Reminders we all need them don't we?
Life is full of reminders.
We write ourselves notes, we leave ourselves memos, we go to great lengths to tell people to remind us about this and that, we have calendars that we put notes on we even put messages on our own answering machines, some have little memo reminders on their cell phones, you name it seriously there are many, many ways we leave reminders for ourselves and those reminders are left why?
We remind ourselves of things that are important to us, even if it's a temporary importance. It's important to remember to bring home a gallon of milk or there will be none for breakfast the next morning. Or it's important to remember to pick up that prescription at the pharmacy. You really can't forget that doctor's appointment right? And what about that anniversary, or the recital, or the deadline for an important project?
There are many *important* things we are not to forget and if we do sometimes the consequences are grave aren't they? Sometimes a missed appointment really can mean the difference between life and death.
Our eternal life isn't something to trifle with. Our walk with Christ isn't something to ignore.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus who told us previously in the last study the things we are to seek, also tells us things we are to remember. He gives us a lot of reminders- lets read.
{1:12} Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them,] and be established in the present truth. {1:13} Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance
{1:14} Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
{1:15} Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
*
Peter wants these things he has to say remembered even after he's dead, for people to have them ALWAYS in remembrance. They must be pretty important so we'd better pay attention.
{1:16} For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
{1:17} For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
{1:18} And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
{1:19} We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts
{1:20} Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{1:21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
*
Amazing isn't it! Just think about it! He was with Jesus, he witnessed His power firsthand! He heard the voice of the Father talking to the son. A reminder that no prophecy is of a private interpretation how can it be? It's of God to all. People would have you believe they have the answers, but the Bible itself has them. Read on and remember that Peter wants us to remember all these things-
{2:1} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
{2:2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
*
The way of truth shall be evil spoken of! We can't deny this. We can't pretend it won't or doesn't exist. False teachers. These aren't people wearing big yellow hats with the words blazoned in red- I'm a False Teacher. No, these are people that are subtle, devious who privily bring heresies, and MANY shall follow them, many!
{2:3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
*
With feigned words...they'll use false words, false truths, their words will be lies and many will follow them. Scary stuff. And listen to the next bit...
{2:4} For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
{2:5} And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person,] a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; {2:6} And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly
{2:7} And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked
{2:8} (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)
*
Did you read that?! God spared not the ANGELS that sinned. God doesn't spare sinners! We want to think He does, we want to believe we can be spared in our sin, we can't. We have to go to Jesus and we have to repent and we have to live our lives in Him through the Holy Spirit. We can't live in sin and claim salvation. No, our not sinning won't save us, only Jesus can save us, but Jesus would have us live in Him and by Him and living by Him we won't seek to live in sin but the opposite.
{2:9} The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
*
The Lord knows how to deliver us from temptation. We can't forget that, we can't and we also can't forget that he knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
{2:10} But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they,] selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
{2:11} Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
{2:12} But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption
{2:13} And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
*
Read that again! Sporting themselves with their own DECEIVINGS while they feast with YOU.
Deception!
{2:14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
{2:15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; {2:16} But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
{2:17} These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
{2:18} For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
{2:19} While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
*
While they PROMISE them liberty, they themselves are the servants of CORRUPTION!
{2:20} For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
{2:21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it,] to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
{2:22} But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
*
Words that we truly need to heed, words we need to pay close attention to because they are all true.
We can't give into sin. We can't turn back to sin. We can't give up! We have to fight the good fight of faith and hold fast to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the promises He gives us, the hope through the Holy Spirit. We have to hold fast and not turn away no matter the temptations. We know the truth found in Jesus, we know His commandments of love, we know these things and we cannot turn from them, we have to pay attention to these words of Peter, words given to him through the Holy Spirit to guide us. These all important memos we have to take to heart as we live day to day striving to sin not as we lay hold of salvation in Christ our Redeemer. He knows how to keep us from temptation and we have to trust in Him now and always. By the grace of God, by the Will of Lord.
Amen.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Be established in the present truth
2 Peter
{1:1} Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
{1:2} Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord
{1:3} According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
**We're not left to flounder. According to the divine power we are given ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness. We get all these thing through knowledge...
{1:3}...through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
**Knowledge of Jesus. The more we know of Jesus the more we know about how we are to live. We are called to live our lives in Jesus, not just accept Him as our savior and then go about out lives as if nothing has changed. We often despair of being able to live in Christ but we are given all we need to do so. We can't ever think we know enough of Jesus, that we've learned all there is to learn. We'll never know all there is to know even if we read the Bible a million time and memorize it backwards and forwards. Forever we need to delve into His words, His life, pray to Him, live in Him accept His Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives as a reality, not as something mystical and sort of real in an abstract way.
{1:4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
**
Precious promises in the knowledge of Jesus. Precious promises that through them we are part of the divine nature. We can escape the corruption in the world but only through knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
{1:5} And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge
{1:6} And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness
{1:7} And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
{1:8} For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Add to our faith- virtue.
Add to our virtue- knowledge.
Add to knowledge- temperance.
Add to temperance- patience.
Add to patience- godliness.
Add to godliness- brotherly kindness.
Add to brotherly kindness- charity.
We have to ADD these, we have to seek these, we have to pointedly bring into our lives through our love of Jesus. We should never be content with who we are if we lack any of these things...
{1:9} But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
**
We can't be this way, we can't forget that we were purged from our old sins, that we've been forgiven, that we've been offered a new life in Christ. If we're not growing in these things we have to examine our lives and ask ourselves why.
Are we seeking to strengthen our faith, our virtue, our knowledge, our patience, our godliness, our brotherly kindness, our charity?
Examine your life, we all have to examine our lives and realize that if we're found lacking that it might be because we don't remember how we were first saved by Jesus, how we first came to knowledge of our Lord, our redeemer. The new man we become in Christ as we seek forgiveness through repentance and seek to follow Him, we have to keep this ever before us, never forgetting.
{1:10} Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall
{1:11} For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
{1:12} Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. {1:13} Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance
People shout that you can't do anything to be save and I've said it before and I'll say it million times, they're right. Salvation is a gift of God, through that salvation we find hope in Christ to eternal life and that hope changes us through the Holy Spirit. We can't get caught up in thinking our walk with Christ ends the moment of acceptance, it's only just begun in truth. We have a responsibility not to save ourselves or think we do by anything we may do, but to seek Christ now and always and grow in grace, grow in knowledge, and to be fruitful in all that Jesus would have us be as we come to know Him more and more.
Amen.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”- 2 Peter 3:10-11
{1:1} Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
{1:2} Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord
{1:3} According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
**We're not left to flounder. According to the divine power we are given ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness. We get all these thing through knowledge...
{1:3}...through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
**Knowledge of Jesus. The more we know of Jesus the more we know about how we are to live. We are called to live our lives in Jesus, not just accept Him as our savior and then go about out lives as if nothing has changed. We often despair of being able to live in Christ but we are given all we need to do so. We can't ever think we know enough of Jesus, that we've learned all there is to learn. We'll never know all there is to know even if we read the Bible a million time and memorize it backwards and forwards. Forever we need to delve into His words, His life, pray to Him, live in Him accept His Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives as a reality, not as something mystical and sort of real in an abstract way.
{1:4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
**
Precious promises in the knowledge of Jesus. Precious promises that through them we are part of the divine nature. We can escape the corruption in the world but only through knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
{1:5} And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge
{1:6} And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness
{1:7} And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
{1:8} For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Add to our faith- virtue.
Add to our virtue- knowledge.
Add to knowledge- temperance.
Add to temperance- patience.
Add to patience- godliness.
Add to godliness- brotherly kindness.
Add to brotherly kindness- charity.
We have to ADD these, we have to seek these, we have to pointedly bring into our lives through our love of Jesus. We should never be content with who we are if we lack any of these things...
{1:9} But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
**
We can't be this way, we can't forget that we were purged from our old sins, that we've been forgiven, that we've been offered a new life in Christ. If we're not growing in these things we have to examine our lives and ask ourselves why.
Are we seeking to strengthen our faith, our virtue, our knowledge, our patience, our godliness, our brotherly kindness, our charity?
Examine your life, we all have to examine our lives and realize that if we're found lacking that it might be because we don't remember how we were first saved by Jesus, how we first came to knowledge of our Lord, our redeemer. The new man we become in Christ as we seek forgiveness through repentance and seek to follow Him, we have to keep this ever before us, never forgetting.
{1:10} Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall
{1:11} For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
{1:12} Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. {1:13} Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance
People shout that you can't do anything to be save and I've said it before and I'll say it million times, they're right. Salvation is a gift of God, through that salvation we find hope in Christ to eternal life and that hope changes us through the Holy Spirit. We can't get caught up in thinking our walk with Christ ends the moment of acceptance, it's only just begun in truth. We have a responsibility not to save ourselves or think we do by anything we may do, but to seek Christ now and always and grow in grace, grow in knowledge, and to be fruitful in all that Jesus would have us be as we come to know Him more and more.
Amen.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,”- 2 Peter 3:10-11
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Purified your souls in obeying the truth
1 Peter
{1:22} Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
Obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren.
See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Obeying the truth through the Spirit.
How? Unto unfeigned love of the brethren.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Love.
1 John
{5:1} Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
{5:2} By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Luke
{10:25} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
{10:26} He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
{10:27} And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
{10:28} And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
1 John
{4:7} Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
{4:8} He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
{4:9} In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
{4:10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
{4:11} Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
{4:12} No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
{4:13} Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
{4:14} And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
{4:15} Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
{4:16} And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
{4:17} Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
{4:18} There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
{4:19} We love him, because he first loved us.
{4:20} If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
{4:21} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
What do you suppose would happen if suddenly there was no profit at all in being a doctor? No profit. What if being a doctor earned you about as much as your average grocery clerk? Stay with me here this is all hypothetical and we're not going to get into the cost of education and all that. Right now, all the doctors in the world have been forgiven all their educational debts so that's not an issue, neither is malpractice insurance, that's all gone too. They have no extraordinary debts or costs to pay out, no more than your average grocery clerk. How many people do you suppose would become doctors if there were no money in it? If it weren't for the prestige and wealth? How many?
It's easy to see today when you're shoved into a waiting room packed with people and have to wait hours just to get shoved into another room alone to wait some more. And then the doctor comes in and spends more time fiddling with their little computer looking at your records and fussing about than they do looking at you. Oh yes, it's easy to see that hurrying up and trying to diagnose you, the answer a pill or two, a blood test or four, a urine test here and a x-ray there, lets just see what's what as quick as possible there are many more cattle needing herded through the place before the day is over. Are we even real to these people? Maybe I'm being harsh, or maybe not harsh enough. All I know is it makes me wonder how many people go into the physician field solely for monetary reasons and in truth they care very little about the people they'll be treating.
Loving your brother.
Love meaning caring more for them than yourself.
How often does that happen?
I saw evidence of it not too long ago when my daughter who has a bad back and numerous health issues started pushing the car of a stranded woman to help her out. I was floored. I was a little angry too, how dare she do such a thing, didn't she know she could really hurt herself! She obviously felt helping the stranded woman was more important than worrying about her health. Stupid? I want to think so, but in truth isn't that what's important? Helping others and not caring about yourself?
Thought of self comes first- how does *this situation* effect me? Will I like this? Will it be an inconvenience to me? Do I have other plans? What's this to me? Self first and if all is satisfactory there then maybe I can think of someone else.
God help me. God help us. Love has nothing to do with self. Nothing. Love has everything to do with others. Everything.
Love God. Love others.
No commandment to love yourself.
That ol' love others as yourself, doesn't mean loving yourself, it means love others as YOU would want to be loved. If we had to love ourselves and love others that way it would only be an obstacle especially for those that concentrate on loving themselves first before they love others, there is nothing selfless in loving yourself. No, I'm not saying hate yourself. I'm saying self is important truly only in the sense that we do all we can to remain healthy and such so that we may respect our lives because God loves us and would have us love others. We're not here on earth to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others.
Mark
{8:35} For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
John
{15:9} As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
{15:10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
{15:11} These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.
{15:12} This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
{15:13} Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
{15:14} Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command
1 John
{3:16} Hereby perceive we the love [of God,] because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
{3:17} But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
{3:18} My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
{3:19} And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him
Amen.
{1:22} Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently
Obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren.
See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Obeying the truth through the Spirit.
How? Unto unfeigned love of the brethren.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Love.
1 John
{5:1} Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
{5:2} By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Luke
{10:25} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
{10:26} He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
{10:27} And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
{10:28} And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
1 John
{4:7} Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
{4:8} He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
{4:9} In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
{4:10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
{4:11} Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
{4:12} No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
{4:13} Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
{4:14} And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
{4:15} Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
{4:16} And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
{4:17} Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
{4:18} There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
{4:19} We love him, because he first loved us.
{4:20} If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
{4:21} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
What do you suppose would happen if suddenly there was no profit at all in being a doctor? No profit. What if being a doctor earned you about as much as your average grocery clerk? Stay with me here this is all hypothetical and we're not going to get into the cost of education and all that. Right now, all the doctors in the world have been forgiven all their educational debts so that's not an issue, neither is malpractice insurance, that's all gone too. They have no extraordinary debts or costs to pay out, no more than your average grocery clerk. How many people do you suppose would become doctors if there were no money in it? If it weren't for the prestige and wealth? How many?
It's easy to see today when you're shoved into a waiting room packed with people and have to wait hours just to get shoved into another room alone to wait some more. And then the doctor comes in and spends more time fiddling with their little computer looking at your records and fussing about than they do looking at you. Oh yes, it's easy to see that hurrying up and trying to diagnose you, the answer a pill or two, a blood test or four, a urine test here and a x-ray there, lets just see what's what as quick as possible there are many more cattle needing herded through the place before the day is over. Are we even real to these people? Maybe I'm being harsh, or maybe not harsh enough. All I know is it makes me wonder how many people go into the physician field solely for monetary reasons and in truth they care very little about the people they'll be treating.
Loving your brother.
Love meaning caring more for them than yourself.
How often does that happen?
I saw evidence of it not too long ago when my daughter who has a bad back and numerous health issues started pushing the car of a stranded woman to help her out. I was floored. I was a little angry too, how dare she do such a thing, didn't she know she could really hurt herself! She obviously felt helping the stranded woman was more important than worrying about her health. Stupid? I want to think so, but in truth isn't that what's important? Helping others and not caring about yourself?
Thought of self comes first- how does *this situation* effect me? Will I like this? Will it be an inconvenience to me? Do I have other plans? What's this to me? Self first and if all is satisfactory there then maybe I can think of someone else.
God help me. God help us. Love has nothing to do with self. Nothing. Love has everything to do with others. Everything.
Love God. Love others.
No commandment to love yourself.
That ol' love others as yourself, doesn't mean loving yourself, it means love others as YOU would want to be loved. If we had to love ourselves and love others that way it would only be an obstacle especially for those that concentrate on loving themselves first before they love others, there is nothing selfless in loving yourself. No, I'm not saying hate yourself. I'm saying self is important truly only in the sense that we do all we can to remain healthy and such so that we may respect our lives because God loves us and would have us love others. We're not here on earth to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others.
Mark
{8:35} For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
John
{15:9} As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
{15:10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
{15:11} These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.
{15:12} This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
{15:13} Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
{15:14} Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command
1 John
{3:16} Hereby perceive we the love [of God,] because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
{3:17} But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
{3:18} My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
{3:19} And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him
Amen.
Friday, November 28, 2008
They profess that they know God.
Titus
{1:14} Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
{1:15} Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
{1:16} They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate
They profess that they know God.
How many people do you know profess to know God? A lot? A few? Do you profess to know God?
People do profess it, some loud, some not so loud.
Do you know people that profess to know God but seem very ungodly?
The Bible tells us there are people like that. Think about it, really think.
Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth- what is the truth? Jesus our Savior is the truth. Anything that turns us from Jesus, from the message that Jesus taught, from Salvation by grace through Jesus Christ, from the love that is God is not of God and they are the commandments of men, they are listening to fables. People like to listen to those that will tell them pleasing things, they like to hear things that make them feel good, that make them feel as if they know God even if they don't. Many people follow other people rather than God. People need to seek God and God alone, not things other people are seeking. Just because you hear something that sounds about right, don't be fooled, check it, go to the word of God, go to the Bible seek answers for yourself. We're all accountable for ourselves, for what we choose to believe in. No one else is accountable for you and what you believe. You can say all you want that you were *raised* a certain way and that's why you believe as you do but in the end you have to be able to say you studied for yourself, that you sought the truth for yourself. You won't be able to blame anyone else for what you believe. You have eyes to see, you have the discernment you need by studying the word of God, by praying for guidance, by seeking God you must be able to understand that there are going to be many who profess to know God, but they don't.
Unto the pure all things are pure, but until them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Mind and conscience defiled.
We hear of the atrocities of people and the inhumane things they do to others and this is why... their minds and conscience are defiled. They profess God and in works they deny him. No, we're not saved by works, but we can know people by their works. In works if someone denies Christ, they are not of Christ.
Matthew
{7:15} Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
{7:16} Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
{7:17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
{7:18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
{7:19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
{7:20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
{7:21} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {7:22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
{7:23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
{7:24} Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock
{7:25} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
{7:26} And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: {7:27} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
{7:28} And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine
{7:29} For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
Please Lord help us all to not be wolves in sheep's clothing even unwittingly thinking we know you. We need to know you Lord, please to that end bring us. We need to be wise in you, only in you not of ourselves. Please Lord help us to be pure in you, not defiled, not following those who claim to know you but don't know you at all. In the name of your son our savior Jesus Christ, by His grace and mercy, by love.
Amen.
{1:14} Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
{1:15} Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
{1:16} They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate
They profess that they know God.
How many people do you know profess to know God? A lot? A few? Do you profess to know God?
People do profess it, some loud, some not so loud.
Do you know people that profess to know God but seem very ungodly?
The Bible tells us there are people like that. Think about it, really think.
Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth- what is the truth? Jesus our Savior is the truth. Anything that turns us from Jesus, from the message that Jesus taught, from Salvation by grace through Jesus Christ, from the love that is God is not of God and they are the commandments of men, they are listening to fables. People like to listen to those that will tell them pleasing things, they like to hear things that make them feel good, that make them feel as if they know God even if they don't. Many people follow other people rather than God. People need to seek God and God alone, not things other people are seeking. Just because you hear something that sounds about right, don't be fooled, check it, go to the word of God, go to the Bible seek answers for yourself. We're all accountable for ourselves, for what we choose to believe in. No one else is accountable for you and what you believe. You can say all you want that you were *raised* a certain way and that's why you believe as you do but in the end you have to be able to say you studied for yourself, that you sought the truth for yourself. You won't be able to blame anyone else for what you believe. You have eyes to see, you have the discernment you need by studying the word of God, by praying for guidance, by seeking God you must be able to understand that there are going to be many who profess to know God, but they don't.
Unto the pure all things are pure, but until them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Mind and conscience defiled.
We hear of the atrocities of people and the inhumane things they do to others and this is why... their minds and conscience are defiled. They profess God and in works they deny him. No, we're not saved by works, but we can know people by their works. In works if someone denies Christ, they are not of Christ.
Matthew
{7:15} Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
{7:16} Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
{7:17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
{7:18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
{7:19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
{7:20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
{7:21} Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {7:22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
{7:23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
{7:24} Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock
{7:25} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
{7:26} And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: {7:27} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
{7:28} And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine
{7:29} For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
Please Lord help us all to not be wolves in sheep's clothing even unwittingly thinking we know you. We need to know you Lord, please to that end bring us. We need to be wise in you, only in you not of ourselves. Please Lord help us to be pure in you, not defiled, not following those who claim to know you but don't know you at all. In the name of your son our savior Jesus Christ, by His grace and mercy, by love.
Amen.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Godliness in hope of eternal life.
Titus {1:1} Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness{1:2} In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began{1:3} But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour{1:4} To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Ever thankful for the Lord, for His mercy, His love, today on Thanksgiving Day we need to thank Him even more than ever.
Read this from Paul to Titus.
The truth which is after godliness in hope of eternal life which God cannot lie promised before the world began.
The truth.
Godliness in hope of eternal life.
God cannot lie.
Promised before the world began.
*
Our wonderful, most amazing Lord and Father didn't do anything haphazardly in creating the world. We can be very thankful for such foresight without it there would have been no salvation.
How many times do people plan things and not think of everything? All the time right? If we only thought of this, if we only thought of that. God thought of it all and we can take great comfort in that.
The truth we all need so desperately is life in Jesus.
All we know is life. We can witness death but we cannot know death in all its reality. We know that when a person dies their life as we know it is over. They get buried or cremated and they're gone from our lives completely except in memory. We too will one day be the person that dies, the one that is gone from the lives of others except in memories. Is that all there is? People want to believe there is more because it gives them hope. Who wants to believe that there is nothing after death? We can have the hope of eternal life and that hope is found in Jesus, this is the truth.
Godliness in hope of eternal life.
One day we who place our trust and our love in Jesus will live again and not in some substandard existence of ghostly form. Jesus didn't die so we could live in a semi-existence. He rose from the grave as a human being with flesh and one day we will as well.
We can all hope in God, and we should all acknowledge the truth which is in God.
I thank God our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and praise Him for all His Love and the wonders of that love.
Amen.
Ever thankful for the Lord, for His mercy, His love, today on Thanksgiving Day we need to thank Him even more than ever.
Read this from Paul to Titus.
The truth which is after godliness in hope of eternal life which God cannot lie promised before the world began.
The truth.
Godliness in hope of eternal life.
God cannot lie.
Promised before the world began.
*
Our wonderful, most amazing Lord and Father didn't do anything haphazardly in creating the world. We can be very thankful for such foresight without it there would have been no salvation.
How many times do people plan things and not think of everything? All the time right? If we only thought of this, if we only thought of that. God thought of it all and we can take great comfort in that.
The truth we all need so desperately is life in Jesus.
All we know is life. We can witness death but we cannot know death in all its reality. We know that when a person dies their life as we know it is over. They get buried or cremated and they're gone from our lives completely except in memory. We too will one day be the person that dies, the one that is gone from the lives of others except in memories. Is that all there is? People want to believe there is more because it gives them hope. Who wants to believe that there is nothing after death? We can have the hope of eternal life and that hope is found in Jesus, this is the truth.
Godliness in hope of eternal life.
One day we who place our trust and our love in Jesus will live again and not in some substandard existence of ghostly form. Jesus didn't die so we could live in a semi-existence. He rose from the grave as a human being with flesh and one day we will as well.
We can all hope in God, and we should all acknowledge the truth which is in God.
I thank God our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and praise Him for all His Love and the wonders of that love.
Amen.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Turn away their ears from the truth
2 Tim
{4:3} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
{4:4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables
**
Not endure sound doctrine.
They will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts.
They shall stop listening to the truth.
They shall be turned to fables.
**
People don't want sound doctrine they want to hear things they like to hear, they want to be told lies to make them feel good. Have you ever heard that as an excuse...'I was just telling them what they wanted to hear.' It's the truth that people feel better when they get confirmation of things they *like*, rather than things they don't *like* to hear. Who wants to be told they'll die eternally if they don't accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? People like to believe that upon death a better life awaits them no matter what. While they might accept they need to believe in Jesus, they don't fully accept that He commands them to do more than that. People like stopping at the believe part but Jesus Himself said to the man who asked what he had to do to have eternal life the following--
Luke
{10:25} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
{10:26} He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
{10:27} And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
{10:28} And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
You'd think Jesus would say just believe me if that were it, right? Seriously.
But people want to hear just believe, they don't want to hear anything else because then they jump up and say you can't work your way to heaven and...and... loving God and my neighbor falls into that category.
Seriously. We are so self absorbed that putting others first actually becomes a chore, we have to stop and think before we automatically put others first. We have to do so much and yet people only want to believe, just believe.
We're told people don't want to hear sound doctrine, they don't want to hear the truth, they want people who will tell them things they like to hear rather than the truth, they want fables and they're happy.
The time is here, it's not to come, the time is now. People are turning their ears away from the truth right now.
We can't be among them, we just can't!
The truth has to be heard no matter how much we don't want to hear it, and don't fool yourself, it's not always easy to hear at all. We want it to be, we really do, but it's hard, the way is hard, narrow and yet worth any sacrifice a person might make, Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all and any thing we might have to do to is worth it. Believe in Him yes, yes, yes, without the faith there is no hope. Believe and follow Him. Believe and do as He says. Love. And love isn't easy, selfless love is truly impossible without Him and yet it's what He'd have for us all.
Amen.
{4:3} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
{4:4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables
**
Not endure sound doctrine.
They will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts.
They shall stop listening to the truth.
They shall be turned to fables.
**
People don't want sound doctrine they want to hear things they like to hear, they want to be told lies to make them feel good. Have you ever heard that as an excuse...'I was just telling them what they wanted to hear.' It's the truth that people feel better when they get confirmation of things they *like*, rather than things they don't *like* to hear. Who wants to be told they'll die eternally if they don't accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? People like to believe that upon death a better life awaits them no matter what. While they might accept they need to believe in Jesus, they don't fully accept that He commands them to do more than that. People like stopping at the believe part but Jesus Himself said to the man who asked what he had to do to have eternal life the following--
Luke
{10:25} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
{10:26} He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
{10:27} And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
{10:28} And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
You'd think Jesus would say just believe me if that were it, right? Seriously.
But people want to hear just believe, they don't want to hear anything else because then they jump up and say you can't work your way to heaven and...and... loving God and my neighbor falls into that category.
Seriously. We are so self absorbed that putting others first actually becomes a chore, we have to stop and think before we automatically put others first. We have to do so much and yet people only want to believe, just believe.
We're told people don't want to hear sound doctrine, they don't want to hear the truth, they want people who will tell them things they like to hear rather than the truth, they want fables and they're happy.
The time is here, it's not to come, the time is now. People are turning their ears away from the truth right now.
We can't be among them, we just can't!
The truth has to be heard no matter how much we don't want to hear it, and don't fool yourself, it's not always easy to hear at all. We want it to be, we really do, but it's hard, the way is hard, narrow and yet worth any sacrifice a person might make, Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all and any thing we might have to do to is worth it. Believe in Him yes, yes, yes, without the faith there is no hope. Believe and follow Him. Believe and do as He says. Love. And love isn't easy, selfless love is truly impossible without Him and yet it's what He'd have for us all.
Amen.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Destitute of truth.
Freedom.
Every single mentally capable human being today can be free.
A bold statement and a true one. The only thing in question is- what is my idea of freedom that makes this true?
Surely there are people enslaved all over the world in places we'd never dream of slavery existing. White slavery, black slavery, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, European, you name a single race and there are slaves among that people. Just the other day another *sex slavery ring* was busted, so yes, slavery does exist and it's not only for manual labor, but sexual labor, perverted labors, you name it.
Some people say they are a slave to their job and they mean it, why wouldn't they? They're not able to do what they please but rather are figuratively chained to their desk or whatever it is they do, chained to their occupation because to stop would me hardship- great hardship. They might be free to become homeless and destitute but the other alternative is slavery to their job.
Yes, you can say anyone can quit their job and get another one. They can go to school and start over. They can do this, they can do that, no one has to be a slave to their job. Well, I say they can be. I say you can be without a job, you can live so you don't have to answer to a single other human being, you can do as you please come and go at will without anyone telling you what to do or where to go and you'll still be a slave.
Wait, wasn't this about that bold statement I made, 'Every single mentally capable human being today can be free.'? Here I am practically saying we're all slaves so which is it? Both? Neither? Some where in between?
We're all slaves to sin, and we're all free in Christ.
Truth.
Even those literally enslaved by masters can be free in Christ. Freedom in Christ with a hope of eternal life. Easy for me to say because I'm not the one being tortured, I'm not the one who has to bend to the will of another human being day in and day out living a life of pure agony? Probably. It has to be a lot harder for one enduring hardship to rise above it simply because the one not enduring it is already above it. Bold words, freedom for all, but true words.
Here Paul is instructing the people-
1 Timothy
6:1} Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Count their masters worthy of all honor? What if they're animals, torturers, inhuman in their defiling, demeaning, degrading treatment of said servant? Love thy neighbor, do good....
Luke
{6:27} But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
{6:28} Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
{6:29} And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also. {6:30} Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again.
{6:31} And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
{6:32} For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
{6:33} And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
{6:34} And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
{6:35} But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
{6:36} Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
{6:37} Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
{6:38} Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
*
1 Timothy
{6:2} And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
{6:3} If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
{6:4} He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
{6:5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
{6:6} But godliness with contentment is great gain.
{6:7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
{6:8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
{6:9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
{6:10} For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
{6:11} But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
{6:12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
'destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness'
Destitute of truth.
If we believe that living a life of physical freedom, materialistic possessions, of counting ourselves blessed simply because we have surrounded ourselves by possessions- we are so far off the mark it's not funny.
We are richer than the richest man in the world who has the greatest monetary wealth if we have the truth, and it is a richness we only increase by giving it away. The truth is ours to give. The truth is ours to share. We can be rich in the only way it really matters because as the Bible says--
{6:7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Nothing.
May God help us to fully realize that the greatest riches we could have are those that cost nothing and are only increased when we give them away endlessly.
We are free in Christ, free in the truth, free no matter our earthly bonds, no matter what shape or form they take our freedom is in Christ now and always.
{6:12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life
Praise God for His love, for His mercy and truth, His grace and goodness, in Christ Jesus' name.
Amen.
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