:13

¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

Revelation 2:10