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 Make a joyful noise to the LORD,

all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;

come into His presence with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and bless His name.

For the LORD is good,

and His loving devotion endures forever;

His faithfulness continues to all generations.


~ Psalm 100

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The parable:

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.

The explanation:

So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Points to ponder:

Have you understood all these things?”

“Yes,” they answered.

Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

~Matthew 13:47~52


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The parable: 

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? 

How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” Matthew 13:24-30

The explanation:

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”

He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 

Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. 

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 

Matthew 13:36-43

Points to Ponder:

Are you the wheat for sure or  possibly a tare? Are you assured of your salvation?
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The parable:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: 

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:1-9

The explanation:

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.


Matthew 13:36-43

Points to ponder:

How receptive is our hearts for God's instructions and corrections? Do we have ears? Do we so hear?
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May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

It is the grace of the Lord Jesus that saved us. It is the love of God that enabled us. It is the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that keeps us company in our Christian walk.

Isn't that such a blessing how we can experience the triune God in our personal life! 


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 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. Matthew 9:27-31

So, let me pose the same question to you this morning?

Do you believe our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is able to take care of your pressing  need?

If so, it be done to you according to your faith, no doubt. Hang in there...


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“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19

In order to fully understand this scripture we must recall something the Lord said. Something, anything, do you have any promises from God?

Or how about this one for example?

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Now believe it with all your heart this scripture is for you. If you believe it will be so. I am confident of that because He is not a man to change His words, mind or actions.

Hold on tight. Your answer is near. Praise the Lord!

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 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders;

the LORD is heard over many waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD

strikes with flames of fire.

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;

the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks

and strips the forests bare.

And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

The LORD gives His people strength;

the LORD blesses His people with peace.


~Psalm 29
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 Hallelujah!

Praise God in His sanctuary.

Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

praise Him for His excellent greatness.

Praise Him with the sound of the horn;

praise Him with the harp and lyre.

Praise Him with tambourine and dancing;

praise Him with strings and flute.

Praise Him with clashing cymbals;

praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Hallelujah!

~ Psalm 150


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“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NKJV)

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)


Today's scripture is an observation by King Solomon, the man who was not denied any pleasures his heart desired. Someone who was bestowed with much wisdom, wealth and peaceful long life. I find it interesting that he considers all matter under the sun and concludes that everything is vanity. 

On further reading about it I came across a sermon notes by Canon Liddon, which resonates with me; hence sharing below for today's coffee.

This earthly life cannot possibly satisfy a being like man if it be lived apart from God.
Apart from God, wisdom leads to disappointment and lands us at death in the sublime despair of philosophy.

 Apart from God, wealth and all that it can command yields much less satisfaction than intellectual achievement, since it is further removed from the higher and imperishable nature of man.

 Apart from God, Nature, regarded as matter interpenetrated by force, presents nothing on which man's inmost being can rest. Here we have only cycles of laws repeating themselves through the ages with a momentum which mocks our intellects.

 Vanity, emptiness, and disappointment are traced on Nature, on wealth and thought. As a matter of fact man does not find in either real satisfaction.

Human effort is only vanity when it is pursued without reference to God. Man's capacities are given to lead him to God, and all that leads to Him, so far from being vanity, is lasting and substantial. The man who is living for another world is not less alive to his duties here, His heart has followed his treasure; his citizenship is already in heaven; he looks at "the things which are not seen": he lives as "a stranger and pilgrim": he is but a soldier on campaign duty. All that comes in his way is precious, as enabling him to conquer the enemy and to reach his home.

Jesus of course confirms when he said: The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

True folks. Satan who is the father of lies steals our joy, filling us with futile efforts and vague meaningless life . Let us put aside our vague wandering of things of this world and set our eyes on the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Pin It Now! O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it....

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You....

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

~ Psalm 139

I know we are all busy, but it helps to contemplate such from time to time. Today take a moment to recognize God's constant presence in your life too. Happy Friday folks! Have a blessed weekend. 
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 Clap your hands, all you peoples;

shout unto God with a voice of triumph.

How awesome is the LORD Most High,

the great King over all the earth!

He subdues nations beneath us,

and peoples under our feet.

He chooses our inheritance for us,

the pride of Jacob, whom He loves.


God has ascended amid shouts of joy,

the LORD with the sound of the horn.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is King of all the earth;

sing profound praises to Him.

God reigns over the nations;

God is seated on His holy throne.

The nobles of the nations have assembled

as the people of the God of Abraham;

for the shields of the earth belong to God;

He is highly exalted.


~Psalm 47

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 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. 

~ Psalm 46

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Solomon and the assembly sought Him there. And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” 2 Chronicles 1:5-12

Interesting is it not? If we were posed with the same question this morning, do we have the desire to seek for wisdom? I think we should. 
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Two things I request of You(Deprive me not before I die):

Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—

Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:7-9

A simple to the point prayer. Shall we make this our prayer too this morning?
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 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass—

he blooms like a flower of the field;

when the wind passes over, it vanishes,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the loving devotion of the LORD

extends to those who fear Him,

and His righteousness to their children’s children—

to those who keep His covenant

and remember to obey His precepts.

The LORD has established His throne in heaven,

and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength

who carry out His word,

who hearken to the voice of His command.

Bless the LORD, all His hosts,

you servants who do His will.

Bless the LORD, all His works

in all places of His dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Psalms 103:11-22

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    Bless the LORD, O my soul;

all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and do not forget all His kind deeds—

He who forgives all your iniquities

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit

and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,

who satisfies you with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD executes righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His deeds to the people of Israel.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

He will not always accuse us,

nor harbor His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins

or repaid us according to our iniquities.


Psalm 103:1-10

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There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
  • The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
  • The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags;
  • The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks;
  • The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces.
Proverbs 30:24-28

I guess the scriptures are clear enough and doesn't need further explanation, other than taking the time to ponder. Learn from.  And move on in our Christian walk. 

So the lessons learnt are: Be prepared. Find solace in God the Rock. Be accountable. Persevere.

As simple as that! Happy Friday everyone. 


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 How lovely is Your dwelling place,

O LORD of Hosts!

My soul longs, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she places her young near Your altars,

O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God.

How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!

They are ever praising You.


Blessed are those whose strength is in You,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs;

even the autumn rain covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,

until each appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of Hosts, hear my prayer;

give ear, O God of Jacob.


Take notice of our shield, O God,

and look with favor on the face of Your anointed.

For better is one day in Your courts

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield;

the LORD gives grace and glory;

He withholds no good thing

from those who walk with integrity.

O LORD of Hosts,

how blessed is the man who trusts in You!


~ Psalm 84

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Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:1-8
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 Sing for joy to God our strength; 

make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.

Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, 

play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, 

and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.

For this is a statute for Israel, 

an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph

when he went out over the land of Egypt, 

where I heard an unfamiliar language:

“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; 

his hands were freed from the basket.

You called out in distress, and I rescued you; 

I answered you from the cloud of thunder; 

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.


Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: 

O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!

There must be no strange god among you, 

nor shall you bow to a foreign god.

I am the LORD your God, 

who brought you up out of Egypt. 

Open wide your mouth, 

and I will fill it.

But My people would not listen to Me, 

and Israel would not obey Me.

So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts 

to follow their own devices.

If only My people would listen to Me, 

if Israel would follow My ways,

how soon I would subdue their enemies 

and turn My hand against their foes!

Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, 

and their doom would last forever.

But I would feed you the finest wheat; 

with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”


-Psalm 91
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 Make a joyful noise to the LORD,

all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;

come into His presence with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and bless His name.

For the LORD is good,

and His loving devotion endures forever;

His faithfulness continues to all generations.


~Psalm 100

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Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve. Nehemiah 8:11


Please stop crying. Please take comfort in the Lord. Jesus loves you. <3

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
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