Luke 13 (New King James Version)
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
The clock is ticking...God is watching over the trees of the field. If His tree does not bear fruit, what do you think He will do to that tree? If a human being does not do the purpose for which he was created, what will God do to him?
1 Timothy 6:9 (New King James Version)
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
The focus of many is to be rich, to acquire more wealth, properties, jewelries, cars, houses and lots in exclusive subdivisions, top of the line computer gadgets, luxuries in life...what will happen if a man dies in the process of acquiring all these without taking into consideration the status of his own soul? What is 100 years of this lifetime in exchange for eternity? Are you foolish enough to fall into a trap of accumulating wealth on this earth while losing your soul in the process?
What are the penalties or curses for disobedience to God?
Deuteronomy 28 (New King James Version)
15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. 20 “The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. 25 “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away. 27 The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. 28 The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. 29 And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you.30 “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes. 31 Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you shall not eat of it; your donkey shall be violently taken away from before you, and shall not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to rescue them. 32 Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; and there shall be no strength in your hand. 33 A nation whom you have not known shall eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually. 34 So you shall be driven mad because of the sight which your eyes see. 35 The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head. 36 “The LORD will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods—wood and stone. 37 And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the LORD will drive you. 38 “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. 39 You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. 41 You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. 42 Locusts shall consume all your trees and the produce of your land. 43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever. 47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you. 52 “They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you. 53 You shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and your daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you. 54 The sensitive and very refined man among you will be hostile toward his brother, toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the rest of his children whom he leaves behind, 55 so that he will not give any of them the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, will refuse to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, 57 her placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates. 58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the LORD will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses. 60 Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the LORD bring upon you until you are destroyed. 62 You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. 63 And it shall be, that just as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. 64 “Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone. 65 And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. 66 Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. 67 In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see. 68 “And the LORD will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
Shouldn't it be much better to submit to God and follow His will on earth than to suffer any of these curses?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Blessings of Obedience
Deuteronomy 7 (New King James Version)
12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. 13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. 14 You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. 15 And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. 16 Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. 17 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’— 18 you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: 19 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. 21 You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. 22 And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. 24 And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. 26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.
Healing takes place when a person is obedient to God. He is not afflicted with a terrible disease because God takes good care of the son who serves Him well. The Lord even supplies his every need and, at times, suprises him with those that he wants. He is like a good Father to an obedient son who bears fruit in good season...but cuts off His ties with a disobedient person.
Malachi 3 (New King James Version)
17 “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “ On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
Partial obedience is disobedience to God. In 1 Samuel 15 Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them when God commanded him thru Samuel to go and attack the sinners, the Amalekites, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey, fight against them until they are consumed. Saul did his mission and utterly destroyed the Amelekites but brought back their king, Agag. He and his men also took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord in Gilgal, as he claimed was their purpose. But to God, obedience is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the smell of burnt offerings of fat rams. His rebellion is as the sin of withcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because he has rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected him from being king.
Review the ten commandments given to Moses for the people of Israel and the first three commandments are all about reverence and worship of one true God. As written in Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Making a carved image in the form of anything and worshipping it will provoke Him to anger. The one thing that God hated the most is idol worship. It is an abomination...detestable, loathsome, disgusting and provokes His extreme anger because idol worship is worshipping a mere creature rather than the Omnipotent, Almighty, All-Powerful Creator, meaning a grave insult to a Holy God.
How do you worship and pray to God? Who do you pray to? Matthew 6:6 pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Pray to your Father and not to a picture or a stone or a carved wooden image. They have ears but could not hear you. They cannot even move that you have to carry them in a procession. How can they grant what you wish and pray for?
Psalms 115 (New King James Version)
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
Acts 17 (New King James Version)
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
Deuteronomy 5 (New King James Version)
7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 11 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
If you want to get healed, you strictly follow your doctor's advice...why not follow your God's commandments. He created you so He knows every part of your body. He can make them well if He wants to. The first thing you should do is talk to Him...heart to heart...ask forgiveness for all your sins and request Him to help you obey His every command and, eventually, everything else will follow...blessing after blessing, grace and forgiveness, deep inner joy, peace of mind, and healing, both spiritually and physically.
Psalms 95 (New King James Version)
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. We should kneel to the Lord and not to any picture claiming to resemble Him because no one has ever seen Him except His son, Jesus. Pray to Him in Spirit for He is Spirit.
Ephesians 6 (New King James Version)
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Romans 1 (New King James Version)
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
1 Peter 4 (New King James Version)
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
This message is not in any way meant to offend or hurt anyone but to reveal the truth to everyone so that all will be saved as is the perfect will of God, our loving Father. I pray that your hearts and minds be open to accept the Word of God as the true doctrine of salvation. Amen.
12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. 13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. 14 You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. 15 And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. 16 Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. 17 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’— 18 you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: 19 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. 21 You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. 22 And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. 24 And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. 26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.
Healing takes place when a person is obedient to God. He is not afflicted with a terrible disease because God takes good care of the son who serves Him well. The Lord even supplies his every need and, at times, suprises him with those that he wants. He is like a good Father to an obedient son who bears fruit in good season...but cuts off His ties with a disobedient person.
Malachi 3 (New King James Version)
17 “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “ On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
Partial obedience is disobedience to God. In 1 Samuel 15 Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them when God commanded him thru Samuel to go and attack the sinners, the Amalekites, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey, fight against them until they are consumed. Saul did his mission and utterly destroyed the Amelekites but brought back their king, Agag. He and his men also took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord in Gilgal, as he claimed was their purpose. But to God, obedience is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the smell of burnt offerings of fat rams. His rebellion is as the sin of withcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because he has rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected him from being king.
Review the ten commandments given to Moses for the people of Israel and the first three commandments are all about reverence and worship of one true God. As written in Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Making a carved image in the form of anything and worshipping it will provoke Him to anger. The one thing that God hated the most is idol worship. It is an abomination...detestable, loathsome, disgusting and provokes His extreme anger because idol worship is worshipping a mere creature rather than the Omnipotent, Almighty, All-Powerful Creator, meaning a grave insult to a Holy God.
How do you worship and pray to God? Who do you pray to? Matthew 6:6 pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Pray to your Father and not to a picture or a stone or a carved wooden image. They have ears but could not hear you. They cannot even move that you have to carry them in a procession. How can they grant what you wish and pray for?
Psalms 115 (New King James Version)
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.
Acts 17 (New King James Version)
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
Deuteronomy 5 (New King James Version)
7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 11 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
If you want to get healed, you strictly follow your doctor's advice...why not follow your God's commandments. He created you so He knows every part of your body. He can make them well if He wants to. The first thing you should do is talk to Him...heart to heart...ask forgiveness for all your sins and request Him to help you obey His every command and, eventually, everything else will follow...blessing after blessing, grace and forgiveness, deep inner joy, peace of mind, and healing, both spiritually and physically.
Psalms 95 (New King James Version)
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. We should kneel to the Lord and not to any picture claiming to resemble Him because no one has ever seen Him except His son, Jesus. Pray to Him in Spirit for He is Spirit.
Ephesians 6 (New King James Version)
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Romans 1 (New King James Version)
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
1 Peter 4 (New King James Version)
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
This message is not in any way meant to offend or hurt anyone but to reveal the truth to everyone so that all will be saved as is the perfect will of God, our loving Father. I pray that your hearts and minds be open to accept the Word of God as the true doctrine of salvation. Amen.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Those who fear God need not fear death
2 Timothy 4:6 (King James Version)
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Philippians 1:23 (New International Version)
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Departure is a nautical term that suggests dying...severing ties with this world and getting to a better place where there is no more pain, sorrow, or suffering, completing the purpose for which we were made. For Christians, it is a time for joy and excitement and a hearty "Bon Voyage!"
Psalm 23:4 (New International Version)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
John 14:1-3 (New International Version)
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
It is like traveling to a distant land where you have never been before...there is excitement but at the same time fear of the unknown. No need for worrying because Jesus assured us that He is going there ahead to prepare a place for us and will come back and take us with Him so we may be where He is.
2 Peter 3:13 (New International Version)
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
The destruction of the existing earth will no longer be by flood but by fire... along with the sky above us which is the first heaven. We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the second coming of Christ who will bring us to a new heaven and a new earth.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (The New King James Version)
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Galatians 6:9 (The New King James Version)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
All we need to do is to continue living a good life, doing the will of the Father here on earth, doing good to all, especially to those who are in of the household of faith and we shall reap the reward that God has in store for us. We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ. For our citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven. We are here to learn and just passing through in our journey to heaven.
Revelations 3:5 (The New King James Version)
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."
Revelation 21 (New King James Version)
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Philippians 1:23 (New International Version)
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
Departure is a nautical term that suggests dying...severing ties with this world and getting to a better place where there is no more pain, sorrow, or suffering, completing the purpose for which we were made. For Christians, it is a time for joy and excitement and a hearty "Bon Voyage!"
Psalm 23:4 (New International Version)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
John 14:1-3 (New International Version)
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
It is like traveling to a distant land where you have never been before...there is excitement but at the same time fear of the unknown. No need for worrying because Jesus assured us that He is going there ahead to prepare a place for us and will come back and take us with Him so we may be where He is.
2 Peter 3:13 (New International Version)
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
The destruction of the existing earth will no longer be by flood but by fire... along with the sky above us which is the first heaven. We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the second coming of Christ who will bring us to a new heaven and a new earth.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (The New King James Version)
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Galatians 6:9 (The New King James Version)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
All we need to do is to continue living a good life, doing the will of the Father here on earth, doing good to all, especially to those who are in of the household of faith and we shall reap the reward that God has in store for us. We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ. For our citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven. We are here to learn and just passing through in our journey to heaven.
Revelations 3:5 (The New King James Version)
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."
Revelation 21 (New King James Version)
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 14:13 (New King James Version) "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
This is the description of the New Jerusalem from Revelation 21:18 And the construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
If you knew you were dying...
If you knew you were dying, how would you spend your time? What would you say to the people you love? How would you live? Where would you go for consolation and comfort?
Proverbs 1:23 Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
Malachi 3:7 "Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts.
Go back to God...make a clean slate, search your heart for any unforgiven sin. Ask the Lord, though your sins are as red as crimson, to make them as white as snow by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and paid dearly for all our iniquities. Receive the grace of forgiveness , make a complete turn around from sins, and begin to serve Him.
Malachi 3:17 "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I make them My jewels. 'And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."
Serving the Lord is the best thing you can do for your life. Anyone who has kept His commandments and has served Him for a long period of time can be assured of God's mercy. He will be spared from hurting, harming or destroying...and will be taken cared of like a good son who has served him well. It is never too late to make amends with God. He can read your heart and will meet your needs halfway. The goal here is to be included in the Book of Life.
Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
The Lord is not far from us who search Him. Acts 17:27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring!"
Read the Bible everyday and make someone happy each day of your remaining life...in the process you will be happier because you are learning from an awesome experience and becoming a better person. Hosea 6:6 "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Submit yourself to baptism in Christ. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him...
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Proverbs 1:23 Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
Malachi 3:7 "Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts.
Go back to God...make a clean slate, search your heart for any unforgiven sin. Ask the Lord, though your sins are as red as crimson, to make them as white as snow by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and paid dearly for all our iniquities. Receive the grace of forgiveness , make a complete turn around from sins, and begin to serve Him.
Malachi 3:17 "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I make them My jewels. 'And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."
Serving the Lord is the best thing you can do for your life. Anyone who has kept His commandments and has served Him for a long period of time can be assured of God's mercy. He will be spared from hurting, harming or destroying...and will be taken cared of like a good son who has served him well. It is never too late to make amends with God. He can read your heart and will meet your needs halfway. The goal here is to be included in the Book of Life.
Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.
The Lord is not far from us who search Him. Acts 17:27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring!"
Read the Bible everyday and make someone happy each day of your remaining life...in the process you will be happier because you are learning from an awesome experience and becoming a better person. Hosea 6:6 "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Submit yourself to baptism in Christ. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him...
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tatiao Ministry...
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
I belong to a small group of Christians gathered together for a common purpose of helping the poor citizens of Tatiao, Silang in Cavite to improve their lives. We recently parted ways but stay connected with one another thru prayer and text messaging. Human as we are, we have differences yet transparent and at the same time comfortable enough to be ourselves...no pretentions nor hidden agenda. We reach out to each other and help meet each other's needs...genuinely and sincerely concern for each other's welfare. We are more than sisters or family members because of the love that binds us together. Though apart, we are together in prayer fostering unity and strength amongst us.
I'd like to believe that God is pleased in the unity of this group thereby opening the door for His complete healing for me and eventually for a sister named Evelyn...physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I got healed of hyperthyroidism without medications. Unbelievably, my recent thyroid function tests...TSH, FT3 and FT4 are now normal. Blood pressure reading also went down from as high as 156/105 to 120/80. Next on the line is my blood glucose level which can be controlled thru exercise and proper diet...no more white flour and sugar for me from now on. I am glad my eyes are wide open now on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise to maintain good health.
When we walk in love and unity, our prayers become more effective and something supernatural takes place...God pours out His abundant blessings and healing in our lives, our needs are abundantly supplied, and we experienced deep inner joy that nothing can compare in this world. Smile is as natural as breathing...and an aura of happiness and contentment is forever etched on our faces. As our mentor, Tita Myrna Sayoc said, "If Jesus is in you, it will surely show on your face!" We all turn away from sin afraid of losing the favor of God in our lives.
Christmas if fast approaching and I believe we can be together again visiting the folks in Tatiao and giving gifts...sharing blessings and ministering to people...we surely miss each other's company. See you all soon my dearest friends...
I belong to a small group of Christians gathered together for a common purpose of helping the poor citizens of Tatiao, Silang in Cavite to improve their lives. We recently parted ways but stay connected with one another thru prayer and text messaging. Human as we are, we have differences yet transparent and at the same time comfortable enough to be ourselves...no pretentions nor hidden agenda. We reach out to each other and help meet each other's needs...genuinely and sincerely concern for each other's welfare. We are more than sisters or family members because of the love that binds us together. Though apart, we are together in prayer fostering unity and strength amongst us.
I'd like to believe that God is pleased in the unity of this group thereby opening the door for His complete healing for me and eventually for a sister named Evelyn...physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I got healed of hyperthyroidism without medications. Unbelievably, my recent thyroid function tests...TSH, FT3 and FT4 are now normal. Blood pressure reading also went down from as high as 156/105 to 120/80. Next on the line is my blood glucose level which can be controlled thru exercise and proper diet...no more white flour and sugar for me from now on. I am glad my eyes are wide open now on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise to maintain good health.
When we walk in love and unity, our prayers become more effective and something supernatural takes place...God pours out His abundant blessings and healing in our lives, our needs are abundantly supplied, and we experienced deep inner joy that nothing can compare in this world. Smile is as natural as breathing...and an aura of happiness and contentment is forever etched on our faces. As our mentor, Tita Myrna Sayoc said, "If Jesus is in you, it will surely show on your face!" We all turn away from sin afraid of losing the favor of God in our lives.
Christmas if fast approaching and I believe we can be together again visiting the folks in Tatiao and giving gifts...sharing blessings and ministering to people...we surely miss each other's company. See you all soon my dearest friends...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Be healed...or your sins are forgiven
Aside from stress and depression, sin could also be the cause of psychosomatic illnesses. Read Mark 2:1-12 Four men carried a paralytic to Jesus entering from a hole at the roof of the house because of the crowd. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves: "Why does the man talk in that way?" He said to them: "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven, or to say, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk again'?" The man stood and picked up his mat and went outside in the sight of every one. They were awestruck ; all gave praise to God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Another story of healing is John 5:1-15 regarding a man healed of his infirmity at the Pool of Bethesda. Note that he had this infirmity for 38 long years. Jesus said in John 5:14 "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
Admittedly, not all sicknesses are caused by sin, but shouldn't it be more important to treat first the soul and spirit so as to cure any accompanying psychosomatic illness? When we neglect the reading of God's Word, we invite spiritual illness. When left unattended, it affects the physical being as well. The Bible is God's prescription for the health of our soul. Read it often to maintain good health both on the spiritual and physical realms.
Proverbs 18:14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity - but a broken spirit who can bear?
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
If anyone of you is ill, first search your heart, ask God forgiveness for all the sins you committed and pray for complete healing of your physical body as well. He created you so He knows how to repair every inch of your body. Believe that He already heard your prayer and receive His healing. Praise and thank Him for healing you and be grateful for all the blessings you receive from Him. Do not dwell on the sickness...do not even talk about it but focus more on the healing. Day by day thank God for removing symptoms of illness...and day by day praise God for His glory.
Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
We all belong to God...He made us so we are His people. It is our duty to keep His commandments...know them by heart and follow His perfect will for us. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. This is compassion or charity, and holiness, without which no one can see God.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
So we all need to be reconciled to God...accept that we are all sinners and ask forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquites; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. This means healing, not only of the body, but most especially of the spirit and soul. It was all paid for by the blood and the stripes of Jesus.
Write this advice in your heart if you want to live long: Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.
To remain healthy, it is important for us to be joyful always in all circumstances... focus on the brighter side of life...the good things in life...so you would attract more good things because you appreciate what you already have. It is called law of attraction. "Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming." In the biblical sense, it is called FAITH. Without faith, you cannot please God.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. Depression, according to a study, is the main cause of psychosomatic diseases including cancer. Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Reading the Bible will bring goodness and health to us. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
Continue to increase in knowledge and wisdom, day after day, for it is said in Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.
It is best to start your day right by worshipping God...singing praises to Him, adoring and glorifying His most holy name, His wondrous deeds and amazing creations and thanking Him for all His goodness to us. It would be wise also to make a gratitude list or carry a gratitude stone with you wherever you go to remind you everytime you see the stone to thank God for eveything. Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
God commands us to be joyful always. It was mentioned in the Bible more than 200 times so it must really mean something... that we rejoice everyday of our lives. He wants us to have pure joy coming from deep inside our hearts so we can live prosperous and victorious lives as He meant to be.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Knowing the True - Rejecting the False
1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
It is difficult to live in this world without committing a sin but the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26) so that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom we shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). Proverbs 1:23 says, Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you, I will make my words known to you.
Sins unwillfully committed are pardonable and we have this confidence that when we ask for forgiveness, our most gracious Father will hear our prayer and forgive us.
1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
If you commit a particular sin over and over again, you are crucifying Jesus for the 2nd time and defiling the Holy Spirit which could tantamount to unpardonable sin leading to death.
Lying to the Holy Spirit also proved fatal to both Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, in Acts 5:1-11. But who can escape condemnation? Those who accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, subjected themselves to God...and follow God's perfect will on earth till the end.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
37 "For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
Hebrews 12:5 "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
God's promise to us who keep his commands:
Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ...provided we fulfill the following condition in the same verse: Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
15 Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is , the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Grace be with us all...Amen.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
It is difficult to live in this world without committing a sin but the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26) so that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom we shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). Proverbs 1:23 says, Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you, I will make my words known to you.
Sins unwillfully committed are pardonable and we have this confidence that when we ask for forgiveness, our most gracious Father will hear our prayer and forgive us.
1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
If you commit a particular sin over and over again, you are crucifying Jesus for the 2nd time and defiling the Holy Spirit which could tantamount to unpardonable sin leading to death.
Lying to the Holy Spirit also proved fatal to both Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, in Acts 5:1-11. But who can escape condemnation? Those who accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, subjected themselves to God...and follow God's perfect will on earth till the end.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
37 "For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
Hebrews 12:5 "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
God's promise to us who keep his commands:
Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ...provided we fulfill the following condition in the same verse: Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
15 Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is , the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Grace be with us all...Amen.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jesus Sets Us Free
John 8:32 You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
When Jesus died on the cross, we all died with Him including our sins and inequities. We are now new persons with His Spirit inside us...free to follow His footsteps and walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
We always wanted to be good yet sometimes found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of bad habits. Simply turn in faith to Jesus so we can be set free from the bondage of sin. He alone can break the shackles of sin in our life. Receive Him as your Saviour, and "the truth shall make you free".
We must place our faith in Jesus and trust in Him alone to save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). We must show our faith by being willing to repent from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life (1 John 5:11, 12; Revelations 3:20).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from sins. Please come into my life and be my Saviour and my Master. I accept your gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
In Tagalog: Panginoong Jesus, ako ay makasalanan. Nananalig akong ikaw ay namatay sa krus para sa aking mga kasalanan. Tinatanggap kita bilang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Baguhin mo ako. Salamat sa pagdating mo sa aking buhay at sa kaloob mong buhay na walang hanggan. Amen.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
When Jesus died on the cross, we all died with Him including our sins and inequities. We are now new persons with His Spirit inside us...free to follow His footsteps and walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
We always wanted to be good yet sometimes found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of bad habits. Simply turn in faith to Jesus so we can be set free from the bondage of sin. He alone can break the shackles of sin in our life. Receive Him as your Saviour, and "the truth shall make you free".
We must place our faith in Jesus and trust in Him alone to save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). We must show our faith by being willing to repent from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life (1 John 5:11, 12; Revelations 3:20).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from sins. Please come into my life and be my Saviour and my Master. I accept your gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
In Tagalog: Panginoong Jesus, ako ay makasalanan. Nananalig akong ikaw ay namatay sa krus para sa aking mga kasalanan. Tinatanggap kita bilang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Baguhin mo ako. Salamat sa pagdating mo sa aking buhay at sa kaloob mong buhay na walang hanggan. Amen.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Are you free?
Luke 21:34 Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares. The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap.
Are you always in a hurry? ...no time to pray nor even read the Bible? not even the time to speak to your fellow Christians? nor to your heavenly Father? ...too busy acquiring wealth or trying to pay off your bills? In doing so, you will save enough but not your soul.
Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.
If you give priority to God, you won't lack anything, even TIME! He will give back to you the hours you spent for Him. How can He do that? He is GOD! He can make things happen for you and for all those who love Him more than anything else in this world.
You spent hours making yourself presentable...the ladies even spent more time for manicure, pedicure and make-up. But the inner man is more important than the outward man and should be well taken cared of more than the outward man.
1 Peter 3:4 Your adornment is rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the unfading beauty of a calm and gentle disposition. This is precious in God's eyes.
2 Corinthians 4:16 We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.
I recently took care of my husband at a hospital in Manila where he underwent his 2nd surgery removing his gallbladder and several stones inside. He was confined in a ward of 5 beds...one was a breast cancer patient, the other one scheduled for leg surgery to allign his knee cap, the third also underwent gallbladder surgery while the 4th bed was vacant. One thing is certain...when a person undergoes surgery, he or she is venturing into the unknown where no one knew the outcome.. In the middle of the surgery, something may go wrong...a cardiac arrest, too much anesthesia, a different type of blood inserted into the IV of a patient, switched of medicines...any surgical patient is now at the hands of the surgeon and his supporting staff. In fear, most patients turn to God for protection and comfort...something that they don't normally do when all is well and no problem is in sight. Will God hear them at this very last minute?
Ecclesiastes12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 Before the sun is darkened, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain; 3 When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, And the grinders are idle because they are few, and they who look through the windows grow blind; 4 When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one waits for the chirp of a bird, but the daughters of song are suppressed; 5 And one fears heights, and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locusts grow sluggish and the caper berry is without effect. Because man goes to his lasting home, and mourners go about the streets; 6 Before the silver cords is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the broken pulley falls into the well, 7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Do not wait for a bad thing to happen before you turn to God. While still young and able, do the right thing and submit yourself to God.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. 8 Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.
When you have a strong connection to God, one sigh of prayer will bring more than what you expect and ... much, much more because you have been pleasing God all your life. You are connected to THE POWER SOURCE much like an appliance to the electric outlet...one turn of a knob and the power is already within reach.
Psalm 34:7 When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him. 8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
It is better to put our trust in God than in men who are just mortal beings like us. We need physicians and surgeons but God has a much better understanding of what He created and He can very well guide these doctors in treating whatever ailment we may have.
Even when we do not know how to pray and what to pray for, God intervenes for us. Romans 8:26 The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech. 27 He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit means, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints as God himself wills.
And when our time to leave this earth comes, we can be sure of where we are going. 1 Corinthians 15:54 When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Paul's advice to the Corinthians and to us as well: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Be steadfast and persevering, my beloved brothers, fully engaged in the work of the Lord. You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord.
Are you always in a hurry? ...no time to pray nor even read the Bible? not even the time to speak to your fellow Christians? nor to your heavenly Father? ...too busy acquiring wealth or trying to pay off your bills? In doing so, you will save enough but not your soul.
Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.
If you give priority to God, you won't lack anything, even TIME! He will give back to you the hours you spent for Him. How can He do that? He is GOD! He can make things happen for you and for all those who love Him more than anything else in this world.
You spent hours making yourself presentable...the ladies even spent more time for manicure, pedicure and make-up. But the inner man is more important than the outward man and should be well taken cared of more than the outward man.
1 Peter 3:4 Your adornment is rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the unfading beauty of a calm and gentle disposition. This is precious in God's eyes.
2 Corinthians 4:16 We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.
I recently took care of my husband at a hospital in Manila where he underwent his 2nd surgery removing his gallbladder and several stones inside. He was confined in a ward of 5 beds...one was a breast cancer patient, the other one scheduled for leg surgery to allign his knee cap, the third also underwent gallbladder surgery while the 4th bed was vacant. One thing is certain...when a person undergoes surgery, he or she is venturing into the unknown where no one knew the outcome.. In the middle of the surgery, something may go wrong...a cardiac arrest, too much anesthesia, a different type of blood inserted into the IV of a patient, switched of medicines...any surgical patient is now at the hands of the surgeon and his supporting staff. In fear, most patients turn to God for protection and comfort...something that they don't normally do when all is well and no problem is in sight. Will God hear them at this very last minute?
Ecclesiastes12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 Before the sun is darkened, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain; 3 When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, And the grinders are idle because they are few, and they who look through the windows grow blind; 4 When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one waits for the chirp of a bird, but the daughters of song are suppressed; 5 And one fears heights, and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locusts grow sluggish and the caper berry is without effect. Because man goes to his lasting home, and mourners go about the streets; 6 Before the silver cords is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the broken pulley falls into the well, 7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.
Do not wait for a bad thing to happen before you turn to God. While still young and able, do the right thing and submit yourself to God.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. 8 Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.
When you have a strong connection to God, one sigh of prayer will bring more than what you expect and ... much, much more because you have been pleasing God all your life. You are connected to THE POWER SOURCE much like an appliance to the electric outlet...one turn of a knob and the power is already within reach.
Psalm 34:7 When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him. 8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
It is better to put our trust in God than in men who are just mortal beings like us. We need physicians and surgeons but God has a much better understanding of what He created and He can very well guide these doctors in treating whatever ailment we may have.
Even when we do not know how to pray and what to pray for, God intervenes for us. Romans 8:26 The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech. 27 He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit means, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints as God himself wills.
And when our time to leave this earth comes, we can be sure of where we are going. 1 Corinthians 15:54 When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Paul's advice to the Corinthians and to us as well: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Be steadfast and persevering, my beloved brothers, fully engaged in the work of the Lord. You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Amazing God
Click this link to hear a beautiful song "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4
Let us sing together and praise an AMAZING GOD. . .
Psalm 34
Praise of God, the Protector of the Just
1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who forced him to depart.
2 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
3 Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
4 Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol His name.
5 I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.
7 When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him.
8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
9 Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in Him.
10Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear Him.
11The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the Lord want for no good thing.
12 Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13 Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days?
14 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile;
15 Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, and follow after it.
16 The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry.
17 The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
18 When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress He rescues them.
19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.
20 Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him;
21 He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
22 Vice slays the wicked, and the enemies of the just pay for their guilt.
23 But the Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in Him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4
Let us sing together and praise an AMAZING GOD. . .
Psalm 34
Praise of God, the Protector of the Just
1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who forced him to depart.
2 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
3 Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
4 Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol His name.
5 I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.
7 When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him.
8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
9 Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in Him.
10Fear the Lord, you His holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear Him.
11The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the Lord want for no good thing.
12 Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13 Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days?
14 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile;
15 Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, and follow after it.
16 The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry.
17 The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
18 When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress He rescues them.
19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.
20 Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him;
21 He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
22 Vice slays the wicked, and the enemies of the just pay for their guilt.
23 But the Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in Him.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Bonds of Marriage
Relationship between husband and wife is often likened to the betrothal of God to the Church as His bride. There are five (5) important bonds in a happy marriage as shown in Hosea 2:19 "I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord."
In order for a marriage to last forever, the couple should practice the following:
1. righteousness...both husband and wife should follow the teachings and commandments in the Bible. God should be the center of their lives...the couple should give priority to God in their lives as commanded for them to seek first the kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto them. All their needs will be met if only they should please God first everyday of their lives. It is a promise, and God cannot lie...His words shall come to pass as sure as the sun rises in the morning.
2. justice...there should be fairness in marriage...equality between husband and wife. In Ephesians 5:22-33, the wife is commanded to submit to her husband, and the husband, in turn, should love his own wife as himself. Let the wife see that she respects her husband, and the husband show love to his wife as he loves his own body.
3. lovingkindness...goodness of the heart should always be present in marriage. The wife should always see to it that her husband's needs are met...cook for him delectable meals that he will enjoy eating, always make sure that his clothes are clean and ready to use, the home as comfortable and inviting for him to relax and enjoy the evening after a hard day's work, and think of ways to give him joy and happiness. The husband, in turn, should supply the needs of his wife...food, clothing, home, recreation every once in a while, dining out on special occasions, a surprise gift of her favorite chocolate and reassuring her every now and then that she is the love of his life thru sweet messages either by words of mouth or pen and ink.
4. mercy...are you forgiving to your spouse? We tend to keep score in our relationship, remembering the negative points when our spouse fails us, hurt us or slights us, or in any way blows our trust. It was Peter who asked Jesus how many times must we forgive. Jesus answered, "seventy times seven". Can you imagine forgiving your spouse 490 times? It only means countless...endless.
5. faithfulness...how many times have you been unfaithful to your spouse? Did you know that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart? (Matthew 5:28). Marriage is sacred and binding and no one must separate what God has joined together. It is true that there are many problems you will encounter in your marriage life...storms that are here today and gone tomorrow. All of them shall pass as they always will. There are also thousands of distractions...taking care of the kids, paying the bills, stress at work, illnesses in the family, huge tuition fees, rising cost of living, etc. ... all these can make love fly out of the window. But if you are both Christians, these problems can even draw you closer as you unite to solve them all. It is a choice that you make...a decision or commitment you promise to keep for better or worse, in sickness or in health, till death do you part.
In order for a marriage to last forever, the couple should practice the following:
1. righteousness...both husband and wife should follow the teachings and commandments in the Bible. God should be the center of their lives...the couple should give priority to God in their lives as commanded for them to seek first the kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto them. All their needs will be met if only they should please God first everyday of their lives. It is a promise, and God cannot lie...His words shall come to pass as sure as the sun rises in the morning.
2. justice...there should be fairness in marriage...equality between husband and wife. In Ephesians 5:22-33, the wife is commanded to submit to her husband, and the husband, in turn, should love his own wife as himself. Let the wife see that she respects her husband, and the husband show love to his wife as he loves his own body.
3. lovingkindness...goodness of the heart should always be present in marriage. The wife should always see to it that her husband's needs are met...cook for him delectable meals that he will enjoy eating, always make sure that his clothes are clean and ready to use, the home as comfortable and inviting for him to relax and enjoy the evening after a hard day's work, and think of ways to give him joy and happiness. The husband, in turn, should supply the needs of his wife...food, clothing, home, recreation every once in a while, dining out on special occasions, a surprise gift of her favorite chocolate and reassuring her every now and then that she is the love of his life thru sweet messages either by words of mouth or pen and ink.
4. mercy...are you forgiving to your spouse? We tend to keep score in our relationship, remembering the negative points when our spouse fails us, hurt us or slights us, or in any way blows our trust. It was Peter who asked Jesus how many times must we forgive. Jesus answered, "seventy times seven". Can you imagine forgiving your spouse 490 times? It only means countless...endless.
5. faithfulness...how many times have you been unfaithful to your spouse? Did you know that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart? (Matthew 5:28). Marriage is sacred and binding and no one must separate what God has joined together. It is true that there are many problems you will encounter in your marriage life...storms that are here today and gone tomorrow. All of them shall pass as they always will. There are also thousands of distractions...taking care of the kids, paying the bills, stress at work, illnesses in the family, huge tuition fees, rising cost of living, etc. ... all these can make love fly out of the window. But if you are both Christians, these problems can even draw you closer as you unite to solve them all. It is a choice that you make...a decision or commitment you promise to keep for better or worse, in sickness or in health, till death do you part.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Rx for a good life
Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides. 34 Enough then of worrying about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own.
Isaiah 48:18 If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.
Matthew 6:25 I warn you, then: do not worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing. Is not life more than food? Is not the body more valuable than clothes?
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, 30 for my yoke is easy and my burden light."
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment to carry a promise with it - 3 "that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on the earth."
Hebrews 13:5 Do not love money but be content with what you have, for God has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you. 6 Thus we may say with confidence:
"The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid;
What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect good deeds and generosity; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Psalm 37:25 Neither in my youth, nor now that I am old, have I seen a just man forsaken nor his descendants begging bread. 26 All the day he is kindly and lends, and his descendants shall be blessed.
Proverbs 1:33 But he who obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm.
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands; For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil; 8 This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce; 10 Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear; 21 Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health.
Proverbs 10:22 It is the Lord's blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it.
Proverbs 15:15 Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord is an aid to life, one eats and sleeps without being visited by misfortune.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores them gets many a curse.
Isaiah 48:18 If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.
Matthew 6:25 I warn you, then: do not worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing. Is not life more than food? Is not the body more valuable than clothes?
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, 30 for my yoke is easy and my burden light."
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment to carry a promise with it - 3 "that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on the earth."
Hebrews 13:5 Do not love money but be content with what you have, for God has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you. 6 Thus we may say with confidence:
"The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid;
What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect good deeds and generosity; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Psalm 37:25 Neither in my youth, nor now that I am old, have I seen a just man forsaken nor his descendants begging bread. 26 All the day he is kindly and lends, and his descendants shall be blessed.
Proverbs 1:33 But he who obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without fear of harm.
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands; For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil; 8 This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce; 10 Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.
Proverbs 4:20 My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear; 21 Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health.
Proverbs 10:22 It is the Lord's blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it.
Proverbs 15:15 Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord is an aid to life, one eats and sleeps without being visited by misfortune.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores them gets many a curse.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Is God fair?
Who made men blind? Why do they remain blind inspite of their prayers asking God to restore their sights?
Exodus 4:11 So the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?"
Every human being that exists on earth is a creation of God. In the eyes of God, we are all the same...He loves us and treats us fairly, blind or not. His wisdom and knowledge is far more than the wisdom of man, henceforth, we cannot question his purpose of creating a man to be blind.
Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalm 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who contends with his Maker; a potsherd among potsherds of the earth! Dare the clay say to it modeler, "What are you doing?" or "What you are making has no hands"? 10 Woe to him who asks a father, "What are you begetting?" or a woman, "What are you giving birth to?"
In the spiritual realm, there are advantages of being blind. The blind are favored because they cannot commit the sin of lust for they cannot see.
1 John 2:15 Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him, 16 for nothing that the world affords comes from the Father. Carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show - all these are from the world. 17 And the world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God's will endures forever.
John 9:1 As He walked along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, was it his sin or that of his parents that caused him to be born blind?" 3 "Neither," answered Jesus: "It was no sin, either of this man or of his parents. Rather, it was to let God's works show forth in him."
Then, Jesus opened his eyes and he was able to see. The work of God was manifested thu him. Had it not been for this blind man, the Lord Jesus wouldn't be able to show God's mercy, love and forgiveness thru him. Compared to others, the blind are spiritually matured and they have a special place in God's kingdom. They are the favored ones and come judgment day, they will no longer have defects. They will be the first ones to obtain mercy and their bodies will be changed into incorruptible ones.
1 Corinthians 15:50 This is what I mean, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; no more can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Now I am going to tell you a mystery. Not all of us shall fall asleep, an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 This incorruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body with immortality. 54 When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
God's mercy and love abound on the blind. If we ourselves are merciful towards the blind, God has a soft spot in His heart for them.
James 2:12 Always speak and act as men destined for judgment under the law of freedom. 13 Merciless is the judgment on the man who has not shown mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgment.
Exodus 4:11 So the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?"
Every human being that exists on earth is a creation of God. In the eyes of God, we are all the same...He loves us and treats us fairly, blind or not. His wisdom and knowledge is far more than the wisdom of man, henceforth, we cannot question his purpose of creating a man to be blind.
Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalm 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He knows how we are formed; He remembers that we are dust.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who contends with his Maker; a potsherd among potsherds of the earth! Dare the clay say to it modeler, "What are you doing?" or "What you are making has no hands"? 10 Woe to him who asks a father, "What are you begetting?" or a woman, "What are you giving birth to?"
In the spiritual realm, there are advantages of being blind. The blind are favored because they cannot commit the sin of lust for they cannot see.
1 John 2:15 Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him, 16 for nothing that the world affords comes from the Father. Carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show - all these are from the world. 17 And the world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God's will endures forever.
John 9:1 As He walked along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, was it his sin or that of his parents that caused him to be born blind?" 3 "Neither," answered Jesus: "It was no sin, either of this man or of his parents. Rather, it was to let God's works show forth in him."
Then, Jesus opened his eyes and he was able to see. The work of God was manifested thu him. Had it not been for this blind man, the Lord Jesus wouldn't be able to show God's mercy, love and forgiveness thru him. Compared to others, the blind are spiritually matured and they have a special place in God's kingdom. They are the favored ones and come judgment day, they will no longer have defects. They will be the first ones to obtain mercy and their bodies will be changed into incorruptible ones.
1 Corinthians 15:50 This is what I mean, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; no more can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Now I am going to tell you a mystery. Not all of us shall fall asleep, an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 This incorruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body with immortality. 54 When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
God's mercy and love abound on the blind. If we ourselves are merciful towards the blind, God has a soft spot in His heart for them.
James 2:12 Always speak and act as men destined for judgment under the law of freedom. 13 Merciless is the judgment on the man who has not shown mercy; but mercy triumphs over judgment.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Praying for the dead...is it biblical?
Should we pray for the dead? Where do their spirits go? Do our prayers diminish their sufferings in purgatory or hell? Will their sins be forgiven because of our prayers? Do the dead still hear us when we talk to them?
Let us listen to what the Bible has to say. . .
Deuteronomy 18:9 "When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you."
I was baptized at the Philippine Independent Church more popularly known in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite as Aglipay, which up to now practices praying for the dead. But I grew up as a Catholic going to mass every Sunday and praying for our dearly departed loved ones. I never knew then that talking to the dead was an abomination to the Lord. Nobody bothered to teach me about that and I regret the time I spent praying for every dead person I knew, which tantamount to nothing. . . and I did pray for all of them which was just a waste of my time and energy that could have been devoted to more important matters.
I am not doing this to put shame on all Catholics, including my dear relatives and friends, but to open their minds to the truth based on the Bible.
Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
May I repeat...the dead are judged not according to our prayers for them but according to their works. If unrepented, the sins of the dead are forever etched and carved before God and cannot be erased by our prayers for them. Jeremiah 2:22 "For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord God.
Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work..." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
The following is Paul's advice to the church of God in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": . . .7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Seek God in early life while you are still strong and able to do good works, not when you are already too old and weak and waiting for your end in life, unable to do much for the Lord. When you die, your body will turn into dust as it was and your spirit will return to God where it came from. No amount of prayers from relatives and friends can alter your state of being after that and it is not true that your sins will be forgiven because of the prayers of the living.
Job 12:9 "Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?. . ."
Let us listen to what the Bible has to say. . .
Deuteronomy 18:9 "When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you."
I was baptized at the Philippine Independent Church more popularly known in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite as Aglipay, which up to now practices praying for the dead. But I grew up as a Catholic going to mass every Sunday and praying for our dearly departed loved ones. I never knew then that talking to the dead was an abomination to the Lord. Nobody bothered to teach me about that and I regret the time I spent praying for every dead person I knew, which tantamount to nothing. . . and I did pray for all of them which was just a waste of my time and energy that could have been devoted to more important matters.
I am not doing this to put shame on all Catholics, including my dear relatives and friends, but to open their minds to the truth based on the Bible.
Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
May I repeat...the dead are judged not according to our prayers for them but according to their works. If unrepented, the sins of the dead are forever etched and carved before God and cannot be erased by our prayers for them. Jeremiah 2:22 "For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me," says the Lord God.
Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work..." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
The following is Paul's advice to the church of God in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": . . .7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Seek God in early life while you are still strong and able to do good works, not when you are already too old and weak and waiting for your end in life, unable to do much for the Lord. When you die, your body will turn into dust as it was and your spirit will return to God where it came from. No amount of prayers from relatives and friends can alter your state of being after that and it is not true that your sins will be forgiven because of the prayers of the living.
Job 12:9 "Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, 10 in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?. . ."
The life of every living thing is in the hand of God...after the death of a man, his body will return to dust and his spirit will go back to God. If he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, obeying and walking with God, his Creator, meaning doing all the teachings and doctrines taught in the Bible, then he is assured of salvation.
Philippians 2:12 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Catholics in the Philippines have a written prayer for the dead in which the praying of the rosary is also incorporated. They call on the Virgin Mary to pray for their dead and for themselves in this manner:
"Virgin, most powerful, pray for us; Virgin, most merciful, pray for us; Virgin, most faithful, pray for us; Mirror of justice, pray for us; Seat of wisdom, pray for us; Cause of our joy, pray for us; Spiritual vessel, pray for us; Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us; Mystical rose, pray for us; Tower of David, pray for us; Tower of Ivory, pray for us; House of Gold, pray for us; Ark of the covenant, pray for us; Gate of heaven, pray for us...."
Even towers, house of gold, ark of the covenant and gate of heaven, all without tongues, are petitioned to pray for them. Could they pray for us, human beings?
Matthew 6:7-8 says, "But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
Jesus doesn't want us to be repetitious in our prayers and instead, we should talk to God, our Father, from the heart, not from any written manuscript or patterns of prayers handed down from our great, great grandparents. Whoever taught people to call on non-living things for prayers are blind teachers and, if not corrected, both the teachers and the students will suffer damnation from God. Worship is totally different from prayer as we are encouraged to worship God unceasingly; if not, even the stones themselves will shout praises of worship to God.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do , do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. 12 For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.
Death is like a thief in the night...no warning. No one knows when his time will come so we have to be prepared always.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
After death, those who are left behind who continually petition God to forgive the sins of their dearly departed loved ones are just wasting their precious time because no amount of prayers, no matter how sincere, long and repetitious, and even the celebration of the mass for the dead, can wipe away the sins they committed when they were still alive.
It is very important to point out here also that no dead person has been judged yet so it is wrong to assume that the spirit of the dead is in purgatory, hell or heaven. Besides, no where in the Bible can you find the word purgatory...it is either hell or heaven...no in between.
Revelations 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
The Coming of the Son of Man
Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 And He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 "When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things are fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."
The Importance of Watching
34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
All the signs, like wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, and fear of nuclear fission, occurred already except for the Great Tribulation. Then, judgment will come...
Daniel 12:4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." Traveling to and from another country is now so easy by planes, and knowledge increased dramatically thru the use of computers and high technology.
II Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Matthew 24: 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of war. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake...14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Then, the Great Tribulation...
Matthew 24:21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened..."
So instead of praying for the dead, gather all your energies spreading the Word of God to all four corners of the world so many souls will be saved which is the perfect will of God, our Father, thru His Son, Jesus Christ.
Transformed day by day into a new man...
Was there ever a perfect man? Is it true that perfection is referred only to God? Is it possible to be perfect and holy?
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Genesis 6:9 Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
The Bible tells us that it is very possible to be made perfect although all men have sinned and fell short of the glory of God. What then must we do to attain perfection as in fact commanded for us by God?
Isaiah 1:16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, . . .
Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is head-Christ.
Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
Eph 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin", do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Walk in Love
Eph 5:1 Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanliness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers of them.
Walk in Light
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth). 10 proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Marriage
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body, 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Children and Parents
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Servants and Masters
5 Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same thing to them, giving up threatening, knowing that you own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
This is the commandment that should be written in our hearts. 1 Peter 1:15 Rather, become holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, after the likeness of the holy One who called you; 16 remember, Scripture says, "Be holy, for I am holy."
1 John 3:2 We know that we when it comes to light we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, as He is pure.
Living Sacrifices to God
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Genesis 6:9 Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
The Bible tells us that it is very possible to be made perfect although all men have sinned and fell short of the glory of God. What then must we do to attain perfection as in fact commanded for us by God?
Isaiah 1:16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, . . .
Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is head-Christ.
Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
Eph 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin", do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Walk in Love
Eph 5:1 Therefore be followers of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanliness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers of them.
Walk in Light
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth). 10 proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Marriage
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body, 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Children and Parents
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Servants and Masters
5 Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same thing to them, giving up threatening, knowing that you own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
This is the commandment that should be written in our hearts. 1 Peter 1:15 Rather, become holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, after the likeness of the holy One who called you; 16 remember, Scripture says, "Be holy, for I am holy."
1 John 3:2 We know that we when it comes to light we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, as He is pure.
Living Sacrifices to God
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
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