1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?
What do we have that we don't receive? Seriously. Think about it. The very air we breath is a gift from God. All that we have we receive in one way or another. Yes, there are a lot of things in life we wish we didn't have to receive such as the angst and all that Satan as prince of this world strives to overcome us with. God allows things to happen for reasons beyond our comprehension but in the end those who trust in Him no matter how they suffer now will have the reward of eternal life in love, with Him. But seriously, when we receive we can't take credit for it can we? We need to give the glory to the one we've received from. When we glory in ourselves as if we could do anything without the Creator, we fail to honor God. Part of learning to give up self is learning that we receive and need to glorify the Giver of all life, rather than patting ourselves on the back and thinking that we give life and have power over life.
1Co 4:8 Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
1Co 4:9 For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
Wow. Doomed to death. A spectacle unto the world- unto both angels and men.
Read that again. A spectacle unto the world to both ANGELS and MEN.
We don't like to think of being a spectacle to unseen beings do we? I mean hidden cameras are a frightening thought because people would watch us live our lives and all the private things we do are revealed. There's something demeaning when we think of being watch at our most vulnerable moments and not necessarily because we are committing any sins, but just because we generally aren't raised in a society that promotes full revelation at all times. Yet we are a spectacle. No, we're not apostles, but we are all watched. God sees all. Paul was watched closely, all the apostles were watched closely as their faith so new in a world that hadn't known Christ was tested and tried in many ways. All but one apostle was killed for their faith. The apostles were a spectacle all they did was watched. As Christians our lives are watched too and yet many take this to mean they have to seem pious and perfect. As Christians we need to proclaim Christ's love first and foremost and sometimes love is revealed only after harsh times. That saying- Christians aren't perfect just forgiven is true, and yet it's not an excuse either. Our hearts need to be revealed and with Christ in us it is His love that is shown- not ours. Of ourselves we have nothing.
Paul goes on to say...
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
1Co 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
1Co 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
1Co 4:13 being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
1Co 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
WOW.
Being reviled- we bless
Being persecuted- we endure
Being defamed- we entreat
Reviled, persecuted, defamed. None of us wants any of that at all whatsoever, it's completely alien to our way of life. When people revile, persecute, or defame you in our society we try to get them in trouble for hurting us- we sue them, we tell on them, often people take them to court so they are punished for their vile ways of treating others. How often do we even consider blessing someone that reviles another? How often do people simply endure persecution, of defamation? It's ludicrous to our way of thinking. Turning the other cheek isn't promoted, not really.
There are many today that are being reviled, persecuted, and defamed for their Christian ways, for believing in Christ. And Christ's way is far above our so called civilized ways where self comes first and foremost.
May God help us, bless us, keep us in Him. As we are spectacles to the world, to men and angels, may they see Christ in us as we claim Christ's righteousness through the forgiveness He offers us and count on nothing of ourselves.
In the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever.
Amen
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Each Man Have His Praise from God
1Co 4:5 Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
Nothing is hidden from God. The counsel of our hearts are manifested to Him always. We can judge nothing really because we can't see the counsels of the hearts, we can't see the things hidden in the darkness of our lives, things we'd rather keep hidden eternally. God sees it all and He judges. When the Lord comes all will be revealed. May we live in Him and have His righteousness stand as our in the day of His coming. May we have His praise, amazing praise from God as we are found alive in Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior now and forever.
Amen.
Nothing is hidden from God. The counsel of our hearts are manifested to Him always. We can judge nothing really because we can't see the counsels of the hearts, we can't see the things hidden in the darkness of our lives, things we'd rather keep hidden eternally. God sees it all and He judges. When the Lord comes all will be revealed. May we live in Him and have His righteousness stand as our in the day of His coming. May we have His praise, amazing praise from God as we are found alive in Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior now and forever.
Amen.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The wisdom of the world is foolishness
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness
1Co 3:20 and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.
The wisdom of this world.
Worldly wise.
Wise in the ways of the world.
Being wise in the world is something people seek all the time. People like to believe they are wise because being wise means not being simple, or stupid, lacking intelligence. Even Solomon asked for wisdom from God and it pleased God because Solomon wanted to be wise in the way of the Lord, not the world.
Pro 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
Pro 1:3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;
Pro 1:4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:
Pro 1:5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
To know wisdom
To receive instruction in wise dealing
That the wise man may hear and increase in learning
To understand a proverb, and a figure, the words of the wise
The foolish despise wisdom
So you see the wisdom of THIS world is foolishness with God.
God's wisdom however is something to be desired.
Pro 2:2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding
God's wisdom, God's understanding.
Read all this--
Pro 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
Pro 2:8 That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.
Crying out for discernment, crying out for understanding, listening for wisdom, seeking this as we look for HID treasures! How many of us look for hidden treasures? Not many will do so out of the blue, but if a person is told their is a hidden treasure of silver in their house you can bet they'd be tearing the house inside out to find it. Seeking her as silver, searching for her as hid treasures... wisdom, understanding, discernment all for God, these are the things we need not money. We are convinced we need money to live, completely convinced and nothing can change our minds. Money means life, lack of money means death- no food, no house, no clothes, no medicines, no anything. Yet we are told to incline our ear to wisdom, to seek her as silver, not to seek out material riches.
May God bless us with wisdom, we need wisdom, we need the will to seek wisdom over worldly things, to seek for wisdom as if it were a treasure because it is a treasure, it really is.
ro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path.
Pro 2:10 For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;
Pro 2:11 Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee
Please God we need to understand righteousness and justice, and equity and every good path. We need wisdom to enter into our hearts. We need knowledge to be pleasant to our soul. We need discretion to watch over us and understanding to keep us.
By your will, by your grace may we understand that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to you, and your wisdom is righteous, just, discerning, understanding. Please Lord forgive us, help us, we need you so desperately because the world and the prince of this world would destroy us in mind, body, and soul. In your love now and forever by our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
1Co 3:20 and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.
The wisdom of this world.
Worldly wise.
Wise in the ways of the world.
Being wise in the world is something people seek all the time. People like to believe they are wise because being wise means not being simple, or stupid, lacking intelligence. Even Solomon asked for wisdom from God and it pleased God because Solomon wanted to be wise in the way of the Lord, not the world.
Pro 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
Pro 1:3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;
Pro 1:4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:
Pro 1:5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
To know wisdom
To receive instruction in wise dealing
That the wise man may hear and increase in learning
To understand a proverb, and a figure, the words of the wise
The foolish despise wisdom
So you see the wisdom of THIS world is foolishness with God.
God's wisdom however is something to be desired.
Pro 2:2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding
God's wisdom, God's understanding.
Read all this--
Pro 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
Pro 2:8 That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.
Crying out for discernment, crying out for understanding, listening for wisdom, seeking this as we look for HID treasures! How many of us look for hidden treasures? Not many will do so out of the blue, but if a person is told their is a hidden treasure of silver in their house you can bet they'd be tearing the house inside out to find it. Seeking her as silver, searching for her as hid treasures... wisdom, understanding, discernment all for God, these are the things we need not money. We are convinced we need money to live, completely convinced and nothing can change our minds. Money means life, lack of money means death- no food, no house, no clothes, no medicines, no anything. Yet we are told to incline our ear to wisdom, to seek her as silver, not to seek out material riches.
May God bless us with wisdom, we need wisdom, we need the will to seek wisdom over worldly things, to seek for wisdom as if it were a treasure because it is a treasure, it really is.
ro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path.
Pro 2:10 For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;
Pro 2:11 Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee
Please God we need to understand righteousness and justice, and equity and every good path. We need wisdom to enter into our hearts. We need knowledge to be pleasant to our soul. We need discretion to watch over us and understanding to keep us.
By your will, by your grace may we understand that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to you, and your wisdom is righteous, just, discerning, understanding. Please Lord forgive us, help us, we need you so desperately because the world and the prince of this world would destroy us in mind, body, and soul. In your love now and forever by our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Spirit of God Dwells in Us
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
The Spirit of God dwells in us!
We are holy to God.
No we might not consider ourselves temples, or holy, all our righteousness are as filthy rags, so it's not easy to believe in our worth to God. Some people who are considered very egotiscal are said to consider themselves God's gift to mankind. In fact, we are all God's gifts to mankind each and every one of us is of a value to God that goes beyond measure. No, being egotiscal isn't a good thing. Thinking that we are important in and of ourselves without considering God is wrong, He is our creator! Without God we are nothing. The Spirit of God dwelling in us by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly amazing. We have to really contemplate this- 'If any man destroyeth the temple of God, HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY, for the temple of God is HOLY and such ARE YE.'
If any man destroys YOU, God shall destroy him. Don't think immediate retribution. Don't think brimstone and fire. God's destruction is one of eternal destruction. Revenge belongs to God not us. When we belong to God we trust Him for all things. We are taught to forgive, to turn the other cheek, to do as we want done to us, not do as is done to us. The message of Jesus was one of forgiveness. We must forgive to be forgiven and through Christ we can forgive. Through Christ we can live. The Spirit of God can dwell in us. The natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit, but a man who is born again in Christ receives the Spirit of Christ to become a son of God. Spiritual things are open to those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. We can be taught of the Spirit. There isn't instance where we can believe we know instantly all the Spirit has to teach us, it is an ongoing life lesson that will be taught to us forever as long as we dwell in Christ.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior, by His love always may we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us and be taught of the Spirit. We are unworthy, but Christ is worthy and it's to Him we look, it's Christ we serve, it's His righteousness we believe in.
Amen
1Co 3:17 If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
The Spirit of God dwells in us!
We are holy to God.
No we might not consider ourselves temples, or holy, all our righteousness are as filthy rags, so it's not easy to believe in our worth to God. Some people who are considered very egotiscal are said to consider themselves God's gift to mankind. In fact, we are all God's gifts to mankind each and every one of us is of a value to God that goes beyond measure. No, being egotiscal isn't a good thing. Thinking that we are important in and of ourselves without considering God is wrong, He is our creator! Without God we are nothing. The Spirit of God dwelling in us by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly amazing. We have to really contemplate this- 'If any man destroyeth the temple of God, HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY, for the temple of God is HOLY and such ARE YE.'
If any man destroys YOU, God shall destroy him. Don't think immediate retribution. Don't think brimstone and fire. God's destruction is one of eternal destruction. Revenge belongs to God not us. When we belong to God we trust Him for all things. We are taught to forgive, to turn the other cheek, to do as we want done to us, not do as is done to us. The message of Jesus was one of forgiveness. We must forgive to be forgiven and through Christ we can forgive. Through Christ we can live. The Spirit of God can dwell in us. The natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit, but a man who is born again in Christ receives the Spirit of Christ to become a son of God. Spiritual things are open to those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. We can be taught of the Spirit. There isn't instance where we can believe we know instantly all the Spirit has to teach us, it is an ongoing life lesson that will be taught to us forever as long as we dwell in Christ.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior, by His love always may we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us and be taught of the Spirit. We are unworthy, but Christ is worthy and it's to Him we look, it's Christ we serve, it's His righteousness we believe in.
Amen
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Mind of Christ
1Co 2:12 Now we have received,not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
*
We don't receive the spirit of the world from God. Who is the prince of this world? The world's spirit is whose spirit if it isn't a spirit we receive from God? Seriously, think about it? Some like to put it in their heads and others that all things in our current world are part of the spirit of God. But evil and God do not go together, they never have and never will. People want to meld the two, they want to make evil part of God's spirit, of God's will. Horrific things happen and people will say it's God's will as if God desires horrific things to take place. God allows things to happen there is no doubt there at all, but evil in any form is not what God wills or wants. Evil is abhorrant to Him as it should be to us, even more so. He sacrificed His son allowing His son to experience death without knowing accept by faith if He would be raised again. The cup Christ had to bear was beyond anything we can imagine. Why, if Christ knew without any doubt would He have cried out, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' He felt the separation from His Father in a way He'd never felt it before, sin's separation. Had He sinned? No. But He died so that our sins would be forgiven. The spirit of the world is Satan's spirit and we can't pretend evil is just another part of God, it's not.
We can receive the spirit which is of God and we will know the things that are freely given to us of God. Such a miracle, such a blessing for us to receive the spirit which is of God. We all know too well what the spirit of the world has to give to us - a lot of treasures on earth and none in heaven, a lot of treasures that will rot and decay and disappear forever that's all the spirit of the world has to offer us.
*
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
*
Man's wisdom is different than God's. The Holy Ghost's teaching isn't man's teaching. Spiritual things compared with spiritual, this is the way the Holy Ghost teaches.
*
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God
for they are foolishness unto him
neither can he know them
because they are spiritually discerned.
*
The natural man can't receive the things of the Spirit of God. We like to believe anyone can and will receive Spiritual things of God, but the truth is the spiritual things of God seem like foolishness to a natural man, a man who doesn't have Christ as His Savior. A man who hasn't been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, a man who hasn't been born again in Christ. Do you know anyone who scoffs at the things of God? Do you know anyone who thinks some of the things you do are foolish? Is there a lack of comprehension from some people over your Spiritual walk with Christ? It's because the natural man can't receive the things of the Spirit of God. Something to really think about really. Are you receiving the things of the Spirit of God?
*
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,
yet he himself is judged of no man.
*
There is a judging that has to occur. Right from wrong judging. If we don't have the ability to judge right from wrong we are lost. Spiritually we have to be able to judge right from wrong. NO, we don't condemn anyone or pass sentence upon them that's for God to do, but we can judge actions without juding eternal life. We have to. God judges us as we judge all things by the Spirit.
*
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,
that he may instruct him?
But we have the mind of Christ.
*
NO one knows the mind of the Lord to instruct the Lord, no one! But we have the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit teaches us if we have the mind of Christ. In fact it is the only way we can be taught of the Spirit, the Spirit who will teach us spiritual things can only do so if we have the mind of Christ.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we have the mind of Christ in us and have the Holy Ghost teaching us all things spiritual. We don't want to be natural men, unable to receive the things of the Spirit. Please Lord bless us, forgive us, love us, and live in us. By Your will, by Your love now and forever.
Amen.
but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
*
We don't receive the spirit of the world from God. Who is the prince of this world? The world's spirit is whose spirit if it isn't a spirit we receive from God? Seriously, think about it? Some like to put it in their heads and others that all things in our current world are part of the spirit of God. But evil and God do not go together, they never have and never will. People want to meld the two, they want to make evil part of God's spirit, of God's will. Horrific things happen and people will say it's God's will as if God desires horrific things to take place. God allows things to happen there is no doubt there at all, but evil in any form is not what God wills or wants. Evil is abhorrant to Him as it should be to us, even more so. He sacrificed His son allowing His son to experience death without knowing accept by faith if He would be raised again. The cup Christ had to bear was beyond anything we can imagine. Why, if Christ knew without any doubt would He have cried out, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' He felt the separation from His Father in a way He'd never felt it before, sin's separation. Had He sinned? No. But He died so that our sins would be forgiven. The spirit of the world is Satan's spirit and we can't pretend evil is just another part of God, it's not.
We can receive the spirit which is of God and we will know the things that are freely given to us of God. Such a miracle, such a blessing for us to receive the spirit which is of God. We all know too well what the spirit of the world has to give to us - a lot of treasures on earth and none in heaven, a lot of treasures that will rot and decay and disappear forever that's all the spirit of the world has to offer us.
*
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
*
Man's wisdom is different than God's. The Holy Ghost's teaching isn't man's teaching. Spiritual things compared with spiritual, this is the way the Holy Ghost teaches.
*
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God
for they are foolishness unto him
neither can he know them
because they are spiritually discerned.
*
The natural man can't receive the things of the Spirit of God. We like to believe anyone can and will receive Spiritual things of God, but the truth is the spiritual things of God seem like foolishness to a natural man, a man who doesn't have Christ as His Savior. A man who hasn't been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, a man who hasn't been born again in Christ. Do you know anyone who scoffs at the things of God? Do you know anyone who thinks some of the things you do are foolish? Is there a lack of comprehension from some people over your Spiritual walk with Christ? It's because the natural man can't receive the things of the Spirit of God. Something to really think about really. Are you receiving the things of the Spirit of God?
*
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,
yet he himself is judged of no man.
*
There is a judging that has to occur. Right from wrong judging. If we don't have the ability to judge right from wrong we are lost. Spiritually we have to be able to judge right from wrong. NO, we don't condemn anyone or pass sentence upon them that's for God to do, but we can judge actions without juding eternal life. We have to. God judges us as we judge all things by the Spirit.
*
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,
that he may instruct him?
But we have the mind of Christ.
*
NO one knows the mind of the Lord to instruct the Lord, no one! But we have the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit teaches us if we have the mind of Christ. In fact it is the only way we can be taught of the Spirit, the Spirit who will teach us spiritual things can only do so if we have the mind of Christ.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we have the mind of Christ in us and have the Holy Ghost teaching us all things spiritual. We don't want to be natural men, unable to receive the things of the Spirit. Please Lord bless us, forgive us, love us, and live in us. By Your will, by Your love now and forever.
Amen.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me....
Matthew 11:13-11:30
'For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.'
Until John the Baptist the Jewish people had their prophets and the law which prophesied to them. They accepted those prophets of old but then John came, a prophet unlike any they had seen. John came to call people to repent, John came to prepare the way of the Lord. And Jesus had this to say...
'And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.'
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD
Jesus said IF YE WILL RECEIVE IT- THIS IS ELIAS, this was the promised prophet Elijah which was to come before the LORD.
The prophet John wasn't to be forced upon anyone any more than Jesus would force Himself upon anyone. John was the the prophet to preach and make way the coming of the Lord, and those that heard him and believed him would know that he was indeed the prophet who was prophesized to come before the Lord. Jesus said...
'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.'
And Jesus continued...
'But whereunto shall I liken this generation?
It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced;
we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.'
Children not pleased with the results their actions wrought from others. Children are like that aren't they? Fickle. Children have no qualms about letting you know that you haven't acted the way they wanted or expected. A child won't hesitate to say, I did this, but you didn't act like you were supposed to. I played you music and you were supposed to dance instead you just sat there. I complained to you but you didn't give me the sympathy I wanted. It's all about expectation. The majority of the generation of Jesus had expectations of things to come. They knew a prophet was to come before the Lord but they complained that John couldn't be a prophet of God because he didn't feast and drink- he denied himself- he has a devil.
Then the Lord came and they complained of his eating and drinking. The Son of God wouldn't be gluttonous, or a winebibber and because Jesus ate and drank normally and didn't deny himself they complained. The Son of man wouldn't be a friend of publicans or sinners. The people enivisoned the promised Messiah as a man much like themselves with the same disdain for publican and sinners, the same shunning of them. They didn't imagine that the Son of man would come to save the lost, but they pictured Him as one would would confirm their own ideals and share in their disdain for others. Because Jesus didn't fit their idea it was easy to reject Him outright and say He was a sinner just as the others. In grouping Jesus with the others they rejected they rejected their own salvation.
'Wisdom is justified of her children.' KJV
'And wisdom is justified by her works.' American Standard Version of the Bible
The wise don't need to be justified by others. The results of the wise will speak for themselves. The generation of Jesus' day rejected John the Baptist and Jesus Himself, very unwise. The results of the unwise are damnation, the results of the wise, are salvation. Wisdom is justified of her children, by her works. Time will tell.
Continuing... Matthew 11:20-30
'Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.'
WOW! Jesus began to UPBRAID the cities where most of his works were done!!! Why? Because they REPENTED NOT!
Think about it for a moment miracle after miracle wrought from the Son of God before mankind- healing after healing, feeding thousands miraculously, raising the dead to life- miracles of the like they'd never ever seen before and only a few of the thousands believed, only a few of the thousands repented.
When light is given to people they are accountable for that light. These people were given the miracle of having Jesus live His life prior to rising from the dead among them. These people were witnesses of His miracles, His power. They will be accountable for rejecting light of Jesus among them, of rejecting so great a salvation.
Heb 2:3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard
There will be no escape and Jesus Himself warned of that.
Continuing...
'At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'
Praise be to God! All glory, honor, and praise, all thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever!!!
Let us not be as the majority in Jesus' day all caught up it our imagined salvation so that the reality eludes us. Let us accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, our redeemer, offering us salvation, offering us forgiveness through Him, through His blood. By His love may we take His yoke upon us, may we learn of Him, learn of his meekness and lowliness of heart so we can find rest for our souls. His yoke is easy, His burden is light.
AMEN!
'For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.'
Until John the Baptist the Jewish people had their prophets and the law which prophesied to them. They accepted those prophets of old but then John came, a prophet unlike any they had seen. John came to call people to repent, John came to prepare the way of the Lord. And Jesus had this to say...
'And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.'
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD
Jesus said IF YE WILL RECEIVE IT- THIS IS ELIAS, this was the promised prophet Elijah which was to come before the LORD.
The prophet John wasn't to be forced upon anyone any more than Jesus would force Himself upon anyone. John was the the prophet to preach and make way the coming of the Lord, and those that heard him and believed him would know that he was indeed the prophet who was prophesized to come before the Lord. Jesus said...
'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.'
And Jesus continued...
'But whereunto shall I liken this generation?
It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced;
we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.'
Children not pleased with the results their actions wrought from others. Children are like that aren't they? Fickle. Children have no qualms about letting you know that you haven't acted the way they wanted or expected. A child won't hesitate to say, I did this, but you didn't act like you were supposed to. I played you music and you were supposed to dance instead you just sat there. I complained to you but you didn't give me the sympathy I wanted. It's all about expectation. The majority of the generation of Jesus had expectations of things to come. They knew a prophet was to come before the Lord but they complained that John couldn't be a prophet of God because he didn't feast and drink- he denied himself- he has a devil.
Then the Lord came and they complained of his eating and drinking. The Son of God wouldn't be gluttonous, or a winebibber and because Jesus ate and drank normally and didn't deny himself they complained. The Son of man wouldn't be a friend of publicans or sinners. The people enivisoned the promised Messiah as a man much like themselves with the same disdain for publican and sinners, the same shunning of them. They didn't imagine that the Son of man would come to save the lost, but they pictured Him as one would would confirm their own ideals and share in their disdain for others. Because Jesus didn't fit their idea it was easy to reject Him outright and say He was a sinner just as the others. In grouping Jesus with the others they rejected they rejected their own salvation.
'Wisdom is justified of her children.' KJV
'And wisdom is justified by her works.' American Standard Version of the Bible
The wise don't need to be justified by others. The results of the wise will speak for themselves. The generation of Jesus' day rejected John the Baptist and Jesus Himself, very unwise. The results of the unwise are damnation, the results of the wise, are salvation. Wisdom is justified of her children, by her works. Time will tell.
Continuing... Matthew 11:20-30
'Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.'
WOW! Jesus began to UPBRAID the cities where most of his works were done!!! Why? Because they REPENTED NOT!
Think about it for a moment miracle after miracle wrought from the Son of God before mankind- healing after healing, feeding thousands miraculously, raising the dead to life- miracles of the like they'd never ever seen before and only a few of the thousands believed, only a few of the thousands repented.
When light is given to people they are accountable for that light. These people were given the miracle of having Jesus live His life prior to rising from the dead among them. These people were witnesses of His miracles, His power. They will be accountable for rejecting light of Jesus among them, of rejecting so great a salvation.
Heb 2:3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard
There will be no escape and Jesus Himself warned of that.
Continuing...
'At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'
Praise be to God! All glory, honor, and praise, all thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever!!!
Let us not be as the majority in Jesus' day all caught up it our imagined salvation so that the reality eludes us. Let us accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, our redeemer, offering us salvation, offering us forgiveness through Him, through His blood. By His love may we take His yoke upon us, may we learn of Him, learn of his meekness and lowliness of heart so we can find rest for our souls. His yoke is easy, His burden is light.
AMEN!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Of the Spirit reap life everlasting
Eph 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Goodness, righteousness, truth!!! Fruit of the Spirit indwelling in us!
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
For a HABITATION of God! For Christ to dwell in us through the Spirit. Christ in us how amazing is that? Through the Holy Spirit, a very real entity, a being, a God willing to dwell in us and live in us, working in us His will all for Christ and it's all for love. People don't have it wrong when they say all we need to have in life is love, they're right. You can live in total poverty, total sickness, and if you have the love of Christ you have a hope for a future. Without that love you have nothing. All the things we possess, all the things we think we have in life in our unique being that makes us who we are, all of that means nothing without Christ. You can be lauded as the most beautiful, the smartest, the kindest person on earth and it would mean nothing at all without the love of Christ.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Sow to the Spirit and get everlasting life.
Sow to the flesh and reap corruption.
Sowing to the Spirit.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance
Fruits of the Spirit.
Crucify the flesh.
Truly it is a crucification to deny self, to deny the flesh. Crucify. Is it done simply? Can we nail our lusts to a cross and have them die? We need to do that daily! EVERY DAY! Give our lives over to Christ, our Lord, our Savior and let Him guide our steps, every day. It's not done simply if you think it should be done automatically without any thought, just be that way. It's not done simply if it's not thought about and willingly done. It won't be forced upon us to accept Christ's love and righteousness. We must actively believe, actively love, actively accept all that Christ has done for us and just as we eat and drink daily and do other actions daily we must make Christ being first in our lives something done daily as often as we need to do it, not assume that because long ago we suddenly learned of Christ and accepted what He did that it covers us forever and ever without another thought. Daily walking in the Spirit.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior now and forever in Him and His righteousness through His sacrifice of love.
Amen.
Goodness, righteousness, truth!!! Fruit of the Spirit indwelling in us!
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
For a HABITATION of God! For Christ to dwell in us through the Spirit. Christ in us how amazing is that? Through the Holy Spirit, a very real entity, a being, a God willing to dwell in us and live in us, working in us His will all for Christ and it's all for love. People don't have it wrong when they say all we need to have in life is love, they're right. You can live in total poverty, total sickness, and if you have the love of Christ you have a hope for a future. Without that love you have nothing. All the things we possess, all the things we think we have in life in our unique being that makes us who we are, all of that means nothing without Christ. You can be lauded as the most beautiful, the smartest, the kindest person on earth and it would mean nothing at all without the love of Christ.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Sow to the Spirit and get everlasting life.
Sow to the flesh and reap corruption.
Sowing to the Spirit.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance
Fruits of the Spirit.
Crucify the flesh.
Truly it is a crucification to deny self, to deny the flesh. Crucify. Is it done simply? Can we nail our lusts to a cross and have them die? We need to do that daily! EVERY DAY! Give our lives over to Christ, our Lord, our Savior and let Him guide our steps, every day. It's not done simply if you think it should be done automatically without any thought, just be that way. It's not done simply if it's not thought about and willingly done. It won't be forced upon us to accept Christ's love and righteousness. We must actively believe, actively love, actively accept all that Christ has done for us and just as we eat and drink daily and do other actions daily we must make Christ being first in our lives something done daily as often as we need to do it, not assume that because long ago we suddenly learned of Christ and accepted what He did that it covers us forever and ever without another thought. Daily walking in the Spirit.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior now and forever in Him and His righteousness through His sacrifice of love.
Amen.
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