Friday, February 23, 2024, 04:30
#23
We, as followers of and believers in Christ Jesus, have a Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation. Peters letter not only to those who were alive at that time, but also to each of us today, explains that in His letter. Please read, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the depth of His love and of our salvation,Your salvation.
1Peter 1:1-2
¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
1Peter 1:3-9
¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1Peter 1:10-15
¶ As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
1Peter 1:13-16
¶ Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written,
“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
1Peter 1:17-21
¶ If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1Peter 1:22-25
¶ Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
{{{ A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation,
if you have taken the time to do more than just read this as a book, but rather have taken time to read and absorb the words above that are found in First Peter 1:1-25, you should understand what Father God and the Lord Christ Jesus have done for you.
This is not just an old story in some old book,
it explains your salvation, if you want it.
This is important.
So take the time to go back and slowly read it aging.
No explanation is needed the words the other used are rather simple to understand:
“in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” }}}
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 16:13
#22
Part 2
In Part 1 we read James 5:13-17
And talked about suffering Here in part 2, we will talk about the cheerful, sick and sins,
Go back and read James 5:13-17
{{{ We are told anyone who is cheerful; is to sing praises.
I don’t seem to find any cheerful among us,
Do you see any one walking around singing praises to GOD?
Do you go through your day singing praises to the Lord God?
Next we are told if anyone among you sick;
Then he must call for the elders of the church and the elders are to pray over the sick one, anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord.
But what we see happen is the sick run to anyone anywhere and ask for prayer and then run to the medical profession to be healed.
GOD’s word tells us the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick,
and the Lord will raise him up,
and that if the one who is sick has committed sins, they will be forgiven them.
(( Elders in the church: What does it take to become Elder in the Christian church?
Titus 1:5-9
¶ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.
For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
So an Elder is and is to be:
a. Above reproach;
He lives in a way that gives no cause for others to think badly of the church or the faith or the Lord.
b. The husband of one wife.
c. Sober-minded, Disciplined, Not a Drunkard;
He exercises self-control and mastery of his appetites.
He prizes freedom from enslavements to such a degree that no bondage is yielded to. self-controlled;
He is sensible.
He is prudent.
He is reasonable.
He has good judgment.
He sees things as they really are.
He knows himself well.
He understands people and how they respond.
He is in touch with reality, such that there are no great gaps between what he sees in himself and what others see in him.
d. Respectable;
He is honorable and dignified.
He comports himself in situations so as not to step on toes unnecessarily.
He does not offend against propriety.
e. Hospitable;
He loves strangers.
He is given to being kind to newcomers.
He makes them feel at home.
His home is open for ministry.
He does not shrink back from having guests; he is not a secretive person.
f. Able to Teach;
He knows biblical doctrine well and is able to explain it to people.
He is astute enough theologically that he can spot serious error and show a person why it is wrong and harmful.
g. Not Violent;
His temper is under control.
He is not given to quarreling or fighting.
He has a conciliatory bent. His feelings are not worn on his sleeve.
He does not carry resentments.
He is not hypercritical. h. Gentle;
He is not harsh or mean-spirited.
He is inclined to tenderness.
He resorts to toughness only when the circumstances commend this form of love.
His words are not acid or divisive but helpful and encouraging.
i. Not Quarrelsome, Arrogant or Quick-Tempered;
He is peaceable.
He is lowly in his demeanor, not speaking much of himself or his achievements.
He counts others better than himself and is quick to serve.
He sincerely gives God the credit and honor for any accomplishments.
j. Not a lover of money, nor greedy for gain:
He puts the kingdom first in all he does.
His lifestyle does not reflect a love of luxury.
He is a generous giver.
He is not anxious about his financial future
He is not so money-oriented that ministry decisions revolve around this issue.
k. A good manager of his own household, a steward; his children are faithful, not insubordinate;
He is the leader of a well-ordered household.
If he has children, they are submissive
(not perfect, but well-disciplined, so that they do not blatantly and regularly disregard the instructions of their parents).
His children revere him.
He is a loving and responsible spiritual leader in the home.
He respects and tenderly loved his wife, if he is married.
Their relationship is openly admirable.
l. Not a recent convert;
He is a mature believer.
There are evidences in his life that humility is a fixed virtue and not easily overturned.
m. Well thought of by outsiders;
He meets the standards of the world for decency and respectability
(as the standards of the church are higher and they are is desire).
n. A lover of good;
He loves to be involved in doing good.
More than merely doing good, he has a bent and love to see goodness done.
o. Upright;
He cares about whether people are treated fairly.
He wants to see justice in the world at all levels.
p. Holy;
He is a person of devotion to Christ with a life of prayer and meditation.
He loves worship and has a deep personal relationship with the Lord.
A long list to say an Elder is to be a man of GOD who puts others before himself, and can display authority wall not having to speak of it.
If you look at the Elders in your church, do they hold these attributes?
Over the last several decades in most churches these attributes have been ignored, and it seems the qualifications have changed to the wealthy, the powerful and the good speaker, no mater if they love the Lord or not. Men who seek a position, power and wealth.
If you are going to these men for prayer all that can be said is good luck, their hearts wont be in it and GOD will not listen to them, not until they repent and turn to Him for their own needs. }}}
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
{{{ confess your sins to one another?
In today’s church if you do so your chances of being gossiped about and belittled are great.
This is why the Lord said
“The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
If you are going to confess your sins you need to make sure the person you are confessing to is a righteous man.
But before you ever do that make sure you have confessed to the Lord Himself. }}}
James 5:19-20
¶ My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Are you righteous?
Do you strive to become righteous as Christ is righteous?
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 03:54
#21 Part 1
James 5:13-17
¶ Is anyone among you suffering?
Then he must pray.
Is anyone cheerful?
He is to sing praises.
Is anyone among you sick?
Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick,
and the Lord will raise him up,
and if he has committed sins,
they will be forgiven him.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,
and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
{{{ this has always been a bit disturbing to me;
We are told; anyone suffering, must pray.
But it seems most who call themselves Christians, when they are suffering might pray for a moment but then will turn right around and run to another to compline about their suffering.
Let’s start with suffering, and take a moment to look at what the word of GOD has to say about it:
Acts 5:41
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Philippians 1:27-30
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
2Titus 1:12
For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2Titus 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Titus 2:8-13
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
It is a trustworthy statement: F
or if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
1Peter 2:18-20
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?
But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
1Peter 3:13-17
Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.
AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
1Peter 4:12-19
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Revelation 2:10
“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 until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
(Hopefully you took the time to read and think about the above verses.
If you are doing right according to GOD and have suffering in your life you are doing good and have no resin to be complaining.
But go ahead and complain if your suffering has come about because you have chosen to disobey the Lord Christ Jesus, the word of GOD.
If suffering comes your way, and it will if you are dedicated to living a life according to our Lord Christ Jesus, PRAY, and after praying PRAY even more.
(prayer = talking with GOD) and we have been given a position that we can constantly pray.)
When you think you are suffering, look at why you may be suffering, is it because you are following Christ Jesus?
Or are you suffering do to your own sinful nature?
We – you, are told if you are suffering, you must pray.
So rather than complain or have the attitude of wo is me, PRAY.
spend time talkng with the Father, Son and the holy Spirit,
Pray }}}
If you really want to learn about suffering read the book of Job.
Job went through every kink of suffering, read how He handled it and what the end result was.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 04:52
#20
James 5:1-6
¶ Come now, you rich,
weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.
It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
( those who work for you, who you have made agreement with to pay a set fee. )
You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
{{ Pretty much says what it means, not much here to miss understand.
The rich live in luxury and fulfilling their pleasures and save (storing away wealth) for their future and at the same time depriving those who work for them by withholding wages they have previously agreed to pay, condemning the workers to do with out, and those you take advantage of the most are the righteous for they will continue to work without resisting you.
For the righteous will work as if they are working directly for the Lord. }}
Then in James 5: 7-12
the righteous are told:
James 5:7-12
¶ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
We count those blessed who endured.
You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath;
but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
{{ Being ripped off by the rich is going to happen but as believers in and followers of our Lord Christ Jesus we must lean on Him for all our needs and not get caught up in the things and ways of the world.
Our riches are to be stored in heaven,
not in this world.
For as we have learned where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.
You can not serve two masters,
so chose to serve the Lord and He will provide all your needs. }}
Is your faith in GOD or in man??????
Monday, February 19, 2024, 04:07
#19
James 4:13-17
¶ Come now, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Instead, you ought to say,
“If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
{{{ the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, To him it is sin.
These should be scary words to the believer of Christ Jesus.
To know and not do??????
You can set in church Sunday after Sunday gathering all the information you can about the Lord and His life, and your life in Him He has offered you.
You can repeat His commandments, and quote His word,
But if after gathering all this information you are not acting upon them (doing what you now know is right) to you it is sin.
Rather simple to grasp, isn’t it?
You can make plans for tomorrow we will do this and that, and make a profit.
And by doing so you show your arrogance, and pride.
For by doing such you are not asking and waiting upon the Lord for direction, you are stating this is the way it will be.
But you do not know what tomorrow holds for you, the Lord may have other plans for you and your life.
But out of your foolish arrogant pride you will miss out on what the Lord has for you.
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
What we ought to say,
“If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. }}}
think about it.