DIVINE SPIRITUAL MATURITY (3)

GROWING IN CHRIST

Recap- Be on the lookout for various elements of our lives to fall into place, and it will be right for us to make the changes that we have considered.

There is a time and a season when everything lines up with My will and purposes for you, says the Lord. That time is just ahead of you. Do not lose hope. Ecclesiastes 3:17b "For there is a time for every purpose and for every work." 

Resume – ENTRANCE INTO A SEASON OF FINE-TUNING

Just as we take care to 'fine-tune' our vehicle, we aught FINE-TUNE our SPIRIT. We’ve learned in our SPIRITUAL MATURITY (2) posting that as we focus on growing in spiritual maturity, we are to first commit to reading and meditating on the Word of God and then spiritual adjustments will slowing begin to take place in our hearts and mind.

NEW YEAR: New Year means a FRESH beginning and with new and fresh, we throw out the OLD. 2018 is a new season of mentally and emotionally letting go of things that tie us to the past so that we can move and operate God’s purposes. Understanding that this will require a leap of faith, we are beginning to come into a place of authority and gratification that we have never known. Our life experiences contain numerous moving parts, and each of those parts are coming into position to allow new possibilities. Divinely-opened doors will present opportunities to accomplish what has been beyond our scope of imagination. 

These will be things that we cannot foresee or predict, but we can prepare and position ourselves spiritually by faith to progress when the time is right, says the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Mark 1:3b

Trust Me to bring you through this awkward transition with great grace, says the Lord. All WE have to do is be willing and flexible.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a      ...to be cont'd

In Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org.

DIVINE SPIRITUAL MATURITY (2)

GROWING IN CHRIST

Recap- The Word teaches in Hebrews 6:1-2, therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Resuming- What does this blessed New Year of 2018 have in store for us?

A grander and brighter-spiritual discernment-advancement

As we prepare ourselves for the supremacy of Christ’s advancement of His believers in the Spirit as we seek an honest, sincere and intimate relationship with Almighty God.

How can we achieve this?

Read. Read. Read the Holy Scriptures. - Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Then…..

Remember what scripture warns us of….Be on the lookout for various elements of our lives to fall into place, and it will be right for us to make the changes that we have considered.


There is a time and a season when everything lines up with My will and purposes for you, says the Lord. That time is just ahead of you. Do not lose hope. Ecclesiastes 3:17b "For there is a time for every purpose and for every work."

....to be cont'd

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org.

DIVINE SPIRITUAL MATURITY - (1)

GROWING IN CHRIST

 Here we are enjoying the year 2018!  Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! Our Advent season of expectant time of holy and consecrated waiting and spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Nativity was observed in readiness of the return of Jesus at the second coming. Now, show us Your purposes for the new year. What would you have us do?          

What are the pieces of evidence/signs for what we can expect in the new year?

Primary, the number 20 signifies expectancy or things to look forward to.  Recall, Jacob waited 20 years to get possession of his wives and property.  Israel waited 20 years for deliverance through Samson.  Solomon waited 20 years for the completion of two houses.

Then there’s the number 18 in 2018—

• The Hebrew word for "life" has a numerical value of 18.

• In our country, as is in most countries, it is the "coming of age"--18 is the age of majority and the voting age.

The Word teaches in Hebrews 6:1-2, therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

What does coming into this New Year of 2018 and of age mean to us? 

                                       ...to be cont'd

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.

SODOM AND GOMORRAH

Genesis 18:16 -19:24 

DESTRUCTION OF SODOM and GOMORRAH

God’s friendly talk with Abraham, in which he makes known to him purpose concerning Sodom, and allows him a liberty of application to him about the matter. (1.) He tells him of the evidence there was against Sodom: The cry of Sodom is great, Gen. 18:20.

Some sins, and the sins of some sinners, cry aloud to heaven for vengeance. The iniquity of Sodom was crying iniquity, that is, it was so very provoking that it even urged God to punish. (2.) The enquiry he would make upon this evidence: I will go down now and see, Gen. 18:21.

Not as if there were any thing concerning which God is in doubt, or in the dark; but he is pleased thus to express himself after the manner of men, [1.] To show the incontestable equity of all his judicial proceedings.

Men are apt to suggest that his way is not equal; but let them know that his judgments are the result of an eternal counsel, and are never rash or sudden resolves. He never punishes upon report, or common fame, or the information of others, but upon his own certain and infallible knowledge.

[2.] To give example to magistrates, and those in authority, with the utmost care and diligence to enquire into the merits of a cause, before they give judgment upon it.

[3.] Perhaps the decree is here spoken of as not yet peremptory, that room and encouragement might be given to Abraham to make intercession for them. Thus, God looked if there were any to intercede, Isa. 59:16.

A Prayer for the Sparing of Sodom. Abraham, no doubt, greatly despised the wickedness of the Sodomites; he would not have lived among them, as Lot did. Yet he prayed earnestly for them.

Message: Though sin is to be hated, sinners are to be pitied and prayed for. God delights not in their death, nor should we desire, but condemn, the sorrowful day.

1. He begins with a prayer that the righteous among them might be spared, and not involved in the common calamity, having an eye particularly to just Lot, whose disingenuous carriage towards him he had long since forgiven and forgotten, witness his friendly zeal to rescue him before by his sword and now by his prayers.

2. He improves this into a petition that all might be spared for the sake of the righteous that were among them, God himself countenancing this request, and in effect putting him upon it by his answer to his first address, Gen. 18:2.

Message. We must pray, not only for ourselves, but for others also; for we are members of the same body, at least of the same body of mankind. All we are brethren. 

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

19: 4,5 The men of the city wanted to abuse Lot’s visitors in a sadistic, homosexual manner. Homosexuality is the only reason given here for Sodom’s judgment; Jude 7 confirms it although Ezek. 16: 49, 50 adds further grounds. The culture demanded that travelers not be victimized. This was later codified in the Mosaic Law (Deut. 10:18, 19), and homosexuality was to be punished by death (Lev. 20:13).

19: 8 I have two daughters: The virtue of hospitality flared into a vice of incredible behavior, Lot’s next step. If necessary, would have been to risk his own life in order to protect his guests.

19:11 Blindness: This is not the ordinary Hebrew word for blindness; it probably means a brilliant flash of light, leading to temporary blindness, as occurred to Saul or Tarsus on the road to Damascus.

19:16 He lingered: Like most of the human race, Lot was tied to his possessions.

19:24 Brimstone and fire likely refer to sulfurous fire. See also v. 28

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE NEW CHILDREN'S TV SHOW - KORRY'S BEARS STORIES LANE

The "World's Most Dedicated Bible Storyteller" Shares A Sneak Peek At Her New Children’s TV Show ...

SEASON ONE   DAVID n GOLIATH

It's an exciting new year for Children’s TV! BSTFPA and Playwright Janet Irene Thomas is gearing up for the premiere of her new TV show Korry’s Bears Stories Lane. 

The Storyteller has long been on a mission to give Stay-at-Home Parents and their children a show that will not only capture all the child's attention and hold it, but hold it with creative, exciting, and colorful adventure, while educating at the same time. TV has proven that it indeed can be a good tool for the aiding of teaching positive and lasting characteristic straits needed for the adult life. 

TAKE A PEEK AND ENJOY!

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.

ADVENT 2017 - A SEASON OF HOPE ...

...AND THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRIST

The First Advent Sunday Divine Preparations

Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day!). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.


The wreath. The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The continuing lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colors of the candles (purple is the penitential color used during Advent and Lent; rose is a liturgical color used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent) help to symbolize not only our expectation and hope in Our Savior's first coming into the world, but also in his Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world.

 The wreath itself is also symbolic. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. The seedpods, nuts and cones used to decorate the wreath are symbolic of resurrection, and fruits represent the nourishing fruitfulness of the Christian life.

Gathering materials for the wreath-perhaps on an outing in the park or woods, or even in the backyard- and assembling it at home can be an interesting family project in which even the youngest children can participate.

On the first day of Advent, we can sprinkle the wreath with holy water and bless it before the first purple candle is lit. The appropriate Advent collect can be said as the candle[s] are lit each day of the week, followed by the blessing before meals, if you use the wreath at mealtime. The second Sunday two purple candles are lit; the third Sunday, two purple and one rose; and all candles are lit on the fourth Sunday.

On Christmas Day, all the greens and decorations are replaced with fresh ones, and four new white candles, symbolizing Christ, replace the colored ones and are burned throughout the Christmas season. The Advent season is a good time to pray the Angelus for family meals.

Blessing for the Advent Wreath

O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the Coming of Christ, and may receive from thee abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Blessing of Advent Wreaths

Prayer. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to spread his light of love to all. Bless us and accept these wreaths of light made from our hands. May their ever-increasing brightness be a sign to us of the approaching nearness of your Son, that we might prepare in joy for his humble birth in a manger and be ready to receive him at his coming again in glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

SEASON OF ADVENT

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Tomorrow, Sunday, December 3, 2017, begins the Advent Season; and will be observed until December 24th.  For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical year, there may be some misunder-standing surrounding the meaning of the Advent season. Some may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. While this is very well part of the story, but there’s so more to Advent.

v  Advent Begins History

Advent is a four-week period that marks the beginning of the Christmas

season.  It is a time of spiritual preparation before the celebration of the

birth of Christ.  In the Roman Catholic tradition, it is also a time of penitence.  The period of Advent involves reflection about what it meant for the world before Christ came and preparing the church and hearts for the true meaning of Christmas.

The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming," which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4^th and 5^th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.

  

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.