So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. John 19: 1-3, NKJV. Gracious God, today we bow humbly in Your presence. As we study Your Word, we say, Thank You for wearing the crown of thorns on our behalf. Our prayer is that one day, we might be considered worthy, of wearing the crown of life that You have provided for us. In the...

 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else about it and then missing out myself. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, MSG. Gracious God, how thankful we are to You for...

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 2, NIV. Dear God, here we are again, listening for a Word from You. Your Words bring us life, and joy, and hope. So please speak to us dear LORD. In the blessed name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen. Today, we will study about how to, "approve" the perfect will of God. How is this possible? How can imperfect...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 2, NIV. Gracious God, as we bow before You, in the study of Your Word, please open the eyes of our understanding that we might not only approve, but also experience, Your "good, pleasing, and perfect, will, in our lives." In the name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen. Yesterday our conversation evolved around, "not conforming" to the sinful practices of the...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 2, NIV. Holy God, we are thankful for the opportunity to study Your Word. Therefore, we pray that You will draw near to us, as we seek to be transformed into Your image. Please stay with us during this hour; we pray in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen. It is much easier to conform, than to be transformed. Conforming, is like going...

Thus says the LORD:  Maintain justice and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and do not let the eunuch say, "I am just a dry tree." For thus says the LORD:  To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast...

Thus says the LORD:  Maintain justice and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and do not let the eunuch say, "I am just a dry tree." For thus says the LORD:  To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast...

Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right,  for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and do not let the eunuch say, "I am just a dry tree." For thus says the LORD:  To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my...

And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56: 6, 7, NRSV. Holy Father, as we come into Your presence, we ask that our hearts...