September 23, 2018
" ... for he is a prophet and he will pray for you and you shall live..." (Genesis 20:7) Here we see it is plain that man does NOT heal ! But that God heals and works through man for His glory. That means that there are not "healers" in this world, but there are people that God chooses to work through in order to show His glory and mercy. If anyone claims to be a healer ... he is a liar ! Only God can heal and only God does miracles through people for HIS glory !
Daniel 9:21 " yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in a vision at the beginning, being caused to to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering." Now we know that God can answer prayer the second that we utter the words ! Gabriel says that he was sent to answer this prayer while he was still praying. This should give us a very good feeling that if our prayer is in Gods will He can answer our prayer quickly ! Does that mean He will ? No ... it means He can. Only God knows the perfect time to answer any prayer.
"And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." Another version says " The fervent prayer of a righteous man avalith much". Which ever one you see, the meaning is plain. If a man is righteous (in Jesus not on his own) and prays with faith within Gods will...then God will hear and answer that prayer. Does this mean God answers all prayer ? Of course not ! Only those that are from Him and fit His plan for those involved.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Gratitude
September 15, 2018
" Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ " (Ephesians 5:20
) . We start with this verse because it lays out the importance of gratitude AND the degree of gratitude we should have ! What does it say ? Always and for all things ! This includes all things physical and spiritual. This verse refers mostly to all that God has done for us through the work of His Son ! But not limited to that because earlier in that paragraph Paul is talking about things of the body and of the Spirit.
In Romans 7 : 24-25 " O wretched man that I am ! Who will deliver me from this body of death ? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord. " This whole paragraph Paul is talking about the battle of sin verses good in this physical body. This is the conclusion of the paragraph and the question and answer he is seeking. He concludes that the physical body is a body of death and sin and longs to be delivered from it ! The question is WHO will deliver him from this sinful body . He answers it with verse 25. God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefor, we should always acknowledge that we live in a fallen world and need God just to survive . And be eternally grateful to God through His Son who did the work necessary on the cross to deliver us from our sinful bodies to God !
" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; " Here we see that we should be thankful FOR prayer but also to be thankful IN prayer. How do you show thanks in prayer ? Many ways but one would be to give praise to God. In your praise will come the thanks ! How great is it that we have the ability to actually talk with the God of the universe ? He has given us this tool to make our request known to Him, to build a relationship with Him, and to praise and worship Him among many other reasons. The gift of prayer is given only to the believer. This we should be grateful for. That is why we should be grateful in all things all the time.
" Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ " (Ephesians 5:20
) . We start with this verse because it lays out the importance of gratitude AND the degree of gratitude we should have ! What does it say ? Always and for all things ! This includes all things physical and spiritual. This verse refers mostly to all that God has done for us through the work of His Son ! But not limited to that because earlier in that paragraph Paul is talking about things of the body and of the Spirit.
In Romans 7 : 24-25 " O wretched man that I am ! Who will deliver me from this body of death ? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord. " This whole paragraph Paul is talking about the battle of sin verses good in this physical body. This is the conclusion of the paragraph and the question and answer he is seeking. He concludes that the physical body is a body of death and sin and longs to be delivered from it ! The question is WHO will deliver him from this sinful body . He answers it with verse 25. God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefor, we should always acknowledge that we live in a fallen world and need God just to survive . And be eternally grateful to God through His Son who did the work necessary on the cross to deliver us from our sinful bodies to God !
" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; " Here we see that we should be thankful FOR prayer but also to be thankful IN prayer. How do you show thanks in prayer ? Many ways but one would be to give praise to God. In your praise will come the thanks ! How great is it that we have the ability to actually talk with the God of the universe ? He has given us this tool to make our request known to Him, to build a relationship with Him, and to praise and worship Him among many other reasons. The gift of prayer is given only to the believer. This we should be grateful for. That is why we should be grateful in all things all the time.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Humbleness
September 9, 2018
" Therefor whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4) I had an individual in my class years ago who said he had never heard a good definition of humility. The more I thought about it I had to agree. Here when Jesus uses the word He leaves it to our knowledge to know how a child is humble. We can make some assumptions. A child is completely dependent on others for his life. He is a reflection of those he is around. A child loves without condition and a child will defend those he loves without exception. If we make these assumptions we can see the definition of humility come into focus. We should possess these traits and many others if we are in a true relationship with Jesus !
In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 8:2 we see, " And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not." You mean God did not know what was in their hearts ??? Of course not ... God wanted the Jews to know what was in their hearts ! Here again as we try to put together the state of being humble, we see TOTAL reliance on God while they were in the desert. It took 40 years for God to be convinced of their humility. How much longer for us ? Perhaps if we surrender to the Holy Spirit (Which was not available to them) that is a seed that He plants in our spirit and grows as we nurture it !
" When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom "( Proverbs 11:2) Here we see that the opposite of humility is pride. Does that mean it is wrong to take "pride " in a job well done ? God forbid ! As Christians we do our work as if for God. The pride here is not the same as is talked about here in Proverbs. Here, the writer is saying that pride is an over riding part of a person who believes in his own self righteousness and therefor does not compare himself to God ... but only unto himself ! A total NON - reliance on God ! The opposite of humility.
" Therefor whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4) I had an individual in my class years ago who said he had never heard a good definition of humility. The more I thought about it I had to agree. Here when Jesus uses the word He leaves it to our knowledge to know how a child is humble. We can make some assumptions. A child is completely dependent on others for his life. He is a reflection of those he is around. A child loves without condition and a child will defend those he loves without exception. If we make these assumptions we can see the definition of humility come into focus. We should possess these traits and many others if we are in a true relationship with Jesus !
In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 8:2 we see, " And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not." You mean God did not know what was in their hearts ??? Of course not ... God wanted the Jews to know what was in their hearts ! Here again as we try to put together the state of being humble, we see TOTAL reliance on God while they were in the desert. It took 40 years for God to be convinced of their humility. How much longer for us ? Perhaps if we surrender to the Holy Spirit (Which was not available to them) that is a seed that He plants in our spirit and grows as we nurture it !
" When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom "( Proverbs 11:2) Here we see that the opposite of humility is pride. Does that mean it is wrong to take "pride " in a job well done ? God forbid ! As Christians we do our work as if for God. The pride here is not the same as is talked about here in Proverbs. Here, the writer is saying that pride is an over riding part of a person who believes in his own self righteousness and therefor does not compare himself to God ... but only unto himself ! A total NON - reliance on God ! The opposite of humility.
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Hospitality
September 2, 2018
"Hospitality was specifically commanded by God (Lev. 19:33-34, Luke 14:13-14, Rom. 12:13) It was to be characteristic of all believers (1 Peter 4:9). Jesus emphasized the importance of hospitality by answering the question of who should inherit the kingdom:"I was a stranger and you took me in." (Matt. 25:35)....Guests were welcomed and provided for. A host would go to great lengths to protect his guests (Judges 19:16-24). This was considered a sign of faithfulness to God (Job 31:32)" (Taken from Nelsons dictionary of the bible pgs. 492-493)
" ... if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."( 1 Timothy 5:10) In this verse Paul is advising Timothy on the guide lines for allowing a widow to become part of the church and for receiving benefits from the church. These seem rather harsh conditions for a church to require in order to receive help ! Look closely at the list. Paul wanted to make sure she was a Christian with a servants heart ! One of those was to "lodge strangers" or hospitality ! We can now see that hospitality is a product of a changed heart AND a requirement from God.
In 1 Peter 4:8-9 " And above all things have fervent love for one another for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling .." The Greek word for hospitable means "love of strangers". In Paul's day hospitality meant opening ones home for strangers like traveling preachers and also opening ones home for church services ! Once again we see that hospitality is mentioned right after love. Not only love but fervent love ! With a reminder that love will cover a multitude of sins. Therefor love is not only practical when applied but also reworded by God.
"Hospitality was specifically commanded by God (Lev. 19:33-34, Luke 14:13-14, Rom. 12:13) It was to be characteristic of all believers (1 Peter 4:9). Jesus emphasized the importance of hospitality by answering the question of who should inherit the kingdom:"I was a stranger and you took me in." (Matt. 25:35)....Guests were welcomed and provided for. A host would go to great lengths to protect his guests (Judges 19:16-24). This was considered a sign of faithfulness to God (Job 31:32)" (Taken from Nelsons dictionary of the bible pgs. 492-493)
" ... if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."( 1 Timothy 5:10) In this verse Paul is advising Timothy on the guide lines for allowing a widow to become part of the church and for receiving benefits from the church. These seem rather harsh conditions for a church to require in order to receive help ! Look closely at the list. Paul wanted to make sure she was a Christian with a servants heart ! One of those was to "lodge strangers" or hospitality ! We can now see that hospitality is a product of a changed heart AND a requirement from God.
In 1 Peter 4:8-9 " And above all things have fervent love for one another for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling .." The Greek word for hospitable means "love of strangers". In Paul's day hospitality meant opening ones home for strangers like traveling preachers and also opening ones home for church services ! Once again we see that hospitality is mentioned right after love. Not only love but fervent love ! With a reminder that love will cover a multitude of sins. Therefor love is not only practical when applied but also reworded by God.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Service
August 26, 2018
"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance ; for you serve the Lord Christ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." (Colossians 3:24) Here we can see that Jesus is clearly teaching that service to Him will be rewarded AND that those who do not will also be paid back ! That means there are NO exceptions. Everyone will be either rewarded or punished spiritually upon the death of your body. That should encourage believers to serve with all of your heart. Likewise it should scare all non-believers that they will be punished for serving any one or any thing other than Jesus. Philemon shows us, however, that we are not to use this as an excuse to disobey our earthly bosses or overseers.
Ezekiel 48 : 9-10 says " The district that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width. To these - the priests - the holy district shall belong." The Old Testament is an outward and physical manifestation of the spiritual truths taught in the New Testament. In this passage we see that God is rewarding the Levites with their land. They were expected to serve God ONLY. The tithes to the Temple were meant to keep them in food and God was providing all things to them. This is the same concept we saw in the last passage only in this world and not in the spiritual world. The message could not be any plainer : Serve God only and you will be rewarded !
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry ..." ( 1 Timothy 1 :12 ) Several key things here to see as it relates to service. First, we see that Paul was enabled to serve because he was counted faithful ... by God. Secondly, he was PUT into ministry by God. Lastly, Paul was enabled. This verse goes on to draw the difference between being saved and not saved verses being enabled to serve. No one then can serve God unless these three things are done. 1) you must be saved, 2) You must be enabled by God, and 3) however you serve you must be put there by God. That is why Christians will say that they were "called" to do whatever service they are doing. If you do not feel as though you were called by God to serve in a specific manner ... Don't !
"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance ; for you serve the Lord Christ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." (Colossians 3:24) Here we can see that Jesus is clearly teaching that service to Him will be rewarded AND that those who do not will also be paid back ! That means there are NO exceptions. Everyone will be either rewarded or punished spiritually upon the death of your body. That should encourage believers to serve with all of your heart. Likewise it should scare all non-believers that they will be punished for serving any one or any thing other than Jesus. Philemon shows us, however, that we are not to use this as an excuse to disobey our earthly bosses or overseers.
Ezekiel 48 : 9-10 says " The district that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width. To these - the priests - the holy district shall belong." The Old Testament is an outward and physical manifestation of the spiritual truths taught in the New Testament. In this passage we see that God is rewarding the Levites with their land. They were expected to serve God ONLY. The tithes to the Temple were meant to keep them in food and God was providing all things to them. This is the same concept we saw in the last passage only in this world and not in the spiritual world. The message could not be any plainer : Serve God only and you will be rewarded !
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry ..." ( 1 Timothy 1 :12 ) Several key things here to see as it relates to service. First, we see that Paul was enabled to serve because he was counted faithful ... by God. Secondly, he was PUT into ministry by God. Lastly, Paul was enabled. This verse goes on to draw the difference between being saved and not saved verses being enabled to serve. No one then can serve God unless these three things are done. 1) you must be saved, 2) You must be enabled by God, and 3) however you serve you must be put there by God. That is why Christians will say that they were "called" to do whatever service they are doing. If you do not feel as though you were called by God to serve in a specific manner ... Don't !
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Helpfulness
August 11, 2018
Woman was created by God as an equal to man to balance and to complete man. She was to be a completer NOT a compete-er ! In Genesis 2:18 we see God saying," It is not good that man should be alone ; I will make him a helper comparable to him." God was not commenting on a fault with Adam but was commenting on his inability to carry out God's perfect plan of creation without help. Then He created woman. She is not inferior but equal. Yet created much differently because she was to compliment all that Adam was and yet complete him also. In today's American society it is a very hard thing to compete with men and still fulfill God's intended reason to complete the man. When a man and a woman are married their goal in their love for each other should be to put God in the middle of their marriage and to do God's will within that marriage. This is one reason why "Helpfulness" is one of God's keys to love.
Deuteronomy 33:29 says," Happy are you, O Israel ! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty ! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places." This verse shows the mighty power of the right help at the right time by the right person ! The writer starts by showing that only the Jews had been "saved" by the Lord. Are we not also saved by the blood of Jesus ? That this truth also applies to those saved this way ? It goes on to show that because you are saved He will help them and to protect them. Again, does this not also apply to blood bought saints of Jesus ? You may say, "So what?" Look at what the power of His help does. Your enemies will submit to you and you shall tear down all the false gods the unsaved have. Therefore, when we find a mate who completes and compliments you with God in the middle, miracles can and will happen ! This truth shows the power of helpfulness !
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) Helpfulness is not only an action to be taken but we see here that it is a word to be spoken. How can we be helpers to the saved and unsaved alike ? By controlling the tongue ! "Corrupt word" does not only mean foul language. It also applies to gossip, back stabbing, lying, bearing false witness, cursing and using God's name in vain ! This verse instructs us to do none of that but to use language that will help encourage others and to show and witness for God ! Since most of us talk a lot more than we do actions, it becomes very evident that by watching our speech and watching out for all the traps for us to helping others is a full time job ! Strive not only to help others physically but also strive to help others verbally !!!
Woman was created by God as an equal to man to balance and to complete man. She was to be a completer NOT a compete-er ! In Genesis 2:18 we see God saying," It is not good that man should be alone ; I will make him a helper comparable to him." God was not commenting on a fault with Adam but was commenting on his inability to carry out God's perfect plan of creation without help. Then He created woman. She is not inferior but equal. Yet created much differently because she was to compliment all that Adam was and yet complete him also. In today's American society it is a very hard thing to compete with men and still fulfill God's intended reason to complete the man. When a man and a woman are married their goal in their love for each other should be to put God in the middle of their marriage and to do God's will within that marriage. This is one reason why "Helpfulness" is one of God's keys to love.
Deuteronomy 33:29 says," Happy are you, O Israel ! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty ! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places." This verse shows the mighty power of the right help at the right time by the right person ! The writer starts by showing that only the Jews had been "saved" by the Lord. Are we not also saved by the blood of Jesus ? That this truth also applies to those saved this way ? It goes on to show that because you are saved He will help them and to protect them. Again, does this not also apply to blood bought saints of Jesus ? You may say, "So what?" Look at what the power of His help does. Your enemies will submit to you and you shall tear down all the false gods the unsaved have. Therefore, when we find a mate who completes and compliments you with God in the middle, miracles can and will happen ! This truth shows the power of helpfulness !
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) Helpfulness is not only an action to be taken but we see here that it is a word to be spoken. How can we be helpers to the saved and unsaved alike ? By controlling the tongue ! "Corrupt word" does not only mean foul language. It also applies to gossip, back stabbing, lying, bearing false witness, cursing and using God's name in vain ! This verse instructs us to do none of that but to use language that will help encourage others and to show and witness for God ! Since most of us talk a lot more than we do actions, it becomes very evident that by watching our speech and watching out for all the traps for us to helping others is a full time job ! Strive not only to help others physically but also strive to help others verbally !!!
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Faithfulness
August 4, 2018
"... for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land."(Hosea 4:1) In this passage we can see the prophet is bringing a legal case against the people from God. In the charge he mentions 3 things : no truth, no mercy, and no knowledge of God. All three of these are individual charges with one root cause ...there is no faith ! Without faith there can be no mercy, truth, or knowledge of God. Later in the next verse he goes on to list all of the infractions they have committed including breaking all of the commandments. This verse shows us what the result is of no faith in God. The same can be said of our relationships. Without faith and without God in any relationship there will always be no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God ! The result will always be harm to each other, the relationship, and to God !
The prophet Jeremiah says in verse 28 "...and he who has my word. let him speak My word faithfully." This is a direct warning to those who preach and teach God's word. You are held to a higher standard to give His word faithfully. This means to give the word accurately, and whenever called upon. God's word can only be effective when it is given ! That sounds simple yet it is not. If one little thing is wrong then the whole thing is wrong. That is why God's law was that whoever got one detail of His word wrong was to be stoned to death !! If you love God and His word you must deliver it as He says. Likewise for us. We must be there for each other with the truth AND whenever needed.
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2-10) Here, God says that Satan is about to put some in prison for 10 days to test them. If they remain faithful they will receive the crown which is life. This is yet another way of stating a truth that is all through the bible. Without faith there is no life. It was that way in the garden when Eve believed the serpent and it is the same here in Revelation when Jesus is coming back ! Our faith must be in Jesus for our spiritual life no matter what happens to our physical life. Eve thought God meant she would die physically because she listened to Satan. Here God is saying their physical life will be bad but for only a short time. Then they will have eternal life ! The message is the same for us ... Have faith in Jesus and you will have eternal life.
"... for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land."(Hosea 4:1) In this passage we can see the prophet is bringing a legal case against the people from God. In the charge he mentions 3 things : no truth, no mercy, and no knowledge of God. All three of these are individual charges with one root cause ...there is no faith ! Without faith there can be no mercy, truth, or knowledge of God. Later in the next verse he goes on to list all of the infractions they have committed including breaking all of the commandments. This verse shows us what the result is of no faith in God. The same can be said of our relationships. Without faith and without God in any relationship there will always be no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God ! The result will always be harm to each other, the relationship, and to God !
The prophet Jeremiah says in verse 28 "...and he who has my word. let him speak My word faithfully." This is a direct warning to those who preach and teach God's word. You are held to a higher standard to give His word faithfully. This means to give the word accurately, and whenever called upon. God's word can only be effective when it is given ! That sounds simple yet it is not. If one little thing is wrong then the whole thing is wrong. That is why God's law was that whoever got one detail of His word wrong was to be stoned to death !! If you love God and His word you must deliver it as He says. Likewise for us. We must be there for each other with the truth AND whenever needed.
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2-10) Here, God says that Satan is about to put some in prison for 10 days to test them. If they remain faithful they will receive the crown which is life. This is yet another way of stating a truth that is all through the bible. Without faith there is no life. It was that way in the garden when Eve believed the serpent and it is the same here in Revelation when Jesus is coming back ! Our faith must be in Jesus for our spiritual life no matter what happens to our physical life. Eve thought God meant she would die physically because she listened to Satan. Here God is saying their physical life will be bad but for only a short time. Then they will have eternal life ! The message is the same for us ... Have faith in Jesus and you will have eternal life.
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