To the Father I must go

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
(John 14: 18-31, ESV)

The Believer's Triumph

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. (Pslam 44:22), (Isaiah 53:7), (Zechariah 11:4 and 7)  37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:31-39, HCSB)

9 Interesting Facts about Amazon.com

Source: Frugaldad.com

Received with thanksgiving

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.  (1 Timothy 4:4-5, HCSB)

God gave us the Scriptures

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

(II Timothy 3:16-17, KJV)

The Voice New Testament Bible - Book Reiview

Book Review The Voice New Testament Bible I have reviewed the The Voice New Testament Bible by looking through the book as one would when looking to by a Bible. I read through various parts of the book and was impressed with the layout. First off I would not place this in a category with most Bibles. This is the Bible in an artistic interpretation. I would recommend this more as an outreach tool, for students and those looking to make the Bible come alive on stage. The format is different from the typical Bible that you may be used to using. It uses a dialog format familiar with screen plays. In the areas of the Bible where individuals are talking they lay out the dialog by character. They keep with a more NIV or NLT translation verses a Paraphrase such as the Message. I felt that this would be great to just sit down and read, but would not use it as a means for serious study. I would defiantly recommended this for children, students, actors, or anyone that just wants to sit and read the Bible in a fresh new way. Features include: --Italicized information added to help contemporary readers understand what the original readers would have known intuitively --In-text commentary notes include cultural, historical, theological, or devotional thoughts --Screenplay format, ideal for public readings and group studies --Book introductions Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Radical - Week 6

Radical - Week 6
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV Sun,
Oct 30, 2011
Message by Pastor Terry Crawford

Church Link =============== Covenant is a God-centered church, leading people into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, purposefully building bridges that connect Christ to our community, region and world.
http://www.covenantexperience.com/ (link)

Bible Reference 1 =============== Mark 10:17-31 (NIV84) ---------------As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Bible Reference 2 =============== Mark 10:17-22 (NIV84) ---------------As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

A Radical Approach... =============== Jesus’ call to salvation demands total surrender. • Salvation is never a matter of external reformation.

Bible Reference 3 =============== John 6:28-29 (NIV84) ---------------Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Salvation is... =============== Salvation is always a matter of internal transformation

Jesus is... =============== Jesus is not merely a respectable teacher

Jesus is... =============== Jesus is the sovereign Lord.

A Radical Affection... =============== Jesus calls us to give sacrificially because He loves us.

Parable of Rich Fool =============== Luke 12:32-34 (NIV84) ---------------“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

He is... =============== He is a Shepherd who protects us.

He is... =============== He is a Father who delights in us.

He is... =============== He is a King who provides for us.

A Radical Command... =============== Jesus gives commands, not considerations.

Bible Reference 3 =============== Mark 10:21 (NIV84) ---------------Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

As followers of Christ... =============== As followers of Christ, we do not consider options.

As followers of Christ =============== As followers of Christ, we obey.