PEACE II

Job 9:8 “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.”

The Scene: The coming in of the waves lapping along the shoreline and receding back into the sea–a tranquil scene, representing God’s blessings that bring peace to those who love Him and live according to His purpose.

Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

The waves seem gentle and peaceful; however, try and stop them! They are powerful, full of energy; they keep coming and coming, rolling in one wave after another–like God’s blessings that are endless.

Psalm 23:2-3 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

See Matthew 8:23-27.

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

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SHEAVES

Deuteronomy 29:9 “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.”

The Scene: Stalks of freshly hand-cut wheat, representing God’s provision.

Just as in the Old Covenant, God is faithful to those who believe and heed His Word, just as in Moses’ day.  At  the harvest time a “first fruits” offering was given, a tithe–10%– as commanded by the Lord, thus insuring God’s promise of abundance in the next growing season.

Psalm 147:14 “He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.”

Today, Jesus tells us that when we give to those in need, according  to His Word, He can and will bless us.  Christians need to be led of the Holy Spirit in giving tithes and offerings, as well as in giving gifts to others.

Malachi 3:10 ” ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty,’ and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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A FIRM FOUNDATION

Psalm 40:1-5 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”

The Scene: Picture of a Holy Bible, Scripture, God’s Holy Word.

The Gospel and Good News– As we read Psalm 40 we can begin to understand the Holy Bible is like a strong cornerstone, a rock upon which we can build up the inner man spiritually; then we are able to help others grow in this grace.

God’s Word is true, never changing, always on time (a now Word), trust worthy.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Isaiah 28:16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ ”

Jesus Christ is our cornerstone and the creator of the Word.  For we are told by Jesus that if we build our lives on His Word, He is quick to make us fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.

John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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 I AM THE LIGHT

John 8:12 ” When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ”

The Scene: Birthday candles–showing the number of  new year,  for a reminder that Jesus’ birth about 2018 years ago brought His light into the world, to save sinners.

1 John 1; 5; 7 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. v5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. v.7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

In this new year, God reminds us, and the Apostle John tells us in the above Holy Scriptures, that Jesus is the only light for us to follow and that He is always with us, a guiding light in a darkened world.

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2018, Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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A SURE FOUNDATION

Isaiah 28:16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ ”

The Scene: A partially completed house, symbolic of a Christian under construction–with Jesus as the cornerstone.

Without Jesus as the cornerstone, our faith will neither stand nor last through the trials God allows. Recognize that all Christians are incomplete until Jesus Christ returns to earth to take His bride, the Church, home to heaven.

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”

Through much study, prayer and meditation on God’s Word (the Holy Scriptures) one can grow in spiritual maturity, building our God-given house.  Our born-again bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1Peter 2:6 “For in Scripture it says, ‘ See, I lay a cornerstone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ ”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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PAID IN FULL

1Corinthians 6:20  “You were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”

The Scene: Paid in full stamp–red background  symbolic of Jesus’ blood shed for sinners. Jesus Christ paid a debt He did not owe. He paid the full price of sin, for all who believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior of their lives.

Deuteronomy Chapter 15 reminds Christians to be generous in helping others, by giving tithes and offerings. In return, we are promised blessings in everything to which we put our hands. God is ultimately fair and just. He expects His people to be the same.

Malachi 3:10 “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty,  ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’”

Jesus died on the cross for all mankind’s sins who will choose faith in Him and grow in His grace. He paid the debt in full for you.

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

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CLING TO ME

Psalm 62:10 “Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”

The Scene: gold and silver coins, a representation of worldly wealth.

People of the world put their trust in money, gold, silver, precious gems and metal.

The Holy Spirit reminds His people, Christians, born-again folks, the bride-of Christ, to trust in the Lord and not in government handouts or personal wealth–as King David sang in the Psalm 20:6-7 “Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in  chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

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TREASURES ON EARTH

Matthew 6:19-21 : “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths 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 closed door on a safe.

Do not store your treasures in an earthly safe, but store up heavenly treasures, where they cannot be stolen or destroyed.

Worldly people, those who are lost (unsaved sinners) store their treasures in what they think is a safe place. Mature Christians know they have a heavenly safe in which they can store their treasures (crowns of life, godly rewards for good works). In our eternal homes, God- given treasures also include promised eternal life in heaven, living in our God-made mansion, blessings from God, and our inheritance as sons of the living God.

Proverbs 14:18 “The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”

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 to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Our faith expressed in good deeds brings us heavenly rewards. Helping others by our good works—helping the  young, the old, and those truly needy, all brings crowns stored up for the righteous in heaven:  crowns of life and glory, which can be presented, one day, to God and King Jesus.

Revelation 2:10 ” Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation 4:10-11 “The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and  worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, for you created all things, and by your will  they were created and have their being.'”

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

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IN TIMES OF NEED

Psalm 23: 1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

The Scene: Quiet waters flowing through a valley, a scene created as a reminder that we are only passing through this world.

Committing the 23rd Psalm to memory, or just remembering to look up this Scripture and read it, is a reminder that we are never alone and that our Lord God and King Jesus are always available, especially in our times of need.

Philippines 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 58:11 ” The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Our God has promised us His support whenever we call upon His glorious name, Jesus Christ.  He tells us in His Word, we need to but ask, seek, and knock through faith in His promises and He will come to our aid to get us through whatever befalls us.

Copyright: Larry Helms & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com 2017; Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Larry & Kathy Helms; hsvisions.wordpress.com, with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV

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