Deed, from the Greek ergon; to do, work, action, behavior, effectual, labor, task.
Jesus spoke of this judgment of deeds that is coming in John 3:19-21; "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds would be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then your sins are forgiven, because in Christ they are taken away, never again to be remembered by God. There will not be a judgment for sins in the body of Christ, the church, for Jesus Christ is our propitiation.
There is a judgment for deeds, and as the title scripture says, the Son of Man will repay every man. It reads this way in the Amplified version; "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man in accordance with what he has done."
We are given insight as to what this accounting for deeds looks like in the book of Revelation. Jesus Christ in His resurrected, glorified body sends seven letters to the churches in various locations and His summations of their deeds apply to the church today in 2011 in various locations around the world. Please carefully and prayerfully read the following, asking God to reveal to you which apply to your life. Because of space I won't write out all of them but I will list the references so that you can read them for yourself.
Revelation 2:2-5 "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first..."
Revelation 2:9-10 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Revelation 2:13-16
Revelation 2:19-23 "All the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."
Revelation 3:1-3 "...I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you."
Revelation 3:8,10 "I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3:15-17, 19 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Please pray for the body of Christ around the world.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
"Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:10 NASB continued
Continued from Saturday's post on November 5th. John chapter 4.
11a. (verse 19) As Jesus reveals her sinful state to her, she begins to really "see" this Rabbi she has been talking to. She now believes He is a prophet. Life application; The closer I get to Holy Jesus the more aware I become of my own sinful state, but not in a condemning way.
11b. (verse 19) The dialogue begins in earnest, seeking has begun on the woman's part. God initiates and then we are free to speak.
12. (verses 21-24) Jesus reveals spiritual truths regarding worship and the Father. Jesus doesn't speak to the woman in parables but as He does to His disciples. In effect Jesus is treating her as one who has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Supporting scripture Matthew 13:11; "Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted." Life application; Worship, true worship is not possible with out knowing the truth of Who you are worshiping. Life application; The part of me that is created in God's image is my spirit, God is spirit and it is my spirit that truly worships Him. (Beware of any fleshly shows in worship)
13. ( vs 26) Jesus clearly, plainly reveals Himself as Messiah, He who is called the Christ!!! As far as scripture is concerned this is the first time Jesus reveals Himself with His true identity Messiah and it is to a sinful Samaritan woman! Life application; When I share Jesus with someone, I must never allow prejudices or traditions of man to get in the way!
14. (vs 27) Jesus own disciples wondered why He was speaking to the Samaritan woman, yet none of them would dare question Him. Life application; I have so very, very much to learn from my Lord Jesus and I learn through the Scriptures! Why did He speak with her? First and foremost because the Father had given her to Jesus. Supporting scripture John 10:29; "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." And secondly look at what a bold witness she is...
15. (verses 28-30) She immediately leaves her waterpot (she doesn't care about that water, she has just tasted of the Living Water) and goes into the city and tells all the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" She was so persuasive that people followed her out of the city to Jesus. Life application; When we know Jesus, two things should follow; worship and witnessing! Supporting scriptures; "Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you. And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."" John 9:37-38. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." Acts 1:8.
16. (verses 31-34) Jesus told His disciples that He has food to eat that they don't know about. They are confused and He explains to them; "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." Wow!! Life application; Living and walking in God's will is nourishment to my soul!
17. (verses 35-38) God's harvest field of lost souls has never been whiter, they are ready for harvesting. Are you sowing, watering, or reaping? Already God's workers are receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life. Supporting scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8; "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
18. (vs 39) Many believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman's testimony about Him. If we are believers in Jesus Christ we too have the testimony within us, we too have a story to tell about what Jesus is doing in our lives. Life application; May I share with you what Jesus Christ has done in my life? Supporting scripture 1 John 5:10; "The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself..."
19. (vs 40) The witness of a single, sinful, Samaritan woman yielded a two day harvest for Jesus Christ! Jesus remained there for two days, preaching and teaching. Life application; I have the testimony of what Jesus Christ is doing in my life, how many lives could I impact for the Kingdom of God? Lord I want to be active in Your harvest fields, open doors of opportunity for me, grant me divine appointments. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
20. (verses 41-42) Many believed because of the woman's testimony, then when they heard the words of Jesus they discovered for themselves and knew that Jesus, this One is indeed the Savior of the world! Life application; My testimony can bring them to Jesus, and His Words, the Scriptures can take them all the way to know Jesus, and to understand for themselves that He is indeed the Savior of the World!!!
11a. (verse 19) As Jesus reveals her sinful state to her, she begins to really "see" this Rabbi she has been talking to. She now believes He is a prophet. Life application; The closer I get to Holy Jesus the more aware I become of my own sinful state, but not in a condemning way.
11b. (verse 19) The dialogue begins in earnest, seeking has begun on the woman's part. God initiates and then we are free to speak.
12. (verses 21-24) Jesus reveals spiritual truths regarding worship and the Father. Jesus doesn't speak to the woman in parables but as He does to His disciples. In effect Jesus is treating her as one who has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Supporting scripture Matthew 13:11; "Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted." Life application; Worship, true worship is not possible with out knowing the truth of Who you are worshiping. Life application; The part of me that is created in God's image is my spirit, God is spirit and it is my spirit that truly worships Him. (Beware of any fleshly shows in worship)
13. ( vs 26) Jesus clearly, plainly reveals Himself as Messiah, He who is called the Christ!!! As far as scripture is concerned this is the first time Jesus reveals Himself with His true identity Messiah and it is to a sinful Samaritan woman! Life application; When I share Jesus with someone, I must never allow prejudices or traditions of man to get in the way!
14. (vs 27) Jesus own disciples wondered why He was speaking to the Samaritan woman, yet none of them would dare question Him. Life application; I have so very, very much to learn from my Lord Jesus and I learn through the Scriptures! Why did He speak with her? First and foremost because the Father had given her to Jesus. Supporting scripture John 10:29; "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." And secondly look at what a bold witness she is...
15. (verses 28-30) She immediately leaves her waterpot (she doesn't care about that water, she has just tasted of the Living Water) and goes into the city and tells all the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" She was so persuasive that people followed her out of the city to Jesus. Life application; When we know Jesus, two things should follow; worship and witnessing! Supporting scriptures; "Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you. And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."" John 9:37-38. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." Acts 1:8.
16. (verses 31-34) Jesus told His disciples that He has food to eat that they don't know about. They are confused and He explains to them; "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." Wow!! Life application; Living and walking in God's will is nourishment to my soul!
17. (verses 35-38) God's harvest field of lost souls has never been whiter, they are ready for harvesting. Are you sowing, watering, or reaping? Already God's workers are receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life. Supporting scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8; "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
18. (vs 39) Many believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman's testimony about Him. If we are believers in Jesus Christ we too have the testimony within us, we too have a story to tell about what Jesus is doing in our lives. Life application; May I share with you what Jesus Christ has done in my life? Supporting scripture 1 John 5:10; "The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself..."
19. (vs 40) The witness of a single, sinful, Samaritan woman yielded a two day harvest for Jesus Christ! Jesus remained there for two days, preaching and teaching. Life application; I have the testimony of what Jesus Christ is doing in my life, how many lives could I impact for the Kingdom of God? Lord I want to be active in Your harvest fields, open doors of opportunity for me, grant me divine appointments. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
20. (verses 41-42) Many believed because of the woman's testimony, then when they heard the words of Jesus they discovered for themselves and knew that Jesus, this One is indeed the Savior of the world! Life application; My testimony can bring them to Jesus, and His Words, the Scriptures can take them all the way to know Jesus, and to understand for themselves that He is indeed the Savior of the World!!!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
"Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."" John 4:10 NASB
I absolutely love the Word of God! I love it for a myriad of reasons not the least of which is that it gives me insight into my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well is so rich with insights, and life applications. Please open your Bible to chapter four of John and read along with me, I am using the NASB. I will share what I discovered and will note the verse that I am referencing with each life application and or truth revealed.
1.(verse 6) Opportunities for witnessing rarely come when we are looking for them, or when we feel like witnessing, so we must always be ready. [Supporting scripture, 1 Peter 3:15; "Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
2.(verse 7) God always takes the initiative in calling out to sinners. [Supporting scripture, John 15:16; "You did not choose Me but I chose you..."]
3.(verse 9) God is never bound by the traditions and prejudices of mankind and neither should I allow worldly ways to restrict what God would have me to do. [Supporting scripture, Matthew 15:3; "And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?""
4.(verse 10) Jesus got right to the point with this woman and He offered her His grace immediately, nothing required on her part but acceptance just as He does today in 2011! The life application, I can share the Good News with a total stranger and the power of the gospel will bring them to Christ. I have experienced this in real life, it is true, God is true to His Word!!
5.(verses 11-12) She "heard" what He was saying and responded with an inquiry, keeping the dialogue open between them.
6.(verses 13-14) Jesus full of mercy and grace, humbly, patiently and kindly begins to open her mind and give to her understanding. (Supporting scripture, Romans 2:4; "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
7.(verse 15) She responds to His offer of living water and asks for it. [Supporting scripture, Matthew 7:7; "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you."]
8.(verse 16) Jesus tests her heart (Supporting scripture, Deuteronomy 8:16; "In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end."
9.(verse 17a) She doesn't play games with Jesus she is honest. Life application time...
10.(verse 18) Jesus then begins ever so gently and mercifully to reveal the sinful state of her soul, not to condemn but so that she might be saved. Life application, I must approach the lost as Jesus did, not condemning them but showing His love and mercy to them.
This concludes the first half of the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The ending will be posted on Monday November 7. I never post on Sundays, enjoy your weekend!
1.(verse 6) Opportunities for witnessing rarely come when we are looking for them, or when we feel like witnessing, so we must always be ready. [Supporting scripture, 1 Peter 3:15; "Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
2.(verse 7) God always takes the initiative in calling out to sinners. [Supporting scripture, John 15:16; "You did not choose Me but I chose you..."]
3.(verse 9) God is never bound by the traditions and prejudices of mankind and neither should I allow worldly ways to restrict what God would have me to do. [Supporting scripture, Matthew 15:3; "And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?""
4.(verse 10) Jesus got right to the point with this woman and He offered her His grace immediately, nothing required on her part but acceptance just as He does today in 2011! The life application, I can share the Good News with a total stranger and the power of the gospel will bring them to Christ. I have experienced this in real life, it is true, God is true to His Word!!
5.(verses 11-12) She "heard" what He was saying and responded with an inquiry, keeping the dialogue open between them.
6.(verses 13-14) Jesus full of mercy and grace, humbly, patiently and kindly begins to open her mind and give to her understanding. (Supporting scripture, Romans 2:4; "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
7.(verse 15) She responds to His offer of living water and asks for it. [Supporting scripture, Matthew 7:7; "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you."]
8.(verse 16) Jesus tests her heart (Supporting scripture, Deuteronomy 8:16; "In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end."
9.(verse 17a) She doesn't play games with Jesus she is honest. Life application time...
10.(verse 18) Jesus then begins ever so gently and mercifully to reveal the sinful state of her soul, not to condemn but so that she might be saved. Life application, I must approach the lost as Jesus did, not condemning them but showing His love and mercy to them.
This concludes the first half of the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The ending will be posted on Monday November 7. I never post on Sundays, enjoy your weekend!
Friday, November 4, 2011
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Galatians 6:7 NASB
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God also created the animals, man and woman and fish and fowl, sun and moon, oceans and land, stars and planets, everything that was brought into being was brought into being through Him. (John 1:3) He also gave mankind plants that yield seed for reproduction and trees that yield fruit with seeds for producing the same fruit. (Genesis 1:29) God created them and determined how they would endure so as to always provide food for mankind as well as the animals. And He gave His promise; "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Summer and winter, Day and night Shall not cease," Genesis 8:22.
You don't have to be a farmer to know that the type of seed you plant will determine the crop you yield! We know that if you plant corn you will harvest corn not potatoes, if you plant tomatoes you will not harvest peas. Sounds silly doesn't it? Everyone understands that you reap what you plant, you get what you sow. What many of us do not realize is that God's law of sowing and reaping also applies beyond vegetation! It applies to all of mankind.
The popular saying; what goes around comes around, is based on God's law of sowing and reaping. In 1 Kings 2:32, 44 we are given an example of how sowing and reaping applies to people. "The LORD will return his blood on his own head, because he fell upon two men more righteous and better than he and killed them with the sword..." "The king also said to Shimei, "You know all the evil which you acknowledge in your heart, which you did to my father David; therefore the LORD shall return your evil on your own head."
Life application; know that the good or the bad that we do to others will come back to us. So sow that which you wish to harvest! Do you need forgiveness? Then you forgive others. Do you need encouragement? You give encouragement to others. Are you lonely? Reach out to others that are lonely. We reap what we sow. What are you sowing?
The following verse is taken from the context of what we give monetarily to the Lord's work. I.E., tithe to the church you attend, giving to missionary work around the world, Billy Graham Evangelical Association as an example, or whatever God leads you to sow your money into. Please seek the Lord for there are many voices out there in the world that seek your money for their gain, so make your giving a matter of prayer, between you and the Lord. Learn this truth about giving, sowing your money; "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We will never ever, out give God, the more we give to His work the more He will provide to us that we may keep on giving!
This morning in my quiet time I came across the following verses that prompted today's post. "Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way..." Hosea 11:12-13.
Life application; When we sow righteousness, that which God shows us in His Word, we reap kindness, so break up the remaining hard ground of your heart and seek the LORD. Trusting in man and doing life our way, apart from God, reaps injustice and we eat the fruit of lies that will never satisfy.
"Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8.
Are you thinking right now, well I've done this or that and I haven't reaped or harvested what I sowed? Or maybe you are thinking of people who have really lived for themselves and as far as you can tell they haven't reaped what they sowed? Remember this; God alone determines the time of our individual harvests, and they will come. What He has predetermined will come to pass, for He acts and who can ever reverse it? No one!!
And to those who are living their lives, sowing righteousness into others, He encourages them with these words from Galatians 6:9-10; "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith."
You don't have to be a farmer to know that the type of seed you plant will determine the crop you yield! We know that if you plant corn you will harvest corn not potatoes, if you plant tomatoes you will not harvest peas. Sounds silly doesn't it? Everyone understands that you reap what you plant, you get what you sow. What many of us do not realize is that God's law of sowing and reaping also applies beyond vegetation! It applies to all of mankind.
The popular saying; what goes around comes around, is based on God's law of sowing and reaping. In 1 Kings 2:32, 44 we are given an example of how sowing and reaping applies to people. "The LORD will return his blood on his own head, because he fell upon two men more righteous and better than he and killed them with the sword..." "The king also said to Shimei, "You know all the evil which you acknowledge in your heart, which you did to my father David; therefore the LORD shall return your evil on your own head."
Life application; know that the good or the bad that we do to others will come back to us. So sow that which you wish to harvest! Do you need forgiveness? Then you forgive others. Do you need encouragement? You give encouragement to others. Are you lonely? Reach out to others that are lonely. We reap what we sow. What are you sowing?
The following verse is taken from the context of what we give monetarily to the Lord's work. I.E., tithe to the church you attend, giving to missionary work around the world, Billy Graham Evangelical Association as an example, or whatever God leads you to sow your money into. Please seek the Lord for there are many voices out there in the world that seek your money for their gain, so make your giving a matter of prayer, between you and the Lord. Learn this truth about giving, sowing your money; "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We will never ever, out give God, the more we give to His work the more He will provide to us that we may keep on giving!
This morning in my quiet time I came across the following verses that prompted today's post. "Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way..." Hosea 11:12-13.
Life application; When we sow righteousness, that which God shows us in His Word, we reap kindness, so break up the remaining hard ground of your heart and seek the LORD. Trusting in man and doing life our way, apart from God, reaps injustice and we eat the fruit of lies that will never satisfy.
"Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8.
Are you thinking right now, well I've done this or that and I haven't reaped or harvested what I sowed? Or maybe you are thinking of people who have really lived for themselves and as far as you can tell they haven't reaped what they sowed? Remember this; God alone determines the time of our individual harvests, and they will come. What He has predetermined will come to pass, for He acts and who can ever reverse it? No one!!
And to those who are living their lives, sowing righteousness into others, He encourages them with these words from Galatians 6:9-10; "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith."
Thursday, November 3, 2011
"If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15 NLT
Years ago I wrote a bible study named Call To Me. Call to Me is a topical study consisting of 17 chapters and one of the chapter headings is, If You Love Me, Mind Me!
I share a story about my youngest son Mike and a brief conversation we had when he was about four years old. It was very brief but I remember it as if it happened yesterday, I remember where we were and what I was doing when it happened. The things that are really important are etched forever in our memories and this was one of those times. I was preparing dinner and I asked my boys to go pick up their toys and put them away before dinner. Later Mike came in the kitchen and I asked him, "did you pick up your toys?" He came over put his little arms around my leg and looked up at me with that grin that lights up a room, and still does and he said, "I love you Mommy." To which I replied, "If you love me, mind me." The words had not even left my tongue when the thought came to me that is what God says to His children in His Word! "If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15. Life application time!
God used both of my sons to teach me valuable truths from His Word. On another occasion, Tony was about 3 and he was playing at my feet in the living room. He was really struggling with a toy that he couldn't operate. I offered to help but he just kept struggling growing increasingly frustrated, finally at the point of tears he gave me the toy. Again the Lord showed me that He watches His children struggle and cry over the problems they are dealing with and He is waiting and watching all the while, He wants to fix it but we don't bring it to Him! Sadly He is too often our last resort instead of our first. Again Life application!
For almost 10 years I have daily read Oswald Chambers devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, what a blessing it is. And today's entry November 2 is hands down my favorite of the 365 devotionals. It is about obedience.
It is my favorite for I know it to be true because I have experienced the blessings of obedience in my life! John 14:21 is one of my favorites; "Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them." Wow!!
Jesus modeled the way for all believers by His obedience to His heavenly Father, His obedience was an obedience unto death. John 14:31; "So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me."
JESUS DEFINES LOVE AS OBEDIENCE TO HIM, AND TO HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:7-8; "You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you; 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.'" We can give lip service to God all day long telling Him we love Him but our hearts come into alignment with His when we show Him our love through obedience. And as promised in John 14:21, our obedience shows our love for Him and He will reveal Himself to us!
OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD, OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDMENTS BRINGS REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
Enough said......
I share a story about my youngest son Mike and a brief conversation we had when he was about four years old. It was very brief but I remember it as if it happened yesterday, I remember where we were and what I was doing when it happened. The things that are really important are etched forever in our memories and this was one of those times. I was preparing dinner and I asked my boys to go pick up their toys and put them away before dinner. Later Mike came in the kitchen and I asked him, "did you pick up your toys?" He came over put his little arms around my leg and looked up at me with that grin that lights up a room, and still does and he said, "I love you Mommy." To which I replied, "If you love me, mind me." The words had not even left my tongue when the thought came to me that is what God says to His children in His Word! "If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15. Life application time!
God used both of my sons to teach me valuable truths from His Word. On another occasion, Tony was about 3 and he was playing at my feet in the living room. He was really struggling with a toy that he couldn't operate. I offered to help but he just kept struggling growing increasingly frustrated, finally at the point of tears he gave me the toy. Again the Lord showed me that He watches His children struggle and cry over the problems they are dealing with and He is waiting and watching all the while, He wants to fix it but we don't bring it to Him! Sadly He is too often our last resort instead of our first. Again Life application!
For almost 10 years I have daily read Oswald Chambers devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, what a blessing it is. And today's entry November 2 is hands down my favorite of the 365 devotionals. It is about obedience.
It is my favorite for I know it to be true because I have experienced the blessings of obedience in my life! John 14:21 is one of my favorites; "Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them." Wow!!
Jesus modeled the way for all believers by His obedience to His heavenly Father, His obedience was an obedience unto death. John 14:31; "So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me."
JESUS DEFINES LOVE AS OBEDIENCE TO HIM, AND TO HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:7-8; "You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you; 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.'" We can give lip service to God all day long telling Him we love Him but our hearts come into alignment with His when we show Him our love through obedience. And as promised in John 14:21, our obedience shows our love for Him and He will reveal Himself to us!
OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD, OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDMENTS BRINGS REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
Enough said......
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
"Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"" John 11:40 NASB
John 11:25-26 says; "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" Now carefully read Martha's response; "She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." John 11:27.
Martha believed that Jesus was the Son of God, even that He was the Christ, but she didn't answer His question, she fell short of the whole truth that He was proclaiming to her. This Jewish lady was having a conversation with not only her Rabbi and friend, she was face to face with; I AM WHO I AM from the book of Moses, the Resurrection and the Life was standing before her and she didn't recognize Him. She missed His offer to take her deeper.
On one occasion the disciples were in a terrible storm at sea and Jesus was asleep in the boat, they woke Him up fearing for their lives, they did not know that the Prince of Peace was on the boat with them! The disciples on the road to Emmaus listened to the stranger walking with them explain all of the Scriptures from Moses thru the Prophets regarding the Messiah, and their hearts burned within them. Yet they did not recognize the Living Word as He proclaimed the written Word regarding Him, Christ the Messiah! When Jesus asked His disciples to give the multitude something to eat, they did not know that the One who was asking was the Bread of life come down from Heaven! Jesus was offering to take them deeper.
All of these knew Jesus, they knew He was the Son of God but their revelation of Him was very limited. It causes me to consider my own life, yes I believe Jesus is the Son of God, I too believe that He is my Savior and that I have eternal life through Him! That knowledge is but the beginning of our life long discovery into the mystery and magnitude of our Lord Jesus Christ!! There is so much more; to know, to learn, to discover, to discern, so much more to love, so much more to measure and unfold is this Savior of ours!!
Using the allegory of the believer's life in Christ as a race; then the starters gun sounds the second we are born again through faith in Christ Jesus. If you stop there you are saved but you are missing the entire race that God has planned and designed just for you! But to run the race you must seek to know the Lord Jesus with all of your heart, you must seek Him daily in studying the Word and in prayer. Jesus not only equips us to run the race, He will be with us every step of the way. He leads, we follow, that is the way it is!
Don't settle for anything less than discovering God's will for your life and living it! Martha missed what Jesus was proclaiming to her because she stopped listening when He attempted to take her beyond what she knew. Don't settle for shallow, follow Jesus to the deep end, you will never, ever regret your decision.
Martha believed that Jesus was the Son of God, even that He was the Christ, but she didn't answer His question, she fell short of the whole truth that He was proclaiming to her. This Jewish lady was having a conversation with not only her Rabbi and friend, she was face to face with; I AM WHO I AM from the book of Moses, the Resurrection and the Life was standing before her and she didn't recognize Him. She missed His offer to take her deeper.
On one occasion the disciples were in a terrible storm at sea and Jesus was asleep in the boat, they woke Him up fearing for their lives, they did not know that the Prince of Peace was on the boat with them! The disciples on the road to Emmaus listened to the stranger walking with them explain all of the Scriptures from Moses thru the Prophets regarding the Messiah, and their hearts burned within them. Yet they did not recognize the Living Word as He proclaimed the written Word regarding Him, Christ the Messiah! When Jesus asked His disciples to give the multitude something to eat, they did not know that the One who was asking was the Bread of life come down from Heaven! Jesus was offering to take them deeper.
All of these knew Jesus, they knew He was the Son of God but their revelation of Him was very limited. It causes me to consider my own life, yes I believe Jesus is the Son of God, I too believe that He is my Savior and that I have eternal life through Him! That knowledge is but the beginning of our life long discovery into the mystery and magnitude of our Lord Jesus Christ!! There is so much more; to know, to learn, to discover, to discern, so much more to love, so much more to measure and unfold is this Savior of ours!!
Using the allegory of the believer's life in Christ as a race; then the starters gun sounds the second we are born again through faith in Christ Jesus. If you stop there you are saved but you are missing the entire race that God has planned and designed just for you! But to run the race you must seek to know the Lord Jesus with all of your heart, you must seek Him daily in studying the Word and in prayer. Jesus not only equips us to run the race, He will be with us every step of the way. He leads, we follow, that is the way it is!
Don't settle for anything less than discovering God's will for your life and living it! Martha missed what Jesus was proclaiming to her because she stopped listening when He attempted to take her beyond what she knew. Don't settle for shallow, follow Jesus to the deep end, you will never, ever regret your decision.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 ESV
Have you ever listened to your words? I mean really and truly paid attention to the confession of your mouth. Our words tell a lot about us, the Bible says our words reflect our hearts. Our words are powerful to speak life or to speak death to another. (Proverbs 18:21) Many years ago there was a popular saying; Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. What an outrageous lie! Try telling that to the five year old that hears from his or her parents, "you're so stupid, you can't do anything right, why can't you be like...." Or tell that to the grieving parents of teenagers who committed suicide rather than live another day as a target for vicious lies and ridiculing words as a result of bullying!
The words of a fool are easy to spot; dirty jokes, mocking, critical comments about others, liars, flattering, insincere words, gossipers, angry, cutting words, cussing, taking the Lord's name in vain etc. These are easy to spot but what about; negative, murmuring, complaining, self-pitying words, self-deprecating words, self-righteous words, what about these? They too are easy to recognize to the one listening but too often the one speaking doesn't even hear what they are saying or even know that their words are offensive not just to others, like their children but also to the Lord! Even believers are not above occasionally speaking like a fool, but as with any sin we dare not make it a life style.
Who wants to hang out with someone who is always complaining, nothing is ever right, nothing is ever good enough in their world, they soil everyone who has the misfortune to cross paths with them. They sabotage their own happiness! And the happiness of their family members, fellow workers and friends.
On the other hand people are drawn to people who are loving and kind with their words not in a flattering, phoney way but sincerely, truthfully. Their focus is not always on themselves, they encourage and build up those who are around them. How do they do it, what makes the difference?
The difference is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord but it doesn't stop there, that is only the beginning, they grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Him because daily they spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer!! And daily quiet time with the Lord makes all the difference, for the Word is truth, the Word transforms our minds, the Word puts hope, peace and joy in our hearts and that in turn changes our words, the confession of our mouths!
For example;
"Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction." Proverbs 18:20
"But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD, praising Him to everyone." Psalm 109:30
"My life is an example to many, because You have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare Your glory all day long." Psalm 71:7-8
"My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge." Psalm 71:15
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Lord I confess that the words of my mouth are not always pleasing to You, forgive me Lord and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. May my tongue be a living fountain filled with Your words that bring life and hope, healing and forgiveness, peace and joy in a world that desperately needs to hear Good News. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
The words of a fool are easy to spot; dirty jokes, mocking, critical comments about others, liars, flattering, insincere words, gossipers, angry, cutting words, cussing, taking the Lord's name in vain etc. These are easy to spot but what about; negative, murmuring, complaining, self-pitying words, self-deprecating words, self-righteous words, what about these? They too are easy to recognize to the one listening but too often the one speaking doesn't even hear what they are saying or even know that their words are offensive not just to others, like their children but also to the Lord! Even believers are not above occasionally speaking like a fool, but as with any sin we dare not make it a life style.
Who wants to hang out with someone who is always complaining, nothing is ever right, nothing is ever good enough in their world, they soil everyone who has the misfortune to cross paths with them. They sabotage their own happiness! And the happiness of their family members, fellow workers and friends.
On the other hand people are drawn to people who are loving and kind with their words not in a flattering, phoney way but sincerely, truthfully. Their focus is not always on themselves, they encourage and build up those who are around them. How do they do it, what makes the difference?
The difference is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord but it doesn't stop there, that is only the beginning, they grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Him because daily they spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer!! And daily quiet time with the Lord makes all the difference, for the Word is truth, the Word transforms our minds, the Word puts hope, peace and joy in our hearts and that in turn changes our words, the confession of our mouths!
For example;
"Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction." Proverbs 18:20
"But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD, praising Him to everyone." Psalm 109:30
"My life is an example to many, because You have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare Your glory all day long." Psalm 71:7-8
"My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge." Psalm 71:15
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Lord I confess that the words of my mouth are not always pleasing to You, forgive me Lord and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. May my tongue be a living fountain filled with Your words that bring life and hope, healing and forgiveness, peace and joy in a world that desperately needs to hear Good News. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
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