2 John
{1:1} The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth
{1:2} For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
{1:3} Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
***
For the truth's sake.
For the sake of what is true.
We have to live in the truth, know the truth, which is the grace and mercy of God and Jesus Christ.
It's beautiful really, so beautiful.
Jesus said if we thirst in Him we'll thirst no more.
Jesus said if we were hungry in Him we'll be hungry no more.
How is this possible?
Because the truth of grace and mercy tells us that we are forgiven our sins by Jesus' sacrifice and love, prepared for the world to come, not this world. We will never thirst or hunger in Christ, in the world to come.
The hope that is in Jesus is eternal life, it is life in another world not this one. That hope is real and Jesus, and it must be real to us, more real than the life we live now. It must be worth more to us than this life. It's not easy to believe that way though, is it? We are alive here and now and all our senses demand we believe in what we can see, feel, hear, taste, smell. We are taught not to believe in anything else. We are called fools if we believe in something that isn't tangible. Fools, deceived, simple-minded, delusional, there are many names for us who believe in the unseen world to come. We have to have the hope in the world promised by Jesus, because hope in this world is what is really senseless. This world offers so little, but it does offer hope. The truth is in Christ Jesus, He is the truth, the world and life He offers us is the truth. Love is the truth.
We will not thrist or hunger- two basic needs so often not met in this world. In Jesus we have hope of living in a world truly govern by love. This world will never offer us that, never. Peace is something unrealized and where it is realized it is all caught up in treachery and lies, rulers under different names, peace that is forced and not realized as what is true and good, just and right, it is not borne of love.
As hard as it is to look past all that we know, all that we feel and see, we have to.
Our hope isn't here and now and the more we try to make it such the further from the truth we'll be. The more we seek happiness here, the more we seek justice and truth here, the more we lay all our hopes on our lives now, the less we'll have our hope in Christ and the world to come.
No, I'm not saying we shouldn't try to live a life that has happiness and contentment in what lot we are given, but there is so much more to it all than that. Our love for our fellow man through Christ must prevail. We need to do for others all we can do, not just seek our own contentment selfishly.
Christ's promises are all real and the truth is real in Him and it's beautiful. Questioning our lot in life health wise, monetary wise, is pointless when we live for Christ. We must strive to do all we can to live as Jesus lived, to walk in the truth of love.
May this become reality for all of us here and now, our one and true hope, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”- John 11:25
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
And he causeth all...
Revelation
{13:16}And he causeth all...
All, not just a few, not many, not some, not a million, but all, all.
Dict.
all
all (ôl) adjective
1. Being or representing the entire or total number, amount, or quantity:
2. Constituting, being, or representing the total extent or the whole: all Christendom.
3. Being the utmost possible of: argued the case in all seriousness.
4. Every: got into all manner of trouble.
5. Any whatsoever: beyond all doubt.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
He causeth ALL.
He causes the ENTIRE human race.
He causes EVERY human.
ALL both small and great.
Small- little ones.
Great- large ones.
Children and adults.
ALL rich and poor.
Rich- wealthy, well-to-do.
Poor- not wealthy, not rich.
We ALL fall somewhere inbetween these two- Rich and Poor.
All free and bond.
Free- people from a democratic society.
Bond- people in a dictatorship.
Free- people not enslaved by any other human.
Bond- people enslaved by others.
Again, we all fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
All.
Is there a doubt that ALL human beings are being accounted for in this statement?
{13:16}And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond...
All.
No doubt that everyone in the world is being accounted for in this statement.
Let's not leave anyone out, let's make sure everyone is accounted for. Young, old, small, great, rich, poor, free, or bond. You fall in there don't you? You're part of the all. I'm part of the all. I'm in between all those examples. We all are.
What is HE going to cause ALL beyond a doubt to do?
{13:16}...to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads
With ALL the seemingly countless numbers of people in this world from the movie stars in California, to the poorest street urchin in Africa, to the most prominent figure that can scarcely get a single moment of privacy to the least prominent person in the remotest part of the world, all will receive a mark.
How would that even be possible? How, seriously? What sort of system could ever mark all, even those who do not rely on outside help to survive. Those who have their own source of water, their own source of farm land, those who need no electricity, no telephones, no cars how will these people be marked?
To be a *real* mark we do mean a tattoo, or a brand, or a chip implant, or some other physical mark, right?
How then? In lands so remote that they have little to do with the world as we know it how will these people be marked?
All.
Remember that word, all?
All are going to receive this mark or...what's the exception to all? Can you refuse to be part of the All? Can you refuse to be part of the collective whole?
Yes, you can but there will be consequences for not becoming part of the collective whole, for not being part of all, for being a dissenter. If you don't get the mark whether literally or figuratively, and by figuratively I mean you can be marked by your beliefs.
What? Marked by our beliefs?
Yes you can be marked by your beliefs. You can be marked by your actions. You know you can. You can watch a person for a bit and say, 'He has the mark of a very meticulous man.' What do you mean by that? Surely he's not walking about with a mark only meticulous people receive, the meticulous mark. What is meant clearly is the fact by that man's actions he has marked himself to be someone who is meticulous. This holds true for all sorts of *people*, slothful, exacting, rigid, careless, the list is really endless. We can see someone for a little bit and label them according to our opinions of their behavior, their dress, their mannerisms all of this, will be right though? That's unknown from first glance in most cases, but study a person for a period of time and you'll be able to say that this or that person has the mark of a *supply adjective* man.
People can be marked by their actions. If a person goes to church they're marked by that action as being a church go-er. If they go to a bar then they're a bar patron. The beast that will cause all to be marked will do so in such a way that those NOT marked will not be able to buy or sell anything. Read this...
{13:17} And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. {13:18} Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred
threescore [and] six.
Unless they have the mark OR the name of the beast OR the number of his name.
Obviously the mark is attainable in more ways than one. The mark, the name, or the number. This mark, this name, this number will come from the beast, it will mark those that have the mark as his. They will be marked by their actions.
Think about it, in Germany during the Holocaust people were marked- the Jews had to wear stars on their clothing to label them as Jews. This wasn't that long ago, not really, 65 or so years ago. Forced to wear something that marked them. Those that weren't marked were labeled instantly and known to be non-Jews. The labeling, the marking went both ways really. Here to it will go both ways. The marked and the unmarked. Those who follow after the beast will be marked in some way so they will be able to buy and sell, they'll have his mark, his name, or the number of his name. In some manner people will be known to be the beasts. We can speculate what that mark might be, we can come up with all sorts of ideas on the situation. There have been movies made where *the beast* himself as an anti-Christ has a literally birth mark of six, six, six. Other moves have many people having this mark. Even in real life there is a group of fanatics sporting tattoos of 666. Certainly for something that ALL will receive it will have to be something that labels a person. If you think about it, even confessing the beast's name is marking you. Remember the 'Heil Hitler' and the salute? Those words marked people didn't they? Supporters of Hitler. No, Hitler wasn't THE beast, but it goes to show you again how a name can label you. Refusal to say the name in such a way as to show support, refusal to wear anything that might mark you as his, refusal to be labeled under the beast's banner will keep people from doing business with you. They won't sell you anything and they won't let you sell them anything. This on a much smaller scale was enacted already during World War II, in Germany under Hitler, an example of things to come. We say no way! We've learned from our mistake, nothing like that will ever happen again. Watch, you'll see. We don't like to believe it can happen but it will and in such a way *ALL* will be compelled to take part. ALL but very few. It won't be blatant, stand up and receive the beast's mark, no, in fact most everyone will believe they're following the right way, the good way, the best way. Deception.
Deception. Deceived.
Proverbs {14:12} There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Don't be deceived!
***
{14:9} And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand
{14:10} The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb
{14:11} And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
{14:12} Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
{14:13} And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
***
One precaution you can take perhaps as you open your Bible and study earnestly, praying for enlightenment, for guidance from the Holy Spirit, is to hold those words close to your heart. Know that the beast will seem like a *GOOD* thing and the *GOOD* thing will have almost everyone deceived. If you jump into any situation to follow the crowd and the seeming good I hope and pray that before it's too late you won't receive the mark of a follower of the beast.
Matthew {24:24} For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
***
Shall show GREAT signs and wonders! Beware! Beware of any that show great signs and wonders! These messengers of Satan will deceive almost everyone, all but the very elect! BEWARE! Don't be fooled! To God's Word and His Word only we must cling.
Mark
{13:20} And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
{13:21} And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:
{13:22} For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.
{13:23} But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
***
Romans
{8:31} What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
{8:32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
{8:33} Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth.
{8:34} Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
{8:35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
{8:36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
{8:37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
{8:38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come
{8:39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN!
{13:16}And he causeth all...
All, not just a few, not many, not some, not a million, but all, all.
Dict.
all
all (ôl) adjective
1. Being or representing the entire or total number, amount, or quantity:
2. Constituting, being, or representing the total extent or the whole: all Christendom.
3. Being the utmost possible of: argued the case in all seriousness.
4. Every: got into all manner of trouble.
5. Any whatsoever: beyond all doubt.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
He causeth ALL.
He causes the ENTIRE human race.
He causes EVERY human.
ALL both small and great.
Small- little ones.
Great- large ones.
Children and adults.
ALL rich and poor.
Rich- wealthy, well-to-do.
Poor- not wealthy, not rich.
We ALL fall somewhere inbetween these two- Rich and Poor.
All free and bond.
Free- people from a democratic society.
Bond- people in a dictatorship.
Free- people not enslaved by any other human.
Bond- people enslaved by others.
Again, we all fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
All.
Is there a doubt that ALL human beings are being accounted for in this statement?
{13:16}And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond...
All.
No doubt that everyone in the world is being accounted for in this statement.
Let's not leave anyone out, let's make sure everyone is accounted for. Young, old, small, great, rich, poor, free, or bond. You fall in there don't you? You're part of the all. I'm part of the all. I'm in between all those examples. We all are.
What is HE going to cause ALL beyond a doubt to do?
{13:16}...to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads
With ALL the seemingly countless numbers of people in this world from the movie stars in California, to the poorest street urchin in Africa, to the most prominent figure that can scarcely get a single moment of privacy to the least prominent person in the remotest part of the world, all will receive a mark.
How would that even be possible? How, seriously? What sort of system could ever mark all, even those who do not rely on outside help to survive. Those who have their own source of water, their own source of farm land, those who need no electricity, no telephones, no cars how will these people be marked?
To be a *real* mark we do mean a tattoo, or a brand, or a chip implant, or some other physical mark, right?
How then? In lands so remote that they have little to do with the world as we know it how will these people be marked?
All.
Remember that word, all?
All are going to receive this mark or...what's the exception to all? Can you refuse to be part of the All? Can you refuse to be part of the collective whole?
Yes, you can but there will be consequences for not becoming part of the collective whole, for not being part of all, for being a dissenter. If you don't get the mark whether literally or figuratively, and by figuratively I mean you can be marked by your beliefs.
What? Marked by our beliefs?
Yes you can be marked by your beliefs. You can be marked by your actions. You know you can. You can watch a person for a bit and say, 'He has the mark of a very meticulous man.' What do you mean by that? Surely he's not walking about with a mark only meticulous people receive, the meticulous mark. What is meant clearly is the fact by that man's actions he has marked himself to be someone who is meticulous. This holds true for all sorts of *people*, slothful, exacting, rigid, careless, the list is really endless. We can see someone for a little bit and label them according to our opinions of their behavior, their dress, their mannerisms all of this, will be right though? That's unknown from first glance in most cases, but study a person for a period of time and you'll be able to say that this or that person has the mark of a *supply adjective* man.
People can be marked by their actions. If a person goes to church they're marked by that action as being a church go-er. If they go to a bar then they're a bar patron. The beast that will cause all to be marked will do so in such a way that those NOT marked will not be able to buy or sell anything. Read this...
{13:17} And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. {13:18} Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred
threescore [and] six.
Unless they have the mark OR the name of the beast OR the number of his name.
Obviously the mark is attainable in more ways than one. The mark, the name, or the number. This mark, this name, this number will come from the beast, it will mark those that have the mark as his. They will be marked by their actions.
Think about it, in Germany during the Holocaust people were marked- the Jews had to wear stars on their clothing to label them as Jews. This wasn't that long ago, not really, 65 or so years ago. Forced to wear something that marked them. Those that weren't marked were labeled instantly and known to be non-Jews. The labeling, the marking went both ways really. Here to it will go both ways. The marked and the unmarked. Those who follow after the beast will be marked in some way so they will be able to buy and sell, they'll have his mark, his name, or the number of his name. In some manner people will be known to be the beasts. We can speculate what that mark might be, we can come up with all sorts of ideas on the situation. There have been movies made where *the beast* himself as an anti-Christ has a literally birth mark of six, six, six. Other moves have many people having this mark. Even in real life there is a group of fanatics sporting tattoos of 666. Certainly for something that ALL will receive it will have to be something that labels a person. If you think about it, even confessing the beast's name is marking you. Remember the 'Heil Hitler' and the salute? Those words marked people didn't they? Supporters of Hitler. No, Hitler wasn't THE beast, but it goes to show you again how a name can label you. Refusal to say the name in such a way as to show support, refusal to wear anything that might mark you as his, refusal to be labeled under the beast's banner will keep people from doing business with you. They won't sell you anything and they won't let you sell them anything. This on a much smaller scale was enacted already during World War II, in Germany under Hitler, an example of things to come. We say no way! We've learned from our mistake, nothing like that will ever happen again. Watch, you'll see. We don't like to believe it can happen but it will and in such a way *ALL* will be compelled to take part. ALL but very few. It won't be blatant, stand up and receive the beast's mark, no, in fact most everyone will believe they're following the right way, the good way, the best way. Deception.
Deception. Deceived.
Proverbs {14:12} There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Don't be deceived!
***
{14:9} And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand
{14:10} The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb
{14:11} And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
{14:12} Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
{14:13} And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
***
One precaution you can take perhaps as you open your Bible and study earnestly, praying for enlightenment, for guidance from the Holy Spirit, is to hold those words close to your heart. Know that the beast will seem like a *GOOD* thing and the *GOOD* thing will have almost everyone deceived. If you jump into any situation to follow the crowd and the seeming good I hope and pray that before it's too late you won't receive the mark of a follower of the beast.
Matthew {24:24} For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
***
Shall show GREAT signs and wonders! Beware! Beware of any that show great signs and wonders! These messengers of Satan will deceive almost everyone, all but the very elect! BEWARE! Don't be fooled! To God's Word and His Word only we must cling.
Mark
{13:20} And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
{13:21} And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:
{13:22} For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.
{13:23} But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
***
Romans
{8:31} What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
{8:32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
{8:33} Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth.
{8:34} Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
{8:35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
{8:36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
{8:37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
{8:38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come
{8:39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN!
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Spirit is truth
1 John
{5:4} For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
{5:5} Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
{5:6} This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
**
Overcometh the world.
overcome (o´ver-kùm´) verb
overcame (-kâm´) overcome, overcoming, overcomes verb, transitive
1. To defeat (another) in competition or conflict; conquer.
2. To prevail over; surmount: tried to overcome the obstacles of poverty.
3. To overpower, as with emotion; affect deeply.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Overcoming the world.
Why do we need to overcome the world?
James
{4:4} Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that
the FRIENDSHIP OF THIS WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
2 Peter
{1:4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, HAVING ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION THAT IS IN
THE WORLD through lust.
Rev.
{3:10} Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION,
WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.
1 John
{5:19} And we know that we are of God, AND THE WHOLE
WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS.
***
Titus
{2:12} Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and WORLDLY LUSTS, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
1 Corinthians
{7:31} And
they that use this world, as not abusing [it:] for THE FASHION
OF THIS WORLD PASSESTH AWAY.
2 Corinthians
{4:1} Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have
received mercy, we faint not; {4:2} But have renounced the
hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation
of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s
conscience in the sight of God. {4:3} But if our gospel be
hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4:4} In whom THE GOD OF
THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED THE MINDS of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians
{2:1} And you [hath he quickened,] who were dead in
trespasses and sins; {2:2} Wherein IN TIME PAST YE WALKED
ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE
PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN
THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE: {2:3} Among whom also we
all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our
flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. {2:4}
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith
he loved us, {2:5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians
{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. ]
***
Yes, we need to overcome this world alright, the evil that dwells in it is great.
Jesus prayed to God this--
John
{17:15} I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil. {17:16} They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. {17:17} Sanctify them
through thy truth: thy word is truth. {17:18} As thou hast
sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into
the world. {17:19} And for their sakes I sanctify myself,
that they also might be sanctified through the truth. {17:20}
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; {17:21} That they all
may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me. {17:22} And the glory which thou gavest
me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are
one: {17:23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be
made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou
hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
***
We are not of this world. This world isn't what we should be living for. Jesus Himself wasn't of this world.
1 John
{5:4} For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
{5:5} Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
{5:6} This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
***
Overcoming the world, through faith. Believing Jesus is the Son of God. The Spirit bear witness and the Spirit is truth.
Overcoming the world. Prevailing over the world. The world is full of lusts and evils that would keep us attached to it, keep our minds here and here only not on the world to come. As long as we are caught up in the world we really can't overcome it can we? We need to seek to overcome it just as we struggle to overcome the trials life gives us this is one more, the greatest. Overcoming the world. Only through Christ, only through the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can we overcome. The Spirit of Truth is the Spirit that is promised to us to be our comforter in this world. We can overcome through love of our Savior.
Amen.
{5:4} For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
{5:5} Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
{5:6} This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
**
Overcometh the world.
overcome (o´ver-kùm´) verb
overcame (-kâm´) overcome, overcoming, overcomes verb, transitive
1. To defeat (another) in competition or conflict; conquer.
2. To prevail over; surmount: tried to overcome the obstacles of poverty.
3. To overpower, as with emotion; affect deeply.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Overcoming the world.
Why do we need to overcome the world?
James
{4:4} Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that
the FRIENDSHIP OF THIS WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
2 Peter
{1:4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, HAVING ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION THAT IS IN
THE WORLD through lust.
Rev.
{3:10} Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION,
WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.
1 John
{5:19} And we know that we are of God, AND THE WHOLE
WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS.
***
Titus
{2:12} Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and WORLDLY LUSTS, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
1 Corinthians
{7:31} And
they that use this world, as not abusing [it:] for THE FASHION
OF THIS WORLD PASSESTH AWAY.
2 Corinthians
{4:1} Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have
received mercy, we faint not; {4:2} But have renounced the
hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation
of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s
conscience in the sight of God. {4:3} But if our gospel be
hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4:4} In whom THE GOD OF
THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED THE MINDS of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians
{2:1} And you [hath he quickened,] who were dead in
trespasses and sins; {2:2} Wherein IN TIME PAST YE WALKED
ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE
PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN
THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE: {2:3} Among whom also we
all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our
flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. {2:4}
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith
he loved us, {2:5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians
{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. ]
***
Yes, we need to overcome this world alright, the evil that dwells in it is great.
Jesus prayed to God this--
John
{17:15} I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil. {17:16} They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world. {17:17} Sanctify them
through thy truth: thy word is truth. {17:18} As thou hast
sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into
the world. {17:19} And for their sakes I sanctify myself,
that they also might be sanctified through the truth. {17:20}
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; {17:21} That they all
may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me. {17:22} And the glory which thou gavest
me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are
one: {17:23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be
made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou
hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
***
We are not of this world. This world isn't what we should be living for. Jesus Himself wasn't of this world.
1 John
{5:4} For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
{5:5} Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
{5:6} This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
***
Overcoming the world, through faith. Believing Jesus is the Son of God. The Spirit bear witness and the Spirit is truth.
Overcoming the world. Prevailing over the world. The world is full of lusts and evils that would keep us attached to it, keep our minds here and here only not on the world to come. As long as we are caught up in the world we really can't overcome it can we? We need to seek to overcome it just as we struggle to overcome the trials life gives us this is one more, the greatest. Overcoming the world. Only through Christ, only through the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can we overcome. The Spirit of Truth is the Spirit that is promised to us to be our comforter in this world. We can overcome through love of our Savior.
Amen.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Let us not love in word
1 John
{3:18} My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
{3:19} And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
You ever hear the saying- You're all talk and no action? I think this refers to that. Let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth.
In deed. A deed is and action right?
deed (dêd) noun
1. Something that is carried out; an act or action.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Love in deed.
Our actions should be those of love, which is truth. Jesus is truth, Jesus is the Son of God, if you've seen the Son then you've seen the Father, God is love, truth is love.
Our actions should be motivated by love. A genuine brotherly love.
Right now it's the Christmas season and movies on television are portraying all sorts of brotherly love but only after they reveal the need for the love. Everyday we can choose to act out of love, brotherly love with kindness or we can choose not to.
Love is a choice, it's not something that some sweet people magically possess and others do not. Not that we aren't predisposed in differently to act certain ways, meaning our natures lean us towards grumpiness, cynicism and other unsavory traits, but because love is a choice we can all possess it. Love doesn't play favorites tapping some with the love hammer and others not. Love is a choice and the sooner we realize this the better off we'll be. The false concept of being sweet and loving clouds a lot of minds, minds that wake up grouchy and continue on in irritation. People play the why not me game. Why can't I be more sweet? Why can't I be more *naturally* loving? Why can't I *want* to be nice? These people believe that the sweetness, the loving, and the niceness favors some more than others but it's not true. Real love can be manifested in the worst of circumstances, to people we would think have every reason to hate life. Real love can be something everyone has by choice and it's not the feel good feeling that makes it loving. Love doesn't have to *feel* all happy and light, sweetness and flighty. You're not choosing a feeling when you're choosing to love. You're choosing to act in a certain manner, a manner that treats others as you would have them treat you, a manner that extends kindness not because it's deserved but because you choose to give it to commit an act of love.
We can't get caught up in the trap of feelings, we just can't. If we do then every time we don't feel happy we'll question the truth we know in Christ and our possession of the truth. Love is a choice, an action, something we can portray in our deeds and this is the truth. If we can make the choice to act from love without getting caught up in the feeling of love we are one step closer to the reality of things. We can still act out of love if we're having a bad day. We can still love in our deeds without sappiness and sweetness. Choose to love. Let our loving words, words that would have us say nice, loving things, become more than just words to us, let them become part of our lives in our actions.
May God help us all as we assure our hearts before Him, as we become of the truth, of love. Let our deeds be the driving force of our love, let our lives, our actions stem from love in choosing to love in Christ, by His great mercy and His truth now and forever.
Amen.
{3:18} My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
{3:19} And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
You ever hear the saying- You're all talk and no action? I think this refers to that. Let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth.
In deed. A deed is and action right?
deed (dêd) noun
1. Something that is carried out; an act or action.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
Love in deed.
Our actions should be those of love, which is truth. Jesus is truth, Jesus is the Son of God, if you've seen the Son then you've seen the Father, God is love, truth is love.
Our actions should be motivated by love. A genuine brotherly love.
Right now it's the Christmas season and movies on television are portraying all sorts of brotherly love but only after they reveal the need for the love. Everyday we can choose to act out of love, brotherly love with kindness or we can choose not to.
Love is a choice, it's not something that some sweet people magically possess and others do not. Not that we aren't predisposed in differently to act certain ways, meaning our natures lean us towards grumpiness, cynicism and other unsavory traits, but because love is a choice we can all possess it. Love doesn't play favorites tapping some with the love hammer and others not. Love is a choice and the sooner we realize this the better off we'll be. The false concept of being sweet and loving clouds a lot of minds, minds that wake up grouchy and continue on in irritation. People play the why not me game. Why can't I be more sweet? Why can't I be more *naturally* loving? Why can't I *want* to be nice? These people believe that the sweetness, the loving, and the niceness favors some more than others but it's not true. Real love can be manifested in the worst of circumstances, to people we would think have every reason to hate life. Real love can be something everyone has by choice and it's not the feel good feeling that makes it loving. Love doesn't have to *feel* all happy and light, sweetness and flighty. You're not choosing a feeling when you're choosing to love. You're choosing to act in a certain manner, a manner that treats others as you would have them treat you, a manner that extends kindness not because it's deserved but because you choose to give it to commit an act of love.
We can't get caught up in the trap of feelings, we just can't. If we do then every time we don't feel happy we'll question the truth we know in Christ and our possession of the truth. Love is a choice, an action, something we can portray in our deeds and this is the truth. If we can make the choice to act from love without getting caught up in the feeling of love we are one step closer to the reality of things. We can still act out of love if we're having a bad day. We can still love in our deeds without sappiness and sweetness. Choose to love. Let our loving words, words that would have us say nice, loving things, become more than just words to us, let them become part of our lives in our actions.
May God help us all as we assure our hearts before Him, as we become of the truth, of love. Let our deeds be the driving force of our love, let our lives, our actions stem from love in choosing to love in Christ, by His great mercy and His truth now and forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
...the truth is not in him...
1 John
{2:1} My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
{2:2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
{2:3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
{2:4} He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
{2:5} But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
{2:6} He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
**
Do you think John was talking to children? I don't. Not in the sense he was talking to seven, eight, nine year olds, but rather children in God. We are all children in God aren't we? Jesus says we have to be as little children, and He certainly didn't mean we had to act out and willful as children but rather filled with curiosity about the world around us, eager to learn, eager to love and accept love.
John is writing to people like you and I telling us he's doing so that we sin not.
Once again, continuing in sin willfully without any true remorse or repentance, sinning and mocking God as we do so, sinning and reveling in that sin will never be right with God, never. Sin separates us from God so how can it ever be right?
John here is telling us that we shouldn't sin and yet if we do, we do have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
I saw a show on tv, one of those silly reality shows and the object is getting money and winning over others doing the same while confronted with various obstacles. Well the last one standing gets a chance to earn more money etc by going into this room where they only have so long to finish the assigned tasks and if they don't finish them they lose everything-- however! Yes, there is a however, there is a panic button on the wall and if the player pushes it because they can't finish the task and are about to run out of time, the person will get 1/2 what their winnings would have been. Now the reason I'm mentioning that is probably obvious. That person doesn't want to run out of time, the person doesn't want to press the panic button, the person will do everything they possibly can so they don't have to press the panic button, but the panic button is there if they really need it.
We shouldn't sin, period. I don't need to give a song and dance reason why we shouldn't sin. Sin is wrong, we shouldn't sin, yet just like that game we have a way to be forgiven our sins if we need it. It's not something we should trifle with, Jesus' forgiveness. We don't sin willfully and believe it doesn't matter Jesus will forgive me. We don't sin and like some believe, go to church and do penance then go out and sin some more. We don't treat sinning like a game at all. We don't tally our sins up like calories on a calorie restricted diet and go, well...let me see...if I eat that piece of chocolate cake I can balance it out with an hour long jog around the park, if I sin I'll go say an extra prayer. And like that dieter they have to determine if the cake is worth the extra jogging, the sinner is trifling with forgiveness by trying to figure out if its worth the sinning, having to pray that extra bit.
Seriously, people do these things and sometimes they do them without even really realizing they're doing them. They're minds are on automatic. Instead of calling sin, sin, they say it's their little problem. Instead of anguishing over their little problem, they off-handedly say, God understands, He knows I'm weak and can't stop so He'll forgive me. We make excuses we placate ourselves, we do all sorts of things just so we can get away with sinning.
Yes, we do have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous...
{2:2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
Jesus died for us all! His spilled blood is sufficient for each one of us but we can't stand in mockery of that sacrifice and hold the hammer and nail, driving them into His flesh over and over and over without caring, without understanding what we're doing when we sin. Yes, we might HATE ourselves and feel hopelessly caught up in our sins and want to give up because we feel we'll never be able to stop, but that hate is good, keep on hating the sin in yourself, it's good, we have to hate sin and hate our weakness and cling to Christ praying earnestly for forgiveness.
How do we know if we know Christ?
{2:3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
{2:4} He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
{2:5} But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
{2:6} He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
So beautiful the love of God. Walk as He walked. Keep His commandments. We want the truth in us, only the truth. We don't want to be filled with lies, only truth.
May God help us to walk as Jesus walked, to keep His commandments, by His grace and mercy now and forever.
Amen.
{2:1} My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
{2:2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
{2:3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
{2:4} He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
{2:5} But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
{2:6} He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
**
Do you think John was talking to children? I don't. Not in the sense he was talking to seven, eight, nine year olds, but rather children in God. We are all children in God aren't we? Jesus says we have to be as little children, and He certainly didn't mean we had to act out and willful as children but rather filled with curiosity about the world around us, eager to learn, eager to love and accept love.
John is writing to people like you and I telling us he's doing so that we sin not.
Once again, continuing in sin willfully without any true remorse or repentance, sinning and mocking God as we do so, sinning and reveling in that sin will never be right with God, never. Sin separates us from God so how can it ever be right?
John here is telling us that we shouldn't sin and yet if we do, we do have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
I saw a show on tv, one of those silly reality shows and the object is getting money and winning over others doing the same while confronted with various obstacles. Well the last one standing gets a chance to earn more money etc by going into this room where they only have so long to finish the assigned tasks and if they don't finish them they lose everything-- however! Yes, there is a however, there is a panic button on the wall and if the player pushes it because they can't finish the task and are about to run out of time, the person will get 1/2 what their winnings would have been. Now the reason I'm mentioning that is probably obvious. That person doesn't want to run out of time, the person doesn't want to press the panic button, the person will do everything they possibly can so they don't have to press the panic button, but the panic button is there if they really need it.
We shouldn't sin, period. I don't need to give a song and dance reason why we shouldn't sin. Sin is wrong, we shouldn't sin, yet just like that game we have a way to be forgiven our sins if we need it. It's not something we should trifle with, Jesus' forgiveness. We don't sin willfully and believe it doesn't matter Jesus will forgive me. We don't sin and like some believe, go to church and do penance then go out and sin some more. We don't treat sinning like a game at all. We don't tally our sins up like calories on a calorie restricted diet and go, well...let me see...if I eat that piece of chocolate cake I can balance it out with an hour long jog around the park, if I sin I'll go say an extra prayer. And like that dieter they have to determine if the cake is worth the extra jogging, the sinner is trifling with forgiveness by trying to figure out if its worth the sinning, having to pray that extra bit.
Seriously, people do these things and sometimes they do them without even really realizing they're doing them. They're minds are on automatic. Instead of calling sin, sin, they say it's their little problem. Instead of anguishing over their little problem, they off-handedly say, God understands, He knows I'm weak and can't stop so He'll forgive me. We make excuses we placate ourselves, we do all sorts of things just so we can get away with sinning.
Yes, we do have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous...
{2:2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
Jesus died for us all! His spilled blood is sufficient for each one of us but we can't stand in mockery of that sacrifice and hold the hammer and nail, driving them into His flesh over and over and over without caring, without understanding what we're doing when we sin. Yes, we might HATE ourselves and feel hopelessly caught up in our sins and want to give up because we feel we'll never be able to stop, but that hate is good, keep on hating the sin in yourself, it's good, we have to hate sin and hate our weakness and cling to Christ praying earnestly for forgiveness.
How do we know if we know Christ?
{2:3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
{2:4} He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
{2:5} But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
{2:6} He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
So beautiful the love of God. Walk as He walked. Keep His commandments. We want the truth in us, only the truth. We don't want to be filled with lies, only truth.
May God help us to walk as Jesus walked, to keep His commandments, by His grace and mercy now and forever.
Amen.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Without the truth we are liars
The truth is so important, life important. Everlasting life important and we have to know the truth, follow the truth, believe in the truth, the truth has to be in us, right?
Without the truth we are liars and I don't know about you but I don't want to be a liar.
Without the truth we don't walk in the light, we walk in darkness.
Read the following...
1 John
{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.
{1:6} If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth
{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.
{1:8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
{1:9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
{1:10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God is light.
In Him is NO darkness at all.
If we say we fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie!
We can't walk in darkness, we can't choose evil over good as a way of life and revel in the darkness, the evil, the ways we know aren't of God, we just can't. Yes, we get caught up in sin, we do sin and just as the word says...
If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
We aren't sinless we can't believe that we are, we know we're not sinless but even so we have to hope in Christ.
If we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
Jesus will save us, eternal life is ours and it's the hope we have. Some people say we're deceived that religion is a fallacy, that it deceives and makes people fools. Some say that it's a dangerous fairy tale to hope in Christ, to stop living for here and now and live for the promised life to come. Those people are the ones deceived and they're deceiving themselves and stealing a life of hope and living here and now in such a way it is so incredibly better than life any other way. Tell me what the difference is for one who thinks this life now is all we have and one who hopes in a better life? If this is all there is then it's a lousy hope isn't it? Pain, suffering, heartache, sickness, the one surety they say of life is death. Is that a good way to believe? Does it gives a sense of satisfaction some how? Can pride be taken in believing that you aren't being duped by religion? Is that pride and supposed superiority something that gives you hope? At best it gives a temporary good feeling that won't last long, even if it lasts your lifetime it's not long, not in the grand scheme of things. The hope we have as Christians, the hope we have believing in a life everlasting is so much better, than not hoping. You can live a life of love in Christ now and in the future. Being a Christian and living in hope isn't stupidity, it isn't deception it only enriches our lives now in this world and prepares us for everlasting life.
We need to walk in the light of Christ, confessing our sins, being cleansed from unrighteousness. We can't walk in darkness and claim Jesus.
May God help us to follow the truth and walk in the light. We don't want to be liars, we don't want to be deceived, we don't want to live in unrighteousness. May God help us all now and always and may the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us all.
Amen.
Without the truth we are liars and I don't know about you but I don't want to be a liar.
Without the truth we don't walk in the light, we walk in darkness.
Read the following...
1 John
{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.
{1:6} If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth
{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.
{1:8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
{1:9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
{1:10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God is light.
In Him is NO darkness at all.
If we say we fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie!
We can't walk in darkness, we can't choose evil over good as a way of life and revel in the darkness, the evil, the ways we know aren't of God, we just can't. Yes, we get caught up in sin, we do sin and just as the word says...
If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
We aren't sinless we can't believe that we are, we know we're not sinless but even so we have to hope in Christ.
If we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
Jesus will save us, eternal life is ours and it's the hope we have. Some people say we're deceived that religion is a fallacy, that it deceives and makes people fools. Some say that it's a dangerous fairy tale to hope in Christ, to stop living for here and now and live for the promised life to come. Those people are the ones deceived and they're deceiving themselves and stealing a life of hope and living here and now in such a way it is so incredibly better than life any other way. Tell me what the difference is for one who thinks this life now is all we have and one who hopes in a better life? If this is all there is then it's a lousy hope isn't it? Pain, suffering, heartache, sickness, the one surety they say of life is death. Is that a good way to believe? Does it gives a sense of satisfaction some how? Can pride be taken in believing that you aren't being duped by religion? Is that pride and supposed superiority something that gives you hope? At best it gives a temporary good feeling that won't last long, even if it lasts your lifetime it's not long, not in the grand scheme of things. The hope we have as Christians, the hope we have believing in a life everlasting is so much better, than not hoping. You can live a life of love in Christ now and in the future. Being a Christian and living in hope isn't stupidity, it isn't deception it only enriches our lives now in this world and prepares us for everlasting life.
We need to walk in the light of Christ, confessing our sins, being cleansed from unrighteousness. We can't walk in darkness and claim Jesus.
May God help us to follow the truth and walk in the light. We don't want to be liars, we don't want to be deceived, we don't want to live in unrighteousness. May God help us all now and always and may the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us all.
Amen.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The way of truth shall be evil spoken of
Reminders we all need them don't we?
Life is full of reminders.
We write ourselves notes, we leave ourselves memos, we go to great lengths to tell people to remind us about this and that, we have calendars that we put notes on we even put messages on our own answering machines, some have little memo reminders on their cell phones, you name it seriously there are many, many ways we leave reminders for ourselves and those reminders are left why?
We remind ourselves of things that are important to us, even if it's a temporary importance. It's important to remember to bring home a gallon of milk or there will be none for breakfast the next morning. Or it's important to remember to pick up that prescription at the pharmacy. You really can't forget that doctor's appointment right? And what about that anniversary, or the recital, or the deadline for an important project?
There are many *important* things we are not to forget and if we do sometimes the consequences are grave aren't they? Sometimes a missed appointment really can mean the difference between life and death.
Our eternal life isn't something to trifle with. Our walk with Christ isn't something to ignore.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus who told us previously in the last study the things we are to seek, also tells us things we are to remember. He gives us a lot of reminders- lets read.
{1:12} Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them,] and be established in the present truth. {1:13} Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance
{1:14} Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
{1:15} Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
*
Peter wants these things he has to say remembered even after he's dead, for people to have them ALWAYS in remembrance. They must be pretty important so we'd better pay attention.
{1:16} For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
{1:17} For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
{1:18} And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
{1:19} We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts
{1:20} Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{1:21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
*
Amazing isn't it! Just think about it! He was with Jesus, he witnessed His power firsthand! He heard the voice of the Father talking to the son. A reminder that no prophecy is of a private interpretation how can it be? It's of God to all. People would have you believe they have the answers, but the Bible itself has them. Read on and remember that Peter wants us to remember all these things-
{2:1} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
{2:2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
*
The way of truth shall be evil spoken of! We can't deny this. We can't pretend it won't or doesn't exist. False teachers. These aren't people wearing big yellow hats with the words blazoned in red- I'm a False Teacher. No, these are people that are subtle, devious who privily bring heresies, and MANY shall follow them, many!
{2:3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
*
With feigned words...they'll use false words, false truths, their words will be lies and many will follow them. Scary stuff. And listen to the next bit...
{2:4} For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
{2:5} And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person,] a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; {2:6} And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly
{2:7} And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked
{2:8} (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)
*
Did you read that?! God spared not the ANGELS that sinned. God doesn't spare sinners! We want to think He does, we want to believe we can be spared in our sin, we can't. We have to go to Jesus and we have to repent and we have to live our lives in Him through the Holy Spirit. We can't live in sin and claim salvation. No, our not sinning won't save us, only Jesus can save us, but Jesus would have us live in Him and by Him and living by Him we won't seek to live in sin but the opposite.
{2:9} The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
*
The Lord knows how to deliver us from temptation. We can't forget that, we can't and we also can't forget that he knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
{2:10} But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they,] selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
{2:11} Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
{2:12} But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption
{2:13} And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
*
Read that again! Sporting themselves with their own DECEIVINGS while they feast with YOU.
Deception!
{2:14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
{2:15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; {2:16} But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
{2:17} These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
{2:18} For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
{2:19} While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
*
While they PROMISE them liberty, they themselves are the servants of CORRUPTION!
{2:20} For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
{2:21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it,] to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
{2:22} But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
*
Words that we truly need to heed, words we need to pay close attention to because they are all true.
We can't give into sin. We can't turn back to sin. We can't give up! We have to fight the good fight of faith and hold fast to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the promises He gives us, the hope through the Holy Spirit. We have to hold fast and not turn away no matter the temptations. We know the truth found in Jesus, we know His commandments of love, we know these things and we cannot turn from them, we have to pay attention to these words of Peter, words given to him through the Holy Spirit to guide us. These all important memos we have to take to heart as we live day to day striving to sin not as we lay hold of salvation in Christ our Redeemer. He knows how to keep us from temptation and we have to trust in Him now and always. By the grace of God, by the Will of Lord.
Amen.
Life is full of reminders.
We write ourselves notes, we leave ourselves memos, we go to great lengths to tell people to remind us about this and that, we have calendars that we put notes on we even put messages on our own answering machines, some have little memo reminders on their cell phones, you name it seriously there are many, many ways we leave reminders for ourselves and those reminders are left why?
We remind ourselves of things that are important to us, even if it's a temporary importance. It's important to remember to bring home a gallon of milk or there will be none for breakfast the next morning. Or it's important to remember to pick up that prescription at the pharmacy. You really can't forget that doctor's appointment right? And what about that anniversary, or the recital, or the deadline for an important project?
There are many *important* things we are not to forget and if we do sometimes the consequences are grave aren't they? Sometimes a missed appointment really can mean the difference between life and death.
Our eternal life isn't something to trifle with. Our walk with Christ isn't something to ignore.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus who told us previously in the last study the things we are to seek, also tells us things we are to remember. He gives us a lot of reminders- lets read.
{1:12} Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them,] and be established in the present truth. {1:13} Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance
{1:14} Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
{1:15} Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
*
Peter wants these things he has to say remembered even after he's dead, for people to have them ALWAYS in remembrance. They must be pretty important so we'd better pay attention.
{1:16} For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
{1:17} For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
{1:18} And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
{1:19} We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts
{1:20} Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
{1:21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
*
Amazing isn't it! Just think about it! He was with Jesus, he witnessed His power firsthand! He heard the voice of the Father talking to the son. A reminder that no prophecy is of a private interpretation how can it be? It's of God to all. People would have you believe they have the answers, but the Bible itself has them. Read on and remember that Peter wants us to remember all these things-
{2:1} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
{2:2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
*
The way of truth shall be evil spoken of! We can't deny this. We can't pretend it won't or doesn't exist. False teachers. These aren't people wearing big yellow hats with the words blazoned in red- I'm a False Teacher. No, these are people that are subtle, devious who privily bring heresies, and MANY shall follow them, many!
{2:3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
*
With feigned words...they'll use false words, false truths, their words will be lies and many will follow them. Scary stuff. And listen to the next bit...
{2:4} For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
{2:5} And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person,] a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; {2:6} And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly
{2:7} And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked
{2:8} (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)
*
Did you read that?! God spared not the ANGELS that sinned. God doesn't spare sinners! We want to think He does, we want to believe we can be spared in our sin, we can't. We have to go to Jesus and we have to repent and we have to live our lives in Him through the Holy Spirit. We can't live in sin and claim salvation. No, our not sinning won't save us, only Jesus can save us, but Jesus would have us live in Him and by Him and living by Him we won't seek to live in sin but the opposite.
{2:9} The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
*
The Lord knows how to deliver us from temptation. We can't forget that, we can't and we also can't forget that he knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
{2:10} But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they,] selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
{2:11} Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
{2:12} But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption
{2:13} And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
*
Read that again! Sporting themselves with their own DECEIVINGS while they feast with YOU.
Deception!
{2:14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
{2:15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; {2:16} But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
{2:17} These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
{2:18} For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
{2:19} While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
*
While they PROMISE them liberty, they themselves are the servants of CORRUPTION!
{2:20} For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
{2:21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it,] to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
{2:22} But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
*
Words that we truly need to heed, words we need to pay close attention to because they are all true.
We can't give into sin. We can't turn back to sin. We can't give up! We have to fight the good fight of faith and hold fast to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the promises He gives us, the hope through the Holy Spirit. We have to hold fast and not turn away no matter the temptations. We know the truth found in Jesus, we know His commandments of love, we know these things and we cannot turn from them, we have to pay attention to these words of Peter, words given to him through the Holy Spirit to guide us. These all important memos we have to take to heart as we live day to day striving to sin not as we lay hold of salvation in Christ our Redeemer. He knows how to keep us from temptation and we have to trust in Him now and always. By the grace of God, by the Will of Lord.
Amen.
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