Monthly Archives: March 2018

Bible study, Christianity, love

Come let us Grow Together: Love: The fulfilling of the Law

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Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in things pertaining to God.

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Love the fulfilling of the Law

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Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (Jn 15:13-14)

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (Jn 13:34-35)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mt 22:37-40)

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1 Cor 13:4-8a)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 Jn 4:7-12)

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (1 Jn 3:15-19)

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2) We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Rm 15:1-3)

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Bible study, Christianity, Salvation

C & C: Understanding Sanctification and the Process thereof

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Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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00 Acts 2_38

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2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

The grace of God is able to build you up unlike guilt which will tear you down. However, we also learn that grace is able to give you an inheritance to all them which are sanctified. So the first thing we better find out is how does one become sanctified? Remember, we just learned that God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. So sanctification comes not only by the Spirit but also by believing the truth.

“Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:9-10) “For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.” (Hebrews 13:11-12)

Here we learn that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ as well as the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Here we learn that to be sanctified we need our bodies washed with pure water. We also learn that this is where the blood of Jesus Christ is applied to our lives and that our sins are remitted. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:16-18) “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) So after repenting of our sins we find that it is in the water baptism in Jesus name that we are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:15-16)

Again we learn, as seen from 2 Thessalonians 2:13 above, that we are sanctified by the receiving of the Holy Ghost. So then, we now see that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ as well as the shed blood of Jesus Christ wherein we are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word when we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, as well as the receiving of the Holy Ghost.

Recall Acts 20:32 which reads “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Now that we fully understand how the process of sanctification takes place we can now better understand how the gift of grace, which is able to build you up, allows you to gain access to the inheritance, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, let’s find out how those that are sanctified access the grace of God which in turn allows them access to the “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you“. (1 Peter 1:4)

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

So those who have the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, and therefore being justified by faith, have access by their faith into grace, wherein we stand. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:3-6) “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:5-7) Being set free from the law we now have become sons of God again by the spirit of adoption. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:14-17)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We are a Purchased Possession. Bought with the Price of the Blood of Jesus Christ!!! “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12-14)

“John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:15-17)

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:19-26)

Since we all have sinned and fell short of the Glory of God, God sent Jesus Christ the Righteous, to be a reconciliation between God and men. Now by our obedience of faith and partaking of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we now have access by faith in His blood unto God’s grace wherein we now stand. Being then justified freely by his grace we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)

Obtaining the free Gift of righteousness…

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” (Romans 4:2-8)

So we obtain righteousness not by our works, but by obedience and by believing on God that justifies the ungodly. This person, who has been obedient unto God and has believed on Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, this person, God forgives their iniquities and does not impute sin to them but instead as the Justifier of many, He imputes righteousness unto you, remembering your sins and iniquities no more.

“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:13-25)

Even though righteousness is not obtained by works, we have learned that it is obtained by obedience. “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?” (Romans 6:16) We also have learned that righteousness is obtained by believing on God that justifies the ungodly. Therefore it is highly important to realize that faith without works is dead being alone. It is our obedience of faith that leads us unto righteousness and that of the justification of God.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:20-23)

Apostle James has given us clear instructions on how the scripture was fulfilled which said that Abraham believed God. Just as our father Abraham applied his faith with obedience in believing God concerning the promise he was given through his seed, we too must be obedient to believing on God that justifies the ungodly, as the scripture has told us. Abraham showed his obedient faith by placing his only son Isaac on an altar to slay him as God commanded him, whereas we today are obedient to God as Jesus Christ has told us to be born again of water and of the Spirit, which will then lead to a life of separation, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This person’s faith is counted for righteousness.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:10-19)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:1-11)

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:1-4; 14)

This process of justification wherein God the justifier of many has given the free gift of grace that reigns through the free gift of righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, has forever purged us from condemnation and guilt concerning our conscience and has forever perfected the conscience of them that are sanctified, (which are those who have been born again by partaking of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection), and has set us free of the law of sin and death.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins“. (Hebrews 10:26) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

So we see that it is very important once we come to the knowledge of the truth, to not purposefully and intentionally go on sinning. But instead we are to put our flesh to death concerning sin, and obey righteousness unto Life.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 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? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:12-18)

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:13-26)

IF WE DO FALL SHORT AND SIN

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3:11-12) “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:16-18) The word succour means to help; relieve; aid; and assistance. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

So when you fall into temptation and sin, don’t let the devil or yourself, begin to condemn you or to begin to give you a guilt trip. Instead apply the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit! Come boldly unto the throne of grace with full assurance, for He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Remember, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now that we fully understand the process of justification and that of sanctification, and how the free gifts of God has brought life unto us, let’s continue with what the grace of God teaches us. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Titus 2:11-15)

Those who truly are following the grace of God will deny themselves ungodliness and worldly lusts, and will live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world. They will be watching for the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s return and will become zealous of good works.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:8) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:15-16)

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren“. (Hebrews 2:9-11)

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one“. (John 17:20-22) “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” (Ephesians 5:30)

So to fulfill being sanctified as well as justified by God through Jesus Christ, one must be born again of water and of the Spirit as Jesus has instructed us in John 3:1-7. Therefore you must be born again of water and of the Spirit, according to Acts 2:38-39 which reads, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.“

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Holiness, Holy

Must you be Holy

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In this Bible study we are going to take a look at what the scriptures teach us pertaining to Holiness. This I believe is very necessary because of all the confusion concerning Holiness.

The goal of this lesson is to open your understanding to a topic that is Most Precious in the eyes of God. By the end of this lesson, you will fully understand Holiness and how to pursue after Holiness in your own life.

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Hebrews 12_14

Let’s first answer the question, must you be Holy?

1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Here we are told that not only must we be Holy, but God is Holy and our conversation should also be Holy.

So what does it mean to be Holy?? According to the Compact Bible Dictionary by Nelson’s Compact Series, the word holy means: Moral and ethical wholeness or perfection; freedom from moral evil. The Hebrew word for Holy denotes that which is “sanctified” or “set apart” for divine service. The main use is to describe God’s righteous nature or the ethical righteousness demanded of His followers.

Holiness is so important to God, that He not only let’s us know that we must also be Holy, but we are told in…..

Hebrews 12:14
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Therefore Holiness is Essential to Salvation.

As we have learned from the definition of Holy we must be sanctified or set apart; with moral wholeness or perfection; free from moral evil.

This is also a good time to explain that Righteousness and Holiness are not the same thing. We are told in…..

Romans 5:17
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Righteousness is a free Gift of God imputed to us after we have shown obedient faith to what God has commanded of us. This obedient faith is shown by putting forth the action necessary to achieve what we have claimed to have believed of God.

So we do not earn righteousness or obtain it as if it were a debt earned by us from our works. Instead it is freely given as a Gift for our obedience to God’s Word. Holiness on the other hand, is something we perfect over time as we make our journey to the Lord.

Before you begin to work on perfecting Holiness, you must first partake of being born again, as Jesus commanded His followers to do, so that they would be able to enter the Kingdom of God.

Please refer to the plan of salvation for further instructions on this topic. From this point forward, we will be speaking as if you have been born again, with the evidence of speaking in another tongue as the Spirit has given the utterance.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

This is where our Journey takes us after we have been Born Again of the water and of the Spirit. A Life of separation, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. A life of moral excellence now dead or separated from the World and the lusts thereof. No longer fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, but now walking after the Spirit of Christ which now resides inside of us.

Even though God has chosen to save us by His Grace, many people have turned the Grace of God into lasciviousness. Let’s quickly get an understanding of what the grace of God teaches us since many false teachers have distorted the meaning.

Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Sounds a whole lot like what we have already been discussing. That is after being Born again, we are to live a separated life from the world perfecting Holiness in the fear of God. These are the instructions for how to pursue a Holy Life. Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Then live soberly, righteously, and godly.

If you are confused as to what is considered worldly lusts, The answer can be found in ……………

1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Let me take a brief moment here to reinforce to you what we have learned this far. After we have been born again, we are to perfect holiness in the fear of God, by applying what the Grace of God teaches us, since it is by His grace that we have been able to partake of His death, burial, and resurrection.

This Grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldy lusts, because all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, and not of the Father but the world. And now that we have separated ourselves from the lust of the world, we now are told to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

2 Peter 1:2-3
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

The word virtue means: moral excellence; goodness; upright; righteousness.

Now that you understand what it means to be Holy and how you go about perfecting Holiness, let’s take some time to address a few common topics many people want to do, and have argued that these things have nothing to do with Holiness.

Make-up. Many people have said they should be able to wear make-up, and have even tried to address this issue with questions like, “what is to much make-up and who decides on these things?”

The answer is not hard. We just read what John told us. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Wearing make-up has nothing to do with the Spiritual, but everything to do with the carnal. Does not the wearing of make-up fall under the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? It falls under all three categories.

Romans 8:6-8 says
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Another topic many times fought against is the wearing of shorts or dresses that are above the knee.

How can one consider this to be Holy and virtuous since we learned that these two words mean to be sanctified; Moral wholeness and perfection, moral excellence, and upright.

By the definition of these two words wearing clothing that reveals your body for all to see, could not be considered Holy and Virtuous. These definitions speak of moral excellence, perfection, and uprightness. The exposing of your body has everything to do with the world and the lusts thereof.

This may be morally acceptable by our generation but is immoral and carnal in the eyes of God.

Romans 8:13
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

This is also a good time to possibly clear up the air if need be. I am not speaking of anything extraordinary. I am speaking of dressing in a manner that is not conducive of drawing unnecessary attention from the opposite sex to some part of your body. And wearing tight clothing or not having enough clothing on, is certainly conducive of drawing unnecessary attention to certain parts of your body, and therefore sin.

1 Peter 5:4-5
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Clothe yourself in Humility and be subject one to another!!
That applies to everyone.

1 Timothy 2:8-10
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Here we have been told by Apostle Paul how women should adorn themselves. Let’s discuss each of these starting with…..

Modest apparel, as I stated above, will not be conducive of drawing unnecessary attention from the opposite sex to some part of your body. Whether it is because of you wearing to tight of clothing or the lack thereof, both are wrong, both are immodest, and both are sin.

The word aidos is the word that was translated from the Greek for shamefacedness, and means, a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.

The word sobriety means: a manner that is serious and solemn. Graveness.

This is what Apostle Paul has told us concerning women which profess godliness.

1 Peter 3:3-6 (We see again that Apostle Peter also speaks concerning how women should adorn themselves.)
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Wow!!! To be looked at in the sight of God as of a great price!, Invaluable!!! What saint of God wouldn’t strive to be looked at in the eyes of God as of a great price?????

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Hear what Apostle Peter has just told us, whose daughters you are as long as you do well. That means, if you are not doing what is right, you are not the daughters of Sara. He has identified that the daughters of Sara are the Holy women who 1) trusted in God, 2) were adorned with a meek and a quiet spirit, and 3) were under subjection unto their husbands. To be under subjection means you must be obedient too.

This is very important!! This should not be offensive. This is the perfect plan of God in accordance with His Righteous Judgments.

Genesis 3:16
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

If this offends you, you need to go into prayer until God delivers you from the spirit of rebelliousness.

Hear the Words of the Lord!!

Matthew 11:6
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

We do not want to be offended at the Word of God. Listen to the interpretation of the parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:18-23
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Listen to what Jesus tells us concerning the next set of people.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

What a dangerous and scary place to be. The Lord has just said the seed that fell on the stony ground, was those who have no root, and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, they are offended.

An example of this is what we have been discussing in which the woman hears that she is to be in subjection to her husband and becomes offended. We are told the problem lies in not having deep roots. The answer to getting out of the stony ground is acknowledging the problem, submitting yourself unto God, seeking the Lord in prayer, and developing a stronger root system, which would be accomplished through applying what the Lord says concerning them of the good seed. Let’s hear it.

Luke 8:15
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

These people, we are told, have an honest and a good heart, and they not only hear the word, they keep it. Let this be who you are. One who hears and obeys.

This walk is about pleasing God and fulfilling His will. Obedience is the only way to Heaven. If you study the Word of God, and subject yourself to them that have the rule over you, including the ministry, you would understand that there is no reason to be offended at the Word of God, which is the Truth and is our Life, for your roots would grow deep and you would then produce much fruit with patience over time.

1 Corinthians 11:1-3
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5:25
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Even though women are to be in subjection to their husbands, husbands must love their wives, as Christ loved the Church and died for it. This is the hierarchy of obedience that God has given to us to follow after.

Genesis 2:24
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

We are all under authority in this life. Therefore let each of us keep our roles.

James 3:13-15
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Psalms 149:4
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Here Apostle Paul has told us that presenting ourselves a living sacrifice is our reasonable service. That means it’s only fair that we should offer ourselves a sacrifice to God since Jesus Christ also offered himself a sacrifice for us all that we may be reconciled again unto God. Again in the previous verse we are told to not be conformed to this world but rather transformed from the world. The word transform means: to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.

1 Corinthians 6:19
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Peter 2:5, 9
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We are no longer our own. We have been bought with the price of blood. Our bodies now are a temple wherein the Holy Ghost dwells. We now have become a royal priesthood, that offers up spiritual sacrifices, unto the Lord. A people now called unto the showing forth of praises to Him that has called us out of darkness into His Glorious light.

Romans 6:19,22
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Here we have been given a filter by Apostle Paul for our thoughts. If our thoughts do not line up with whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report, then we need to get our thoughts back under subjection to the obedience of Christ.

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alcohol, Bible study, wine

Come let us Grow Together: Be not Drunk with Wine

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Come let us Grow Together is a weekly series that deals with the many topical categories that exist within the Word of God. The purpose of this series is to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in things pertaining to God.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph 5:18 KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Prov 20:1 KJV)

Wine is a Mocker

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Notice carefully that wine is a mocker. You may not realize this, but wine mocks the Spirit of the Lord and we are to be of a sober mind.

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Acts 2:14-17 KJV)

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thess 5:6-10 KJV)

We as the children of God are not to keep company with winebibbers which is from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication intoxication—Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (Prov 23:19-21 KJV)

Take careful note of what the wisest man who ever lived says about them that tarry long at the wine; them that go to seek mixed wine.

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. (Prov 23:29-30 KJV)

So what does he advise for us to do?

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. (Prov 23:31-35 KJV)

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD’S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. (Hab 2:15-16 KJV)

Let us not be as the fleshly seed of Israel were.

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. (Isa 28:7-8 KJV)

Let us who are of the spiritual seed of Israel, “… be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (Eph 5:18 KJV)

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Bible study, Christian, Prayer

C & C: It is a sin not to pray for God’s people!

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Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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1 Samuel 12:23
23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

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It is a Sin not to Pray for God_s People

How can you love your brothers and sisters in Christ if you don’t even pray for them? How can you love your brothers and sisters in Christ if you don’t forgive them of their trespasses against you?

Colossians 4:12-13
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

I’ve heard it preached that if you claim to be a “prayer warrior” or a person who just prays for people and not actually witnessing to people then you are not a soul winner. That you are not laboring in the harvest field. However your life is a witness of Jesus Christ if you are truly following after him. You can see that Epaphras was “always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Clearly praying was labouring in the Harvest. Your works and your fruit will bear you out! You may not have a chance to verbally witness to people you are often around, however they seeing your good works and righteous lifestyle will know that you are different, set apart, and that is a witness of Jesus Christ to them. They may then inquire of you why you are doing what you are doing and the door is open for verbal communication.

It is also of importance to recognize that the phrase “prayer warrior” is something that people have made up to describe those who are actually obeying what the scriptures teach us to do. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess 5:17) This commandment and what you are about to read throughout this lesson will teach you that we are all to be praying! Not just some Christians! But ALL Christians! The phrase “prayer warrior” has it’s place when the call goes forth to the “prayer warriors” to pray over a need. However, it also testifies against every one who does not faithfully pray over the needs of others.

Luke 2:36-37
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Again, we see the example of the Godly lifestyle not departing from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. This lesson is to encourage you and to lift you up! Not to condemn you. This lesson is to encourage you to grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and to develop a closer relationship with him! Not to condemn you.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-6
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

It is a sin not to pray for God’s people! Learn from the prayers that the Apostles are praying for the Church and the prayers they were asking for themselves. Do you think the word of the Lord has free course in our world? It doesn’t. Just one example of the many nations where our brothers and sisters are located where the word of the Lord does not have free course is North Korea. There are to many others to list. You can see here that we need to be praying for our missionaries, pastors, teachers, and all saints that they “may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith”.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Acts 12:5, 12-17
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Your prayers are needed! Your prayers are essential for countless souls and also for your own soul! There is persecution taking place all over our world for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Persecutions like that of imprisonments, fines, beatings, rapings, murders, kidnappers, and many other ungodly practices. The Apostle Peter was freed because of the prayers of the saints and because of that of the will of God as you will see!! “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16b) Your prayers can change God’s mind. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” (2 Kings 20:1-7)

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

Even with those gathered together in faith praying, yet even when there prayers were answered they doubted that God answered their prayers, but God is faithful!!

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-25
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.

When you pray if you find yourself struggling with sleep or other weaknesses of the flesh ask God to strengthen and help you. If you stop praying at that point do not condemn yourself. If the Spirit of God convicts you then repent and continue praying!!

Matthew 6:6
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

This verse of scripture isn’t to be taken alone to avoid or condemn corporate prayer as this is also Biblical as you have just seen an example of concerning those praying for the Apostle Peter. However, when you pray it is not to be seen of others for you to self glory in. You have your reward! And what a horrible reward that would be!

Matthew 14:22-23
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

We absolutely need private prayer time where we are alone. While we pray daily in our private prayer time we need to be open to the Spirit of God and the direction God is leading our prayers. Do your best to make a regular daily private prayer time. Pray according to the time you have set aside for prayer but not quenching the Spirit because the time you set is at hand. The main goal of even setting a prayer time is about disciplining yourself to pray faithfully, daily. The ultimate goal is to pray faithfully, daily without time constraint.

Acts 9:36-41
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

As the Body of Christ we need to pray for the sick and if it be the will of God even to pray that God would raise up someone from the dead.

Matthew 18:19-20
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Acts 1:13-17, 23-26
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

It is important that along with a faithful, daily prayer life that you not neglect coming together with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray together! If your Church doesn’t have a time to come together to pray then you should suggest it to your Pastor. The Church should come together to pray before each service that God would have his way in the service, that souls would be added to the kingdom, and that the Church is subjecting itself to the moving and leading of the Spirit of God and not after traditions of men. Yet still being in subjection to your Pastor as he is the shepherd of God chosen over the flock that God has given to him.

Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Pray that your brothers and sisters do not fail. Pray that they will grow in Christ. Pray that if they stumble and fall that they remain faithful and repent allowing God to raise them up again. Consider also yourself unless you too fall.

Romans 1:8-12
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Pray that your Church would be used in the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the Body of Christ. Notice the Apostle Paul stresses “that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”. It is a sin not to pray for God’s people! How can the love of Christ be in you if you don’t have time to pray for his people which is part of your spiritual Body in Christ? If you yet be in the Body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 1:1-7
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Use the examples given to us of the Apostle’s words in things they desire for the Church to receive for your prayers for the Church.

2 Corinthians 9:7-15
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

As you go about doing good for the glory of God while seeking the best interest of others over yourself, there abounds many thanksgivings and prayers toward you as they glorify God on your behalf! That the Body of Christ is edified together in it’s love and nourishing of one another and from the nourishment from our God.

Ephesians 1:15-19
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Let us go on to perfection and pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. For all saints! So we know the hope of his calling “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power”.

Ephesians 3:13-21
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

What a beautiful prayer! What beautiful words of exhortation! This is where God wants us to be! That we “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.“

Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

If you are struggling on how to pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ you need look no further than at the words and prayers of the Apostles for the Churches and their desire for you which is under the inspiration of the Spirit of God!

Colossians 1:3-14
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Read carefully now the prayer that he has for us all as we are the Church the Body of Christ.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

2 Timothy 1:1-3
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

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