Steps of Faith~ 33rd Sunday of ordinary time

Hag. 1:15b-2:9: The Lord of heaven's army gives messages to his messenger, Haggi to give to Zerubbabel the governor of Judah, and Joshua who was the high priest. The message said, " It is now time to rebuild the temple of the Lord. You have been working on rebuilding your rich houses and my temple is still in ruins. This is why you have planted seeds but little grows. This is why you eat, but are never full. This is why you drink, but remain thirsty. This is why you put on clothes, but are still cold. This is why you work to earn money, but it is never enough.This why you are in a drought. Go now and rebuild my temple. So the people got excited about rebuilding the temple. Then God promises them that  he would be with them, and that the new temple will be more beautiful then the old one was. 

Ps.145:1-5,17-21:A song of praise to God for all that he has done including miracles. With love God takes care and protects those who truly prays to him.He  stays close to those people. But he will destroy those who are evil. 

2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17: You should pray for all people. Such as ask for things that people need & give thanks when they come. You should also pray for those who rule over you in government. Pray for all your leaders, so that you may live a quiet and peaceful life full of worship and respect of God. This is what pleases God. God want all people to be saved and he wants everyone to know the truth. The truth is that there is only one God and we can only get to him through Jesus Christ who gave himself to pay for all people sins. What Jesus did, shows us that God wants all men to be saved from their sins. Then Paul goes on and gives instructions on the chain of spiritual chain of command. Which is the Husband, wife, and then children. This is because Eve was tricked by the snake in the garden. Then he goes on and says that women will be saved by continuing in the faith, love, holiness, and self-control. 

Luke 20:28-40:Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey as king.The Pharisees tell Jesus to make the people to stop singing praises to him. Jesus tells them that if the people stops singing that the stones will cry out.

As Christians we should pray. What sort of things should we pray for, you ask. Pray for the salvation of others, for it is God's will for all to be saved. We should also pray for the things that people need and then pray and thank God when he supplies it. We should pray for the leaders over us. Depending on who you are that could be praying for a parent, husband, bosses, preachers & board member of a church, government leaders, even kings or presidents(2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17). 

Why should we pray for them? Because they have to carry heavy loads of responsibility while leading us, and that involves making decisions that will affect our lives in ways that will or will not allow us to live quiet and peaceful lives. We see this in Haggi 1:15b-2:9, when Haggi,  the prophet has the responsibility of taking a hard message to Zerbbubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the priest.Who in turn had the responsibility of taking the message to the people that they served. We too have people over us who has very hard decisions that they face daily that affects our lives. So pray for them remembering that Jesus is the one they have to answer to since he is over them.

So let us pray for all people and give thanks for answered prayers and all the good things God has brought into our lives (Ps. 145:1-5,17-21). For if we do not praise god for his goodness, the stones will cry out for us.Which will take the joy of doing so away from us (Luke 20:27-38).

Challenge of the week:

This week pray for those that God has put over you.  This may not be easy if you really don't like them, but pray for them anyways. Then make sure that you thank God when he answers your prayers. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did you do this week? Did you pray for your leaders?

Steps of faith~ 32nd Sunday in ordinary time(Nov.6, 2016)

Hab.1:1-4, 2:1-4: Habbakkuk complains to God about the evil going on in the land. God answers and tells him that a nation who trust in itself and not God and does evil will fail. But those who does trust in God will live.

Ps.119:137-144:Lord, your laws are fair, & right. My enemies have forgotten your words. But I who is not important have not forgotten your words for I love them. They are good forever. 

2 Thess.1:1-4,11-12:Paul greets the church at Thessalonica for they are growing in the Lord even in the face of suffering for the Kingdom. Then he encourages them to not be afraid when the Man of Evil comes and raises himself above all other gods causing people to fall away from God.For this must happen before the coming of the Lord. 

Luke 19:1-10: Zacchaeus who was a very important tax collector heard that Jesus had come into Jericho. He wanted to see Jesus, but was too short to see him above all the heads of the people. So he climbed into a Sycamore tree so that he could see him. As Jesus passed by the tree, he looked up into the tree and told Zacchaus to come down for he would be eating at this house that day. While they were eating , the people around them said to themselves that Jesus must not be good for he is eating with a sinner. Zacchaus told Jesus that he would take half of his money to give to the poor and would pay anyone he has cheated anyone, he would pay them double what he took from them. Jesus then said, " Salvation has come to this house today. The son of Man came to find and save the lost."

When we see evil being done in our countries. When we see that a country is becoming so evil that the laws of the land encourages evil doing (Hab.1:1-4, 2:1-4). We who trust in God should follow the law of God. We may not seem like important people in our communities. But to God,we are important to His Kingdom (Ps. 119:137-144). But someone who is important in the land can change and become important in the Kingdom of God. We see this when Zacchaeus turned from his evil ways and stated to follow Jesus (Luke 19:1-10).  When we are faithful to God words, we will live forever(Ps. 119:137-144). Then in evil times when it seems so very evil and we hear of the Lord's coming. Do not be afraid, but remember that the Man of Evil has to come first. Just stand strong in that time and follow  God laws for they are good and will save you. 

Challenge of the week:

 Are you following Jesus? If not consider what the cost of not following Him is. Then consider what the cost of following Him is. Then make a decision as to what you will do with Jesus the Christ. Then tell someone of your decision. 

If you are a follower of Christ, I encourage you to stay in the Law of God following it over man's law no matter what. Write, how you will do that this week.

Accomplishment of the week:

So what did you do with Jesus and His Law this week? How did that change your life?

Steps of Faith~ 31st Sunday ordinary time

Joel 2:23-32: God promises send the rains that will restore to his people all that had been taken away from them, when they call upon him. Ps. 65: When we honor God by praising him, He sends the rain to the land and everything grows & there is more than enough for us. 2 Tim. 4:6-8:Paul tells of how he has ran the race of faith and is coming to the finish line and will be with God soon who is his final judge. And how he will receive a crown of righteousness as a reward. Luke 18:9-14:Jesus tells a parable about the pharisee & the tax collector to those who thought that they were more righteous than others. The parable showed them that they are not better in God's eyes. In life, we often go through hard times. Times when it seems that all is against us and we have lost so much. Like when insects come and eat all our crops up.  But God promises that if we call upon him, he will restore to us what has been taken from us, like having it rain after a long drought (Joel 2:23-32). He promises that he will send that blessings after we honor and praise him, like a large harvest after the rainy season (Ps.65).  But we should be careful that we do not think of ourselves being better than others like the Pharisee did in Jesus' story (Luke 18:9-14). We must work to remain faithful to God in good seasons and bad. For when we do, we will receive a crown of righteousness from God our final judge, after this life (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Challenge of the week: What can you do to make sure that you are living a life that is pleasing to God? Accomplishment of the week: How did you accomplished your goal of living for God this week? Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.75 GB (5%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 1 hour ago Details

Steps of Faith~ 30th Sunday of ordinary time

Jer. 31:27-34:God promised to go from punishing Israel & Judah to blessing them.

Ps. 19:The heaven's declares the glory of God for he made it.God also made the law in the Bible. The law of the Lord is perfect and able to instruct his servants.There is great reward when we follow them. 

2 Tim. 3:14-4:5: The Word of God is inspired by God, and will give wisdom. It can be use to teach, encourage, & correction that will lead to holy lives.Make sure you share it with all men, as the day is coming when men will not want to listen to it. so share it while you can. You may have to go through hard times for God & the Word's sake. But do it anyways. 

Luke 18:1-8:Jesus tells the parable about the persistent widow to teach his followers to not grow weary in praying without ceasing. Also to teach them of how God will take care of their needs when we ask.

In the verses of the week, we see that God gave the Bible so that we would know how we should and should not live our lives.( Ps.19; 2 Tim.3:14-17). Jesus encouraged his followers to not grow weary in praying for their needs (Luke 18:1-18). Paul tells Timothy to not grow weary in serving God (2 Tim. 4:1-5). In all the verses we are told that if we stay faithful and not give up we will receive a reward.

Challenge of the week:

What will you do this week to make sure you stay faithful to God's word, and your calling? What are you praying about that hasn't been answered yet? Keep faithful in these so that you will get a reward in the end.

Accomplishment of the week:

In what areas of your faith did you stay strong on? What areas do you need to keep working or praying on?

Steps of Faith~ 29th Sunday of ordinary time

Jer. 29:4-7:God has Jeremiah tell the people to dwell in homes, plant gardens, marry & have children & get involved in the community you are exiled to. In short... live your lives & bless those around you. 

Ps. 66:1-12:Song of praise to God for delivering Israel from slavery.

2 Tim. 2:8-15:Paul gave instructions to Timothy while Paul was in jail for preaching the Gospel. He told him to live a godly life to be a good example to others. Work hard to live your life in such a way that God will be pleased with you. That means tell others what Jesus did for all men & do not sin. 

Luke 17:11-19:Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returned to give thanks & praise God.

In times of the Old Testament, Prophets told the Israelites how they should act when they were physical salves in a county, other than theirs (Jer.29:4-7). then They sang songs of praise when God lead them out of Egypt (Ps. 66:1-2). Jesus addressed how we should be when God leads us out of our prison of sin. Wither it be for of soul, or illness. We should always remember to praise and thank God for saving us from the prison of sin (Luke 17:11-19). then we need to live lives in such a way that God will be proud of us. 

Challenge of the week: 

Take the time this week to sit and think about all the ways God has freed you from sin & it's effects on us. Then praise and thank Him for all he has done for you.

Accomplishment of the week:

So what list did you make? How did you praise and thank God for it?

Steps of Faith~ 28th Sunday of ordinary time

Lam. 1:1-6: Jerusalem's misery because she sinned including becoming captives to another land.

Ps. 137: Jerusalem people song of woe because they are prisoners in a Babylon.

2 Tim. 1:1-14:I thank God for your godly upbringing. Stay true to your faith no matter what happens to you. 

Luke 17:5-10:  If you have faith as small as a mustard seed , you can do great things./Be a good servant to the Lord.

Like the Israelites who sinned and found themselves in bondage (Lam.1:1-6). We too can find ourselves in bondage.Then like them, we sing a sad song that sounds like crying (Ps. 137).But we do not have to stay in bondage! For through Jesus Christ we can be freed from the bondage of sin (2 Tim. 1:1-2). Then through faith we can do great things for God, no matter how small that faith seems((Luke 17:5-6). Be a good servant of the Lord (Luke 17:7-10). Stay true to your faith no matter what happens to you (2 Tim. 1:6-14). 

Challenge of the week:

So where do you see yourself in these verses? If you have sin that has put you in bondage, repent of it and find victory in Jesus. If you feel as though your faith needs  strengthen ask God for more strength. No matter what stand true to your faith and be a good servant of the Lord. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So what did you & God accomplish this week? 

Steps of Faith~ 27th Sunday of ordinary

Jer. 32:1-3a, 6-15: God tells Jeremiah that his cousin will come and ask him to buy some family land & that he was to do so. So when his cousin came and asked him to do so, Jeremiah made sure that the transaction was done legally. In doing so he make sure that the land stayed safely in the family which was God's plan.

Ps. 91:1-6, 14-16:All those who go to God for protection will be saved  from all that can harm you.So don't be afraid when bad things happen around you. 

1 Tim. 6:6-19: Don't love money and material things more than God. As a man of God, live your life as God wants you to. That means to have faith, love, patience, & gentleness towards others. Share with those that are without. In doing so, you will be storing up treasures in heaven that do not ware out. Remember, that the Christian life is like a race that you run. Try hard to win the life that is eternal.
When you do that, God will take care of you.

Luke 16: 19-31: Jesus tells the parable about the rich man & the poor man, Lazarus. The rich man had all that he needed and more. But Lazarus did not have even what he needed. When they both died. The rich man went to hell where it was hot and he didn't even have a sip of water because he had not been merciful to Lazarus when they were alive. But an angel took Lazarus to the arms of Abraham where he had no need for eternally. 

We are to love God more than any material thing.For material things that money can buy will wear out, but if you stay close to God, & live as he wants you to live, you will be storing up treasures in heaven that will last for eternally ( I Tim. 6:6-19). One of the ways God wants us to live is to share what we have with the poor. Jesus addresses this in a parable about a rich man and a poor man(Luke 16:19-31). Note that Jesus tells us what the poor man's name is but not the rich man. I believe that this shows that the poor man had a relationship with God where the rich man does not.

Now being rich does not mean that you can not go to heaven.  You can , if you love God more than money and what it can buy. In fact, God has often used the wealth of godly people who use their wealth to God's glory. One example of this is Jeremiah. God told  him that his cousin would come and ask him to buy a piece of family land. God told him to do so Jer. 31:1-3a). This was important because God had  given the land to each family when they came into the land (Josh. 14-17). So God told the Israelites to not sell their family's land to anyone outside of the family. This was to keep the land in the family. In obedience to God, Jeremiah went to great lengths to make sure that he did all that he needed to to to legally buy the land to keep in in the family. But when he was done he gave it back to his cousin to care for it (Jer. 32:6-15). 

We are promised in Psalms 91 that God will take care of us, if we love & serve Him. So even when bad things are happening depend on God for He will take care of you (Ps. 91:1-6, 14-16). In other words, put God first & he will care for you. 

Challenge of the week:

How will you put this lesson into practiced in your life this week? What is God asking of you this week? 

Accomplishment of the week:

How did you put this lesson into practiced this week?