BROTHERS: KNOW WISDOM AS CHRIST AND UNDERSTANDING AS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
DOES NOT WISDOM CALL OUT? DOES NOT UNDERSTANDING RAISE HER VOICE? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she (WISDOM) takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: "To YOU O MEN, I call out; I raise my voice to all MANKIND. YOU who are SIMPLE, gain PRUDENCE; YOU who are FOOLISH, gain UNDERSTANDING. Listen, for I have WORTHY things to say; I open my LIPS to SPEAK what is RIGHT. My mouth SPEAKS what is TRUE, for my LIPS DETEST WICKEDNESS. All the WORDS of my mouth are JUST; none of them is CROOKED OR PERVERSE. To the DISCERNING all of them are RIGHT; they are FAULTLESS to those who have KNOWLEDGE. CHOOSE MY INSTRUCTION instead of SILVER, KNOWLEDGE rather than choice GOLD, for WISDOM IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES, and nothing YOU DESIRE can compare with her. I, WISDOM, dwell together with PRUDENCE; I POSSESS KNOWLEDGE and DISCRETION. To FEAR THE LORD is to HATE EVIL; I HATE PRIDE and ARROGANCE, EVIL BEHAVIOR and PERVERSE SPEECH. COUNSEL and SOUND JUDGEMENT are mine; I have UNDERSTANDING and POWER. By ME KINGS REIN and RULERS MAKE LAWS THAT ARE JUST; BY ME PRINCES GOVERN, and ALL NOBLES WHO RULE THE EARTH. I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME, and THOSE WHO SEEK ME FIND ME. WITH ME ARE RICHES and HONOR, ENDURING WEALTH and PROSPERITY. MY FRUIT (GAL.22-23) IS BETTER THAN FINE GOLD; WHAT I YEILD SURPASSES CHOICE SILVER. I WALK IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, ALONG THE PATHS OF JUSTICE, BESTOWING WEALTH ON THOSE WHO LOVE ME and MAKING THEIR TREASURIES FULL.
The LORD BROUGHT ME FORTH AS THE FIRST OF HIS WORKS, BEFORE HIS DEEDS OF OLD; I was APPOINTED FROM ETERNITY, FROM THE BEGINNING, BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN. WHEN THERE WERE NO OCEANS, I WAS GIVEN BIRTH, WHEN THERE WERE NO SPRINGS ABOUNDING WITH WATER; BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE SETTLED IN PLACE, BEFORE THE HILLS, I WAS GIVEN BIRTH, BEFORE GOD MADE THE EARTH OR ITS FIELDS OR ANY OF THE DUST OF THE WORLD. I WAS THERE WHEN GOD SET THE HEAVENS IN PLACE, WHEN GOD MARKED OUT THE HORIZON ON THE FACE OF THE DEEP, WHEN GOD ESTABLISHED THE CLOUDS ABOVE and FIXED SECURELY THE FOUTAINS OF THE DEEP, WHEN GOD GAVE THE SEA ITS BOUNDARY SO THE WATERS WOULD NOT OVERSTEP GOD'S COMMAND, and WHEN GOD MARKED OUT THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH. THEN I WAS THE CRAFTSMAN AT GOD SIDE, REJOICING ALWAYS IN GODS PRESENCE, REJOICING IN GODS WHOLE WORLD and DELIGHTING IN MANKIND.
"NOW THEN, MY SONS, LISTEN TO ME: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP MY WAYS. LISTEN TO MY INSTRUCTION and BE WISE, DO NOT IGNORE IT. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO ME, WATCHING DAILY AT MY DOORS, (WORDS) WAITING AT MY DOORWAY. (GRACE) FOR WHOEVER FINDS ME FINDS LIFE and RECIEVES FAVOR FROM THE LORD. BUT WHOEVER FAILS TO FIND ME HARMS HIMSELF; ALLWHO HATE ME LOVE DEATH."
INVITATIONS OF WISDOM AND FOLLY:
WISDOM has built her house; she has hewn out its SEVEN PILLARS. (2PET.5-7) She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "LET ALL WHO ARE SIMPLE COME IN HERE!" she says to those who LACK JUDGMENT. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your SIMPLE WAYS and YOU will LIVE; WALK IN THE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING. WHOEVER CORRECTS A MOCKER INVITES INSULT; WHOEVER REBUKES A WICKED MAN INCURS ABUSE. DO NOT REBUKE A MOCKER OR HE WILL HATE YOU; REBUKE A WISE MAN and HE WILL LOVE YOU. INSTRUCT A WISE MAN and HE WILL BE WISER STILL; TEACH A RIGHTEOUS MAN and HE WILL ADD TO HIS LEARNING. "THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, and KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING. FOR THROUGH ME YOUR DAYS WILL BE MANY, and YEARS WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR LIFE. IF YOU ARE WISE, YOUR WISDOM WILL REWARD YOU; IF YOU ARE A MOCKER, YOU ALONE WILL SUFFER."
The WOMAN FOLLY is loud; she is UNDISCIPLINED and WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the HIGHEST POINT OF THE CITY, CALLING OUT to those who pass by; who go STRAIGHT on their way. "LET ALL WHO ARE SIMPLE COME IN HERE!" she says to those who LACK JUDGEMENT. "STOLEN WATER IS SWEET; FOOD EATEN IN SECRET IS DELICIOUS!" BUT LITTLE DO THEY KNOW THAT THE DEAD ARE THERE, THAT HER GUESTS ARE IN THE DEPTHS OF THE GRAVE. AMEN!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
PSALMS 51:10-13 KING DAVID'S PRAYER OF REPENTENCE TO GOD
CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART, O GOD, and RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
DO NOT CAST ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE OR TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME.
RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION and GRANT ME A WILLING SPIRIT, TO SUSTAIN ME.
THEN I WILL TEACH TRANSGRESSORS YOUR WAYS, and SINNERS WILL TURN BACK TO YOU. AMEN!
DO NOT CAST ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE OR TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME.
RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION and GRANT ME A WILLING SPIRIT, TO SUSTAIN ME.
THEN I WILL TEACH TRANSGRESSORS YOUR WAYS, and SINNERS WILL TURN BACK TO YOU. AMEN!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
2 PETER 1:20-21 PROPHECY COMES FROM GOD NOT MEN
ABOVE ALL, YOU must UNDERSTAND that NO PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE came about by the PROPHET'S OWN INTERPRETATION. For PROPHECY NEVER HAD ITS ORIGIN IN THE WILL OF MAN, BUT MEN SPOKE FROM GOD AS THEY WERE CARRIED ALONG BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN!
1 PETER 5:6-11 I HUMBLE MY SELF BEFORE GOD
Humble yourselves, therefore, under GOD'S MIGHTY HAND, that GOD may lift YOU up in DUE TIME. Cast all your ANXIETY on GOD because GOD CARES FOR YOU.
Be INNER SELF - CONTROLLED and ALERT. Your ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS around like a ROARING LION looking for someone to DEVOUR. RESIST THE DEVIL, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH, because YOU know that your BROTHERS throughout the WORLD are undergoing the same KIND of SUFFERINGS.
And the GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO CALLED YOU TO GODS ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST, after YOU have SUFFERED a little while, will HIMSELF RESTORE YOU and make YOU STRONG IN CHRIST, FIRM IN CHRIST, and STEADFAST IN CHRIST. AMEN!
Be INNER SELF - CONTROLLED and ALERT. Your ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS around like a ROARING LION looking for someone to DEVOUR. RESIST THE DEVIL, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH, because YOU know that your BROTHERS throughout the WORLD are undergoing the same KIND of SUFFERINGS.
And the GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO CALLED YOU TO GODS ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST, after YOU have SUFFERED a little while, will HIMSELF RESTORE YOU and make YOU STRONG IN CHRIST, FIRM IN CHRIST, and STEADFAST IN CHRIST. AMEN!
1PETER 3:1-7 WIVES AND HUSBANDS
Wives, in the same way be SUBMISSIVE to your HUSBANDS so that, if any of them do not BELIEVE the WORD, they may be won over without WORDS by the BEHAVIOR of their WIVES, when they see the PURITY and REVERANCE of your LIVES. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your INNER SELF, the unfading beauty of a GENTLE and QUIET SPIRIT, which is of GREAT WORTH IN GOD'S SIGHT. For this is the way the HOLY WOMEN of the past who put their HOPE IN GOD used to make themselves BEAUTIFUL. They were submissive to their own HUSBAND, like Sarah, who OBEYED Abraham and called him her master. YOU are her daughters if YOU do what is RIGHT and do not give way to FEAR.
HUSBANDS, in the same way be CONSIDERATE as YOU live with your WIVES, and TREAT them with RESPECT as the WEAKER partner and as HEIRS with YOU of the GRACIOUS GIFT OF LIFE, so that NOTHING will HINDER your PRAYERS. AMEN!
HUSBANDS, in the same way be CONSIDERATE as YOU live with your WIVES, and TREAT them with RESPECT as the WEAKER partner and as HEIRS with YOU of the GRACIOUS GIFT OF LIFE, so that NOTHING will HINDER your PRAYERS. AMEN!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
1PETER 1:3-2:3 PRAISE TO GOD FOR A LIVING HOPE THAT I MAY BE HOLY IN CHRIST
PRAISE BE TO THE GOD and FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! In GOD'S GREAT MERCY GOD HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, and INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH SPOIL OR FADE - KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, WHO THROUGH FAITH ARE SHIELDED BY GOD'S POWER UNTIL THE COMING OF THE SALVATION THAT IS READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME. IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE, THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE YOU MAY HAVE HAD TO SUFFER GRIEF IN ALL KINDS OF TRIALS.
These have come so that your FAITH - of GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD, which PERISHES even through REFINED by FIRE - may be proved GENUINE and may result in PRAISE, GLORY and HONOR when JESUS CHRIST is REVEALED.
Though YOU have not seen CHRIST, YOU LOVE CHRIST; and even through YOU do not see CHRIST now, YOU BELIEVE IN CHRIST and are filled with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY, for you are RECEIVING the goal of your FAITH, the SALVATION of your SOULS.
Concerning this SALVATION, the PROPHETS, who SPOKE of the GRACE that was to come to YOU, SEARCHED INTENTLY and with the GREATEST CARE, trying to find out the TIME and CIRCUMSTANCES to which the SPIRIT OF CHRIST in them was pointing when HE PREDICTED THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST and the GLORIES that would follow. It was REVEALED to the PROPHETS that they were not SERVING THEMSELVES but YOU, when they SPOKE of the things that have now been told YOU by those who have PREACHED the GOSPEL to YOU by the HOLY SPIRIT SENT FROM HEAVEN. Even ANGLES long to look into these things.
BE HOLY
THEREFORE, PREPARE YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION; BE INNER SELF CONTROL; set your HOPE fully on the GRACE to be given YOU when JESUS CHRIST is REVEALED. As OBEDIENT CHILDREN, do not CONFORM to the EVIL DESIRES YOU had when YOU LIVED in IGNORANCE. But just as GOD who CALLED YOU is HOLY, so be HOLY in ALL YOU DO; for it is WRITTEN:" BE HOLY, BECAUSE I AM HOLY."
Since YOU call on a FATHER who JUDGES EACH MAN'S WORK IMPARTIALLY, LIVE YOUR LIVES AS STRANGERS HERE IN REVERENT FEAR. For YOU know that it was not with PERISHABLE things such as SILVER or GOLD that YOU were REDEEMED from the EMPTY WAY OF LIFE handed down to YOU from your FOREFATHERS, but with PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR DEFECT. CHRIST WAS CHOSEN BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, but WAS REVEALED IN THESE LAST TIMES FOR YOUR SAKE. Through CHRIST YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD and GLORIFIED CHRIST, and SO YOUR FAITH and HOPE ARE IN GOD.
Now that YOU have PURIFIED yourselves by OBEYING the TRUTH so that YOU have SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM A PURE HEART. For YOU have been BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING and ENDURING WORD OF GOD. For, "ALL MEN ARE LIKE GRASS, and ALL THEIR GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD; THE GRASS WITHERS and THE FLOWERS FALL, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER." And this is the WORD that was PREACHED to YOU.
THERFORE, rid yourselves of all MALICE and ALL DECEIT, HYPOCRISY, ENVEY, and SLANDER of every kind. LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD. AMEN!
These have come so that your FAITH - of GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD, which PERISHES even through REFINED by FIRE - may be proved GENUINE and may result in PRAISE, GLORY and HONOR when JESUS CHRIST is REVEALED.
Though YOU have not seen CHRIST, YOU LOVE CHRIST; and even through YOU do not see CHRIST now, YOU BELIEVE IN CHRIST and are filled with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY, for you are RECEIVING the goal of your FAITH, the SALVATION of your SOULS.
Concerning this SALVATION, the PROPHETS, who SPOKE of the GRACE that was to come to YOU, SEARCHED INTENTLY and with the GREATEST CARE, trying to find out the TIME and CIRCUMSTANCES to which the SPIRIT OF CHRIST in them was pointing when HE PREDICTED THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST and the GLORIES that would follow. It was REVEALED to the PROPHETS that they were not SERVING THEMSELVES but YOU, when they SPOKE of the things that have now been told YOU by those who have PREACHED the GOSPEL to YOU by the HOLY SPIRIT SENT FROM HEAVEN. Even ANGLES long to look into these things.
BE HOLY
THEREFORE, PREPARE YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION; BE INNER SELF CONTROL; set your HOPE fully on the GRACE to be given YOU when JESUS CHRIST is REVEALED. As OBEDIENT CHILDREN, do not CONFORM to the EVIL DESIRES YOU had when YOU LIVED in IGNORANCE. But just as GOD who CALLED YOU is HOLY, so be HOLY in ALL YOU DO; for it is WRITTEN:" BE HOLY, BECAUSE I AM HOLY."
Since YOU call on a FATHER who JUDGES EACH MAN'S WORK IMPARTIALLY, LIVE YOUR LIVES AS STRANGERS HERE IN REVERENT FEAR. For YOU know that it was not with PERISHABLE things such as SILVER or GOLD that YOU were REDEEMED from the EMPTY WAY OF LIFE handed down to YOU from your FOREFATHERS, but with PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR DEFECT. CHRIST WAS CHOSEN BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, but WAS REVEALED IN THESE LAST TIMES FOR YOUR SAKE. Through CHRIST YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD and GLORIFIED CHRIST, and SO YOUR FAITH and HOPE ARE IN GOD.
Now that YOU have PURIFIED yourselves by OBEYING the TRUTH so that YOU have SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM A PURE HEART. For YOU have been BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING and ENDURING WORD OF GOD. For, "ALL MEN ARE LIKE GRASS, and ALL THEIR GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD; THE GRASS WITHERS and THE FLOWERS FALL, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER." And this is the WORD that was PREACHED to YOU.
THERFORE, rid yourselves of all MALICE and ALL DECEIT, HYPOCRISY, ENVEY, and SLANDER of every kind. LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD. AMEN!
Monday, December 2, 2013
JAMES 1:12-27 MAY I CONTINUE TO PERSEVERE THAT I BE A DOER OF THE WORD
BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERS UNDER TRIAL, because when HE has STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. When TEMPTED, no one should say, "GOD is TEMPTING ME." For GOD CANNOT be TEMPTED BY EVIL, nor does GOD TEMPT anyone; but each one is TEMPTED when, BY HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE, HE IS DRAGED AWAY AND ENTICED. Then, after DESIRE has CONCEIVED, it gives BIRTH TO SIN; and SIN, when it is FULL-GROWN, gives BIRTH TO DEATH.
Don't be DECEIVED, MY DEAR BROTHERS. Every GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS. GOD CHOSE TO GIVE US BIRTH THROUGH THE WORD OF TRUTH, THAT WE MIGHT BE A KIND OF FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL GOD CREATED.
LISTENING AND DOING
MY DEAR BROTHERS, TAKE NOTE OF THIS: EVERYONE SHOULD BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, FOR MAN'S ANGER DOES NOT BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES. THEREFORE, GET RID OF ALL MORAL FILTH and THE EVIL THAT IS SO PREVALENT and HUMBLY ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED IN YOU, WHICH CAN SAVE YOU.
DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD, and SO DECEIVE YOURSELVES. DO WHAT IT SAYS. ANYONE WHO LISTENS TO THE WORD BUT DOES NOT DO WHAT IT SAYS IS LIKE A MAN WHO LOOKS AT HIS FACE IN A MIRROR and AFTER LOOKING AT HIMSELF, GOES AWAY and IMMEDIATELY FORGETS WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. BUT THE MAN WHO LOOKS INTENTLY INTO THE PERFECT LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM, and CONTINUES TO DO THIS, NOT FORGETTING WHAT HE HAS HEARD, BUT DOING IT - HE WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT HE DOES.
IF ANYONE CONSIDERS HIMSELF RELIGIOUS and YET DOES NOT KEEP A TIGHT REIN ON HIS TONGUE, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF and HIS RELIGION IS WORTHLESS. RELIGION THAT GOD OUR FATHER ACCEPTS AS PURE and FAULTLESS IS THIS; TO LOOK AFTER ORPHANS and WIDOWS IN THEIR DISTRESS and TO KEEP ONESELF FROM BEING POLLUTED BY THE WORLD.
Don't be DECEIVED, MY DEAR BROTHERS. Every GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS. GOD CHOSE TO GIVE US BIRTH THROUGH THE WORD OF TRUTH, THAT WE MIGHT BE A KIND OF FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL GOD CREATED.
LISTENING AND DOING
MY DEAR BROTHERS, TAKE NOTE OF THIS: EVERYONE SHOULD BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, FOR MAN'S ANGER DOES NOT BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES. THEREFORE, GET RID OF ALL MORAL FILTH and THE EVIL THAT IS SO PREVALENT and HUMBLY ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED IN YOU, WHICH CAN SAVE YOU.
DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD, and SO DECEIVE YOURSELVES. DO WHAT IT SAYS. ANYONE WHO LISTENS TO THE WORD BUT DOES NOT DO WHAT IT SAYS IS LIKE A MAN WHO LOOKS AT HIS FACE IN A MIRROR and AFTER LOOKING AT HIMSELF, GOES AWAY and IMMEDIATELY FORGETS WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. BUT THE MAN WHO LOOKS INTENTLY INTO THE PERFECT LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM, and CONTINUES TO DO THIS, NOT FORGETTING WHAT HE HAS HEARD, BUT DOING IT - HE WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT HE DOES.
IF ANYONE CONSIDERS HIMSELF RELIGIOUS and YET DOES NOT KEEP A TIGHT REIN ON HIS TONGUE, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF and HIS RELIGION IS WORTHLESS. RELIGION THAT GOD OUR FATHER ACCEPTS AS PURE and FAULTLESS IS THIS; TO LOOK AFTER ORPHANS and WIDOWS IN THEIR DISTRESS and TO KEEP ONESELF FROM BEING POLLUTED BY THE WORLD.
HEBREWS 10:29-31 IF WE DELIBERATELY KEEP SINNING WE MAKE GOD OUR ENEMY
How much more SEVERELY do YOU think a MAN DESERVES to be PUNISHED who has TRAMPLED the SON OF GOD UNDERFOOT, who has TREATED as a UNHOLY THING the BLOOD of the COVENANT that SANCTIFIED HIM, and who has INSULTED the SPIRIT OF GRACE? For WE know GOD who said, "IT IS MINE TO AVENGE; I WILL REPAY," and again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." IT IS A DREADFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.
HEBREWS 1:1-3 THE SON IS THE RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY
In the past GOD SPOKE to our forefathers through the PROPHETS at many times and in VARIOUS ways, but in these LAST DAYS GOD has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom GOD appointed HEIR of all things, and through whom GOD made the UNIVERSE. The SON is the RADIANCE of GOD'S GLORY and the EXACT REPRESENTATION of GODS BEING, SUSTAINING ALL THINGS BY GODS POWERFUL WORD. After CHRIST had PROVIDED PURIFICATION FOR SINS, CHRIST sat down at the RIGHT HAND of the MAJESTY IN HEAVEN. AMEN!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
2TIMOTHY 1:8-2:26 BE FAITHFUL, A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD
So do not be ASHAMED to TESTIFY about OUR LORD, or ASHAMED of ME HIS PRISONER. But join with ME in suffering for the GOSPEL, by the POWER OF GOD, WHO HAS SAVED US and CALLED US to a HOLY LIFE - not because of anything WE have done but because of GOD'S OWN PURPOSE and GRACE. This GRACE was given US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE the BEGINNING of TIME, but it has now been REVEALED through the APPEARING of OUR SAVIOR, CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS DESTROYED DEATH and has brought LIFE and IMMORTALITY to LIGHT through the GOSPEL. And of this GOSPEL I was APPOINTED a HERALD and an APOSTLE and a TEACHER. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ASHAMED, because I KNOW whom I have BELIEVED, and am CONVINCED that GOD is able to guard what I have ENTRUSTED to HIM for that DAY.
What YOU heard from ME, keep as the PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING, with FAITH and LOVE in CHRIST JESUS.
Guard the GOOD DEPOSIT that was ENTRUSTED to YOU - guard it with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US.
YOU know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted ME, including Phygelus and Hermongenes. May the LORD show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed ME and was not ASHAMED of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for ME until he found ME. May the LORD grant that he will find mercy from the LORD on that DAY! YOU know very well in how many ways he helped ME in Ephesus.
YOU then, my SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. And the things YOU have heard ME say in the presence of many WITNESSES ENTRUST to RELIABLE MEN who will also be QUALIFIED to TEACH OTHERS. ENDURE HARDSHIP with US like a GOOD SOLDIER of CHRIST JESUS. No one SERVING as a SOLDIER gets INVOLVED in CIVILIAN AFFAIRS - HE wants to PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER. (GOD) SIMILARLY, if anyone COMPETES as a ATHLETE, HE does not RECEIEVE the VICTOR'S CROWN unless HE COMPETES ACCORDING to the RULES. The HARDWORKING FARMER should be the FIRST to RECIEVE A SHARE of the CROPS. REFLECT on what I am saying, for the LORD will give YOU INSIGHT into all this.
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. This is MY GOSPEL, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But GOD'S WORD is not chained. THEREFORE I ENDURE everything for the sake of the ELECT, that they too may OBTAIN the SALVATION that is in CHRIST JESUS, with ETERNAL GLORY. Here is a TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: If WE DIED WITH HIM (CHRIST), WE WILL ALSO LIVE HIM (CHRIST); IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM (CHRIST). IF WE DISOWN HIM (CHRIST), HE (CHRIST) WILL ALSO DISOWN US; IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE (CHRIST) WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE (CHRIST) CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF.
A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before GOD against QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS; it is of no VALUE, and only RUINS those who LISTEN. Do your best to PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKMAN who does not need to be ASHAMED and who CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, because those who INDULGE in it will become more and more UNGODLY. Their TEACHING will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have WANDERED away from the TRUTH. They say that the RESURRECTION has already taken place, and they DESTROY the FAITH of some. NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: "THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS," and, "EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS."
In a large house there are articles not only of GOLD and SILVER, but also of WOOD and CLAY; some are for NOBLE PURPOSE and some for IGNOBLE. If a MAN CLEANSES HIMSELF from the latter, HE will be an INSTRUMENT for NOBLE PURPOSES, MADE HOLY, USEFUL TO THE MASTER and PREPARED to do any GOOD WORK.
Flee the EVIL DESIRES of youth, and PURSE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE and PEACE, along with those who call on the LORD out of a PURE HEART. Don't have anything to do with FOOLISH and STUPID ARGUMENTS, because YOU know they produce QUARRELS. And the LORD'S SERVANT (ME) must not QUARREL; instead, HE must be KIND to everyone, ABLE TO TEACH, NOT RESENTFUL. Those who OPPOSE him HE must GENTLY INSTRUCT, in the HOPE that GOD will grant them REPENTANCE leading them to a KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, and that they will come to their senses and ESCAPE from the TRAP of the DEVIL, who has TAKEN them CAPTIVE to do his will. AMEN!
What YOU heard from ME, keep as the PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING, with FAITH and LOVE in CHRIST JESUS.
Guard the GOOD DEPOSIT that was ENTRUSTED to YOU - guard it with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US.
YOU know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted ME, including Phygelus and Hermongenes. May the LORD show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed ME and was not ASHAMED of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for ME until he found ME. May the LORD grant that he will find mercy from the LORD on that DAY! YOU know very well in how many ways he helped ME in Ephesus.
YOU then, my SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. And the things YOU have heard ME say in the presence of many WITNESSES ENTRUST to RELIABLE MEN who will also be QUALIFIED to TEACH OTHERS. ENDURE HARDSHIP with US like a GOOD SOLDIER of CHRIST JESUS. No one SERVING as a SOLDIER gets INVOLVED in CIVILIAN AFFAIRS - HE wants to PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER. (GOD) SIMILARLY, if anyone COMPETES as a ATHLETE, HE does not RECEIEVE the VICTOR'S CROWN unless HE COMPETES ACCORDING to the RULES. The HARDWORKING FARMER should be the FIRST to RECIEVE A SHARE of the CROPS. REFLECT on what I am saying, for the LORD will give YOU INSIGHT into all this.
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. This is MY GOSPEL, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But GOD'S WORD is not chained. THEREFORE I ENDURE everything for the sake of the ELECT, that they too may OBTAIN the SALVATION that is in CHRIST JESUS, with ETERNAL GLORY. Here is a TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: If WE DIED WITH HIM (CHRIST), WE WILL ALSO LIVE HIM (CHRIST); IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM (CHRIST). IF WE DISOWN HIM (CHRIST), HE (CHRIST) WILL ALSO DISOWN US; IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE (CHRIST) WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE (CHRIST) CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF.
A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before GOD against QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS; it is of no VALUE, and only RUINS those who LISTEN. Do your best to PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKMAN who does not need to be ASHAMED and who CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, because those who INDULGE in it will become more and more UNGODLY. Their TEACHING will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have WANDERED away from the TRUTH. They say that the RESURRECTION has already taken place, and they DESTROY the FAITH of some. NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: "THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS," and, "EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS."
In a large house there are articles not only of GOLD and SILVER, but also of WOOD and CLAY; some are for NOBLE PURPOSE and some for IGNOBLE. If a MAN CLEANSES HIMSELF from the latter, HE will be an INSTRUMENT for NOBLE PURPOSES, MADE HOLY, USEFUL TO THE MASTER and PREPARED to do any GOOD WORK.
Flee the EVIL DESIRES of youth, and PURSE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE and PEACE, along with those who call on the LORD out of a PURE HEART. Don't have anything to do with FOOLISH and STUPID ARGUMENTS, because YOU know they produce QUARRELS. And the LORD'S SERVANT (ME) must not QUARREL; instead, HE must be KIND to everyone, ABLE TO TEACH, NOT RESENTFUL. Those who OPPOSE him HE must GENTLY INSTRUCT, in the HOPE that GOD will grant them REPENTANCE leading them to a KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, and that they will come to their senses and ESCAPE from the TRAP of the DEVIL, who has TAKEN them CAPTIVE to do his will. AMEN!
1TIMOTHY 1:18-2:15 PAUL'S INSTRUCTIONS ON WORSHIP
Timothy, my son, I (PAUL) give YOU this INSTRUCTION in keeping with the prophecies once made about YOU, so that by following them YOU may FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, HOLDING ON TO FAITH and a GOOD CONSCIENCE. Some have REJECTED THESE and so have SHIPWRECKED their FAITH. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to SATAN to be TAUGHT not to BLASPHEME.
INSTRUCTIONS ON WORSHIP
I (PAUL) URGE, THEN, FIRST OF ALL, THAT REQUEST, PRAYERS, INTERCESSION and THANKSGIVING BE MADE FOR EVERYONE - FOR KINGS and ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, that WE may live PEACEFUL and QUIET lives in all GODLINESS and HOLINESS. THIS IS GOOD, and PLEASES GOD OUR SAVIOR, WHO WANTS ALL MEN TO BE SAVED and TO COME TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. For there is ONE GOD and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and MEN, the MAN CHRIST JESUS, WHO GAVE HIMSELF AS A RASOM FOR ALL MEN - the TESTIMONY given in its proper time. And for this PURPOSE I WAS APPOINTED a HERALD and an APOSTLE - I AM TELLING THE TRUTH, I AM NOT LYING - and a TEACHER OF THE TRUE FAITH TO THE GENTLIES. (NON JEWS)
I WANT MEN EVERYWHERE TO LIFT UP HOLY HANDS IN PRAYER, WITHOUT ANGER OR DISPUTING.
I also want women to DRESS MODESTLY, with DECENCY and PROPRIETY, not with BRAIDED HAIR or GOLD or PEARLS or EXPENSIVE CLOTHES, but with GOOD DEEDS, APPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN WHO PROFESS TO WORSHIP GOD.
A WOMAN should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not PERMIT a WOMAN to teach or to have AUTHORITY OVER A MAN; SHE must be SILENT. For ADAM was formed first, then EVE. And ADAM was not the one DECEIVED; it was the WOMAN who was DECEIVED and became a sinner. But WOMEN will be SAVED through childbearing - if they continue in FAITH, LOVE and HOLINESS with PROPRIETY. AMEN!
INSTRUCTIONS ON WORSHIP
I (PAUL) URGE, THEN, FIRST OF ALL, THAT REQUEST, PRAYERS, INTERCESSION and THANKSGIVING BE MADE FOR EVERYONE - FOR KINGS and ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, that WE may live PEACEFUL and QUIET lives in all GODLINESS and HOLINESS. THIS IS GOOD, and PLEASES GOD OUR SAVIOR, WHO WANTS ALL MEN TO BE SAVED and TO COME TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. For there is ONE GOD and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and MEN, the MAN CHRIST JESUS, WHO GAVE HIMSELF AS A RASOM FOR ALL MEN - the TESTIMONY given in its proper time. And for this PURPOSE I WAS APPOINTED a HERALD and an APOSTLE - I AM TELLING THE TRUTH, I AM NOT LYING - and a TEACHER OF THE TRUE FAITH TO THE GENTLIES. (NON JEWS)
I WANT MEN EVERYWHERE TO LIFT UP HOLY HANDS IN PRAYER, WITHOUT ANGER OR DISPUTING.
I also want women to DRESS MODESTLY, with DECENCY and PROPRIETY, not with BRAIDED HAIR or GOLD or PEARLS or EXPENSIVE CLOTHES, but with GOOD DEEDS, APPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN WHO PROFESS TO WORSHIP GOD.
A WOMAN should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not PERMIT a WOMAN to teach or to have AUTHORITY OVER A MAN; SHE must be SILENT. For ADAM was formed first, then EVE. And ADAM was not the one DECEIVED; it was the WOMAN who was DECEIVED and became a sinner. But WOMEN will be SAVED through childbearing - if they continue in FAITH, LOVE and HOLINESS with PROPRIETY. AMEN!
Friday, November 29, 2013
COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 I WORK FOR THE LORD NOT FOR MEN
Whatever YOU do, WORK at it with ALL YOUR HEART, ( THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS, ATTITUDES) as WORKING FOR THE LORD, not for MEN, since YOU KNOW that YOU will RECEIVE an INHERITANCE from the LORD as a REWARD. It is the LORD CHRIST YOU are SERVING. Anyone who does WRONG will be REPAID for HIS WRONG, and there is NO FAVORITISM. AMEN!
COLOSSIANS 1:9-20 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL COMES THROUGH SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
For this reason, since the day WE heard about YOU, WE have not stopped PRAYING for YOU and asking GOD to fill YOU with the KNOWLEDGE of GOD'S WILL through ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM (JESUS CHRIST) and SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING (HOLY SPIRIT). And WE PRAY this in order that YOU may LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD and may PLEASE GOD IN EVERY WAY: BEARING FRUIT in every GOOD WORK, GROWING in KNOWLEDGE of GOD, being STRENGTHENED with ALL POWER according to GOD'S GLORIOUS MIGHT so that YOU may have GREAT ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and JOYFULLY giving THANKS to the FATHER, who has QUALIFIED YOU to SHARE in the INHERITANCE of the SAINTS in the KINGDOM OF LIGHT.(BELIEF) For GOD has RESCUED US from the DOMINION of DARKNESS (UNBELIEF) and brought US into the KINGDOM of the SON GOD LOVES (HEAVEN), in CHRIST WE have REDEMPTION, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST
CHRIST is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD, the FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION. For BY CHRIST ALL THINGS WERE CREATED: THINGS IN HEAVEN and ON EARTH, VISIBLE and INVISIBLE, whether THRONES or POWERS or RULERS or AUTHORITIES; ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST. CHRIST IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, and IN CHRIST ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. And CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH; CHRIST IS THE BEGINNING and THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, SO THAT IN EVERYTHING CHRIST MIGHT HAVE THE SUPREMACY. For GOD was PLEASED to HAVE ALL GOD'S FULLNESS DWELL IN CHRIST, and to RECONCILE to HIMSELF ALL THINGS, whether THINGS ON EARTH or THINGS IN HEAVEN, by making PEACE THROUGH CHRIST'S BLOOD, SHED ON THE CROSS. AMEN!
THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST
CHRIST is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD, the FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION. For BY CHRIST ALL THINGS WERE CREATED: THINGS IN HEAVEN and ON EARTH, VISIBLE and INVISIBLE, whether THRONES or POWERS or RULERS or AUTHORITIES; ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST. CHRIST IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, and IN CHRIST ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. And CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH; CHRIST IS THE BEGINNING and THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, SO THAT IN EVERYTHING CHRIST MIGHT HAVE THE SUPREMACY. For GOD was PLEASED to HAVE ALL GOD'S FULLNESS DWELL IN CHRIST, and to RECONCILE to HIMSELF ALL THINGS, whether THINGS ON EARTH or THINGS IN HEAVEN, by making PEACE THROUGH CHRIST'S BLOOD, SHED ON THE CROSS. AMEN!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 GOD'S PROMISE THAT HIS PEACE WILL BE WITH ME
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I will say it again: REJOICE! Let MY GENTLENESS be EVIDENT to all. The LORD is NEAR. Do not be ANXIOUS about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER and PETITION, WITH THANKGIVING, PRESENT MY REQUEST TO GOD. And the PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GAURD MY HEART (THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS, ATTITUDES) and MY MIND (LOGIC and REASONING) IN CHRIST JESUS.
FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS NOBLE, WHATEVER IS RIGHT, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE - IF ANYTHING IS EXCELLENT OR PRAISEWORTHY - MEDITATE ON SUCH THINGS. WHATEVER YOU HAVE LEARNED OR RECEIVED OR HEARD FROM ME, OR SEEN IN ME - PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. AND THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU. AMEN!
WHAT A PROMISE!
FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS NOBLE, WHATEVER IS RIGHT, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE - IF ANYTHING IS EXCELLENT OR PRAISEWORTHY - MEDITATE ON SUCH THINGS. WHATEVER YOU HAVE LEARNED OR RECEIVED OR HEARD FROM ME, OR SEEN IN ME - PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. AND THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU. AMEN!
WHAT A PROMISE!
Monday, November 25, 2013
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 IMITATING CHRIST'S HUMILITY
If YOU have any ENCOURAGMENT from being UNITED with CHRIST, if any COMFORT from CHRIST'S LOVE, if any FELLOWSHIP with the SPIRIT, if any TENDERNESS and COMPASSION, then MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE by BEING LIKE MINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, BEING ONE IN spirit and PURPOSE. Do NOTHING out of SELFISH AMBITION or VAIN CONCEIT, but in HUMILITY CONSIDER others BETTER than YOURSELVES. Each of YOU SHOULD LOOK not only to YOUR OWN INTREST, but also to the INTREST OF OTHERS.
MY ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRIST JESUS:
WHO, BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD, DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED, but MADE HIMSELF NOTHING, TAKING THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT, BEING MADE IN HUMAN LIKENESS. AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, CHRIST HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH - EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS!
THEREFORE GOD EXALTED CHRIST TO THE HIGHEST PLACE AND GAVE CHRIST THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN and ON EARTH and UNDER THE EARTH, and EVERY TOUNGE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER. AMEN!
MY ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRIST JESUS:
WHO, BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD, DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED, but MADE HIMSELF NOTHING, TAKING THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT, BEING MADE IN HUMAN LIKENESS. AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, CHRIST HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH - EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS!
THEREFORE GOD EXALTED CHRIST TO THE HIGHEST PLACE AND GAVE CHRIST THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN and ON EARTH and UNDER THE EARTH, and EVERY TOUNGE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER. AMEN!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
EPHESIANS 6:10-18 PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
Finally, BE STRONG in the LORD and in HIS MIGHTY POWER. Put on the FULL ARMOR of GOD so that I can take MY STAND against the DEVIL'S SCHEMES. For MY STRUGGLE is not against FLESH and BLOOD, but against the RULERS, against the AUTHORITIES, against the POWERS of this DARK WORLD and against the SPIRITUAL FORCES of EVIL in the HEAVENLY REALMS. THEREFORE put on the FULL ARMOR of GOD, so that when the DAY OF EVIL comes I may be ABLE to STAND MY GROUND, and after I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, to STAND. STAND FIRM THEN, with the BELT OF TRUTH BUCKLED AROUND MY WAIST, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN PLACE, and with MY FEET FITTED WITH THE READINESS THAT FROM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. In addition to all this, I TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, with which I CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. I Take THE HELMET OF SALVATION and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD. I PRAY IN THE SPIRIT ON ALL OCCASIONS WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS and REQUEST. With this in MIND, MAY I BE ALERT and ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING FOR ALL THE SAINTS. AMEN!
Friday, November 22, 2013
EPHESIANS 1:17-4:16 CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH
So do not be ASHAMED to TESTIFY about OUR LORD, or ASHAMED of ME HIS PRISONER. But join with ME in suffering for the GOSPEL, by the POWER OF GOD, WHO HAS SAVED US and CALLED US to a HOLY LIFE - not because of anything WE have done but because of GOD'S OWN PURPOSE and GRACE. This GRACE was given US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE the BEGINNING of TIME, but it has now been REVEALED through the APPEARING of OUR SAVIOR, CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS DESTROYED DEATH and has brought LIFE and IMMORTALITY to LIGHT through the GOSPEL. And of this GOSPEL I was APPOINTED a HERALD and an APOSTLE and a TEACHER. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ASHAMED, because I KNOW whom I have BELIEVED, and am CONVINCED that GOD is able to guard what I have ENTRUSTED to HIM for that DAY.
What YOU heard from ME, keep as the PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING, with FAITH and LOVE in CHRIST JESUS.
Guard the GOOD DEPOSIT that was ENTRUSTED to YOU - guard it with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US.
YOU know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted ME, including Phygelus and Hermongenes. May the LORD show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed ME and was not ASHAMED of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for ME until he found ME. May the LORD grant that he will find mercy from the LORD on that DAY! YOU know very well in how many ways he helped ME in Ephesus.
YOU then, my SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. And the things YOU have heard ME say in the presence of many WITNESSES ENTRUST to RELIABLE MEN who will also be QUALIFIED to TEACH OTHERS. ENDURE HARDSHIP with US like a GOOD SOLDIER of CHRIST JESUS. No one SERVING as a SOLDIER gets INVOLVED in CIVILIAN AFFAIRS - HE wants to PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER. (GOD) SIMILARLY, if anyone COMPETES as a ATHLETE, HE does not RECEIEVE the VICTOR'S CROWN unless HE COMPETES ACCORDING to the RULES. The HARDWORKING FARMER should be the FIRST to RECIEVE A SHARE of the CROPS. REFLECT on what I am saying, for the LORD will give YOU INSIGHT into all this.
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. This is MY GOSPEL, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But GOD'S WORD is not chained. THEREFORE I ENDURE everything for the sake of the ELECT, that they too may OBTAIN the SALVATION that is in CHRIST JESUS, with ETERNAL GLORY. Here is a TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: If WE DIED WITH HIM (CHRIST), WE WILL ALSO LIVE HIM (CHRIST); IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM (CHRIST). IF WE DISOWN HIM (CHRIST), HE (CHRIST) WILL ALSO DISOWN US; IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE (CHRIST) WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE (CHRIST) CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF.
A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before GOD against QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS; it is of no VALUE, and only RUINS those who LISTEN. Do your best to PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKMAN who does not need to be ASHAMED and who CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, because those who INDULGE in it will become more and more UNGODLY. Their TEACHING will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have WANDERED away from the TRUTH. They say that the RESURRECTION has already taken place, and they DESTROY the FAITH of some. NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: "THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS," and, "EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS."
In a large house there are articles not only of GOLD and SILVER, but also of WOOD and CLAY; some are for NOBLE PURPOSE and some for IGNOBLE. If a MAN CLEANSES HIMSELF from the latter, HE will be an INSTRUMENT for NOBLE PURPOSES, MADE HOLY, USEFUL TO THE MASTER and PREPARED to do any GOOD WORK.
Flee the EVIL DESIRES of youth, and PURSE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE and PEACE, along with those who call on the LORD out of a PURE HEART. Don't have anything to do with FOOLISH and STUPID ARGUMENTS, because YOU know they produce QUARRELS. And the LORD'S SERVANT (ME) must not QUARREL; instead, HE must be KIND to everyone, ABLE TO TEACH, NOT RESENTFUL. Those who OPPOSE him HE must GENTLY INSTRUCT, in the HOPE that GOD will grant them REPENTANCE leading them to a KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, and that they will come to their senses and ESCAPE from the TRAP of the DEVIL, who has TAKEN them CAPTIVE to do his will. AMEN!
What YOU heard from ME, keep as the PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING, with FAITH and LOVE in CHRIST JESUS.
Guard the GOOD DEPOSIT that was ENTRUSTED to YOU - guard it with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US.
YOU know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted ME, including Phygelus and Hermongenes. May the LORD show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed ME and was not ASHAMED of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for ME until he found ME. May the LORD grant that he will find mercy from the LORD on that DAY! YOU know very well in how many ways he helped ME in Ephesus.
YOU then, my SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. And the things YOU have heard ME say in the presence of many WITNESSES ENTRUST to RELIABLE MEN who will also be QUALIFIED to TEACH OTHERS. ENDURE HARDSHIP with US like a GOOD SOLDIER of CHRIST JESUS. No one SERVING as a SOLDIER gets INVOLVED in CIVILIAN AFFAIRS - HE wants to PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER. (GOD) SIMILARLY, if anyone COMPETES as a ATHLETE, HE does not RECEIEVE the VICTOR'S CROWN unless HE COMPETES ACCORDING to the RULES. The HARDWORKING FARMER should be the FIRST to RECIEVE A SHARE of the CROPS. REFLECT on what I am saying, for the LORD will give YOU INSIGHT into all this.
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. This is MY GOSPEL, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But GOD'S WORD is not chained. THEREFORE I ENDURE everything for the sake of the ELECT, that they too may OBTAIN the SALVATION that is in CHRIST JESUS, with ETERNAL GLORY. Here is a TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: If WE DIED WITH HIM (CHRIST), WE WILL ALSO LIVE HIM (CHRIST); IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM (CHRIST). IF WE DISOWN HIM (CHRIST), HE (CHRIST) WILL ALSO DISOWN US; IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE (CHRIST) WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE (CHRIST) CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF.
A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before GOD against QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS; it is of no VALUE, and only RUINS those who LISTEN. Do your best to PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKMAN who does not need to be ASHAMED and who CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, because those who INDULGE in it will become more and more UNGODLY. Their TEACHING will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have WANDERED away from the TRUTH. They say that the RESURRECTION has already taken place, and they DESTROY the FAITH of some. NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: "THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS," and, "EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS."
In a large house there are articles not only of GOLD and SILVER, but also of WOOD and CLAY; some are for NOBLE PURPOSE and some for IGNOBLE. If a MAN CLEANSES HIMSELF from the latter, HE will be an INSTRUMENT for NOBLE PURPOSES, MADE HOLY, USEFUL TO THE MASTER and PREPARED to do any GOOD WORK.
Flee the EVIL DESIRES of youth, and PURSE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE and PEACE, along with those who call on the LORD out of a PURE HEART. Don't have anything to do with FOOLISH and STUPID ARGUMENTS, because YOU know they produce QUARRELS. And the LORD'S SERVANT (ME) must not QUARREL; instead, HE must be KIND to everyone, ABLE TO TEACH, NOT RESENTFUL. Those who OPPOSE him HE must GENTLY INSTRUCT, in the HOPE that GOD will grant them REPENTANCE leading them to a KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, and that they will come to their senses and ESCAPE from the TRAP of the DEVIL, who has TAKEN them CAPTIVE to do his will. AMEN!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
GALATIANS 5:13-6:10 LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT GIVES FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE
You, MY BROTHERS, were CALLED to be FREE. But do not use YOUR FREEDOM to INDULGE the SINFUL NATURE; rather serve one another in LOVE. The entire LAW is summed up in a single command: "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." If YOU keep on BITING and DEVOURING each other, watch out or YOU will be DESTROYED by each other.
So I say, LIVE by the SPIRIT, and YOU will not GRATIFY the DESIRES of the SINFUL NATURE. For the SINFUL NATURE DESIRES what is CONTRARY to the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT what is CONTRARY to the SINFUL NATURE. They are in CONFLICT with each other, so that YOU do not do what YOU want. But if YOU are led by the SPIRIT, YOU are not under LAW.
The acts of the SINFUL NATURE are OBVIOUS: SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY and DEBAUCHERY; IDOLATRY and WITCHCRAFT; HATRED, DISCORD, JEALOUSY, FIT OF RAGE, SELFISH AMBITION, DISSENSIONS, FACTIONS and ENVEY; DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES and the like. I WARN YOU, as I did before, that those who LIVE like this will NOT INHERIT the KINGDOM of GOD.
But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and INNER SELF CONTROL. Against such things there is no LAW. Those who BELONG to CHRIST JESUS have CRUCIFIED the SINFUL NATURE with its PASSIONS and DESIRES. Since WE LIVE by the SPIRIT, let US keep in STEP with SPIRIT. Let US NOT BECOME CONCEITED, PROVOKING AND ENVYING EACH OTHER.
DOING GOOD TO ALL
BROTHERS, if SOMEONE is caught in a SIN, YOU who are SPIRITUAL should RESTORE HIM GENTLY. But WATCH YOURSELF, or YOU also may BE TEMPTED. Carry each other's BURDENS, and in this way YOU WILL FULFILL the LAW of CHRIST. If anyone THINKS HE is SOMETHING when HE is NOTHING, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF. Each ONE SHOULD TEST HIS OWN ACTIONS. Then HE CAN TAKE PRIDE in HIMSELF, without COMPARING HIMSELF to SOMEBODY ELSE, for each ONE SHOULD CARRY HIS OWN LOAD. Anyone who RECEIVES INSTRUCTION in the WORD MUST SHARE ALL GOOD THINGS WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR.
Do not be DECEIVED: GOD CANNOT BE MOCK. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS. THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE. LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. THEREFORE, AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY, LET US DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE FAMILY OF BELIEVERS. AMEN!
So I say, LIVE by the SPIRIT, and YOU will not GRATIFY the DESIRES of the SINFUL NATURE. For the SINFUL NATURE DESIRES what is CONTRARY to the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT what is CONTRARY to the SINFUL NATURE. They are in CONFLICT with each other, so that YOU do not do what YOU want. But if YOU are led by the SPIRIT, YOU are not under LAW.
The acts of the SINFUL NATURE are OBVIOUS: SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY and DEBAUCHERY; IDOLATRY and WITCHCRAFT; HATRED, DISCORD, JEALOUSY, FIT OF RAGE, SELFISH AMBITION, DISSENSIONS, FACTIONS and ENVEY; DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES and the like. I WARN YOU, as I did before, that those who LIVE like this will NOT INHERIT the KINGDOM of GOD.
But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and INNER SELF CONTROL. Against such things there is no LAW. Those who BELONG to CHRIST JESUS have CRUCIFIED the SINFUL NATURE with its PASSIONS and DESIRES. Since WE LIVE by the SPIRIT, let US keep in STEP with SPIRIT. Let US NOT BECOME CONCEITED, PROVOKING AND ENVYING EACH OTHER.
DOING GOOD TO ALL
BROTHERS, if SOMEONE is caught in a SIN, YOU who are SPIRITUAL should RESTORE HIM GENTLY. But WATCH YOURSELF, or YOU also may BE TEMPTED. Carry each other's BURDENS, and in this way YOU WILL FULFILL the LAW of CHRIST. If anyone THINKS HE is SOMETHING when HE is NOTHING, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF. Each ONE SHOULD TEST HIS OWN ACTIONS. Then HE CAN TAKE PRIDE in HIMSELF, without COMPARING HIMSELF to SOMEBODY ELSE, for each ONE SHOULD CARRY HIS OWN LOAD. Anyone who RECEIVES INSTRUCTION in the WORD MUST SHARE ALL GOOD THINGS WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR.
Do not be DECEIVED: GOD CANNOT BE MOCK. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS. THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE. LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. THEREFORE, AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY, LET US DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE FAMILY OF BELIEVERS. AMEN!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
2CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 WE DO NOT WAGE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES
For though WE LIVE in the WORLD, WE DO NOT WAGE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES. The WEAPONS WE FIGHT with are not the WEAPONS of the WORLD. On the CONTRARY, they have DIVINE POWER to DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS. We DEMOLISH ARUMENTS and every PRETENSION that set itself up against the KNOWLEDGE of GOD, and WE take CAPTIVE every thought to make it OBEDIENT to CHRIST. (WHEN WE OBEY AND PRAY THE WORD, THE ENEMY IS DEFEATED) AMEN!
2CORINTHINS 9:8 GOD WILL SUPPORT ALL YOUR GOOD WORKS
And GOD is ABLE to make ALL GRACE ABOUND to YOU, so that in ALL THINGS at ALL TIMES, HAVING ALL THAT YOU NEED, YOU WILL ABOUND IN EVERY GOOD WORK.
AMEN!
AMEN!
2CORINTHIANS 2:14-3:18 MINISTERS OF THE NEW COVENANT
But thanks be to GOD, who ALWAYS LEADS us in TRIUMPHAL procession in CHRIST and through us SPREADS EVERYWHERE the FRAGRANCE of the KNOWLEDGE of GOD. For WE are to GOD the AROMA of CHRIST among those who are being SAVED and those who are PERISHING. To the ONE WE are the SMELL of DEATH; to the OTHER, the FRAGRANCE of LIFE. And who is EQUAL to such a task? Unlike so many, WE do not PEDDLE the WORD of GOD for PROFIT. On the CONTRARY, IN CHRIST WE SPEAK BEFORE GOD WITH SINCERITY, LIKE MEN SENT FROM GOD.
Are WE beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do WE need, like some people, letters of recommendation to YOU or from YOU? YOU yourselves are OUR letter, WRITTEN on OUR HEARTS, known and read by EVERBODY. YOU SHOW that YOU are a letter from CHRIST, the RESULT of OUR MINISTRY, WRITTEN not with ink but with the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, not on tablets of STONE but on tablets of HUMAN HEARTS.
Such CONFIDENCE as this is OURS through CHRIST before GOD. Not that WE are COMPETENT in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but OUR COMPETENCE come from GOD. HE has made US COMPETENT as MINISTERS of a NEW COVENANT- not of the letter but of the SPIRIT; for the letter KILLS, but the SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
THE GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT
Now if the MINISTRY that brought DEATH, which was ENGRAVED in letters on STONE, came with GLORY, so that the ISRAELITES could not look steadily at the face of MOSES because of its GLORY, fading through it was, will not the MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT be even more GLORIOUS? If the MINISTRY that CONDEMNS MEN (THE OLD COVENANT) is GLORIOUS, how much more GLORIOUS is the MINISTRY that brings RIGHTEOUSNESS! (THE NEW COVENANT) For what was GLORIOUS has no GLORY now in COMPARISON with the SURPASSING GLORY.(THE NEW COVENANT) And if what was FADING away came with GLORY, how much GREATER is the GLORY of that which LAST! (THE NEW COVENANT)
THEREFORE, since WE have such a HOPE, WE are VERY BOLD. We are not like MOSES, who would put a VEIL over his face to keep the ISRAELITES from gazing at it while the RADIANCE was FADING away. But their MINDS were made DULL, for to this day the same VEIL remains when the OLD COVENANT is read. It has not been removed, because ONLY IN CHRIST IS IT TAKEN AWAY. Even to this day when MOSES is read, a VEIL covers their HEARTS. (INNER MAN) But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the VEIL is taken away. Now the LORD is the SPIRIT, and where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, there is FREEDOM. And WE, who with UNVEILED FACES all REFLECT the LORD,S GLORY, are being TRANSFORMED into the LORD,S LIKENESS with EVER-INCREASING GLORY, which comes from the LORD, WHO IS THE SPIRIT. AMEN!
Are WE beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do WE need, like some people, letters of recommendation to YOU or from YOU? YOU yourselves are OUR letter, WRITTEN on OUR HEARTS, known and read by EVERBODY. YOU SHOW that YOU are a letter from CHRIST, the RESULT of OUR MINISTRY, WRITTEN not with ink but with the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, not on tablets of STONE but on tablets of HUMAN HEARTS.
Such CONFIDENCE as this is OURS through CHRIST before GOD. Not that WE are COMPETENT in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but OUR COMPETENCE come from GOD. HE has made US COMPETENT as MINISTERS of a NEW COVENANT- not of the letter but of the SPIRIT; for the letter KILLS, but the SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
THE GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT
Now if the MINISTRY that brought DEATH, which was ENGRAVED in letters on STONE, came with GLORY, so that the ISRAELITES could not look steadily at the face of MOSES because of its GLORY, fading through it was, will not the MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT be even more GLORIOUS? If the MINISTRY that CONDEMNS MEN (THE OLD COVENANT) is GLORIOUS, how much more GLORIOUS is the MINISTRY that brings RIGHTEOUSNESS! (THE NEW COVENANT) For what was GLORIOUS has no GLORY now in COMPARISON with the SURPASSING GLORY.(THE NEW COVENANT) And if what was FADING away came with GLORY, how much GREATER is the GLORY of that which LAST! (THE NEW COVENANT)
THEREFORE, since WE have such a HOPE, WE are VERY BOLD. We are not like MOSES, who would put a VEIL over his face to keep the ISRAELITES from gazing at it while the RADIANCE was FADING away. But their MINDS were made DULL, for to this day the same VEIL remains when the OLD COVENANT is read. It has not been removed, because ONLY IN CHRIST IS IT TAKEN AWAY. Even to this day when MOSES is read, a VEIL covers their HEARTS. (INNER MAN) But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the VEIL is taken away. Now the LORD is the SPIRIT, and where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, there is FREEDOM. And WE, who with UNVEILED FACES all REFLECT the LORD,S GLORY, are being TRANSFORMED into the LORD,S LIKENESS with EVER-INCREASING GLORY, which comes from the LORD, WHO IS THE SPIRIT. AMEN!
Monday, November 18, 2013
2 CORINTHIANS 1:18-22 GOD IS FAITHFUL
But as surely as GOD IS FAITHFUL, our MESSAGE to you is NOT "YES" and "NO". For the SON of GOD, JESUS CHRIST, who was PREACHED among you by me (PAUL) and SILAS and TIMOTHY, was not "YES" and "NO", but in CHRIST it has ALWAYS been "YES". For no matter how many PROMISES GOD has made they are "YES" in CHRIST. And so THROUGH CHRIST the "AMEN" is SPOKEN by us to the GLORY of GOD. NOW IT IS GOD WHO MAKES BOTH US AND YOU STAND FIRM IN CHRIST. GOD ANOINTED US, SET HIS SEAL OF OWERNERSHIP ON US, and put HIS SPIRIT in our HEARTS (INNER MAN) as a DEPOSIT, GUARANTEEING WHAT IS TO COME (CHRIST).
Monday, October 28, 2013
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11 GOD'S COMFORTS TO ALL OF US
PRAISE be to the GOD and FATHER of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of COMPASSION and the GOD of ALL COMFORT, who COMFORTS US in all OUR TROUBLES, so that WE can COMFORT those in any TROUBLE with the COMFORT WE ourselves have RECEIVED from GOD. For just as the SUFFERINGS of CHRIST flow over into OUR LIVES, so also through CHRIST OUR COMFORT OVERFLOWS. If WE are DISTRESSED, it is for YOUR COMFORT and SALVATION; if WE are COMFORTED, it is for YOUR COMFORT, which PRODUCES in YOU PATIENT ENDURANCE of the same SUFFERINGS WE SUFFER. And OUR HOPE for YOU is FIRM, because WE know that just as YOU share in OUR SUFFERINGS, so also YOU share in OUR COMFORT.
WE do not want YOU to be UNINFORMED, BROTHERS, about the HARDSHIPS WE SUFFERED in the province of ASIA. WE were under great pressure, far beyond OUR ABILITY to ENDURE, so that WE DESPAIRED even of LIFE. Indeed, in OUR HEARTS WE felt the SENTENCE of DEATH. But this HAPPEN that WE might not RELY on OURSELVES but GOD, WHO RAISES the DEAD. GOD has DELIVERED US from such a DEADLY PERIL (THE PAST), AND GOD will DELIVER US (THE PRESENT). On GOD WE have set OUR HOPE that GOD will CONTINUE to DELIVER US (THE FUTURE), as YOU HELP US BY YOURS PRAYERS. Then many will GIVE THANKS on OUR behalf for the GRACIOUS FAVOR GRANTED US in ANSWER to the PRAYERS of many. (SO WE MUST PRAY)
WE do not want YOU to be UNINFORMED, BROTHERS, about the HARDSHIPS WE SUFFERED in the province of ASIA. WE were under great pressure, far beyond OUR ABILITY to ENDURE, so that WE DESPAIRED even of LIFE. Indeed, in OUR HEARTS WE felt the SENTENCE of DEATH. But this HAPPEN that WE might not RELY on OURSELVES but GOD, WHO RAISES the DEAD. GOD has DELIVERED US from such a DEADLY PERIL (THE PAST), AND GOD will DELIVER US (THE PRESENT). On GOD WE have set OUR HOPE that GOD will CONTINUE to DELIVER US (THE FUTURE), as YOU HELP US BY YOURS PRAYERS. Then many will GIVE THANKS on OUR behalf for the GRACIOUS FAVOR GRANTED US in ANSWER to the PRAYERS of many. (SO WE MUST PRAY)
Sunday, October 27, 2013
1CORINTHIANS 15:1-10a THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
NOW, BROTHERS, I want to remind you of the GOSPEL I PREACHED to you, which YOU RECEIVED and on which YOU have taken YOUR STAND. By this GOSPEL YOU are SAVED, If YOU HOLD FIRMLY to the WORD I PREACHED TO YOU. Otherwise, YOU have BELIEVED IN VAIN.
For what I RECEIVED I PASSED on to YOU as of FIRST IMPORTANCE: that CHRIST DIED for OUR SINS ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES, that CHRIST was BURIED, that CHRIST was RAISED on the THIRD DAY ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES, and that CHRIST APPEARED TO PETER, and then to the TWELVE. After that, CHRIST APPEARED to more than FIVE HUNDRED of the BROTHERS at the SAME TIME, most of whom are STILL LIVING, though some have FALLEN ASLEEP. Then CHRIST APPEARED to JAMES, then to ALL the APOSTLES, and last of all CHRIST APPEARED to ME also, as to ONE ABNORMALLY BORN.
For I am the LEAST of the APOSTLES and do not even DESERVE to be CALLED an APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED the CHURCH OF GOD. But by the GRACE OF GOD I am what I am, and GOD'S GRACE TO ME was NOT WITHOUT EFFECT. AMEN!
For what I RECEIVED I PASSED on to YOU as of FIRST IMPORTANCE: that CHRIST DIED for OUR SINS ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES, that CHRIST was BURIED, that CHRIST was RAISED on the THIRD DAY ACCORDING to the SCRIPTURES, and that CHRIST APPEARED TO PETER, and then to the TWELVE. After that, CHRIST APPEARED to more than FIVE HUNDRED of the BROTHERS at the SAME TIME, most of whom are STILL LIVING, though some have FALLEN ASLEEP. Then CHRIST APPEARED to JAMES, then to ALL the APOSTLES, and last of all CHRIST APPEARED to ME also, as to ONE ABNORMALLY BORN.
For I am the LEAST of the APOSTLES and do not even DESERVE to be CALLED an APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED the CHURCH OF GOD. But by the GRACE OF GOD I am what I am, and GOD'S GRACE TO ME was NOT WITHOUT EFFECT. AMEN!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
1CORINTHIANS 13:1-13 LOVE THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY
If I SPEAK in the TONGUES of MEN and ANGELS, but have not LOVE, I am only a RESOUNDING GONG or a CLANGING CYMBAL. If I have the GIFT of PROPHECY and can FATHOM ALL MYSTERIES and ALL KNOWLEDGE, and if I have FAITH that can MOVE MOUNTAINS, but have not LOVE, I am NOTHING. If I give ALL I POSSESS to the POOR and SURRENDER my BODY to the FLAMES but have not LOVE, I GAIN NOTHING.
("GOD'S WORD TO ME, IS GOD'S LOVE FOR ME, GOD's LOVE IS, THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY")
LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. It does not ENVY, it does not BOAST, it is not PROUD. It is NOT RUDE, it is not SELF-SEEKING, it is not EASILY ANGERED, it KEEPS NO RECORD of WRONGS. LOVE does not DELIGHT IN EVIL but REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. LOVE ALWAYS PROTECT, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES.
LOVE NEVER FAILS. But where there are PROPHECIES, they will CEASE; where there are TONGUES, they will be STILLED; where there is KNOWLEDGE, it will PASS AWAY. For WE KNOW in part and WE PROPHESY in part, but when PERFECTION COMES (JESUS CHRIST), the IMPERFECT DISAPPEARS. When I was a CHILD, I TALKED like a child, I THOUGHT like a child, I REASONED like a child. When I BECAME A MAN (MATURE IN CHRIST), I put childish ways BEHIND ME. Now WE SEE but a POOR REFLECTION as in a MIRROR; then WE SHALL SEE GOD FACE TO FACE. NOW, I KNOW in part; THEN I SHALL KNOW GOD'S WORD FULLY, even as I AM FULLY KNOWN. (GOD FULLY KNOWS US)
And now these THREE REMAIN: FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. But the GREATEST of these is LOVE.
("GOD'S WORD TO ME, IS GOD'S LOVE FOR ME, GOD's LOVE IS, THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY")
LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. It does not ENVY, it does not BOAST, it is not PROUD. It is NOT RUDE, it is not SELF-SEEKING, it is not EASILY ANGERED, it KEEPS NO RECORD of WRONGS. LOVE does not DELIGHT IN EVIL but REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. LOVE ALWAYS PROTECT, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES.
LOVE NEVER FAILS. But where there are PROPHECIES, they will CEASE; where there are TONGUES, they will be STILLED; where there is KNOWLEDGE, it will PASS AWAY. For WE KNOW in part and WE PROPHESY in part, but when PERFECTION COMES (JESUS CHRIST), the IMPERFECT DISAPPEARS. When I was a CHILD, I TALKED like a child, I THOUGHT like a child, I REASONED like a child. When I BECAME A MAN (MATURE IN CHRIST), I put childish ways BEHIND ME. Now WE SEE but a POOR REFLECTION as in a MIRROR; then WE SHALL SEE GOD FACE TO FACE. NOW, I KNOW in part; THEN I SHALL KNOW GOD'S WORD FULLY, even as I AM FULLY KNOWN. (GOD FULLY KNOWS US)
And now these THREE REMAIN: FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. But the GREATEST of these is LOVE.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
1CORINTHIANS 6:18-7:17 MARRIAGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR HUSBANDS AND WIFES
MEN, FLEE FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. ALL other SINS a man commits are outside his body, but HE who SINS sexually SINS against his own body. Do you know that your body is a TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT, who is in you, whom you have RECIEVED from GOD? YOU are not your own; you were BOUGHT at a PRICE. THEREFORE HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY.
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is GOOD for a man not to have SEXUAL RELATION with a woman. But since there is so much IMMORALITY, each man should have his own WIFE, and each woman her own HUSBAND. The HUSBAND should fulfill his MARITAL DUTY to his WIFE, and likewise the WIFE to her HUSBAND.
The WIFE'S body does not belong to her alone but also to her HUSBAND. In the same way, the HUSBAND'S body does not belong to him alone but also to his WIFE. Do not DEPRIVE each other except by MUTUAL CONSENT and for time, so that you may DEVOTE yourselves to PRAYER. Then come together again so that SATAN will not TEMPT you BECAUSE of your lack of (INNER) SELF-CONTROL. I say this as a CONCESSION, not as a COMMAND. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own GIFT from GOD; one has this GIFT, another has that.
Now to the UNMARRIED and the WIDOWS I say: It is GOOD for them to stay UNMARRIED, as I am. But if they CANNOT CONTROL themselves, they should MARRY, for it is BETTER to MARRY than to burn with PASSION.
To the MARRIED I give this COMMAND (not I, but the Lord): A WIFE must not SEPERATE from her HUSBAND. But if she does, she must REMAIN UNMARRIED or else be RECONCILED to her HUSBAND. And a HUSBAND must not DIVORCE his WIFE.
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any BROTHER has a WIFE who is not a BELIEVER and she is willing to LIVE with him, he must not DIVORCE her. And if a woman has a HUSBAND who is not a BELEIVER and he is willing to LIVE with her, she must not DIVORCE him. For the UNBELIEVING HUSBAND has been SANCTIFIED through his WIFE, and the UNBELIEVING WIFE has been SANCTIFIED through her BELIEVING HUSBAND. Otherwise your CHILDREN would be UNCLEAN, but as it is, they are HOLY.
But if the UNBELIEVER leaves, let him do so. A BELIEVING man or woman is not BOUND in such CIRCUMSTANCES; GOD has CALLED us to LIVE in PEACE. How do you know, WIFE, weather you will save your HUSBAND? Or, how do you know, HUSBAND, weather you will save your WIFE?
NEVERTHELESS, each one should RETAIN the PLACE in LIFE that the Lord ASSIGNED to him and to which GOD has CALLED him. This is the RULE I lay down in all the CHURCHES.
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is GOOD for a man not to have SEXUAL RELATION with a woman. But since there is so much IMMORALITY, each man should have his own WIFE, and each woman her own HUSBAND. The HUSBAND should fulfill his MARITAL DUTY to his WIFE, and likewise the WIFE to her HUSBAND.
The WIFE'S body does not belong to her alone but also to her HUSBAND. In the same way, the HUSBAND'S body does not belong to him alone but also to his WIFE. Do not DEPRIVE each other except by MUTUAL CONSENT and for time, so that you may DEVOTE yourselves to PRAYER. Then come together again so that SATAN will not TEMPT you BECAUSE of your lack of (INNER) SELF-CONTROL. I say this as a CONCESSION, not as a COMMAND. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own GIFT from GOD; one has this GIFT, another has that.
Now to the UNMARRIED and the WIDOWS I say: It is GOOD for them to stay UNMARRIED, as I am. But if they CANNOT CONTROL themselves, they should MARRY, for it is BETTER to MARRY than to burn with PASSION.
To the MARRIED I give this COMMAND (not I, but the Lord): A WIFE must not SEPERATE from her HUSBAND. But if she does, she must REMAIN UNMARRIED or else be RECONCILED to her HUSBAND. And a HUSBAND must not DIVORCE his WIFE.
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any BROTHER has a WIFE who is not a BELIEVER and she is willing to LIVE with him, he must not DIVORCE her. And if a woman has a HUSBAND who is not a BELEIVER and he is willing to LIVE with her, she must not DIVORCE him. For the UNBELIEVING HUSBAND has been SANCTIFIED through his WIFE, and the UNBELIEVING WIFE has been SANCTIFIED through her BELIEVING HUSBAND. Otherwise your CHILDREN would be UNCLEAN, but as it is, they are HOLY.
But if the UNBELIEVER leaves, let him do so. A BELIEVING man or woman is not BOUND in such CIRCUMSTANCES; GOD has CALLED us to LIVE in PEACE. How do you know, WIFE, weather you will save your HUSBAND? Or, how do you know, HUSBAND, weather you will save your WIFE?
NEVERTHELESS, each one should RETAIN the PLACE in LIFE that the Lord ASSIGNED to him and to which GOD has CALLED him. This is the RULE I lay down in all the CHURCHES.
1CORINTHIANS 3:1-23 ON DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH
BROTHERS, I could not address YOU as SPIRITUAL but as WORLDY- mere INFANTS in CHRIST. I gave YOU milk, not solid FOOD (SPIRITUAL FOOD), for YOU were not yet READY. YOU are still WORDLY. For since there is JEALOUSY and QUARRELING among YOU, are YOU NOT WORDLY? Are YOU NOT acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow PAUL," and another, "I follow APOLLOS," are YOU not mere men?
What, after all, is APOLLOS? And what is PAUL? Only servants, through whom YOU came to BELIEVE- as the Lord has ASSIGNED to each HIS TASK. I PLANTED the SEED, APOLLOS WATERED IT, but GOD MADE IT GROW. So NEITHER HE WHO PLANTS NOR HE WHO WATERS is ANYTHING, but ONLY GOD, WHO MAKES THINGS GROW. The MAN who PLANTS and the MAN who WATERS have ONE PURPOSE, and each will be REWARDED ACCORDING to HIS OWN LABOR. For WE are GOD'S fellow workers; YOU are GOD'S FIELD, GOD'S BUILDING.
BY the GRACE GOD has given me, I laid a FOUNDATION as an EXPERT BUILDER, and someone else is building on it. (ME) But each one should be CAREFUL how he builds. For no one can lay any FOUNDATION other than the one ALREADY LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.
If any man builds on this FOUNDATION using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, HIS WORK will be SHOWN for what it is, BECAUSE the DAY (JUDGEMENT) will bring it to LIGHT. It will be REVEALED with FIRE, and the FIRE will TEST the QUALITY of each man's WORK. If what HE has built SURVIVES, HE will RECIEVE HIS REWARD. If it is BURNED UP, HE will SUFFER LOSS; HE himself will be SAVED, but only as one ESCAPING through the FLAMES
Don't YOU KNOW that YOU yourselves are GOD'S TEMPLE and that GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU? If anyone DESTROYS GOD'S TEMPLE, GOD will DESTROY HIM; for GOD'S TEMPLE is SACRED, and YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE.
DO NOT DECIEVE YOURSELVES, If any one of you thinks he is WISE by the STANDARDS of this AGE, he should become a "FOOL" so that he may become WISE. For the WISDOM of this WORLD is FOOLISHNESS in GOD'S SIGHT. As it is WRITTEN: "HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTNESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THAT THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE ARE FUTILE." So then, no more BOASTING about men! ALL things are yours, WHETHER PAUL or APOLLOS or CEPHAS or the WORLD or LIFE or DEATH or the PRESENT or the FUTURE- ALL ARE YOURS, and YOU ARE OF CHRIST, and CHRIST IS OF GOD. AMEN!
What, after all, is APOLLOS? And what is PAUL? Only servants, through whom YOU came to BELIEVE- as the Lord has ASSIGNED to each HIS TASK. I PLANTED the SEED, APOLLOS WATERED IT, but GOD MADE IT GROW. So NEITHER HE WHO PLANTS NOR HE WHO WATERS is ANYTHING, but ONLY GOD, WHO MAKES THINGS GROW. The MAN who PLANTS and the MAN who WATERS have ONE PURPOSE, and each will be REWARDED ACCORDING to HIS OWN LABOR. For WE are GOD'S fellow workers; YOU are GOD'S FIELD, GOD'S BUILDING.
BY the GRACE GOD has given me, I laid a FOUNDATION as an EXPERT BUILDER, and someone else is building on it. (ME) But each one should be CAREFUL how he builds. For no one can lay any FOUNDATION other than the one ALREADY LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.
If any man builds on this FOUNDATION using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, HIS WORK will be SHOWN for what it is, BECAUSE the DAY (JUDGEMENT) will bring it to LIGHT. It will be REVEALED with FIRE, and the FIRE will TEST the QUALITY of each man's WORK. If what HE has built SURVIVES, HE will RECIEVE HIS REWARD. If it is BURNED UP, HE will SUFFER LOSS; HE himself will be SAVED, but only as one ESCAPING through the FLAMES
Don't YOU KNOW that YOU yourselves are GOD'S TEMPLE and that GOD'S SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU? If anyone DESTROYS GOD'S TEMPLE, GOD will DESTROY HIM; for GOD'S TEMPLE is SACRED, and YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE.
DO NOT DECIEVE YOURSELVES, If any one of you thinks he is WISE by the STANDARDS of this AGE, he should become a "FOOL" so that he may become WISE. For the WISDOM of this WORLD is FOOLISHNESS in GOD'S SIGHT. As it is WRITTEN: "HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTNESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THAT THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE ARE FUTILE." So then, no more BOASTING about men! ALL things are yours, WHETHER PAUL or APOLLOS or CEPHAS or the WORLD or LIFE or DEATH or the PRESENT or the FUTURE- ALL ARE YOURS, and YOU ARE OF CHRIST, and CHRIST IS OF GOD. AMEN!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
1CORINTHIANS 2:6-16 WISDOM FROM THE SPIRIT
We Do, however, SPEAK a MESSAGE of WISDOM among the MATURE, but not the WISDOM of this age or of the RULERS of this age, who are COMING to NOTHING. No, WE SPEAK of GOD'S SECRET WISDOM, a WISDOM that has been HIDDEN and that GOD DESTINED for OUR GLORY BEFORE TIME BEGAN. None of the RULERS of this age UNDERSTOOD IT, for if they had, they would not have CRUCIFIED the LORD OF GLORY. However, as it is WITTEN: "No EYE has SEEN, no EAR has HEARD, no MIND has CONCEIVED what GOD has PREPARED for THOSE who LOVE HIM"- but GOD has REVEALED it by HIS SPIRIT.
The SPIRIT SEARCHES all things, even the DEEP THINGS of GOD. For who among MEN knows the thoughts of a MAN except the MAN's spirit WITHIN HIM? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of GOD except the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have not RECEIVED the spirit of the WORLD but the SPIRIT who is from GOD, that WE may UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD has FREELY GIVEN US. This is what WE SPEAK, not in WORDS TAUGHT US BY HUMAN WISDOM but in WORDS TAUGHT BY the SPIRIT, EXPRESSING SPIRITUAL TRUTHS in SPIRITUAL WORDS.
THE MAN WITHOUT THE SPIRIT DOES NOT ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT COME FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, for they are FOOLISHNESS to him, and he CANNOT UNDERSTAND them, BECAUSE they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. The SPIRITUAL MAN makes JUDGEMENTS about all things, but HE himself is not SUBJECT to any MAN'S JUDGEMENT:" For who has KNOWN the MIND of the Lord that HE may INSTRUCT HIM?" BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. AMEN!
The SPIRIT SEARCHES all things, even the DEEP THINGS of GOD. For who among MEN knows the thoughts of a MAN except the MAN's spirit WITHIN HIM? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of GOD except the SPIRIT OF GOD. We have not RECEIVED the spirit of the WORLD but the SPIRIT who is from GOD, that WE may UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD has FREELY GIVEN US. This is what WE SPEAK, not in WORDS TAUGHT US BY HUMAN WISDOM but in WORDS TAUGHT BY the SPIRIT, EXPRESSING SPIRITUAL TRUTHS in SPIRITUAL WORDS.
THE MAN WITHOUT THE SPIRIT DOES NOT ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT COME FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, for they are FOOLISHNESS to him, and he CANNOT UNDERSTAND them, BECAUSE they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. The SPIRITUAL MAN makes JUDGEMENTS about all things, but HE himself is not SUBJECT to any MAN'S JUDGEMENT:" For who has KNOWN the MIND of the Lord that HE may INSTRUCT HIM?" BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. AMEN!
1CORINTHIANS 1:21b-31 CHRIST THE WISDOM AND POWER OF GOD
GOD was PLEASED through the FOOLISHNESS of what was PREACHED to SAVE those who BELIEVE. Jews DEMAND MIRACULOUS SIGNS and GREEKS LOOK for WISDOM, but WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED: a STUMBLING BLOCK to JEWS and FOOLISHNESS to GENTILES, but to those whom GOD has CALLED, both Jews and Greeks, CHRIST THE POWER OF GOD and THE WISDOM OF GOD. For the FOOLISHNESS of GOD is WISER than MAN'S WISDOM, AND THE WEAKNESS of GOD is STRONGER than MAN'S STRENGTH.
BROTHERS, think of what YOU were when YOU were CALLED. Not many of YOU were WISE by HUMAN STANDARDS; not many were INFLIENTIAL; not many of NOBLE BIRTH. But GOD CHOSE the FOOLISH THINGS of the WORLD to SHAME the WISE; GOD CHOSE the WEAK THINGS of the WORLD to SHAME the STRONG. GOD CHOSE the LOWLY THINGS of this WORLD and the DESPISED THINGS- and the THINGS that ARE NOT- to NULLIFY the THINGS that ARE, so that no one may BOOST BEFORE GOD. It is BECAUSE of GOD that YOU are in CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD- that is, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS and REDEMPTION. THEREFORE, as it is WRITTEN: "LET HIM WHO BOASTS BOAST IN THE LORD."
BROTHERS, think of what YOU were when YOU were CALLED. Not many of YOU were WISE by HUMAN STANDARDS; not many were INFLIENTIAL; not many of NOBLE BIRTH. But GOD CHOSE the FOOLISH THINGS of the WORLD to SHAME the WISE; GOD CHOSE the WEAK THINGS of the WORLD to SHAME the STRONG. GOD CHOSE the LOWLY THINGS of this WORLD and the DESPISED THINGS- and the THINGS that ARE NOT- to NULLIFY the THINGS that ARE, so that no one may BOOST BEFORE GOD. It is BECAUSE of GOD that YOU are in CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD- that is, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS and REDEMPTION. THEREFORE, as it is WRITTEN: "LET HIM WHO BOASTS BOAST IN THE LORD."
Monday, October 21, 2013
PROVERBS 2:1-3:35 MORAL BENEFITS OF WISDOM
WHEN I READ PROVERBS THE WORD WISDOM IS CHRIST AND UNDERSTANDING IS THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY BOTH INSTRUCT ME.
My SON, if you ACCEPT my WORDS and store up my COMMANDS within you, turning your EAR to WISDOM and APPLYING your HEART to UNDERSTANDING, AND IF YOU CALL ALOUD FOR UNDERSTANDING, and if you call out for INSIGHT and cry aloud for UNDERSTANDING, and if you look for it as for silver and SEARCH for it as for hidden treasure, then you will UNDERSTAND the FEAR of the LORD and find the KNOWLEDGE of GOD. For the LORD gives WISDOM, and from GOD'S MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING. He holds VICTORY in store for the UPRIGHT, HE is a SHEILD TO THOSE WHOSE WALK IS BLAMELESS, for HE GUARDS the COURSE of the JUST and PROTECTS the WAY of HIS FAITHFUL ONES. Then you will UNDERSTAND what is RIGHT and JUST and FAIR-EVERY GOOD PATH. For WISDOM will ENTER your HEART, and KNOWLEDGE will be PLEASANT to your SOUL. DISCRETION will PROTECT you, and UNDERSTANDING will GUARD you.
WISDOM will SAVE you from the ways of WICKED MEN, from men whose WORDS are PERVERSE, who leave the STRAIGHT PATHS to walk in DARK WAYS, who DELIGHT in doing WRONG and REJOICE in the PERVERSENESS of EVIL, whose PATHS are CROOKED and who are DEVIOUS in their ways. It will SAVE you also from the ADULTERESS, from the wayward wife with her SEDUCTIVE WORDS, who has left the PARTNER of her youth and IGNORED the COVENANT she made before GOD. For her house leads down to DEATH and her PATHS to the spirits of the DEAD. None who go to her RETURN or ATTAIN the PATHS of LIFE. Thus you will walk in the ways of GOOD MEN and keep to the PATHS of the RIGHTEOUS. For the UPRIGHT will LIVE in the LAND, and the BLAMELESS will REMAIN in it; but the WICKED will be CUT OFF from the LAND, and the UNFAITHFUL will be TORN from it.
FUTHER BENEFITS OF WISDOM:
MY SON, do not forget my teaching, but keep my COMMANDS in your HEART, for they will PROLONG your LIFE many years and bring you PROSPERITY. Let LOVE and FAITHFULNESS never leave you; BIND them around your NECK, WRITE them on the TABLET of your HEART. Then you will WIN FAVOR and GOOD NAME in the SIGHT of GOD and MAN. TRUST in the LORD with all your HEART and LEAN not on your own UNDERSTANDING; in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and HE will make your PATHS STRAIGHT. Do not be WISE in your own eyes; FEAR the LORD and SHUN EVIL. This will bring HEALTH to your body and NOURISHMENT to your bones. HONOR the LORD with your WEALTH, with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your crops; then your barns will be FILLED to OVERFLOWING, and your vats will BRIM OVER with new wine.
MY SON, do not DESPISE the LORD'S DISCIPLINE and do not RESENT HIS REBUKE, because the LORD DISCIPLINES those HE LOVES, as a FATHER the SON HE DELIGHTS IN. BLESSED is the man who finds WISDOM, the man who GAINS UNDERSTANDING, for SHE is more PROFITABLE than silver and YIELDS better RETURNS than gold. She is more PRECIOUS than rubies; nothing you DESIRE can COMPARE with HER. LONG LIFE is in HER right hand; in HER left hand are RICHES and HONER. Her ways are PLEASANT ways, and all HER PATHS are PEACE. SHE is a TREE OF LIFE to those who EMBRACE HER; those who LAY HOLD of HER will be BLESSED. By WISDOM the LORD laid the EARTH'S FOUNDATIONS, by UNDERSTANDING HE set the HEAVENS in place; by HIS KNOWLEDGE the DEEPS were DIVIDED, and the CLOUDS let drop the DEW.
MY SON, PRESERVE SOUND JUDGMENT and DISCERNMENT, do not let them out of your SIGHT; they will be LIFE for you, an ORNAMENT to GRACE your neck. Then you will go on your way in SAFETY, and your FOOT will not STUMBLE; when you lie down, you will not be AFRAID; when you lie down, your SLEEP will be SWEET. Have no FEAR of SUDDEN DISASTER or of the RUIN that OVERTAKES the WICKED, for the LORD will be your CONFIDENCE and will keep your FOOT from being SNARED. Do not WITHHOLD GOOD from those who DESERVE it, when it is in your POWER to ACT. Do not say to your NEIGHBOR, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you. Do not PLOT HARM against your NEIGHBOR, who LIVES TRUSTFULLY near you. Do not ACCUSE a man for no REASON- when he has done you no HARM. Do not ENVY a VIOLENT man or CHOOSE any of his ways, for the LORD DETESTS a PERVERSE man but takes the UPRIGHT into HIS CONFIDENCE. The LORD'S CURSE is on the house of the WICKED, but the BLESSES the home of the RIGHTEOUS. He MOCKS PROUD MOCKERS but GIVES GRACE to the HUMBLE. The WISE INHERIT HONER, but FOOLS HE holds up to SHAME. AMEN!
My SON, if you ACCEPT my WORDS and store up my COMMANDS within you, turning your EAR to WISDOM and APPLYING your HEART to UNDERSTANDING, AND IF YOU CALL ALOUD FOR UNDERSTANDING, and if you call out for INSIGHT and cry aloud for UNDERSTANDING, and if you look for it as for silver and SEARCH for it as for hidden treasure, then you will UNDERSTAND the FEAR of the LORD and find the KNOWLEDGE of GOD. For the LORD gives WISDOM, and from GOD'S MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING. He holds VICTORY in store for the UPRIGHT, HE is a SHEILD TO THOSE WHOSE WALK IS BLAMELESS, for HE GUARDS the COURSE of the JUST and PROTECTS the WAY of HIS FAITHFUL ONES. Then you will UNDERSTAND what is RIGHT and JUST and FAIR-EVERY GOOD PATH. For WISDOM will ENTER your HEART, and KNOWLEDGE will be PLEASANT to your SOUL. DISCRETION will PROTECT you, and UNDERSTANDING will GUARD you.
WISDOM will SAVE you from the ways of WICKED MEN, from men whose WORDS are PERVERSE, who leave the STRAIGHT PATHS to walk in DARK WAYS, who DELIGHT in doing WRONG and REJOICE in the PERVERSENESS of EVIL, whose PATHS are CROOKED and who are DEVIOUS in their ways. It will SAVE you also from the ADULTERESS, from the wayward wife with her SEDUCTIVE WORDS, who has left the PARTNER of her youth and IGNORED the COVENANT she made before GOD. For her house leads down to DEATH and her PATHS to the spirits of the DEAD. None who go to her RETURN or ATTAIN the PATHS of LIFE. Thus you will walk in the ways of GOOD MEN and keep to the PATHS of the RIGHTEOUS. For the UPRIGHT will LIVE in the LAND, and the BLAMELESS will REMAIN in it; but the WICKED will be CUT OFF from the LAND, and the UNFAITHFUL will be TORN from it.
FUTHER BENEFITS OF WISDOM:
MY SON, do not forget my teaching, but keep my COMMANDS in your HEART, for they will PROLONG your LIFE many years and bring you PROSPERITY. Let LOVE and FAITHFULNESS never leave you; BIND them around your NECK, WRITE them on the TABLET of your HEART. Then you will WIN FAVOR and GOOD NAME in the SIGHT of GOD and MAN. TRUST in the LORD with all your HEART and LEAN not on your own UNDERSTANDING; in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and HE will make your PATHS STRAIGHT. Do not be WISE in your own eyes; FEAR the LORD and SHUN EVIL. This will bring HEALTH to your body and NOURISHMENT to your bones. HONOR the LORD with your WEALTH, with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your crops; then your barns will be FILLED to OVERFLOWING, and your vats will BRIM OVER with new wine.
MY SON, do not DESPISE the LORD'S DISCIPLINE and do not RESENT HIS REBUKE, because the LORD DISCIPLINES those HE LOVES, as a FATHER the SON HE DELIGHTS IN. BLESSED is the man who finds WISDOM, the man who GAINS UNDERSTANDING, for SHE is more PROFITABLE than silver and YIELDS better RETURNS than gold. She is more PRECIOUS than rubies; nothing you DESIRE can COMPARE with HER. LONG LIFE is in HER right hand; in HER left hand are RICHES and HONER. Her ways are PLEASANT ways, and all HER PATHS are PEACE. SHE is a TREE OF LIFE to those who EMBRACE HER; those who LAY HOLD of HER will be BLESSED. By WISDOM the LORD laid the EARTH'S FOUNDATIONS, by UNDERSTANDING HE set the HEAVENS in place; by HIS KNOWLEDGE the DEEPS were DIVIDED, and the CLOUDS let drop the DEW.
MY SON, PRESERVE SOUND JUDGMENT and DISCERNMENT, do not let them out of your SIGHT; they will be LIFE for you, an ORNAMENT to GRACE your neck. Then you will go on your way in SAFETY, and your FOOT will not STUMBLE; when you lie down, you will not be AFRAID; when you lie down, your SLEEP will be SWEET. Have no FEAR of SUDDEN DISASTER or of the RUIN that OVERTAKES the WICKED, for the LORD will be your CONFIDENCE and will keep your FOOT from being SNARED. Do not WITHHOLD GOOD from those who DESERVE it, when it is in your POWER to ACT. Do not say to your NEIGHBOR, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you. Do not PLOT HARM against your NEIGHBOR, who LIVES TRUSTFULLY near you. Do not ACCUSE a man for no REASON- when he has done you no HARM. Do not ENVY a VIOLENT man or CHOOSE any of his ways, for the LORD DETESTS a PERVERSE man but takes the UPRIGHT into HIS CONFIDENCE. The LORD'S CURSE is on the house of the WICKED, but the BLESSES the home of the RIGHTEOUS. He MOCKS PROUD MOCKERS but GIVES GRACE to the HUMBLE. The WISE INHERIT HONER, but FOOLS HE holds up to SHAME. AMEN!
PSALM 19 GOD'S GLORY REVEALED IN HIS CREATION AND HIS WORD
The HEAVENS DECLARE the GLORY of GOD; the SKIES PROCLAIM the WORK of GOD'S HANDS. Day after day they POUR FORTH SPEECH; night after night they DISPLAY KNOWLEDGE. There is no SPEECH or LANGUAGE where their VOICE is not HEARD. Their VOICE goes out into ALL the EARTH, their WORDS to the ends of the WORLD. In the HEAVENS GOD has PITCHED a TENT for the SUN, which is like a BRIDEGROOM coming forth from HIS PAVILION, like a CHAMPION REJOICING to RUN HIS COURSE. It rises at end one of the HEAVENS and makes its CIRCUIT to the other; nothing is HIDDEN from its HEAT.
The LAW of the LORD is PERFECT, REVIVING the SOUL. The STATUTES of the LORD are TRUSTWORTHY, making WISE the SIMPLE. The PRECEPTS of the LORD are RIGHT, giving JOY to the HEART. The COMMANDS of the LORD are RADIANT, giving LIGHT to the EYES. The FEAR of the LORD is PURE, ENDURING FOREVER. The ORDINANCES of the LORD are SURE and ALTOGETHER RIGHTEOUS. They are more PRECIOUS than GOLD; than much PURE GOLD; they are sweeter than HONEY, than HONEY from the comb. By them is your SERVANT (ME) WARNED; in keeping them there is GREAT REWARD. Who can DISCERN HIS ERRORS? Forgive MY HIDDEN FAULTS. Keep your SERVANT also from WILLFUL SINS (DEBAUCHERY); may they not RULE OVER ME. Then will I be BLAMELESS, INNOCENT of GREAT TRANSGRESSION.
May the WORDS of MY MOUTH and the MEDITATION of MY HEART be PLEASING in your SIGHT, O LORD, MY ROCK and MY REDEEMER. AMEN!
The LAW of the LORD is PERFECT, REVIVING the SOUL. The STATUTES of the LORD are TRUSTWORTHY, making WISE the SIMPLE. The PRECEPTS of the LORD are RIGHT, giving JOY to the HEART. The COMMANDS of the LORD are RADIANT, giving LIGHT to the EYES. The FEAR of the LORD is PURE, ENDURING FOREVER. The ORDINANCES of the LORD are SURE and ALTOGETHER RIGHTEOUS. They are more PRECIOUS than GOLD; than much PURE GOLD; they are sweeter than HONEY, than HONEY from the comb. By them is your SERVANT (ME) WARNED; in keeping them there is GREAT REWARD. Who can DISCERN HIS ERRORS? Forgive MY HIDDEN FAULTS. Keep your SERVANT also from WILLFUL SINS (DEBAUCHERY); may they not RULE OVER ME. Then will I be BLAMELESS, INNOCENT of GREAT TRANSGRESSION.
May the WORDS of MY MOUTH and the MEDITATION of MY HEART be PLEASING in your SIGHT, O LORD, MY ROCK and MY REDEEMER. AMEN!
2PETER 1: 1-10 MAKING MY CALLING AND ELECTION SURE
GRACE AND PEACE BE YOURS IN ABUNDANCE THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND OF JESUS OUR LORD:
His DIVINE POWER (GODS WORD) has GIVEN ME EVERTHING I NEED for LIFE and GODLINESS through MY knowledge of GOD who CALLED ME by HIS own GLORY and GOODNESS. Through THESE, GOD has GIVEN ME HIS VERY GREAT and PRECIOUS PROMISES, so that through them I MAY PARTICIPATE in the DIVINE NATURE
( SPIRITUAL NATURE) and ESCAPE the CORRUPTION in the WORLD CAUSED by EVIL DESIRES (SINS).
For this very REASON,(I) make every EFFORT to add to MY FAITH GOODNESS; and to GOODNESS, KNOWLEDGE; and to KNOWLEDGE, (INNER) SELFCONTROL; and to (INNER) SELFCONTROL, PERSEVERANCE; and to PERSEVERANCE, GODLINESS; and to GODLINESS, BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to BROTHERLY KINDNESS, LOVE. For if I POSSESS THESE QUALITIES in INCREASING MEASURE, they will KEEP ME from being INEFFECTIVE and UNPRODUCTIVE in MY KNOWLEDGE of MY LORD JESUS CHRIST. But if ANYONE does not have them, HE is NEARSIGHTED and BLIND, and has FORGOTTEN that HE has been CLEANSED from HIS past SINS. AMEN!
His DIVINE POWER (GODS WORD) has GIVEN ME EVERTHING I NEED for LIFE and GODLINESS through MY knowledge of GOD who CALLED ME by HIS own GLORY and GOODNESS. Through THESE, GOD has GIVEN ME HIS VERY GREAT and PRECIOUS PROMISES, so that through them I MAY PARTICIPATE in the DIVINE NATURE
( SPIRITUAL NATURE) and ESCAPE the CORRUPTION in the WORLD CAUSED by EVIL DESIRES (SINS).
For this very REASON,(I) make every EFFORT to add to MY FAITH GOODNESS; and to GOODNESS, KNOWLEDGE; and to KNOWLEDGE, (INNER) SELFCONTROL; and to (INNER) SELFCONTROL, PERSEVERANCE; and to PERSEVERANCE, GODLINESS; and to GODLINESS, BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to BROTHERLY KINDNESS, LOVE. For if I POSSESS THESE QUALITIES in INCREASING MEASURE, they will KEEP ME from being INEFFECTIVE and UNPRODUCTIVE in MY KNOWLEDGE of MY LORD JESUS CHRIST. But if ANYONE does not have them, HE is NEARSIGHTED and BLIND, and has FORGOTTEN that HE has been CLEANSED from HIS past SINS. AMEN!
Friday, October 18, 2013
1 PETER 3:18-4:11 GOD'S PLAN FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH ME THROUGH CHRIST
For CHRIST DIED for SINS ONCE for ALL, the RIGHTEOUS for the UNRIGHTEOUS, to BRING YOU to GOD. CHRIST was PUT to DEATH IN the BODY but MADE ALIVE BY the SPIRIT, THROUGH WHOM also CHRIST WENT and PREACHED to the spirits IN PRISON WHO DISOBEYED LONG AGO WHEN GOD WAITED PATIENTLY in the DAYS of NOAH while the ARK was being BUILT. IN it ONLY A FEW PEOPLE, EIGHT IN ALL, WERE SAVED THROUGH WATER, and this WATER SYMBOLIZES BAPTISM that NOW SAVES YOU ALSO-NOT the REMOVAL of DIRT from the BODY but the PLEDGE of a GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD. It SAVES YOU BY the RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS GONE INTO HEAVEN and is at GOD'S RIGHT HAND- WITH ANGELS AUTHORITIES and POWERS in SUBMISSION to CHRIST.
LIVE FOR GOD:
THERFORE, SINCE CHRIST SUFFERED IN HIS BODY, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO WITH the SAME ATTITUDE, BECAUSE HE WHO HAS SUFFERED IN HIS BODY IS DONE WITH SIN. As a RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE the REST of HIS EARTHLY LIFE for EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, but RATHER for the WILL OF GOD. For YOU HAVE SPENT ENOUGH TIME in the PAST DOING WHAT PAGENS CHOOSE to DO-LIVING in DEBAUCHERY, LUST, DRUNKENESS, ORGIES, CAROUSING and DETESTABLE IDOLATRY. THEY THINK IT STRANGE that YOU do not PLUNGE with THEM into the SAME FLOOD of DISSIPATION, and THEY HEAP ABUSE ON YOU. BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO GIVE ACCOUNT TO CHRIST WHO IS READY TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. For THIS is the REASON the GOSPEL WAS PREACHED EVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE NOW DEAD, SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO MEN IN REGARD TO THE BODY, BUT LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD IN REGARD TO THE spirit.
The END of ALL THINGS IS NEAR. THEREFORE BE CLEAR MINDED and (INNER) SELF CONTROLLED so that YOU CAN PRAY. ABOVE ALL, LOVE EACH OTHER DEEPLY, BECAUSE LOVE COVERS OVER A MULTITUDE of SINS. OFFER HOSPITALITY to ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUMBLING. EACH ONE SHOULD USE WHATEVER GIFT HE HAS RECIEVED TO SERVE OTHERS, FAITHFULLY ADMINISTERING GOD'S GRACE in its VARIOUS FORMS. If ANYONE SPEAKS, HE SHOULD do it as ONE SPEAKING the VERY WORDS OF GOD. If ANYONE SERVES, HE SHOULD do it with the STRENGH GOD PROVIDES, so that in ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE PRAISED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. To GOD BE THE GLORY and the POWER FOR EVER and EVER. AMEN!
LIVE FOR GOD:
THERFORE, SINCE CHRIST SUFFERED IN HIS BODY, ARM YOURSELVES ALSO WITH the SAME ATTITUDE, BECAUSE HE WHO HAS SUFFERED IN HIS BODY IS DONE WITH SIN. As a RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE the REST of HIS EARTHLY LIFE for EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, but RATHER for the WILL OF GOD. For YOU HAVE SPENT ENOUGH TIME in the PAST DOING WHAT PAGENS CHOOSE to DO-LIVING in DEBAUCHERY, LUST, DRUNKENESS, ORGIES, CAROUSING and DETESTABLE IDOLATRY. THEY THINK IT STRANGE that YOU do not PLUNGE with THEM into the SAME FLOOD of DISSIPATION, and THEY HEAP ABUSE ON YOU. BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO GIVE ACCOUNT TO CHRIST WHO IS READY TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. For THIS is the REASON the GOSPEL WAS PREACHED EVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE NOW DEAD, SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO MEN IN REGARD TO THE BODY, BUT LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD IN REGARD TO THE spirit.
The END of ALL THINGS IS NEAR. THEREFORE BE CLEAR MINDED and (INNER) SELF CONTROLLED so that YOU CAN PRAY. ABOVE ALL, LOVE EACH OTHER DEEPLY, BECAUSE LOVE COVERS OVER A MULTITUDE of SINS. OFFER HOSPITALITY to ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUMBLING. EACH ONE SHOULD USE WHATEVER GIFT HE HAS RECIEVED TO SERVE OTHERS, FAITHFULLY ADMINISTERING GOD'S GRACE in its VARIOUS FORMS. If ANYONE SPEAKS, HE SHOULD do it as ONE SPEAKING the VERY WORDS OF GOD. If ANYONE SERVES, HE SHOULD do it with the STRENGH GOD PROVIDES, so that in ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE PRAISED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. To GOD BE THE GLORY and the POWER FOR EVER and EVER. AMEN!
1PETER 2:24-25 CHRIST BORE MY SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE
CHRIST HIMSELF BORE MY SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, so that I MIGHT DIE to SINS and LIVE for RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD); BY CHRIST WOUNDS I HAVE BEEN HEALED. For I WAS like A SHEEP going ASTRAY, but now I have RETURNED to the SHEPHERD and OVERSEER of MY SOUL (JESUS CHRIST IS MY SHEPHERD). AMEN!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
JAMES 4:7-10 SUBMITTING YOUR INNERSELF TO GOD
SUBMIT TO YOUR INNERSELF, (SPIRITUAL NATURE) then SUBMIT YOUR INNERSELF TO GOD (THAT GOD MAY FILL YOU WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST). RESIST the DEVIL, and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. COME NEAR TO GOD and GOD WILL COME NEAR TO YOU. WASH YOUR HANDS, YOU SINNERS, (WASHED IN CHRIST'S WORD) and PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YOU DOUBLE-MINDED (BE SINGLE-MINDED IN CHRIST). GRIEVE, MOURN and WAIL (THAT YOUR OLD NATURE BE GONE). CHANGE YOUR LAUGHTER TO MOURNING and YOUR JOY TO GLOOM. (WHAT USE TO MAKE YOU LAUGH AND GIVE YOU JOY, NOW MAKE YOU MOURN) HUMBLE YOURSELF- (AWARE OF WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE, MAKING A SINCERE ATTEMPT TO BECOME WHAT YOU COULD BE)- BEFORE THE LORD, and GOD WILL LIFT YOU UP. AMEN!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
HEBREWS 11:1-7 BY FAITH
NOW FAITH is BEING SURE of WHAT WE HOPE FOR and CERTAIN of WHAT WE DO NOT SEE (CHRIST IS REAL, GOD's WORD IS TRUE). THIS is WHAT the ANCIENTS WERE COMMENDED for. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND that the UNIVERSE was FORMED at GOD'S COMMAND, so that WHAT is SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT of WHAT WAS VISIBLE.
BY FAITH ABEL OFFERD GOD a BETTER SACRIFICE (HE WORSHIP GOD) than CAIN DID. BY FAITH HE WAS COMMENDED as a RIGHTEOUS MAN, (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD) WHEN GOD SPOKE WELL OF HIS OFFERINGS. And BY FAITH HE STILL SPEAKS, EVEN THOUGH HE is DEAD.
BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TAKEN FROM THIS LIFE, SO THAT HE DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEATH; HE COULD NOT BE FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM AWAY. For BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN, HE WAS COMMENDED AS ONE WHO PLEASED GOD.(HE WALKED WITH GOD)
And WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD EXIST and THAT GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK GOD.
BY FAITH NOAH, WHEN WARNED ABOUT THINGS NOT YET SEEN, IN HOLY FEAR- (WORK WITH GOD)- BUILT AN ARK TO SAVE HIS FAMILY. BY HIS FAITH HE CONDEMMNED the WORLD and BECAME HEIR of the RIGHTEOUSNESS- (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD) - that COMES BY FAITH. AMEM!
BY FAITH ABEL OFFERD GOD a BETTER SACRIFICE (HE WORSHIP GOD) than CAIN DID. BY FAITH HE WAS COMMENDED as a RIGHTEOUS MAN, (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD) WHEN GOD SPOKE WELL OF HIS OFFERINGS. And BY FAITH HE STILL SPEAKS, EVEN THOUGH HE is DEAD.
BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TAKEN FROM THIS LIFE, SO THAT HE DID NOT EXPERIENCE DEATH; HE COULD NOT BE FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM AWAY. For BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN, HE WAS COMMENDED AS ONE WHO PLEASED GOD.(HE WALKED WITH GOD)
And WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD EXIST and THAT GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK GOD.
BY FAITH NOAH, WHEN WARNED ABOUT THINGS NOT YET SEEN, IN HOLY FEAR- (WORK WITH GOD)- BUILT AN ARK TO SAVE HIS FAMILY. BY HIS FAITH HE CONDEMMNED the WORLD and BECAME HEIR of the RIGHTEOUSNESS- (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD) - that COMES BY FAITH. AMEM!
Monday, October 14, 2013
HEBREWS 4:15-16 CHRIST IS OUR HIGH PRIEST
For WE do not have a HIGH PRIEST (CHRIST) who is unable to SYMPATHIZE with OUR WEAKNESSES,(SINS) but WE have ONE who has been TEMPTED in EVERY WAY (Matt.4:1-11), just as WE are- yet was WITHOUT SIN. Let US then APPROACH the THRONE of GRACE with CONFIDENCE, (no doubt, fear, or unbelief) so that WE may RECEIVE MERCY and find GRACE (GOD'S WILLINGNESS) To HELP US in OUR TIME of NEED.(WE NEED CHRIST'S HELP TO RESIST SIN) AMEN!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED
All SCRIPTURE is GOD-BREATHED(filled with the HOLY SPIRIT) and is USEFUL for TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING and TRAINING in RIGHTEOUSNESS, (right standing with GOD) so that the MAN of GOD may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for EVERY GOOD WORK. GOD'S WORDS are my TOOLS AMEN!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16 INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY (FOR ME)
God I BELIEVE and RECIEVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS :
The SPIRIT CLEARLY says that in later times some will abandon the FAITH and follow DECEIVING spirits and things taught by DEMONS. Such teaching come through HYPOCRITICAL LIARS, whose CONSCIENCES have been seared as with a hot iron. (they can't tell right from wrong) They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which GOD CREATED to be RECEIVED with THANKSGIVING by those who BELIEVE and KNOW the TRUTH. For EVERYTHING GOD CREATED IS GOOD, and NOTHING is to be REJECTED if it is RECIEVED with THANKSGIVING, BECAUSE it is CONSECRATED by the WORD of GOD and PRAYER.
If you point these things out to the BROTHERS, you will be a GOOD MINSTER of CHRIST JESUS, brought up in the TRUTHS of the FAITH and of the GOOD TEACHING (from the SCRIPTURES) that you have followed. Have NOTHING to do with GODLESS MYTHS and old wives tales; RATHER TRAIN YOURSELF to be GODLY. For PHYSICAL TRAINING is of some VALUE, but GODLINESS has VALUE for ALL THINGS, HOLDING PROMISE for BOTH the PRESENT LIFE and the LIFE to COME.
This is a TRUSTWORTHY saying that DESERVES FULL ACCEPTANCE (and for this we labor and strive), that WE have put our HOPE in the LIVING GOD who is the SAVIOR of ALL MEN, and ESPECIALLY of those who BELIEVE.
COMMAND and TEACH THESE THINGS (GOD is the SAVIOR of all men). Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an EXAMPLE for the BELIEVERS in SPEECH, in LIFE, in LOVE, in FAITH and in PURITY. Until I come, DEVOTE YOURSELF to the PUBLIC READING of SCRIPTURES, to PREACHING and to TEACHING. Do not NEGLECT your GIFTS,(SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING) which was GIVEN you through a PROPHETIC MESSAGE when the BODY of ELDERS LAID THEIR HANDS on YOU.
Be DILIGENT in these MATTERS; GIVE YOURSELF WHOLLY to THEM, so that EVERYONE may see your PROGRESS. WATCH your LIFE and DOCTRINE CLOSELY. PERSEVERE in THEM, BECAUSE if you do, YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF and your HEARERS. AMEN!
The SPIRIT CLEARLY says that in later times some will abandon the FAITH and follow DECEIVING spirits and things taught by DEMONS. Such teaching come through HYPOCRITICAL LIARS, whose CONSCIENCES have been seared as with a hot iron. (they can't tell right from wrong) They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which GOD CREATED to be RECEIVED with THANKSGIVING by those who BELIEVE and KNOW the TRUTH. For EVERYTHING GOD CREATED IS GOOD, and NOTHING is to be REJECTED if it is RECIEVED with THANKSGIVING, BECAUSE it is CONSECRATED by the WORD of GOD and PRAYER.
If you point these things out to the BROTHERS, you will be a GOOD MINSTER of CHRIST JESUS, brought up in the TRUTHS of the FAITH and of the GOOD TEACHING (from the SCRIPTURES) that you have followed. Have NOTHING to do with GODLESS MYTHS and old wives tales; RATHER TRAIN YOURSELF to be GODLY. For PHYSICAL TRAINING is of some VALUE, but GODLINESS has VALUE for ALL THINGS, HOLDING PROMISE for BOTH the PRESENT LIFE and the LIFE to COME.
This is a TRUSTWORTHY saying that DESERVES FULL ACCEPTANCE (and for this we labor and strive), that WE have put our HOPE in the LIVING GOD who is the SAVIOR of ALL MEN, and ESPECIALLY of those who BELIEVE.
COMMAND and TEACH THESE THINGS (GOD is the SAVIOR of all men). Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an EXAMPLE for the BELIEVERS in SPEECH, in LIFE, in LOVE, in FAITH and in PURITY. Until I come, DEVOTE YOURSELF to the PUBLIC READING of SCRIPTURES, to PREACHING and to TEACHING. Do not NEGLECT your GIFTS,(SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING) which was GIVEN you through a PROPHETIC MESSAGE when the BODY of ELDERS LAID THEIR HANDS on YOU.
Be DILIGENT in these MATTERS; GIVE YOURSELF WHOLLY to THEM, so that EVERYONE may see your PROGRESS. WATCH your LIFE and DOCTRINE CLOSELY. PERSEVERE in THEM, BECAUSE if you do, YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF and your HEARERS. AMEN!
1 TIMOTHY 1:5 THE COMMAND OF GOD OUR SAVIOR AND CHRIST JESUS OUR HOPE!
The goal of this COMMAND is LOVE, (1 Cor.13:4-13) which comes from a PURE HEART(THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS, ATTITUDES,) and a GOOD CONSCIENCE (GOD FORGAVE MY SINS THROUGH CHRIST) and a SINCERE FAITH.(NO DOUBT, FEAR, OR UNBELIEF THAT CHRIST IS REAL) AMEN!
Friday, October 11, 2013
COLOSSIANS 3:1-17 RULES FOR HOLY LIVING
Since, then, you have been raised with CHRIST, set your HEARTS (thought, emotions, attitudes) on things above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD. Set your MINDS (logic and reasoning) on things above, not on earthly things. For you DIED, and your LIFE is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD. (Eph 2:6) When CHRIST, who is your LIFE, appears, then you also will appear with CHRIST in GLORY.
Put to DEATH, THEREFORE, whatever belongs to your EARTHLY NATURE: (OUTER MAN) SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, LUST, EVIL DESIRES and GREED, which is IDOLATRY. Because of these, the WRATH of GOD is coming on those who are DISOBEDIENT. You used to WALK in these ways, in the LIFE you once LIVED. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: ANGER, RAGE, MALICE, SLANDER, and FILTHY LANGUAGE from your LIPS. Do not LIE to each other, since you have taken off your OLD SELF (OUTER MAN) with its PRACTICES, and have put on the NEW SELF, (INNER MAN) which is being renewed in KNOWLEDGE in the IMAGE of its CREATOR. (JESUS CHRIST) Here there is no GREEK or JEW, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, SCYTHIAN, slave or free, but CHRIST is ALL, and in ALL.
THEREFORE, as GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY and DEARLY LOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELVES with COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS and PATIENCE. BEAR with each other and FORGIVE whatever GRIEVANCES you may against one another. FORGIVE as the LORD FORGAVE you. And over all these VIRTUES put on LOVE, which BINDS them all together in PERFECT UNITY.
Let the PEACE of CHRIST (Eph 2:14-15) RULE in your HEARTS,(INNER MAN) since as MEMBERS of ONE BODY you were CALLED to PEACE. And be THANKFUL. Let the WORD of CHRIST DWELL in you RICHLY as you TEACH and ADMONISH one another with all WISDOM, and as you SING PSALMS, HYMNS and SPIRITUAL SONGS with GRATITUDE in your HEARTS (INNER MAN) to GOD. And whatever you DO, weather in WORD or DEED, DO it all in the name of the LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS to GOD the FATHER through CHRIST. AMEN!
Put to DEATH, THEREFORE, whatever belongs to your EARTHLY NATURE: (OUTER MAN) SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, LUST, EVIL DESIRES and GREED, which is IDOLATRY. Because of these, the WRATH of GOD is coming on those who are DISOBEDIENT. You used to WALK in these ways, in the LIFE you once LIVED. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: ANGER, RAGE, MALICE, SLANDER, and FILTHY LANGUAGE from your LIPS. Do not LIE to each other, since you have taken off your OLD SELF (OUTER MAN) with its PRACTICES, and have put on the NEW SELF, (INNER MAN) which is being renewed in KNOWLEDGE in the IMAGE of its CREATOR. (JESUS CHRIST) Here there is no GREEK or JEW, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, SCYTHIAN, slave or free, but CHRIST is ALL, and in ALL.
THEREFORE, as GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY and DEARLY LOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELVES with COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS and PATIENCE. BEAR with each other and FORGIVE whatever GRIEVANCES you may against one another. FORGIVE as the LORD FORGAVE you. And over all these VIRTUES put on LOVE, which BINDS them all together in PERFECT UNITY.
Let the PEACE of CHRIST (Eph 2:14-15) RULE in your HEARTS,(INNER MAN) since as MEMBERS of ONE BODY you were CALLED to PEACE. And be THANKFUL. Let the WORD of CHRIST DWELL in you RICHLY as you TEACH and ADMONISH one another with all WISDOM, and as you SING PSALMS, HYMNS and SPIRITUAL SONGS with GRATITUDE in your HEARTS (INNER MAN) to GOD. And whatever you DO, weather in WORD or DEED, DO it all in the name of the LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS to GOD the FATHER through CHRIST. AMEN!
Monday, October 7, 2013
PHILIPPIANS 4:19 GOD MEETS OUR NEEDS IN CHRIST JESUS
GOD IS A GOD OF PRINCPLE, NOT PEOPLE. GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR ALL OUR NEEDS THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD OF CHRIST. GOD'S WORD SAYS I WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO GOD'S GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS. AMEN!
PHILIPPIANS 3:8b-9 THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST
That I may gain CHRIST and be found in CHRIST, not having a RIGHTEOUSNESS of my own that comes from the LAW, but that which is through FAITH in CHRIST- the RIGHTEOUSNESS that comes from GOD and is by FAITH. I am RIGHTEOUS in CHRIST through GOD. AMEN!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
ROMANS 13:8-14 LOVE FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR
LET NO DEBT REMAIN OUTSTANDING, EXCEPT THE CONTINUING DEBT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR HE WHO LOVES HIS FELLOWMAN HAS FULFILLED THE LAW. THE COMMANDMENTS, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," "DO NOT MURDER," "DO NOT STEAL," "DO NOT COVET," AND WHATEVER OTHER COMMANDMENTS THERE MAY BE, ARE SUMMED UP IN THIS ONE RULE: "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" (YOU MUST LOVE YOURSELF). LOVE DOES NO HARM TO ITS NEIGHBOR. THERFORE LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.
AND DO THIS, UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENT TIME. THE HOUR HAS COME FOR YOU TO WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER, BECAUSE OUR SALVATION IS NEARER NOW THAN WE FIRST BELIVED. THE NIGHT IS NEARLY OVER; THE DAY IS ALMOST HERE. SO LET US PUT ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS, (SINS) AND PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD). LET US BEHAVE DECENTLY, AS IN THE DAYTIME, NOT IN ORGIES AND DRUNKENNESS, NOT IN SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND DEBAUCHERY, NOT IN DISSENSION AND JELOUSY. RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,(EPH 6:13-18) AND DO NOT THINK ABOUT HOW TO GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE SINFUL NATURE (THE OUTTER MAN). AMEN!
AND DO THIS, UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENT TIME. THE HOUR HAS COME FOR YOU TO WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER, BECAUSE OUR SALVATION IS NEARER NOW THAN WE FIRST BELIVED. THE NIGHT IS NEARLY OVER; THE DAY IS ALMOST HERE. SO LET US PUT ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS, (SINS) AND PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD). LET US BEHAVE DECENTLY, AS IN THE DAYTIME, NOT IN ORGIES AND DRUNKENNESS, NOT IN SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND DEBAUCHERY, NOT IN DISSENSION AND JELOUSY. RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,(EPH 6:13-18) AND DO NOT THINK ABOUT HOW TO GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE SINFUL NATURE (THE OUTTER MAN). AMEN!
ROMANS 12:9-21 HOW I LIVE LOVE
LOVE MUST BE SINCERE. HATE WHAT IS EVIL; CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD (THERE IS ONLY GOOD OR EVIL). BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANTHOR IN BROTHERLY LOVE. HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES. NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL, BUT KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL FERVOR, SERVING THE LORD. BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. SHARE WITH GOD'S PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED. PRATICE HOSPITALITY.(1 PET 4:9-10)
BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU; BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE; MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN. LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER. DO NOT BE PROUD, BUT BE WILLING TO ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE OF LOW POSITION. DO NOT BE CONCEITED.
DO NOT REPAY ANYONE EVIL FOR EVIL. BE CAREFUL TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF EVERBODY. IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE. DO NOT TAKE REVENGE, MY FRIENDS, BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD'S WRATH, FOR IT IS WRITTEN: "IT IS MINE TO AVENGE; I WILL REPAY," SAYS THE LORD. ON THE CONTRARY: "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO DRINK. IN DOING THIS, YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD. AMEN!
BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU; BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE; MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN. LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER. DO NOT BE PROUD, BUT BE WILLING TO ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE OF LOW POSITION. DO NOT BE CONCEITED.
DO NOT REPAY ANYONE EVIL FOR EVIL. BE CAREFUL TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF EVERBODY. IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE. DO NOT TAKE REVENGE, MY FRIENDS, BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD'S WRATH, FOR IT IS WRITTEN: "IT IS MINE TO AVENGE; I WILL REPAY," SAYS THE LORD. ON THE CONTRARY: "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO DRINK. IN DOING THIS, YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD. AMEN!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
ROMANS 10:17 FAITH COMES FROM HEARING THE MESSAGE
Consequently, FAITH comes from HEARING the MESSAGE, and the MESSAGE is HEARD through the WORD of CHRIST JESUS. So when I HEAR or READ the WORD I LISTEN for the SPIRIT to understand the MESSAGE. As I repeat this process daily MY FAITH INCREASES and MY RELATIONSHIP with GOD GROWS! AMEN!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
ROMANS 7:21-8:17 LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being (MY spirit) I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of SIN at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD- through JESUS CHRIST our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) a slave to the law of SIN. THEREFORE, there is no CODEMNATION for those who are in CHRIST JESUS, because through CHRIST JESUS the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE (THE HOLY SPIRIT) set me free from the law of SIN and DEATH. For what the LAW WAS POWERLESS to do in that it was WEAKEN by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH), GOD did by sending his own SON (JESUS) in the likeness of SINFUL MAN (THE FLESH) to be a SIN OFFERING. And so GOD CONDEMED SIN in SINFUL MAN (THE FLESH), in order that the RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENTS of the law might fully met in us, who do not LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) but according to the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT).
Those who LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) have their MINDS set on what that nature DESIRES (Gal.3:19-21); but those who LIVE in accordance with the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) have their MINDS set on what the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) DESIRES (Gal.3:22-23). The MIND of SINFUL MAN (FLESH) is DEATH, but the MIND CONTROLLED by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) is LIFE and PEACE; the SINFUL MIND(the MIND set on the FLESH) is HOSTILE to GOD. It does not SUBMIT to GOD'S LAW, nor can it do so. Those CONTROLLED by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) cannot please GOD.
You however are CONTROLLED not by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) but by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT), if the SPIRIT OF GOD (THE HOLY SPIRIT) LIVES in you. And if anyone does not have the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he does not belong to CHRIST JESUS. But if CHRIST JESUS is in you, your BODY (THE FLESH) is DEAD because of SIN, yet your spirit (THE INNER MAN) is alive because of RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD). And if the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) of GOD who RAISED JESUS CHRIST from the DEAD is LIVING in you, GOD who RAISED JESUS CHRIST from the DEAD will also give LIFE to your MORTAL BODIES (THE FLESH) THROUGH GOD's SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT), WHO LIVES IN YOU!
THEREFORE, BROTHERS, we have an OBLIGATION- but it is not to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH), to LIVE according to it. For if you LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE, you will DIE; but if by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) you put to DEATH the MISDEEDS (SINS) of the BODY (THE FLESH), you will LIVE, because those who are led by the SPIRIT OF GOD (THE HOLY SPIRIT) are SONS of GOD. For you did not RECIEVE a spirit (THE INNER MAN) that makes you a SLAVE again to FEAR, but you RECIEVED the SPIRIT OF SONSHIP (ADOPTION). And by HIM (THE HOLY SPIRIT) WE CRY," ABBA, FATHER". The SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) HIMSELF testifies with OUR spirit (THE INNER MAN) that we are GOD'S CHILDREN. Now if we are CHILDREN, then we are heirs- heirs of GOD and co-heirs with JESUS CHRIST, if indeed we share in HIS (CHRIST) SUFFERINGS (HE SUFFERED for our SINS) in order that we may also share in HIS (CHRIST) GLORY (ETERNAL LIFE). AMEN!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) a slave to the law of SIN. THEREFORE, there is no CODEMNATION for those who are in CHRIST JESUS, because through CHRIST JESUS the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE (THE HOLY SPIRIT) set me free from the law of SIN and DEATH. For what the LAW WAS POWERLESS to do in that it was WEAKEN by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH), GOD did by sending his own SON (JESUS) in the likeness of SINFUL MAN (THE FLESH) to be a SIN OFFERING. And so GOD CONDEMED SIN in SINFUL MAN (THE FLESH), in order that the RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENTS of the law might fully met in us, who do not LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) but according to the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT).
Those who LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) have their MINDS set on what that nature DESIRES (Gal.3:19-21); but those who LIVE in accordance with the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) have their MINDS set on what the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) DESIRES (Gal.3:22-23). The MIND of SINFUL MAN (FLESH) is DEATH, but the MIND CONTROLLED by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) is LIFE and PEACE; the SINFUL MIND(the MIND set on the FLESH) is HOSTILE to GOD. It does not SUBMIT to GOD'S LAW, nor can it do so. Those CONTROLLED by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) cannot please GOD.
You however are CONTROLLED not by the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH) but by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT), if the SPIRIT OF GOD (THE HOLY SPIRIT) LIVES in you. And if anyone does not have the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he does not belong to CHRIST JESUS. But if CHRIST JESUS is in you, your BODY (THE FLESH) is DEAD because of SIN, yet your spirit (THE INNER MAN) is alive because of RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD). And if the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) of GOD who RAISED JESUS CHRIST from the DEAD is LIVING in you, GOD who RAISED JESUS CHRIST from the DEAD will also give LIFE to your MORTAL BODIES (THE FLESH) THROUGH GOD's SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT), WHO LIVES IN YOU!
THEREFORE, BROTHERS, we have an OBLIGATION- but it is not to the SINFUL NATURE (THE FLESH), to LIVE according to it. For if you LIVE according to the SINFUL NATURE, you will DIE; but if by the SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) you put to DEATH the MISDEEDS (SINS) of the BODY (THE FLESH), you will LIVE, because those who are led by the SPIRIT OF GOD (THE HOLY SPIRIT) are SONS of GOD. For you did not RECIEVE a spirit (THE INNER MAN) that makes you a SLAVE again to FEAR, but you RECIEVED the SPIRIT OF SONSHIP (ADOPTION). And by HIM (THE HOLY SPIRIT) WE CRY," ABBA, FATHER". The SPIRIT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) HIMSELF testifies with OUR spirit (THE INNER MAN) that we are GOD'S CHILDREN. Now if we are CHILDREN, then we are heirs- heirs of GOD and co-heirs with JESUS CHRIST, if indeed we share in HIS (CHRIST) SUFFERINGS (HE SUFFERED for our SINS) in order that we may also share in HIS (CHRIST) GLORY (ETERNAL LIFE). AMEN!
Romans 3:21-22 RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH
Now a RIGHTEOUSNESS from God,(right standing with god) apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who BELIEVE! ( I BELIVE, I am RIGHTEOUS in JESUS CHRIST!) AMEN!
Monday, September 30, 2013
ROMANS 2:28 CIRCUMCISION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart (the inner man), by the Spirit (THE HOLY SPIRIT), not by the written code (the law). Such a man 's praise is not from men, but from God.( I only want to please God!) AMEN!
ACTS 20:32 HOW I GROW IN GRACE
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace (which is Jesus Christ), which can build you up ( grow you stronger in Christ) and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Those who Christ makes pure!) AMEN!
Monday, September 23, 2013
ACTS 17:24-28 MY GOD IS REAL TO ME!
The GOD who made the world and everything in it is LORD of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And GOD is not served by human hands, as if GOD needed anything, because GOD himself gives all men LIFE and BREATH and EVERYTHING else. (This means GOD doesn't need me to do anything but to OBEY GOD's WORD.)
From one man GOD made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and GOD determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. GOD did this so that men would seek GOD and perhaps reach out for GOD and find GOD. (Since we all came from one man that makes us all the same, no one is better or worse than anyone else.) For in GOD I live and move and have my being, I am GOD's child. (My God is real to me!) AMEN!
From one man GOD made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and GOD determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. GOD did this so that men would seek GOD and perhaps reach out for GOD and find GOD. (Since we all came from one man that makes us all the same, no one is better or worse than anyone else.) For in GOD I live and move and have my being, I am GOD's child. (My God is real to me!) AMEN!
Monday, September 16, 2013
JOHN 1:1-5 THE WORD BECAME FLESH
In the beginning was the WORD (JESUS), and the WORD (JESUS) was with GOD, and the WORD (JESUS) was GOD. HE ( JESUS) was with GOD in the beginning.
Through HIM (JESUS) all things were made; without HIM (JESUS) nothing was made that has been made. In HIM (JESUS) was LIFE, and that LIFE was the LIGHT (HOLY SPIRIT) of men. The LIGHT (HOLY SPIRIT) shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it (HOLY SPIRIT). AMEN!
Through HIM (JESUS) all things were made; without HIM (JESUS) nothing was made that has been made. In HIM (JESUS) was LIFE, and that LIFE was the LIGHT (HOLY SPIRIT) of men. The LIGHT (HOLY SPIRIT) shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it (HOLY SPIRIT). AMEN!
LUKE 9:23 TO FOLLOW JESUS
JESUS said that if you want to follow me (JESUS) you must deny your self (THE OUTTER MAN), and take up your cross ( your SINFULNESS FORGIVEN) and follow JESUS DAILY! AMEN!
Monday, September 9, 2013
LUKE 6:36-38 JUDGING OTHERS
I must show mercy to my FELLOWS as GOD has shown mercy to me. I must not JUDGE others, so I will not be JUDGE. I do not CONDEM others so I will not be CONDEMED. I must FORGIVE others, so I can be FORGIVEN. As I GIVE so It will be GIVEN to ME.
Gods FULL GENERASITY will be GIVEN to Me. For with the MEASURE I use, it will MEASURED to Me! AMEN!
Gods FULL GENERASITY will be GIVEN to Me. For with the MEASURE I use, it will MEASURED to Me! AMEN!
Monday, August 19, 2013
MARK 11:22-24 THE PROMISE OF FAITH
Faith comes from HEARING the MESSAGE, and the MESSAGE is heard through the WORD of Christ. If any one says to this MOUNTAIN-(MOUNTAIN being any problem) to go, throw your self into the SEA and does not DOUBT in his HEART (INNER MAN) but BELIEVES that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. THEREFORE Christ tells me, whatever I ask for in PRAYER, BELIVE that I have RECIEVED it, and it will be mine. What I BELIEVE must coincide with what God says. AMEN!
Monday, August 5, 2013
MATHEW 28:18-20 THE GREAT COMMISSION
A disciple is One who accepts and assist in spreading the doctrines of another.
We are all called to be disciples, which means we accept and are willing to assist in spreading the doctrine of Jesus Christ. He said all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him by God. We are to be baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We must obey everything Jesus has commanded us in his word. He promises he will always be with us to the end of the age. This is the great commission! AMEN!
We are all called to be disciples, which means we accept and are willing to assist in spreading the doctrine of Jesus Christ. He said all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him by God. We are to be baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We must obey everything Jesus has commanded us in his word. He promises he will always be with us to the end of the age. This is the great commission! AMEN!
Monday, July 29, 2013
MATHEW 6:9-14 HOW WE SHOULD PRAY
We should find a private place to pray to be alone with God. God is our audience and we must show reverence to God. We must remember we are requesting what is God's, we can not demand, we can only ask. We can only ask what God's word allows.
We must forgive others to be forgiven, then we have peace with God, God will hear our prayers. Amen!
We must forgive others to be forgiven, then we have peace with God, God will hear our prayers. Amen!
Monday, July 22, 2013
MATHEW 5:43-48 LOVE FOR MY ENEMIES
To Love as God Loves is the message. God says to Love your enemies the same as your neighbors. God sends the rain and the sunshine symbols of God's Love for us on everyone. Whether they be good or evil, righteous or unrighteous. When I pray Gods word I am expressing God's Love. I should pray for all people whether friend or foe. By doing this I am Loving as God Loved me. God's word to me is God's love for me. Amen!
Monday, February 4, 2013
WHERE I FIND GOD'S PEACE IS IN HIS WORD
I find God's peace in his word. The Bible is the written word of God and I believe those words are true.
1Corinthians 2:13 says "The Spirit expresses Spiritual truths in Spiritual words." This is a list of the Scriptures that have been given me through the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT. The SPIRIT of truth helps me to understand the word of God that I may grow in knowledge and faith.
It says in 2Timothy 2:14 That the Lord's servant must not quarrel about words. What the Bible says IS true! 1Timothy 4:13 says "To devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, preaching and teaching. 15)Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16)Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do you will save both yourself and your hearers.
"THESE WORDS ARE MY DOCTRINE"
MY SPIRITUAL READINGS:
1Corinthians 2:13 says "The Spirit expresses Spiritual truths in Spiritual words." This is a list of the Scriptures that have been given me through the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT. The SPIRIT of truth helps me to understand the word of God that I may grow in knowledge and faith.
It says in 2Timothy 2:14 That the Lord's servant must not quarrel about words. What the Bible says IS true! 1Timothy 4:13 says "To devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, preaching and teaching. 15)Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16)Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do you will save both yourself and your hearers.
"THESE WORDS ARE MY DOCTRINE"
MY SPIRITUAL READINGS:
| Ephesians 6:10-18 | |
Hebrews 4:15-16
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