The Prodigal Son

The story of the Prodigal Son, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, follows the parables of the Lost Sheep
 and the Lost Coin. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' complaint: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger son asks his father to give him his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance. Once received, the son promptly sets off on a long journey to a distant land and begins to waste his fortune on wild living. When the money runs out, a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself in dire circumstances. He takes a job feeding pigs. He is so destitute that he even longs to eat the food assigned to the pigs.

The young man finally comes to his senses, remembering his father. In humility, he recognizes his foolishness, decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and mercy. The father who had been watching and waiting, receives his son back with open arms of compassion. He is overjoyed by the return of his lost son! Immediately the father turns to his servants and asks them to prepare a giant feast in celebration.

Meanwhile, the older son is not one bit happy when he comes in from working the fields and discovers a party going on to celebrate his younger brother's return. The father tries to dissuade the older brother from his jealous rage explaining, "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

Points of Interest from the Story:

• Typically, a son would receive his inheritance at the time of his father's death. The fact that the younger brother instigated the early division of the family estate showed a rebellious and proud disregard for his father's authority, not to mention a selfish and immature attitude.

• Pigs were unclean animals. Jews were not even allowed to touch pigs. When the son took a job feeding pigs, even longing for their food to fill his belly, it reveals that he had fallen as low as he could possibly go. This son represents a person living in rebellion to God. Sometimes we have to hit rock-bottom before we come to our senses and recognize our sin.

• The father is a picture of the Heavenly Father. God waits patiently, with loving compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts. He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. He doesn't even dwell on our past waywardness.

• Reading from the beginning of chapter 15, we see that the older son is clearly a picture of the pharisees. In their self-righteousness, they have forgotten to rejoice when a sinner returns to God. Bitterness and resentment keeps the older son from forgiving his younger brother. It blinds him to the treasure he freely enjoys through constant relationship with the father.

The Titles and Names of Christ

Adam, Second – 1Co 15:45
Almighty – Re 1:18
Amen – Re 3:14
Alpha and Omega – Re 1:8; 22:13
Advocate – 1Jo 2:1
Angel – Ge 48:16; Ex 23:20,21
Angel of the Lord – Ex 3:2; Jg 13:1518
Angel of God’s presence – Isa 63:9
Apostle – Heb 3:1
Arm of the Lord – Isa 51:9; 53:1
Author and Finisher or our faith – Heb 12:2
Blessed and only Potentate – 1Ti 6:15
Beginning of the creation of God – Re 3:14
Branch – Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; 6:12
Bread of Life – Joh 6:35,48
Captain of the Lord’s hosts – Jos 5:14,15
Captain of salvation – Heb 2:10
Chief Shepherd – 1Pe 5:4
Christ of God – Lu 9:20
Consolation of Israel – Lu 2:25
Chief Cornerstone – Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:6
Commander – Isa 55:4
Counsellor – Isa 9:6
David – Jer 30:9; Eze 34:23
Dayspring – Lu 1:78
Deliverer – Ro 11:26
Desire of all nations – Hag 2:7
Door – Joh 10:7
Elect of God – Isa 42:1
Emmanuel – Isa 7:14; Mt 1:23
Eternal life – 1Jo 1:2; 5:20
Everlasting Father – Isa 9:6
Faithful witness – Re 1:5; 3:14
First and Last – Re 1:17; 2:8
Firstbegotten of the dead – Re 1:5
Firstborn of every creature – Col 1:15
Forerunner – Heb 6:20
God – Isa 40:9; Joh 20:28
God blessed for ever – Ro 9:5
God’s fellow – Zec 13:7
Glory of the Lord – Isa 40:5
Good Shepherd – Joh 10:14
Great High Priest – Heb 4:14
Governor – Mt 2:6
Head of the Church – Eph 5:23; Col 1:18
Heir of all things – Heb 1:2
Holy One – Ps 16:10; Ac 2:27,31
Holy One of God – Mr 1:24
Holy One of Israel – Isa 41:14
Horn of salvation – Lu 1:69
I AM – Ex 3:14; Joh 8:58
JEHOVAH – Isa 26:4
Jesus – Mt 1:21; 1Th 1:10
Best Sellers in Grocery & Gourmet FoodsJudge of Israel – Mic 5:1
Just One – Ac 7:52
King – Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5
King of Israel – Joh 1:49
King of the Jews – Mt 2:2
King of Saints – Re 15:3
King of Kings – 1Ti 6:15; Re 17:14
Law giver – Isa 33:22
Lamb – Re 5:6,12; 13:8; 21:22; 22:3
Lamb of God – Joh 1:29,36
Leader – Isa 55:4
Life – Joh 14:6; Col 3:4; 1Jo 1:2
Light of the world – Joh 8:12
Lion of the tribe of Judah – Re 5:5
Lord of glory – 1Co 2:8
Lord of all – Ac 10:36
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS – Jer 23:6
Lord God of the holy prophets – Re 22:6
Lord God Almighty – Re 15:3
Mediator – 1Ti 2:5
Messenger of the covenant – Mal 3:1
Messiah – Da 9:25; Joh 1:41
Mighty God – Isa 9:6
Mighty One of Jacob – Isa 60:16
Morningstar – Re 22:16
Nazarene – Mt 2:23
Offspring of David – Re 22:16
Only begotten – Joh 1:14
Our Passover – 1Co 5:7
Plant of renown – Eze 34:29
Prince of life – Ac 3:15
Prince of peace – Isa 9:6
Prince of the kings of the earth – Re 1:5
Prophet – Lu 24:19; Joh 7:40
Ransom – 1Ti 2:6
Redeemer – Job 19:25; Isa 59:20; 60:16
Resurrection and life – Joh 11:25
Rock – 1Co 10:4
Root of David – Re 22:16
Root of Jesse – Isa 11:10
Ruler of Israel – Mic 5:2
Saviour – 2Pe 2:20; 3:18
Servant – Isa 42:1; 52:13
Shepherd and Bishop of souls – 1Pe 2:25
Shiloh – Ge 49:10
Son of the blessed – Mr 14:61
Son of God – Lu 1:35; Joh 1:49
Son of the Highest – Lu 1:32
Son of David – Mt 9:27
Son of man – Joh 5:27; 6:37
Star – Nu 24:17
Sun of righteousness – Mal 4:2
Surety – Heb 7:22
True God – 1Jo 5:20
True Light – Joh 1:9
True Vine – Joh 15:1
Truth – Joh 14:6
Way – Joh 14:6
Wisdom – Pr 8:12
Witness – Isa 55:4
Wonderful – Isa 9:6
Word – Joh 1:1; 5:7
Word of God – Re 19:13
Word of Life – 1Jo 1:1

THE NINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE NINE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Revelation Gifts - gifts that reveal something
* Word of Wisdom
* Word of Knowledge
* Discerning of Spirits

Power Gifts - gifts that do something
* Faith
* Healings
* Miracles

Inspiration Gifts - gifts that say something
* Prophecy
* Diverse Tongues
* Interpretation of Tongues

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1. THE GIFT OF WISDOMThere are three types of wisdom:
* The wisdom of God (I Corinthians 2:6-7)
* The wisdom of the world (I Corinthians 2:6)
* The wisdom of man (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
The gift of the word of wisdom is the application of knowledge that God gives you ( I Corinthians 2:6-7). This type of wisdom is a gift which cannot be gained through study or experience and should by no means try to replace them. The gift of the word of wisdom is seeing life from God's perspective. As a Christian exercises this gift, he begins to develop a fear of the Lord. This is the "beginning of wisdom" according to Proverbs 1:7.
The gift of the word of wisdom is also the revealing of prophetic future; it is speaking hidden truths of what is not known. It is a supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God's will in a given situation, and is a divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving.
Furthermore, this gift involves having a sense of divine direction, being led by the Holy Spirit to act appropriately in a given set of circumstances, and rightly applying knowlege.
The gift of wisdom is the wisdom of God. It is the supernatural importation of facts; it is not natural. You can't earn it. It is received from God through prayer (Ephesians 1:17).
The gift of the word of wisdom works interactively with the other two revelation gifts: knowledge and discernment.

2. THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
A word of knowledge is a definite conviction, impression, or knowing that comes to you in a similitude (a mental picture), a dream, through a vision, or by a Scripture that is quickened to you. It is supernatural insight or understanding of circumstances, situations, problems, or a body of facts by revelation; that is, without assistance by any human resource but solely by divine aid.
Furthermore, the gift of the word of knowledge is the transcendental revelation of the divine will and plan of God. It involves moral wisdom for right living and relationships, requires objective understanding concerning divine things in human duties, and refers to knowledge of God or of the things that belong to God, as related in the Gospel.Best Sellers in Grocery & Gourmet Foods
The gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge function together; knowledge is raw material and wisdom builds on it.

3. THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
Discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to perceive the source of a spiritual manifestation and determine whether it is of God (Acts 10:30-35), of the devil (Acts 16:16-18), of man (Acts 8:18-23), or of the world. It is not mind reading, psychic phenomena, or the ability to criticize and find fault.
Discerning of spirits must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit; He bears witness with our spirit when something is or is not of God. The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural power to detect the realm of the spirits and their activities. It implies the power of spiritual insight - the supernatural revelation of plans and purposes of the enemy and his forces. It is a gift which protects and guards your Christian life.
How to Test a Spirit
You can discern or test whether or not a spirit is of God by the following three ways:
1 Observing what a person does. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus explains that false prophets are known by their fruit - by their conduct and actions.
2 Observing whether or not a person exalts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as Lord and Saviour (I Corinthians 12:3).
3 By listening to what a person says (I John 4:1-3). Does their confession line up with the truth of God's Word?

4. THE GIFT OF FAITH
The gift of faith is the supernatural ability to believe God without doubt, combat unbelief, and visualize what God wants to accomplish. It is not only an inner conviction impelled by an urgent and higher calling, but also a supernatural ability to meet adverse circumstances with trust in God's words and messages.

The Bible speaks of several different types of faith which increase from faith to faith (Romans 1:17):
* Saving faith - faith which gets you into Heaven
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
* Fruit of faith - faith which gets Heaven into you
(Galatians 5:22-23) .
* Gift of faith - stems from saving faith and the fruit of faith; It is the ability to believe for the miraculous
(II Thessalonians 1:3).
This gift not only operates in healings and in miracles, but in the realm of the impossible as well. Saving faith produces the active faith of the fruit of the Spirit which, in turn, produces the gift of faith. When the gift of faith is empowered, the results are miraculous!

5 THE GIFT OF HEALING
The gift of healings refers to supernatural healing without human aid; Amazon Business Exclusive Deals it is a special gift to pray for specific diseases.
Healing can come through the touch of faith (James 5:14-15); by speaking the word of faith (Luke 7:1-10); or by the presence of God being manifested (Mark 6:56; Acts 19:11-12).
The Bible speaks of "gifts" of healing because there are three types of healings: physical (diabetes, blindness, cancer, deafness, etc.), emotional (jealousy, worry, discouragement, and other destructive attitudes), and spiritual (bitterness, greed, and guilt, etc.).
Although there are three main types of healings, there is much diversity with the gift of healings. While one person might have the gift of healing to rid a person of cancer or perform a creative miracle, another person might have a diversity of the same gift to correct lower back problems or remove a root of bitterness).
According to Mark 16:17-20, the gifts of healing belong to all believers. You can know whether or not you have the gift of healing by the following:
* By the inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16).
* When you have a special ability to believe for physical healing for someone (Romans 12:3-8).
* When you have an overwhelming feeling of compassion which moves you to action (Matthew 20:34).

6. THE GIFT OF MIRACLES
A miracle is the performance of something which is against the laws of nature; it is a supernatural power to intervene and counteract earthly and evil forces. The word miracles comes from the Greek word dunamis which means "power and might that multiplies itself." The gift of miracles operates closely with the power gifts of faith and healings to bring authority over Satan, sickness, sin, and the binding forces of this age.
Miracles can also be defined as supernatural intercessions of God. God exhorts us with energy to do something that is not natural or normal to us. Just as the ministry gift of miracles is the expression of prayer, so is the function of the Holy Spirit to direct our prayers (Romans 8:26).
However, the greatest miracle (and often least talked about) is the miracle of salvation. Sure, it doesn't appear as spectacular as parting a sea or even raising a person from the dead, but then again, we as human beings are truly impressed by the manifestations of outward signs and wonders. God, on the other hand, isn't so concerned about outward appearances and flamboyant showmanship but rather a person's heart condition. It is God's desire that believers utilize these spiritual gifts to combat unbelief and bring non-believers to repentance in order that spiritually dead people can be transformed into new creatures in Christ Jesus.
After you become a new creature in Christ, a miraculous transformation begins to occur in you every day to confirm you to Christ's image (Ephesians 1:17-20) and to strengthen your inner man (Colossians 1:10-11). The power of God was miraculously manifested in the lives of believers in the New Testament church (Acts 4:33; Mark 16:20), and God wants His power not only working in you, but also through you (Acts 1:8).
Jesus said, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, and he told him not to associate with such people (II Timothy 3:5). If you want the gift of miracles to operate in you, make sure that the Word of God is in you and that you are being influenced by the right people. Miracles are the product of the spoken Word of God, because the Word of God and God are one (Psalm 33:6).

7. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
The gift of prophecy edifies, exhorts, and comforts (I Corinthians 14:3); helps us build up or strengthen; and should lead us to the Word of God. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come (John 16:8-11).

Prophecy is divinely inspired and anointed utterance; a supernatural proclamation in a known language. It is the manifestation of the Spirit of God - not of intellect (I Corinthians 12:7), and it may be possessed and operated by all who have the infilling of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:31)

Intellect, faith, and will are operative in this gift, but its exercise is not intellectually based. It is calling forth words from the Spirit of God. The gift of prophecy operates when there is high worship (I Samuel 10:5-6), when others prophets are present (I Samuel 10:9-10), and when hands are laid on you by ministers (Acts 19:1-6).

8. THE GIFT OF DIVERSE TONGUES
Supernatural utterance through the power of the Holy Spirit in a person that manifests as spiritual language. The Holy Spirit energizes the tongue to edify believers through language and music.
Diverse tongues is the most misunderstood and dynamic gift. It is not your prayer language, but it can surface through intercession, conference, or through the individual.
Supernatural utterance in languages not known to the speaker; these languages may be existent in the world, revived from some past culture, or "unknown" in the sense that they are a means of communication inspired by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4, 10:44-48, 19:1-7; I Corinthians 12:10, 13:1-3, 14:2, 4-22, 26-32).
The spiritual gift involving ability to speak in foreign language(s) not previously studied or to respond to experience of the Holy Spirit by uttering sounds which those without the gift of interpretation could not understand. At Pentecost the church received the gift to communicate the gospel in foreign languages (Acts 2). God gave His Spirit to all His people to empower them to witness and prophesy. In Corinth some members of the church uttered sounds the rest of the congregation did not understand (I Corinthians 12-14). This led to controversy and division. Paul tried to unite the church, assuring the church that there are different gifts but only one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11).

There are three types of tongues mentioned in the Bible:
Three Types of Tongues
1. An unknown tongue unto God (I Corinthians 14:2).
This type of tongue edifies you (I Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20), assists you in prayer (Romans 8:26-27), stirs up the prophetic ministry (I Corinthians 14:5), refreshes your soul (Isaiah 28:11-12), gives victory over the devil (Ephesians 6:18), and helps you worship in the Spirit (I Corinthians 14:14-15; Hebrews 2:12).
When you sing in the Spirit, God joins in with you and confuses and defeats the enemy (Isaiah 30:29-31); it breaks the yoke of bondage (Acts 16:25); it brings you into the presence of God (Psalm 22:3); and it aids you in intercession (Romans 8:26).
2. A known tongue that is a sign to unbelievers.
(I Corinthians 14:2; Acts 2:6).
3. A tongue that is understood through interpretation and edifies the church (I Corinthians 14:15).

Please note that the gift of tongues (as well as your prayer language) is a product of both God and man. Every believer has a part to play in speaking in tongues for the Spirit gives you utterance, and you do the talking. The Holy Spirit does not talk with tongues. In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it mention that the Holy Spirit ever talked with tongues. Instead, you will be doing the talking in the flesh; after all, God said He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who has ever spoken in tongues was in the flesh; however, he or she was inspired by the Spirit when they spoke.

9.. THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
Interpretation of tongues is a supernatural verbalization and subsequent interpretation to reveal the meaning of a diverse tongue. This gift operates out of the mind of the Spirit rather than out of the mind of man.
It is important to note that "interpretation" of tongues is not the same thing as "translation" of tongues, for the interpreter never understands the tongue he or she is interpreting. For example, the message in tongues may be long and the interpretation short because the interpretation only gives the meaning. On the other hand, one may speak a short time in tongues and then given a lengthy interpretation. Yet still, at other times, the interpretation is almost word for word.
The Word of God says that if you pray in tongues, you should pray that you will also interpret - not only for the benefit of others - but for your own benefit as well.
If someone speaks in tongues, you can ask God to move through you to give the interpretation so others will understand, but you can also do this in your private prayers for your own personal benefit. You can pray, "Father, help me understand what I've just said to you in the Spirit," and the Lord will give you the interpretation.
The gift of interpretation of tongues is the second of three inspirational or vocal gifts of the Holy Spirit. When combined with the inspirational gift of diverse tongues, the miraculous and supernatural phenomenon known as prophecy results.

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Is My Banner

THE LORD IS MY BANNER

It was over a great battle in the Old Testament that God revealed himself as Jehovah Nissi, THE LORD IS MY BANNER. It happened at the time when Israel was wandering in the wilderness after miraculously crossing the Red Sea. Amalek was the enemy who came against Israel in Rephidim. In Exodus 17:8-16 Moses called on his young apprentice, Joshua, to lead the Israelites into battle while he stationed himself on top of a hill to pray. He had with him his brother Aaron and his assistant, Hur. As Moses lifted his hands and prayed, the Israelites prevailed in the battle but when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. So Aaron and Hur set Moses on a rock and held his hands up for him until the battle was totally won.
At the end of the day there was victory and God told Moses to write down what had happened and read it in Joshua's hearing. God was thinking ahead to the time when Moses would be gone and Joshua would be called upon to take over leadership of God's chosen people. Joshua would be the one to cross the Jordan River into Canaan (the Promised Land) and defeat Jericho. He would have plenty of battles ahead of him and God wanted him to remember back to this one and the victory God had given them.
Instead of raising a flag, Moses built an altar because in those times, an altar was often used as a place of remembering or marking an important event. This is where Moses called God Jehovah Nissi because he understood the revelation that God himself is our banner, our victory. He is the one who wins our battles. He still does that by the way. When Moses wrote that story down for Joshua, he was also writing it down for our benefit so that we will remember it as we go into battle. How do we know that?
There is an interesting thing that God says when he tells Moses to write down the story. God says that he "…will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." (verse 14b) That means that this enemy would not rise again - he was defeated UTTERLY. In verse 16, however, Moses says; "…the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." How is it that God is saying the enemy was completely defeated and yet that there would be future wars with Amalek in future generations?
Amalek in this story represents our enemy, Satan, who is active against God's people in all generations. Even though the literal "Amalek" at that time was completely defeated by Israel's army, other Amaleks would rise up against Israel and on down to you and me in our own generation. When you gather under Jehovah Nissi as your banner, trust him that the outcome of your battle will be the same as it was for Moses and Joshua at Rephidim. God is saying there will always be war; don't be surprised by it. He is also saying he is always the winner.

The Prayer of Jabez

 The prayer of Jabez is found in a historical note within a genealogy: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

Little is known of Jabez, other than he was a descendant of Judah, he was an honorable man, and his mother named him “Jabez” (meaning “sorrowful” or “sorrow-maker”) because his had been a painful birth. In his prayer, Jabez cries out to God for protection and blessing. Using a play on words, Jabez, the “man of sorrow,” asks God to keep him from that sorrow which his name both recalled and foreboded.

The prayer of Jabez contains an urgent request for four things: 1) God’s blessing. Jabez acknowledges that the God of Israel is the source of all blessing, and he asks God for His grace. No doubt, this request was based, at least in part, on God’s promise of blessing to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 22:17).

2) An expansion of territory. Jabez prays for victory and prosperity in all his endeavors and that his life would be marked by increase.

3) The presence of God’s hand. In other words, Jabez asks for the guidance of God and His strength to be evident in his daily existence.

4) Protection from harm. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this way: “Father in heaven . . . deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9, 13). Jabez looks to God in confidence as his defender.

Jabez’s goal in his prayer was to live free from sorrow, and the last thing we read about him is that God heard and answered his prayer. Like Solomon’s humble prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14), Jabez’s devout prayer for blessing was answered. The success Jabez enjoyed outweighed the sorrow of his beginning. The prayer of Jabez overcame the name of Jabez.

എനിക്കായ് കരുതുന്നവന്‍....

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അത് നന്നായ് അറിയുന്നു ഞാന്‍ (2 )

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Thanksgiving, The Language Of Heaven

A Characteristic of a Christian…

Thankfulness should be a characteristic of a Christian. We should “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Eph. 5:20). And “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes. 5:18).

Thankfulness ought to be genuine and come from the heart. This is in contrast to the godless who “neither glorify Him nor give thanks to Him” (Rom. 1:21).

Give Thanks In All Circumstances…

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We should be thankful for material blessings but we shouldn’t put them ahead of the God who bestowed those blessings on us. Our attitude should be to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things [food, clothing, shelter, ect.] will then be given to you as well” (Matt. 7:33) .

Being thankful for good times is easy enough, but Paul tells us to be thankful in “all” circumstances, including trials. So much so that he says that we should “rejoice in our sufferings”. There’s an old saying that comes to mind:

“Glory To God For All Things”

In all things? Why? Because Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble, but He was quick to add that He has overcome the world. We’re reminded that“suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:3-5 )

Paul goes on to encourage us to be thankful because God makes sure that all things work “for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). It’s not that all things that happen are good, but that God can cause good to come out of every situation.

We praise Him because trials and hardships do not limit His ability to work in our lives. In fact, when we go through hard times it gives God a chance to do a special work in our life because, “the Lord is near to those with a broken heart” (Ps. 34:18), and His strength “is made perfect in our weakness”. (2 Cor. 12:9) When we are weak, He is strong.

The Importance of Thanksfulness…

In Revelation chapters 4 and 5 we find Creation face to face with Creator in heaven. Creation reacts in two ways: The first reaction is praise – God is perfect and holy and He alone deserves to be worshiped. The second reaction is thankfulness – Although we’re not worthy to stand before God He not only allows us to stand in His presence, He invites us. Jesus promised that if anyone comes to Him, He will not turn them away. (John 6:37)

These thoughts are beyond comprehension! We wonder along with David, “what is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 144:3) The only way to react to the wonderful kindness of God is with a grateful heart. We will be singing songs of thanks to the Lord throughout eternity — “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” will be our anthem. And thanksgiving will be the language of heaven.