THE BETTER WAY

1 Thessalonians 5:15-16 Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try and be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Scene: Without God man always chooses the worldly way. But with God, mankind has an opportunity at a better way.

Read 1 Samuel 26 ~~ David was divinely protected from Saul. David had his opportunity to kill Saul but chose to let God deal with Saul.

1 Samuel 26:10-11 “As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “The Lord himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.”

David showed patience and self-control and trusted in the Lord to deal with Saul in His own way. David sought the better way.

1 Samuel 26:23-24 “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” **

At the end of this meeting Saul chose to bless David and they went their separate ways in peace.

Matthew 5:44” But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

**NOTE: Saul desired to murder David, which is against the 8th Commandment of God. David was not at war with Saul. He chose the better way and God protected him, as God will protect His people from the evil one.

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                                                                      LOVE OF GOD

1 Samuel 18:10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did.  Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.”   But David eluded him twice.

The Scene: The figure represents; 1) a God-loving person, 2) the yellow gold around the person  represents the presence of the Holy Spirit, 3) green hue in the background represents the spirit of jealousy.

Saul could not overcome the strongman– the spirit of jealousy, because he did not love God, and did not have God’s protection from the evil one.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

We are to be filled with His Holy Spirit, then when the enemy comes, to steal, kill and destroy, he cannot harm us.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,  but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.

Zechariah 4:6b …”not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord Almighty.

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OVERCOMERS

Revelation 15:2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.

The Scene: A stained glass window picture depicting a seafoam- colored sea with fire in the middle of the sea.  This fire represents God’s presence in the world; the sea representing the world.

1 John 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Isaiah 62:12  “They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.”

Revelation 21:2-3 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.”

A place has already been prepared and is waiting for for those who have believed in the the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and are called by His name, Christians.

Copyright 2016 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                     VESTMENT FOR HOLY LIVING

Colossians 3:12-15,17 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The scene: A Christian person wearing a multicolored vest.  The various colors represent different traits, the fruit of the Spirit, in accordance with God’s Word. And the belt that binds all these virtues together is love.

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

We are to put on the new self in peace and thankfulness, all done in the name of the Lord, our God.

2 Corinthians 5:2-3 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

Copyright 2016 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                              I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU

Psalm 91:1-2  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

The Scene: The USA flag, waving gently in the shadow of the cross with a  wall in the background representing a place of protection, of refuge with 3 birds in the sky representing the Trinity watching over God’s people.

The future of the USA could look bleak and dark; to some, the sun may look like it is setting in the nation, but to God’s people, true believers in Jesus Christ, Savior, the sun (Son) is rising – morning is near.

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God.”

The Holy Spirit assures those who are in Christ that they will never be alone. He is always with us- El Shaddai -God Almighty.

Joshua 1:6-7 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law.”

As Christians, we have the promise handed down to Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Joshua, that the lawgiver, Father God, is with us; so do not fear….pray for your nation and its leaders, that they will walk upright in the sight of the Lord.

Copyright 2016 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                      TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:20-21 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and  where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The Scene: A treasure chest that is sitting in a field, ready to be buried.

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

God’s people will store up crowns for their treasures.

Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching and preaching the good news and told all who would listen to make spiritual investments in their heavenly account, and not in earthly treasures that will pass away.

2 Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day–and not only me, but also all who have longed for his appearing.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Jesus seeks to reward His followers.

Ephesians 6:8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

We are rewarded according to our individual efforts.

1 Timothy 6:19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Copyright 2016 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                                         BE A DANIEL

Daniel 2:31-32 “You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue– enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a rock was cut out, not by human hands. It struck the statute on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.”

The scene: Daniel was able to interpret King Nebuchadnezzer’s dream, because Daniel was a believer in Father God and had the help of God’s Holy Spirit to interpret the dream.

Daniel was a prime example of Immanuel,”God with us”. Daniel was peacemaker and a prophet– full of the Holy Spirit, exhibiting the wisdom and knowledge of God. Like Joseph, Daniel was put in high positions of authority  for the kings they served.

Matthew 1:23″ The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”– which means, “God with us.”

Wisdom and knowledge come to us from  Almighty God who lives inside each true believer, through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior.

Copyright 2015 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                            SPIRITUAL FREEDOM

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

The Scene: A monitor, such as a scanner or scope of some kind.

We can monitor our thoughts and actions, asking the Holy Spirit to help us when we feel spiritual heaviness, temptation, or sin overcoming us.

1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

We can avoid spiritual bondage and eternal death by searching our  own individual hearts and minds, like a scanner, for pricks in our consciences and hearts. We Christians need to be alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.

Psalm 4:4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Copyright 2015 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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                                                  GOD’S LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

The scene: A bookcase full of books, representing some of the knowledge of mankind.

However, books with facts, stories, man’s wisdom, that fill people’s book shelves will pass away. Man’s knowledge does not impress God, the maker of everything.

John 13:34-35  “A new command I give you; love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This was said by Jesus, to His disciple Simon Peter; God looks at men’s hearts, to see what love for others they have in their hearts.

John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Knowledge, in and of itself, can be lacking in wisdom. The Holy Scriptures tell us to get wisdom, which comes from God. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.

Copyright 2015 Larry and Kathy hsvisions.wordpress.com

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