God wants to heal you! But You make alliances not directed by His Spirit!

 Today's message is: God wants to heal you. The worldly system cannot heal you. God is waiting for you to turn to Him. Alliances with the world are not in accordance to God's Spirit, and such actions of unbelief in God's words ("I am the Lord who heals you". "By His wounds, you were healed"), grieves Him. You pile up your sins by seeking any help other than God's help. Only the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) can direct your way. Jesus said,

^"The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
John 6:63 (NLT)_______________________

Isaiah 30

New Living Translation (NLT)

30 “What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”
    says the Lord.
“You make plans that are contrary to mine.
    You make alliances not directed by my Spirit,
    thus piling up your sins.
² For without consulting me,
    you have gone down to Egypt for help.
You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection.
    You have tried to hide in his shade.
³ But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated,
    and by depending on him, you will be disgraced.
⁴ For though his power extends to Zoan
    and his officials have arrived in Hanes,
⁵ all who trust in him will be ashamed.
    He will not help you.
    Instead, he will disgrace you.”

____________________

 

¹² This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise what I tell you
    and trust instead in oppression and lies,
¹³ calamity will come upon you suddenly—
    like a bulging wall that bursts and falls.
In an instant it will collapse
    and come crashing down.
¹⁴ You will be smashed like a piece of pottery—
    shattered so completely that
there won’t be a piece big enough
    to carry coals from a fireplace
    or a little water from the well.”

¹⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.

_____________________

 

 ¹⁸ So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.

______________________

 

So it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them.

²⁷ Look! The Lord is coming from far away,
    burning with anger,
    surrounded by thick, rising smoke.
His lips are filled with fury;
    His words consume like fire.
²⁸ His hot breath pours out like a flood
    up to the neck of his enemies.
He will sift out the proud nations for destruction.
    He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin.

²⁹ But the people of God will sing a song of joy,
    like the songs at the holy festivals.
You will be filled with joy,
    as when a flutist leads a group of pilgrims
to Jerusalem, the mountain of the Lord—
    to the Rock of Israel.
³⁰ And the Lord will make his majestic voice heard.
    He will display the strength of his mighty arm.
It will descend with devouring flames,
    with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and huge hailstones.
³¹ At the Lord’s command, the Assyrians will be shattered.
    He will strike them down with his royal scepter.
³² And as the Lord strikes them with his rod of punishment,
    his people will celebrate with tambourines and harps.
    Lifting his mighty arm, he will fight the Assyrians.
³³ Topheth—the place of burning—
    has long been ready for the Assyrian king;
    the pyre is piled high with wood.
The breath of the Lord, like fire from a volcano,
    will set it ablaze.

  ___________

Isaiah 66:24  And as they go out, they will see

    the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me.
For the worms that devour them will never die,
    and the fire that burns them will never go out.
All who pass by
    will view them with utter horror.”

 THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - THE WORD OF GOD - THE FIRE OF GOD!

Two prayers: ask for spiritual eyes to open and receive spiritual strength!

Two prayers: ask for spiritual eyes to open and receive spiritual strength!
Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer one: the eyes of your hearts be opened and enlightened

¹⁵ For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰ that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer two: to receive Spiritual Strength, filled with God!

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Journey to see God: see His eternal power and divine nature

Here comes Romans 1, for those who have been following the Journey in the Holy Spirit.

 Lightning and thunder

 water

fire   

 hail and snow

 Love

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
"by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." (2 Peter 1:4)

 

Romans 1

English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised beforehandthrough his prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh⁴ and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ⁶ including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Longing to Go to Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you ¹⁰ always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹² that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (butthus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵ So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
²⁴ Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; ²⁷ and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
²⁸ And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³² Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

2 Peter 1:3-5 (in Context) 2 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Journey to see God: See the riches of His goodness

Romans 2

New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

¹² For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law ¹³ (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; ¹⁴ for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,¹⁵ who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) ¹⁶ in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

¹⁷ Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, ¹⁸ and knowHis will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, ¹⁹ and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.²¹ You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? ²² You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? ²⁴ For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Circumcision of No Avail

²⁵ For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?²⁷ And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with yourwritten code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is oneoutwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is oneinwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Journey to see God: 20 hours of Bible reading

How did the watchman encounter the recent awesome presence of God? By joining with others who fervently sought God by reading His words (marathon way) day and night (from Friday 8am to Saturday 4am).


Twelve believers turned up for the 20 hours marathon (non-stop) reading of the Bible New Testament. The ages ranged from 7 years old (who did not read but sat through with his parents) to over sixty. There was at least one representative from every decade: ranging from below 10, teens, the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and sixties. It was not planned that way. The Spirit of the Lord called and someone passed on this message. The volunteers just turned up.

Eight believers gathered at 8am on Friday morning. They started reading the four gospels chapter by chapter (each reading three or two chapters by turn), book by book at 8.30am. Two had to leave for their work for the morning after reading of the first six chapters. They returned and joined the rest in the afternoon. Despite the small number, the group persisted until 4.30pm. They took eight hours to finish the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By 5pm they were ready to read the book of Acts onward. Another group of four joined them in the evening after work. The group continued without break.

During certain intervals individuals took short break to rest or have some food or drink. One brethren in his thirties fasted and sat through out the reading which took nearly 20 hours. He took nothing but water and did not even rest. The older and younger individuals had to take breaks. However, those who rested lied on the floor inside the same hall and could hear the word of God being read by others clearly.

By nearly 4am the group decided to stand up to read together the last four chapters of the last book, Revelation. It was very powerful in the cool morning air, with nothing but the word of God being read in unison by twelve (less the little boy who was sleeping by then) believers of Jesus Christ, all filled with the Holy Spirit. The room was flooded with heavenly light and everyone was flowing with the living water in each of them.

Then all knelt down and prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. From the prayers it was revealed that each individual had received different revelation from the Lord. For example, ‘Kingdom”, “Throne”, “Sword of the Spirit”, “Light” and the like.

The watchman suggested that they ended with the Lord’s Prayer and they did. In his spirit he was bursting with spiritual words and even songs. But he was just too tired to stay on. He walked home and continued to feel elated. God’s words had done a deep cleansing from within and he could feel the lifting of his soul and spirit. (Alas, he actually took one hour break in the afternoon from 5-6 pm to walk home to feed his two dogs! The dogs were happy and relieved.)

Nothing can compare with the reading of God’s word in one sitting of nearly twenty hours without break! He had never felt so refreshed and rejuvenated before! Later someone asked him about Abraham seeing his descendants as ‘stars’ in heaven.

He recalled the verse from 2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” Indeed that was what happened over the last 20 hours of being led by the Holy Spirit in a marvellous journey in His words.


Revelation 4:2

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 21:3

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 21:5

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:4-6 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 22:1

[ The River of Life ] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Revelation 22:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Revelation 22:3

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Revelation 22:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Journey to see God: see the God Who tests

The word today is “test”. God tests. Do be prepared to pass the test.  keep His word about patient endurance, that He may keep us from the coming hour of trial!



Jeremiah 6:27 “I have made you a tester of metals among my people, that you may know and test their ways. Jeremiah 6:26-28 (in Context) Jeremiah 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people? Jeremiah 9:6-8 (in Context) Jeremiah 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 12:3 But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. Jeremiah 12:2-4 (in Context) Jeremiah 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:9-11 (in Context) Jeremiah 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Lamentations 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Lamentations 3:39-41 (in Context) Lamentations 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Zechariah 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:8-9 (in Context) Zechariah 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5-7 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


2 Corinthians 13:7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 2 Corinthians 13:6-8 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Galatians 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. Galatians 6:3-5 (in Context) Galatians 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:11-13 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Peter 4:12 [ Suffering as a Christian ] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:11-13 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Job 7:18 visit him every morning and test him every moment? Job 7:17-19 (in Context) Job 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Psalm 7:9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! Psalm 7:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Psalm 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. Psalm 11:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Psalm 26:2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 1 Chronicles 29:16-18 (in Context) 1 Chronicles 29 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Exodus 16:3-5 (in Context) Exodus 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:19-21 (in Context) Exodus 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Deuteronomy 8:16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Deuteronomy 8:15-17 (in Context) Deuteronomy 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations


Judges 2:21-23 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not. ” 23 So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.


Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:9-11 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Watchman’s adventure: uncharted waters 2013

watchman’s uncharted waters 2013 The watchman continued his journey to see God this year. His understanding is that this will take the whole of 2013.
On the new year eve a small group gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to worship, read God’s words and prayed. On the same day a number of Scripture songs in two languages were identified and chosen. Amazingly some could not be recorded in the special edition CD for the occasion. Some others were recorded repeatedly at least three times in the same CD! One crucial song sang the Scripture from Revelation 19:5-7, “ Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both^[a] small and great!” ⁶ And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the^[b] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! ⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
The gathering started at 9pm and ended reluctantly before 2pm. During the worship and prayers in the Spirit, the group sang ‘Alleluia’ many many times. When the alarm clock rang at 11:59 to alert them for the cross over to a new season of time in the Lord, they were all refreshed. Later one of them received a message from his family who were also worshiping and praying in their main church, at that time, that two prayer groups at two different locations were also singing the same ‘Alleluia’ verses at that time even though they had never communicated prior to this event!
That means the three groups (big and small) of believers were all being led by the Holy Spirit at the same time that night! This confirmed the Bible verse,1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.“  Romans 8:14 (NKJV) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Revelation received regarding what Bible books to read was: start from the Book of Genesis. See the faith journey of Abraham. The Bible reading was very rewarding. Indeed, the journey to see God is a journey for all believers. Abraham’s life is a type for all Christians who walk by faith and not by sight, led by the Spirit of God and not by flesh.
The Lord God has revealed Himself to one man, Abraham and called Himself the God of Abraham. The same Lord God Almighty had also revealed Himself to Abraham’s son Isaac (through the promise of God, born according to the Spirit of God, Galatians 4:29), and called Himself the God of Isaac. He also revealed Himself to the grandson of Abraham, Jacob (later changed to Israel), and called Himself the God of Jacob.
The same God makes sure each born again Christian knows He expects each to know Him personally as his or her own God. God is Spirit and not bound by time or space or any point of history. When He looks at each man He sees the whole life of the man at a glance. When He looks at a group of men He looks at all at the same glance, regardless of the different time and space in which they are placed at any point of time or space.
It is impossible to describe God using our human mind. We can only know a bit of God when He reveals to each of us by His Spirit. This is an exciting journey indeed for each members of the group as fresh revelations are being received daily by each individual.
This is the journey of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Uncharted waters. Very refreshing and real to each of us. Our God is awesome!

today's message: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

English Standard Version (ESV) Greeting

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

² To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Thanksgiving
⁴ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— ⁶ even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Divisions in the Church
¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers,^[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. ¹² What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach^[b] to save those who believe. ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,^[c] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so that no human being^[d] might boast in the presence of God.  
³⁰ And because of him^[e] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Footnotes:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church; also verses 11, 26
2. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or the folly of preaching
3. 1 Corinthians 1:26 Greek according to the flesh
4. 1 Corinthians 1:29 Greek no flesh
5. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Greek And from him