The Lord will deal with the leeches.

Pro 30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:






A leech only wants more, right? When someone is called a leech it is in a derogatory manner, meaning they are taking and taking, not giving. A leech wants someone to give, right? A leech lives off another. When I say, 'He's nothing but a leech.' I mean that all he does is take from me. When this verse says 'The horseleach hath two daughters, crying Give, give' we are being told that a taker breeds takers. Seriously, the desire to be given more and more, living to be given is truly the epitome of being unable to ever be satisfied.






If you live only to get things you will NEVER be satisfied, it's impossible. You will never be given enough, you can never be given enough because you are LIVING to get things.





There are FOUR things that are never satisfied-





Pro 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.





1) The grave-



- death is never ending.



In the world each day approximately --



156 thousand die .



Pasted from





That's one hundred and fifty six THOUSAND people dying EVERY DAY. The grave most assuredly is NOT satisfied. The grave will NEVER be satisfied- not until death is done away with once and for all by our Savior!





2)The barren womb-



- many, many, many women LONG to have children when they are barren. Many go to great lengths to get pregnant, spending their life savings to do so. Some have their barrenness derange them and they murder to get a baby trying to pass that baby off as their own. There is a medical condition or rather a psychological condition that affects some barren women where they actually believe they are pregnant but aren't- yet their bodies even begin to take on the characteristics of one pregnant. Being barren is truly never having the satisfaction of bearing a child- the emptiness of the womb is endlessly felt.





3) The earth that is not filled with water-



-dry earth, have you ever poured water onto dry dirt? What happens? The dirt absorbs the water quickly. You could keep pouring water all day on the desert and it would NEVER be satisfied.





4) Fire-



-we all know that fire will consume everything it can, as long as it can. A fire is never, ever satisfied until it has consumed all it can - ask any firefighter about the voracity of fire.





Four things that will NEVER be satisfied.

And the prelude to those is talk of a leech and it's continuing line of its kind always wanting to be given, never giving.





We've all heard these words--





Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.





Give.





Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.





Give His life.





Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

Luk 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Luk 21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

Luk 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.





Giving all she had.





Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.





Give light.





Luk 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.





Seeking nothing carnal above our Savior. We do NOT cry out 'Give to us, give to us!' seeking temporal gain.



Our only cry give us the kingdom of our Savior!





Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.





BLESSED to GIVE!





Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.





Ye gave meat.

Ye gave clothes.

Ye gave drink.

Ye gave a home.

Ye gave your company.





GAVE.

GIVE.





There will always be those who need us to give to them.

There will always be those who will want to be given to wrongly.

Should those who, like the leech, be our concern? Should the leech stop us from giving through worry we are giving to leeches? NO. We are to give and our Lord will deal with the leeches.

And it is NO shame to be one of those who need to be given to, to be in need. The Lord also said the poor would be with us always. If you genuinely are in need and MANY of us are there is no shame in that, none, you are a BLESSING to those who are able to give.





We must give, not seek gain.





By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior, now and forever and ever!





Amen.

Light

1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.


God is light.
There is NO darkness in God at all!


Psa 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Psa 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain


Covers Himself with light as with a garment- clothed with honor and majesty.


2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.


Truly, beyond the word light meaning mental enlightenment, it means- light - physical illumination. Physical light and mental understanding. Light truly does reveal life around us. Have someone blindfold you and lead you to an undisclosed location. Once there have them keep you in darkness but take your blindfold off. Being in complete darkness you have NO clue what is surrounding you. You don't know if you take a step forward if you'll trip over something, bump into something, fall into something, you're clueless. Darkness hides our surroundings. Once we are used to living in the light, used to using light to know what is around us, dependent upon the light to keep us from the harm darkness can bring, it's very difficult to be told you must live in darkness. People who live sin-filled lives often long for darkness to hide what they're doing. Physically no one wishes to be totally blind, even the blind wish for ways to reverse that blindness. Spiritually there are many who love being blind-


Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.


Sin brings darkness. Sin destroys the light. When we choose to walk in darkness we choose to walk in sin. Choosing to walk in light is to walk in the glory of God, in the path that God wills us to walk in Him.


1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.


1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.


We have to walk in the way of God- not sinning. Even then we cannot declare ourselves to be sinless because we don't have that power in us. We have to confess our sins to our Savior and He will forgive us and cleanse us.


Man before choosing salvation cannot be saved without accepting Jesus as his Savior. Man cannot WORK to save himself- not now, not ever.
Man after accepting salvation must live a life that glorifies the salvation he has received- his life will reflect the glory of God, he must walk in the light of God.
Man walks in darkness before Salvation- spiritual darkness and they can NEVER walk in the Spiritual light of our Savior without first making Him their Savior.


If we choose to walk in darkness after we have been saved, we don't really walk in the light of Christ, we are not living a life in Christ and if we are not living a life in Christ- the blood of our Savior cannot cleanse us from our sins.


Our works will not save us, but we know for a fact that faith without works is dead. Is it sad so many who become Christians - truly accepting the sacrifice of our Lord- turn around and continue to live the same sin-filled life. They don't fully understand that their new faith will have new works resulting from that faith- they don't want to 'work' for their salvation they claim, but that's not what is meant at all by being saved by grace not of works. Their new works will be a life in the light of Christ, living as He lived, loving as He would have us love, not living a life of sinning because He did not sin. We have to walk in the light- live in the light, if we are living in darkness and our lives are filled with sin we KNOW we are not walking in the light. We have to confess those sins, we have to repent of those sins, we have to go and sin no more as we actively seek to live in Christ's light through His grace.


All glory, praise, and honor to our King!


By His mercy now and forever!


Amen.

Simple concerning evil

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


Being among contention is never pleasant, or at least it isn't pleasant to me. Would I knowingly put myself among those who only wish to cause division and offense ? I hope not. Some consider jumping into the fray of witnessing about their beliefs a noble thing. Some could careless what others think and long for the fight just to be able to say they stood up for their beliefs. It is a good thing to be able to stand up for what you believe in, but it's not a good thing to purposely insert yourself into a situation where you know others have already decided against your beliefs. For them to have decided against your beliefs they most likely have had enough information to make that decision - the witness was already given to them, maybe not by you but by others. Am I saying we shouldn't witness? No. Our lives are to be a living witness to others. To purposely try to incite those who choose not to believe as you do is NEVER a good thing.


Here Paul is beseeching his brethren in Christ telling them to MARK- to take note of - those who cause divisions, those who commit offenses that are against the truths they have learned. Why is Paul telling them to make note of these people? So they can AVOID them. Not so they can continue to witness to them. AVOID.

Webster's terms Avoid as follows--

Avoid
AVOID', v.t. [Eng. side, void, widow; L. vidua, vito, evito. See Void.]

To shun; to keep at a distance from; that is, literally, to go or be wide from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters.

~~

Shun them, keep away from them. That doesn't sound very Christian like, but it is. There will ALWAYS be those opposed to our Savior, opposed to Christ's way, opposed to the truth and we aren't to put ourselves purposely into situation with them thinking by some miraculous way they'll suddenly convert. If we happen to find ourselves in that situation that's a different thing but to purposely enter into a situation of contention with those who have already had access to learning the truths of Christ is us only asking for trouble.


Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.


They serve their own belly…


Belly-
G2836
koilia
koy-lee'-ah
From κοῖλος koilos (“hollow”); a cavity, that is, (specifically) the abdomen; by implication the matrix; figuratively the heart: - belly, womb.


They serve their OWN heart, their own desires and not Christ's. Whenever any one of us serves ourselves before we serve Christ we are in danger. We need to avoid those whose only concern is themselves. We need to avoid those who speak eloquently in deception pointing other away from Christ.


I've had the opportunity to catch a few- not many, but a few- late night Christian television programs - watching bits of them and I was saddened to listen to these VERY eloquent people using Christ's name to support self-serving, self-advancement, self-wealth, self-love. They twist things to make them appealing to those who want to put self first and have an advantage in life through their pretended, and deceptive walks with Christ. Many love to listen to these preachers, they absolutely LOVE them because they placate them that they are fine and walking in God's plan by being prosperous and serving themselves first and foremost. God will grant them riches, God will bless them if they follow simple rules. There is nothing in their sermons about adhering to the 10 sacred commandments of God, and if they are mentioned it's only to subvert their true meaning to make them more acceptable to the sinners who want to keep on sinning and still be saved. Men and women everywhere are deceived- the hearts of the simple are deceived! We are NOT to put ourselves into situations that are contrary to the truths we've learned of our Lord and Savior. We are NOT to tempt God that way. And it is tempting God to do something He clearly would have us not do and expect Him to keep us from being deceived. We have to FOLLOW God, not test Him. If we find ourselves in a bad situation without purposely seeking that bad situation- yes, God will protect us. But we can't 'throw ourselves down off a wall' figuratively, any more than Jesus could when He was tempted to do so.


Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.
God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us.


Wise unto that which is good.
Simple concerning evil.


Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


We aren't to think on the evil things. Evil surrounds us daily in many, many forms but we need to think on the good things, be wise to the good- whatsoever is TRUE, HONEST,JUST,PURE,LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUE, PRAISE- think on these things.


If we spent more time in our day to day lives seeking to think about the good things do you think our lives would be different?


Too often our minds focus on the evil things. I'm not saying we are to be UNAWARE of the signs of the times around us- we must be. I'm not saying we aren't to note the evil in the world, we have to. I'm not saying that we can't be concerned about Satan and his deceptive way- we have to watch and be ready. But we have to WATCH not study , not participate in, not delve deeply into the evil. We are to note the evil and be *simple* concerning the evil- not absorbing it into our lives. We are to be WISE to the good. We are to knowledgeable, we are to study, we are to participate in, we are to delve very deeply into the good things of God.


It's so much easier to be caught up in the depressive sickness of our corrupt, very evil world, than it is to find the good in this horrifically evil existence. If we keep Christ ever before us that means keeping the good before us, the salvation that is found with our Savior is the most wondrous thing we can be wise towards. The righteousness of Christ, not the hopelessness of self-salvation should be our focus.


Satan is defeated! Praise God! All the evil works of Satan are defeated. The head of the serpent will be cut off soon and death will be swallowed up in the victory of Christ, our Lord, our Savior!


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Borrowed Armor

Borrowed Armor-


Saul wanted David to wear His armor to fight Goliath. David had no armor of his own, being a simple shepherd he had no need to wear armor. Imagine it, David, a simple shepherd conversing with the king of Israel being told he could wear the king's armor- in fact the king put his own helmet of brass upon David's head and he had him put on his coat of mail. Then David picked up the king's sword and put it on the armor and then what did he do? He looked at the king of Israel himself and told him that he could not wear the king's armor. He could not accept this honor bestowed upon him.


1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.


David was no awestruck shepherd boy cowering under his king's gaze as he took off the armor the king put on him. Here he was ready to face the most fearful of all Philistine warriors- a warrior that NO other in all of the Israeli army would dare to face. In fact for a whole 40 days Goliath- the Philistine champion- offered the Philistine army to the one who could defeat him. No Israeli warrior dared take up the challenge- because the price if he lost was the surrender of the Israeli army.


1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
1Sa 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
1Sa 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.


What a challenge! One no Israeli solider following Saul would answer- they were too afraid.


1Sa 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.


The king himself was VERY afraid.


Just imagine it- 40 days. A month and ten days, almost six weeks, day in and day out Goliath came to taunt the men in Saul's army. This was a standoff between two armies with one army giving a challenge for the other to meet.


Then along comes a shepherd boy. A SHEPHERD BOY. This shepherd boy wants to face this giant, he wants to answer the challenge and what is the king's reaction?


1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.


You can't do this, you're too young, you're not a warrior, the king told him and David didn't back down. Instead David recounted his experience as a shepherd slaying a lion and a bear. And David did not boast to himself at all! David boasted of GOD. The LORD, he says, delivered him from the lion and from the bear. David knew that of his own strength he couldn't have defeated either the lion or the bear but God delivered Him from both. God saved Him. And if God could save him from vicious, man-eating animals he could deliver him from a human who defied the living God. David knew on his own he could NEVER defeat the giant, never. All the men of Saul's army were thinking not of God but of their own strength and they knew they didn't have the strength or skill to defeat Goliath. David knew he didn't have the strength or the skill either- but GOD had both!


1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.


David didn't need to borrow Saul's armor to fight, he had God's armor.


We are told to have armor, aren't we?


Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God...


We DO need to borrow armor don't we? Seriously, don't we? We are to borrow God's armor!


We aren't told to put on a mastersmith's armor. We aren't told to go to the local Army Thrift store and pick up some used armor. We aren't told to craft our own armor. We are told plainly to PUT on the whole armor of GOD.


Was David garbed in God's armor when He faced Goliath?


Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints


David was living in God's truth.
David was living in God's righteousness- not his own.
David was living in God's peace.
David had the shield of faith in God, of that there is NO doubt.
David wore the salvation of God.
David's spiritual sword truly was the Spirit of God and David did pray!


David did not wear his own armor to face Goliath, but he did wear the spiritual armor of God.


We aren't coming face to face with a Goliath- at least most of us aren't- but we ALL come face to face with principalities, with powers, with rulers of the darkness of this world, with spiritual wickedness in high places. No flesh and blood foe here for us (again, most of us) but spiritually wicked flesh, spiritually wicked blood- is it any wonder Christ offered us His spiritual flesh and His spiritual blood to defeat the spiritual wickedness in life. We are to eat His spiritual flesh and drink His spiritual blood- not his real flesh nor his real blood. When we eat and drink of Him we are taking on His Spirituality and it is ONLY His Spirituality that can defeat the wicked spirituality surrounding us. We must put on GOD'S spiritual armor- we must BORROW this armor from God. We must borrow it indefinitely until the spiritual warfare that exists - exists no more. It's not armor of our own making we can't save ourselves, we can't protect ourselves, we have to rely on God to do it ALL! The most we can do is PUT ON the armor- choose to wear God's armor. Choose God.


By His amazing mercy and grace always may we choose to borrow His armor!


Amen.

Overcoming the World

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


Overcoming the world.


G3528
nikaō
nik-ah'-o
From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.


Conquering the world.
Prevailing against the world.
Getting the victory over the world.


The world is our enemy. You only need to conquer an enemy. You only need to prevail against opposition. You only get victory when there is something to be victorious over, something to win and if something is won it's a given that something is lost. The world is the loser.


Our enemy, our opposition- the world.


A never ending battle is what we exist in. The war is raging on and the casualties are mounting even though the battle has been won.


Just recently during a study it was mentioned that on the cross the victory was won- Satan's head was crushed- the 'death blow' was given and yet Satan is still alive. Satan truly is the living-dead. Satan was defeated at the cross there is NO denying that, however until Jesus comes and the millennium passes Satan will live. The person giving the study made a good point using David and Goliath. A lot of people think that Goliath was killed by the stone that David threw from His sling but that's not true. The stone gave the death blow- incapacitating Goliath but it was David cutting off Goliath's head that finished him off. Cutting off a head doesn't make for a good children's story though- at least it didn't when I was a child. As a child the stories I heard were of David and his sling, the stone killing Goliath. I didn't see any pictures in my books of David cutting off Goliath's head, not a single one and yet that's what killed Goliath.


In Genesis 3:15 the prophecy is given- Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.


Hatred would exist between Satan and God's people. Hatred would exist between the seed of Satan and the Seed of God's people. The Seed of God's people would bruise the head of Satan, but Satan would only bruise the heel of the Seed of God's people.


Satan had Jesus- the Seed of God's people killed yet Jesus by the power of the Father was raised from the dead. Jesus has bruised Satan's head- the death blow has been given to Satan and all that remains is to cut off his head.


People wonder why God has allowed Satan to rule so long after Jesus won the victory at the cross. To everyone that has wondered and to everyone that continues to wonder- just their being alive and in a position to wonder, to question God is the answer. You and I, are the answer and it's not for some sadistic purpose on God's part. The entire story of our existence if put in some fantasy movie would have us cheering for the heroes- God's people, the good guys. We would watch this movie with fascination as these humans were brought to life and then fell from grace through the help of an enemy of the Creator. We would see them struggling to survive as this enemy infects as many people as he can trying to destroy all of mankind. We'd watch as the Savior was brought into the world and killed by the enemy- only to be brought back to life- winning! Then we'd be able to see the world continuing on and on as the enemy who has been defeated tries to take as many humans with him as possible. Ultimately we'd come to the grand finale where the enemy is wiped from existence and the good guys win by the victory of their Savior. What a fascinating move that would be- in fact people have used the theme countless times. There is an end to this existence, we are living in this story. Every single person has their part to play and in time it will all play out. Why this has gone on so long is because we are ALL precious to our Savior. We are all in this world able to wonder at all by the grace of our King. How can we debate our own existence? We can't, not really would wouldn't exist by our own logic. And if we really can't debate our existence we can't debate anyone else's. Each person that is born deserves life as much as we do, they deserve to exist.


Overcoming this world is a fact of our existence. Or rather a fact of the existence to those who wish to follow their Creator, their Redeemer. Those who choose to be friends with the world and not fight, not long to overcome the world ruled by Satan, won't. In fact the lovers of this world are in league with Satan and he will use them against us in any way he can.


This is a real war and though people might want to believe it's crazy to' believe' it's true and only wackos believe then those same people must classify Jesus as a wacko as well. Jesus didn't belong to this world and time and time again I know I touch on this point, but I can't help but do so.


Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.


We overcome this world through our Savior and ONLY through our Savior.


1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


Belief in our Savior. Faith in the Son of God and HIS victory on our behalf.


Let us cling to our Savior and live for Him, not for the world, not for anything in this world except for Christ and those who are His.


In His love!


Amen.

Love of God

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


God's commandments- commandments that were instituted when?
We know for a fact beyond any doubt that at least ONE of the ten commandments was instituted in Eden- before sin entered the world.


Gen 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.


Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.


Do you see the similarities?


The seventh day, the Lord created heavens and the earth, rested, blessed, sanctified-hallowed.


Is there really any doubt that the sabbath was instituted during creation week?


God's commandments are NOT grievous.


Grievous- Strong's Greek Dictionary
G926
barus
bar-ooce'
From the same as G922; weighty, that is, (figuratively) burdensome, grave: - grievous, heavy, weightier.


God's commandments are not weighty, they aren't burdensome, they aren't heavy upon us.


God's commandments are blessings to us not restrictions. We are blessed to have a God who counsels us and gives us guidance. People talk about God NOT conversing with them, how they pray and yet never get any real response. I've had people say that to me just recently and my response was God gave us His word in the Bible. Though nothing more was said I had the distinct impression that the answer I gave wasn't the sort of answer the person was looking for.


God has given us all the direction we'll ever need in life, but it's easy to overlook that direction because we want the answers to all come out in our favor. We want God to answer in our way- leaning to what we desire more than anything else. We say we are prepared to accept God's guidance in all things and yet we secretly (or not so secretly to God) really want our will to be done. In God's commandments we find so much more than just a lot of shalt nots. If God were to spruce up His commandments we'd find things like this…


Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you


Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.


Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.


Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.


Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.


Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.


Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.


Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.


While these are NOT the ten commandments - not the sacred ten commandments- not the ONLY commandments written by the finger of God Himself- all these things Jesus told us when He walk the earth, God with us- are all embodiments of those ten sacred commandments written by God's finger and etched in stone by God.


Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.


Those ten commandments contain every other commandment.


We are to LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR FELLOWMAN. Out of that love we are to live our lives and by the grace of God we can do that. God's commandments are NOT grievous, they just aren't. The devil would have us believe they are chains wrapped around our neck weighing us down. The devil would have us treat God's commandments as something horrifically grievous to bear.


If we are to OVERCOME this world-we will live God's commandments- ALL of them for the love of God is in those commandments.


1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.


By His grace!


Amen.

Deep Roots

Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth

Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.





Roots deep into the earth.

Roots deep into the word of God.





Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.





When affliction or persecution arises for Jesus' sake.





How often would you say you are afflicted or persecuted for Jesus' sake? Take a few moments and think about it. Take a few more minutes if you need to. For worshipping God, for loving God, for believing in Jesus, for following your Savior- when were you afflicted for that? When were you persecuted. I don't know about you, but I'm afflicted and persecuted daily. No, I don't get stones thrown at me. I don't have people rioting about my house threatening to kill me. I don't have people verbally abusing me for my faith. Many are persecuted that way, many are afflicted with heavy burdens by other people for their faith, probably a lot more people than we realize face a lot of hardship just because they believe in God and God's Son.





The affliction and persecution I'm talking about is different than the sort we often envision upon reading these verses. We think back to the early days of Christianity and how horrifically the followers of Christ were treated- tortured mercilessly. We think of that sort of persecution and often fail to consider this other sort of persecution and affliction.





Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.



The Contemporary English Version of the Bible says this--



(CEV) We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.



The International Standard Version says this--



(ISV) For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.





Struggling, fighting, wrestling- does this sound like affliction and persecution? To struggle, to fight, to wrestle you have to have an opponent to do this with. Even when people say they are fighting with themselves they are fighting against opposing self desires- the desire to follow God and do things acceptable to Him and the desire to follow self and fall to the tempter's snares. A fight involves at least a dual component.





Our persecution is a daily, on going event in our lives and like a lot of things some days it will be more and some days less. The afflictions can come at any time and make no mistake, most of our upsets are Satan induced. If Satan can persecute us and get us to give up on God, get us to lose faith, he will!



Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.





People hearing about Jesus, people lost in the love of Jesus, people immersed in the new birth with their Savior seem to have a protective bubble about them. The newness of it all just overwhelms every other thing in life. The invincibility of that new walk with Christ truly is like that seed falling to the ground and finding all it needs to come to life. The hard outer shell of the seed breaks open due to the nutrients it finds in the soil and along with moisture and sunlight it begins its new life. How happy are you when you sow seeds and a few days or so later you witness the seedling rising from the ground. I don't know about you but I'm thrilled! I love witnessing the sight of new life, new growth it sparks something inside me to see the fruitfulness of that dry seed becoming so much more. Then I watch it, tending it and day after day I'm pleased with it's growing. I'm not pleased when one of the seedlings withers and dies, not pleased at all. When that root doesn't take, and there is no protection in the little seedling to keep the sun's heat from destroying it, I'm far from happy. The death of that new life is tragic. Seriously. Maybe it's not tragic on the level of human life, but it's still life that has withered up and away never reaching its full potential, its full growth. When we do NOT partake of the spiritual food necessary to our spiritual growth, we will wither up and away as well. I don't care if you've been a Christian for two days, two months, two years, or two decades- your spiritual life can die. As a new Christian facing hardship - facing spiritual persecution and affliction, yes, you're more likely to just return to your former life. But any Christian is susceptible to succumbing to the scorching heat of Satan's abuse. The oldest living tree could have the deepest roots, the thickest trunk, but it too can die if all it's sustenance is taken away- it might take awhile but it will die.





We need to recognize that spiritual affliction can be found in the smallest thing that irritates us. Satan would have us just blow it off to being part of 'life', but in truth he's hard at work using every little thing he can to afflict us, to persecute us and ruin our Christian life. Anything that would take us away from our walk with Christ is potential disaster. We need to protect our roots, nurture our roots. If we want to be strong Christians we have to have very deep roots buried in the Word of God, buried in our Savior, entwined and twisted about each and every word of our Lord - ready to draw all the spiritual nutrients we can from our source of spiritual sustenance.





By the grace and mercy of our Savior!





Amen.