Micah 5:2-5

 Jesus came and conquered the sins of the world. 

It is time to walk in His name, doing good, awaiting His physical return. Trust Holy Spirit to do what we cannot.

Micah 5:2-5

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.”

3 Therefore He shall give them up,

Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;

Then the remnant of His brethren

Shall return to the children of Israel.

4 And He shall stand and feed His flock

In the strength of the Lord,

In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;

And they shall abide,

For now He shall be great

To the ends of the earth;

5 And this One shall be peace.

Bethlehem  was a very small village at the time of Micah, with a population of only a few hundred. Bethlehem (“house of bread”) Ephrathah (“fruitful”) is located five miles south of Jerusalem in the Judaean hill country. The region is known as Ephrath, hence the secondary designation. Bethlehem Ephrathah was the birthplace of David and Jesus. Bethlehem was located in the territory given to the tribe of Judah; however, it was not significant enough to be listed among the cities of Judah when the land was divided in the time of Joshua.

The Messiah existed from the beginning of time. Micah claims this Messiah, who existed from old, will shepherd the people of Israel and judge between people and nations.

Judah is in birth pains for a purpose: The Israelites, God’s people, might be scattered around the world, but the Messiah will come forth from them. After a period of anguish, the Messiah will gather and lead God’s people. The Gospel of Matthew draws on this passage to describe Jesus’ birth, apparently to connect the birth pains of the nation and the difficulty of Mary’s pregnancy. All of these struggles result in the joy and reign of Jesus.

The role of the ideal shepherd caring for the flock of Israel is taken on by Yahweh Himself in prophetic depictions of divine restoration. The Messiah also takes on the role of the ideal shepherd, representing Yahweh as the ideal Davidic ruler. Jesus uses this imagery to emphasize His perfect fusion of both God as Shepherd and Messiah as Shepherd. All the nations of the earth will submit to the Messiah’s authority. The Messiah’s reign will be characterized by peace. Faithlife Bible.

This prophecy figures significantly in the NT story of the visit of the wise men to the Christ child. Governments would be overturned to make it necessary for Mary while still pregnant to make the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The birth of this Savior King would be unlike the birth of any other, because He was preexistent. He is from everlasting.

The future of Israel is pictured here in terms of the birth, life, and ministry of the Savior King. The two advents of the Savior are seen as one event by Micah. The metaphor refers to the deliverance in the end time of those who will be able to delight in the coming of God’s kingdom. This minority will never be forgotten by the Lord.

This One is the Prince of Peace. 

The principal threat against Israel and Judah at the time of Micah was Assyria. Micah used the nation as a symbol of all of Israel’s enemies and of God’s final victory over each of them. NKJ Bible.

Christ’s government shall be very happy for his subjects; they shall be safe and easy. Under the shadow of protection from the Assyrians, is a promise of protection to the gospel church and all believers, from the designs and attempts of the powers of darkness. Christ is our Peace as a Priest, making atonement for sin, and reconciling us to God; and he is our Peace as a King, conquering our enemies: hence our souls may dwell at ease in him. Christ will find instruments to protect and deliver. Those that threaten ruin to the church of God, soon bring ruin on themselves. This may include the past powerful effects of the preached gospel, its future spread, and the ruin of all antichristian powers. This is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament: it respects the personal character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of himself to the world. It distinguishes his human birth from his existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace to prevail through the whole earth in the latter days. In the mean time let us trust our Shepherd’s care and power. If he permits the assault of our enemies, he will supply helpers and assistance for us. Matthew Henry.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Zechariah 9:10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.’

Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Acts 22:22-29

 Your citizenship matters. Ours is not in this world but in the heavenly realm. Paul’s citizenship was by his birth in Tarsus…Jesus purchased ours with His death and resurrection. 

In Christ we are born into the family of God.

With this gift comes great responsibility to represent Jesus and the love of God to others. With it comes the power of Holy Spirit to accomplish it. The Father loves all of His creation. He doesn’t care where you come from.

Evil has no hold on you and Holy Spirit will protect you from the evil that encapsulates the world. Put on the full armor of God especially the helmet of salvation.

The Jews listened to Paul’s account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. 

Acts 22:22-29

22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Paul’s audience reacts violently to his speech, and the Roman commander seeks to learn why the Jewish people are so upset with Paul by using torture. Paul escapes flogging by calling attention to his Roman citizenship. Paul’s Jewish opponents may be actually tearing their garments because they believe he is committing blasphemy or taking them off in order to kill Paul by stoning him. Paul appeals to his Roman citizenship and his judicial standing. Roman law forbade the punishment of a citizen without a trial. Paul’s citizenship is by birth, due to him being from Tarsus—a municipality of the Roman. Faithlife Bible.

The Jews did not hate all Gentiles. In fact, they permitted God-fearing Gentiles to worship in the Court of the Gentiles. A Gentile could even become a proselyte, recognized as a Jew, by being circumcised and obeying the laws of Moses. Thus the Jews in this passage were not upset about allowing Gentiles to worship God, but at the idea that Gentiles could be on an equal footing with them before God without being proselytes. The fact that the Gentiles could come to God directly by faith in Jesus Christ was offensive to them.

The scourge was a leather whip, studded with pieces of metal or bone, fastened to a wooden handle. Paul had been beaten before with whips and rods. But scourging was worse. The punishment was used to cripple for life or to kill. The victim endured this torture either stretched out on the floor, tied to a pillar, or tied to a hook suspended from the ceiling. The Roman law was that no Roman citizen could be chained, scourged, or killed without a proper trial. Failure to obey this law resulted in severe punishment for the one who commanded the illegal punishment. Paul had been chained and was about to be scourged without any formal charges having been made.

Originally the privileges of Roman citizenship were limited to free people living in the city of Rome. Later, citizenship was granted to others living in the Roman Empire. Ultimately God used Paul’s Roman citizenship to spread the gospel to Rome. NKJ Bible.

The Jews listened to Paul’s account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. 

Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he was free born. 

Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name’s sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle’s religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up. Matthew Henry.

Joel 2:12-17

Our Father is long-suffering wanting no one to perish. His will is for us to turn from sin and acknowledge that He alone is our Father. He wants us to love Him freely by choice. He is gracious, merciful and kind. It truly is our decision to love Him above all and to accept the salvation He gifts to us in Jesus. Jesus gave His life in exchange for ours. No greater love exists.

Return to the Lord your God, He love you so.

Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

How beautiful that You delight in our individual expressions of the gifts You place inside us. We are each rare and precious jewels in Your sight, reflecting Your glorious radiance in this sin-darkened world. May the lost and unrepentant be captivated by the brilliance of Your love shining through our lives and desire to be touched for all eternity by Your glory. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.  Laura @First5 

Joel 2:12-17

12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord,

“Turn to Me with all your heart,

With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

13 So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

14 Who knows if He will turn and relent,

And leave a blessing behind Him—

A grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,

Consecrate a fast,

Call a sacred assembly;

16 Gather the people,

Sanctify the congregation,

Assemble the elders,

Gather the children and nursing babes;

Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,

And the bride from her dressing room.

17 Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,

Weep between the porch and the altar;

Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,

And do not give Your heritage to reproach,

That the nations should rule over them.

Why should they say among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’ ”

Yahweh calls on His people to return and give Him undivided devotion. Even in the face of impending doom, the prophets regularly called for repentance with the hope that God would relent from the predicted judgment.

The second half of this verse is a formulaic description of Yahweh’s character, highlighting grace, mercy, patience, and loving kindness as the attributes by which He defines Himself. This language is prominent in old testament prayers that appeal to Yahweh’s character to justify mercy when Israel deserved punishment. The prophets also invoke this description when they are appealing to God to relent from disaster. The signal is calling for an assembly, not warning of danger. The disaster that befell Israel would make the surrounding nations believe that Yahweh had abandoned them. Yahweh answers the people’s prayers in the second half of the book. The promised restoration reverses the economic devastation from the locust invasion and offers assurance of a future day of judgment when Yahweh will punish the nations and renew Israel. The shift from a plea for deliverance to a statement of assurance is typical in lament psalms. Faithlife Bible

As in Zephaniah, an opportunity for repentance, remorse, and renewal was offered to the people. God is not satisfied with outward acts of repentance. Tearing one’s garments was a customary way of expressing grief or remorse. However, like all outward acts, the tearing of a garment could be done without true sorrow or repentance. God required more than mere external words or actions; He wanted a change of heart and sorrow over sin. The attributes of God that provided the basis of Joel’s appeal were first revealed to Moses. God is reluctant to punish. Judgment is God’s “unusual” or “foreign” task, for He wants all to come to repentance.

These words suggest that even at the last moment, the Lord would withhold His wrath and display His grace if the people would truly repent. As a result, agriculture would be restored and productivity would return. There would be food and drink, for the people and for offerings to the Lord.

The urgency of the situation is apparent because all ages and classes of the population were summoned. According to Jewish tradition codified in the Mishnah, a bridegroom and bride could be excused from reciting daily prayers on their wedding day. But Joel excused no one from prayer at this time of spiritual emergency. If the leaders and the people would gather together with prayers of true repentance and genuine renewal, the horrible events that God was threatening might be averted. Failure to come to Judah’s aid might encourage the nations to make a mockery of Judah’s God. NKJ Bible

Matthew McConaughey - We Are All One In Jesus Christ - 10 Minutes for th...

Job 13:7-15

 Seek Him and He promises you will find Him. 

Our relationship with God hinges on our openness and trust in Him. He knows that we are mere men humbly seeking answers to our journey here on earth. We trust in His will for our lives because His ways are always above our own. We are all on our journey home!

As for me and my household we will trust in the Lord!

Prayer: Father God, I want to pause for a moment and thank You for Your Son, Jesus. He could have held back His grace. But instead, He chose to pour out every single drop for me on the cross. So remind me that I give grace because I so desperately need it. In Jesus' name, amen. Lysa TerKeust “First5"

Job 13:7-15

7 Will you speak wickedly for God,

And talk deceitfully for Him?

8 Will you show partiality for Him?

Will you contend for God?

9 Will it be well when He searches you out?

Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?

10 He will surely rebuke you

If you secretly show partiality.

11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,

And the dread of Him fall upon you?

12 Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes,

Your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak,

Then let come on me what may!

14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hands?

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

By claiming that Job’s suffering was due to God’s punishment, they attributed false reasons to God’s actions. Job seeks a fair hearing where he can argue his case before God. The old testament law forbade judges to show partiality, and it even says God Himself is impartial in judgment. Job wanted his friends to speak truthfully and be impartial witnesses, but instead they made false arguments and rebuked Job without listening to him.

Job later expresses his fear at facing God’s majesty.

Job earlier declared that he would speak freely. Here, he echoes that statement and goes further—saying he will risk any consequence from demanding a hearing with God. Job recognizes the risk of demanding to present his case before God; God could respond by killing him. He hopes, however, that God will vindicate him. 

The question is whether Job is trusting in God or challenging Him. Faithlife Bible.

While this verse is widely known as a powerful statement of Job’s trust in God, it is not without difficulties. The Hebrew word translated Him is similar in sound to the Hebrew word for no. Thus some have translated the verse as follows: “Behold, He will slay me; I have no hope.” Yet the positive translation of the verse as it is here seems preferable because it follows the flow of the section, which has other positive elements. It also makes wonderful sense within the verse. Job believes that God is in the process of slowly taking his life. But in a bold declaration of faith, Job declares his absolute trust in God, for when he would be brought into God’s presence, he would plead his cause directly with God. And then, if not before, Job would rediscover what he had never really lost: God’s love and salvation. NKJ Bible.

When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Matthew Henry.

Romans "The Body of Christ"

The Body of Christ is united and empowered by Holy Spirit. Jesus did not leave us alone. By grace through faith we are saved and that not of our doing but of Him who called us. Rooted and grounded in our love of Jesus we honor God who graciously offers us salvation in Him. Accept those that God has called…even if they are different from you. Who are we to judge another persons faith in Christ? 

Our belief in Jesus Christ unites us… not our Church doctrine.

I do not ask to see the reason for it all;
I ask only to share the wonder of it all.
Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Romans

One purpose involved Paul’s understanding that the believers needed to “be established”. Paul wanted to give them a well-instructed faith. His letter is a kind of syllabus of Paul’s apostolic teaching. Romans is a masterful presentation of God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

He may be referring to spiritual gifts or some spiritual understanding of Paul’s mission and message. Ultimately, it will benefit the believers.

The Greek word used here, stērizō, describes making someone more resolved in belief or attitude. Faithlife Bible.

To impart … some spiritual gift does not mean that Paul would bestow spiritual gifts like teaching, healing, or prophecy. It means that he would exercise his spiritual gift and in so doing would bless them. NKJ Bible.

Paul deals with the practical aspects of being together in one body. Paul hammers home his central theme: The righteous God justifies and ultimately glorifies both Jew and Gentile by grace through faith.

Romans 1:14 

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

11 For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,

Every knee shall bow to Me,

And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

The weak likely refers to Christians who remained committed to observing certain parts of the law, such as food laws and the Sabbath. The strong believers probably refers to those who were able to eat and drink all things with a clear conscience. 

Christians should use their freedom in Christ to show love and respect to fellow believers since He died for all people—both the living and the dead, the strong and the weak. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus clarifies that is it not what a person eats that defiles, but actions toward others. Also, the Lord revealed to Peter that He made all meat ritually clean. By this revelation, God also indicated that Peter should no longer regard Gentiles (non-Jewish people) as ritually unclean and outside the realm of His salvation. ” The person who judges assumes the role of God. Paul points out that such judgment is inappropriate because God has accepted all people who believe. Paul uses an analogy to indicate that believers answer to God. The law required Jews to observe special days, such as the Sabbath,  Jewish festivals,  and the new moon. Here, Paul refers to Christians who honor these observances. Paul emphasizes that each person must operate with a clear conscience, regardless of his or her practice. Elsewhere, Paul advises believers not to let others judge them with regard to special days.

Paul encourages the believers to be thankful  to God regardless of their food customs. He emphasizes dependence on God and unity among believers. The believer’s purpose is to serve and please God. Paul affirms that neither life nor death can adversely affect the believer’s union with Christ. Faithlife Bible.

The strong in the faith are told to receive the weak and not to dispute over doubtful things, which literally means “reasonings” or “opinions.” The mature believers were not to pass judgment or to enter into dispute with those who were less mature.

The strong are not to despise the weak, that is, to treat them with contempt. The weak are not to judge the strong by attempting to place excessive prohibitions on them. The exhortation does not mean it is wrong to have strong convictions, but that all people have a right to their own convictions.  This principle is basic in dealing with disputes.

Days and diets are not the issue, but whether what is being done is committed to the Lord. Believers belong to the Lord. They live and die in relation to Him. Therefore Christians should aim to please Him. The weak are not to judge, and the strong are not to show contempt. One day everyone will submit to God’s authority. He will judge all people before His great throne. If anyone considers some activity to be unlawful, then it is wrong for that person to engage in that activity. NKJ BIble.

We are all apt to make our own views the standard of truth, to deem things certain which to others appear doubtful. Thus Christians often despise or condemn each other, about doubtful matters of no moment. A thankful regard to God, the Author and Giver of all our mercies, sanctifies and sweetens them. 

Let every man search his own heart and life; he that is strict in judging and humbling himself, will not be apt to judge and despise his brother. We must take heed of saying or doing things which may cause others to stumble or to fall. The one signifies a lesser, the other a greater degree of offence; that which may be an occasion of grief or of guilt to our brother. Matthew Henry.

Transformation Church | God, Do You hear Me?

Our Father is Sovereign and Holy

Because He lives I can face tomorrow. All fear is gone. Because I know He holds my future. My life is His. My life is worth the living just because He lives!

We trust God. 

We have been created to live out our lives in His agape love. 

Joel Muddamalle

Because You live we have hope. 

More prayers are sent up on Sunday than any other day of the week. Why? What is it about those times when we experience heartbreak that our reaction is we need prayer. 

What is it about our natural compulsion to reach out in prayer?

Because prayer is a God thing. It is embedded in our DNA. In a health crisis it does not seem to matter if we or others are believers on non believers we offer up prayer! 

Good vibes do not mean anything…God alone can change the situation. 

Jesus took on humanity. He did not lose any of His deity.

Jesus answered the questions of His apostles by asking them a question. Jesus understands we have to learn something by knowing the way…in prayer.

Matthew 6:

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13  And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

We come to Him in humbleness, as little children, as Daddy and in our intimacy He hears us. We are praying to a good Father. Our Father abides in heaven, in His Kingdom, we realize our relationship with Him. He is the One who loves us and cares for us. We are made in His image. We honor His name. He is set apart from us and holy. He is not like our earthly fathers and subject to change. He is sovereign and holy. We seek His will not our own. We want His will to be carried out here on earth. It is His right to be obeyed. It His power that carries out His will according to His purpose in Christ. To bring all things together in His will. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and through Him all things were made. We live and breath in Him.

The troubles of this world exist because we have rejected Jesus…the Word made flesh.

Jesus saw it fit to leave Kingdom to save humanity. Christ in us is the hope of God’s glory revealed in mankind. 

The Christian hope is not escapist. The hope we have in Christ is the assurance of the renewal and re-creation of all things on earth as it is in Heaven.

This reality is shown in us, In our deeds and actions. So that through our good deeds others are drawn to Him. Without Jesus we are in a totally dark room not being able to see any exit. God desires for all people to reach out to the light He gifts us in Jesus. He alone is the light of the world. Others meet Jesus in His believers. 

God has determined our whole life where we can do the most good…letting others know that Jesus Christ is here. In the midst of our pain and hardships and our lack of control in the situation, we call out to our Father. He allows us to use that experience to help others. 

When we are at our weakest… We allow His strength to work in us.

Life Church Vineyard

Everyone gets to play. 

“The messiness of ministry is the ministry!” Mitch Price

“Church health is determined if everyone’s gifts are being used”.

“Church health is determined by its commitment to address the mess.”Jay Pathak

God uses imperfect people to carry out His perfect will.

The way to a healthy Church is spending time with God. Our tithes and offerings are our way of honoring Him by helping others, spiritually and physically.

God wants to work in us and through us through Holy Spirit to bring hope to us and others.

Beyond the pew and in to the streets!!

A healthy you.

A healthy Church.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Roles 

Gifts

Ministry

The Role is the WHAT

The Gift is the HOW

The HOW comes when we do The WHAT (our ministry)

We should eagerly seek the gifts of Holy Spirit. When Evil and brokenness are abounding our light should shine more and more. 

Our spiritual health thrives in His unity.   

Help us to clearly hear You in our everyday lives.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

In and through Holy Spirit we achieve His perfect will for our life.

Changing ourselves by being spiritually healthy helps to bring change to the world.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The Church should be taking care of the needs of the oppressed.In our good works others are drawn to Jesus. We are His hands and feet.

We need to be united not divided. The only way that will be accomplished is in the unity of Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthian 12:

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Romans 12:

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Tree Church

Jesus was without sin so His life was the perfect sacrifice. 

He sacrificed His life in exchange for ours.

At His death there was an earthquake which ripped the veil of the temple allowing us to connect with God without a barrier.

1 Peter 2

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We now have a calling,  through Him, as a holy priesthood. We are being built up, molded and shaped,  into the image of Jesus by the power of Holy Spirit.

Correction is part of the process. 

We offer spiritual sacrifices by making God a priority in our life. 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We show others His goodness by our actions.

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Malachi:2

2 “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.

2 If you will not hear,

And if you will not take it to heart,

To give glory to My name,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“I will send a curse upon you,

And I will curse your blessings.

Yes, I have cursed them already,

Because you do not take it to heart.

Out of His will He will get in our way…His correction is meant to bring us back to Him!

4 Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you,

That My covenant with Levi may continue,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace,

And I gave them to him that he might fear Me;

So he feared Me

And was reverent before My name.

6 The law of truth was in his mouth,

And injustice was not found on his lips.

He walked with Me in peace and equity,

And turned many away from iniquity.

In living our life for His glory there is peace and eternal life. 

8 But you have departed from the way;

You have caused many to stumble at the law.

You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

9 “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base

Before all the people,

Because you have not kept My ways

But have shown partiality in the law.”

God shows no partiality. When our lives care more about our personal comforts than the prejudices and inequality for the poor and the oppressed of our world we dishonor God.

10 Have we not all one Father?

Has not one God created us?

Why do we deal treacherously with one another

By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

God will not tolerate idols in our life. An idol is anything that we desire in place of Him. 

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words;

“Yet you say,

“In what way have we wearied Him?”

In that you say,

“Everyone who does evil

Is good in the sight of the Lord,

And He delights in them,”

Or, “Where is the God of justice?”

The destruction of idol always proceeds authentic worship to God!

God desires and requires the focus of our lives to be on Him. Every major decision we make should be rooted in how we honor or dishonor Him. 

Our life should be in the loving pursuit of the Father. 

The whole of our life should be in thankgiving for the gift of salvation we have been given.