There are no Jews, no Greeks, etc (people of the church)

The church was established by Jesus. We worship God because of Him. During the Roman regime Emperor Constantine established a state church because he saw a vision of Christ. From then on if anyone decided they wouldn't become a Christian they would be put to death, However this cuts the against the grain of what God wanted. And with a church like this even if there is growth, the people become robots rather than growing in Christ to understand the love of and for God. But what Christians forget is that we are no better than anyone else, whether Roman or Gentiles. (Romans 3:9) and the bible speaks to all of us..Just as Christ called to His followers (Matthew 4:20-22) He calls to me and others. And He exhorts me to forget the past and follow Him. (Matthew 8:22)

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD

• God tells me to have no others before Him. That includes well-meaning family, church friends and family, spiritual writers, and those who by their actions are God's children. God tells me that if I choose to put these ahead of Him rather than acting as His child, His princess, His yoke then I am being disobedient and not acknowledging that He is the one true God. (Duet 32:39) God tells me that when I focus on others; will for my life, it is much like the Jews focusing on the Temple and the legalism there. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD

I also like to think of God as always being there for me, even when friends and family turn against me. (Job 19:19) And so He always looks with favor and is not ashamed of me when I fail but looks at me as His. He is the one who is in control and it is He who decides what the most fitting reward (inheritance) for us is, (Ps 47:4, Ps 78:68) And we are told to choose to love our brethren, especially in the house of the Lord, for these are His children. There are times when judgment has come on me and it hasn't been pretty. (Isaiah 30:30) But when I see what a mess I have done and a On the other hand He has inflicted diseases or allowed diseases to occur with those that enjoy sinning and will not follow Him. (Gen 12:17)

Who is God ,,,, All Hail the Power (part 13)

God promises to totally defeat His enemies. (Isaiah 20:3, Exodus 15:9) It's because they refuse to repent and realize who He is and how powerful He is. And one of the reasons the Isrealites were taken prisoners by the Assyrians and Babylonians and were sacked by the Romans was that the prophets who came with messages from God were killed by them.(Acts 7:52) And this disbelief culminated with Jesus and with Jesus' death our sins were taken away and all people were given hope of salvation and eternal life if we make Him our Lord. (Isaiah 6:7). It's because of this hope I rejoice. (Psalm 119:162). And God rewards me for standing strong and will continue to do that. (Luke 11:22) And He is faithful and His children are faithful otherwise how could He judge those who are evil? (Romans 3:6) While we were yet sinners He sent His Son to die and rise again. (Romans 5:8) And we are a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) So we are exhorted to put off our old ways (Ephesians 4:22-24) and find renewal in Him. (Colossians 3:10) My old ways, our old ways, lead us to compete for God's favor. But it's God's grace that lead to my, our, salvation, not what we've done. (Acts 15:11). The LORD promises me and all that He comes to give me and us life. (John 10:10) And what I must realize is two promises: 1) All of His sacrifice and suffering, all of His life is for all of our sakes (Romans 4:25) and 2)We will be saved. (Isaiah 53:11)

Who is God? (all hail the power.... part 12)

But let's not be fooled. As merciful as God is, He still will and cannot look upon sin. In fact, since the beginning this has been so, which is why He banished Adam and Eve from paradise. He, as Deuteronomy 31:17, describes, hides from sinners, that is those whose lifestyle is such that they have chosen that sin is far preferable to trying to live an upright life. And this is the reason life on earth is full of pain (Isaiah 1:15) ALL life while the separation exists between earthly life and life in paradise. This includes people who have accepted Christ and put Him on in baptism. Nothing is further from the truth to assume that all will be rosy for a Christian once His. In fact that's when the warfare begins and the only weapons that God provides us with to combat Satan is putting on the armor of God in prayer and standing firm that God is faithful. (Ephesians 6:10-14) We are His, nothing changes that, but we must act like we are His. We are told to honor Him, (1 Samuel 2:30) to have faith in Him (Mark 11:22), and stand (Ephesians 6:14-17) and know that God will see us through, although as in Psalm 22:6 and again in Matthew 27:29, we will be despised by people. Where after all is our treasure, but in God? (Mark 6:21) And He and His Son give to us freely. (John 10:14-18)

Who is God? All hail the power (part 11)

God chooses us. God chooses our leaders. They may not be our choice but He chooses them because He loves us and because He wants us to learn righteousness and justice. (2 Chronicles 9:8) And that goes for bad leaders, dangerous leaders, leaders with no back bones as well as those who are strong and gracious and fair to all. He wants us to learn to be respectful of our leaders no matter what. (1 Timothy 2:2) In this way we learn that He is really the one in control, and that there is nothing our leaders, good or bad, can do that He doesn't know about or can't counteract. Simply put, He loves us. And in doing this others who aren't Christians can see the great love of God for His people when gracious and loving leaders are put in place. (2 Chronicles 2:11)

Who is God? All hail the Power... (part 10)

God also provides me with comfort from people, as he provided a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24:67. He provides those that will look after me always, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. I have so many friends that I have called upon for advice when I am emotionally confused and physically incapable of performing functions around the house. He has also provided those who give me spiritual strength. And He has provided me with those to whom I feel no one can compare, favorite friends that I will always run to when I need them and who know they can do the same with me.

Who is God? All hail the power....(part 9)

And I know people question God how He can allow suffering if He indeed loves His children. Well I look at verses like Jeremiah 2:25 and see He promises that He will give people, His children included, exactly what they wish. Especially when we seek other gods and worship idols in our daily lives but don't give thanks to who really counts. He promises that we will eventually be in discomfort and ruin.

But I also see there is nothing but sweetness on His lips for those He chooses, even though because of their harsh ways and mean-spirited demeanor they deserve far worse. There is nothing He would not do for us. (Song of Solomon 5:16) What else can He do, if I hear that sweet sound but don't follow Him? (Ezekiel 33:32). In fact, the LORD knows what I go through, and he loves me enough to provide for me a way that I might be able to actually grow in love with those with whom I have a relationship, whether, friendship, marriage, or parent-child. (Genesis 29:32). And if we truly love our Father, I will obey Him because I love His commandments. (Exodus 20:6) It is significant that God repeats how I should love Him, over and over. (Deuteronomy 5:10; John 14:23). In fact, God loves it when I am seeking Him and promises I will find Him if I do that. (Proverbs 8:17) He repeats this too in Matthew 7:7. He loves me! And He affirms me!

God is such a wonderful God, and I boast in what He has done and shown not just me but all of us. God is wonderful!! And when I boast to others that He got me through hardships, it's not because I don't love people, but that I do love them and am trying to guide them through their struggles as God shows me. He loved me so much and demonstrates this in not only sending His Son but rewarding the “Man of Sorrows”. (Isaiah 53:12)

Who is God? All hail the power... (part 8)

God loved His children so much that Deuteronomy 10:15 says that He ran after them in order that they follow Him and has done so throughout the history of His people even until today and beyond. Being God He didn't have to do this, but it was the power of His love that is so evident in that action. So God warns His people (including me) to love the stranger because He does. (Deuteronomy 10:19). And He loves us so much that He continually reminds us that He has proven Himself over and over. We know His power, we do not need to listen to anyone else but Him. (Deuteronomy 13:3,6) And when we acknowledge Him and the truth that He never breaks His promise to us then we know He love us and is pleased with us. (Nehemiah 1:5) And it hurts Him when we don't follow His commands or when we hurt each other. (Psalm 4:2), He loves it when we choose Him all out. (Psalm 18:1) When I personally call to Him, He loves it when I call upon Him to be merciful. Especially when I tell Him in all honesty how much I love His name. (Psalm 119:132) He blesses me, and all of those that profess their love for Him, with peace. (Psalm 119:165). And His forgiveness is limitless and extensive and His love is extended to everyone. ( Luke 7:42)

Who is God? All hail the power.... (part 7)

God, all about love, in fact being love incarnate and love-defined, is entitled to our love. He is the only being that commands that kind of love, the only kind that commands respect. (Deut 6:5) In fact we are commanded to love the Lord and walk in His ways, the ways of love, with the entirety of our being. (Deuteronomy 10:2) And the blessing is that He will protect and bless us if we follow His commands and walk in His love and love Him the way He loves (which doesn't mean that we be perfect but that our focus is God-centered and we love with our innermost being). (Deut 11:1, 13,22).

Who is God? (all hail the power) part 6

And Jesus is such a unique being. He is God, yes, He is human, yes, but He also a blackboard for God's teaching and writing how He wants me to live. And not just that but this is the prototype, Jesus is the indication that I can make it. We can do it. Because of John 15:9,10 indicates that He is the love of God sent to earth to encourage in me obedience and love for each other unlike any other love. And what an example!.I don't believe He was a big man, except for His hands. I know this because my brother was only 5 ft 4 inches tall and had huge hands that were also strong and I think that He was the same way. You coild not pick Him out in a crowd. So that I can use that model. And can love others in Him. (1 Corinthian 16:24). and love God the way God want me to love Him, knowing that I do not know His thoughts but I know He is in control and that events may not happen the way I want them to happen but He knows how and what to do and His only command is that I love others His way and I love Him.(Song of Solomon 1:2,4; 4:10)

Who is God? All hail the power.... (part 5)

God is so much more than power. He is great, yes, He is holy, yes, but there is so much more, so much deeper emotions and thoughts run through the Creator. He sent His Son to earth not out of meanness but out of kindness. And in Him if I keep His word, His love is made perfect. (1 John 2:5, 1 John 3:16-17). God is manifested in Jesus, God and Love Incarnate (1 John 4:9). And in this love, God demonstrates His power to save us and rejoice with us in His comfort of us. (Zephaniah 3:17) After all, while we are all lost in our sins, God committed His love to us and sent Jesus to die for us. (Romans 5:8) So that even when He says “No”to our prayers He is only doing it for all of our good. Events affect everyone and everything and He is in control but He is not a controlling God. What He does, whether He intervenes or not, all of His decisions are based in love. His love is perfected and His power is demonstrated when our love for each other is manifested in deeds of love, kindness, and compassion. (1 John 4:12). We are exhorted over and over to remember that God is love and in that love there is no fear, of losing that love, of having to earn that love, or of never being forgiven. (1 john 4:16,18) For God has taken care of all things for us.And so He sends His son, His grace and His love. (2 John 3) The Lord's greatest power is in His love. And He is gentle and loving. (Song of Solomon 3:5) And there is much love that He has for us. (Song of Solomon 4:1,7).

Who is God? All hail the power (part 4)

It is in God I prosper. God uses my prosperity to show not only me but others I am in contact with. May God continue to bless us all. (2 Chronicles 11:21). And He gives me places to love and to cultivate, because He knows I love my flowers, and relationships to develop and cultivate, whether with people or animals, because He knows I love them both. (2 Chronicles 26:10)

Who is God? All hail the power (part 3)

Because His Father was all-knowing and all wisdom emanates from Him, Jesus bore our sins and healed us and brought us into the fold. ( 1Peter 2:24-25) We who were astray were brought together by Jesus. (Psalm 95:10) Because Jesus was also all-knowing, He knew that nothing He would say would convince His captors to not kill Him and that silence would say millions and work on people's hearts. (Mark 14:61; 1Peter2:23) He knew that according to prophecy He was to be mocked and slain. (Matt27:31; John 1:29)

Who is God? All hail the power...(part 2)

And God delights in me, as in Song of Solomon 7:6. He loves me, so much so that He covets my time. He loves me as the lover in Song of Solomon 8:6 who pleaded with His loved one to place a seal over her heart. God wants me to seal my heart with His Spirit. And then He tells me I can conquer death. He tells me that love is so powerful not even a mighty flood can destroy it. (Song of Solomon 8:7)

God's love for me is so great, so powerful and yet He wants to open about just how much in love with me He is. He knew me when I was a youth, young and idealistic and willing to follow Him to the ends of the earth. (Jeremiah 2:2) And He yearns for me to return to that, to have that image in my mind of following Him through any kind of disastrous events.

Who is God? All Hail the power...

Love is powerful, because God is powerful. God is able to love everyone fully. (Ecclesiastes 9:1, 9:6) We cannot in the human state grasp that because we can only perceive three dimensions. But because we are God's children He is training us to trust Him that He is teaching us how to love fully. Because of this God equips us to make the most of our lives loving everybody.

Who is Jesus? (part 7)

Jesus came to both reveal God's glory and to save us from our transgressions. Like a life preserver, Jesus allows us not to drown in a world full of sin. (Ps 39:8) He came to this earth to give us salvation freely. (John 3:12). He also came as a sacrifice, to be put to death because of us. (Romans 4:25) Only then could and can we be saved by His grace. He was sent for us by God (Isaiah 9:6). Our justification based on our faith in Himand results in His peace. (Romans 5:1)

Who is Jesus? (part 6)

And Jesus came to reveal the glory of God, as is recorded in John 1:10-11. Not in splendor or power but in the simplest of lives because God works not in just the big events, but in the smallest most overlooked events and facets of life. Jesus took and takes our infirmities on Himself. (Matthew 8:17) and demonstrates just how much God loves us. (Deuteronomy 5:24). Even in troubles that discourage us He is there(Job 4:5), because we call Him Righteous (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Jesus' revelation about Himself as the glory of God came at a price and a shock to those that follow Him. In John 19:7, and even as far back as Psalm 22:7, He tells His apostles He must die because our sins and blasphemies keep us from being able to save  ourselves. As Isaiah 53:3 says He was despised of men. And He like Abraham in Genesis 12:17 and like us is afraid to die but unlike Abraham or us He chooses to seek God first and confess this to Him and be strengthened by Him. He knows that the affliction that He is going through is allowed by God (Ruth 1:21) for God's purpose. He also knows what a blessing that God's purpose is. And He knows the broken-hearted and what will mend that brokenness. (Psalm 34:18). He promises us His sacrifice is in exchange for us. (Isaiah 50:6)