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.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
