Paul

Reading, Exhortation, and Doctrine

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These things command and teach.  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:11-16

It will be better explained as to what the apostle Paul is writing to Timothy about if you will read the whole chapter.  However, verses six through ten will help.

Timothy was a young pastor which Paul had trained, and taught many good and godly things.  Some of it is good reminders of how all Christians ought to live; but especially those who preach the word of God, and lead us in spiritual matters related to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Notice what Paul encourages Timothy to do:  Give attention to reading, probably of the Scriptures in the Church services, but also for one’s own personal growth and benefit; then attention to exhortation, or the explaining the text, then teaching  how that text applies to us; then to doctrine which is teaching or giving instruction of what to do and how to do it.  The Old Testament was all they had.  Some or all of the Gospel accounts may have been in scroll form by the time of Paul.  Paul did write many of the epistles (letters) to the churches he started, and personal ones like the Timothy, Titus, and Philemon Epistles.

The doctrine most precious to continue teaching is that all of Adam kind (mankind) has sinned, and separated from God.  That God in His loving kindness had and has the only way to have fellowship with Him.  That is through the shedding of innocent blood.  The blood of lambs, and bulls and goats was insufficient, requiring daily and annual sacrifice.  All these were pictures/types pointing to the coming of Messiah who would be the perfect blood sacrifice for  our sin.  Jesus Christ fulfills all the prophecies concerning the Lamb of God who came to take away our sin.  Jesus died on the cross for our sin, He was buried, and He rose again the third day proving every word He had spoken concerning Himself.

That is the hill I choose to stand on and fight for.  The cross of Jesus Christ and His coming again.

Irrevocable

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As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 11:28-32

The Jewish people are enemies only because they have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They have done so, so that, we Gentiles might become part of God’s kingdom as well as the Jew.

There seems to be a growing trend for some Christian speaker, preachers, teachers, and from all walks of life, teaching that the Church is the new Israel.  That is assuming that God has forsaken the Old Testament Israel, for the Church (which is the Body of Christ).  My question is: If the Church is the new Israel what will happen to Israel?

Verse 29 of our text says, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (are Irrevocable).”  Meaning that what God has said in the Old Testament concerning His covenant people will not fail to come to pass.  There are many prophecies of the Old Testament that have not yet come to pass.  Those prophecies and promises cannot be claimed to be the Church’s, except for our encouragement, and education, and growth.

God says, “I will be merciful to whom I will be merciful.”  God chose to blind the eyes of  many Jewish people to bring Gentiles to Himself.  Let us be thankful to the people of Israel for their part in our salvation; for it is through them that we have received our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and from them we have received God’s word.

Antisemitism must stop among those who are Christian or God can set us aside as He has Israel.  God is not one who forsakes His people.  He has a remnant who believe Him and live for Him.  One day all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:25-27),  The apostle Paul was writing here of his people, not the Church.

“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”  It is an encouragement to know that God’s word, prophecies and promises do not change.  It is comforting to know that He does not give up on His people.

The Hope We Are Waiting For

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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:18-25

There are several things for us to consider in these verses of Scripture.  The first thing to think about is comparing any suffering we have had for our serving the Lord Jesus to the glory, the joy, we will have when we see Jesus when He comes for us.

Another thing is that it seems quite clear, that since the fall of Adam, the creation – the earth and the heavens, and everything therein has also suffered, and will rejoice in the sons of God getting their redeemed bodies.  There will be no more earthquakes, raging storms, tsunamis, and no more wars.  All of creation will quit its groaning.  All because the God of glory, the Creator of all that is, has by His love, mercy, and grace redeemed those who come to Him and believe.

This hope we have is not supported by wishful thinking.  It is supported by the promise of God.  As we continue in hope based on faith, we continue with the rest of creation to groan, yet rejoice in the waiting, by continuing to follow the Lord.

Judgment For the Believer

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Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10

The Christian, the believer, the follower of Jesus Christ is confident knowing that while are alive in this body flesh we are absent from the Lord.  Yet we desire to be absent from this body of flesh and to be present with the Lord.

For that reason we work for His glory that we might be accepted of Him, not for salvation,  but our sanctification.

One day every born again child of God will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ and we will each and every one of us give an accounting of what we did with what He has given us.  This not a judgment that determines our eternal destination – Heaven or Hell – it rather a place of celebration some what like when an Olympic champion receives a medal before the crowd.  There will be none of us grandstanding, saying “Look at my crown(s).”  There will be an accounting of what we did or did  not do that produced fruit that is eternal, or that perishes.

Would you like to become a Believer and follower of Jesus Christ  today?  Believe this.  Jesus Christ came into this world to save lost sinners which is all of humanity.  He saves all who believe on Him, and none who do not believe.  Jesus died on that old cross, He was buried and He rose again.  If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Put Away… That Wicked Person

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I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  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.  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.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13

The Church at Corinth had problems that the apostle Paul had to deal with.  One of those problems was sexual immorality.  Some man’s son was going to bed with his father’s wife.  What was the Church at Corinth doing about it?  They were doing nothing about it.  Rather they seemed to be applauding their love and toleration of the immoral behavior.

The purpose of putting away this young man, was to get him to the place of repentance, and to return to the Church cleansed and forgiven (1 Corinthians 5:5).  The Lord Jesus Christ will not tolerate sin among His Body, which is the Church.  He will purge it, and make it clean.  That includes putting away from us that wicked person.  So that they might be tormented by the devil, and they return repentant of their deed or deeds.

Does the Church today need to practice this discipline?

Do the rules of the Church of Corinth belong to the Church today?

Do we do harm by practicing this rule, or does it do good for both the Church and the immoral person?

Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins, He was buried, and He rose again.  Because He has died for us we are free from the bondage of sin.  Not freedom to sin; but rather, freedom to live a righteous life.

 

…Increase and Abound in Love…

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Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

“Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.” v. 11
If we are to care, and to be cared for we must trust our directions to be led by Jesus in us – which is the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Verses 12 – 13 —
“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” vv. 12-13

Paul’s prayer:
1. Increase and abound in love (agape’);
2. In order to “Establish” [be grounded] in heart; set them up as stable, unshakeable sanctuaries of peace;
3. Blameless in God’s holiness – To be holy is to be clean and fit for God’s Spirit to use.
We are called upon throughout the Word to be fit, to be holy for His use and service. Here we are told to be “Blameless in holiness” meaning God’s holiness. We must be clothed in that if we are to be caught up with the rest of the saints.
The saints mentioned here are the souls and spirits of the departed dead in Christ referred to in chapter 4:14.

Worshiping In Prison

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And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 16:25-34

Paul and Silas found themselves to be prisoners in a Philippian jail.  While it happened that they were praying, they were also singing praises to the Lord, and it was midnight.What were they imprisoned for?  It wasn’t for murder.  It was not for thievery.  It was not even for jay walking. It was for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for delivering a girl from demon and human bondage.

Look at what happened.  God sent an earthquake which unlocked the chains they were bound with; all the prisoners were released, and the doors opened, but they stayed put right where they were.  The jailer was about to take his own life  because he thought the prisoners had all escaped.  Paul calls out to him, saving his life.

The jailer, then asks for a light, and he goes into the cell, and asks the question, that many need to ask; “What must I do to be saved?”

The answer to the Philippian jailer, and to all who are called to ask the question is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.”  Why does it say, “…And  your house?”  It was because this jailer and his family believed on the Lord Jesus, because of the events of the early morning hours.  The family head is saved, generally speaking when the man of the house follows Jesus Christ the rest of the family will also.

This Philippian jailers life was not only saved from killing himself, he was saved unto eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ, the crucified, buried, and risen Savior of the world.

Will you call on the name of Jesus today?

Obey The Truth

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O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain.  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Galatians 3:1-6

False teachers, men who were adding to the gospel, teaching that keeping of the law was a necessity for salvation.  Paul is adamant with them concerning the truth of by grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is polluted every time there is an addition to the word of the gospel.  The addition of Jewish Law such as circumcision, keeping the annual Feast days such as the Passover  and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the rest.  If we add baptism as a necessity for salvation, then the gospel is tainted with the stench of dead flesh.  The believing thief on the cross might have something to say about that.

Do not add to or diminish anything of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He came into the word to save lost  sinners of whom I am the worst.  Yet He loved me and saved me from my sins, from death, and from Hell.  I believe Him.  How about you?

Persuaded and Committed

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Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:8-12

These verses, at least a couple of them are familiar to many Christians; the last one especially.

Being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ should cause us to be on guard of our slips and falls in faith. It happens to the strongest, and to those who are weak.

This is not the first time Paul says, “I am not ashamed..” He says it very clearly in Romans 1:16. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be fully persuaded, and committed to faithfully serving Him and others in His name.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:8-12

Is Jesus able to keep us? He most certainly is.  Who else has that ability to keep us?  If you are persuaded and committed to Him.  He will keep you in His gracious hands.

…Not as the words of men…

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For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:  forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

The words of men are not as powerful, as are the words of God which the apostle knew since he had delivered to the Lord while going to Damascus to torture, capture and kill those people which were drawing people away from Judaism.

We need more Christians believing the word of God, and trusting Him more than men.

Complete In Him

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According to Philippians 1:6 God will finish what He begins in us. Philippians was part of my reading this morning and as I read this verse I feel, and by faith know that God is not finished with me just yet. The Scripture I share with you today is found in Colossians 2:8-10.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power…
Colossians 2:8-10

The Christian cannot fall prey to  to the philosophies of the world, that are contrary to God’s word, neither their vain deceits. We are to follow Jesus Christ, by living for Him, through the power of the Spirit and His word.

Why? Because He is the fullness of the Godhead in the body of flesh, and He is the supreme power over all principality and power. He completes those who follow Him.

 

A Life Under Control

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And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:18-21

Many people have no control of their lives, or they feel like other people or things, or troubles, sickness or something else controls them. I hope you are not one of them.

The Bible text of Ephesians 5:18 and following verse 20 of chapter 6, is speaking of a Christian having and living a life filled with the Holy Spirit of God. What does verse eighteen say about control, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…” that is, do not be controlled by any thing other than the Spirit of God Himself. You notice the behavior of those who get drunk on alcohol, and/or drugs,  they have no control of their own actions. They stumble around, and many times fall. If they drive a car, they can hit another car or pedestrian on the side of the road, a not even realize what they have done.

When the Christian is filled with the Spirit of God, which is Christ in you, you have the heart to sing song of melody, Psalms of praises and adoration to the Lord. In your marriage and in your family you will follows the principles between the husband and the wife (5:22-33).

The children will follow the principles of chapter 6:1-4.

We are even given the filling of the Holy Spirit in our place of employment. These verses are applicable to the work place chapter 6:5-9. The employer is  also included, that if he is a Christian man he is by the filling of the Holy Spirit treat his employs right, paying them rightly, and treating them like brethren.

Lastly, but finally, we are to get suited up daily for the battles of the day ahead. It is the filling of the Spirit that encourages us to do this everyday, “Put on the whole armor of God.” That includes the committing our selves to soaking up the word of God, hiding His word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Psalm  119:11).

If you desire to have control of your life, give your life to the One who died for you. His name is Jesus. He died for our sins on a cross, was buried, and He rose from the dead. When He ascended a few days later He sent His Spirit to live in all those who will believe in Him. That same Spirit will guide you, and He will fill you to overflowing. Call on His name in faith.

Also read Galatians 5:16-26.

 

Another Jesus?

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What is this “Another Jesus” all about? What does the Apostle Paul mean by being jealous over these Christians in Corinth? Let’s look and see from our text and others.

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 11:1-4

The Apostle Paul loved the Corinthians Christians with great love, and did not want them to be drawn away from the Christ that he preached of. The Jesus Paul preached, and the Jesus some preached were two different people.  For instance consider these…

  1.  The true Jesus is the Son of God – the Incarnation of God; the other Jesus is not;
  2.  The true Jesus was crucified on the cross dying for our sins was buried and rose again; the other Jesus died and was buried, but did not rise again.
  3.   The true gospel is that we are saved by grace alone, by faith alone; the other gospel you are saved by law and grace.

If the Jesus you worship, trust in, and is all love, and does not hate sin, neither condemns sin, that is not the Biblical Jesus. You are worshiping a god of your own minds doing..

Jesus Christ, born as a baby, became a flesh and blood man, who gave His life for us sinners. He is the Son of God, God the Son, and He was the perfect sacrifice for sin fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. That same Jesus is returning, and I am praying, “Come Lord Jesus,” because I greatly desire to meet Him face to face.

How about you? Do you know the true Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again to life?

The Resurrection’s Promise

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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only truth, it is historical truth, and the evidence is in those who witnessed the Person of the resurrected Christ. There were, in all more than 500 witnesses.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.  Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.  And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28

The Apostle Paul was one of those witnesses. He met Jesus on the road to Damascus with orders from the high priest of Judaism, to capture and even to torture and kill any who professed faith in the risen Lord. However, when he  met Jesus he had his life completely turned around (Acts 9).

In these verses of Scripture is evidence also of a promise of God, of rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ. Paul gives us information that things are in order as it cannot be confusion. So here is the order of events that take place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  1.  Jesus Christ is raised first, and His ascension into the heavens;
  2.  Then those who are His at the time of His coming for the purpose of getting His own;
  3.  Then the end when He has delivered the kingdom of God, even the Father, and He puts down all rule, authority, and powers;
  4.  He must reign till all enemies are put under His feet; the last enemy being death.

The Father will put everything under His feet, except Himself. When all other things are under His feet the Son will be subject to the wholeness of the God head. That God may be all in all. Then there will be universal peace, and no disagreement that God is sovereign over all.

There is a resurrection in type that take place when you come to faith in Jesus Christ. You are dead in sin, then when you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior you are no longer dead, but alive to God, and your will, and selfish desires are no longer important to you.

In Christ Jesus we have the promise of the resurrection to come. In that resurrection we shall forever be with the Lord. If you have not received that promise, all you need to do is call on His name confessing your sin, turn from  it, believing in the work of Christ on the cross, His burial, and resurrection. You will receive salvation and have eternal life.

The Revelation of the Mystery

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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, 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:  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Romans 16:25-27

These verses are a doxology to the Lord. Words of a hymn or praise to Him. What about the mystery? There is the revelation of the mystery, and that revelation is how the Gentiles can be saved by God, only partly, and mostly the whole counsel of God.

There is much in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is revealed to us through the knowing of Christ such as the Incarnation of God – God became flesh and dwelt among us, The Trinity – the Holy Triune God. God becoming Man that He might die for His enemies, then to be buried, then to prove it all He is raised from the grave, which proves that all that He said, and taught is truth (Romans 1:4). It also proves all the words of Moses, the prophets, and the wisdom books of the Old Testament.

I am thankful that He has revealed Himself to me through His Spirit, by the Old and New Testaments.

If you will call on the name of Jesus through faith, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and He rose from the dead you will be saved (Romans10:9-10).

Living Sacrifice

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This a call for Christians to give their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ,

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.   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.
Romans 12:1-2

The Christian is called to be dead to sin, but alive to righteousness and holiness; acceptable to God. The only way for us to be acceptable to God is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. There is no other way.

This is not a call to martyrdom it is a call to living for Christ as a devoted, committed follower of the Christ who died for our sins. We cannot conform to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, and that means, for myself at least, every day; maybe more than once a day, through the means of prayer, the reading and study of the word of God, by living as a true witness of the Lord Jesus. By the renewing of our minds and being a faithful witness of Jesus we prove what is that good and acceptable will of God. We will always accept the perfect will of God

Be a living sacrifice for Jesus Christ

A Storm In Life

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We all face storms in our lives. Actual storms in weather patterns and in day to day life and living. God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ, are not immune to any of these storms either.

One of the storms of my life has been, since September 22, 2023 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it  is not a pleasant thing to deal with. God is so good. He has given me a family: my wife, our sons and daughters and their spouses have been so helpful in helping in so many ways. This is the storm I am dealing with, as it seems sometimes to be getting worse. I still mow our yard. I can still drive, but I do not know how much longer I should. I am not scaring my wife yet. Well that is enough about that.

When Paul was on a ship headed to Rome, he had warned them of danger if they left Crete at that time scheduled. When they had been in the storm for fourteen days, here are the apostle’s words,

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, “Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, ‘Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.’  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:21-26

The Lord had sent an angel to Paul, and told him to “Fear not”, there would be no loss of life, they would be grounded, the ship being destroyed, and that the Lord had given him all those who were on the ship with him, including the ship master, the soldiers guarding him and the other prisoners.

Storms are sometimes very frightening. It is always comforting and encouraging to know that God has these things in His Almighty hands. Even when that storm is your feet feeling like they are slipping, and they are not. Even when you balance is gone awry. When you are falling down more than you ever did. Even when it feels as though you are losing your strength, and you have no energy to go on. Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be afraid. “Fear not,” said the angel of the Lord to Paul; and to you and me.

Christ Jesus died so that we might be forgiven all our sins. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He rose up out of that tomb, and came out alive forever more. Through Him we too are alive forever more. Believe Him, and be saved.

The Remaining Glory

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But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
2 Corinthians 3:7-11

The Children Of Abraham

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“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, ‘They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.’  For this is the word of promise, ‘At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.’ ”
Romans 9:6-9

Tested By Fire

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Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15

…That they may be sound in the faith…

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…For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, “The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth…
Titus 1:10-14

A Ready Offering

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For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8

Partakers of the Benefit

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Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Timothy 6:1-5

The Law Is Good

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…But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:8-11

The Lord is faithful…

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But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-6