Elizabeth T. Cannon Ministries

Just A Thought - by Libby Cannon

Seeds of Grace

When our family was young, we lived in a little white house with a wraparound porch that faced the sidewalk of the main highway
of our small town, right between our family’s pecan business and the general store. Our location was great for business but unfortunately our back yard also bordered on a residential area where the people were not what you would call prosperous; and we at times, would experience occasions of theft.

In those days, as most people did, I would hang my laundry out to dry on a clothesline in the backyard. On this particular laundry-day, it was time to change and wash all of the household’s sheets and hang them out to dry. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring them in that evening and the sheets were left out on the clothesline overnight. When I got up the next morning I went out to the
backyard to bring the laundry in, and to my surprise, all of the flat sheets had disappeared during the night.

Now, we could have gotten angry and cursed that “dastardly sheet-thief”, or we could have done what we did instead. My husband and I chose to laugh. We forgave the unknown thief, deciding that he must have needed those sheets more than we did. Even though we were not rich (we had only one set of sheets for the bed), we chose to extend grace toward our neighbor. Little did I know then, that God would use this incident of grace as a seed toward the miraculous on another laundry-day, three years later?

It was just another ordinary day, a Sunday. I had gotten up early that morning to wash and hang out all of the household laundry before going to Church. It had been raining and this was the only morning of sun we had had that week. We now lived in a more rural part of the state and our home was about twenty miles away from the Church where I was serving. While we were driving home after the morning services that day, the sky began to cloud over and it was beginning to rain again. I said, “Oh Lord, please! Don’t let it rain on my laundry before I get home.”

It was raining everywhere, except on my laundry! We drove all the way home in rain, but when we drove into our yard, it was
dry. My children and I were in amazement because all around us, on all sides, it was raining, except in our yard. It was a miracle! It did not rain in our yard until after I had gotten the laundry, which by God’s Grace was dry, safely into our house.

When God tells us not to return evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good; it is so that through extending these seeds of grace and unmerited kindness, we will receive from Him, a harvest of even greater grace and kindness. Remember, even when sin abounds, God’s Grace abounds more.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:38-6:4, John 1:14-17 & Romans 12:17-21

Just a Thought - By Libby Cannon

Covenant

My husband and I have been married for thirty-four years. That is almost twice as many years of our lives as each of us lived before our marriage at the ripe-old age of eighteen. In all these years we have gone through thick and thin (sometimes literally), through hell and high water, but we went through it all, together. You see, we have a covenant. What is mine is his and what is his is mine. We both have strengths and we both have weaknesses, but together, we can accomplish anything. That is what covenant is all about.

When we married, I was given a new name and new resources. I was no longer just a Thompson with Thompson resources, but now I was a Cannon and also had Cannon resources to draw upon. But, I had new responsibilities too. I was now a wife, so I had to act accordingly. I could no longer view myself just as an individual, but I had to consider what my husband’s desires might be. I now consult my husband when making important decisions because whatever I decide will also become his responsibility as my partner. Everything I do or say reflects on my husband and our whole family. I no longer go it alone.

Because I love my husband, I fear his displeasure. I say fear, not that he will punish me, but because when he is unhappy with me, it puts a barrier between us until his displeasure subsides and we are reconciled. I do not like to be in his displeasure. I do not like to be out of my husband’s good graces. Because I love him, I want to make my husband happy.

Do you recognize the theme today? I hope so.

God compares Israel to a wife and Christians are called “the Bride”. We are in covenant with God through Christ. Christ has given us His life, His Name and all the resources of Heaven. We have a responsibility to God to no longer think of ourselves alone, but to consider His desires and how we reflect on Him in our decision making. As Christ’s covenant partners, we should fear His displeasure. Not because of His wrath, but because we love Him and want to be in His good graces.

So, “What kind of bride have you been today?”

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5 & Hebrews 13: 20-21

 Just a Thought -By Libby Cannon

The King’s Feast

Another Thanksgiving Day is here and we will all be sitting down to feast on turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. We will most likely be enjoying the company of friends and family, recounting stories of days gone by, laughing, looking forward to the future, and generally feeling blessed. But even as blessed as we may feel today, these blessings are only a fraction of what God has in store for us if we will only sit at His table and feast.

About five years ago, as I was worshipping the Lord in the Spirit, I had a vision. I was overcome with a great sadness, so overpowering that I could not bear it. I asked the Lord what this terrible grief was, and He opened my eyes to see. What I saw was a banquet room filled with peopled tables, people I knew to be Christians, sitting in the cheap seats, where a hundred dollars could buy you a plate of chicken something or other. But at the head table, which was elevated and laid out with a feast fit for the King of Kings, on golden platters and golden goblets filled with sweet wine, was the Lord, sobbing with grief, (It was His grief that I was experiencing.) And at this table, on either side of Him, were seat after empty seat that had been prepared for His most honored guests.

“Why will My people not sit with Me?” 

You see, those empty seats on either side of the King of Kings were prepared for those people sitting below Him, prepared for you and me. We grieve the Lord when we will not accept His gifts of hospitality. He has paid a high price to elevate us to the position of sitting at His table, but it was a price that He gladly paid, for He so loves us. That kind of love is not to be ignored. It should be embraced and enjoyed. God has lain before us a table filled with many great and precious promises to feast upon this Thanksgiving Day. All we have to do is take our seat.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 2:4-7; Psalm 23:5; 2 Peter 1:2-4; & 2 Corinthians 1:19-22

                    Just a Thought

By Libby Cannon

 

What's In a Name?

 

I always knew what my mother wanted from me by the names she would call me.  Libby, which is the official nickname that my parents elected, was only used by her as a general term of identification.  She would call me Liza when she wanted me to help her work, or she would use my full Christian name when she was being stern; but the name that I loved the best, was "Tish".  Where this name came from I do not know, it must have come straight from her heart, it is not a common derivative of Elizabeth like the others, but this is the name I heard the most from her.  It was the name that only she used (and later my husband), to show affection for me.  It was an intimate name, indicating her deep connection to me and who I was to her.  Every time she used it, she was saying, "You are my beloved daughter, my only one."   

 

A name gives us our own personal identity. It separates us from the crowd. We are our name.  If you want my response, you must address me by my name, or I will not know who you are talking to.  And depending on which derivative of my name that you use, tells me how well acquainted we are. If you call me Elizabeth, then it is most likely that we are only acquaintances and you don’t really know me very well; if you call me Libby, then you may be a friend or family; but only my mother or my husband called me Tish. 

 

So, why do we think that God is so different from us in this matter?  According to Genesis 1:26, He made us in His image and the first thing He did was give us a name, Man (Adam in Hebrew).  Why do some of us insist that it doesn't matter to God what we call Him?  God has a name, His own personal identity, and to Him it is important that we know it.  How are we to find Him, if we don't even know who He is?  There are many false gods in this world, by many names.  How can we call on the one and only true God, if we don't know His name? He is the Great God Jehovah! And He has revealed Himself to us through His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

 

What’s in a name?  Every-thing! 

 

Scripture Reading:    Exodus 23:13; 2Chronicles 6:33; Psalms 9:10, 83:18, & 91:14;

Isaiah 52:6; Jeremiah 16:21; Ezekiel 39:7; Matthew 18:20; John 14:13-14; & Acts 4:10-12 

 

 

 

 

 

Who's Your Daddy?  A Tale of Two Sons

PART ONE 

 

I.    Not everyone that is born into this world is a "child of God".  We are NOT all God's children.

 

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 8:41-47 (KJV)

 

It all started in the Garden of Eden

 

14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:14-15 (KJV)

 

 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Rev 12:7-8 (KJV)

 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 12:9 (KJV)

 

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luke 10:18 (KJV)

 

 

II.  God made Adam & Eve in His image and every person born from then on were made in the image of Adam.   

 

1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

Gen 5:1-3 (KJV)

 

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:12 (KJV)

 

III.  Cain & Abel were   prefect examples of the conflict that would continue to exist between the two kinds of men, the seed of rebellion and the seed of obedience toward God.

 

The birth of Cain and Abel

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.3 Later Cain brought some crops from the land as an offering to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought some choice parts of the firstborn animals from his flock. The Lord approved of Abel and his offering, 5 but he didn't approve of Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry and was disappointed. 6 Then the Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed? 7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? But if you don't do well, sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it.” 8 Cain talked to his brother Abel. Later, when they were in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Gen 4:3-8 (GW)

The murder of Abel

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

The curse of Cain

9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

Gen 4:1-16 (KJV)16 Then Cain left the Lord's presence and lived in Nod [The Land of Wandering], east of Eden.

Gen 4:16 (GW)

 

III.  Children take on the characteristics of their fathers.  The Children of God take on HIS characteristics, so do the Children of Disobedience take on the character of their father.

 

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

1 John 3:10-12 (KJV)

 

IV.  The Character of the "Heavenly Father" vs. the Character of the "Father of Disobedience"

 

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:7-8 (KJV)

 

 

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth:

1 Cor 13:4-8 (KJV)

 

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Col 3:5-17 (KJV)

 

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:3-9 (KJV)

 

V.  Jesus Christ came to show us what the "Heavenly Father" is really like and to make it possible for us to be "born again" into the image of God.

 

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:18 (KJV)

 

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:5-15 (KJV)

 

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,

Col 1:13-23 (KJV)

 

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:1-3 (KJV)

 

 

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:29 (KJV)

 

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:3-21 (KJV)

 

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4 (KJV)

 

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:12-14 (KJV)

 

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1 Peter 1:23-25 (KJV)

 

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)

 

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)

 

Be like your "Father    

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Eph 5:1-2 (KJV)

 

PART TWO

Who's Your Daddy?  Part 2

Study Notes by Rev. E.T. Cannon

 

Back to the Garden:

 

Satan is not the god of the earth but is called the "god of this world" system which works contrary to "God's system" otherwise known as "righteousness" and distorted God's vision for His creation and for man's rule over it. 

 

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. 1 Cor 10:26 (KJV)

 

 15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Gen 2:15 (KJV)

An exhortation from the example of Abraham, to trust in Christ

1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. 2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. 3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

of His righteous salvation

4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. 5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Isaiah 51:1-8 (KJV)

 

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Cor 4:4 (KJV)

 

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gal 1:3-5 (KJV)

 

Jesus, the second Adam, was born into this world that through His atonement for sin and His resurrection, we might enter into and have the benefits of the kingdom of God, and righteousness here on earth as well as in Heaven.

 

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:9-17 (KJV)

 

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5 (KJV)

 

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Col 1:12-23 (KJV)

 

Through this reconciliation Jesus brought all things back into His and our hands.  We are co-heirs of the Kingdom of God with Him. 

 

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26  the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:1-39 (KJV)

 

We enter into His kingdom though faith, and His kingdom operates by Faith through Love. 

 

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Gal 5:6 (KJV)

 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Heb 11:1-4 (KJV)

 

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 (KJV)

 

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (KJV)

 

 We have to cooperate with God by choosing to follow after the Spirit and not the flesh.  Even though our spirit has been renewed, our flesh has not.  We have to renew our minds daily by the " washing of the water by the Word" Ephes 5:26

 

37  said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matt 22:36-39 (KJV)

 

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Romans 12:1-5 (KJV)

 

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thess 5:23-24 (KJV)

 

Who’s Your Daddy? -Part 2 Continued

 

 

Satan uses a form of truth, but it is a limited and transient truth.  It is not the "WHOLE TRUTH".  God's word is the COMPLETE TRUTH and it is higher than the facts of this world.  His Word is not based on or limited to the resources of this temporal world system, but on His Riches in Glory, in Christ Jesus.  (Phil 4:19)

 

12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Heb 4:12 (ASV)

 

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK!  WE HAVE TO LINE OUR WORDS UP WITH GOD'S WORD.

 

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 55:6-13 (KJV)

 

 

                    Just a Thought

                   By Libby Cannon

 

                 Taking the Wrong Road

 

When I was in Junior High School, I learned how merciful and gracious God really is.  I had missed the bus after school and did not have a ride home because my mother didn’t have the car that day.  I was going to have to walk the five miles.

 

Now, I had two roads to choose from in order to get home.  There was Griffin Road which was farther from the school but the safer route, or Sterling Road which was closer. Naturally, being the average twelve year old, I chose the shorter route home.  Besides, my friends and I had biked to school a few times via this road before.  But, this was the first time I had to travel it alone and I was on foot.

 

My journey through town was progressing fine until I found myself walking through the industrial section of my chosen route.  Suddenly, there were no stores or people walking to and fro.  I was alone, walking on the side of the road, and I had a keen sense now of vulnerability.  Just as this new awareness came upon me, a car pulled alongside, driving very slowly.  A man, a stranger to me, said, “Hi, do you need a ride?”

 

I replied, “No thank you,” like a good girl and continued on my way. 

 

The man drove on, but a few minutes later he was back again.  He had driven around the block and was coming back for another attempt. I knew there was something sinister about this man.   This time as he offered to give me a ride, he started to open the passenger car door, “Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

 

Again I answered, “No.”

 

Fear was building inside of me because I knew that if this man came back again, he would not take no for an answer, and would try to force me into his car.  I began to panic.  I took in my surroundings and there was nowhere to flee.  There was only industrial buildings to the left of the road and a canal to the right.  I was a sitting duck.  O Lord, help me!

 

Just then, as I was beginning to despair at my situation, like angels from heaven, some friends from our church drove up and stopped when they saw me.  They asked what I was doing walking so far from home and offered to take me the rest of the way. 

 

I can’t express the relief that came over me.  I had been walking through the valley of the shadow of death, being stalked by evil, for as I got into my friend’s car, I looked back and I saw the man not two cars behind.  At that moment I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God had sent these friends to rescue me.

 

Even when I took the wrong road, God was still watching over me; still there, ever present, and ready with help.  Now that is GRACE!   

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:16, Psalms 23 & 136:23-24

 

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