Posts Tagged ‘religion’

Spiritual Training 10 December 2012

Posted: December 10, 2012 in 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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Under Gods Command

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 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 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 a 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 self-control.    

Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us.  Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation.  Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other.  Why would God say come together again due to our lack of self-control?

Lets Bring It Home: Therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another, but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires.  How many of you are leading your spouses into sexual temptation?

Proverbs 10:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 10, 2012 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. 

Many die needlessly due to ignorance. Others have so much wisdom they share it with many more. Do you grasp the great difference? Which one are you? What a privilege to be able to help others by your speech, but you first must gain the knowledge to share.

Righteous men have wisdom, so they can help others by teaching and warning about life’s pitfalls. But fools do not have even enough wisdom for themselves, so they fall into pain and trouble, dying early and unnecessarily. First, save yourself! Then, save others!

Wisdom is not only for self-preservation and success. Wisdom is also to help save others from the results of foolish decisions. Righteous men are not selfish: they are eager to use their wisdom to serve others. Righteous men are not hateful: they rejoice only when men are walking in the truth (I Cor 13:6). It grieves them to see men fall into sin foolishly.

Do you feed many? Will your funeral be filled with affectionate memories of advice and instruction you gave to save men from dangers and difficulties and lead them to success? Or will your funeral be moving a dysfunctional fool to the cemetery? Will men fondly recall your help and wisdom? Or remember your ignorance and that you helped no one?

While the righteous feed many, fools die for lack of wisdom. Do you understand there is more than one way to die? You can die physically by foolishness, as by accidents, drunkenness, AIDS, suicide, murder, execution, lung cancer, and other terminal consequences. But you can also die to love, joy, peace, hope, and prosperity in your life.

Divorce is the death of a marriage. Being fired is the death of a job. Being in prison is the death of freedom. A rebel child brings the death of peace. Guilt and shame are the death of joy. Bitterness and revenge are the death of love. Debt and poverty are the death of success. These things happen due to lack of wisdom. There is more than one way to die!

Do you have wisdom to avoid these painful troubles? As Proverbs declares repeatedly, wisdom is easily available to any man who will humble himself and seek her. Where is she found? In the precious word of God, especially these short inspired sayings of Solomon. His purpose was to teach wisdom to young men (Pr 1:1-4). Are you learning it?

The best wisdom you can share with another is the certain words of truth found in the Bible (Pr 22:17-21). God put perfect knowledge in writing for you, so that by listening to preaching and reading the Bible, you have much to give to others (Ps 19:7-11; I Pet 3:15).

What keeps you from feeding many? If you lack wisdom, get some. If you are selfish, confess and forsake it. If you can allow others to suffer needlessly, learn godly charity. If you are afraid to answer questions, then take courage and consider you might save a life.

You should aspire to be like Philip, who was able to answer the eunuch’s question in the desert, leading to his baptism (Acts 8:26-40). Consider Aquila and Priscilla, the husband and wife team that corrected Apollos, though he was a learned man (Acts 18:24-28).

It is the law of God to love others by correcting them when they need it (Lev 19:17). It is the duty of saints to warn the unruly (I Thess 5:14) and save brethren from error (Jas 5:19-20). Righteous men will be trees of life and save the souls of many (Pr 11:30; 27:9).

Spiritual Training 07 December 2012

Posted: December 7, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.  Therefor no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 

 The last time someone accused you of wrongdoing, what was your reaction? Denial, argument, and defensiveness? The Bible tells us the world stands silent and accountable before Almighty God.  No excuses or arguments are left.

Lets Bring It Home: Have you reached the point with God where you are ready to hang up your defenses and await his decision?  If you haven’t, stop now and admit your sin to him.  If you have, the following verses are truly good news for you!

Proverbs 7:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 7, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 7:18  Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

Is lust love? Is sex love? Does lust or sex prove love? Is an offer of sex an offer of love?

The truth is – you can love another person without sex as easily as you can have sex without love. Sincere and true love does not lust for personal gratification from another, nor would it consider sex outside marriage for all the guilt, pain, and trouble it brings.

Here are the enticing words of a strange woman, lying words of a whore, damning words of hell and death (Pr 5:5; 7:27; 9:18). These are the words of Potiphar’s wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Cleopatra, and other wicked women. Hate these words! See the lies! Feel the painful consequences (Pr 5:4-5,9-11)! Know the mouth speaking them is a deep ditch (Pr 23:27)! Prepare against her now, for when you hear her words, it will likely be too late.

Such words have destroyed many strong men, for flattering attention from a strange woman is a powerful attraction and deadly device (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5,21). How can a man resist the affectionate invitation and passionate desire for intimate pleasures coming from a beautiful and confident woman (Pr 6:13-17)? He is powerless before her, as Samson proved (Judges 16:4-21). For every Joseph, there are a thousand Davids.

Young man, this is an invitation to hell! The words may be exciting and gratifying to hear, but they disguise and hide the heinous sin. Solomon knew the horror of these words, and he thought them worse than death (Eccl 7:26). Make this warning dear to your soul, and stay far from her (Pr 7:1-5). Purpose in your heart now to reject and hate her ways. Despise these words and women who speak them. Flee to the mountains! Save yourself!

Consider the lies, for they are many. She says, “Come,” but her heart is not with you (Pr 23:6-8). She has no commitment; she does not truly want you; she is just using you (Pr 6:26). If you go to her, she will take you down to hell in this world and in the world to come. When Potiphar’s wife said, “Lie with me” (Gen 39:7,12), Joseph looked beyond the short-term pleasure to see the long-term consequences; he knew to rebuke her wickedness and then to run from her with no regard for propriety or safety.

She says, “Let us take our fill.” But there is no satisfying fulfillment. Sin never satisfies the soul, especially the soul of the righteous (Eccl 5:10). You will not find the pleasure you imagine. Amnon hated Tamar more than he had loved her, when the much-desired moment was over. Samson woke from tender arms to find darkness and weakness. The goodman eventually returns, and then what shall become of the young man (Pr 7:19-20)? He will find the emptiness of death, hell, and soul destruction (Pr 6:26-33).

She calls it “love.” And she and others like her speak and sing of it constantly. What can possibly be wrong with love? With love this tender and pleasant? With love this mutual and moving? But it is only lust, for love requires truth, righteousness, and commitment (I Cor 13:4-7; Song 8:6-8). Love desires the best for its object, not for itself; and a woman giving her body to you outside marriage is selfishly damning your soul to destruction.

She says, “Until the morning.” Will she love you differently tomorrow? Will tonight’s sin bring tomorrow’s reward? Will the night be without guilt and fear? And what will the morning bring? Peace and joy? No! The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Heb 11:25), and in sexual sins the season is shorter than most. What will morning bring? It will bring guilt, fear, confusion, doubts, insecurity, and frustration. Hate the night!

She says, “Let us solace ourselves with loves.” But there is no solace, no comfort or pleasure; for your guilt-stricken and fear-filled soul will devour you with pain and regret, even if you try to recall her tender embrace, as Samson discovered so painfully. There is no consolation or cheer with the uncertainty and guilt of a strange woman. What solace is there in walking on coals? Or taking fire in your bosom (Pr 6:27-28)?

Young man, she lies! She does not truly want you; she does not love you; she cannot satisfy you; short-term pleasure is hardly pleasure at all; and your soul will punish you far more than any pleasure she gives. You will lose your virtue and boldness, and all you will have for it is guilt, fear, shame, and regret. She lies! It is not love! It is lust and sex without love. She does not even know what love is, let alone have the ability to give it.

Destroy her power by taking this instruction to heart and making it an important rule of your life today (Pr 7:1-3). Make wisdom your favorite woman and constant companion, rather than the strange woman (Pr 7:4-5). Avoid places where she lives and works (Pr 4:15; 5:8; 7:8; Rom 13:14). And run from her at full speed (II Tim 2:22). Be like Joseph and spurn the woman, rather than have God spurn you for choosing the woman!

Young woman, men lie as well. They also can feign love for lust. Good men will pursue you through your father, and they will gladly wait for marriage. Reject any words of “love” until he has promised before many to be your committed husband for life. Many girls have given away what they cannot get back for the simple words, “I love you.”

But he lies! If he will steal this treasure from you before marriage, he is no better than Amnon, and the results will likely be the same (II Sam 13:1-17). He will not love you in the morning, for you will have given away your gift and cheapened yourself. Run to your father, and be safe. Do not hear or speak of love until your father approves marriage.

The Whore of Rome and her harlot daughters invite weak souls with such words, “Come to me, and I will solace you with the pleasures of my beautiful religion.” They decorate their beds with whorish care (Pr 7:16-17), only to seduce and trap vulnerable souls. But those who commit spiritual fornication with them shall be lost in the congregation of the dead and damned in this world and the next (Pr 21:16; II Thess 2:9-12).

Hold fast your profession of faith, making the true church of Christ the only object of your affection, avoiding any compromise toward the Whore’s wicked advances, and earnestly contending against her false doctrines. Be faithful to your glorious bridegroom, the true Lover of your soul, He Who is True and Faithful, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 06:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

Sleep can be a dangerous thing, if you get too much of it, or if you like it too much. It is especially hazardous for young men, whom Solomon emphasized in writing Proverbs.

When do you get up? How do you get up? The time and manner in which you rise in the morning affects your success or failure in life. Great men get a head start on the day.

They attack every day as an opportunity, rather than dreading it as a punishment. There are other factors also, but love of your bed in the morning will squander your potential.

What a practical book! Those who think the Bible is irrelevant and an old theological dust collector have never read it. Solomon, the wisest and most successful king ever, knew the folly of youth and humanity, so he warned his son and you against loving sleep and sleeping too long (Pr 6:6-11; 10:5; 19:15; 20:13; 21:17; 23:21; 24:30-34).

Young men play hard and sleep hard. Since they have not had the weight of responsibility and burden of producing for a family, they will take every minute they can get under the covers before falling out and stumbling into a day. But they are not the only ones. Some older men think they deserve extra sleep because they have already worked hard in life.

Some women think they can make the day go away by staying in bed under warm covers. Cuddling with blankets helps them procrastinate and fantasize about not working. Instead they have fewer hours, less energy, and more to do when they get up. Young women, who play much of the day in today’s world, cannot imagine why they should ever get up.

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” is credited to Benjamin Franklin, though it was a saying before he was born. Mark Twain, who thought that rising before 9:30 was a terrible evil, ridiculed Ben’s proverb. But God and Solomon had given the inspired rules 3000 years before. An early approach does lead to wisdom (Pr 8:17). And an early approach does lead to wealth (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13; 24:33-34).

Are you tired in the morning? Then go to bed earlier. Sleeping during prime time will not only help you rise in the morning, but it will also save you from the worst that Hollywood offers. Do you not sleep well at night? Then get on a schedule and allow yourself less sleep. All other things being equal, a laboring man will sleep very peacefully (Eccl 5:12).

Is it hard to get up in the morning? Build a habit and routine that is good for you. A strict schedule and routine help most people. Do not use a snooze button on your alarm clock. When it is time to get up, then get up, right then. Immediately take a shower or apply water to your face in some other way. Wake up! Get up! Get dressed! Get going! Life is short, why waste it in bed!  You need a sense of time urgency to attack days (Eccl 9:10)!

The world has conspired against the wisdom here. Daylight saving time provides more time for playing in the evenings and less sunshine for rising in the mornings. If saving daylight is important, why not save it in the morning by moving the clocks back an hour? Men could get a day’s work done before lunch. But men would much rather play late.

The proverb has a definite limit. Night and sleep are part of God’s plan for men. In fact, He does not want you going without pleasant sleep, thinking that success depends mainly on your efforts (Ps 127:1). He expects you to only apply this proverb within reason, for any efforts beyond that are vain and worthless; He wants you to sleep (Ps 127:2)!

Getting up early and not sleeping too long are only part of life. Once you get up, what will you do? God commands you to have a good job and be diligent at it (Rom 12:11; Eph 4:28; I Thess 4:11-12). This is the main intent here so you can follow the example of the industrious ant (Pr 6:6-8)! After work you have your other duties – marriage, children, parents, church, finances, house, neighbors, nation, exercise, and so forth.

There is a better reason to rise early. You can seek the Lord and wisdom then. You are sharper (once fully awake!). There are fewer outside or mental distractions. You will be interrupted less. It puts the priority on God and wisdom. It prepares your soul for the day. And it is Scriptural (Ps 5:3; 55:17; 119:147). Reading your Bible, praying, and meditating before anything else is the way to a successful life (Job 23:12; Ps 19:7-11; 119:103,127).

Spiritual Training 06 December 2012

Posted: December 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

(No one is Righteous) 

Romans 3:10-18 What shall we conclude then?  Are we any better?  Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.  As it is written; “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Paul is referring to Psalm 14:1-3.  “There is no one righteous” means “no one is innocent.” Every person is valuable in God’s eyes because God created us in his image and he loves us.  But no one is righteous (that is, no one can earn right standing with God).  Though valuable, we have fallen into sin.  But God through Jesus his Son has redeemed us and others to forgive us if we return to him in faith.

Paul uses these OLD Testament references to show that humanity in general, in its present sinful condition, is unacceptable before God.  Have you ever thought to yourself, “Well, I’m not too bad.  I’m a pretty good person”?  Look at these verses and see if any of them apply to you.

 Lets Bring It Home: Look at these verses and see if any of them apply to you.  Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings by your words or tone of voice?  Are you bitter toward anyone?  Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you?  In thought, word and deed, you, like everyone else in the world, stand guilty before God.  We must remember who we are in his sight-alienated sinners.  Don’t deny that your are a sinner, instead, allow your desperate need to point you toward Christ.

 

Spiritual Training 05 December 2012

Posted: December 5, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 3:5-8 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say?  That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us?  (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?  Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?  Why not say as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result” Their condemnation is deserved. 

Some may think they don’t have to worry about sin because

  1. It’s God’s job to forgive
  2. God is so loving that he won’t judge us
  3. Sin isn’t so bad-it teaches us valuable lessons, or
  4. We need to stay in touch with the culture around us.

Lets Bring it Home: It is for too easy to take God’s grace for granted.  But God cannot overlook sin.  Sinners, no matter how many excuses they make, will have to answer to God for their sin.

  

 

Proverbs 05:11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 5, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 5:11 – At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

Before it kills you, think about what you are doing! Before you are on your deathbed, examine your life. The world glorifies fornication, but they are going to death and hell. Are you wise enough to grasp the importance of questioning your actions before death?

Death sobers sinners, even fornicators. When a man is in health, he justifies his sins. He enjoys their pleasures, sees no evil consequences, and thinks he has much time for amending his ways. But the deathbed brings mourning, when he wishes he could go back and relive his life. Fornicators! Hate your sin now, before it consumes body, then soul!

If a man knew he would die today, fornication would be one of the farthest things from his mind. The brevity of life, finality of death, and reality of eternal judgment would keep his mind from such folly. He would be preparing his heart and soul to depart this world and meet the terrible Judge of all. Fornicators! How do you know you will not die today?

Solomon in this proverb is in the middle of a long sentence describing the consequences of fornication (Pr 5:8-14). His point here is the grief that will surely come at the hopeless and painful end of life, for sinning against all the instruction and wisdom of his teachers and guides. One of the warnings against sexual sin is to make a person think about dying.

Fornicators can die many ways. There is a great list of venereal or sexually transmitted diseases that ravage and consume human flesh in different ways and places. The painful wails and shrieks of the sufferers are terrible. But whether death comes directly or indirectly, the consequences are the same. You will grievously wish to relive your life.

What can a young man learn from this proverb? “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart” (Eccl 7:2). Feasting, or partying, is the atmosphere and activity that leads to foolish thoughts and fornication. A funeral, however, will cause young men to consider the grave and righteous living, before it is too late. Where will you go today?

Solomon also wrote, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl 12:1). Painful days are coming in which you will regret your past. Your future is certain. You are going to die and give an account of your every secret thought and action. Think about it today! Think about it while you have ability and time to change your life.

Solomon, the inspired philosopher and preacher, concluded his analysis of life this way: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl 12:13-14).

Every young man who repents and puts his trust in the perfect Man Christ Jesus can face that final day with joy and peace in believing, for unspeakable glory waits in heaven. Even if he foolishly sinned by fornication in the past, there is full forgiveness for the truly repentant, for Jesus was tempted in every youthful way, but without sin (Heb 4:14-16).

Proverbs 04:11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 5, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 4:11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 

Fathers! Mothers! Consider this confident and noble parent. What a claim! Can you speak as boldly and virtuously as Solomon about the instruction you gave your children?

Read the proverb again. Will you be able to say these words at the end of your life? Can you say them today? Will God and your children agree with you? What have you done for your children today? God’s blessing and your children’s success depend on it.

Have you taught your children how to have a long and prosperous life (Pr 4:10)?  Have you taught them how to avoid the distractions, troubles, and traps of life (Pr 4:12)?  Mothers, you are not exempted from this privilege and duty (Pr 1:8; 4:3; 6:20; 31:1-2).

The proverb has three lessons – the duty, content, and confidence of good parenting and teaching. Read Solomon’s words, and see all three lessons, and purpose to apply the lessons today. You must teach; you must teach right things; you must do it confidently!

Graduating from high school or getting a college degree does not impress God, nor does it help children much. Many pagans have college degrees, and most college graduates are pagans. Only 1% of the saints in history even thought of going to college. These humanistic and worldly goals of the N.E.A. are foreign to Heaven and true success! The excellent spirit of Daniel and the unfeigned faith of Timothy are what you must cultivate!

The “way of wisdom” and “right paths” are contrary to a liberal arts education. These things, which lead to pleasing God and man in life, are no longer taught. The scope and sequence of today’s schools is a curriculum from hell to make little humanists. Parents, you must teach godly wisdom and true knowledge at home. The pastor is not responsible, for a few hours a week does not come close to the daily instruction of faithful parents.

Are your children gracious? Diligent at work? With high energy and focus? With sterling character? With financial wisdom? Do they hate sin? Being late? Injustice? Are they socially skilled? Good communicators? Considerate and generous? Do they know the gospel? Answers for common questions? How to solve problems Biblically?

Is their word as good as gold? Are they merciful and forgiving? Wise and prudent? Holy and pure? Are they esteemed in the real world? Are their names honored? Do they have many friends? Do they care about others? Even those that cannot repay in any way? Do they serve the kingdom of heaven? Willing to do anything for the church at anytime?

Parent, are you confident like the father in this proverb? God did not give you the truth for you to apologize for it or minimize it. Read Job 32 and see the godly confidence of young Elihu. You must be bold, dogmatic, and critical, for Satan and the world are in their efforts to oppose you and abolish truth. You have the only and final answers, and you should say so. You should reject anything to the contrary (Ps 119:128; Is 8:20).

Fathers, what will you give your family tonight? Read a chapter of Proverbs and explain one verse to them. One such small point each day will soon form a mountain of wisdom. If you do not believe this, watch the ants in your yard (Pr 6:6-11)! Done every day, you can speak boldly like Solomon. It is for God’s blessing and your children’s success.

The lesson here is not a suggestion for fathers – it is a commandment (Eph 6:4). Let every man fulfill his charge from Heaven, and let him see the future with the eye of faith.  A godly seed to God’s glory, the defense of the faith, and the happiness of your family is well worth it. Consider the duty, the content, and the confidence of teaching – and do it!

Spiritual Training 03 December 2012

Posted: December 3, 2012 in 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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Under Gods Command

Romans 2:28-29 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, by the spirit, not by the written code.  Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God. 

To be a Jew meant you were in God’s family, an heir to all his promises.  Yet Paul made it clear that membership in God’s family is based on internal, not external, qualities.  All whose hearts are right with God are real Jews-that is, part of God’s family.

Lets Bring it Home: Attending church or being baptized, confirmed or accepted for membership is not enough; just as submitting to circumcision was not enough for the Jews.  God desires our heart felt devotion and obedience.

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