Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed. Who doesn't want to be blessed? We've read now several verses and each one begins with- 'Blessed'.
We hear people say- 'Oh he was blessed with that hair.' Or 'She is blessed with her mother's eyes.' Or 'Oh they have such talent, they're so blessed!' We considered someone blessed when they have some wonderful talent, when something good happens to them or there is something good about them. Being blessed is a good thing, a desired thing.
Jesus is teaching us that certain people are blessed for various things-
People - Poor in spirit Blessed with - kingdom of heaven
People - Mourners Blessed with - comfort
People - Meek Blessed with - inheriting the earth
People - Hungry & thirsty for righteousness Blessed with - being filled
People - Merciful Blessed with - mercy
People - Pure in heart Blessed with - seeing God
And today we are talking about the peacemakers being blessed by being called the children of God.
Do you think that Jesus was teaching us that here on earth people would suffer, but for all their suffering there would come a time when they would be rewarded for that pain? I think He was. He was giving us a message that it's not always the *seemingly* happy, the *seemingly* content, the *seemingly* rich, the *seemingly* favored who will be blessed. Those who are considered blessed by earthly standards might not be those truly blessed by God's standards. Some of those who seem the least blessed here and now might be the most truly blessed by God in eternal matters. We have to see our selfishness, our desperate state of neediness. We have to be taught to understand that without the things of God, without the blessings of God, we have NOTHING. Our poor spirits, our mourning, our meekness, our hunger and thirst for righteousness, our mercifulness, our pure in heart all of this gives us an understanding of something OUTSIDE ourselves.
Jesus would have us learn and we must learn from Him.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Peacemaker. One who makes peace, one who promotes peace. Is this possible? We hear a lot about the Mid-East Peace talks. Palestine and Israel striving for peace, with other countries trying to lend their *peacemakers* to help this process along. Two opposing groups of people each with different agendas and the fight for peace comes with compromises being made. Without compromises peace won't be achieved. Peace making, peace talks, world peace, goals strived for but inevitably since Adam and Eve sinned there has been trouble in the world- a lack of peace for without that unity with God there can be NO true peace. Even in seemingly perfectly peaceful places strife arises. God and God alone has perfect peace. When we seek HIS perfect peace, when we seek to have peace IN Him we are truly peace makers. Seeking peace where sin abounds is not the sort of peace that would please God. God's peace is not man's peace. Too often people who would follow the Savior are told they are causing strife because they won't compromise their beliefs. If they would only stop causing trouble peace would be had. But we do not WANT, or rather we should not strive for worldly peace! I know I sound nuts, but it's true. God's peace, the peace we know will only be achieved fully when our Savior comes again is the peace we are to seek. We are to be a peacemaker of God's peace! When we determine to seek God's peace given to us through the Holy Spirit, by the grace of our Lord and Savior we are striving for a peace that the worldly- those of the world whose true father is Satan- cannot comprehend. They'll try to say that peace is peace, but at what price is the peace of the world over the peace of our Savior? Eternal death is the price people will pay.
Remember these words of our Savior- I've talked on them several times:
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Not as the world gives.
Jesus' peace is not the same peace of the world.
Jesus' peace is found in eternal salvation in His love!
By His grace may we be blessed as peacemakers- blessed as those who love Him wholly and seek the peace HE has to give, may we be called the children of God.
In His love!
Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Pure in heart by the grace of God!
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Can you picture these words coming from the Savior's lips? Can you picture His eyes scanning the crowd of people about Him as He speaks? Let's suppose for a moment you are there sitting on a rock, your eyes intent upon Jesus and His gaze reaches yours and for a moment your eyes lock and He speaks these words…
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
Your heart skips a beat, you gently suck in your breath and for a moment you refuse to release it as you become lost in that single moment. Jesus spoke to you! Jesus gave you this message and it's a message He wants you to understand fully because He is teaching you. To not comprehend what He's saying would mean His words were meaningless to you, just drivel, just someone flapping their lips while you nod and smile- don't pretend you've never nodded and smiled as someone was speaking. Don't pretend you've never had your mind wander as someone spoke to you. Absolutely do not try to convince yourself that you've never been formulating your own thoughts, replies to what has been said already, and in so doing you've missed more of what another was saying. You have to admit that you've sat in a classroom and only half listened as your teacher spoke. Your ears perked up when the word 'quiz' is mentioned and you groan when you hear the words 'study'. A quiz is on the way and what is that quiz on? The things the teacher has been teaching you. You are supposed to study and lucky for you the teacher has provided a handout that highlights the things you will be quizzed on. Now you have the basics there to refer to, to study and yet you know the teacher explained each of what are now brief summaries in great detail during class. Will there be questions on the test based upon the lecture- things not fully covered in the notes? Most likely, but because you have the handout you can study it and even perhaps look up things in your school text book to fill in gaps you may have missed when your mind wandered.
We know that Jesus did and said so much more than we've been blessed to read.
'Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. '
What does that tell us? That Jesus *lived* the word we read! We have only a fraction of the life of Jesus at our disposal, but that fraction is enough and with the Holy Spirit guiding us we can be led into all the truth we need to be known as our Savior's.
We have these words given to us-
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
If we simply read them without studying them we lose so much that our Savior is teaching us.
Some will argue that it's simple, the meaning is very simple and there is really nothing to study and you know what- that's their prerogative. Maybe this isn't a message they need to learn, or a message they need to learn to at this time. The Holy Spirit will guide us all individually and at times collectively, but we can't deny that as individuals we answer to our God for our learning. We each have our own refiner's fire to go through individually forged.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
If you are NOT pure in heart what else can you be?
Filthy in heart.
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross…
Psa 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Our hearts- our minds- what makes us who we are!
H3820
lêb
labe
A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
G2588
kardia
kar-dee'-ah
Prolonged from a primary κάρ kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)
When our heart is not right in the sight of God it doesn't mean our heart is diseased physically. Our lives are not right with God. We as whole individuals are not right with God. The heart is figurative for our center- the controlling aspect of who we are- not JUST the intellectual part of us but our emotional part as well- the ALL of us. When our hearts are corrupt, when our hearts are filthy, gross, unclean we are not God's.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Is it any wonder we are blessed to have a pure heart?!
That we would ALL have pure hearts! What a world that would be. But our hearts are corrupt, our hearts are filthy! We are so filled with self, so filled with the world, so grossly fat with our corrupted ways.
So how can our hearts be pure- how can we have our filthy hearts purified?
Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Our Savior is like a refiner's fire, a fuller's soap. Seriously. We can be cleaned through Christ and ONLY through Christ. We don't have refining fire, we don't have the fuller's soap. We are NOT the refiner, we are NOT the fuller! We have NO righteousness of our own, we talked about that the other day when we studied this verse: Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
And just as we have NO righteousness of our own we have no cleanliness that we can claim as ours. We are filthy sin-stained people with filthy sin-stained hearts and ONLY ONE can cleanse us, ONLY ONE has the RIGHT to cleanse us!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
PURIFY unto HIMSELF a peculiar people.
Read that again- PURIFY unto HIMSELF. He purifies us unto HIMSELF. We do not purified ourselves. We can place ourselves where the purifier can cleanse us, but we cannot cleanse ourselves. We can do the will of God in all things by His grace living lives following His commandments, loving God and our fellow man with all that entails. It's not as if we should do nothing but embrace evil, not at all, we must shun evil. As we shun evil we understand that the evil we shun doesn't cleanse us. Our Savior cleanses us, we can't save ourselves.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We must SUBMIT ourselves to God.
We must resist the devil but ONLY after we've submitted ourselves to God. We must draw NIGH to God so He will draw NIGH to us. We must cleanse our hands, purify our hearts but ONLY after we've submitted ourselves to God, only after we've drawn night to God. We are afflicted, we mourn, we weep, our laughter becomes sadness, our joy turns to heaviness. We have to humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD and HE SHALL LIFT US UP!
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The pure in heart-- will see God. Those who give themselves to God allowing God to work in them, to cleanse them will see God.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Please GOD, please create in us a clean heart! Purify our hearts! We long to be among those who are blessed, among those who have pure hearts, among those who shall see God!!!
By HIS GRACE! In HIS LOVE!
AMEN!
Can you picture these words coming from the Savior's lips? Can you picture His eyes scanning the crowd of people about Him as He speaks? Let's suppose for a moment you are there sitting on a rock, your eyes intent upon Jesus and His gaze reaches yours and for a moment your eyes lock and He speaks these words…
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
Your heart skips a beat, you gently suck in your breath and for a moment you refuse to release it as you become lost in that single moment. Jesus spoke to you! Jesus gave you this message and it's a message He wants you to understand fully because He is teaching you. To not comprehend what He's saying would mean His words were meaningless to you, just drivel, just someone flapping their lips while you nod and smile- don't pretend you've never nodded and smiled as someone was speaking. Don't pretend you've never had your mind wander as someone spoke to you. Absolutely do not try to convince yourself that you've never been formulating your own thoughts, replies to what has been said already, and in so doing you've missed more of what another was saying. You have to admit that you've sat in a classroom and only half listened as your teacher spoke. Your ears perked up when the word 'quiz' is mentioned and you groan when you hear the words 'study'. A quiz is on the way and what is that quiz on? The things the teacher has been teaching you. You are supposed to study and lucky for you the teacher has provided a handout that highlights the things you will be quizzed on. Now you have the basics there to refer to, to study and yet you know the teacher explained each of what are now brief summaries in great detail during class. Will there be questions on the test based upon the lecture- things not fully covered in the notes? Most likely, but because you have the handout you can study it and even perhaps look up things in your school text book to fill in gaps you may have missed when your mind wandered.
We know that Jesus did and said so much more than we've been blessed to read.
'Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. '
What does that tell us? That Jesus *lived* the word we read! We have only a fraction of the life of Jesus at our disposal, but that fraction is enough and with the Holy Spirit guiding us we can be led into all the truth we need to be known as our Savior's.
We have these words given to us-
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
If we simply read them without studying them we lose so much that our Savior is teaching us.
Some will argue that it's simple, the meaning is very simple and there is really nothing to study and you know what- that's their prerogative. Maybe this isn't a message they need to learn, or a message they need to learn to at this time. The Holy Spirit will guide us all individually and at times collectively, but we can't deny that as individuals we answer to our God for our learning. We each have our own refiner's fire to go through individually forged.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
If you are NOT pure in heart what else can you be?
Filthy in heart.
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross…
Psa 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Our hearts- our minds- what makes us who we are!
H3820
lêb
labe
A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
G2588
kardia
kar-dee'-ah
Prolonged from a primary κάρ kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)
When our heart is not right in the sight of God it doesn't mean our heart is diseased physically. Our lives are not right with God. We as whole individuals are not right with God. The heart is figurative for our center- the controlling aspect of who we are- not JUST the intellectual part of us but our emotional part as well- the ALL of us. When our hearts are corrupt, when our hearts are filthy, gross, unclean we are not God's.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Is it any wonder we are blessed to have a pure heart?!
That we would ALL have pure hearts! What a world that would be. But our hearts are corrupt, our hearts are filthy! We are so filled with self, so filled with the world, so grossly fat with our corrupted ways.
So how can our hearts be pure- how can we have our filthy hearts purified?
Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Our Savior is like a refiner's fire, a fuller's soap. Seriously. We can be cleaned through Christ and ONLY through Christ. We don't have refining fire, we don't have the fuller's soap. We are NOT the refiner, we are NOT the fuller! We have NO righteousness of our own, we talked about that the other day when we studied this verse: Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
And just as we have NO righteousness of our own we have no cleanliness that we can claim as ours. We are filthy sin-stained people with filthy sin-stained hearts and ONLY ONE can cleanse us, ONLY ONE has the RIGHT to cleanse us!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
PURIFY unto HIMSELF a peculiar people.
Read that again- PURIFY unto HIMSELF. He purifies us unto HIMSELF. We do not purified ourselves. We can place ourselves where the purifier can cleanse us, but we cannot cleanse ourselves. We can do the will of God in all things by His grace living lives following His commandments, loving God and our fellow man with all that entails. It's not as if we should do nothing but embrace evil, not at all, we must shun evil. As we shun evil we understand that the evil we shun doesn't cleanse us. Our Savior cleanses us, we can't save ourselves.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
We must SUBMIT ourselves to God.
We must resist the devil but ONLY after we've submitted ourselves to God. We must draw NIGH to God so He will draw NIGH to us. We must cleanse our hands, purify our hearts but ONLY after we've submitted ourselves to God, only after we've drawn night to God. We are afflicted, we mourn, we weep, our laughter becomes sadness, our joy turns to heaviness. We have to humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD and HE SHALL LIFT US UP!
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The pure in heart-- will see God. Those who give themselves to God allowing God to work in them, to cleanse them will see God.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Please GOD, please create in us a clean heart! Purify our hearts! We long to be among those who are blessed, among those who have pure hearts, among those who shall see God!!!
By HIS GRACE! In HIS LOVE!
AMEN!
Monday, March 14, 2011
For they shall obtain mercy
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Compassion.
Some might say that there is a great lack of compassion in our world and they'd be right. Oh, when there is a *cause* to show compassion for that makes you look good people will generally step up. And we LOVE to believe that we live in a compassionate world where the majority of people are compassionate. Sometimes we get just enough evidence of compassion around us that we start to believe that things aren't so bad in our world, but truly there is a great lack of compassion, a great lack of mercy. I know I sound so cynical and perhaps I am.
Showing mercy, showing undeserved compassion this is truly a good thing. We read about the lack of mercy in our world daily, we hear about it on the news, we see it for ourselves and sometimes, maybe all too often we see it IN ourselves.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
How many would rather *pay* for salvation rather than be merciful? Seriously. There was a time in our history (the history of mankind that is) when the Catholic Church sold Indulgences - rather than take what they perceived their just punishment for their sins they paid to have the punishment taken away. Even today many believe that after confessing a sin- they have to pay for that sin - and after they've paid for that sin they are free and clear. When a person believes they have to PAY for their sins aren't they in essence believing they have a hand in their own salvation? We cannot save ourselves! But many believe they can. They need to be good enough, they need to do something, anything because doing nothing just doesn't seem right, doing NOTHING is admitting that they are POWERLESS and people do NOT want to admit they are powerless, that they want control of their own salvation.
The question up there was- How many would rather *pay* for salvation than be merciful? The answer is - way too many. Another question, how many would rather *work* for salvation than learn of God? The answer- way too many.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The merciful will obtain mercy. Not the unmerciful who believe their money can buy mercy, and not the unmerciful who believe they can simply commit their unmerciful acts and then ask for forgiveness- believing they HAVE to be forgiven when in truth it is ONLY by grace we are forgiven- when we have a contrite heart not an arrogant belief. If there isn't genuine repentance there is no forgiveness and yet so many people believe otherwise.
Mercy. Compassion.
We need to be merciful even when mercy is seemingly undeserved in fact that is when we need to show mercy the most. Mercy shouldn't be only allocated to the deserving as many believe. The old I'll be good to you because you've been good to me, rather than I'll be good to you even though you haven't been good to me.
You hear a lot about rendering to another what they render to you- when in truth we need to have compassion upon ALL others no matter what they do to us.
We need to be merciful!
You've heard the saying- "Cry mercy." Haven't you? Someone crying for mercy when it's not warranted. "Throw yourself on the mercy of the court." Meaning ask for undeserved lenience. Meaning plead your case and beg for a lesser punishment than what you deserve. Mercy is just that - not something you can give to a deserving person, but rather something that is undeserved.
Being merciful.
May God help us to be merciful.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
We all need the mercy of our Lord, we all need mercy because NONE of us deserve His love, His forgiveness.
Please Lord help us be merciful, truly merciful- create in us a CLEAN HEART, renewing a right spirit within us- we know there is nothing good in us, no righteousness of our own but ONLY Your righteousness, only Your love and Your mercy working in us. Help us to trust in You fully! All mercy comes from You and by Your grace may we show mercy.
In Your love!
Amen!
Compassion.
Some might say that there is a great lack of compassion in our world and they'd be right. Oh, when there is a *cause* to show compassion for that makes you look good people will generally step up. And we LOVE to believe that we live in a compassionate world where the majority of people are compassionate. Sometimes we get just enough evidence of compassion around us that we start to believe that things aren't so bad in our world, but truly there is a great lack of compassion, a great lack of mercy. I know I sound so cynical and perhaps I am.
Showing mercy, showing undeserved compassion this is truly a good thing. We read about the lack of mercy in our world daily, we hear about it on the news, we see it for ourselves and sometimes, maybe all too often we see it IN ourselves.
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
How many would rather *pay* for salvation rather than be merciful? Seriously. There was a time in our history (the history of mankind that is) when the Catholic Church sold Indulgences - rather than take what they perceived their just punishment for their sins they paid to have the punishment taken away. Even today many believe that after confessing a sin- they have to pay for that sin - and after they've paid for that sin they are free and clear. When a person believes they have to PAY for their sins aren't they in essence believing they have a hand in their own salvation? We cannot save ourselves! But many believe they can. They need to be good enough, they need to do something, anything because doing nothing just doesn't seem right, doing NOTHING is admitting that they are POWERLESS and people do NOT want to admit they are powerless, that they want control of their own salvation.
The question up there was- How many would rather *pay* for salvation than be merciful? The answer is - way too many. Another question, how many would rather *work* for salvation than learn of God? The answer- way too many.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The merciful will obtain mercy. Not the unmerciful who believe their money can buy mercy, and not the unmerciful who believe they can simply commit their unmerciful acts and then ask for forgiveness- believing they HAVE to be forgiven when in truth it is ONLY by grace we are forgiven- when we have a contrite heart not an arrogant belief. If there isn't genuine repentance there is no forgiveness and yet so many people believe otherwise.
Mercy. Compassion.
We need to be merciful even when mercy is seemingly undeserved in fact that is when we need to show mercy the most. Mercy shouldn't be only allocated to the deserving as many believe. The old I'll be good to you because you've been good to me, rather than I'll be good to you even though you haven't been good to me.
You hear a lot about rendering to another what they render to you- when in truth we need to have compassion upon ALL others no matter what they do to us.
We need to be merciful!
You've heard the saying- "Cry mercy." Haven't you? Someone crying for mercy when it's not warranted. "Throw yourself on the mercy of the court." Meaning ask for undeserved lenience. Meaning plead your case and beg for a lesser punishment than what you deserve. Mercy is just that - not something you can give to a deserving person, but rather something that is undeserved.
Being merciful.
May God help us to be merciful.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
We all need the mercy of our Lord, we all need mercy because NONE of us deserve His love, His forgiveness.
Please Lord help us be merciful, truly merciful- create in us a CLEAN HEART, renewing a right spirit within us- we know there is nothing good in us, no righteousness of our own but ONLY Your righteousness, only Your love and Your mercy working in us. Help us to trust in You fully! All mercy comes from You and by Your grace may we show mercy.
In Your love!
Amen!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
He shall judge the world in righteousness
We've been talking about learning from our Savior the sweet message of salvation, and the last message we were expounding on was …
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Then yesterday we talked about in part the final judgment and the fact the end of the world as we know it is fast approaching and when Christ comes our ultimate fate for eternal life or eternal death will have been decided.
Let's look at a few more verses on righteousness, we are supposed to be HUNGERING and THIRSTING for righteousness so the more we know about it the better, right? Right.
Psa 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The people of the world are judge in righteousness. Our Savior- our righteousness. Unlike our earthly judges our Savior will not be subject to any sort of flights of fancy. A bad mood won't affect His judging. No preconceived ideas will color His rulings. The only way we are judged is in righteousness and uprightly. NO ONE will be able to accuse our Savior of favoritism, or unjust judging. We can be assured of an HONEST and FAIR judging more so than at any other moment in our lives. We may get the raw end of the deal here and now when we go into courts and our cases are judged but we won't when it really, really matters.
Psa 35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me
Judged according to God's righteousness- not man's. How wondrous it is to know that our Creator who loves us more than we can ever imagine will be the One judging us. None of those who are devoid of God's love will be able to rejoice over those who are judged by God's righteousness. Those who depend fully upon their Savior will be judged righteous and those who would be enemies of the Savior will be judged as being unrighteous. We need God to judge us, we should want God to judge us but only ACCORDING to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Judged on our own merits, on our own righteousness we will forever come up very, very short.
Psa 36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
So amazing! So true!
Psa 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Yes, Lord! Please Lord! Deliver us in YOUR righteousness. Cause us to escape! Incline Your ear to us and save us!
Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
This is truth. No matter any single person's life on earth- no matter if they don't believe- no matter if they are against the LORD- no matter if they worship other gods- no matter if they are rich, poor, smart, stupid, pretty, ugly, think or fat- NO MATTER ANYTHING that seems to matter most to us in our temporal world- we WILL ALL BE JUDGED! You can't escape judgment- the WORLD will be judged with righteousness - the people with HIS TRUTH. You might think if you don't believe in God you will escape His notice but that's not true at all. You're precious to Him and He desires your love. There isn't a single person born that our Lord doesn't not long to be His.
Let's read some more verses on righteousness--
Psa 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
Psa 118:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
Praise God! Please God! Open that gate of righteousness to us!
Psa 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Quicken us in YOUR righteousness!
Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Glory to God!
Psa 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Give us understanding so we may live! Please Lord!
Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Praise God, Your truth! Your commandments ARE righteousness!
Pro 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Dear Lord, there is no mystery in Your words of truth You would have us learn from you- no mystery at all!
The hunger and thirst for righteousness we must have to be filled please, please we pray that You give us this hunger and thirst daily! As we hunger and thirst in the flesh let us forever remember our need to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. We have NO righteousness of our own, we need Your righteousness as our spiritual sustenance!
There are 289 verse in my Bible search results for the word righteousness. There is so much to learn of Your righteousness. Feed us Lord! Feed us!
We will be judged in righteousness, Your righteousness!
By Your Grace!
In Your Love!
Amen!
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Then yesterday we talked about in part the final judgment and the fact the end of the world as we know it is fast approaching and when Christ comes our ultimate fate for eternal life or eternal death will have been decided.
Let's look at a few more verses on righteousness, we are supposed to be HUNGERING and THIRSTING for righteousness so the more we know about it the better, right? Right.
Psa 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The people of the world are judge in righteousness. Our Savior- our righteousness. Unlike our earthly judges our Savior will not be subject to any sort of flights of fancy. A bad mood won't affect His judging. No preconceived ideas will color His rulings. The only way we are judged is in righteousness and uprightly. NO ONE will be able to accuse our Savior of favoritism, or unjust judging. We can be assured of an HONEST and FAIR judging more so than at any other moment in our lives. We may get the raw end of the deal here and now when we go into courts and our cases are judged but we won't when it really, really matters.
Psa 35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me
Judged according to God's righteousness- not man's. How wondrous it is to know that our Creator who loves us more than we can ever imagine will be the One judging us. None of those who are devoid of God's love will be able to rejoice over those who are judged by God's righteousness. Those who depend fully upon their Savior will be judged righteous and those who would be enemies of the Savior will be judged as being unrighteous. We need God to judge us, we should want God to judge us but only ACCORDING to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Judged on our own merits, on our own righteousness we will forever come up very, very short.
Psa 36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
So amazing! So true!
Psa 71:2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Yes, Lord! Please Lord! Deliver us in YOUR righteousness. Cause us to escape! Incline Your ear to us and save us!
Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
This is truth. No matter any single person's life on earth- no matter if they don't believe- no matter if they are against the LORD- no matter if they worship other gods- no matter if they are rich, poor, smart, stupid, pretty, ugly, think or fat- NO MATTER ANYTHING that seems to matter most to us in our temporal world- we WILL ALL BE JUDGED! You can't escape judgment- the WORLD will be judged with righteousness - the people with HIS TRUTH. You might think if you don't believe in God you will escape His notice but that's not true at all. You're precious to Him and He desires your love. There isn't a single person born that our Lord doesn't not long to be His.
Let's read some more verses on righteousness--
Psa 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
Psa 118:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
Praise God! Please God! Open that gate of righteousness to us!
Psa 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Quicken us in YOUR righteousness!
Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Glory to God!
Psa 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Give us understanding so we may live! Please Lord!
Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Praise God, Your truth! Your commandments ARE righteousness!
Pro 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Dear Lord, there is no mystery in Your words of truth You would have us learn from you- no mystery at all!
The hunger and thirst for righteousness we must have to be filled please, please we pray that You give us this hunger and thirst daily! As we hunger and thirst in the flesh let us forever remember our need to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. We have NO righteousness of our own, we need Your righteousness as our spiritual sustenance!
There are 289 verse in my Bible search results for the word righteousness. There is so much to learn of Your righteousness. Feed us Lord! Feed us!
We will be judged in righteousness, Your righteousness!
By Your Grace!
In Your Love!
Amen!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Comfort one another with these words
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The following excerpt is so pertinent to today-
'Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their
shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea
and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the
future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men
ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the
movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord's
appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few
believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.
The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round,
and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building,
marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against
another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races,
gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is
about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that
men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and
the door of mercy be forever shut.
Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount
of Olives: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." "Watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man."'
Excerpted from the book Desire of Age by E.G. White.
*******
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 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;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
*******
People don't want to hear doom and gloom. People would rather believe that these natural disasters surrounding us on an ever increasing frequency simply mean the earth is in the throes of some natural change that - yes - could signal mankind's extinction. Why is it so much better for people to believe in natural extinction? Because they do NOT want to admit that they have a Creator, that there is a Supreme Being in control of things. They do NOT want to admit that sin is a reality. These same people are more than willing to admit people do bad things- horrific things- but they refuse to call them sin because sin is the breaking of God's law. People want to believe they control their own destiny when nature, or natural forces do not intervene. To think there is an evil being manipulating them goes against all they believe. People believe religion is an excuse for bad behavior- having someone other than themselves to blame their bad behavior on, it's a cop out so they don't have to take responsibility for their actions. Others think people use religion because they're too foolish to understand they've been brainwashed. There are endless reasons for people who do not want to believe in God and His hand in our lives. Some refuse to believe because they're convinced they don't want to believe in a God who could allow pain and suffering on insane levels. These people are so deluded, so consumed by their own lusts they cannot possibly begin to comprehend the things of God, or even want to.
We could talk until we are blue in the face (as the saying goes) and no truth would get through to those who have hardened their hearts to God.
Probation is running out people!
Yes, we are all on probation and when probation is over everyone will be sealed as God's or marked as the Beast's. There will be NO ONE in the middle of the two. You will either be God's or Satan's. You might want to think you'll be your own- but sorry- that isn't an option. There is good and evil and you will have chosen one or the other before probation closes. By default if you don't accept Jesus as your Savior- asking forgiveness for your sins- you will NOT be His- the defaulted belong to Satan. So go on say you won't choose one or the other, your arrogance, your pride, your selfishness will choose for you.
Probation automatically runs out for everyone upon their death. After death they have no more conscious awareness- the dead know nothing.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Upon death it is decided if you are God's or Satan's and you will lay in the grave, you will remain unconscious in death's sleep until Christ returns and then you will either be raised and given immortality or you will be condemn to eternal death.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Probation ends at death and it will end for the living when Jesus stands up in the heavenly sanctuary and His work there is finished.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
The reward is with Christ when He comes- not decided after He's come again.
The unjust will be unjust still.
The filthy will be filthy still.
The righteous will be righteous still.
The holy will be holy still.
When our Savior finishes His work in Heaven - and make NO mistake He WILL finish - those who are alive will be either His or Satan's - it will have been decided for eternity. We don't know the exact time when probation is over- we do know that after it is over there will be ' a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time' . A time of trouble- we don't know how long this time of trouble will be but we know it will be horrible! Ever heard of the seven last plagues? They're REAL. They may be steeped in symbolism but they are real, very real.
After that time of trouble is over… God's people will be delivered everyone that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Christ will come!
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Comfort one another with these words!
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout! Praise God!
Please Lord open our eyes, our hearts, our minds, our souls to YOU and all TRUTH in You! We want to be Yours now and forever! We know that You will come for us, we don't know the exact day, but we know You will! So much of Your word has been prophetic and history has proven it true time and time again- nothing will stop all of it from coming to pass- nothing!
By Your mercy and grace forgive us! We are so unworthy. By Your righteousness may we be Yours now and forever!
Amen.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The following excerpt is so pertinent to today-
'Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their
shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea
and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the
future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men
ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the
movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord's
appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few
believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.
The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round,
and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building,
marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against
another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races,
gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is
about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that
men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and
the door of mercy be forever shut.
Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount
of Olives: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." "Watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man."'
Excerpted from the book Desire of Age by E.G. White.
*******
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 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;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
*******
People don't want to hear doom and gloom. People would rather believe that these natural disasters surrounding us on an ever increasing frequency simply mean the earth is in the throes of some natural change that - yes - could signal mankind's extinction. Why is it so much better for people to believe in natural extinction? Because they do NOT want to admit that they have a Creator, that there is a Supreme Being in control of things. They do NOT want to admit that sin is a reality. These same people are more than willing to admit people do bad things- horrific things- but they refuse to call them sin because sin is the breaking of God's law. People want to believe they control their own destiny when nature, or natural forces do not intervene. To think there is an evil being manipulating them goes against all they believe. People believe religion is an excuse for bad behavior- having someone other than themselves to blame their bad behavior on, it's a cop out so they don't have to take responsibility for their actions. Others think people use religion because they're too foolish to understand they've been brainwashed. There are endless reasons for people who do not want to believe in God and His hand in our lives. Some refuse to believe because they're convinced they don't want to believe in a God who could allow pain and suffering on insane levels. These people are so deluded, so consumed by their own lusts they cannot possibly begin to comprehend the things of God, or even want to.
We could talk until we are blue in the face (as the saying goes) and no truth would get through to those who have hardened their hearts to God.
Probation is running out people!
Yes, we are all on probation and when probation is over everyone will be sealed as God's or marked as the Beast's. There will be NO ONE in the middle of the two. You will either be God's or Satan's. You might want to think you'll be your own- but sorry- that isn't an option. There is good and evil and you will have chosen one or the other before probation closes. By default if you don't accept Jesus as your Savior- asking forgiveness for your sins- you will NOT be His- the defaulted belong to Satan. So go on say you won't choose one or the other, your arrogance, your pride, your selfishness will choose for you.
Probation automatically runs out for everyone upon their death. After death they have no more conscious awareness- the dead know nothing.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Upon death it is decided if you are God's or Satan's and you will lay in the grave, you will remain unconscious in death's sleep until Christ returns and then you will either be raised and given immortality or you will be condemn to eternal death.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Probation ends at death and it will end for the living when Jesus stands up in the heavenly sanctuary and His work there is finished.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
The reward is with Christ when He comes- not decided after He's come again.
The unjust will be unjust still.
The filthy will be filthy still.
The righteous will be righteous still.
The holy will be holy still.
When our Savior finishes His work in Heaven - and make NO mistake He WILL finish - those who are alive will be either His or Satan's - it will have been decided for eternity. We don't know the exact time when probation is over- we do know that after it is over there will be ' a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time' . A time of trouble- we don't know how long this time of trouble will be but we know it will be horrible! Ever heard of the seven last plagues? They're REAL. They may be steeped in symbolism but they are real, very real.
After that time of trouble is over… God's people will be delivered everyone that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Christ will come!
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Comfort one another with these words!
The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout! Praise God!
Please Lord open our eyes, our hearts, our minds, our souls to YOU and all TRUTH in You! We want to be Yours now and forever! We know that You will come for us, we don't know the exact day, but we know You will! So much of Your word has been prophetic and history has proven it true time and time again- nothing will stop all of it from coming to pass- nothing!
By Your mercy and grace forgive us! We are so unworthy. By Your righteousness may we be Yours now and forever!
Amen.
Let us hunger and thirst for our Savior!
Our Savior, our Heavenly Teacher speaks these words, teaching us, expecting us to learn as He teaches--
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Hunger and thirst. Have you ever hungered for something- other than food? What about thirsting after something other than drink? Hunger is a want, but not just a petty want. Hunger is a want that is hard pressed to be denied. Hunger and thirst when denied bring us pain. We've all suffered a bit of hunger and thirst, some of us have suffered a bit more from time to time, and others a great deal of pain has been the result of a constant hunger and thirst that they have to live with. Do many people want to feel great hunger and thirst? No. It's uncomfortable, it's painful.
A normal hunger, a normal thirst- the experience we deal with daily- signals us to eat and drink throughout our day so we can fill ourselves and get rid of the hunger and thirst. No one WANTS to be hungry and thirsty. Some might suffer through hunger to lose weight, or upon dr.s orders while awaiting tests, but the NORMAL person does not want to suffer hunger or thirst. We go to great lengths to make sure we have enough food and drink so we can forestall the worst of any hunger or thirst that might come along. We try to have 3 meals a day along with snacks, and as for drinking, well we do that all day long anytime we feel a touch of thirst. We want to be filled and we want the feeling we get from being comfortably full to last for as long as possible but inevitably that sip of water we took three hours ago isn't going to cut it for much longer, or that piece of toast we had in the morning won't keep us filling full until dinner time 8, 9 hours away. We start to feel hunger, we start to feel thirst and sometimes if we're lucky we'll wait that feeling out and it will abate for a bit, but it doesn't stay gone forever.
Hungering and thirsting creates a desire in us for nourishment.
Hunger and thirst are catalysts- creating the stimulus in us to seek sustenance.
Jesus wants us to have a desire for spiritual nourishment and that spiritual nourishment is … righteousness.
If we hunger and thirst for righteousness we will seek it until we find it and then we'll feed and drink from it until we are sated.
Let's read some verses on righteousness- this spiritual food and drink that Jesus would have us desire.
Pro 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Pro 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Deu 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Christ's righteousness! Righteousness in Christ! We are to hunger and thirst for our Savior! We can't hunger and thirst for OUR righteousness. It doesn't say that at all does it? In fact it's implied that we are seeking something we do not possess, we are seeking something to fill ourselves with, something we don't possess. We need Christ's righteousness. We need to understand that in seeking Christ's righteousness we will be filled because HE IS RIGHTEOUS! He is OUR righteousness!
We have no righteousness--
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
But our Savior is righteous and our hungering and thirsting after salvation in Christ and Christ alone by His grace is our righteousness.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Let us hunger for our Savior! Let us thirst for our Savior!
It's by Him we are saved and ONLY Him, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot produce our own righteousness.
By HIS GRACE!! BY HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS may we be filled!
In His love!
Amen!
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Hunger and thirst. Have you ever hungered for something- other than food? What about thirsting after something other than drink? Hunger is a want, but not just a petty want. Hunger is a want that is hard pressed to be denied. Hunger and thirst when denied bring us pain. We've all suffered a bit of hunger and thirst, some of us have suffered a bit more from time to time, and others a great deal of pain has been the result of a constant hunger and thirst that they have to live with. Do many people want to feel great hunger and thirst? No. It's uncomfortable, it's painful.
A normal hunger, a normal thirst- the experience we deal with daily- signals us to eat and drink throughout our day so we can fill ourselves and get rid of the hunger and thirst. No one WANTS to be hungry and thirsty. Some might suffer through hunger to lose weight, or upon dr.s orders while awaiting tests, but the NORMAL person does not want to suffer hunger or thirst. We go to great lengths to make sure we have enough food and drink so we can forestall the worst of any hunger or thirst that might come along. We try to have 3 meals a day along with snacks, and as for drinking, well we do that all day long anytime we feel a touch of thirst. We want to be filled and we want the feeling we get from being comfortably full to last for as long as possible but inevitably that sip of water we took three hours ago isn't going to cut it for much longer, or that piece of toast we had in the morning won't keep us filling full until dinner time 8, 9 hours away. We start to feel hunger, we start to feel thirst and sometimes if we're lucky we'll wait that feeling out and it will abate for a bit, but it doesn't stay gone forever.
Hungering and thirsting creates a desire in us for nourishment.
Hunger and thirst are catalysts- creating the stimulus in us to seek sustenance.
Jesus wants us to have a desire for spiritual nourishment and that spiritual nourishment is … righteousness.
If we hunger and thirst for righteousness we will seek it until we find it and then we'll feed and drink from it until we are sated.
Let's read some verses on righteousness- this spiritual food and drink that Jesus would have us desire.
Pro 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Pro 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Pro 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace
1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Deu 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Christ's righteousness! Righteousness in Christ! We are to hunger and thirst for our Savior! We can't hunger and thirst for OUR righteousness. It doesn't say that at all does it? In fact it's implied that we are seeking something we do not possess, we are seeking something to fill ourselves with, something we don't possess. We need Christ's righteousness. We need to understand that in seeking Christ's righteousness we will be filled because HE IS RIGHTEOUS! He is OUR righteousness!
We have no righteousness--
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
But our Savior is righteous and our hungering and thirsting after salvation in Christ and Christ alone by His grace is our righteousness.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Let us hunger for our Savior! Let us thirst for our Savior!
It's by Him we are saved and ONLY Him, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot produce our own righteousness.
By HIS GRACE!! BY HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS may we be filled!
In His love!
Amen!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Learn meekness
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek- the humble.
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Do you picture Moses as being meek? Not if we picture a timid, mousy, afraid-of-his-own-shadow type of man we don't. But when we refer to meekness as being humbleness it's a whole NEW story isn't it? The devil LOVES to twist things around and make them seem different so that he can distort the truth in any way possible. This simple word- meek has come to mean something undesirable. The word humble however doesn’t quite make us envision someone spineless.
Blessed are the meek (the humble).
Let's look at some scriptures some containing the word meek and others the word humble--
Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psa 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Psa 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear
Pro 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Pro 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
*******
Amazing verses! Amazing.
There is a lot said about humbleness, about meekness - meaning humbleness. This last verse- we should be CLOTHED with humility says SO much. Clothed with humility. If we are clothed with something it means what? Let's think about clothing for a moment. We like to dress in things we like, don't we? At least here in America we do and I tend to believe that most people everywhere like to wear clothing they enjoy wearing. Is it always possible to wear things we enjoy wearing? No. Often various things interfere with that privilege- money, position, availability. On the other hand there are some people who become obsessed with clothing, right? Have you heard this saying- 'The clothes make the man.' ? What's that mean exactly? That we impress people with how we are clothed or on the opposite coin we don't impress them. Can people actually turn other people off and disgust them by the clothes they wear? Yes.
Clothing, there really is a lot to consider when we think about clothing. We've most likely all heard this said before… "You reek of guilt!" Or, "You stink of corruption!" Are people really reeking and smelling? Nope. There is no real smell for guilt or corruption, they are figures of speech.
When we read- 'be clothed with humility' is there really a piece of clothing called humility? No. People might argue that different classes of people in different regions around the world wear what is considered clothing of humility- slave robes and the like. But this isn't what we are being told to do.
We are to clothe ourselves with humility. More important than our physical clothes we should be wearing spiritual clothing of humility. Our very natures, our demeanors, our lives must be humble. If we are NOT humble we are proud and pride is something God cannot abide.
For God resisteth the proud...
and giveth grace to the humble.
Do you see?! What does God give to the humbled? GRACE!
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Reading God's word we are told over and over that meekness- humbleness is of God.
Why?
We are creatures. So many people don't like to admit this because it instantly demands we humble ourselves before our Creator. When we don't humble ourselves before our Creator, when we allowed pride to rise up in us, when we have the audacity to even consider that we are greater than our Creator we are damning ourselves, is there any wonder God resisteth the proud?! We are not anywhere near equal with our God! And… we are not above one another either. We need to be meek because the meek understand their relationship with God and their fellowman, the prideful haven't a clue- they're too busy being self absorbed.
May God help us to be clothed with humility, remembering this…
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
We must be sober, we must be vigilant; because the DEVIL would destroy us all and all it takes is… pride.
Humble us sweet Lord, humble us! Clothe us with humility so we may have Your grace being humbled by You.
In Your love!
Amen.
The meek- the humble.
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Do you picture Moses as being meek? Not if we picture a timid, mousy, afraid-of-his-own-shadow type of man we don't. But when we refer to meekness as being humbleness it's a whole NEW story isn't it? The devil LOVES to twist things around and make them seem different so that he can distort the truth in any way possible. This simple word- meek has come to mean something undesirable. The word humble however doesn’t quite make us envision someone spineless.
Blessed are the meek (the humble).
Let's look at some scriptures some containing the word meek and others the word humble--
Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psa 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Psa 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear
Pro 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Pro 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
*******
Amazing verses! Amazing.
There is a lot said about humbleness, about meekness - meaning humbleness. This last verse- we should be CLOTHED with humility says SO much. Clothed with humility. If we are clothed with something it means what? Let's think about clothing for a moment. We like to dress in things we like, don't we? At least here in America we do and I tend to believe that most people everywhere like to wear clothing they enjoy wearing. Is it always possible to wear things we enjoy wearing? No. Often various things interfere with that privilege- money, position, availability. On the other hand there are some people who become obsessed with clothing, right? Have you heard this saying- 'The clothes make the man.' ? What's that mean exactly? That we impress people with how we are clothed or on the opposite coin we don't impress them. Can people actually turn other people off and disgust them by the clothes they wear? Yes.
Clothing, there really is a lot to consider when we think about clothing. We've most likely all heard this said before… "You reek of guilt!" Or, "You stink of corruption!" Are people really reeking and smelling? Nope. There is no real smell for guilt or corruption, they are figures of speech.
When we read- 'be clothed with humility' is there really a piece of clothing called humility? No. People might argue that different classes of people in different regions around the world wear what is considered clothing of humility- slave robes and the like. But this isn't what we are being told to do.
We are to clothe ourselves with humility. More important than our physical clothes we should be wearing spiritual clothing of humility. Our very natures, our demeanors, our lives must be humble. If we are NOT humble we are proud and pride is something God cannot abide.
For God resisteth the proud...
and giveth grace to the humble.
Do you see?! What does God give to the humbled? GRACE!
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Reading God's word we are told over and over that meekness- humbleness is of God.
Why?
We are creatures. So many people don't like to admit this because it instantly demands we humble ourselves before our Creator. When we don't humble ourselves before our Creator, when we allowed pride to rise up in us, when we have the audacity to even consider that we are greater than our Creator we are damning ourselves, is there any wonder God resisteth the proud?! We are not anywhere near equal with our God! And… we are not above one another either. We need to be meek because the meek understand their relationship with God and their fellowman, the prideful haven't a clue- they're too busy being self absorbed.
May God help us to be clothed with humility, remembering this…
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
We must be sober, we must be vigilant; because the DEVIL would destroy us all and all it takes is… pride.
Humble us sweet Lord, humble us! Clothe us with humility so we may have Your grace being humbled by You.
In Your love!
Amen.
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