"Be of Your Word, Be of The Word"

August 31, 2015

“Be of Your Word, Be of The Word”

Blessings folk!

Be of your word.
Be of The Word.

If we do not know The Word, then our words will be inadequate.

Give heed to The Word…

Psa 49:3
My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

Psa 105:2
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.

Psa 119:46
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.


Do you speak wisdom?
Does your heart understand?
Do you sing praises to Him?
Do you speak of all His wonders?
Do you speak of His testimonies before “the powers that be”?
Do you speak without shame?

Psa 145:6
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.

Psa 145:11
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;

Psa 145:21
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.


Tell of His greatness.
Speak of His glory.
Talk of His power.
Speak of His praise.
Bless His name.

If you do not, the very rocks will cry out.
If there is no desire to do such, then examine yourself to see if you are of the faith.

"Be A Man of Your/The Word"

August 30, 2015

“Be A Man of Your/The Word”

Blessings folk!

Most of the Body of Christ today would agree that it is Him that we live, move and have our very being.

Their actions, activities, focus…worship…would declare otherwise.

Most of the Body of Christ worship gods of gold, silver, stone, works/deeds…etc.

Oh, they think they are “doing the work of the Lord”, but they are not.

We know that the god this world blinds…

2Co 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


Unbelievers are blinded.

But, what of those who profess to be Believers?
Many are simply not saved.
Therefore they are unbelievers.

Those that are saved are often distracted by the wiles of the evil one.

Here are two strategies of the evil one.

Many Believers are not people of their word.
Too many “Believers” simply do not tell the truth.
They do not keep their word.
I experience such on a regular basis. People making simple promises that will never be done.
Such undermines the individual and the work of the Kingdom.

Many Believers are not people of The Word.
Most Believers would readily profess to believe the Word of God, yet, they do not read/study.
This is especially true of leadership.
Too many “church leaders” do not know the Word.
They act like they do.
They preach like they do.
They teach like they do.
But, they do not.

The Body is greatly harmed by both these strategies.

Be a person of your word.
Be a person of The Word.

Know the Word.
Be the Word.

Jas 1:22
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

"In Him We Live, Move and Have Our Being"

August 29, 2015

“In Him We Live, Move and Have Our Being”

Blessings folk!

We learn more about idols and the true breath of life.

Paul was awaiting his associates.
He was in Athens.

He walked through the city giving attention to their idols.
He interacted with folk and was invited to speak to certain philosophers (Epicureans and Stoics) at the Areopagus.

Note what we learn about God.
Note what we learn about man.
Note what we learn about idols.

Acts 17

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

God:

  • made the world
  • Lord of heaven and earth
  • does not dwell in temples made with hands
  • not worshipped with man’s hands
  • does not need anything
  • gives breath and life to all things
  • made of one blood all nations of men
  • has determined appointed times
  • determined the bounds of habitation…where man lives!
  • Godhead
  • not gold, silver, stone graven art, man’s device

Man:
  • superstitious/religious
  • ignorantly worship unknown gods
  • should seek the Lord
  • live, move and have our being in the Lord
  • offspring of God

Idols:
  • not God
  • gold, silver, stone, graven art, man’s device

Reflect on this.
Does what we do as an individual Believer and as the Body of Christ reflect worship of God or worship of idols?

One wonders.
With the attention, time and resources that we give to…
  • “the temples of god”
  • to gold/silver, etc.
  • to “helping God”

A strong case could be made that much of what we as Believers do in the “name of the Lord” is nothing but religious idolatry.

… to be continued

"Living, Breathing Idols"

August 28, 2015

“Living, Breathing Idols”

Blessings folk!

The world creates and worships idols that do not speak, hear…live.

But, the day is coming.
The day is coming when all mankind will be instructed…commanded…mandated to create an idol that will speak.

Never heard that?

It is in the Word.

Rev 13:11-15
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.
He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. A
nd he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast,
telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
And it was given to him
to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.


The usual reaction of most true Believers today to this passage is something along the line of “I’m glad we will not be here for that…”

That is a grave error.

The Church will be here.

I know folk disagree.
They do not know why they disagree other than “Dr. J…says so…”, etc.

The Word is clear as to what will happen in the last days.

Are you ready?
Are you prepared?
Are you on the alert.

We will begin studying the book of Daniel locally on Sept 1.
Knowing Daniel is the foundation for understanding Revelation.
Come. Email for more info…
dale@dalemoore.tv

"Those Who Make them Become Like Them"

August 27, 2015

“Those Who Make Them Become Like Them”

Blessing folk!

Yesterday we saw that the world creates, worships and trusts idols…

Read again and consider the details.

Psalm 115

1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
2
Why should the nations say,
“Where, now, is their God?”
3
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.
4
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
5
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
6
They have ears, but they cannot hear;
They have noses, but they cannot smell;
7
They have hands, but they cannot feel;
They have feet, but they cannot walk;
They cannot make a sound with their throat.
8
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them.


Their idols are…

  • silver
  • gold
  • the work of man’s hands

Their idols have…
  • mouths, but cannot speak
  • eyes, but cannot see
  • ears, but cannot hear
  • noses, but cannot smell
  • hands, but cannot feel
  • feet, but cannot walk

The idols appear to be able to give life, yet they are dead.

Those who make the idols become as them.
Those who make the idols trust them.

Think on this.
Meditate upon this.
Seek the Lord.

There is much here for all of us.

It speaks to the overt idolatry of the unbeliever.

I think it also speaks to the idolatry of religion and false religion.

2Ti 3:2-5

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.


Be not such.

"You Who Fear the Lord..."

August 26, 2015

“You Who Fear the Lord…”

Blessings folk!

A little more about trusting in the Lord.

Read the following.
Give attention to the context.
What is being compared?
What do we learn about trust?

Psalm 115

1
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
2
Why should the nations say,
“Where, now, is their God?”
3
But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.
4
Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
5
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
6
They have ears, but they cannot hear;
They have noses, but they cannot smell;
7
They have hands, but they cannot feel;
They have feet, but they cannot walk;
They cannot make a sound with their throat.
8
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them.
9
O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
11
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

We and Israel and the house of Aaron are all called to trust the Lord.
He is our help.
He is our shield
We who fear the Lord trust in the Lord.

In what does the world trust?
Look at verse 4 again.

Their idols.

…to be continued…

"Trust the Lord"

August 25, 2015

“Trust the Lord”

Blessings folk!

Trust in the Lord.

In the days of increasing evil and darkness…
In the days of life…
In the days of death…
In the days of plenty…
In the days of want…

Trust in the Lord.

The Lord reveals much about trusting in Him…

Psa 4:5

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the LORD.

Psa 31:6

I hate those who regard vain idols,
But I trust in the LORD.

Psa 37:3

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Psa 40:3

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the LORD.

Psa 115:9

O Israel, trust in the LORD;
He is their help and their shield.


Those who trust in the Lord are to…

  • offer the sacrifices of righteousness…live righteous
  • hate those who regard/worship vain idols…reject idolatry
  • do good
  • dwell in the land
  • cultivate faithfulness
  • fear the Lord
  • sing songs of praises to God

The Lord is…
  • the help of Israel
  • the shield of Israel
  • the One Who places a new song in our mouth…songs of praise to God

Fear the Lord.
Trust the Lord.
He will protect.

"Be Ready to Make A Defense"

August 24, 2015

“Be Ready to Make A Defense”

Blessings folk!

In what do you trust?

Relationships?
They will fail you…

The stock market?
Better not look at it today…

Your abilities?
Well, we all know better…

Yesterday we saw that the Lord has called us to be on the alert and to be ready.

For what?

For what comes our way.
For what He desires to do through us and speak through us.

1Pe 3:14-16
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.


Do not fear…even if you suffer for the sake of righteousness.
Do not fear their intimidation.
Do not be troubled.

How?

By sanctifying Christ as Lord in your heart.
By trusting in Him.

Psa 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.


Be ready to make a defense to everyone.
Be ready to give an account of the hope in you.
Be ready to behave as Christ would
Be ready!
Be alert!

Rejoice!
Things are gonna get worse…

"Signs: Be Alert! Be Prepared! Be Ready!"

August 23, 2015

“Signs: Be Alert! Be Prepared! Be Ready!”

Blessings folk!

What are we as Believers to do in relation to the signs in the heavenlies?

Jesus tells us repeatedly in the “Olivet discourse” recounted in Matthew 24-25, Luke 21, Mark 13.

Be alert!

Mat 24:42
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Mat 24:43
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Mar 13:35
“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—

Mar 13:37
“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!'”


Be ready!

Mat 24:44
“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Luk 12:40
“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”



Be alert, be ready…

  • spiritually…Are you saved? Are you abiding in the Lord? Are you obedient?
  • physically…Do as the Lord instructs. It will be for you and the Body.

Remember, fear not!
It is gonna get worse…

But, He is faithful!

"Signs Declare..."

August 22, 2015

“Signs Declare…”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that the lights in the expanse of the heavens are given for a purpose…
  • to separate day/night
  • to govern day/night
  • for seasons
  • for days
  • for years
  • for signs

Gen 1:14-19
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;
and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so
God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also.
God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.


Many interesting things here.
For instance.
They are given for seasons, yet seasons as we know them, did not exist for hundreds of years thereafter. Not until after the Noahic flood.

Gen 8:21-22

The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said fo Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”


The Lord uses the lights in the heavens for signs.

What are we as Believers to do?

I believe that all the heavens declare the glory of the Lord.

Therefore, the signs are ongoing.
They are calling man to salvation.

Psa 50:6
And the heavens declare His righteousness,
For God Himself is judge. Selah.

Psa 97:6
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.


Rejoice in the declaration of the heavens.

Then, we are to fear not.

Jer 10:2
Thus says the LORD,
“Do not learn the way of the nations,
And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens
Although the nations are terrified by them;


We are not to learn the way of the nations…of the world.
We are not to be terrified by the signs of the heavens…though the nations are terrified.

We do not pervert the signs that the Lord has given.
This is what the world does through astrology, horoscopes and the like.

There is more that we are to do.
…to be continued…

"Let Them Be For Signs..."

August 21, 2015

“Let Them Be For Signs…”

Blessings folk!

Been asked several times of late about the “blood moons” event.

Simply put, it is a series of four lunar eclipses (called a tetrad) over a period of some 18 months.
These eclipses fall on Jewish feasts days…
  • Passover, 2014
  • Succoth, 2014
  • Passover, 2015
  • Succoth, 2015

While rare, this is not unheard of.

True, in time past when such occurred, significant events in the life of the Jewish people can be noted. But, this can be stated to happen with just about any year.

What makes this particular series interesting…some would say unique…is that it is occurring in the year of the “shemitah”…the sabbath rest of the land as commanded by the Lord in Leviticus 25.

Is all this significant?
I think so.

Is it a sign that the Lord is coming this fall?
It is a sign.
But, as to the return of the Lord, only Father knows…

Mat 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

…and there are some things that must occur before the Lord returns…Jews sacrificing, peace covenant, “apostasy”, man of lawlessness, great tribulation.

I believe that the “blood moons” are a sign.
Look at what the Lord says about the celestial bodies and their purposes.

Gen 1:14-19
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;
and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so
God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also.
God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.


The lights in the expanse of the heavens are the sun, moon and stars.
The greater light and the lesser light.
One rules the day.
The other rules the night

They were given for seasons, for days, for years…and for signs!

So, learn the Truth of the Lord from His Word and His Spirit.
Give heed to the signs in the natural.

What are they saying?

…to be continued…

"Wrongdoer Will Be Paid Back..."

August 20, 2015

“Wrongdoer Will Be Paid Back…”

Blessings folk!

Wrong is wrong.

If we do wrong, we will receive the fruit thereof.
We will receive without regard to person or position.

Col 3:25
For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Col 3:25
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.


This is the last verse of Colossians 3 and is therefore interpreted in light of what we have seen before…

  • seek the things above
  • set our minds on the things above
  • die to self and the flesh
  • put aside sin/old self
  • put on the new self
  • put on a heart of compassion
  • put on love
  • let the peace of Christ reign
  • let the Word of God dwell
  • honor family relationships
  • work heartily unto the Lord

…with the closing being…”the wrongdoer will be paid back”.

Let us not “do wrong”, especially in these things.

We will be judged.

"Reward of the Inheritance"

August 19, 2015

“Reward of the Inheritance”

Blessings folk!

What are you doing at this very moment?

Likely some form of “working”.

Too often we think that “working” is a specific series of events related to providing services for others, “making a living”, etc.

True.

But, working is not just an “8-5” thing.

Col 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.


Whatever you do.
Whether you are “being paid”…
Regardless of what it is…

Do your work heartily as for the Lord.
Not just for men.
For the Lord.

Why?

Knowing that the Lord will reward.
A reward of inheritance.
It is the Lord Who we serve in all things.

This truth will change our mindset about what we do.

Do it today.
Do all unto the Lord.
Do all to His praise, glory and honor.
Do all knowing that He will bring the reward of the inheritance.

Do it.

"Family Relationships"

August 18, 2015

“Family Relationships”

Blessings folk!

The Lord has been showing us in Colossians 3 how we are to live as the Body of Christ.

He moves from the large corporate Body to specific relationships.

Give heed to how we are to live…

Col 3:18-22

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.


Attention is given to the family.

Wives: are to be subject to their husbands, as if fitting in the Lord.
Husbands: are to love their wives, to be not embittered against them.
Children: are to be obedient to their parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers: are to not exasperate their children, so they will not lose heart.
Slaves: are to obey masters on earth in all things, not just externally…to please men…but with sincerity of heart…fearing the Lord.

We see the individuals and their “place”.
We see what they are to do.
We see the reason why.

Are we living so?

"For the Lord..."

August 17, 2015

“For the Lord…”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw that whatever we do in word or deed we are to do unto the Lord…

Col 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.


A few verses later we read more…

Col 3:23-24

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.


We are to do our work heartily.
We are to do our work as for the Lord rather than for men.
In other words, regardless of what we do, we are doing it for the Lord.
Not for men.

Here is a great truth.
We know…again…we know… that the Lord will give the reward of inheritance.

We serve the Lord Christ.
The Lord will reward us.

We do not serve man.
We do not receive reward from man.

What about the verses 18-23?

…to be continued…

For today, do all things to the praise, honor and glory of God!
Work heartily.

"Whatever You Do..."

August 16, 2015

“Whatever You Do…”

Blessings folk!

So many commands.
So many instructions.
We do well to to read Colossians 3 again to remind ourselves.

We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us.
With this indwelling we are to teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
We are to sing with thankfulness to God.

Now, the balance of the thought…

Col 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.


Why do you do what you do?

We see that whatever we do…in word…in deed…we are to do all in the name of the Lord.

In the name of the Lord.
There is power in the name of the Lord.
There is strength in the name of the Lord.
The Lord honors His name.

Therefore, do all in the name of the Lord…and watch what He does.

"Teach, Admonish"

August 15, 2015

“Teach, Admonish”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that we are instructed/commanded to “let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you”.

The balance of the verse shows what we do with the indwelling Word…

Col 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


With wisdom we:

  • teach one another
  • admonish one another…correct, encourage, exhort in love

We do this with:
  • psalms
  • hymns
  • spiritual songs
Corporately we teach and admonish with the Word in such way that is will be remembered.

We give thanks.
We sing unto the Lord with thankfulness.
From the heart.
Not just for show.

Know the Word.
Impart the Word with wisdom.
Allow the Word to manifest thankfulness.

"Let the Word Richly Dwell in You..."

August 14, 2015

“Let the Word Richly Dwell in You…”

Blessings folk!

Do not let a spirit of familiarity rob you of the truths of this next verse.

Too often we see a familiar passage and think that we know all there is to glean from it.
Such quenches the Spirit.

Remember, we are to…
  • seek the things above
  • set our minds on the the things above
  • die to self and sin
  • put aside all sin
  • put aside the old self
  • put on the new self
  • put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness
  • put on love, the perfect bond of unity
  • let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts

This is what we have learned from Colossians 3.

Now…

Col 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you.
To let the Word richly dwell we must know the Word.
Input the Word…

  • by reading
  • by listening
  • by watching
We have so many ways to hear/see/learn/know the Word.
We will be held accountable.

Note again, it says “let”.
Christ desires for His Word to dwell within us.
The Spirit is given to true Believers.
He will guide us in the Word of the Lord…if we “let”.

Hinder not the Spirit.
Let the Word richly dwell in you.
…to be continued…

"Peace of Christ Rule..."

August 13, 2015

“Peace of Christ Rule…”

Blessings folk!

Put on love.
Live in the perfect bond of unity…unity of the Body.

Now, watch…

Col 3:14-15
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.


Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
The peace of Christ is in every True Believer.
All we have to do is let it reign.
The problem arises when do not allow the peace to reign.
We choose worry.
We choose fret.
We choose anxiety.
Such is not the nature of the Believer.
Choosing worry, et. al. is sin.

Again, we are commanded to let…to allow…to permit…the peace that Christ has placed in us to rule.
Let not emotions rule.
Let not circumstances rule.

There is more.

We are called in One Body to live in the peace of Christ.

Even as there is pressure, tribulation and conflict, we are to let peace reign.

Then, we are to be thankful.

How different the Body of Christ would be if we did so.

Peace ruling.
Thanks given.

Do it.

"Perfect Bond of Unity"

August 12, 2015

“Perfect Bond of Unity”

Blessings folk!

We put on death to the old self and the flesh.
We put on the new self.
We have seen much in Colossians 3 as to what we are to do.

Watch the first Word of the next verse.
Then, what is said…

Col 3:14
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.


Beyond…
Beyond all the things mentioned…
Beyond all these things, we are to put on love.

The Lord has much to say about love.
1 John is all about the love of the Believer.

Simply put…
If we truly love God, we will love one another.
If we do not love one another, then we do not love God.
If one says that he loves God, yet he hates his brother, then he is a liar and liars do not inherit the kingdom of God. He is not saved.
Jesus tells us that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another.

Therefore, put on love.

Love is the perfect bond of unity.

We as the Body of Christ are unified by definition.
We do not have to “seek unity”.
We are unified in Him.
Love is the perfect bond that strengthens and maintains the unity.
Much like (though it is an inferior example) mortar is to brick, so is love to unity.

Live unified.
Live love.

Put on the perfect bond of unity.

"Put On A Heart..."

August 11, 2015

“Put on A Heart…”

Blessings folk!

We as The Chosen are to put on the new self.

Then, we are to put on…

Col 3:12-13

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


We are chosen.
We are holy.
We are beloved.

We are to put on:

  • a heart of compassion
  • kindness
  • humility
  • gentleness
  • patience

We are to:
  • bear with one another
  • forgive each other
  • forgive complaints

There is a tremendous disconnect between how the Word calls us as believers to behave with one another and what is actually done.

What would the Lord do if we simply walked in obedience to His Word before one another?

Let it begin with each of us personally.

The Lord will be glorified.

"Put On..."

August 10, 2015

“Put On…”

Blessings folk!

We are to be dead to the flesh.
Dead to self.

But, wait!
There is more!
Happy

We are to “put on” something.

Read…

Col 3:9-11

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.


We are not to lie to one another.
This is because we have laid aside the old self, the old self with evil practices.

We have now put on the new self!
The new self that is being renewed.
Renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.
We are being renewed in the image of Christ.

This renewal is for all.
No distinctions which man creates…national, societal, “racial” (there is no such thing as “race&rdquoWinking.

Christ is all.
He is in all who believe.

The Spirit led Paul to write a similar Word to the Body in Ephesus…

Eph 4:20-25

But you did not learn Christ in this way,
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

The old self: corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit
The new self: likeness of God, created in righteousness and holiness of truth

Lay aside falsehood.
Speak the truth.

"Your Mouth"

August 9, 2015

“Your Mouth”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that we are to consider the members of our earthly body as dead.

Col 3:5-7
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.


Now, the next verse…

Col 3:8
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.


Put aside what?
When?

Now.
The deeds of the flesh that are manifest from your mouth…tongue.

  • anger
  • malice
  • slander
  • abusive speech

Such has no part in the life of the True Believer.

Remember,

Jas 1:26
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

Jas 3:5
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

Jas 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Jas 3:8
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

1Pe 3:10
For,
“THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.

Guard the tongue.
Guard the lips.

"Walk of Death..."

August 8, 2015

“Walk of Death…”

Blessings folk!!

As true Believers, we have been raised up with Christ.

We are to:
  • keep seeking the things above
  • set our minds on the things above

We have:
  • died
  • and our life is hidden in Christ in God

Because of this…therefore…


Col 3:5-7
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.


We are to consider our earthly bodies as dead.
They are not physically dead at the moment.
Obviously we are alive.
Yet, we are to be as if dead in relationship to:

  • immorality
  • impurity
  • passion
  • evil desire
  • greed
All of this amounts to idolatry.

Because of these type of works, the sons of disobedience..the ones who do not believe…will have God “come upon them”…the wrath of God will be poured out upon them.

Then, this great Word of reminder and hope…”in them you once walked, when you were living in them.”

There is hope for change.
There is redemption.
No longer does one have to live in the idolatry of disobedience.

Choose the walk of death.

"The Chosen: Glory!"

August 7, 2015

“The Chosen: Glory!”

Blessings folk!

What is your future?

The true Believer has this awaiting…

Col 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.


Christ is our life.
He is to be revealed…He is coming again…soon.
We will then be revealed with Him in glory.

Glory awaits.

During the times of trials…
During the times of trouble…
During the times of distress…
During the times of deceit…
During the times of persecution…
Remember that glory awaits.

Rom 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Eph 1:18
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

2Th 2:14
It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory!
Rest in it.
Rejoice in His glory now…and yet to come.

"You Have Died..."

August 6, 2015

“You Have Died…”

Blessings folk!

True Believers are The Chosen of God.
We are to seek the things above.
We are to set our minds on the things above.

How/why do we do so?
The next verse tells us…

Col 3:3
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

We have died to self.
We have died to the passions of the world.
True salvation brings this death that we are to walk in…daily.
We are to be dead to sin.
We are alive in the life of Christ.

Read and heed…

Romans 6:1-11
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.


We have died with Christ.
We live in him.
We have died to sin.
We are empowered to live without sin.
Do not resurrect sin.
Consider yourself dead to sin, alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This is the life of the Believer.

"Seek and Set"

August 5, 2015

“Seek and Set”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw how we, The Chosen, are to behave.

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


That first word, “so”.
What does it mean?
In conclusion.
In light of.
Therefore.
It refers to what was previously said.

So, LOL, let us look back…

Col 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth
.


Therefore?
In conclusion of what had been mentioned in chapters 1-2…we will not go there now.

We see that if we have been raised up with Christ, if we are saved, then we are to do two things.

  1. We are to keep seeking the things above…where Christ is…seated at the right hand of God. We are to seek the things of the Lord, the things of heaven.

  1. We are to set our minds on the things above, not on the things of the earth. Our mind is to be the mind of the Lord. We are not to be distracted and focused upon the things on earth. We are to seek the mind of the Lord in all things. Yes, all things.

What is the mind of the Lord?
Ask Him.
Seek Him.
Set your mind upon Him and the things above.
Be not distracted nor dismayed by the things below.
Such is the pattern and practice of The Chosen.

"Put On A Heart..."

August 4, 2015

“Put On A Heart…”

Blessings folk!

True Believers are chosen of God.

Read these verses.
Note who we are as The Chosen.
Note what we are to do.

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


We have been chosen of God.
We are holy.
We are beloved.

This is who we are in the Lord.
We do not have to “try and be” a particular way.
It is who we are as a new creation.
We are called, instructed, commanded to walk within who we are.
Not to do something we are not.
We are to be who we are as the chosen of God.

We are to put on a heart…

  • of compassion
  • of humility
  • of gentleness
  • of patience

We are to…
  • bear with one another
  • forgive one another…forgive as the Lord forgave/forgives us.

This is who we are.
This is what we are to do.

Just do it…
But wait!
These verses began with the word “so”…to be continued…

"Chosen"

August 3, 2015

“Chosen”

Blessings folk!

Let us spend some time rejoicing in what the Lord has done for us and who we are as Believers - the called, the chosen, the elect, the predestined.

Meditate upon these truths.
Rejoice in them.

We are “chosen”.
“Many are called, but few are chosen”.

We know this phrase, yet, do we know the context in which the Lord spoke it?

22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

If you are a true Believer, then you are chosen of God.
Chosen from the foundation of the world.

God has chosen…

  • not many wise according to the flesh
  • not many mighty
  • not many noble
  • the foolish things of the world to shame the wise
  • the weak things of the world to shame the strong
  • base things of the world
  • the despised
  • the things that are not so that He may nullify the things that are…wow!

1Co 1:26-31
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
so that no man may boast before God.
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

God has chosen and done all this so that no man may boast.

We are in Christ Jesus by His doing.
Christ Jesus…

  • wisdom from God
  • righteousness
  • sanctification
  • redemption

Therefore, consider your calling,
Let us boast in the Lord for what He has done!

"Accurately Handle the Word of Truth..."

August 2, 2015

“Accurately Handle the Word of Truth…”

Blessings folk!

The Word is clear.

We are told to study to show ourselves approved…especially those who are teachers and proclaimers of the Word.

2Ti 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.


There is a stricter judgment for those who teach…

Jas 3:1
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.


There is so much sloppy teaching/preaching in the church today.
Positions of man and denominationalism reign supreme.
The simple Truths of the Word are avoided or used as a pretense to say something of man.
Slothfulness and laziness prevail.
There is no excuse for such.

Where is this attitude?

Act 6:4
“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”


If one is not willing to study and learn the Word, then one should not be speaking “in the name of the Lord.”

God will hold us accountable.
Those who speak.
Those who listen.

There is no excuse.

We know what will happen…

2Ti 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.


Much tickling of the ear is happening.
Much turning aside to myths.
Much rambling of words that sound righteous and godly, yet are emptiness.
Much denial of sound doctrine.
Much accumulation of “teachers in accordance to their own desires.”
Determine today:

  • Know the Word
  • Speak the Word
  • Teach the Word
  • Be ready in season and out

2Ti 4:1-2
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.


Do not lead the Body astray…

"Deliver to His Mother..."

August 1, 2015

“Deliver to His Mother…”

Blessings folk!

Pray with us today.

Will be praying over a young man later today.

This is the phrase that keeps going through my mind…”And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”

That is what I desire.

That the power of the Most High will set the captive free and give him back to his mother.

Here is the account…

7 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the kbier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.


May we have the faith/belief of the centurion.
May we have the boldness of the Lord…he touched that which was unclean…the bier.
May the Lord visit Jeremy…set him free…deliver him to his mother.


John 14:12
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.