BIBLE texts on the Words, WAY, TRUTH and LIFE.
(see John 14:16)
Here I am posting verses from the Bible that contain either of the english words, WAY, TRUTH or LIFE. (Different versions will be used - the letter and number in the brackets are the Strong's reference for that word)
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way[H2015], to keep the way[H1870] of the tree of life. GENESIS 3:24 ASV.
And to Sarrha he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver, those shall be to thee for the price of thy countenance, and to all the women with thee, and speak the truth[G226] in all things. GENESIS 20:16 Brenton LXX.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth reptiles having life[G2198], and winged creatures flying above the earth in the firmament of heaven, and it was so. GENESIS 1:20 Brenton LXX.
BIBLE texts on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
Some, or a lot of the texts I post may not contain any of the words Faith, Hope or Love, this is because I have decided to post verses that contain Hebrew or Greek words that have been translated at least once as Faith, Hope or Love but may not be translated as such every time. Many times they are translated as some other word or words but I post them anyway. So if you wonder why I have posted a text that doesn't have Faith, Hope or Love it is because it contains a Hebrew or Greek word that has been translated as such somewhere else. I have also included words to do with lack of Faith. I Hope that explains things! The highlighted word or words are the ones corresponding to the original Hebrew or Greek. The 1st and 2nd texts are on Faith, the 3rd and 4th on Hope and the 5th and 6th on Love.
1st
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are faithful. PSALM 33:4 Brenton LXX.
2nd
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:6 KJV.
3rd
They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame. JOB 6:20 Brenton LXX.
4th
And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:5 Darby.
5th
and doing mercifully to thousands of them that love me, and that keep my commandments. DEUTERONOMY 5:10 Brenton LXX.
6th
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. MATTHEW 6:24 ESV.
CREATION:
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, GENESIS 14:22 ASV.
And he said, "Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you. EXODUS 34:10 ESV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, I want to thank you today for the Pilgrim's Path Daily blog - especially the foto totos, they are my favourite! I have to admit that I can often feel like the pooch in the picture (see foto toto for yesterday's date). Help me to be at ease with [how you have created] me and to enjoy the fact that you made me for a purpose! Amen.
Friday, March 31, 2006
I just read the caption beside a photo of a great white shark on the National Geographic website which says, “The ultimate nightmare hidden in the back of the human mind,” says photographer David Doubilet, “is to be eaten alive.”
Jesus doesn't seem to mind...
Remember, Jesus is in Heaven now with the same body He had while on earth - He rose from the dead, remember?!
Jesus doesn't seem to mind...
So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; JOHN 6:53
Remember, Jesus is in Heaven now with the same body He had while on earth - He rose from the dead, remember?!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
BIBLE texts on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
Some, or a lot of the texts I post may not contain any of the words Faith, Hope or Love, this is because I have decided to post verses that contain Hebrew or Greek words that have been translated at least once as Faith, Hope or Love but may not be translated as such every time. Many times they are translated as some other word or words but I post them anyway. So if you wonder why I have posted a text that doesn't have Faith, Hope or Love it is because it contains a Hebrew or Greek word that has been translated as such somewhere else. I have also included words to do with lack of Faith. I Hope that explains things! The highlighted word or words are the ones corresponding to the original Hebrew or Greek. The 1st and 2nd texts are on Faith, the 3rd and 4th on Hope and the 5th and 6th on Love.
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music. 2 CHRONICLES 34:12 KJV.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? ACTS 26:8 KJV.
Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: On what do ye rely that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 2 CHRONICLES 32:10 KJV.
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 ASV.
And because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power DEUTERONOMY 4:37 RSV.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? MATTHEW 5:46 RSV.
CREATION:
And God said, I will blot out man whom I have made from the face of the earth, even man with cattle, and reptiles with flying creatures of the sky, for I am grieved that I have made them. GENESIS 6:7 Brenton LXX.
And he blessed Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, who made heaven and earth GENESIS 14:19 Brenton LXX.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou that you care about man. Thankyou that you see and that you care about tiny things in our lives. Please teach me and all your Children to talk to you more about these things and to learn how to cast our cares upon you. Amen.
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
Some, or a lot of the texts I post may not contain any of the words Faith, Hope or Love, this is because I have decided to post verses that contain Hebrew or Greek words that have been translated at least once as Faith, Hope or Love but may not be translated as such every time. Many times they are translated as some other word or words but I post them anyway. So if you wonder why I have posted a text that doesn't have Faith, Hope or Love it is because it contains a Hebrew or Greek word that has been translated as such somewhere else. I have also included words to do with lack of Faith. I Hope that explains things! The highlighted word or words are the ones corresponding to the original Hebrew or Greek. The 1st and 2nd texts are on Faith, the 3rd and 4th on Hope and the 5th and 6th on Love.
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music. 2 CHRONICLES 34:12 KJV.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? ACTS 26:8 KJV.
Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: On what do ye rely that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 2 CHRONICLES 32:10 KJV.
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 ASV.
And because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power DEUTERONOMY 4:37 RSV.
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? MATTHEW 5:46 RSV.
CREATION:
And God said, I will blot out man whom I have made from the face of the earth, even man with cattle, and reptiles with flying creatures of the sky, for I am grieved that I have made them. GENESIS 6:7 Brenton LXX.
And he blessed Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, who made heaven and earth GENESIS 14:19 Brenton LXX.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou that you care about man. Thankyou that you see and that you care about tiny things in our lives. Please teach me and all your Children to talk to you more about these things and to learn how to cast our cares upon you. Amen.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
BIBLE texts on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
Some, or a lot of the texts I post may not contain any of the words Faith, Hope or Love, this is because I have decided to post verses that contain Hebrew or Greek words that have been translated at least once as Faith, Hope or Love but may not be translated as such every time. Many times they are translated as some other word or words but I post them anyway. So if you wonder why I have posted a text that doesn't have Faith, Hope or Love it is because it contains a Hebrew or Greek word that has been translated as such somewhere else. I have also included words to do with lack of Faith. I Hope that explains things! The highlighted word or words are the ones corresponding to the original Hebrew or Greek. The 1st and 2nd texts are on Faith, the 3rd and 4th on Hope and the 5th and 6th on Love.
1st
and to all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, the whole congregation of those entered in the register; for in their trust they hallowed themselves to be holy. 2 CHRONICLES 31:18 Darby.
2nd
Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here and see my hands; and bring thy hand and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing. JOHN 20:27 Darby.
3rd
and they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them, because they put their trust in him. 1 CHRONICLES 5:20 Darby.
4th
For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end 2 CORINTHIANS 1:13 KJV.
5th
But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. LEVITICUS 19:34 KJV.
6th
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; MATTHEW 5:43,44 KJV.
CREATION:
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God. GENESIS 4:1 Brenton LXX.
1 This is the book of Adam's generations. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.
2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. GENESIS 5:1,2 Darby.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for Jesus. Without Him I and all my Brethren would be dead, lost and very much in the dark. Thankyou that Christ has given us Light. May we all walk faithfully in the Light and allow ourselves to be corrected if we stray from the Light. Amen.
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
Some, or a lot of the texts I post may not contain any of the words Faith, Hope or Love, this is because I have decided to post verses that contain Hebrew or Greek words that have been translated at least once as Faith, Hope or Love but may not be translated as such every time. Many times they are translated as some other word or words but I post them anyway. So if you wonder why I have posted a text that doesn't have Faith, Hope or Love it is because it contains a Hebrew or Greek word that has been translated as such somewhere else. I have also included words to do with lack of Faith. I Hope that explains things! The highlighted word or words are the ones corresponding to the original Hebrew or Greek. The 1st and 2nd texts are on Faith, the 3rd and 4th on Hope and the 5th and 6th on Love.
1st
and to all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, the whole congregation of those entered in the register; for in their trust they hallowed themselves to be holy. 2 CHRONICLES 31:18 Darby.
2nd
Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here and see my hands; and bring thy hand and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing. JOHN 20:27 Darby.
3rd
and they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them, because they put their trust in him. 1 CHRONICLES 5:20 Darby.
4th
For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end 2 CORINTHIANS 1:13 KJV.
5th
But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. LEVITICUS 19:34 KJV.
6th
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; MATTHEW 5:43,44 KJV.
CREATION:
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God. GENESIS 4:1 Brenton LXX.
1 This is the book of Adam's generations. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.
2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. GENESIS 5:1,2 Darby.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for Jesus. Without Him I and all my Brethren would be dead, lost and very much in the dark. Thankyou that Christ has given us Light. May we all walk faithfully in the Light and allow ourselves to be corrected if we stray from the Light. Amen.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
BIBLE texts on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
by the hand of Odom, and Benjamin, and Jesus, and Semei, and Amarias, and Sechonias, by the hand of the priests faithfully, to give to their brethren according to the courses, as well to great as small; 2 CHRONICLES 31:15 Brenton LXX.
the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of, and shall cut him in two and appoint his portion with the unbelievers. LUKE 12:46 Darby.
Let not thy God on whom thou trustest encourage thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hands of the king of the Assyrians. 2 KINGS 19:10 Brenton LXX.
who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:10 ASV.
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah. LEVITICUS 19:18 ASV.
For which cause I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven; for she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven loves little. LUKE 7:47 Darby.
CREATION:
21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; 22 and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. GENESIS 2:21-25 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Thankyou Lord for this world. I mean, the Creation - plants, animals, sun, moon stars, people, the land and the sea. I have been watching a program on TV called PLANET EARTH and have been amazed at some of the things I have seen, thanks for that program and for the world it explores!
(see 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13):
by the hand of Odom, and Benjamin, and Jesus, and Semei, and Amarias, and Sechonias, by the hand of the priests faithfully, to give to their brethren according to the courses, as well to great as small; 2 CHRONICLES 31:15 Brenton LXX.
the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of, and shall cut him in two and appoint his portion with the unbelievers. LUKE 12:46 Darby.
Let not thy God on whom thou trustest encourage thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hands of the king of the Assyrians. 2 KINGS 19:10 Brenton LXX.
who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:10 ASV.
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah. LEVITICUS 19:18 ASV.
For which cause I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven; for she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven loves little. LUKE 7:47 Darby.
CREATION:
21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; 22 and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. GENESIS 2:21-25 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Thankyou Lord for this world. I mean, the Creation - plants, animals, sun, moon stars, people, the land and the sea. I have been watching a program on TV called PLANET EARTH and have been amazed at some of the things I have seen, thanks for that program and for the world it explores!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next. 2 CHRONICLES 31:12 KJV.
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. LUKE 9:41 KJV.
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 2 KINGS 18:30 KJV.
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:7 KJV.
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free EXODUS 21:5 KJV.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? LUKE 7:42 KJV.
CREATION:
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." 19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. GENESIS 2:18-20 RSV.
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next. 2 CHRONICLES 31:12 KJV.
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. LUKE 9:41 KJV.
Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 2 KINGS 18:30 KJV.
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:7 KJV.
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free EXODUS 21:5 KJV.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? LUKE 7:42 KJV.
CREATION:
18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." 19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him. GENESIS 2:18-20 RSV.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Jesus is Lord and God and Saviour; He is also Brother too!
Bear in mind that Jesus is your Brother (assuming you have been Born-again) next time you read 1 John 2:9-11.
You may be being kind and hospitable and even gentle but if you are sinning you are sinning against God and against the Lord Jesus Christ who is your Brother. There is never any way of excusing sin (although your flesh will think of many) and there is only one Way of remitting it, that is, by confessing and sinning no more. If you are sinning you are actively hating Jesus Christ and walking in the darkness; could you think you were in the light because of how you relate to or associate with others? It is Written that Love covers a multitude of sins, but that is the Love of God First (you cannot Love anyone without Loving God First for God is Love and if you abide in Him and His Words [commandments] abide in you then and only then you abide in Love. [Where Love is spoken of it is Agape]). If you are not Loving God First then you are sinning no matter what else you are doing. Jesus said, "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." MARK 12:30 KJV.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, "I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. 16 For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. HEBREWS 2:10-18 RSV.
Bear in mind that Jesus is your Brother (assuming you have been Born-again) next time you read 1 John 2:9-11.
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness until now.
10 He that loves his brother abides in light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and knows not where he goes, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 JOHN 2:9-11 Darby.
You may be being kind and hospitable and even gentle but if you are sinning you are sinning against God and against the Lord Jesus Christ who is your Brother. There is never any way of excusing sin (although your flesh will think of many) and there is only one Way of remitting it, that is, by confessing and sinning no more. If you are sinning you are actively hating Jesus Christ and walking in the darkness; could you think you were in the light because of how you relate to or associate with others? It is Written that Love covers a multitude of sins, but that is the Love of God First (you cannot Love anyone without Loving God First for God is Love and if you abide in Him and His Words [commandments] abide in you then and only then you abide in Love. [Where Love is spoken of it is Agape]). If you are not Loving God First then you are sinning no matter what else you are doing. Jesus said, "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." MARK 12:30 KJV.
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. GALATIONS 6:7,8 KJV.
Friday, March 17, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 2 CHRONICLES 19:9 KJV.
But he answering them says, O unbelieving generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him to me. MARK 9:19 Darby.
How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 2 KINGS 18:24 RSV.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19 KJV.
and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. EXODUS 20:6 ASV.
for he loves our nation, and at his own expense he built our synagogue for us. LUKE 7:5 Weymouth.
CREATION:
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." GENESIS 2:16,17 RSV.
Note: in the original Hebrew words behind the translation of "you shall die" (KJV = "thou shalt surely die") there is a figure of speech called 'polyptoton' (or, many inflections - the repetition of the same part of speech in different inflections). In the book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E. W. Bullinger he says that the Hebrew would be literally translated as "dying thou shalt die" and in this case puts strong emphasis on the death.
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 2 CHRONICLES 19:9 KJV.
But he answering them says, O unbelieving generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him to me. MARK 9:19 Darby.
How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 2 KINGS 18:24 RSV.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19 KJV.
and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. EXODUS 20:6 ASV.
for he loves our nation, and at his own expense he built our synagogue for us. LUKE 7:5 Weymouth.
CREATION:
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." GENESIS 2:16,17 RSV.
Note: in the original Hebrew words behind the translation of "you shall die" (KJV = "thou shalt surely die") there is a figure of speech called 'polyptoton' (or, many inflections - the repetition of the same part of speech in different inflections). In the book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E. W. Bullinger he says that the Hebrew would be literally translated as "dying thou shalt die" and in this case puts strong emphasis on the death.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans. 1 CHRONICLES 9:31 ASV.
And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me. MATTHEW 17:17 Darby.
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? 2 KINGS 18:22 KJV.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7 RSV.
And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and he has a son of his old age, a young one, and his brother is dead, and he alone has been left behind to his mother, and his father loves him. GENESIS 44:20 Brenton LXX.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. LUKE 6:35 RSV.
CREATION:
8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. GENESIS 2:8-15 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for Thomas' words on the second occasion you appeared to your Disciples after Your Resurrection, "My Lord and my God." I'm glad he said that and I'm glad I have the Honour and Privilege of saying it too.
And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans. 1 CHRONICLES 9:31 ASV.
And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me. MATTHEW 17:17 Darby.
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? 2 KINGS 18:22 KJV.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:7 RSV.
And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and he has a son of his old age, a young one, and his brother is dead, and he alone has been left behind to his mother, and his father loves him. GENESIS 44:20 Brenton LXX.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. LUKE 6:35 RSV.
CREATION:
8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. GENESIS 2:8-15 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for Thomas' words on the second occasion you appeared to your Disciples after Your Resurrection, "My Lord and my God." I'm glad he said that and I'm glad I have the Honour and Privilege of saying it too.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
for the four chief porters, who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. 1 CHRONICLES 9:26 ASV.
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. HEBREWS 3:19 KJV.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 2 KINGS 18:21 KJV.
I hope, as soon as ever I extend my travels into Spain, to see you on my way and be helped forward by you on my journey, when I have first enjoyed being with you for a time. ROMANS 15:24 Weymouth.
And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, and they hated him, and could not greet him with friendliness. GENESIS 37:4 Darby.
If you love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why, even bad men love those who love them. LUKE 6:32 Weymouth.
CREATION:
4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up--for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground-- 7 then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. GENESIS 2:4-7 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, I heard today of the release of a Vietnamese Christian called Pham Ngoc Thach who had been in prison for two years and abused while there. Thankyou that he has been released and is able to return to his family. Please help him to recover physically and to continue in the strength of your Spirit in the Inner Man. Amen.
for the four chief porters, who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. 1 CHRONICLES 9:26 ASV.
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. HEBREWS 3:19 KJV.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 2 KINGS 18:21 KJV.
I hope, as soon as ever I extend my travels into Spain, to see you on my way and be helped forward by you on my journey, when I have first enjoyed being with you for a time. ROMANS 15:24 Weymouth.
And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, and they hated him, and could not greet him with friendliness. GENESIS 37:4 Darby.
If you love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why, even bad men love those who love them. LUKE 6:32 Weymouth.
CREATION:
4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up--for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground-- 7 then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. GENESIS 2:4-7 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, I heard today of the release of a Vietnamese Christian called Pham Ngoc Thach who had been in prison for two years and abused while there. Thankyou that he has been released and is able to return to his family. Please help him to recover physically and to continue in the strength of your Spirit in the Inner Man. Amen.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
I have a book called PRAYER - A HOLY OCCUPATION. It is composed of selected writtings by Oswald Chambers on the topic of prayer and is divided into 18 sections, each one being in Chambers' opinion a requirement for prayer, namely: Boldness, Childlikeness, Communion, Concentration, Desire, Discipline, Faith, Honesty, Intimacy, Obedience, Patience, Power, Purpose, Silence, Simplicity, Wonder, Work and lastly Worship.
Quite recently I had to make a moral decision in my place of work that I knew nobody else was going to do - so I prayed about it, hoping that God would acknowledge my moral prayer and deal with the thing so I didn't have to. Of course, it didn't work out like that, I had to deal with it myself. So I did. Quite soon after the event I read in PRAYER - A HOLY OCCUPATION, in the section called Discipline, this: "Prayer is often a temptation to bank on a miracle of God instead of on a moral issue; that is, it is much easier to ask God to do my work than it is to do it myself. Until we are disciplined properly, we will always be inclined to bank on God's miracles and refuse to do the moral thing ourselves. It is our job and it will never be done unless we do it."
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
All these chosen to be doorkeepers at the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were registered by genealogy according to their villages: David and Samuel the seer had instituted them in their trust. 1 CHRONICLES 9:22 Darby.
see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you--as perhaps there may be--a sinful and unbelieving heart, manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God. HEBREWS 3:12 KJV.
Thou hast said, (but they are mere words,) I have counsel and strength for war. Now then in whom dost thou trust, that thou hast revolted from me? 2 KINGS 18:20 Brenton LXX.
and further Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope." ROMANS 15:12 RSV.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. GENESIS 37:3 ASV.
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, LUKE 6:27 ASV.
CREATION:
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation. GENESIS 2:1-3 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for today! It wasn't up to me to still be alive today but I am. Thanks for being with me in this day that You have made, teach me how to share my days with You in all the seasons I go through. Amen.
Quite recently I had to make a moral decision in my place of work that I knew nobody else was going to do - so I prayed about it, hoping that God would acknowledge my moral prayer and deal with the thing so I didn't have to. Of course, it didn't work out like that, I had to deal with it myself. So I did. Quite soon after the event I read in PRAYER - A HOLY OCCUPATION, in the section called Discipline, this: "Prayer is often a temptation to bank on a miracle of God instead of on a moral issue; that is, it is much easier to ask God to do my work than it is to do it myself. Until we are disciplined properly, we will always be inclined to bank on God's miracles and refuse to do the moral thing ourselves. It is our job and it will never be done unless we do it."
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
All these chosen to be doorkeepers at the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were registered by genealogy according to their villages: David and Samuel the seer had instituted them in their trust. 1 CHRONICLES 9:22 Darby.
see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you--as perhaps there may be--a sinful and unbelieving heart, manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God. HEBREWS 3:12 KJV.
Thou hast said, (but they are mere words,) I have counsel and strength for war. Now then in whom dost thou trust, that thou hast revolted from me? 2 KINGS 18:20 Brenton LXX.
and further Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope." ROMANS 15:12 RSV.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. GENESIS 37:3 ASV.
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, LUKE 6:27 ASV.
CREATION:
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation. GENESIS 2:1-3 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for today! It wasn't up to me to still be alive today but I am. Thanks for being with me in this day that You have made, teach me how to share my days with You in all the seasons I go through. Amen.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Faith is not Hope. Faith does not say, I'm hoping what I believe is true - Faith knows that it is true (real) and relates to the Hope correspondingly. My dictionary says for corresponding: having or participating in the same relationship. In terms of Christianity this means having the same access and Relationship with God the Father as Jesus did (Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” -- JOHN 20:17) in the Light (5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. -- 1 JOHN 1:5-7) and actually participating of the very selfsame nature! (by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. -- 2 PETER 1:4). This is what Faith enables, if you do not enjoy (know and walk/rejoice in) these Gracious Priviledges then your Faith is fake! Faith KNOWS God and LOVES (Obeys) Him!
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
But no reckoning was made with them of the money that was given into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. 2 KINGS 22:7 Darby.
who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing man : but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. 1 TIMOTHY 1:13 Darby.
Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What confidence is this in which you trust? 2 KINGS 18:19 NKJV.
But if we hope for something which we do not see, then we eagerly and patiently wait for it.
His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. GENESIS 34:3 NKJV.
And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. MARK 12:33 NKJV.
CREATION:
24 And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. GENESIS 1:24-31 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for sleep! After a physically or mentally demanding day there is nothing like a good sleep to get away from it all! Lord, please strengthen and confirm me and my Brethren (Your Children) in the world so we can stand before you and be counted worthy of attaining to the Resurrection from the dead (Luke 20:35) and "be satisfied when I [we] awake in Your likeness" (Psalm 17:15) ROMANS 8:25 Weymouth.
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
But no reckoning was made with them of the money that was given into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. 2 KINGS 22:7 Darby.
who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing man : but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. 1 TIMOTHY 1:13 Darby.
Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What confidence is this in which you trust? 2 KINGS 18:19 NKJV.
But if we hope for something which we do not see, then we eagerly and patiently wait for it.
His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. GENESIS 34:3 NKJV.
And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. MARK 12:33 NKJV.
CREATION:
24 And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. GENESIS 1:24-31 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for sleep! After a physically or mentally demanding day there is nothing like a good sleep to get away from it all! Lord, please strengthen and confirm me and my Brethren (Your Children) in the world so we can stand before you and be counted worthy of attaining to the Resurrection from the dead (Luke 20:35) and "be satisfied when I [we] awake in Your likeness" (Psalm 17:15) ROMANS 8:25 Weymouth.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Is a Disciple of Jesus someone who has undergone a religious rite and is actively involved in religious activities, Bible study etc. or is it someone who is bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. JOHN 15:8 KJV.
It's His fruit that gives us away!
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. JOHN 15:8 KJV.
It's His fruit that gives us away!
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And they did not reckon with the men into whose hand they gave the money to be bestowed on workmen; for they dealt faithfully. 2 KINGS 12:15 Darby translation.
Moreover, if they turn from their unbelief, they too will be grafted in. For God is powerful enough to graft them in again; ROMANS 11:23 Weymouth translation.
He trusted in Jehovah the God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among any that were before him. 2 KINGS 18:5 Darby translation.
It is *in hope* that we have been saved. But an object of hope is such no longer when it is present to view; for when a man has a thing before his eyes, how can he be said to hope for it? ROMANS 8:24 Weymouth translation.
And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Reuben; for she said, Because Jehovah has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. GENESIS 29:32 Darby translation.
"The second is this: 'Thou shalt love thy fellow man as thou lovest thyself.' "Other Commandment greater than these there is none." MARK 12:31 Weymouth translation.
CREATION:
20 And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens." 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. GENESIS 1:20-23
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, people say you don't get anything for free, but there are websites that provide free software downloads like antivirus software and multimedia software etc. Thanks for these sites and the people who have written the software and shared it for free!
And they did not reckon with the men into whose hand they gave the money to be bestowed on workmen; for they dealt faithfully. 2 KINGS 12:15 Darby translation.
Moreover, if they turn from their unbelief, they too will be grafted in. For God is powerful enough to graft them in again; ROMANS 11:23 Weymouth translation.
He trusted in Jehovah the God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among any that were before him. 2 KINGS 18:5 Darby translation.
It is *in hope* that we have been saved. But an object of hope is such no longer when it is present to view; for when a man has a thing before his eyes, how can he be said to hope for it? ROMANS 8:24 Weymouth translation.
And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Reuben; for she said, Because Jehovah has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. GENESIS 29:32 Darby translation.
"The second is this: 'Thou shalt love thy fellow man as thou lovest thyself.' "Other Commandment greater than these there is none." MARK 12:31 Weymouth translation.
CREATION:
20 And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens." 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. GENESIS 1:20-23
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, people say you don't get anything for free, but there are websites that provide free software downloads like antivirus software and multimedia software etc. Thanks for these sites and the people who have written the software and shared it for free!
Friday, March 10, 2006
But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves.
For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror.
Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is.
But he who looks closely into the perfect Law--the Law of freedom--and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be blessed. JAMES 1:22-25
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as Jehovah delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. 1 SAMUEL 26:23 ASV.
Right: they have been broken out through unbelief, and *thou* standest through faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: ROMANS 11:20 Darby translation.
And the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten. --And the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted to the ambush that they had set against Gibeah. JUDGES 20:36 Darby translation.
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! ACTS 26:7 ASV.
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. GENESIS 29:30 ASV.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind and thy whole strength. MARK 12:30 Weymouth translation.
CREATION:
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. GENESIS 1:14-19 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for the Bible. There are so many tools to study it which have become available to us through the faithful and diligent work of past Christians - thankyou for the work of these people and for the access we enjoy in this part of the world to their work. Please teach us as Children to study and grow in your Word. Amen.
For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror.
Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is.
But he who looks closely into the perfect Law--the Law of freedom--and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be blessed. JAMES 1:22-25
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as Jehovah delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. 1 SAMUEL 26:23 ASV.
Right: they have been broken out through unbelief, and *thou* standest through faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: ROMANS 11:20 Darby translation.
And the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten. --And the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted to the ambush that they had set against Gibeah. JUDGES 20:36 Darby translation.
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! ACTS 26:7 ASV.
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. GENESIS 29:30 ASV.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind and thy whole strength. MARK 12:30 Weymouth translation.
CREATION:
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. GENESIS 1:14-19 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for the Bible. There are so many tools to study it which have become available to us through the faithful and diligent work of past Christians - thankyou for the work of these people and for the access we enjoy in this part of the world to their work. Please teach us as Children to study and grow in your Word. Amen.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. DEUTERONOMY 32:4 KJV.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God ROMANS 4:20 RSV.
Hezekiah trusted in the LORD God of Israel; not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 2 KINGS 18:5 KJV.
At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. ACTS 24:26 KJV.
Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, "I'll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." GENESIS 29:18 KJV.
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." MARK 10:21 RSV.
CREATION:
9 And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. GENESIS 1:9 - 13 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for music - musical instruments, musicians and singers. I am not a musician but I appreciate the skills musicians have developed in order to play instuments well. Songs can stir and move us in a unique way - thankyou for God honouring music and musicians and singers and that I am able to hear them in the first place!
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. DEUTERONOMY 32:4 KJV.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God ROMANS 4:20 RSV.
Hezekiah trusted in the LORD God of Israel; not one of the kings of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. 2 KINGS 18:5 KJV.
At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. ACTS 24:26 KJV.
Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, "I'll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." GENESIS 29:18 KJV.
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." MARK 10:21 RSV.
CREATION:
9 And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth." And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. GENESIS 1:9 - 13 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Lord, thankyou for music - musical instruments, musicians and singers. I am not a musician but I appreciate the skills musicians have developed in order to play instuments well. Songs can stir and move us in a unique way - thankyou for God honouring music and musicians and singers and that I am able to hear them in the first place!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
For all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son, they are mine: the soul that sins, it shall die. EZEKIEL 18:4 Brenton LXX.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. JAMES 1:13 - 15 KJV.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 JOHN 1:9 KJV.
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. LUKE 15:24 KJV.
As soon as a Christian sins, that soul dies - in less than a second it is dead.
That soul, because of the deceitfulness of sin may allow itself to become deceived into thinking it hasn't sinned and is still Right-With-God, that is, that it hasn't just died.
It takes the guilt/conviction of the Holy Spirit and the Honesty of that soul to enable that soul to Repent again.
As soon as that soul confesses their sin and Repents again they become Alive-again, instantly.
This is only possible because of Jesus' Blood which was shed for the Remission of sins.
Repenting of sin to God means, 'going and sinning no more' (see John 5:14; 8:11).
It means 'bearing fruit meet for Repentance' (see Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20).
It means 'having your fruit unto Holiness and the end - everlasting Life' (see Romans 6:22)
It means Crucifying the flesh and walking in it no more (Gal 5:24), instead, walking in the Spirit (Rom 8:1,4; Gal 5:16).
This is the great Power of Jesus' Blood - to make Free from the Power of sin (John 8:30-36) and to enable access to the Presence of God perpetually (Rm 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12), by the Cross daily (Luke 9:23).
This also is the 'circumcision made without hands' (Col 2:11), the denial and killing of the 'attitude' or 'life' of the flesh (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5).
The circumcision is only performed at the will of the believer, that is, that soulmust choose itself to be circumcised by the Hearing and Obeying of Faith (Deut 10:16; 30:6; 2 Chron 30:8; Acts 7:51; Heb 3:15; 4:7).
This IS the Relationship every soul must have with God in order to have Life (Him), to Hear Him and Obey Him.
This is the essence of the New Testament: to stop sinning and turn to God for Life [Eternal], to be Led by the voice of the Holy Spirit bearing His Holy fruit in good thoughts and words and works, and to abide/remain/continue faithful in this [daily] until the end - that is - until your death or His Son's Return.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. JAMES 1:13 - 15 KJV.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 JOHN 1:9 KJV.
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. LUKE 15:24 KJV.
As soon as a Christian sins, that soul dies - in less than a second it is dead.
That soul, because of the deceitfulness of sin may allow itself to become deceived into thinking it hasn't sinned and is still Right-With-God, that is, that it hasn't just died.
It takes the guilt/conviction of the Holy Spirit and the Honesty of that soul to enable that soul to Repent again.
As soon as that soul confesses their sin and Repents again they become Alive-again, instantly.
This is only possible because of Jesus' Blood which was shed for the Remission of sins.
Repenting of sin to God means, 'going and sinning no more' (see John 5:14; 8:11).
It means 'bearing fruit meet for Repentance' (see Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20).
It means 'having your fruit unto Holiness and the end - everlasting Life' (see Romans 6:22)
It means Crucifying the flesh and walking in it no more (Gal 5:24), instead, walking in the Spirit (Rom 8:1,4; Gal 5:16).
This is the great Power of Jesus' Blood - to make Free from the Power of sin (John 8:30-36) and to enable access to the Presence of God perpetually (Rm 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12), by the Cross daily (Luke 9:23).
This also is the 'circumcision made without hands' (Col 2:11), the denial and killing of the 'attitude' or 'life' of the flesh (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5).
The circumcision is only performed at the will of the believer, that is, that soulmust choose itself to be circumcised by the Hearing and Obeying of Faith (Deut 10:16; 30:6; 2 Chron 30:8; Acts 7:51; Heb 3:15; 4:7).
This IS the Relationship every soul must have with God in order to have Life (Him), to Hear Him and Obey Him.
This is the essence of the New Testament: to stop sinning and turn to God for Life [Eternal], to be Led by the voice of the Holy Spirit bearing His Holy fruit in good thoughts and words and works, and to abide/remain/continue faithful in this [daily] until the end - that is - until your death or His Son's Return.
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
And Moses' hands were heavy; then they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on this side, and one on that side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. EXODUS 17:12 Darby translation.
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ROMANS 3:3 RSV.
And the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten; and the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted in the ambuscade which they had prepared against Gabaa. JUDGES 20:36 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
"Do not suppose that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, namely Moses, on whom your hope rests. JOHN 4:45 Weymouth translation.
And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved. GENESIS 27:14 KJV.
And the second is similar to it: 'THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.' MATTHEW 22:39 Weymouth translation.
And Moses' hands were heavy; then they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on this side, and one on that side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. EXODUS 17:12 Darby translation.
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ROMANS 3:3 RSV.
And the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten; and the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted in the ambuscade which they had prepared against Gabaa. JUDGES 20:36 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
"Do not suppose that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, namely Moses, on whom your hope rests. JOHN 4:45 Weymouth translation.
And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved. GENESIS 27:14 KJV.
And the second is similar to it: 'THOU SHALT LOVE THY FELLOW MAN AS MUCH AS THYSELF.' MATTHEW 22:39 Weymouth translation.
CREATION:
6 And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. GENESIS 1:6-8 RSV.
6 And God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 And God made the firmament and separated the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. GENESIS 1:6-8 RSV.
THANKSGIVING:
Thankyou Lord that my Pilgrimage isn't to find Your Presence at the end of life but that your Presence goes with me through this life. Thankyou that Jesus gave His Life (Blood) so that I could come out from hiding from you, be cleansed from my sin and enjoy Fellowship with you Personally and intimately. Amen.
Thankyou Lord that my Pilgrimage isn't to find Your Presence at the end of life but that your Presence goes with me through this life. Thankyou that Jesus gave His Life (Blood) so that I could come out from hiding from you, be cleansed from my sin and enjoy Fellowship with you Personally and intimately. Amen.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. ISAIAH 26:2 KJV.
Afterwards as they lay at table he was manifested to the eleven, and reproached them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen him risen. MARK 16:14 Darby translation.
And the children of Dan took what Michaias had made, and the priest that he had, and they came to Laisa, to a people quiet and secure; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire. JUDGES 18:27 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. LUKE 24:21 American Standard Version.
Go to the flock, and fetch me two good kids, that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he loves. GENESIS 27:9 Revised Standard Version.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. MATTHEW 22:27 KJV.
CREATION:
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. ISAIAH 26:2 KJV.
Afterwards as they lay at table he was manifested to the eleven, and reproached them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen him risen. MARK 16:14 Darby translation.
And the children of Dan took what Michaias had made, and the priest that he had, and they came to Laisa, to a people quiet and secure; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire. JUDGES 18:27 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. LUKE 24:21 American Standard Version.
Go to the flock, and fetch me two good kids, that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he loves. GENESIS 27:9 Revised Standard Version.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. MATTHEW 22:27 KJV.
CREATION:
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was (Or, *became) without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. GENESIS 1:1-5 RSV
*see note on Gen 1:2 in "The Companion Bible" by E. W. Bullinger
EXCERPT(S) FROM: THE IMITATION OF CHRIST (Book 1 chapter 15.)
"Without Love, external work produces nothing, but whatever is done for Love, however small and contemptible, becomes wholly fruitful."
"O, he who has a spark of True Love should surely feel all earthly things to be utterly void."
THANKSGIVING:
Thankyou Lord for the rain that you give to the Earth and fruitful seasons which "fill our hearts with food and gladness". (see Acts 14:17) And thankyou also for the men and women whose lives are dedicated to agriculture and farming. Please bless them in their work and give them an appreciation that all they help to produce - crops and livestock - were your idea and are created by you for us. Please Lord, touch the lives of those farmers that don't know you so they may come to Repentance and join in praising the God of Creation. Amen.
Thine are the heavens, the earth also is thine; the world and its fulness, *thou* hast founded them. PSALM 89:11 Darby translation.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Keep on Praying
A thought on Prayer:
Jesus says we must believe our own prayers and that we should persevere in praying them - not to give up.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. MATTHEW 21:22
18:1 He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
18:2 "In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
18:3 And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
18:4 "For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
18:5 yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
18:6 And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
18:7 And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
18:8 Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" LUKE 18:1-8 Weymouth translation.
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man. PROVERBS 20:6 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
Immediately the father cried out, "I do believe: strengthen my weak faith." MARK 9:24 Weymouth translation.
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth. JUDGES 18:10 KJV.
To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle performed by Him. LUKE 23:8 Weymouth translation.
And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. GENESIS 27:4 KJV.
Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. MATTHEW 19:19 KJV.
An excerpt from THE IMITATION OF CHRIST, book 1, chapter 14:
"Old habit is hard to give up, and no one is easily led beyond his own point of view. If you lean more on your reason and activity than on the subjective power of Jesus Christ, seldom or tardily will you become enlightened: for God wants us to be perfectly submissive to Him, and borne beyond all reasoning by a burning Love."
Jesus says we must believe our own prayers and that we should persevere in praying them - not to give up.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. MATTHEW 21:22
18:1 He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
18:2 "In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
18:3 And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
18:4 "For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
18:5 yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
18:6 And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
18:7 And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
18:8 Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" LUKE 18:1-8 Weymouth translation.
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
A man is valuable, and a merciful man precious: but it is hard to find a faithful man. PROVERBS 20:6 Brenton translation of the Septuagint.
Immediately the father cried out, "I do believe: strengthen my weak faith." MARK 9:24 Weymouth translation.
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth. JUDGES 18:10 KJV.
To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle performed by Him. LUKE 23:8 Weymouth translation.
And make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. GENESIS 27:4 KJV.
Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. MATTHEW 19:19 KJV.
An excerpt from THE IMITATION OF CHRIST, book 1, chapter 14:
"Old habit is hard to give up, and no one is easily led beyond his own point of view. If you lean more on your reason and activity than on the subjective power of Jesus Christ, seldom or tardily will you become enlightened: for God wants us to be perfectly submissive to Him, and borne beyond all reasoning by a burning Love."
Sunday, March 05, 2006
The Gospel comes First
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. PROVERBS 14:5 KJV.
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. MARK 6:6 American Standard Version (1901).
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. JUDGES 18:7 KJV.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. LUKE 6:34 Revised Standard Version.
Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. GENESIS 25:28 Revised Standard Version.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. MATTHEW 6:24 KJV.
A thought on 'church' culture:
No 'church' can save any man from his sins. No denomination is above or below any other in righteousness before God and no ordinance of any 'church' can provide a means of finding favour with God. Alter calls, communions, prayer recitals, singing etc etc are all part of man's creation called church (Yes church is spoken of in the New Testament but it is not the same thing as what church refers to today). I am not saying that absolutely all churches are disconnected from God, I am saying that religious practise is NOT associated with having a Relationship with the Living God, even Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus left us with ordinances to keep but without the preaching of the Gospel FIRST there is no Life or meaning to those ordinances - they are empty observances (The Gospel is not the Gospel if it does not declare sin, Repentance, New Life[Re-Birth], Obedience, Endurance, Resurrection, Love). Jesus said you must be Born-Again and until this occurs, that is, without the Holy Spirit, anything you do, in any aspect of your life, profits you nothing! It's the Spirit that gives Life. Get the Spirit! Ask and it will be given to you! Then the Spirit will Lead you into all Truth!
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. PROVERBS 14:5 KJV.
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching. MARK 6:6 American Standard Version (1901).
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. JUDGES 18:7 KJV.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. LUKE 6:34 Revised Standard Version.
Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. GENESIS 25:28 Revised Standard Version.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. MATTHEW 6:24 KJV.
A thought on 'church' culture:
No 'church' can save any man from his sins. No denomination is above or below any other in righteousness before God and no ordinance of any 'church' can provide a means of finding favour with God. Alter calls, communions, prayer recitals, singing etc etc are all part of man's creation called church (Yes church is spoken of in the New Testament but it is not the same thing as what church refers to today). I am not saying that absolutely all churches are disconnected from God, I am saying that religious practise is NOT associated with having a Relationship with the Living God, even Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus left us with ordinances to keep but without the preaching of the Gospel FIRST there is no Life or meaning to those ordinances - they are empty observances (The Gospel is not the Gospel if it does not declare sin, Repentance, New Life[Re-Birth], Obedience, Endurance, Resurrection, Love). Jesus said you must be Born-Again and until this occurs, that is, without the Holy Spirit, anything you do, in any aspect of your life, profits you nothing! It's the Spirit that gives Life. Get the Spirit! Ask and it will be given to you! Then the Spirit will Lead you into all Truth!
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Fear comes First
I pondered Hebrews 11:7 today and then read the narrative of how Noah was "Divinely warned".
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. HEBREWS 11:7 New King James Version.
It seems that Hope didn't really come into the equation anywhere in the Salvation of Noah and his household - only Fear! Yes, it says 'by Faith' but Faith cannot exist without FEAR (Or, Love). Faith is that behaviour in accordance with God's Word out of Fear (Or, Love)!
Jesus had 'His [God's] Fear' in His heart (see Jeremiah 32:40) and as such always did those things that pleased Him (John 8:29), said those things He was told to say (John 12:50), and Obeyed those commandments God gave Him to Obey even unto the death on a Cross (see John 10:18; 14:31; Philippians 2:27 and Isaiah 53:12).
As Children of God we too are to 'Fear God and keep His commandments' (See Ecclesiastes 12:13) in working out our Salvation.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 New King James Version
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 NKJV
submitting to one another in the fear of God. EPHESIANS 5:21 NKJV
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. HEBREWS 11:7 New King James Version.
It seems that Hope didn't really come into the equation anywhere in the Salvation of Noah and his household - only Fear! Yes, it says 'by Faith' but Faith cannot exist without FEAR (Or, Love). Faith is that behaviour in accordance with God's Word out of Fear (Or, Love)!
Jesus had 'His [God's] Fear' in His heart (see Jeremiah 32:40) and as such always did those things that pleased Him (John 8:29), said those things He was told to say (John 12:50), and Obeyed those commandments God gave Him to Obey even unto the death on a Cross (see John 10:18; 14:31; Philippians 2:27 and Isaiah 53:12).
As Children of God we too are to 'Fear God and keep His commandments' (See Ecclesiastes 12:13) in working out our Salvation.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 New King James Version
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 NKJV
submitting to one another in the fear of God. EPHESIANS 5:21 NKJV
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE:
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health. PROVERBS 13:17 New King James Version.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. MATTHEW 17:19,20 New King James Version.
Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. JUDGES 9:26 New King James Version.
And on his name shall the nations rest their hopes. MATTHEW 12:21 Weymouth translation.
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. GENESIS 24:67 New King James Version.
For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? MATTHEW 5:46 Weymouth translation.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health. PROVERBS 13:17 New King James Version.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. MATTHEW 17:19,20 New King James Version.
Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. JUDGES 9:26 New King James Version.
And on his name shall the nations rest their hopes. MATTHEW 12:21 Weymouth translation.
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. GENESIS 24:67 New King James Version.
For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? MATTHEW 5:46 Weymouth translation.
Friday, March 03, 2006
FAITH, HOPE and LOVE
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be; For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faithfulness. DEUT 32:20 Darby translation.And he did not there many works of power, because of their unbelief. MATTHEW 13:58 Darby translation.
And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and strong walls wherein thou trustedst come down, throughout all thy land; and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates in all thy land, which Jehovah thy God hath given thee. DEUTERONOMY 28:52 Darby translation.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Highest; for *he* is good to the unthankful and wicked. LUKE 6:35 Darby translation.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son , whom thou lovest, Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah, and there offer him up for a burnt-offering on one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. GENESIS 22:2 Darby translation.
"You have heard that it was said, 'THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR and hate thine enemy.' But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors; that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do right and those who do wrong. MATTHEW 5:43-45 Weymouth translation.
JOHN 13:1-17
1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
12So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
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JAMES 1:22-25
22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
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PROVERBS 16:20
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
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