Imagine angels looking down at 60,000 people who pay $900,000 to sit in a stadium that cost $45 million to watch 22 men being paid $7 million a year dispute the possession of a ball that costs $16.95.
~ Unknown Author
Imagine angels looking down at 60,000 people who pay $900,000 to sit in a stadium that cost $45 million to watch 22 men being paid $7 million a year dispute the possession of a ball that costs $16.95.
~ Unknown Author
Joseph spent 13 years in prison. He never turned from God but stayed faithful. In the end, after his faithfulness, God gave Joseph an incredible blessing.
Two questions to ask yourself…
What prison do you find yourself in today?
Are you willing to endure, to finish the race; even if it means suffering in your prison for an undetermined amount of time?
Your blessing could be right around the corner… Hang in there!
First dentistry was painless;
Then bicycles were chainless
And carriages were horseless
And may laws, enforceless.
Next, cookery was fireless,
Telegraphy was wireless,
Cigars were nicotineless
And coffee, caffeineless.
Soon oranges were seedless,
The putting green was weedless,
The college boy hatless,
The proper diet, fatless.
Now motor roads are dustless,
The latest steel is rustless,
Our tennis courts are sodless,
Our new religions, godless.
Aurthur Guiterman, Gaily the Troubadour, 1936.
I read a story the other night in an R.C. Sproul book about a massive fire in a burning building. Everyone was outside and someone realized there was a baby still trapped inside. It was too dangerous for anyone to go in. Suddenly a man rushed through the firefighting line and ran inside. He came out moments later filled with smoke and singed by the flames with a bundle tightly wrapped in his arms. Everyone’s cheers turned to horror when they realized he had grabbed his life’s savings and not the baby. I don’t know about you but this type of rampant selfishness is everywhere today. Let’s see how we can share Jesus through our love. When someone makes you mad today, do something nice for them. When someone wants to cut in line, graciously let them. Do the thing that no one would do. That is the love Jesus spoke of.
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)
~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com
“Christian” meant “little Christ” in the days following Jesus, and as Jon said in his post, it was meant as a slam on the people of that time. I agree that the word is now thrown around with little to no meaning. I personally would love it if it’s original meaning still applied. It is kind of like being called a “Jesus Freak”. I had a conversation the other day with a friend who said he did not want to be labeled as something like how Ellen is a Lesbian Comedian or Obama is a Black President and I instantly thought, what an honor to be labeled as a Jesus Freak. Jen O’Sullivan is that Jesus Freak Photographer. Love it!
But let me explain…
I’ve been really struggling with what it means to be a “Christian” and what that looks like in this world. A few things have been deeply resonating within me that have brought me to this conclusion…
Did you know, the term “Christian” is only used 3 times in the bible? And the term “Christian” is used in a derogatory fashion towards other believers. Beyond that, Jesus never called his followers “Christians” and nobody else in the bible called themselves (or referred to other followers of Jesus) as “Christians” with the exception of Peter, but his reference was to those who suffered under the persecution. Jesus and the other believers simply called each other disciples or brothers & sisters. But that isn’t really the big issue…
I have realized that the term “Christian” has become increasingly diluted and that anyone who wants to say they are a…
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I am one of those people who really cannot wait to see Heaven. I think about it all the time. It is said that people who are heavenly minded are of no earthly good, however the more heavenly minded a person is, the more good on Earth they want to do. The Bible tells us that those who read Revelation out loud will be blessed. Stop reading this right now and go read, out loud the book of Revelation.Do it as often as you can. You will get excited to do more for the Kingdom of God than you ever thought possible. I pray that the fire of Jesus gets ignited in you today!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The Power to Do God’s Will
by Jen O’Sullivan
James 1:5 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other words, we need to ask God every day for wisdom to do his will. Ask KNOWING he will give it to you without judgement.
The word “Wisdom” or the Greek word “sophia” is a word that describes direction. Jews of that time understood it fully because before Christ they had to ask God for wisdom on a daily basis. Wisdom is the practical application of God’s will. It is NOT a deeper understanding of a deeper meaning as we think of the word to mean today. He also plays on the reader’s understanding of wisdom which also means to make one perfect and complete which was a phrase he used in the previous verse as well as its ability to enable us to endure testing.
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:4 (ESV)
Wisdom is not deeper revealed truths. It is what I need on a daily basis to become “perfect and complete”. Wisdom is the power to do God’s will and not my own. Wisdom gives me the desire to do what’s right not for my own victory but to be obedient to God; to please him. (See A.W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God).
I ask for wisdom today to show humility… to learn humility… humility with everyone I encounter. I ask for wisdom for grace and mercy to those I judge so quickly and so harshly. Teach me how to slide judging others off my back quickly and effortlessly until it sweeps past me without even a thought. I ask for wisdom to know a deeper patience those I love and an even deeper one for those I don’t. Give me wisdom to sow seeds of hope that I might know and fully enjoy optimism. I want to sow seeds of goodness!
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV)
Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)
~ Jen O’Sullivan
www.HolyJustLove.com
In an effort to spread the Word of God and to help believers memorize His Word we have created these cards to assist you. They are absolutely free. All we ask is that you mail 2 (two) self-addressed stamped envelopes to the below address. Again these cards are free but you do need to make the small effort to send in two envelopes.
Holy Just Love
c/o Jen O’Sullivan
17744 Sky Park Circle, Suite 265
Irvine, CA 92614
These verses are from the Partners One on One Discipleship Program at Compass Bible Church.

from Nathan W. Bingham May 21, 2013
To further help Christians know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it, from today the eBook editions of R.C. Sproul’s Crucial Questions series will be free forever.
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DAILY BIBLE READING LINK FOR OCTOBER 14, 2013
Today in Isaiah 53 we read some of the most profound and revealing prophecies regarding the coming of the “Servant” who would redeem God’s people through offering his own life as a “guilt offering” (v.10). I trust you will be extremely thankful for the payment of Christ and the forthcoming fulfillment of a vast kingdom of peace that the Prince will one day establish—as the successive chapters detail. I hope your reading of Paul’s exemplary heart and ministry, in 1 Thessalonians, will prompt your own acts of sacrificial ministry.
– Pastor Mike Fabarez of Compass Bible Church and Focal Point Ministries
53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? [1]
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected [2] by men;
a man of sorrows, [3] and acquainted with [4] grief; [5]
and as one from whom men hide their faces [6]
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief; [7]
when his soul makes [8] an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see [9] and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, [10]
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, [11]
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
54:1 “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
and your offspring will possess the nations
and will people the desolate cities.
4 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5 For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer.
9 “This is like the days of Noah [12] to me:
as I swore that the waters of Noah
should no more go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
and will not rebuke you.
10 For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,
behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
and lay your foundations with sapphires. [13]
12 I will make your pinnacles of agate, [14]
your gates of carbuncles, [15]
and all your wall of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
14 In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 If anyone stirs up strife,
it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
shall fall because of you.
16 Behold, I have created the smith
who blows the fire of coals
and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication [16] from me, declares the Lord.”
55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, [17] that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, [18] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle [19] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly [20] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God’s wrath has come upon them at last! [21]
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy. (ESV)
[1] 53:1 Or Who has believed what we have heard?
[2] 53:3 Or forsaken
[3] 53:3 Or pains; also verse 4
[4] 53:3 Or and knowing
[5] 53:3 Or sickness; also verse 4
[6] 53:3 Or as one who hides his face from us
[7] 53:10 Or he has made him sick
[8] 53:10 Or when you make his soul
[9] 53:11 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll he shall see light
[10] 53:12 Or with the great
[11] 53:12 Or with the numerous
[12] 54:9 Some manuscripts For this is as the waters of Noah
[13] 54:11 Or lapis lazuli
[14] 54:12 Or jasper, or ruby
[15] 54:12 Or crystal
[16] 54:17 Or righteousness
[17] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
[18] 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
[19] 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
[20] 2:13 Or without ceasing
[21] 2:16 Or completely, or forever