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Behavior, Jesus

C & C : Christ the Centerpiece

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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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If Christ is not the Centerpiece of your life, then you need to make Him the centerpiece of your life today or you will die lost and go to hell and eventually the Lake of Fire.  “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:14-16)

Revelation 20:7-15
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This walk with God that we are living is not fun and games in the sense of foolishness, wickedness, iniquity, and sin.  If Christ is not the Centerpiece of your walk with God it is clearly written what your end will be.

If Christ is the Centerpiece of your life then what should your walk with God look like?  Should you be listening to the radio with talk show hosts speaking ungodly content?  Listening to filthy songs that speak of the wickedness of the flesh and the lusts of this life?  Do you really think Christ is the Centerpiece of your life while you are partaking of these things?

What about smoking cigarettes and drinking whiskey, beer, and other forms of alcoholic drinks?  Is this making Christ the Centerpiece in your life?  How about when your snorting and shooting up?  Is this making Christ the Centerpiece in your life?
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) “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) “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

If fornicators and adulterers are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why do you watch movies and TV shows with such lewdness and lasciviousness?  If idolaters are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why are you worshiping your own opinions over the Word of God?  Why are you idolizing celebrities, entertainers, sports players, and all of the things the world is idolizing?

If effeminates and abusers of themselves with mankind are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why do you embrace their ways and follow after their folly and their shame?  If thieves and those who covet are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why do you admire, wonder after, and covet the wicked and their ways? “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

If drunkards are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then
why are you celebrating with them?  If revilers are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why do you rail upon one another?  If extortioners are not going to inherit eternal life and Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then why rob God?  “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8) “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?” (Isaiah 10:1-3)

It’s time to do some housekeeping and I mean not only your literal dwelling place but also your temple.  It’s time to make some changes in your heart and make Christ the Centerpiece of your life.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Matthew 23:25-28
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Many sinners just love these verses to condemn the righteous but they themselves either don’t recognize or don’t care that they too are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness, and filthiness of the flesh.  Woe unto you too for you love to condemn the just and make excuses to establish your own righteousness!  Woe unto you too for you love to make pretense and show that you are pure but within you are full of envy, jealousy, bitterness, hatred, and many other iniquities and uncleanness.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

It is God that they despise and if they call themselves a brother or sister then you are not to keep company with them because they sow discord and have despised God.  If they do not call themselves a brother or sister then you still are not to keep company with them other than for the cause of witnessing the gospel to them that they may repent and turn from their wicked lifestyle.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
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.

It’s time to make Christ the Centerpiece of your life and touch not the unclean thing!!  It’s time  to clean “first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (Matthew 23:26) It’s time to clean up your heart and your lifestyle and behavior will reflect that which is within your heart.  If Christ is the Centerpiece of your life, then “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

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Behavior, Bible study

C & C: There is a Healthy Hate

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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.

Quick Jump Menu

Salvation | Written Sermons | Bible Studies
The Godhead Revealed | Endtime Teaching
Common Doctrinal Errors | Holy Ghost
Recommended Bible Study | Holiness | Jesus
Come let us Grow together | Heaven | Faith
Connections & Comparisons | Bible Q & A
How We Should Behave | To the Church
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Romans 12:9-11
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

If you abhor that which is evil, then why do you still partake of it? There is a Healthy Hate for sin and we are to abhor that which is evil!!

Proverbs 15:24
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

There is a Healthy Hate!!  The Hate of Sin!!  Sin is a Destroyer of your Life, your family, your friends, and ultimately YOUR SOUL!!

Seven abominations are listed that God hates!!

There is a Healthy Hate!! A Proud Look!!

The high minded and puffed up in their vanity these actions of sin God hates and we too are to hate these things!!  Is it a Celebrity that’s got your eye??  Are they humble or Posing a Proud Look??  Is it a Presidential Candidate??  Are they High and Mighty??  Is it the model??  Is it Parliament??  Is it the Congress??  IS IT YOU??

Psalms 12:2-4
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Isaiah 24:19-23
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

There is a Healthy Hate!!  A Lying Tongue

John 8:44
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20) “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15) “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.  (1 John 2:9-11)

A Lying Tongue brings forth death!!  Your own death!!  It perverts the ways of justice!!  It condemns the just!!

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

There is a Healthy Hate!!  Hands that shed innocent blood!!

Did you know that there has been approximately 1.8 Billion abortions worldwide!!  Did you know that there has been approximately 52 million abortions in the United States!!  Do you know that there were approximately 50 – 70 million people who died in World War 2 and yet so called “A Woman’s Right to Choose” has put to death more innocent blood than World War 2?

Suicide Bombers!! The Islamic teaching of killing the infidels!! Cutting off heads!!  Kidnaping in the name of Allah!! Declaring Jihad on the World!!  Setting people on fire!!  Regimes committing genocide as is taking place with Assad as witnessed by the congress of the United States with the images available online for anyone to view!!  Also displayed in the Holocaust Museum!!

Yes, There is a Healthy Hate!! The Hate of Sin and the wickedness that is produced from it!!

Psalms 119:102-106
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

There is a Healthy Hate!!  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations!!

Torturing devices that inflict physical and psychological trauma!!  The counsel of the wicked!!  The filthiness of their devices!!  The wickedness of their hearts and minds!!  Their insatiable appetite for power and destruction to their own folly and shame!!

Psalms 64:1-10
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalms 2:1-9
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Their wicked imaginations teaching false sciences against the Word of God!!  The Big Bang Theory!!  Evolution!!  Theistic Evolution!!  The luciferian flood!!  Pre-Adamic humans!!  The false attributing of the fossil record to something other than God’s judgment upon mankind for their wickedness in the days of Noah!!  The Gap Theory!!  The Geologic Column!!

2 Peter 3:3-7
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Timothy 6:20-21
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Matthew 18:3-7
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Their wicked imaginations going after strange flesh!!  Pursuing that which is against nature!!  Thinking to try to change times and laws!!

Romans 1:21-32
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Yes, There is a Healthy Hate!!  The Hate of Sin which is a Destroyer of your Life, your family, your friends, and ultimately YOUR SOUL!!

Ezekiel 18:20
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Romans 6:16
16 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?

There is a Healthy Hate!!  Feet that be swift in running to mischief!!

Love watching people get into a fight??  Love watching blood and gore??  Eager to join in and hurting people??  Looking for ways to cheat and steal??  Lying, scheming, planning, plotting for the right moment to work you evil deeds against others??

Proverbs 4:14-17
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs 6:12-15
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 1:22-33
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Romans 13:13-14
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

There is a Healthy Hate!!  A false witness that speaketh lies!!

Are you bought off with a price??  Jealousy your number??  Is it envy and bitterness of your heart?? What’s in it for you??  What’s the payoff??  What does it take for you to be a  false witness that speaks lies??

Deuteronomy 19:15
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Matthew 18:15-16
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

2 Corinthians 13:1
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Mark 14:56-60
56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59 But neither so did their witness agree together.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

There is a Healthy Hate!!  He that soweth discord among brethren!!

Spreading Gossip about your brothers and sisters in the Church!!  Stirring up rebellion against the Pastor!!  Stirring up strife against the body of Christ!!  Backbiting and devouring one another!!  Speaking lies and hypocrisy!!

Galatians 5:15-17
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 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.

1 Corinthians 3:3
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Hebrews 13:16-17
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Ephesians 4:22-32
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Yes, There is a Healthy Hate!!  The Hate of Sin which is a Destroyer of your Life, your family, your friends, and ultimately YOUR SOUL!!

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Christianity, Salvation

Obedience: More than all Whole Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices

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The subject I am going to be teaching on is the importance of being obedient and what it means to be obedient.  To start off our teaching, I am going to read to you a scripture, that comes with great implications if one truly believes the Bible and the contents there in.

2 Timothy 3:16
16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Do you believe it tonight?  Do you believe that All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God?  Do you believe that all scripture is profitable for doctrinal teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness?

Let me explain to each of you tonight, that if you believe this verse of the Bible, that there should no longer be any divisions of Christianity.  Why?  Because to acknowledge that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness will only lead you to the one true path.   I will show this to you tonight.

Since the Bible tells us that all scripture is inspired by God, there is never a time that you will use one passage of scriptures to reject another passage of scriptures.  There also will never be a time that you leave out or exclude scripture because you do not understand them.

For instance:

John 3:16 says,
16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Praise God for that!  And, this is true!  But, just because this is true, does that mean you exclude what other scriptures also tell us to do?  Like:

Mark 16:16 that reads,
16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

But wait a minute.  John 3:16 said  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Again, I ask you tonight.  Does that mean we ignore that Jesus also tells us that He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Or should we believe what we learned in 2 Timothy 3:16?  Which told us All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Do you believe what the Bible Says?  Ok.  Again, since all scripture is inspired by God then we realize that you never stack one passage of scripture against another.  So, God did send his son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but we also must be baptized in his name as the bible also teaches us.

Let me give you another example:

Romans 10:9
9 {That} if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Amen!  This is true.  But does that mean you no longer have to be baptized?

Acts 2:38-39 says,
38  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.
39  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.

If we exclude scriptures are we being obedient to 2 Timothy 3:16 which told us, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness?

Oh But wait,

Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This is truth!!!  But so is the baptism in Jesus name and the receiving of the Holy Ghost.

Didn’t the scriptures also tell us….

Ephesians 2:19-20
19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

So what did the Apostles in the Bible tell us?

Acts 2:38-39 says,
38  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.
39  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.

What did Jesus in the Bible tell us?

John 14:15
15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

So, we are not saved by works but by our obedient faith to the keeping of God’s commandments.

What?  Know ye not that we are called for obedience to the faith for his name?

Romans 16:25-27
25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

So what does it mean that this Gospel of Jesus Christ was made known to all nations for the Obedience of Faith?

For this answer, we need to better understand how faith works.  Faith requires action.  Listen to what the Apostle James tells us in:

James 2:20;26
20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So faith takes an action of obedience to be made complete.  Let me give you an example.

Let’s say I have faith that if I purchase a smoke detector for my home that it will save my life in case of a house fire.  I have faith that it will save my life.  However, I must be obedient to my faith that the smoke detector will work and save my life in case of a house fire.

How then?  You will find that for the smoke detector to work, there were instructions given to you.  One of which includes placing a battery in it so that it will have power to operate.

So in order for my faith that the smoke detector will save my life in case of a house fire to be made complete, I must follow the instructions, and place the battery into it.
If I choose not to be obedient to my faith that the smoke detector will save my life in case of a house fire, and do not install the battery, then if there is a house fire, it will not work, and thus my faith without works of obedience was dead being alone.

So we have learned that faith requires actions of obedience in order to be made complete.

Have you ever wondered how faith works?   The answer can be found in:

Galatians 5:6
6  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

So in Jesus Christ faith is what matters.  And faith works by love!!!

With this understanding, it should make more sense why the Lord said in:

John 14:15
15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

In Jesus Christ the Lord, faith works by love.  And thus if you love God, you will keep his commandments, because faith being alone is dead.  For your faith to be made complete in Jesus Christ, you must be obedient to his commandments.

Romans 8:8,10
8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.    WHY?????   Because……
10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Mark 12:28-34
28  And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29  And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32  And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33  And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

So it is of the utmost importance that we are obedient to our faith that God will save us.  For this to take place.   We must believe 2 Timothy 3:16 16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

If we truly believe this bible verse, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, it will lead us to Acts 2:38-39 which is the plan of Salvation that God has given unto us His people, which instructs us to, “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.”

Let me again remind everyone what the Bible teaches us of those who did not obey the truth of this Gospel of Jesus Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection, in…..

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

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Bible study, Holiness

C & C: Holiness is Part of Salvation

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

If you do not follow after peace with all men, and holiness, you will not be saved.  God commands us to be holy and is therefore a part of our salvation.  We are to be holy in all manner of communication, behavior, and conduct even as God is holy.

1 Peter 1:14-16
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
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.

To be holy we must conform ourselves to God’s character.  His holy nature.  We must love what He loves and hate what He hates and think the thoughts that would align up to His thoughts as we are taught throughout the Bible, God’s only Holy Word.

To live a holy life we must not be conformed to this world but rather transformed from it.  We must separate ourselves from sin and the things of the world while being dedicated to God and reaching out to the lost even as Jesus Christ did.

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.

2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1
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.
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.

As followers of Christ and that of God we as Christians must not love the things of this world, nor allow ourselves to become attached to it, nor to take part of the sinful pleasures and activities of this world.  This is a commandment of God.  If we are not holy as He is holy then we will not be saved.  This is not optional.  This is a promise of God.

James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

You must come “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” and ” present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.  You must not be “conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”. “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” keeping yourself “unspotted from the world.”

James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

The friendship of the world is enmity with God.  It is the enemy of God and if you live in it and partake of it you will suffer the wrath of God!

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.

We must avoid “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”.  We must not love the world, or “the love of the Father is not in him.”  Holiness is Part of Salvation.  You must discipline yourself and abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

We must so run that we too may obtain, but we must be “temperate in all things” and understand that we must keep our bodies under subjection to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Holiness is Part of Salvation.  Holiness is both inward and outward.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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 Thessalonians 5:23
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.

Holiness is not to be ignored or to be assumed by your own interpretations of what holiness is when the scriptures identify to you what holiness is and what manner of person you ought to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God”.   As you can see you are bought with a price if you are Christ’s, “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

If you do not live a holy life God will destroy you!  For “the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” “and ye are not your own” “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Holiness includes your thoughts, attitudes, and your physical appearance.  Your physical appearance is a reflection of what is on the inside.  What your thoughts and attitudes are is reflected in your outward appearance.  This is not to say that you can not deceive man and reflect an outward appearance of holiness while you are corrupt and foul on the inside.

Matthew 23:25-28
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

God expects us to grow spiritually, to grow in grace and the knowledge of Him that saved us, and to produce fruit continually.

2 Peter 3:18
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

John 15:1-8
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Holiness is not to be confused with works salvation, but rather seen as the scriptures have revealed, part of salvation. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Heb 12:14)

If you truly love God you will keep His commandments and you will also desire to be pleasing in His sight.  It will be your pleasure to obey Him and keep His commandments.

1 John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

We are told that everything we do is to be done to the glory of God, whether in word or deed is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, and our love is to be expressed in deed and truth.

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 John 3:18
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

We must not walk after the flesh but after the Spirit!  We must bring our thoughts under subjection and to the obedience of Jesus Christ!  This in turn will bring our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors under subjection and to the obedience of Jesus Christ!  Holiness is Part of Salvation!

Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Galatians 5:16-26
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 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.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 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.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

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.

Your outward appearance reflects your inner self and “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.”

Deuteronomy 22:5
5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Regardless of what society and culture teaches “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

1 Peter 3:1-7
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
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.
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.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

1 Timothy 2:8-15
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.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Luke 6:43-44
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Luke 3:9
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

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Faith, Grace

C & C: What the Grace of God Teaches Us

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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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Titus 2:11-15
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;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Are you following the grace of God?  The grace of God that brings salvation?  The grace of God that teaches “us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”?   It is very important that you understand What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  We are saved by grace but you will not be saved if you are not following after What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

Maybe no one has ever taught you What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  Maybe you are unaware that the grace of God that brings salvation requires you to be obedient to 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;”!  This is required or you have fallen from grace and will not be saved!

2 Peter 3:17-18
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

There is no such doctrine in the Word of God that teaches you that once you are saved you are always saved, but the contrary is taught all throughout scripture!  “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

1 Corinthians 9:26-27
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Apostle Paul himself declares that he keeps his body under subjection “lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”.

Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Your name can clearly be blotted out of the book of life!  It is of the utmost importance that you not only understand this but that you also follow after what the grace of God teaches us or you will not be saved!  “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;”!

Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  The Grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.  How does one know what is ungodly and what is worldly lusts without studying the Word of God and being taught by the 5-fold ministry that God has given to the Church?  You can’t just follow after your heart!

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 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.

You can’t claim to be saved by grace while you deny What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  The grace of God that brings salvation requires you to be obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  It is more than “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” but also the grace of God teaches us that “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”!  You MUST “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” to be saved by the grace of God!!

People love to quote these scriptures from Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Yet deny or misunderstand What the Grace of God Teaches Us!  We are saved by grace through faith if you are obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

You MUST “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” to be saved by the grace of God while also “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts”!

Romans 14:16-19
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Hebrews 12:14-16
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

If you do not follow after “peace with all men, and holiness” you will not be saved!  It is essential to salvation as well as being part of following What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Charity is love and love is the fulfilling of the law of Moses.

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

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

If you do not have the love of Christ in you then you are not following What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Timothy 6:6-14
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The grace of God that teaches “us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” teaches us to be content with “food and raiment” for “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

We are to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”  These are the things that the Grace of God Teaches Us!

2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We are saved by grace through faith “and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  However, you MUST OBEY What the Grace of God Teaches Us or YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED BECAUSE YOU FAIL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD AND HAVE TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, AND HATH COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, AN UNHOLY THING, AND HATH DONE DESPITE UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE! (See Hebrews 10:29)

Titus 2:11-15
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;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

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Bible study, Faith

Come let us Grow Together: In the Steps of that Faith

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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.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. (Rom 4:8-12)

We as the children of Abraham are to follow after the steps of faithful Abraham.  In order for us to observe the faith of faithful Abraham, we need to turn our focus to the walk that faithful Abraham had as he followed after the Lord.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. (Gen 12:1-4)

Abraham was faithful to the call of God to leave his country.  By faith he believed what the Lord had promised to him and left his country behind to pursue the Lord.

And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. (Gen 12:10-13)

Even though Abraham had faith in the promises of God, he made mistakes just as you and I do.  This is walking in the steps of that faith of faithful Abraham.

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (Gen 13:14-17)

Sometimes when we have faith in the promises of God we make wrong decisions as to how the Lord will bring them about.

Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. (Gen 16:1-2)

Sometimes we may lack the faith to believe in how God will perform the individual processes that ultimately bring us to the promise of God that we believe in.

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? (Gen 17:15-17)

Even though Abraham was a man of great faith, we see that there were times in his walk that his faith was low during the process of the fulfilling of the promise of God.

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? (Gen 20:1-4)

Let us learn from the example of faithful Abraham as we too walk in the steps of that faith.  Let us recognize that God will bring to pass what He has promised even though there will be times during our walk that it appears that it will not take place.  Let us remember to put our full trust in God and not to lean upon our own understanding.

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Praise, Worship

How Should I Worship God?

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The topic of worship and praise is a very crucial topic.  Many people do not realize the importance of giving God praise or they do not fully understand how to give God praise.  This portion of the lesson is going to be on how to worship and give praise unto God according to the scriptures.

John 4:23-24
23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Here Jesus reveals to us how we are to worship.  That being in spirit and in truth.  Jesus also reveals to us that this is what the Father is seeking from us.  For God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Matthew 4:10
10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

We are reminded by Jesus that we are to only worship and to serve the Lord our God!

Luke 19:35-40
35  And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36  And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

A couple of things to notice here.  First that we just read that Jesus told satan that we are to only worship and to serve the Lord our God!  Yet here we see that Jesus allowed the people to praise and worship Him.  The answer of why?  Jesus is God.  For He is Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Mt 1:23) For God was manifest in the flesh. (1 Tim 3:16)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. (2 Cor 5:19)

We were shown a clear example of how to worship and give praise unto God here.  The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice.  Their praise was exuberant!!!!  It was not dead praise.  It was not quiet speaking.  It was lively and cheerful!!!!  They were EXCITED!!!!!!

When the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the disciples…. The Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

The Greek word for cry in use:

2896. krazo, krad’-zo; a prim. verb; prop. to “croak” (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (gen.) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat):–cry (out).

Again, just as the disciples rejoiced and praised God with a LOUD voice, the Lord made it clear that if they should stop the stones would CRY OUT!!!!!  This is the Lord of Glory!!!!!  Not a football game!?  Not a sporting event!?  Not some form of carnal entertainment!  But the Creator of the Universe!!!!

Matthew 21:14-16
14  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
16  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

The Greek word in use here for crying is the same as was above for the word cry.  They were full of joy!!!  Over the mighty and wonderful works of the Lord!!!!

Jesus said they had perfected praise!!  We should be excited about the Lord!!!  We should be overwhelmed with joy that He died on the cross for us!!!!  We should be ecstatic about the grace and mercy He has extended to us!!!!

O Make A JOYFUL NOISE unto the LORD!!!!!

Psalms 100:1-5
1  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.  (Even this one that we live in)

Colossians 3:16-17
16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We are to sing and to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!

1 Peter 2:3-5
3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
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.

Matthew 22:32
32…..God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Does anybody out there have Spiritual Life?????  Then lift up your voices with a shout unto the Lord!!!!  Is He not worthy?????  O Praise God with a LOUD voice!!!

Some people will try to find a way to pass off the praising of God by saying there is a time and a place for everything.  I am here to tell you the time to praise God is always!!!!

Philippians 4:4
4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
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.

Hebrews 13:15-16
15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Not only do we offer up a sacrifice of praise to God with our voices, but we also raise our hands unto the Lord.  The lifting up of your hands to the Lord is an act of love and of submissiveness!  A yielding up of yourself to the King!!!

Psalms 141:1-2
1  LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

O bless God with some Praises Worthy of a KING!!!!!

Psalms 47:1-2
1  O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2  For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

Does anybody have a dance in them for the Lord????

Psalms 150:1-6
1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  (This would include the lifting up of your hands.)
2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD!!!!!!

2 Samuel 6:14-15
14  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

2 Samuel 6:5
5  And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

1 Chronicles 15:16
16  And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

Luke 6:22-23
22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Does anybody out there feel like leaping for the Lord??  Anybody out their feel like rejoicing in the Lord???

Remember, we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

For us to partake of what God has asked of us, we need to be more than hearers of the Word, we need to be doers of the Word.

Again, this is how we worship God.  We give Him worship through our singing unto Him, the lifting up of our hands unto Him, the lifting up of our voices of praise unto Him, the playing of music unto Him, the clapping of our hands unto Him, and by dancing unto the Lord!!!!!

We want to invite God into our midst by our worship unto Him.  The Lord will inhabit the praises of His people.  And we are also told that the Joy of the Lord is our strength.  When you worship the Lord and He comes into your presence, Joy will come into your heart. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.

Is there any true worshippers out there????  Then Let’s give God some praise with the voice of Triumph!!!!

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Bible study, Prayer

Come Let us Grow Together: Prayer

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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.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b)

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 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. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Mt 6:5-8)

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mk 11:24-26)

These verses of scripture in no wise mean that corporate prayer is not to take place.  “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 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. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 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. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 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.” (Acts 12:5-17)

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 Jn 5:14-15)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Lk 18:1-8)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

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Behavior, Faith

Faith says “I CAN”

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I would like to talk to you about our thoughts.  It is important to realize that as Christians each one of us must mold our thoughts to that of what the Word of God teaches us.  In so doing, each one of us will begin to talk the same talk and to walk the same walk.  This is because we are of the same mind, because we have molded our thoughts to what thus saith the Word of God!

2 Corinthians 1:19-20
19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Philippians 4:13
13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It’s in your mind set.  It’s in your belief system.

Faith says I can!!  Doubt says I can’t!!

Romans 14:23
23  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Did you hear it?  Whatsoever is not of faith is sin!!

It’s time that each one of us challenge our belief system!!  Let us examine our thoughts and see if what we are telling ourselves is truth or a lie!!

Proverbs 23:6-7
6  Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Hear it again!!  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he!!  Your thoughts are directly responsible for your feelings!!

If you believe you are a failure, then you will be a failure.  If you see yourself as a world changer, you will become a world changer.  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

You must guard your thoughts!!  What are you telling yourself?  What are you allowing your mind to ponder upon?

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.

This is a great filtering system for your thoughts!!  Think upon whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and things that are of a good report!!  Not a negative report!!  But things which are of a good report!!

Do not spend your time thinking about and speaking to others about things that are of a negative report!!  Even if the negative report is true, we are not to spend our time dwelling upon it.  We are to think on things that are of a good report!!  This does not mean you live in a fairy tale world, but this means if you hear or see a negative report, you do not have to dwell upon it and you do not have to share it with everyone.  Instead look for the good in the bad!!

1 Peter 1:13
13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

gird:  to encircle or secure with a belt or band.  Notice carefully that we are to HOPE to the end!! For the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revealing of Jesus Christ!!  We are to maintain hope until the end!!  We are to maintain a positive attitude through hope!

How do we maintain hope?  We must maintain our faith!!  Remember, Faith says “I Can”!!

Hebrews 11:1
11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

To maintain hope we must maintain our Faith.  To maintain our Faith we must maintain our Belief system.  To maintain our Belief system we must apply the Word of God to our thoughts casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ!!  In order for you to do this, you must know the Word of God!!  You must gird up the loins of your mind and apply what thus saith, the Word of God!!

2 Corinthians 10:4
4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Did you hear it?  Are weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.  For all the promises of God in Christ are yea, and in him Amen!!  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Faith says, “I Can!! and I will!! not by my own strength, but through Christ which is my strength!!

1 Peter 5:8-9
8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

He cannot devour one who has girded up the loins of their mind!!  He cannot devour one that is applying the Word of God.  He can only devour those who let him!!  Those who are either ignorant of the Word of God or those who are not applying the Word of God!! [re-read v. 8]

9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Your thoughts are directly responsible for your feelings!!  If you allow yourself to think that you are trapped and without hope, then you will feel trapped and without hope!!  Examine your thoughts.  When you begin to feel unwanted feelings, stop! and begin to think about what you were thinking about.  What are you telling yourself?

Learn to identify what you are thinking that is triggering your unwanted feelings and learn to replace your unwanted thoughts with other thoughts and your feelings will begin to change.  But you must not only replace your unwanted thoughts with other thoughts, you must also change your underlying belief system that you are irrationally holding on to that is causing you to have the unwanted thoughts you were having.

Are you feeling down and out?  Are you feeling depressed?  Examine your thoughts and see why you are feeling this way.  What are you telling yourself?

Are you telling yourself that you feel down and out?  Are you telling yourself that you feel depressed?  Because your feelings are a direct result of what you are thinking.  Are you telling yourself that you are without hope?  Are you telling yourself that you can’t make it?  All of these types of thoughts are going to make you feel that you are without hope?  Is this true?  Remember what we are to be thinking about?  Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report.

How are you without hope when Christ is the hope of glory?  Is what you are telling yourself true?  Examine your thoughts and tell yourself what is true.  I can make it!!  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!!  Tell yourself the truth!!  I am not without hope.  I have all hope in Christ Jesus.

I may have felt feelings of despair, but the truth is everything is ok.  I’m a child of God!!  I’m a child of the king!! And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mt 10:28)

Romans 8:28-32
28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

All things!!  Not some things!!  But all things!! Turn your negative thoughts into positive thoughts!!  Boy I’m having a hard day, but thank God the day doesn’t define my future!!  But my obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God does.

Do not stop with just saying, Boy I’m having a hard day.  This will give you a completely different set of feelings.  You can change your thoughts and your belief system simply by adding more information to what you are telling yourself.  Boy I’m having a hard day, but thank God the day doesn’t define my future!!  But my obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God does.

Address feelings of Self Worth and Worthlessness.  Is it true that you are worthless?  Is it true that you have no value?  Not according to the Word of God.

Matthew 10:29-31
29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Are you not judging and condemning yourself while telling yourself that you are of no value and worthless?  Is not this the way you see yourself?  Is this true then?  The answer is no as we have seen.  You must then change your belief system and the way you perceive yourself!!  You must challenge these unwanted thoughts and lies that you are telling yourself?  You must ask yourself is this true?  Does this align up with the Word of God?  If it does not, then you must remember that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Luke 6:37
37  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

1 Corinthians 4:3-4
3  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Do not begin to feel overwhelmed!!  Do not begin to think that I cannot do this!!  Faith says, “I Can” Remember this is a process of time.  It will take time to begin to recognize your unwanted thoughts and to then replace them with thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and things that are of a good report!!

Each time you apply this, you will see your unwanted negative feelings disappear and new feelings will appear in their place, depending on what you are now telling yourself.  You must believe that you can change your unwanted negative feelings!!

Luke 12:29
29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Faith says, “I can”!!!  Gird up the loins of your mind and be not of a doubtful mind!!  For all the promises of God in Christ are yea, and in him Amen!! If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Mt 17:20b)

Do you believe it?  Do you believe the Word of God?  You must eliminate your doubtful mind and the worries that accompany it!!  You must learn to let the peace of God rule your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus!!  Faith says, “I Can”!!

Philippians 4:6-7
6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A precious promise of God!!  However, the key to allowing this peace of God to keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus was to 1) Be careful for nothing.  Which means do not allow yourself to be anxious for anything!!  2) But in every thing by prayer and supplication 3) With thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

At that point is when you say never the less Lord your will be done and not my will.  It is at this point that you 1) Choose to refuse to allow yourself to be anxious 2) That you place your faith in the Lord that whatever the Potter chooses to do will work together for your good 3) You then place your trust into the Potter’s hand 4) Wait with patience for what you have sought from the Potter 5) Accepting the will of the Potter with contentment.

This is a delicate balance of belief, faith, hope, trust, acceptance, patience, and contentment.  You must maintain each one of these in order to allow the peace of God to rule your heart and mind.

If any one of these gets out of balance due to the thoughts you are having you will lose the peace of God that you were experiencing.  This is because Belief and Hope maintain your Faith and Trust.

If you allow yourself to begin to Worry, then the Hope you had in what you sought from God will begin to waver which will directly influence your Faith.  This negative influence on your Faith will then begin to destroy your Trust that you had in God, which will then begin to destroy your Belief in what you Hoped for in God.

Fear tells us things like:

I can’t do that.  What if I mess up?  What if someone sees me mess up?
How can I handle myself if I am made fun of?  I don’t understand.
Who do I turn to?  Where will I go?  How will I get there?
What if I made the wrong choice?  Should I rethink what I’ve done?
What should I do?

All of this fear is directly tied to your belief system which is completely controlled by your thoughts!!  What are you telling yourself that is provoking this worry and fear?  And is it true?  Take the time to start analyzing what you are telling yourself that is provoking your fears, doubts, and worries.

What did the Word of God say?  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7) And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind!! (Lk 12:29) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ!! (1 Peter 1:13) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor 10:4-5)

We must learn to bring our thoughts under subjection to the obedience of Jesus Christ!!  We must learn to challenge our thoughts and our belief systems and see whether or not they align up with the Word of God!!  If they do not, then we need to change our thoughts to that which does align with the Word of God.  This changing of your thoughts will also change your feelings because as man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Pro 23:7a)

Therefore it is of the utmost importance that you focus upon telling yourself what is the truth and not allow yourself to continue to sabotage yourself with thoughts that are not true.  Remember to use  Philippians 4:8 as a filtering system for your mind and think about whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and things that are of a good report!!

Is this going to be easy?  The answer is no, but Faith says, “I CAN”!!

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Behavior, Bible study

Come Let us Grow Together: False Christians

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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.

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Lk 6:43-46)

Every tree is known by his own fruit!!

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Cor 6:15-17)

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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 Jn 2:15-17)

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. (Gal 5:19-21)

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Lk 13:6-9)

And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Mt 3:10) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Pet 4:17-18)

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:7-8)

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