CROWNS

 CROWNS 

In the spiritual sense, crowns depict mindsets.

A golden crown means spiritual mind.

Silver is to do with the soul.

 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; 

You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

Psalm 21:3

 For to be carnally minded is death, 

but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

His enemies I will clothe with shame, 

But upon Himself His crown shall flourish."

Psalm 132:18

 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, 

and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:52

The crown of the wise is their riches, 

But the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 14:24

 Oh, the depth of the riches 

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments 

and His ways past finding out!

Romans 11:33

The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, 

If it is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 16:31

 Therefore we do not lose heart.

 Even though our outward man is perishing, 

yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, 

Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower 

Which is at the head of the verdant valleys, 

To those who are overcome with wine!
Isaiah 28:1

 And do not be drunk with wine, 

in which is dissipation; 

but be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18

 In that day the Lord of hosts will be For a crown of glory 

and a diadem of beauty 

To the remnant of His people,

Isaiah 28:5

 But you are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

His own special people, 

that you may proclaim the praises of Him 

who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9

 You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the Lord, 

And a royal diadem In the hand of your God.
Isaiah 62:3

 Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works 

and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

 If then you were raised with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 

  Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth. 

  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

  When Christ who is our life appears, 

then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man 

was great in the earth, 

and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart 

was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:5

The crown has fallen from our head. 

Woe to us, for we have sinned!

Lamentations 5:16

 Therefore we also, 

since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. 

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, 

For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:11

When they had twisted a crown of thorns, 

they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. 

And they bowed the knee before Him 

and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Matthew 27:29

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. 

Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, 

but we for an imperishable crown.

1 Corinthians 9:25

 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, 

and rest your hope fully upon the grace 

that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13

 Lift up your eyes, look around and see; 

All these gather together and come to you. 

As I live," says the Lord, 

"You shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament, 

And bind them on you as a bride does.
Isaiah 49:18

Children's children are the crown of old men, 

And the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 17:6

 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, 

my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Philippians 4:1

 And he believed in the Lord, 

and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; 

A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 

  You love righteousness and hate wickedness; 

Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You 

With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
Psalm 45:6-7

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, 

and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; 

for when he has been approved, 

he will receive the crown of life 

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

Behold, I am coming quickly! 

Hold fast what you have, 

that no one may take your crown. 

Revelation 3:11

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, 

and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, 

having on His head a golden crown, 

and in His hand a sharp sickle.

Revelation 14:14

 Then I looked, and behold, 

a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 

and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, 

having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
Revelation 14:1

 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 

"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; 

have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

over the birds of the air, 

and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Genesis 1:28

You have made him a little lower than the angels; 

You have crowned him with glory and honor, 

And set him over the works of Your hands.

Hebrews 2:7

The simple inherit folly, 

But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 14:18

 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, 

do not cease to pray for you, 

and to ask that you may be filled 

with the knowledge of His will 

in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:9

And also if anyone competes in athletics, 

he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5

 He who has My commandments and keeps them, 

it is he who loves Me. 

And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, 

and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
John 14:21

 Therefore we also, 

since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance 

the race that is set before us, 

looking unto Jesus, 

the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him 

endured the cross, despising the shame, 

and has sat down 

at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, 

and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, 

clothed in white robes; 

and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

Revelation 4:4

 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne 

and worship Him who lives forever and ever, 

and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 

  "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; 

For You created all things, 

And by Your will they exist and were created."

Revelation 4:10-11

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, acceptable to God, 

which is your reasonable service. 

And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good 

and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; 

But the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. 

And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, 

having seven heads and ten horns, 

and on his horns ten crowns, 

and on his heads a blasphemous name.

Revelation 13:1

His eyes were like a flame of fire, 

and on His head were many crowns. 

He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

Revelation 19:12

 and from Jesus Christ, 

the faithful witness, 

the firstborn from the dead, 

and the ruler over the kings of the earth. 

To Him who loved us 

and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 

 and has made us kings and priests 

to His God and Father, 

to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:5-6

And another sign appeared in heaven: 

behold, a great, fiery red dragon

having seven heads and ten horns, 

and seven diadems on his heads.

Revelation 12:3

 For though we walk in the flesh, 

we do not war according to the flesh. 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal 

but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 

casting down arguments 

and every high thing 

that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, 

bringing every thought into captivity 

to the obedience of Christ, 

and being ready to punish all disobedience 

when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, 

and she obtained grace and favor in his sight 

more than all the virgins; 

so he set the royal crown upon her head 

and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17

 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 

For the husband is head of the wife, 

as also Christ is head of the church; 

and He is the Savior of the body. 

 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, 

so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 

 Husbands, love your wives, 

just as Christ also loved the church 

and gave Himself for her, 

 that He might sanctify and cleanse her 

with the washing of water by the word, 

 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, 

not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, 

but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:22-27

 Then one of the seven angels 

who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues 

came to me and talked with me, saying, 

"Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, 

and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, 

descending out of heaven from God, 

having the glory of God. 

Her light was like a most precious stone, 

like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
Revelation 21:9-11

Fish and Chips, Feesh and Sheep!

In relation to the Kingdom of GOD, you are either fish or sheep.

All of us are like fish, comfortably living in the water of the world, according to the systems and values of this world. We breathe the atmosphere of this world, which is mostly contrary to the systems and values of GOD - until we are caught out of the water like fish!

When CHRIST enters our life and we enter into the Kingdom of GOD, everything changes! We are caught out of the water, and like fish out of water, our self dies. We feel uncomfortable as our mind is renewed according to the word of GOD. Mindsets crumble and darkness is replaced with light as the light of GOD shines in us. We gain spirital vision as we read and study the word of GOD. The Holy Spirit in us, reveals the truth of that word to us and we see light. 

We no longer feel enjoyment and comfort in the glamour and fashions of the world. There is no real satisfaction in simply eating, drinking and merry-making because our soul is being converted from 'fish to sheep'!

Now if we revel in the things of the world, our soul will not be healthy just as sheep cannot live in water. We are now filled with the Holy Spirit, constantly breathing prayer.

If you are fish, fishermen will catch you but if you are sheep, the Great Shepherd will lead you. From being fish, you will become a fisher of men! Your joy will be to shepherd sheep and observe the conversion and change in the lives of individuals. The shepherd will also seek and save the lost sheep from the danger of wolves.

With the Psalmist David we can say, "The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23

 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Mark 1:16-18

 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
John 21:15-17

Whenever you eat fish or fish and chips or lamb chops or lamb curry, remember this message! You can ask yourself  

  "Am I a fish?"    "Am I a lamb or a sheep?"

   "Am I a fisherman?"    "Am I a shepherd?"

If you are in the Kingdom of GOD, you are a fisherman and a shepherd. You are expected to evengelise and bring people into the Kingdom of GOD. You must also help believers to grow in their faith by sharing your testimonies and explaining the word of GOD to them. You are expected to be profitable in His Kingdom by living for the LORD JESUS and influencing lives through your exemplary life and words. This is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit in you.

This is the victorious life 

CHRIST JESUS has planned for you!

May GOD Bless You!

 HELIUM BALLOONS!

Helium is a chemical element; it has symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas and the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table. Its boiling point is the lowest among all the elements, and it does not have a melting point at standard pressures. Wikipedia

Symbol: He

The image is of the sun because helium gets its name from ‘helios’, the Greek word for the sun. Helium was detected in the sun by its spectral lines many years before it was found on Earth.

Our precious friends got two Helium balloons, 7 & 5 to mark my husband's 75th birthday! I anchored them by the strings to a chair and they looked grand, fully inflated, standing against the ceiling in our lounge room!

As the days passed, the balloons began to get deflated gradually. They did not seem as shiny and they began to descend towards the floor. 

1)  Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit are like Helium balloons!

Our spiritual life is upward bound.

 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:9-11

HE Lives In yoU and Me!

 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3

2)  If we don't constantly and diligently feed on the word of GOD and drink of the Holy Spirit, we will be like those balloons that deflate gradually and descend towards the floor!

 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:18-21

 3)  If we expire and die in CHRIST, our spirit and soul will leave the body to be with the LORD, like the Helium released to go upward. The body is then lifeless and useless and has to be disposed of, like the deflated empty balloon that falls to the ground!

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

4)  If there is no attachment downward, the Helium balloon will automatically soar upward! 

 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Luke 24:50-51

After the LORD JESUS finished His mission on earth, He ascended to heaven in His resurrected body.

At the appearing of the LORD JESUS again in the skies, the believers who are walking with the LORD on earth, will also be 'caught up'. That will be similar to the Helium balloon rising up high in the air! We will be 'caught up' spirit, soul and body, upward in the skies! Our bodies will change into celestial bodies in the twinkling of the eye.

Those who had already died in CHRIST will also be taken up with their bodies changed into a glorious body!

 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:29-31

 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Therefore, knowing our eternal destination, 

may we live our lives with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, 

serving the LORD with joy!

GOD BLESS YOU!!