Archive for the ‘trust in the Lord with all your heart’ Category

Spiritual Training 17 March 2014

Posted: March 17, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Paul Addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Through various sources, Paul had received reports of problems in the Corinthian church, including jealousy, divisiveness, sexual immorality, and failure to discipline members.  Churches today must also address the problems they face.  We can learn a great deal by observing how Paul handled these delicate situations.

(1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, Paul’s purpose for writing was to correct those problems and to answer questions church members had asked in a previous letter.  Paul was given a special calling from God to preach about Jesus Christ.  Each Christian has a job to do, a role to take, or a contribution to make.  One assignment may seem more spectacular than another, but all are necessary to carry out God’s greater plans for his church and for his world.

(2) To the Church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:

A personal initiation makes a person feel wanted and welcome.  We are “called to be holy.” God personally invites us to be citizens of his eternal kingdom.  But Jesus Christ, God’s Son is the only one who can bring us into this glorious Kingdom because he is the only one who removes our sins. Sanctified means that we are chosen or set apart by Christ for his service.  We accept god’s invitation by accepting his Son, Jesus Christ and by trusting in the work he did on the cross to forgive our sins.

(3) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is God’s free gift of salvation given to us in Christ.  Receiving it brings us peace (see Romans 5:1). In a world of noise, confusion, and relentless pressures, people long for peace.  Many give up the search, thinking it impossible to find, but true peace of heart and mind is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lets Bring It Home:  Be available to God by placing your gifts at his service.  Then as you discover what he calls you to do, be ready to do it.

Proverbs 26:28 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 26, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and flattering mouth works ruin

Good words do not prove good intentions. Liars and flatterers are out to destroy you, no matter how good their words sound, no matter their excuses (Pr 26:24-25). A wise man rejects both kinds of men, just as David did (Ps 101:3-8). If you tolerate these deceitful people in your life, they will take you down (Pr 20:19; 29:5). They are hiding hatred and destruction behind their lying words, and noble and prudent men will stay far from them.

A man lies for advantage or to protect himself. He is selfish and wicked, so he feels no guilt about deceiving you in order to advance himself. It does not matter what his relationship is to you or how kindly he speaks at other times. If he has lied to you, then you should run far from him, whether it is a slander about you or a lie to your face. His deceit proves that he hates you. He is out to hurt you or use you. True friends never lie.

Flattery is praise designed to deceive you into doing what the flatterer wants you to do. It is a form of lying, but it is harder to detect and resist. Men love praise, so they are easily lulled to sleep by flattery. It is poison in a spoonful of honey. A flatterer is more dangerous than a slanderer, for he is crafty, friendly, and subtle in working his deceit, while liars are more easily detected by their open malice and wickedness.

Are you vigilant and intolerant against deceivers? Aggressive salesmen may lie or flatter to sell an inferior product. Many girls have lost their virginity or women their marital fidelity to lying flattery of whoremongers (II Sam 13:1-13). Many men have been led to hell by flattering lies of whorish women (Pr 2:16-18; 5:3; 6:24-26; 7:5,21-23). Many citizens have voted for corrupt politicians due to flattery and false promises, for the election process in most nations is based on words rather than character or performance.

Parent, you must punish lying and flattery, and you must teach children to reject liars and flatterers (Job 32:21-22). Teach them that God hates liars, He will judge them, and liars are going to hell (Pr 6:16-19; Job 17:5; Ps 12:2-3; Rev 21:8). Teach them that friends who tell the truth even when it hurts are better than kisses from an enemy (Pr 27:5-6). Teach them that men should be judged by their actions and lives, not words (Pr 20:11).

Religion has many lies and flattery, for the devil has used it since Eden (Gen 3:1-13; John 8:44). The Jews flattered and lied to Jesus to trap him (Luke 20:20-21). False teachers use good words and fair speeches to deceive simple hearers (Rom 16:17-18). Rome tells the lies of abstaining from meat and marriage (I Tim 4:1-3). But God’s faithful pastors and teachers never use flattering speech or lies (II Cor 2:17; 4:2; I Thess 2:3-6).

Jehovah is God of truth, and so is His Son Jesus Christ, Who is Faithful and True (Rev 19:11). He expects honesty and truthfulness from His children, and He punishes all liars and flatterers. All who take His name must make sure their every word is honest, sincere, and true – and obviously so in the ears of all others (Deut 32:4; Rom 12:17; I Pet 2:12).

Spiritual Training 26 February 2014

Posted: February 26, 2014 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2nd Timothy 4:19-22 Great Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.  Erastus stayed in Corinth and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.  Do your best to get here before winter.  Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.  The Lord be with your spirit, Grace be with you. 

Paul ended the final chapter in his book and in his life by greeting those who were closest to him.  Although Paul had spent most of his life traveling, he had developed close and lasting friendships.  Too often, we rush though our days, barely touching anyone’s life.  Do you have a Paul – am mentor or teacher who provides leadership, accountability, and encouragement?   Do you have a Priscilla or Aquila-a coworker or peer who prays with you in times of stress, loves you, and supports you?  Do you have a Timothy-a younger leader whom you are helping, encouraging, and discipling?

Lets Bring it Home: Like Paul, we should take time to weave our lives into others through close personal relationships.

Spiritual Training 11 February 2014

Posted: February 11, 2014 in 2 Timothy, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2nd Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Here Paul was affirming his belief in eternal life after death.  Paul knew the end was near, and he was ready for it.  Paul was confident in God’s power even as he faced death

Lets Bring it Home: Anyone facing a life and death struggle can be comforted knowing that God will bring each believer safely through death to his heavenly kingdom.

Proverbs 11:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 11, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 11, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

There is only one way to a successful life – pursue it faithfully and righteously, as unto the Lord. Sinners cheat themselves! They plan and labor toward a goal, but they either miss their target, or they are unhappy once they get it. On the other hand, the righteous diligently and patiently pursue their objectives, and they either obtain what they sought, or they find equal or greater peace and pleasure without it. What a contrast in lives!

Consider the proverb. The deceitful work of the wicked is the elusiveness of success. He aims for pleasure by sin. He pursues his lusts, but the results never satisfy his craving heart or body. Compare the two clauses to prove this interpretation. The wicked man compares to the righteous. The deceitful work compares to the sure reward. Therefore, the righteous man gets what he patiently pursues, but the wicked end up deceived.

Consider some examples. Satan promised Eve she could be like God by rejecting His command and eating the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:1-5). The first terrible results arrived immediately, but they shall never end (Gen 3:6-24; 5:5; Rev 20:11-15). On the other hand, Satan offered the world’s kingdoms to Jesus, but He endured the temptation, and now He rules heaven and earth (Matt 4:8-11; Heb 12:1-3). He obtained the sure reward.

Amnon fell sick with lust for his beautiful half sister, so he conspired and raped her, but the consequences were totally unsatisfying and cost him his life (II Sam 13:1-39). On the other hand, Isaac at 40 and Jacob at 77 trusted their fathers for direction about wives, and they both ended up with beautiful women who feared God – Rebekah and Rachel – and a great progeny. Amnon was deceived, but the two patriarchs found a sure reward.

Israel murmured and complained about manna until they forced God to give them quail. He gave it to them – three feet high in every direction as far as they could walk in a day, but He killed many for their lust and sent leanness into the souls of the rest (Ps 106:13-15). On the other hand, a little salad or a dry morsel is more than enough for two people walking with God and in love and at peace with each other (Pr 15:17; 17:1).

Foolish Gehazi lusted after the rich Syrian garments of Naaman, and he lied to obtain them, but he was sorely disappointed in the end to lose the garments, and he and his family ended up with terminal leprosy (II Kgs 5:20-27). On the other hand, Moses rejected the pleasures and riches of Egypt for the people of God, and he was rewarded with one of the highest offices and most illustrious careers in Israel (Heb 11:24-29), and he appeared in a glorified state with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration (Matt 17:1-3).

The man who works himself to death to get ahead seldom enjoys the riches he gathers, for he had no time to relax and enjoy them, and then he is gone. While hearing of his growing assets, he finds himself discontent and wanting more (Ec 5:10). But a righteous man does not even want the danger or vanity of riches, so he prays for modest income and assets rather than wealth, and he is thrilled with the convenient outcome (Pr 30:7-9).

A righteous man may not see his reward for a while, for sowing is a term taken from farming, where men wait many weeks and even months for the reward of a harvest. The exhortation is to never faint, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal 6:9). Believest thou this, dear reader?

The reward will most surely come for the righteous. Sow faithfully in righteousness, and you shall reap the reward soon enough (Gal 6:7). “So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth” (Ps 58:11). Godliness has promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (I Tim 4:8).

Spiritual Training 10 February 2014

Posted: February 10, 2014 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2nd Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. 

With his mentor in prison and his church in turmoil, Timothy was probably not feeling very brave.  Paul may have been subtly telling Timothy that the Lord had called Timothy to preach, and would give him the courage to continue to do so.

Lets Bring it Home: God always gives us the strength to do what he has commanded.  This strength may not be evident, however, until we step out in faith and actually begin doing the task.

Proverbs 10:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 10, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 10, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 10:29  The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

There is a right way to live and a wrong way to live. The right way gets Almighty God’s favor and blessings for prosperity and success. The wrong way, the sinful way of most men, brings destruction, dysfunction, and death. Which way are you living? Examine yourself right now, humble yourself, and choose to live the right way with its blessings.

Deism is heresy, and those who reject the God of providence and revelation are heretics. Jehovah of the Bible intervenes daily in the affairs of all men. The creator God is not watching from a distance, as a foolish songwriter has hallucinated. He actively rewards those who obey Him and severely punishes those who reject and disobey Him (Pr 13:13).

Grasp the proverb. “LORD,” in all capitals, is the name of ancient Israel’s God, Jehovah of the Bible, I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14; 6:3). Those who follow God and keep His commandments are the upright in the way of the LORD, and He blesses and prospers their lives with strength. But those who reject Him and His revealed will are called the workers of iniquity, and He has righteously committed to destroy them for their sins.

The great God sees and measures all men in infinite detail (Pr 15:3; Heb 4:12-13). It is an axiom of His religion that He rewards those who diligently seek and obey Him (Pr 11:18; Heb 6:10; 11:6; Gen 15:1; Ps 18:20; 58:10-11; Matt 5:10-12; 6:33; Rev 21:3-5). And it is an equal axiom that He punishes those who reject Him and His word (Pr 13:13; II Chr 36:16; Ps 73:15-20; Mat 21:40-46; I Cor 11:30; Heb 10:26-31; 12:28-29; Rev 21:8).

God has revealed Himself by two means – the natural creation and the written Scriptures. So complete and thorough is Jehovah’s creative display in the heavens and earth that men are without excuse, and He judges them severely for not worshipping Him in truth and righteousness (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:18-32). And in like manner, His written Scriptures are to be reverently obeyed (Deut 29:29; Ps 19:7-11; Is 66:1-2; Matt 5:19-20; II Pet 1:19-21).

God mercifully forgives individual sins, if you repent (Pr 28:13; I Jn 1:9).  But workers of iniquity forsake the right way to live in rebellion and sin. There is no mercy for those who set themselves against the Most High: God hates them; their lives will be miserable; they will be destroyed (Pr 11:31; 13:15; Ps 5:5; 11:5; Matt 7:23; Rev 21:8). If they appear to be getting away with sin, just wait a few minutes (Ps 37:34-38; 49:6-14; 92:7)!

But God’s gracious eyes are over the righteous: He views their lives with approval and blesses them (II Chr 16:9; I Pet 3:12). When they walk in His way, He provides strength from day to day (Ps 84:5-7; Is 40:31; II Cor 4:16). When they separate from false religion to follow Him only, He receives them as dearly beloved sons and daughters (II Cor 6:14-18). He makes things last, repairs holes in financial bags, restores years lost to folly, and protects in danger (Deut 8:1-9; Hag 2:15-19; Joel 2:25; II Tim 4:17). These are a few of His ways, which are called the providence of God, and it is truer than gravity!

Will you examine your ways today? Do you understand the choice this proverb has put before you? Will you live the right way and be blessed? Or will you choose this world’s way and be destroyed? God will not let you play with Him for long before He closes the door of opportunity (Pr 29:1). Get serious today! Choose to be a noble and virtuous prince (or princess) in the earth by living God’s way for favor with both God and men.

 

Proverbs 29:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 29, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 29, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 29:2  When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

It is time to mourn in all nations, for wicked men are ruling and turning God’s wisdom upside down. How can God’s saints rejoice, when they see equity, righteousness, truth, and wisdom compromised and corrupted on a daily basis? King Solomon, writing to his son as a future king of Israel, made this observation and rule about political policy: the good people of any nation are seriously affected by the morality of their rulers.

The proverb does not apply to all men: the wicked love wicked rulers, for they promote and protect their sins. Many nations have loved and do love atheistic and profane rulers. The people of this proverb are God’s saints, especially those of Israel. Solomon taught his son godly motivation by looking out for noble citizens and honoring them.

Many nations have never had a righteous ruler, so they never had this reason to rejoice. However, even in nations that did not know better, even where there were few saints living, a considerate king that protected and provided for his people was a joyful thing. Violent tyrants, such as Herod the Great, who slew the children under two around Bethlehem, caused great mourning among even calloused citizens (Mat 2:16-18).

The political observation is true. When King Ahasuerus promoted Haman in Persia, the capital city of Shushan was perplexed at the rise of that wicked man (Es 3:15). But when righteous Mordecai replaced him, it rejoiced and was glad (Es 8:15). Israel rejoiced when Solomon took the throne, but they rebelled when his son Rehoboam succeeded him.

America in the 21st century appears to be a Christian nation under righteous rulers. But God’s saints mourn, because the wicked rule. They protect infanticide, child rebellion, pornography, labor rebellion, sodomy, Islamic moon worship, adultery, evolution, treacherous divorces, national indebtedness, and lascivious entertainment. Saying or singing, “God Bless America,” does not prove anything but ignorance or hypocrisy.

David cried rivers of waters, when he saw men turning from God’s law (Ps 119:136). But a day is coming in which the Son of David will put down all authority and reign supreme in righteousness under God (II Sam 23:1-7; Ps 45:1-7; Is 9:6-7; Jer 23:5-6). Have you believed the gospel to be one of the few that will admire Him in that day (II Thess 1:10)?

What are the lessons? There is no cause for political joy in nations today (Ps 9:17; 33:12; 144:15). Let all in authority be righteous, even fathers, for the example and joy of their subjects (Col 3:21; I Tim 4:12,16). Let all saints give thanks and pray for their nation and rulers, for peace is possible, even in the midst of Babylon (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-2).

Spiritual Training 29 January 2014

Posted: January 29, 2014 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2nd Timothy 4:9-10 Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 

Paul was virtually alone and probably lonely.  No one had come to his trial to speak in his defense (4:16), and Demas had left the faith (4:10).  Crescens and Titus had left, but not for the same reasons as Demas.  Paul did not criticize or condemn them.  Demas had been one of Paul’s coworkers (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24), but had deserted Paul because he “loved this world.” In other words, Demas loved worldly values and worldly pleasures.

There are two ways to love the world.   God loves the world as he created it and as it could be if it were rescued from evil.  Others like Demas, love the world as it is, sin and all.

Lets Bring it Home: Do you love the world as it could be if justice were done, the hungry were fed, and people loved one another?  Or do you love what the world has to offer-wealth, power, and pleasure – even if gaining it means hurting people and neglecting the work God has given you to do.

To keep cool when you are jarred and jolted by people or circumstances, don’t react quickly.  In any work of ministry that you undertake, keeping a clear mind in every situation makes you morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure, and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility.

Please remember that these emails are going to over 100 people.  I used BCC to keep your email address private.  I just want to share my own personal walk with you, and yes, please hold me accountable for my actions.   I love you all with the love of Jesus and there is nothing that you can do about it. 

Spiritual Training 28 January 2014

Posted: January 28, 2014 in 2 Timothy, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2nd Timothy 4:3-5 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching’s ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 

Many speakers, teachers, and writers talk about the pursuit of knowledge.  But often they don’t want knowledge; they want power.  Such people won’t listen to “sound doctrine” Instead, they “turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

You can see this everywhere – from liberal churches to university campuses.  People claiming to have a bit more enlightenment than what the dusty Bible has to say; people claiming to improve on God’s words.  Such people have several things in common:

(1)  They do not tolerate the truth.  They have no interest or respect for absolute truth or any standard for judgment.

(2)  They reject truth for sensationalism.  They want truth that fits their situation and makes sense for them.  What they feel, what works for them, what seems compelling-that is their truth and they claim an absolute right to it.  No one should even attempt to tell them differently.

(3)  They gather viewpoints to suit their selfish desires.  Although they profess objectivity, their only defense for their viewpoints is that those viewpoint suit their  desires.

Such teachers have a following because they are telling people “what their itching ears want to hear.” These people are following myths.

Lets Bring it Home: Be careful.  False teaching can be found in many places-even inside the doors of some churches.  Like Timothy, you must “keep your head in all situations” and seek God’s Word for the truth.

To keep cool when you are jarred and jolted by people or circumstances, don’t react quickly.  In any work of ministry that you undertake, keeping a clear mind in every situation makes you morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure, and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility.

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