Are you hungry and thirsty for the word of God? We offer “A Word For You” to satisfy that craving! One adviser said “make it short and inspiring”, so we set our goal to do just that. I must admit demanding is not close when describing the task. We spend many hours creating each display. Is it worth it? Only you can answer that question. I know one thing for sure, as an ordained minister, God holds me responsible to deliver His Word. It is for you to decide if you want to accept it as truth or not. [Ezekiel 3:1-15 (focus on verses 7-11)].

Put the word into action. If you think hearing is what matters most, you are going to find you have been deceived. 23-24 If some fail to do what God requires, it’s as if they forget the word as soon as they hear it. One minute they look in the mirror, and the next they forget who they are and what they look like. James 1:22-24 (The Voice)

For more go to – A Message 4 U.

Give Thanks To The Lord, For He Is Good

Your Word Focus: Thanks

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. 2 Who can declare the Lord’s mighty acts or proclaim all the praise due Him? 3 How happy are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times. Psalms 106:1-3 (HCSB)

Why give thanks to the Lord? If you have to ask, consider the following.

• Do you have a favorite sports team and find that you get excited when they score or win? If you are a child of God you are on the winning team, we can celebrate right now!
• Maybe you clap and scream for a celebrity or entertainer. Who do you know that is more celebrity and entertaining than the Lord? Take some time to explore the beauty of this creation.
• Think of anything or anyone in your life that causes you to celebrate. Isn’t the One that created you—the One that takes care of you—worth showing that you appreciate the fact that He is?

Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (RKJNT) [read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22]

Come on you can do it, open your mouth, and praise the Lord. Give Him credit for all that He is and that He has done, He desires our praise and thanks. Do you adore the Lord? If you do let Him know it, He wants you to show it…be blessed! – ♥ Tim.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here and choose a Bible study. If not go to comment/poll area.

What Are You Hoping For?

Your Word Focus: Hope

We thank God for the hope that is being kept for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope through the Good News which is the Word of Truth. Colossians 1:5 (NLV)

Are you praising God, patiently rejoicing and happily encouraged that your faith has given you peace because you have hope? But what are you hoping for? A new car, home, promotion, job or some material thing? Make sure your primary desire is God’s kingdom please read Matthew 6:25-34 (key verse: 33) and 12:22-34 (key verses: 29-31); 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Side note: Did you know you should guard your thoughts and mind with the helmet of salvation [1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (8); Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:13-17 (17)]?

So prepare your minds for service. With complete self-control put all your hope in the grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ comes. 1 Peter 1:13 (ERV)

I share the prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-19 focusing on verse 18:

I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious. Ephesians 1:18 (ERV)

Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7 (CEV)

What is hope? Hope gives us something to look forward to, to strive for, or seek after. We can set a goal to meet the desired end and be excited as we see ourselves getting close to achieving the goal. The goal must be something that is possible to reach otherwise there will be little hope or I should say it does not make sense to set a goal that we do not believe we can obtain, this is hopeless.

So when we desire to return to a prior state of well-being, it is called healing. In order for us to heal we have to have a certain amount of hope or expectation that it will happen. When we give in to despair or feelings of hopelessness we are already making room for defeat or failure.

Scriptures to read and study:

Romans 15:1-13 (key verses: 4 and 13); Acts 2:14-42 (key verses: 25-28); 1 John 3:1-3 (key verse: 3); Ephesians 1:15-23 (key verses: 18-19); 1 Peter 1:3-25 (key verses: 3-6, 13-16 and 21); Titus 1:1-4 (key verse: 2) and 3:1-8 (key verses: 4-7); Hebrews 6:9-20 (key verses: 11-12 and 18-20), 7:11-19 (key verses: 18-19) and 10:19-39 (key verses: 23-25)

Never give up on hope, it will not disappoint you. The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Hopes reward for you child of God is eternal life. Be blessed, visit us again, and tell your friends and family about Sound Truth Ministry – ♥ Tim.

♥ Question for “what are you hoping for”: Is your hope in the Lord and eternal life?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here. If not go to comment/poll area.

A Christian Life Means A Changed Life

Your Word Focus: Change

Change is one of the most difficult things to do, for most people (maybe not you, but others). To change is to adjust or correct our behavior and thinking. Since you became a Christian are you aware of any changes in your life? The letters (epistles) in the Bible were written to help the Jewish Christians change their ways. Yes, God’s chosen people had to change and so do you.

And they set up false witnesses, who said: “This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law. For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.” Acts 6:13-14 (CPDV)

NOTE: The problem was going from the Law of Moses to grace introduced by Christ. They no longer had to follow the teachings of the Law. Go to From Law to Grace.

You may or may not agree that we like to stay in our comfort zone of habits. These habits include traditions and daily routines. Think about it, before Christ came into your life did you spend time reading your Bible? Did you make time to pray or go out of your way to help others? Did you fellowship with other Christians? You should be a new person with new friends and habits. Was it easy for you to change?

Heaven and eternal life; worth the change

If you struggle with making good changes, remember there is one final change that you do not want to miss. Changing from a physical (designed for earth) to the glorious (designed for heaven) body.

But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21 (AUV)

Living a Christian life is worth every struggle and hardship. Know that you are part of a Spiritual family that has an inheritance of eternal life; love it! Blessings to you my friends – ♥ Tim.

Presenting ‘Christian Life – Changed Life‘. Do your best to please God in all you do!

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here. If not go to comment/poll area.

A Good State of Mind

Your Word Focus: Mind

“…Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind…” (from Romans 12:2 (NLV)

We have to learn to recognize the things from our distant and often recent past that may be the cause of our problems. This can be attributed to what others said about and to us once or on a regular basis. Statements like …”you will never amount to anything” ♦||♦ “you are just like your mother/father” ♦||♦ “you are stupid” ♦||♦ “you are ugly” ♦||♦ “you are fat” … can have a devastating effect on us and cause low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, feelings of being inferior or not good enough.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (CEB)

Other common problems extending into our now are reflections of our environment, some say we are products of our environment, usually with a negative meaning. Release yourself from those things, it may seem impossible but you can do it.

“The Lord is the strength of my life…in this will I be confident.” –(from Psalms 27:1 and 3)

Set your self free either through one of the following methods:

1) forgiveness 2) realize that it was not your fault 3) accept the fact that we cannot change what happened but we can change the way we allow it to affect us.

For you know the saying, “We live in God; we move in God; we exist in God.” [For in him we live, and move, and have our being (KJV)]. And still, another said, “We are indeed God’s children.” Acts 17:28 (The Voice)

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 (WEB)

Scriptures to read and study:

Psalms 51:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:23

Are you ready for a new mind? Having a good state of mind is so needed in this life. It makes for good health and wellness. Try God and let Him give you a new life and a new mind. Be blessed – ♥ Tim.

♥ Question for ‘a good state of mind’: Do you have a new mind and a new way of thinking?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here. If not go to comment/poll area.

Faith in Action

Your Word Focus: Faith

But a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils believe also, and tremble.

20 Do you want to be shown, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 You see that faith was active with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 And in the same way was not Rahab the prostitute justified by works, when she received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. James 2:18-26 (RKJNT)

Somehow many seem to be confused about how faith and works work together, they are a pair—twins you might say. They are not identical twins:

• Faith – pistis (pis’-tis) faith-reliance upon Christ for salvation {each use in verses 18-26; eight total}
• Works – ergon (er’-gon) work-an act, deed, thing done {each use in verses 18-26; ten total}

An excerpt from Barnes’ Notes on James 2:26 There is as much necessity that faith and works should be united to constitute true religion, as there is that the body and soul should be united to constitute a living man. If good works do not follow, it is clear that there is no true and proper faith; none that justifies and saves.

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man say he has faith, but has not works? can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you says to him, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; yet you do not give him the things which are necessary for the body; of what benefit is that? 17 Even so faith, if it does not have works, is dead, being alone James 2:14-17 (RKJNT).

Faith Works

Faith must be put into action; often we are tested to show our faith. In 2013 our apartment building caught fire, I recall speaking faith while watching the flames creep along the roof getting closer and closer to our bedroom. This was the third time in my life that one of my places of residence caught fire. Each time God protected my belongings and I knew He would do it again. “He will not let anything happen to our things,” I said to my wife, and thank God there was only smoke damage our insurance covered the cost. (I posted the pictures on Google + and Facebook). Oh, we serve a wonderful God!

To the clean in heart, all things are clean: but to those who are unclean and without faith nothing is clean; they become unclean in mind and in thought. 16 They say that they have knowledge of God, while by their acts they are turning their backs on him; they are hated by all, hard-hearted, and judged to be without value for any good work. Titus 1:15-16 (BBE)

Scriptures to read and study:

James 2:14-26; Romans 3:27-31; Galatians 3:1-9; Titus 1:10-16

Please do not be like Peter who stepped out on faith to walk on water during a storm. He allowed the surrounding conditions to cause him to take his focus off of the Lord and reality took over [Matthew 14:22-33]. I urge you to let your faith work, faith will not let you down because Jesus never fails our God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9 and 10:13), be blessed! – ♥ Tim.

♥ Question for “Faith in Action”: Is your faith working or unemployed?

Related Bible lesson

Active Faith

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here. If not go to comment/poll area.

Trusting God

Your Word Focus: Trust

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his saints: for there is no lack to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalms 34:8-10 (KJ2000)

Of course, the word ‘taste‘ does not literally mean to eat but perceive, see, or discover—find out for yourself—that the Lord is good. Compare this with the parable Jesus used in Luke 14:15-24 and Matthew 22:1-14 of the ‘great supper’; take a look and see what Jesus is actually speaking of. Parables were stories that Jesus used to show spiritual things using natural and familiar events. To farmers, He used stories that related to farming like planting (sowing) and harvesting (reaping).

So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith. We have been cleansed and made free from feelings of guilt. And our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed. We can trust God to do what he promised. 24 Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. Hebrews 10:22-24 (ICB)

Blessed–happy, a person that trusts the Lord finds happiness [Psalms 84:12]. Isaiah 30:18 And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord. (GNT) Try the Lord and see that He is good, you will find true happiness when you learn to trust Him, be blessed! – ♥ Tim.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Need more please click/tap here. If not go to comment/poll area.

Commend (praise) God

Message in the picture

Praise our God! What He does is wonderful, flawless, and beyond our understanding.

Your Word Focus: Commend

Something to think about:

 To commend is to mention with approval; i.e., to praise. Praise is the joyful honor of thanks given to God. It is the act of worship to our Creator by song and words of thanksgiving. Sing about the goodness and wonderful works of the Lord. When we praise, we talk about the things’ God has done for us. Our songs of praise (commendation) should help and inspire the children of God.

The Book of Psalms, Tehillim in Hebrew (תְּהִלִּים or תהילים meaning “Praises“). The title is derived from the Greek translation, ψαλμοί psalmoi, meaning “instrumental music” and, by extension, “the words accompanying the music.” – Psalms wikipedia.org

Key Points:

1. Let the church (the body of Christ) sing praises to God. Ephesians 5:19-20 19 “Speak to one another by using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord.” (AUV) 20 Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (TCNT)
2. Please God with constant praise, obedience, and sharing with others. Hebrews 13:15-16 Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through him [Jesus], that is, the fruit of lips that make confession (give thanks and offer praise) to his name. 16 Do not forget (neglect) to do good and to communicate (fellowship) (share), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (NSB)
3. Praise God by loving each other and living right. Philippians 1:9-11 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (NLT)

The Duty of Praise.
Praise is everywhere represented in the Bible as a duty no less than a natural impulse and a delight. To fail in this duty is to withhold from God’s glory that belongs to Him (Psalms 50:23; Romans 1:20); it is to shut one’s eyes to the signs of His presence (Isaiah 40:26), to be forgetful of His mercies (Deuteronomy 6:12), and unthankful for His kindness (Luke 6:35). If we are not to fall into these sins, but are to give to God the honor and glory and gratitude we owe Him, we must earnestly cultivate the spirit and habit of praise. From holy men of old we learn that this may be done by arousing the soul from its slothfulness and sluggishness (Psalms 57:8; 103:1), by fixing the heart upon God (Psalms 57:7; 108:1), by meditation on His works and ways (Psalms 77:11), by recounting His benefits (Psalms 103:2), above all, for those to whom He has spoken in His Son, by dwelling upon His unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15; compare Romans 8:31; 1 John 3:1). – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1915

You may not care to have others say good things about you. But God loves and deserves praises.

Jesus was coming close to Jerusalem. He was already near the bottom of the Mount of Olives. The whole crowd of followers was very happy. They began shouting praise to God for all the powerful works they had seen. They said, 38 “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! There is peace in heaven and glory to God!” Psalm 118:26 39 Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things!” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if my followers don’t say these things, then the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:37-40 (ICB)

Learn to lift your voice in praise to God. Do not allow Jesus to come into your life without showing gratitude. Praise (commend) our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus! Blessings to you all in Jesus name –  ♥ Tim.

♥ Question for “Praises to God”: Does your praise honor God? Does it tell of His goodness and mercy? Does it speak of how wonderful He is?

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:

True Worship Is Not Tradition, But What Pleases God! – an estimated 25-minute read.

Habits – 2 Bad Habits to Avoid – an estimated 5-minute read.

Father, Son, Holy-Spirit Share One Name; The Name Jesus – an estimated 7-minute read.

Trust God; Build Your Hope And Depend on God – an estimated 17-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.