DIVIDED

Mark 3:23-24 ” So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables ‘How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand.’ ”

The Scene: Someone cannot say he/she is born-again and continue to live in willful sin.

Mark 3:25-26 ” If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.’ ”

There is only one truth–the truth of God. The Holy Spirit  gave Jesus Christ  a divine rebuttal to the Pharisees’ charges, showing Godly wisdom.

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. ”

1 Corinthians 10:21 “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

Double mindedness, a tool of the devil, creates doubt; it is not acceptable to God’s people, nor to God. It pays negative returns. Our eyes are to be straight ahead, looking down the narrow road that leads to eternal life in heaven.

Luke 9:62  “Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ ”

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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5-54 DOUBLE MINDEDNESS

CONTRASTS

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

The Scene: A framed picture of a tree which is half full of life and half dead. The fruit shown on the living tree half–symbolic of those who have shown they live for God and are bearing the fruit given them through the Holy Spirit. (see Galatians 5:22 which describes the fruit of the Spirit.)

Jesus offers everyone the tree of life. Some choose life while others choose the tree of death. 2 Corinthians 5:10  says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Father God rewards those who by faith diligently seek Him and choose eternal life with Him in heaven.

Hebrews 11:6 ” And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he  rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 9:27  “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

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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5-53 LIFE/DEATH (CHOICES)

POTENTIAL

Matthew 13:31-32 “He told them another parable: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.’ ”

The Scene: Sequence of the life of a mustard seed.                                                                    The Christian has to grow into a stalwart in the church  developing spiritually from the seed planted in him by the Holy Spirit at salvation.  At first, as an unsaved person, he is watered by the Word (living water) of God. Then as a youth (young Christian) unlearned, he begins to take root and grow as a seedling, growing spiritually, as he takes nourishment from the water of the Word.

Next, over time, he grows into a tree, an adult (mature Christian) and then develops into a tree of service to others.  He can bear the fruit of the Spirit (See Galatians 5:22) and provide food, shade, and shelter to become a place of peaceful rest and grace.  The             needs of the Church are met through service to others. Through study of God’s Word we show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who do not need to be ashamed, who correctly handle the Word of truth.  (See 2 Timothy 2:15)

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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5-52 CHRISTIAN GROWTH CYCLE

FORGIVENESS

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

The Scene: Crossed double-edged swords representing God’s Word, showing His love and forgiveness for us and all sinners, looking like an “X” cancelling out offenses. God gives us His love–agape love, divine love, unconditional love, and forgiveness without merit.

Swords are offensive weapons–these spiritual swords are used to stop the spirit of offense from controlling us in an evil way–sin–which can cause bitterness, resentment, hard feelings among the body of Christ.

Colossians 3:13 ” Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Romans 15:1-2 ” We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

The mature Christian is to set the example for and teach the youngest, new Christians, just as Jesus Christ our Lord set the example for all of us to follow.

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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5-51 FORGIVENESS

EXAMINE THYSELF

Matthew 7:1-2 ” Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The Scene: A hand held mirror with a heart being reflected from the mirror–one’s own heart.

Jesus’ lesson is clear; practice piety and holy living before accusing others of sinful living–worse than your own sin.

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 ” Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ ”

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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5-50 JUDGE NOT

SOLID FOOD

1 Kings 17:2-4 “Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there. ‘ ”

The Scene: Elijah beside the brook, resting as the ravens bring him meat and bread.

• Key verses: 1 Kings 17:5-6 “So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and  bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”
• SPECIAL MEANINGS/SYMBOLS: 1) the brook–water (living water) provided by Father God, gave Elijah faith and trust in God’s Word and promises. 2) bread and meat provided by the ravens to Elijah–symbols of spiritual food for growth (mature Christians) as opposed to milk for new Christians (baby food).   Like any good father, Father God wants His children to grow in maturity–become like Him; trustworthy, righteous, truthful…..
• The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-9) gave all the food she had to Elijah. She trusted Elijah to make good on his word. (1 Kings 17: 13-14) God’s Word provided more than enough from what would be left over for the prophet, the widow and her son.

As we see in this reading, God means what he says and can be trusted to provide whatever is needed when people trust Him enough to be obedient and obey His commands. When He says something will happen it WILL happen!

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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5-49 TRUST

SOLITARY PLACE

Matthew 14:13 “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.”

The Scene: a small boat resting on a sandy beach–maybe at the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus from time to time sought solitude from the masses of people, the world and its troubles that followed him whereever He traveled.

He would find a small fishing boat, put out in it and move away from shore where He could find rest. The message is clear for the followers of Jesus: take time out for rest, solitude, relaxation, rejuvenation–time for meditation. Get away from the daily demanding tasks and pressures.

Listen to God through His Holy Spirit. Find direction for your life–stay fixed on His will for you.

• Restoration:  Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
• Meditation : Psalm 104:34 ” May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.”
• Solitude/rest: Mark 6:31 “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ “
• Prayer: Luke 5:16 ” But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

We can never go wrong if we will but follow the pattern for our lives that Jesus the Christ of Nazareth has laid out for us.

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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5-48 REST

WALK HUMBLY

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Psalm 8:3-5  “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

The Scene: a pair of sandals representing the shoes of Jesus the Christ of Nazareth when He walked the earth.

John the Baptist thought himself too lowly, unworthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. Micah tells us in the Scripture above that we are worthy of honor, in the Lord’s eyes, when we learn to walk humbly before God.  Jesus made it possible for His people, believers, to be higher than the angels, an honor undeserved but given freely.  It is only through the love and mercy of Jesus toward us that we are allowed the freedom in worship to give Him praise, led by His Spirit.

1Corinthians 6:2-3 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?  Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!”

Jesus has put much faith in His saints who are to rule and reign with Him on this earth and in heaven. Our task is to be prepared to rule and reign! Be ready, saints!

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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5-47 SANDALS–HUMILITY

RULER OF NATIONS

Psalm 47:8 “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.”

The Scene: The flags of several nations–the Lord Jesus said, “I am the Father of all nations. I am greater than all the nations.”

Psalm 47:2 “How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!”

“I raise them up and bring them down,” the Holy Spirit concluded.

Isaiah 60:12 “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.”  The Lord saves those nations that live in righteousness and follow His commands.

Zephaniah 2:3 ” Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”

Psalm 72:17 “May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.”

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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5-46 NATIONS, CREATOR, RULER

DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT’S FIRE

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

The Scene: a fire extinguisher representing the people who do not believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

The world has tried to quench the Spirit and will continue to do so, until the end, the fulfillment of time.  Believers are called to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit–He speaks only truth.

John 16:13-14 ” But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ‘ ”

Jesus was speaking to the Apostles telling them whom they should expect after He had been resurrected and returned to heaven.

John 14: 15–18 ” ‘ If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives  with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans.’ ”

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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5-45 HOLY SPIRIT FIRE