Month: April 2023

God’s Word Is Truth – Part 1

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Therefore, since I am on a self-imposed sabbatical, I am challenging you guys to educate yourselves for the next two weeks by reading the following blog post and finding 30 titles of books of the Bible hidden in the following paragraphs. Give yourself an A+ if you can find all 30 of them. Resume taking your memory enhancing vitamin pills if you miss more than 3. Start now.

This is a most remarkable puzzle.  It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours.  He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends.  One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john-boat.  Another friend studied it while playing his banjo.  Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, that she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves.  There will be some names that are really easy to spot.  That's a fact.  Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.  Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst.  Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in these paragraphs.  During a recent fundraising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record.

The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen.  As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, "The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight."  Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown.  One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers.  Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle may not be normal.  A chipper attitude will help you to compete really well against those who claim to know the answers.  Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in these paragraphs waiting to be found.  The End!

You have one week to resolve this Bible Quiz by finding 30 Names of Bible Books hidden therein. May the Heavenly Forces be with all of you.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God’s Son…Our Spiritual Physician

On By tgifmastermindsIn Godly Living and Maturing, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Healing8 Comments

Many people mistakenly believe that one of the main purposes of Jesus’ sojourn here on earth was to heal those persons stricken with all sorts of sicknesses. I respectfully reject that notion. Why? Mainly because of the private teaching lessons Jesus conducted with his disciples; those twelve chosen men He ordained to carry on His work after His resurrection and ascension.

Let’s take a look at persons who are sick not only in their bodies but also who are sick mentally. It is recorded in Matthew 5:3-11, the following verses better known as “The Beatitudes”:

  • Beatitudes Wall Art Print, 11x14, Matthew 5 Sermon on the Mount Bible Quote, UnFramed Scripture Wall Décor, Christian Prayer Wall Art for Home or Office Decore, Inspirational Verse Poster for Spiritual

First of all, the “Sermon On The Mount” recorded in Matthew Chapter 5 is where “The Beatitudes” are recorded. And in Verses one and two they begin by describing just who Jesus is about to speak to:

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,” Matthew 5:1-2

So you see where in this occasion, Jesus did not have a word for the multitudes. This particular teaching was for His disciples, only. And for the next 9 verses (5:3-11) Jesus’ teaching is specifically aimed at how the disciples are to encourage the negative thoughts of sick people by dwelling on the scriptures and not just solely on doctors and medicines! In other words…WWJD! What would Jesus do?

My encounter this week with the Holy Spirit…

I endured a health problem this week that required my hospitalization. Subsequently, I became anxious, forlorn and sad. This disposition affected my faith and attitudes towards other who were in attendance of me. I became ashamed of my actions and began to ask the Lord for His strength and reassurances. Immediately, the Holy Spirit stepped in and pointed my way towards The Beatitudes. My church family began to send me text messages which supported my innermost thoughts. The hospital staff seemed to appear to me as floating angels. Many of them prolonged their services to me just to relate an incident they had experienced where God stepped in and performed a miracle for them. That warm and comforting support seemed to be coming from on every side.

My prayer for you…

Dear Great Physician: Thank you profusely for stepping into my heart and encouraging my soul. I also pray this prayer for all those who will read this blog. For as You know my Lord, sicknesses, troubling diagnosis and pain can penetrate one’s faith and cause the strongest Believer to court with doubt. Forgive me My Savior. For this ‘storm’, too, will pass over. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

Encourage My Soul (Worship Song) – YouTube Chicago Church of Christ

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3:08 (Click Here)

God Never Used The Expression “Should-a, Would-a, Could-a”

On By tgifmastermindsIn Building Spiritual Bridges, Godly Living and Maturing, How To Witness To Others9 Comments
A beam of lighting shining through the clouds onto a calm lake

God’s creation speaks to Him through its natural display and natural assigned performance.

Our Heavenly Father endlessly and intentionally communicates with His creation. And His creation regularly communicates back to Him. I am not for sure if all of human kind understand that they do, too. Let us count the ways that mankind ‘speaks’. But first, please allow me to offer up a short prayer to God for allowing his Holy Spirit to plant my feet on higher ground and to place in my heart such an enlightening subject to blog about.

“Oh Lord, my God, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth. It is with humility and homage I bow in awe at Your splendor depicted in Your creation. I thank You for allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me through this awesome conversation on why You so enjoy communing with Your creation. So, please know I am grateful for your love and look forward to our time together now and forever more. Amen.“

In the beginning, God created heaven and the earth (and populated it) to be in harmony and to function in the divine manner it was designed to do. But after ‘The Fall’ (See Genesis 3:1-24), everything changed and there was disharmony. Therefore, all of God’s creation needed to be ransomed from sin. And at a future time, returned to its original harmonious state.

Nevertheless, God never said: “I should-a, would-a, could-a!” God called for his Only Begotten Son to stand by.

Later, God deputize all Believers in his Son, Christ Jesus, to adhere to the following message proclaimed by the Apostle Paul: “Now then, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God was pleading through us: ‘We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.'” (2 Corinthians 5:20) In other words, to get back in harmony with God.

So, as I engaged in prayerful conversation this week with The Holy Spirit, I was challenged to think about my entire life thus far as it related to the above scripture and I decided to blog about it. I was challenged to take a look at just how I communicate to God.

  • When I walked on dry ground was I focused…wavering…using a cane…lost…or just in the wilderness. What was my outcome. Did I decide to use a map, bank on others’ experiences or pray bout it?
  • When I was in hot water was I…being resuscitated, wading, floating, swimming, or drowning. Did I decide to take swimming lessons, use a lifejacket or seek spiritual guidance?
  • When I was climbing up a steep mountain was I equipped…remember to take my backpack, use a walking stick, rely on a compass, restock my First Aid Kit, register my GPS instructions with a friend, or call on the Name of the Lord.

DON’T YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LIFE AS GOD’S AMBASSADOR SPEAKS FOR YOU?

AND WITH ALL OF MY SHORTCOMINGS, GOD NEVER SAID “I SHOULD-A, WOULD-A, COULD-A!”

DON’T YOU KNOW WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A ‘PRICELESS’ PRICE!

What message, my friends, are you able to relay to the lost souls that the Holy Spirit sends your way? No matter what your own circumstances might be. Are you a true representative or Ambassador for the Lord? What is your position on repentance? What measures have you taken to renew, revive and restore your fellowship with The Lord of lords and The King of kings?

I have asked myself all of those same questions and I have fallen short. But by the grace of God, I have been reassured by the Holy Spirit that God is not through with me yet. We all fall down sometimes, but, we get up! And by receiving nourishment from reading, applying and trusting in His Holy Word, all will be well with our souls. Trust me!

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY…TRUST GOD!

Donnie McClurkin – We Fall Down But We Get Up – YouTube

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My prayer for you: Dear Lord, from now on we want to work for You so that even the most burdensome chores will become a joy and nourishment for our souls and all those You put on our pathways. Amen

Scripture Lesson: Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Declares That Our Circumstances Are To Be Enhanced For The Better By Him

On By tgifmastermindsIn Godly Living and Maturing, Prayers For Spiritual Growth, Scriptures For Biblical MaturityLeave a comment

This week’s blog invites you to do something.  Count your blessings extended to others and name them one by one.  Can you define your interactions and life’s experiences with God in a positive way as they relate to your walk with him?   In other words, have you walked by faith and not by sight since your conversion?

David the Good Shepherd, I King of Israel and Psalmist reflects in the Old Testament Book of Psalm 37:25; “I once was young and now I am old, yet, I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread”.

Man is not God, so obviously mankind does not look at life’s experiences (through a positive lenses) the way God does.  Loosey-goosey (relaxed or indifferent) is more like it.  Or maybe mankind looks at life with less hope and doable expectations.  Consider the following explanation of a fictitious woman’s life experiences as she reflects on her multiple marriages:

“Two women saw each other for the first time since graduating from high school.   One asked the other, ‘You were always so organized in school.  Did you manage to live a well-planned life?’

“Yes,” said her friend.’  “My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third marriage was to a preacher; and now I’m married to an undertaker.”

Her friend asked, ‘What does the circumstances of those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?’  The woman quipped, “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!”

So, now you can see by that marriage illustration, that a human being’s outlook on life’s circumstances is most often gloom and doom.  Whereas God desires for all our life expectations to be based on the scripture recorded in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

So, the lesson learned is this:  Since none of us can confess that we have lived a sinless life and from birth we bore the imparted truth that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a Free gift (*).  It is God’s foregone conclusion that we all need to be made free from sin (both omission and co-mission) through the blood, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Following is how God demonstrated that our Circumstances are his enhances…Easter Happened! 

Suggested brazen genteel activities an adult could perform for others to show God that they understand:

  • Dress in a white sheet from head to toe. Place a long handle garden tool (i.e., rake, hoe, shovel, broom) across the shoulders. Stagger around the neighborhood block followed by other family members throwing small rocks, sticks and stones at him. Still others could just be yelling and shouting insults and accusations at him. (i.e., ‘Save yourself!’)
  • Family members parade around the neighborhood banging on metal pots and pans with metal spoons shouting, ‘Hallelujah, He is risen!’ ‘Hosannah in the highest!’
  • Distribute Easter cards to your family and friends.
  • Order carry out lunches (i.e., Pizzas or donuts) for your neighborhood weekly church staff workers, or public-school office workers, or hospital doctor’s appointment personnel. Be sure to call ahead to advice them of the luncheon treat.
  • Purchase plastic colorful Easter eggs and fill with wrapped candy. Place egg in neighbor’s mailboxes or on their front porch.

The 2nd Chapter Of Acts – The Easter Song (1974) – YouTube

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(*) NOTE:  GIFT OF SALVATION:  CHRIST’S DYING ON THE CROSS, HIS BURIAL AND ACENDENCE ON THE 3RD DAY!

My prayer for you:

“Dear Lord Jesus, we all want to break with our old, sinful habits and from now on live the life of a new person, who will be more like You every day. Please help us from now on to radiate Your glory and sensitivity towards others. For we still fall short when we measure ourselves against Your standards. Pretty please help us to recognize the wrong things in our lives and to let go of them in the Name of Jesus. Amen and Amen!”

Scripture Lesson: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10).

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!