DAVID SHARING WHAT HE LEARNED AS A SHEPHERD ABOUT GOD'S WATCH CARE OVER EACH PERSON IN HIS FLOCK.
You are my caretaker. I do not have to worry about my physical needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
You place me in environments where I can grow better (Philippians 4:19/Acts 17:26)
You show me how to obtain peace of mind (Philippians 4;6,7/Mark 6:31)
You revive my spirit (Psalm 51:12)
You show me how to live right in this world (Proverbs 3:6); so that You get the glory (1 Peter 2:9-13)
If I end up in dangerous situations, I will not be be afraid, because I know that Your presence is there (Psalm 91:9-13/Deuteronomy 31:6,8)
You uplift me with your right hand and send the Holy Spirit to be my Comforter(John 14:16)
You cause me to be invited to events with those that hate me and there provide for the nourishment of my body (Psalm 103:5)
You Baptise me with Your Spirit (Matthew 3:11)
I have so many blessings, that I have to share with others (Malachi 3:10)
I am certain that joy and forgiveness You will give to me as long as I abide with You (Psalm 16:11/1 John 1:9)
And by your grace, I will work in Your vineyard (Psalm 84:10/ Philippians 2: 12,13) and my name will not be blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5)
Amen
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
HE/SHE IS A GOOD PERSON
We are not good people. The bible makes it clear that we are sinners and that there is none good, no not one (Romans 3:10 and Psalm 14:3). All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 and 5:12). We are sinners in need of a Savior, a Redeemer. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father (God) but by Him (His Son Jesus Christ) (John 3:16 and 14:6).
Beloved, surrender your sinful self to the Lord today and accept the gift of salvation. Repent and be baptised and begin a new life with the Master today (Matthew 3:2 and Acts 2:38).
Today is the day of salvation.
God loves you with an everlasting love.
Beloved, surrender your sinful self to the Lord today and accept the gift of salvation. Repent and be baptised and begin a new life with the Master today (Matthew 3:2 and Acts 2:38).
Today is the day of salvation.
God loves you with an everlasting love.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
RANDOM QUOTES
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” Ellen G. White, Life Sketches, p. 196
Thursday, December 16, 2010
RANDOM QUOTES
"The great test of every Christian is not preaching what he's [or she's] learned, but living what he [or she] preaches" - Dave Meyer
Sunday, December 5, 2010
PROVERBS 5 FOR DECEMBER 5, 2010
Solomon encourages his son, “My son, attend unto [pay attention to] my wisdom, and bow [incline] thine ear to my understanding; that thou may regard discretion.”
Then he tells him where this wisdom is most useful, “For the lips of a strange [immoral] woman drop as a honeycomb [drip honey], and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood [in the end she is bitter], sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
He continues, “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not near the door of her house: Lest…
(a) …thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: (you lose your usefulness and lifework)
(b) …strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of a stranger (financial loss and possible ruin)
(c) …And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed (physical weakness from a possible venereal disease)
(d) And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! (regret and mental anguish for not having listened to wise counsel)
(e) I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assemble (almost losing social standing)
Then Solomon tells his son where to get his needs met—-with his wife. “Let thy fountain be blessed; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind [deer] and pleasant [graceful] roe; let her breast satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished [intoxicated] with her love.”
He ends by questioning the rationale of sexual immorality, “for the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his goings.”
Then he tells him where this wisdom is most useful, “For the lips of a strange [immoral] woman drop as a honeycomb [drip honey], and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood [in the end she is bitter], sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
He continues, “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not near the door of her house: Lest…
(a) …thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: (you lose your usefulness and lifework)
(b) …strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of a stranger (financial loss and possible ruin)
(c) …And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed (physical weakness from a possible venereal disease)
(d) And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! (regret and mental anguish for not having listened to wise counsel)
(e) I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assemble (almost losing social standing)
Then Solomon tells his son where to get his needs met—-with his wife. “Let thy fountain be blessed; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind [deer] and pleasant [graceful] roe; let her breast satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished [intoxicated] with her love.”
He ends by questioning the rationale of sexual immorality, “for the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his goings.”
PROVERBS 2 FOR DECEMBER 2, 2010
Solomon gives instruction for the woman and for the man, “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”
(1) To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh forward [perverse] things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the forwardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they forward in their paths:
(2) To deliver thee from the strange [immoral] woman, even from the stranger [seductress] which flattereth with her words; Who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgeteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
(1) To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh forward [perverse] things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the forwardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they forward in their paths:
(2) To deliver thee from the strange [immoral] woman, even from the stranger [seductress] which flattereth with her words; Who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgeteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
GOD'S WOUNDS CURE, SINS KISSES KILL
“God’s wounds cure, sin’s kisses kill” - William Gurnall
God is a wise disciplinarian. Concerning the difference in Adam and Eve’s consequences for sin, it is significant to consider what are generally topics of interest and value in each sex. Men usually find their greatest sense of significance in their work while women find it in their relationships. Adam’s discipline was associated with his work, increasing its challenge and difficulty. He had taken (with practically no effort) what did not belong to him to eat. His punishment was related to his sin in that now he must work very hard for what it was his right to eat.
Eve’s sin involved a breakdown in relationships—first with God then with her husband. Her discipline involved experiencing pain in the closest relationship—mother with child. The pain of childbearing is the pain of separation. This is symbolic of the pain Eve caused when she separated from God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, Ellen G. White, pgs. 58-60)
God is a wise disciplinarian. Concerning the difference in Adam and Eve’s consequences for sin, it is significant to consider what are generally topics of interest and value in each sex. Men usually find their greatest sense of significance in their work while women find it in their relationships. Adam’s discipline was associated with his work, increasing its challenge and difficulty. He had taken (with practically no effort) what did not belong to him to eat. His punishment was related to his sin in that now he must work very hard for what it was his right to eat.
Eve’s sin involved a breakdown in relationships—first with God then with her husband. Her discipline involved experiencing pain in the closest relationship—mother with child. The pain of childbearing is the pain of separation. This is symbolic of the pain Eve caused when she separated from God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, Ellen G. White, pgs. 58-60)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
"PRACTICE MAKES BETTER"
"And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming. If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth (practices) righteousness is born of Him...he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked...Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth (practices) righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous."
References:
1 John 2:28,29
1 John 2:6
1 John 3:7
References:
1 John 2:28,29
1 John 2:6
1 John 3:7
Saturday, August 14, 2010
FINDING THE PERFECT MAN (IN GOD'S SIGHT)
Looking for love? Here are 7 things to look for in the perfect man:
One who is at peace with God (1 Kings 8:61; 11:4; 15:3)
One whose works completes his faith (James 2:22)
One who does not offend [stumble] in his words (James 3:2)
One who is mature (1 Corinthians 2:6; Ephesians 4:13)
One who is equipped unto all good works through the study of the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14:17; Ephesians 4:12)
One who is blameless – “Mark the perfect man, and the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37) -- More references found in Genesis 6:9; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalm 101:2, 6 and Proverbs 2:21.
One who is fearless in his love (1 John 4:18)
“Be thou therefore perfect, even as your Father which is heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This section of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized with the statement, Be ye therefore perfect. Since the New Testament is clear that even the believer is capable of sin, the term perfect (Greek teleios) is not to be taken as sinless perfection. Perfect here means “complete,” that is, possessing a complete love that, like God’s (v. 45), embraces those who love you as well as those who do not. (From the King James Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988, pg. 1421)
In lieu of and in place of the perfect earthly man, God is more than enough --“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4)
One who is at peace with God (1 Kings 8:61; 11:4; 15:3)
One whose works completes his faith (James 2:22)
One who does not offend [stumble] in his words (James 3:2)
One who is mature (1 Corinthians 2:6; Ephesians 4:13)
One who is equipped unto all good works through the study of the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14:17; Ephesians 4:12)
One who is blameless – “Mark the perfect man, and the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37) -- More references found in Genesis 6:9; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalm 101:2, 6 and Proverbs 2:21.
One who is fearless in his love (1 John 4:18)
“Be thou therefore perfect, even as your Father which is heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This section of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized with the statement, Be ye therefore perfect. Since the New Testament is clear that even the believer is capable of sin, the term perfect (Greek teleios) is not to be taken as sinless perfection. Perfect here means “complete,” that is, possessing a complete love that, like God’s (v. 45), embraces those who love you as well as those who do not. (From the King James Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988, pg. 1421)
In lieu of and in place of the perfect earthly man, God is more than enough --“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Monday, August 9, 2010
WISDOM IN 9-11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Words of King Solomon, the Preacher
Words of King Solomon, the Preacher
Friday, August 6, 2010
EXAMINE YOURSELVES
Paul asks us to examine our selves (2 Corinthians 13:5). We must work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
Here are 7 questions* that will help with that personal assessment:
(1) Am I a Christian?
(2) Is the Word of God my study?
(3) Is Christ dwelling in my heart by faith?
(4) Is the law of God the rule of my life?
(5) Do the searching truths I profess to believe, penetrate into the secret places of my life?
(6) Do I carry out its principles in my business or home life?
(7) Is the influence I exert, having a saving power on those with whom I associate?
*I don't recall where these were obtained from
Here are 7 questions* that will help with that personal assessment:
(1) Am I a Christian?
(2) Is the Word of God my study?
(3) Is Christ dwelling in my heart by faith?
(4) Is the law of God the rule of my life?
(5) Do the searching truths I profess to believe, penetrate into the secret places of my life?
(6) Do I carry out its principles in my business or home life?
(7) Is the influence I exert, having a saving power on those with whom I associate?
*I don't recall where these were obtained from
Thursday, July 15, 2010
THE WILL OF GOD
"...if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth." (John 9:31)
Romans 8:27 - That He (Jesus) that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit (Holy Ghost), because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (see v. 7-10*) - That all these (the 9 spiritual gifts described*) worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing (distributing) to every man severally (individually) as He will.
Galatians 1:3-5 - That Jesus Christ game himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 5:17:21 - That wherefore ye be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves on to another in the fear of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any thing: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Peter 2:13-16 - That ye submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God.
1 Peter 3:17 - For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 4:2,19 - That ye no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God...Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing , as unto a faithful Creator.
Romans 8:27 - That He (Jesus) that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit (Holy Ghost), because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (see v. 7-10*) - That all these (the 9 spiritual gifts described*) worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing (distributing) to every man severally (individually) as He will.
Galatians 1:3-5 - That Jesus Christ game himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 5:17:21 - That wherefore ye be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves on to another in the fear of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any thing: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Peter 2:13-16 - That ye submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as servants of God.
1 Peter 3:17 - For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 4:2,19 - That ye no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God...Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing , as unto a faithful Creator.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
SEARCHING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
After talking about what we should not worry about, Jesus in Matthew 6:33, says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized by the statement seek ye first the kingdom of God. The disciples who have pledged their allegiance to the King must continue seeking the kingdom and its righteousness. The present imperative form of the Greek verb indicates a continual or constant seeking.
The contrast between the spiritual and the material is emphasized. The believer is to seek first the righteousness that is characteristic of God's kingdom and then all these things (material things) shall be added unto him. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material, for where God guides, He provides.
We need not even worry about tomorrow, for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (v. 34). This meas that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.
Edited commentary from the King James Study Bible, pg. 1424, 1988, Nelson Publishing.
This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized by the statement seek ye first the kingdom of God. The disciples who have pledged their allegiance to the King must continue seeking the kingdom and its righteousness. The present imperative form of the Greek verb indicates a continual or constant seeking.
The contrast between the spiritual and the material is emphasized. The believer is to seek first the righteousness that is characteristic of God's kingdom and then all these things (material things) shall be added unto him. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material, for where God guides, He provides.
We need not even worry about tomorrow, for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (v. 34). This meas that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.
Edited commentary from the King James Study Bible, pg. 1424, 1988, Nelson Publishing.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW
Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me, He who died, Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Jesus takes this heart of mine, make it pure and holy thine;
On the cross you died for me, I will love and live for thee.
Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should;
Jesus loves me when I'm bad, even though it makes Him sad.
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me, He who died, Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Jesus takes this heart of mine, make it pure and holy thine;
On the cross you died for me, I will love and live for thee.
Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should;
Jesus loves me when I'm bad, even though it makes Him sad.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
COUNTRY LIVING (Part 2)
Country Living continues...
Good things about being in the country
Tasting treasures out of your own garden that you planted and that the earth yielded
Seeing deer for the “umpteenth” time and still being excited
Feeling the cool morning air while the dew is still on the ground
Smelling fresh cut grass (one of my favorite smells)
Hearing the happy laughter of our children playing with the garden hose
Bad things about being in the country
Tasting a recipe experiment that did not quite come out like the cookbook
Seeing the evidence that something’s eating your collards
Feeling the loving, sincere hugs from your family
Smelling banana skins left out to be put in the compost bin
Hearing muffled rifle shots in the far distance as another deer loses its life
Good things about being in the country
Tasting treasures out of your own garden that you planted and that the earth yielded
Seeing deer for the “umpteenth” time and still being excited
Feeling the cool morning air while the dew is still on the ground
Smelling fresh cut grass (one of my favorite smells)
Hearing the happy laughter of our children playing with the garden hose
Bad things about being in the country
Tasting a recipe experiment that did not quite come out like the cookbook
Seeing the evidence that something’s eating your collards
Feeling the loving, sincere hugs from your family
Smelling banana skins left out to be put in the compost bin
Hearing muffled rifle shots in the far distance as another deer loses its life
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
PERFECTION OF CHARACTER
Perfection of Character
One of the current errors in Christianity is that there is justification (Romans 4:24, 25), i.e. saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8) without sanctification, i.e. change of character and habits through obedience to the truth (Acts 16:26, 1 Peter 1:2). Study these precepts in the following lines, Romans 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Acts 26:18. The two work together.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Peter 1:22)
Jesus said to the demoniac and to the woman caught in adultery, “go and sin no more”. Sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). The law of God is spelled out for us in the 10 Commandments (Found in the Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, all the way to the Gospels, Paul’s letters and finally in Revelation).
Recurring themes: victory over sin; overcoming; being perfect; purifying our souls; and many more
Living a sinless life through the merits of Christ is possible!
Since you’re interested in understanding more of God’s word, here are some texts for further study (this is by no means and exhaustive list of bible texts):
Zephaniah 3:13 [no guile in our mouths]; Revelation 14:1, 5 [the 144,000]; Revelation 7:1-8 [144,000 receive the seal of God]; 1 Peter 1:16 [be ye perfect]; 1 Peter 2:21 [Christ our example]; Hebrews 8:8-10 [the sealing of God’s law in our hearts is the new covenant] and many more
One of the current errors in Christianity is that there is justification (Romans 4:24, 25), i.e. saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8) without sanctification, i.e. change of character and habits through obedience to the truth (Acts 16:26, 1 Peter 1:2). Study these precepts in the following lines, Romans 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Acts 26:18. The two work together.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Peter 1:22)
Jesus said to the demoniac and to the woman caught in adultery, “go and sin no more”. Sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). The law of God is spelled out for us in the 10 Commandments (Found in the Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, all the way to the Gospels, Paul’s letters and finally in Revelation).
Recurring themes: victory over sin; overcoming; being perfect; purifying our souls; and many more
Living a sinless life through the merits of Christ is possible!
Since you’re interested in understanding more of God’s word, here are some texts for further study (this is by no means and exhaustive list of bible texts):
Zephaniah 3:13 [no guile in our mouths]; Revelation 14:1, 5 [the 144,000]; Revelation 7:1-8 [144,000 receive the seal of God]; 1 Peter 1:16 [be ye perfect]; 1 Peter 2:21 [Christ our example]; Hebrews 8:8-10 [the sealing of God’s law in our hearts is the new covenant] and many more
Monday, May 17, 2010
THE REFINED GOSPEL - PROCESSED RELIGION
The Refined Gospel – Processed Religion
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying, we will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1)*
There is a plethora of religious options to choose from, all claiming to be true. The patient seeker of truth has the guarantee that they will find it (Jeremiah 29:13). In the hodgepodge of religious teachings there is a pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27) and there is a processed religion.
In the processed religion the people say, “prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits” (see Isaiah 30:10). The leaders of the people cause them to err (see Isaiah 9:16) and the idolatrous priests…that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2 Kings 23:5) are misleading the flock.
When we begin to feed upon the pure, unrefined word of God it will have a powerful effect on our lives. We will preach with power (Revelation 18:1) and there will be no spiritual constipation or a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Just like food with its full fiber moves the waste and impurities from our bodies, so the pure word of the Lord purges the mind of impure thoughts and false teachings to the perfection of our character (Ephesians 5:26).
The word, however, must be chewed (studied) thoroughly (2 Timothy 2:15). If you’re not used to such full truth, it may be difficult at first, but as you become accustomed to the word of God, it will become easier to understand. Isaiah encourages us to study the word line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10). By a casual perusal or by trying to take in too much at one time, we will not be edified and confusion and frustration will be the sure result.
Let us choose our spiritual food carefully.
*symbolic language: woman – church (Jeremiah 6:2; Revelation 12:17); bread - word of God (2 Peter 1:20; Matthew 16:12); apparel – character (Revelation 19:8; Isaiah 61:10); man/name – Christ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying, we will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1)*
There is a plethora of religious options to choose from, all claiming to be true. The patient seeker of truth has the guarantee that they will find it (Jeremiah 29:13). In the hodgepodge of religious teachings there is a pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27) and there is a processed religion.
In the processed religion the people say, “prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits” (see Isaiah 30:10). The leaders of the people cause them to err (see Isaiah 9:16) and the idolatrous priests…that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2 Kings 23:5) are misleading the flock.
When we begin to feed upon the pure, unrefined word of God it will have a powerful effect on our lives. We will preach with power (Revelation 18:1) and there will be no spiritual constipation or a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Just like food with its full fiber moves the waste and impurities from our bodies, so the pure word of the Lord purges the mind of impure thoughts and false teachings to the perfection of our character (Ephesians 5:26).
The word, however, must be chewed (studied) thoroughly (2 Timothy 2:15). If you’re not used to such full truth, it may be difficult at first, but as you become accustomed to the word of God, it will become easier to understand. Isaiah encourages us to study the word line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10). By a casual perusal or by trying to take in too much at one time, we will not be edified and confusion and frustration will be the sure result.
Let us choose our spiritual food carefully.
*symbolic language: woman – church (Jeremiah 6:2; Revelation 12:17); bread - word of God (2 Peter 1:20; Matthew 16:12); apparel – character (Revelation 19:8; Isaiah 61:10); man/name – Christ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Monday, May 10, 2010
RANDOM QUOTE
"There is more peace when a relationship is severed with a full disclosure of information than one that ends because of inadequate disclosure"
Still wondering why a friendship I had years ago ended suddenly
Still wondering why a friendship I had years ago ended suddenly
Sunday, May 9, 2010
RANDOM QUOTE
"If you don't know who you are, then anyone can name you, and you are then theirs by right of possession" - partial quote on the *Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry conference call, with my addition
Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Praise the Lord for the encouragement that follows in verse 17,18 of the same chapter, "But God be thanked, that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness."
*Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry
Daily 5:30am (EST)
218-486-1622
Pin: 13514#
N.B. Women are invited and welcome to participate as silent listeners and prayer partners
Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Praise the Lord for the encouragement that follows in verse 17,18 of the same chapter, "But God be thanked, that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness."
*Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry
Daily 5:30am (EST)
218-486-1622
Pin: 13514#
N.B. Women are invited and welcome to participate as silent listeners and prayer partners
SEVEN (7) THINGS THE LORD HATES...
BUT WE THINK THEY ARE NO BIG DEAL
Six Things the Lord Hates; The Seventh is an *Abomination (Proverbs 6:12-19)
Proverbs 6:12-15 and Proverbs 6:16-19:
He that winketh with his eyes - A proud look (haughty eyes)
A naughty person, a wicked man,[who] walketh with a froward mouth - A lying tongue
He that teacheth (points)[accuses] with his fingers - Hands that shed innocent blood
He deviseth mischief (evil) continually - A false witness that speaketh lies
He speaketh with his feet (shuffles)[slothful] - Feet that be swift in running to mischief
Frowardness (perversity) is in his heart - A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
He soweth discord - He that soweth discord among brethren
*Abomination
loathsome (Genesis 46:39)
defiles (Leviticus 18:30)
cursed (Deuteronomy (7:26)
detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9; 25;16)
odious (1 Samuel 13:4)
[brackets] are my addition
Six Things the Lord Hates; The Seventh is an *Abomination (Proverbs 6:12-19)
Proverbs 6:12-15 and Proverbs 6:16-19:
He that winketh with his eyes - A proud look (haughty eyes)
A naughty person, a wicked man,[who] walketh with a froward mouth - A lying tongue
He that teacheth (points)[accuses] with his fingers - Hands that shed innocent blood
He deviseth mischief (evil) continually - A false witness that speaketh lies
He speaketh with his feet (shuffles)[slothful] - Feet that be swift in running to mischief
Frowardness (perversity) is in his heart - A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
He soweth discord - He that soweth discord among brethren
*Abomination
loathsome (Genesis 46:39)
defiles (Leviticus 18:30)
cursed (Deuteronomy (7:26)
detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9; 25;16)
odious (1 Samuel 13:4)
[brackets] are my addition
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