Which Brother Are You?..

 Which Brother Are You?..

Before you throw the next stone, stop! Think back to a time when you needed that same grace you're refusing to give. Sometimes so subtly, we get on the wrongside of a situation.  Like the Pharisees, we think we're doing good; when all we're being is self righteous. We need to try to remember to extend more grace to others, for freely we have received. God doesn't ask us to do anything to or for others that HE hasn't already done for us. If we truly appreciate HIS love towards us, HE commands us to go and do likewise. Give because we have received. Forgive because we've been forgiven. Restore, because we've been restored.

Luke 15 This is the story of a wealthy Jewish ruler who had two sons.  The younger requested his legacy from his father and went abroad.  He wasted his wealth and was soon without.  While being hired to feed pigs, he remembered his former rich lifestyle and decided to return home to his father's house to beg for forgiveness.  The other brother didn't leave.  He stayed home and worked for the father all the while. When he realized that his young brother had returned home, he was angry and unforgiving.  Rather, he condemned him, and refused to join his father in celebrating his brother's return.

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Matthew 18 It's the story of a king who forgave an enormous debt from one of his servants.  However, the same servant refused to forgive a much lesser debt from a friend. Matthew 20 Or the story of the hired servants who agreed to work for a particular wage.  But got angry at the landowner for deciding to pay other workers the same rate, even though they got hired much later.

God is God.  HE is not our equal. Whatever HE chooses to do with HIS resources is HIS priority. We are just one of HIS eons of resources.  HE created us.  HE does not require our counsel, nor does HE need it.

Job 42: 3

3You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

All the father wanted was for HIS son to return home.  HE kept looking out for him at the watchpost. Even though HIS young son had done a foolish thing, the father did not hold it against him.  Neither was he angry when HIS eldest son condemned his brother.  HE just simply explained that HIS wealth was more than enough for both.  HE explained that the eldest son had nothing to worry about, and that the most important thing was that his younger brother was now back home.  He had a celebration because restoration was most important.  Both of HIS sons were home with HIM.

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What is your position? You can be in the right place with the wrong attitude. Do you think you're more entitled than others because of their type of sin?  Are you angry and bitter at others or at God for what others did?  Do you think that you're better than anyone?  Do you think you can earn your way into God's kingdom? Be very careful of pride. For we cannot save ourselves.  Salvation is a free gift from God to us. 

Ephesians 2: 8 - 9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

John 3:16 - 17 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Do you think you know what's best for your life? Have you taken the gifts and talents that God has given you and gone off to fulfill your own desires? Is God in agreement with how you are using the resources HE'S given to you? Are you living in HIS will, accomplishing HIS plans for your life? Are you being a good steward?The younger son was wrong for taking his wealth and leaving. But the older son was also wrong for thinking he had to earn his legacy.

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God's resources are free for all of HIS children.  The only qualification required is the choice to live in obedience to Christ. Romans 5 HIS death on the cross has restored our relationship with the Almighty God our Father.  Jesus' righteousness is what makes us able to claim access to God and what HE has to offer us. We're just not good enough to do it on our own. No one can work his/her way into the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  

The human soul is the most valuable thing on earth. It is very important that we realize that we cannot save ourselves.  We should be careful not to condemn others, nor ourselves when we do wrong.  Instead, we should look for opportunities to restore and be restored.  When you fall, get back up again. The angels celebrate for every new soul which chooses to follow Christ.  Let us try to be more like our Father God and focus on what matters:  

• HE kept looking out for the young son to return.
• HE was the one who saw him from a far way off.
• HE was the one who ran to HIS young son. 
• And when the older son wouldn't go in to be a part of the feast. HE was the one who went out and got HIM.  

HIS heart was full of compassion towards both of HIS sons. HE was just overjoyed that HE had them both together again with HIM. Everything ever created was made by God.  There is no lack in HIS presence. There's nothing that we can give to HIM that HE cannot create.  It is because of HIS love for us why we are and have anything. Know that whatever situation you find yourself in, you cannot save yourself. Romans 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Instead of finding reasons to keep others away or personally staying away from the Father, come home.  Give restoration. Find restoration. Go inside! ALL God wants is for you to be home, near to HIM and HIS provision.  

WORSHIP: Charles Jenkins My God is Awesome

TESTIMONY: Iranian stabbed for sharing his faith, miraculously made it across the border without a passport!

Just Come Home!

The Pit Is In The Plan - God will work it out!!

 The Pit Is In The Plan - God will work it out!!

Have you ever felt like you're being buried alive?  Like you're in quicksand? The more you try to get out is the further in you're being pulled in?  How did you get here? You've been playing the right cards.  In fact, you've gone above and beyond. Yet, here you are in this dark, unpleasant hole.  

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Maybe you were thrown in like Joseph by his brothers?  Maybe you were betrayed like Jesus in Gethsemane? Maybe you were misguided like the prodigal son in the pig pen? Maybe like David you're on the backside of the mountain? Maybe like Paul you are on a boat being shipped off to prison? Here where you are just looks and feels unfair.  You feel wronged and overwhelmed; and you wonder, God where are YOU?  Lord, have YOU deserted me? Help, or not!

YOU feel a great loss? It could be any kind of loss:

1. The death of a loved one
2. The loss of a job or prized possession
3. A divorce of some kind
4. Lies, slander and defamation, etc...

Choose a number.  You just don't understand what's going on.  But, hey, you don't need to understand.  You just need to know, nothing catches God by surprise.  

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YOUR Heavenly Father, the Almighty God, sees all things, knows all things, and is in full control of all things.  Everything that exists had/has it's origin in HIM.  The most valuable thing on earth is our heart, your heart.  HE gives us the desires of our hearts. Psalm 37.  The greatest thing we can do is trust that HE is a God of HIS word.  He created us with an individual plan for each of our lives.  When we walk in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit we trust that all things are working in our favor.

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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Trusting God is not about what HE will do.  It is about Knowing that HE loves you without constraints.  Just as a good parent will sacrifice everything for his/her child; so too the Almighty God has sacrificed HIS greatest possesion - Jesus Christ HIS son. John 3 You are never forgotten.  HE knows every strand of hair in your head. Luke 12. Everything happens for a reason.  Judas had to betray Jesus in order for the Jews to find a 'justified' way to kill him. Jesus had to die. Paul had to be shipwrecked in order to bring salvation to a people. Joseph had to be imprisoned in order to have met the servant who told the Pharoh about his talent.  How else were the Israelites going to be enslaved then restored to their promised land which God had foretold to Abraham so many ions ago?  HE is God, HE cannot lie!

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We don't normally see the purpose. But rest assured, God will work it out!  You may not know how, you may not know when, but HE'LL do it again.  HE'LL come to your rescue.We live to bring glory to HIS NAME.  God specializes in doing the impossible. That way, no one else can take the glory. Sometimes, you've got to take your feelings out of the picture. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom, and wait.  God sent king Nebuchadnezzar to eat grass, then later on restored him to his kingdom.  Daniel 5 What can't God do? What can't HE restore? Instead of becoming depressed and bitter, choose to praise God. Do like Paul and Silas in prison. Acts 16 Remember, everything exists to praise HIM.  Give God the glory! In all things, give God the praise!

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WORSHIP: God Will Work It Out (feat. Naomi Raine & Israel Houghton) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL

TESTIMONY: I sought the truth for 7 decades, and the TRUTH found me. - Why I'm One for Israel

Praise yee the Lord!