Newsletter 268 November 6, 2011
Hebrews 2:1-4
King James Version
This portion of scripture is introduced with the word “therefore,” referring back to Gods statement, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” They have been sent with the message of salvation for Christians.
WE NEED TO LISTEN.
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
We all have heard things that we did not bother to remember, because they did not seem important at the time, or they were things that we thought we might need to know some time in he future, or they were things that we knew were really important. If God has chosen to send a messenger to deliver a message and the Holy Spirit to help us to understand and confirm it, then it is of utmost importance! If He has sent His own Son to carry it, it is urgent. Christ Jesus came with a message of salvation for believers. We need to hear and act.
TO IGNORE IT IS A SIN
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Two words stand forth in this sentence, The first word, transgression, describes the sin of commission. It carries the meaning, “to step across the line,” to know and simply deliberately do it anyway. For example to know that it is a sin to eat the only apple on your neighbor’s young apple tree, but to steal and eat it anyway. The second word, disobedience, is a little different. It means to know what one should do, but to ignore and not do that God has directed. Under this category falls to know what God has commanded to be the way to be saved, but to substitute something one would rather do in its place. As an example, to only partially obey the command to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. To ignore either one is to only partially obey. Immersion without repentance or repentance without immersion are equally sins. Peter’s words on that glorious first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection were, “Repent and be baptized (immersed) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38)
HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?
This is, of course, a rhetorical question. We are not expected to answer, because it is obvious that to not respond to the Lord, failure is certain. Jesus gave the answer when he said, “No man cometh unto the father but by me.” We can not disobey God and be saved. Neither, can we ignore him as if we do not know the way. There is no other way than through the way that Jesus gave to his apostles. The answer is the same whether you were contemporary with the apostles, or live today in the heart of Africa, or Dallas, Texas. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life, for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17)
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
To know what God wants of us, and to choose to put it off or aside, is of course, an answer.
GOD HAS GIVEN US SIGNS AND WONDERS
The very existence of the creation demands a creator. We do not question that the motor car we drive was designed and built by someone. How can we live in a universe that shows with every season the clockwork of God? Men ask, “Where did it come from?” God has answered that question, “In the beginning God.” There is not a man on earth that has not seen God’s hand in everything, if he will just look and wonder. What did God do? “He created the heavens and the earth.”
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.
__________
ANSWERED PRAYER
All praise to God! and, thanks to our daughter, Donna, who drove miles to drive me to surgery and again this morning. I am now seeing better than I have for a very long time this morning. I am to return to Dr Ku’s office next week and again in a few weeks.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER
6th. Sunday – Ezekiel 7, 8, Hebrews 6, Psalm 119:169-176
7th. Monday - Ezekiel 9, 10, 11, Hebrews 7, Psalm 120
8th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 12, 13, Hebrews 8, Proverbs 27:1-10
9th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 14, 15, Hebrews 9:1-14, Psalm 121
10th. Thursday - Ezekiel 16, Hebrews 9:15-28, Psalm 122
11th. Friday – Ezekiel 17, 18, Hebrews 10:1-18, Psalm 123
12th. Saturday - Ezekiel 19, 20, Hebrews 10:19-39, Proverbs 27:11-20
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 797 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” - Hebrews 5:8,9
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
From the Archive
A priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street.
However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach.
After watching the boys efforts for some time, the priest moves closer to the boy's position.
He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?"
To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
ANTI!CHRIST IS HERE NOW
Newsletter 267 October 30, 2011
1 John 2:15-27 King James Version
The excessive love of the material things of this world, which we call “materialism” has a far more sinister name, “antichrist.” Scripture tells us that it is impossible to love “mammon” and God at the same time, and that we must make a choice between them. Actually these three words are synonyms for the same thing. The majority of mankind is madly in love with material objects, whether they be in the form of money, homes, massive flat screen televisions, computers, luxury automobiles, all are included in the term, “mammon.” We can not permit that love to take charge of our lives. If we do, the spirit of antichrist, has won . The word antichrist mere means against, or opposed to Christ. The Christian can not be a lover of physical things. Certainly, there may be a time come when there will be “the” antichrist, but his spirit is alive and well even today.
LOVE NOT THE WORLD
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
IT IS THE LAST TIME
This is not something we can to face many years from now, there are many of this spirit upon us now. It is already the last time.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
MANY WERE NO LONGER WITH THEM.
Even in John’s day, those strong in the faith stayed with them even through persecution, but those weaker were being replaced by new babes in the Lord. Thus it is possible to grow rapidly and still be weaker, like the Willow by the stream compared to the Oak at a distance from the water..
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
ALL DREW STRENGTH FROM THE LORD
Spiritual strength does not come from the material things of the world. It comes only from the Lord. Those to whom John was writing knew this fact, they only needed to be encouraged to avail themselves of the truth through prayer and the word. God has given the material blessings of the world as tools for his work; not as a goal in life. He gives wealth that we might be generous in support of the weaker, buildings that we might use them to His glory, yes, even television and computers that we might be able to spread His message of salvation.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
If they knew the truth, and they did, They had the power to make things go smoothly, like grease on a rusty hinge, to God’s glory. God sees to it that all Christians have that needed to work smoothly together to His glory. John was not writing to teach, they had been taught. He was writing to encourage..
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
ANTICHRIST IS ANYONE WHO DENIES GOD
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him
____________
PRAYER REQUEST.
I WILL BE HAVING A SECOND CATARACT OPERATION MONDAY. Please pray that all will go well. I will still have a retina problem. We just pray that it will not require more attention. If I miss next week’s mailing, it will be because there is a problem of some sort.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
30th. Sunday – Song of Solomon 5, 6, 3 John, Psalm 119:120-136
31st. Monday – Song of Solomon 7, 8, Jude, Proverbs 26:11-20
NOVEMBER
1st. Tuesday – Lamentations 1, 2, Hebrews 1, Psalm 119:137-144
2nd. Wednesday - Lamentations 3, Hebrews 2, Psalm 119:145-152
3rd. Thursday - Lamentations 4, 5, Hebrews 3, Psalm 119:153-160
4th. Friday – Ezekiel 1,2,3, Hebrews 4, Proverbs 26:21-28
5th. Saturday - Ezekiel 4, 5, 6, Hebrews 5, Psalm 119:161-168
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 797 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“ Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” - 2 John 9-11
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
Problem Solving in the Suburbs
A neighbor was annoyed because he had to search for his newspaper each morning after the paperboy tossed it. Often he would find it, covered with dirt, under the car in the gravel driveway.
Then one-day the paperboy's mother mentioned that her son's ambition was to play professional basketball.
Our neighbor had an idea. When he got home, he attached a basketball hoop to a post on the front porch. Sure enough, the next morning there was a resounding "plunk" as the newspaper sailed through the hoop and landed by the door.
He never had to search for his paper again.
1 John 2:15-27 King James Version
The excessive love of the material things of this world, which we call “materialism” has a far more sinister name, “antichrist.” Scripture tells us that it is impossible to love “mammon” and God at the same time, and that we must make a choice between them. Actually these three words are synonyms for the same thing. The majority of mankind is madly in love with material objects, whether they be in the form of money, homes, massive flat screen televisions, computers, luxury automobiles, all are included in the term, “mammon.” We can not permit that love to take charge of our lives. If we do, the spirit of antichrist, has won . The word antichrist mere means against, or opposed to Christ. The Christian can not be a lover of physical things. Certainly, there may be a time come when there will be “the” antichrist, but his spirit is alive and well even today.
LOVE NOT THE WORLD
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
IT IS THE LAST TIME
This is not something we can to face many years from now, there are many of this spirit upon us now. It is already the last time.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
MANY WERE NO LONGER WITH THEM.
Even in John’s day, those strong in the faith stayed with them even through persecution, but those weaker were being replaced by new babes in the Lord. Thus it is possible to grow rapidly and still be weaker, like the Willow by the stream compared to the Oak at a distance from the water..
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
ALL DREW STRENGTH FROM THE LORD
Spiritual strength does not come from the material things of the world. It comes only from the Lord. Those to whom John was writing knew this fact, they only needed to be encouraged to avail themselves of the truth through prayer and the word. God has given the material blessings of the world as tools for his work; not as a goal in life. He gives wealth that we might be generous in support of the weaker, buildings that we might use them to His glory, yes, even television and computers that we might be able to spread His message of salvation.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
If they knew the truth, and they did, They had the power to make things go smoothly, like grease on a rusty hinge, to God’s glory. God sees to it that all Christians have that needed to work smoothly together to His glory. John was not writing to teach, they had been taught. He was writing to encourage..
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
ANTICHRIST IS ANYONE WHO DENIES GOD
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him
____________
PRAYER REQUEST.
I WILL BE HAVING A SECOND CATARACT OPERATION MONDAY. Please pray that all will go well. I will still have a retina problem. We just pray that it will not require more attention. If I miss next week’s mailing, it will be because there is a problem of some sort.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
30th. Sunday – Song of Solomon 5, 6, 3 John, Psalm 119:120-136
31st. Monday – Song of Solomon 7, 8, Jude, Proverbs 26:11-20
NOVEMBER
1st. Tuesday – Lamentations 1, 2, Hebrews 1, Psalm 119:137-144
2nd. Wednesday - Lamentations 3, Hebrews 2, Psalm 119:145-152
3rd. Thursday - Lamentations 4, 5, Hebrews 3, Psalm 119:153-160
4th. Friday – Ezekiel 1,2,3, Hebrews 4, Proverbs 26:21-28
5th. Saturday - Ezekiel 4, 5, 6, Hebrews 5, Psalm 119:161-168
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 797 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“ Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” - 2 John 9-11
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
Problem Solving in the Suburbs
A neighbor was annoyed because he had to search for his newspaper each morning after the paperboy tossed it. Often he would find it, covered with dirt, under the car in the gravel driveway.
Then one-day the paperboy's mother mentioned that her son's ambition was to play professional basketball.
Our neighbor had an idea. When he got home, he attached a basketball hoop to a post on the front porch. Sure enough, the next morning there was a resounding "plunk" as the newspaper sailed through the hoop and landed by the door.
He never had to search for his paper again.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
THEIR CONVERSION
Newsletter 265 October 16, 2011
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
NOT IN VAIN
This is considered to be the first of Paul’s letters to the churches, and the church at Thessalonica did not seem to have the moral or doctrinal problems that some of the others has so it is not a book with a lot of doctrinal teaching. Paul here spends more time on practical matters.
This chapter begins with his encouraging them that he feels that his time there was well spent, and well worth all that had happened. It was not in vain. There were places that he probably felt that his stay was not only painful, but ineffective. Thessalonica was definitely time well spent.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Being that Philippi was a nearby city, they would have been aware that at Philippi he had been arrested, and mistreated, but that he had been well accepted by some, including the jailor and his family, and of course Lydia and her fellow workers in their trade.
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
The fact is that we are sent of God and not of men, and our message is not our own. We are His spokesmen and it is to Him that we must answer. This is as true today as it was in that day. We will be judged by how well we represent God and His word, not whether people believe and obey. Every day that passes means we are one day nearer to the judgment. This is even more apparent when we compare our own present span of life with the average span. Some are already well past that point years ago.
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
If we are overly concerned that we please men, we would drop all reference to “sin” and “stewardship,” and “repentance,“ and “forgiveness.“ In fact there are many who preach such a message today. A church I knew in South Africa treated the musical portion of their worship as a “pep session.” building up to the message which will make people feel even better about themselves and their lives. For example, to pray specifically for what you want, their evangelist wanted gleaming black Mercedes. After all, they reasoned, God wants to bless you. I would like to see the chapter and verse for that particular promise. You won’t find it if you are thinking of this life on earth. Jesus suffered, and we can expect to get the same sort of response. He does promise blessings if we suffer for his sake.
Speaking from personal experience, my email address and blog addresses have been appropriated by the “Nigerian Mafia.” They in turn have the full attention of the United Nations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of State, and others, even the receiver of Revenue. The fact that I know none of these people is hard to believe when there are bank accounts In Lagos, and other banks as well, which have my e-mail address in place of a name on them. I can neither close them nor move them. To go to Nigeria in person, would be to risk one’s life, perhaps even a knock on my own apartment door, for they have scattered over the world. If it is ever made available, I have a list of worthy Christian missions and charities to send it, after taxes of course. I am not holding my breath though. It is up to my Lord.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
A FREE MESSAGE
Paul, as ourselves, did not expect those we hope to help to pay as well. He was a tent maker, I a missionary..
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
NOT CHARGEABLE
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
MINISTRY OF WITNESSING
We, along with the church at Thessalonica, are saved to tell others of our Lord and His message of salvation because of his great love.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
EXHORTED AND COMFORTED
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
BRING THE WORD
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
16th. Sunday – Jeremiah 37, 38, 39, 2 Thessalonians 1, Psalm 119:41-48
17th. Monday – Jeremiah 40, 41, 42, 2 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:49-56
18th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 43, 44, 2 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:57-64
19th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 45, 46, 47, Titus 1, Proverbs 25:11-20
20th. Thursday - Jeremiah 48, 49:27, Titus 2, Psalm 119:65-72
21st. Friday – Jeremiah 49:28-50:46, Titus 3, Psalm 119:73-80
22nd. Saturday - Jeremiah 51:1-58, Philemon, Proverbs 119:81-88
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS BY CATEGORIES
(With links to 794 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
CHURCH ANSWERING MACHINE
“For the church service schedule, press one, For office hours, press two, For forgiveness of sins, press three, If you want to pray alone, hang up”
“When it comes to giving, some folks stop at nothing.”
“If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.”
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
NOT IN VAIN
This is considered to be the first of Paul’s letters to the churches, and the church at Thessalonica did not seem to have the moral or doctrinal problems that some of the others has so it is not a book with a lot of doctrinal teaching. Paul here spends more time on practical matters.
This chapter begins with his encouraging them that he feels that his time there was well spent, and well worth all that had happened. It was not in vain. There were places that he probably felt that his stay was not only painful, but ineffective. Thessalonica was definitely time well spent.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Being that Philippi was a nearby city, they would have been aware that at Philippi he had been arrested, and mistreated, but that he had been well accepted by some, including the jailor and his family, and of course Lydia and her fellow workers in their trade.
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
The fact is that we are sent of God and not of men, and our message is not our own. We are His spokesmen and it is to Him that we must answer. This is as true today as it was in that day. We will be judged by how well we represent God and His word, not whether people believe and obey. Every day that passes means we are one day nearer to the judgment. This is even more apparent when we compare our own present span of life with the average span. Some are already well past that point years ago.
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
If we are overly concerned that we please men, we would drop all reference to “sin” and “stewardship,” and “repentance,“ and “forgiveness.“ In fact there are many who preach such a message today. A church I knew in South Africa treated the musical portion of their worship as a “pep session.” building up to the message which will make people feel even better about themselves and their lives. For example, to pray specifically for what you want, their evangelist wanted gleaming black Mercedes. After all, they reasoned, God wants to bless you. I would like to see the chapter and verse for that particular promise. You won’t find it if you are thinking of this life on earth. Jesus suffered, and we can expect to get the same sort of response. He does promise blessings if we suffer for his sake.
Speaking from personal experience, my email address and blog addresses have been appropriated by the “Nigerian Mafia.” They in turn have the full attention of the United Nations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of State, and others, even the receiver of Revenue. The fact that I know none of these people is hard to believe when there are bank accounts In Lagos, and other banks as well, which have my e-mail address in place of a name on them. I can neither close them nor move them. To go to Nigeria in person, would be to risk one’s life, perhaps even a knock on my own apartment door, for they have scattered over the world. If it is ever made available, I have a list of worthy Christian missions and charities to send it, after taxes of course. I am not holding my breath though. It is up to my Lord.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
A FREE MESSAGE
Paul, as ourselves, did not expect those we hope to help to pay as well. He was a tent maker, I a missionary..
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
NOT CHARGEABLE
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
MINISTRY OF WITNESSING
We, along with the church at Thessalonica, are saved to tell others of our Lord and His message of salvation because of his great love.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
EXHORTED AND COMFORTED
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
BRING THE WORD
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
16th. Sunday – Jeremiah 37, 38, 39, 2 Thessalonians 1, Psalm 119:41-48
17th. Monday – Jeremiah 40, 41, 42, 2 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:49-56
18th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 43, 44, 2 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:57-64
19th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 45, 46, 47, Titus 1, Proverbs 25:11-20
20th. Thursday - Jeremiah 48, 49:27, Titus 2, Psalm 119:65-72
21st. Friday – Jeremiah 49:28-50:46, Titus 3, Psalm 119:73-80
22nd. Saturday - Jeremiah 51:1-58, Philemon, Proverbs 119:81-88
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS BY CATEGORIES
(With links to 794 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2
__________
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
CHURCH ANSWERING MACHINE
“For the church service schedule, press one, For office hours, press two, For forgiveness of sins, press three, If you want to pray alone, hang up”
“When it comes to giving, some folks stop at nothing.”
“If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.”
Thursday, October 6, 2011
WILLING TO SUFFER FOR THE LORD?
Newsletter 264 October 9, 2011
Philippians 1:12-26 King James Version (KJV)
This letter is addressed to the church at Philippi. This church began with the conversion of Lydia and her fellow workers when they believed his teaching and obeyed his instructions out under the trees that bordered the riverside. Then it probably doubled with the conversion of the jailer and his family after they had been arrested and thrown into prison. These were people who knew hard work and suffering, and they showed this in the intensity of their love for others and for Paul, their evangelist. They sent often to aid him, even though at the time of writing, he was in prison again. He was there again because of preaching unpopular truths to nonbelievers.
He never complained of these problems, but counted them to be permitted of God that His Word might be preached, even to those who rejected it.
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
God can turn all conditions to good if we allow Him.
PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT SPREAD THE GOSPEL EVEN IN THE PALACE
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
How else could he have reached the very guards and staff of the palace? and through them, many others as well.
THIS STRENGTHENED THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There began during and after the great depression in America, a period when church buildings were neglected, and people were suffering, My own mother resorted to welfare for a short time, and I as a child mowed yards for 25c a time. Pockets were empty, but people were living by faith, and missionary projects both at home and abroad flourished. Bible colleges opened all over the nation. I, myself, enrolled in one of those infant schools, now a university. Then it had one concrete block building on an 18 inch campus all around. That was a time when faith and love flourished, and the church grew by leaps and bounds all over the world; also the college!
BUT IT WAS ALSO A TIME WHEN SOME BEGAN TO PREACH FOR THE WRONG MOTIVES.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
When things are easy, there is also a tendency to follow the easy path of seeking, not for love, but numbers for number’s sake, wealth, huge congregations, beautiful buildings with every amenity, and the ways of the world creep in. Why? Probably because the members feel unloved and neglected; perhaps, that they have become just a number.
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The whole gospel message is a message of love, so make those other things at least secondary, and return to a love based message where every convert has a job to do out of love. Not everyone is self motivated. Those will stay, but if he feels unloved and unnecessary, perhaps even “used” the weaker is going to find greener fields in which to graze, using the illustration of the church as like a flock.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
LIKE PAUL, TO DIE IS GAIN FOR ALL BELIEVERS
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
IF THE CHURCH SUFFERS, IT WILL GROW.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
BUT IF IT IS SOFT, UNLOVED, UNLOVING, AND FAITHLESS, IT IS ALREADY DEAD AND DOES NOT KNOW IT.
That is the difference between the church at Philippi, (Revelation 3:7-13) and the church at Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-22).
To me the church at Philippi represents the church struggling and coming out of the depression years, the church at Laodicea, the present, (materialist), loveless time of wealth, numbers, pride, and unfortunately death.
If we think of the letters to the churches as charting the church from beginning until the end of the era, then, the last one is also a warning. God spoke to all of them up until the last one as a body. He speaks to Laodicea as individuals.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
9th. Sunday – Jeremiah 20, 21, 22, Colossians 3, Psalm 118:1-8
10th. Monday – Jeremiah 23, 24, Colossians 4, Psalm 119:9-16
11th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 25, 26, 1 Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 24:23-34
12th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 27, 28, 29, 1 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:17-24
13th. Thursday - Jeremiah 30, 31, 1 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:25-32
14th. Friday – Jeremiah 32, 33, 1 Thessalonians 4, Psalm 119:33-40
15th. Saturday - Jeremiah 34, 35, 36, 1 Thessalonians 5, Proverbs 25:1-10
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 793 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:9-11
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
If you have insomnia, don’t count sheep,. Talk to the shepherd.
Sign in the window of the IRS - In God we trust; everyone else we audit.
If evolution is true, why do mothers still have only two hands?
Philippians 1:12-26 King James Version (KJV)
This letter is addressed to the church at Philippi. This church began with the conversion of Lydia and her fellow workers when they believed his teaching and obeyed his instructions out under the trees that bordered the riverside. Then it probably doubled with the conversion of the jailer and his family after they had been arrested and thrown into prison. These were people who knew hard work and suffering, and they showed this in the intensity of their love for others and for Paul, their evangelist. They sent often to aid him, even though at the time of writing, he was in prison again. He was there again because of preaching unpopular truths to nonbelievers.
He never complained of these problems, but counted them to be permitted of God that His Word might be preached, even to those who rejected it.
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
God can turn all conditions to good if we allow Him.
PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT SPREAD THE GOSPEL EVEN IN THE PALACE
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
How else could he have reached the very guards and staff of the palace? and through them, many others as well.
THIS STRENGTHENED THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There began during and after the great depression in America, a period when church buildings were neglected, and people were suffering, My own mother resorted to welfare for a short time, and I as a child mowed yards for 25c a time. Pockets were empty, but people were living by faith, and missionary projects both at home and abroad flourished. Bible colleges opened all over the nation. I, myself, enrolled in one of those infant schools, now a university. Then it had one concrete block building on an 18 inch campus all around. That was a time when faith and love flourished, and the church grew by leaps and bounds all over the world; also the college!
BUT IT WAS ALSO A TIME WHEN SOME BEGAN TO PREACH FOR THE WRONG MOTIVES.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
When things are easy, there is also a tendency to follow the easy path of seeking, not for love, but numbers for number’s sake, wealth, huge congregations, beautiful buildings with every amenity, and the ways of the world creep in. Why? Probably because the members feel unloved and neglected; perhaps, that they have become just a number.
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
The whole gospel message is a message of love, so make those other things at least secondary, and return to a love based message where every convert has a job to do out of love. Not everyone is self motivated. Those will stay, but if he feels unloved and unnecessary, perhaps even “used” the weaker is going to find greener fields in which to graze, using the illustration of the church as like a flock.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
LIKE PAUL, TO DIE IS GAIN FOR ALL BELIEVERS
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
IF THE CHURCH SUFFERS, IT WILL GROW.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
BUT IF IT IS SOFT, UNLOVED, UNLOVING, AND FAITHLESS, IT IS ALREADY DEAD AND DOES NOT KNOW IT.
That is the difference between the church at Philippi, (Revelation 3:7-13) and the church at Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-22).
To me the church at Philippi represents the church struggling and coming out of the depression years, the church at Laodicea, the present, (materialist), loveless time of wealth, numbers, pride, and unfortunately death.
If we think of the letters to the churches as charting the church from beginning until the end of the era, then, the last one is also a warning. God spoke to all of them up until the last one as a body. He speaks to Laodicea as individuals.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
9th. Sunday – Jeremiah 20, 21, 22, Colossians 3, Psalm 118:1-8
10th. Monday – Jeremiah 23, 24, Colossians 4, Psalm 119:9-16
11th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 25, 26, 1 Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 24:23-34
12th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 27, 28, 29, 1 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:17-24
13th. Thursday - Jeremiah 30, 31, 1 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:25-32
14th. Friday – Jeremiah 32, 33, 1 Thessalonians 4, Psalm 119:33-40
15th. Saturday - Jeremiah 34, 35, 36, 1 Thessalonians 5, Proverbs 25:1-10
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 793 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:9-11
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
If you have insomnia, don’t count sheep,. Talk to the shepherd.
Sign in the window of the IRS - In God we trust; everyone else we audit.
If evolution is true, why do mothers still have only two hands?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
WALK WITH THE LORD
Newsletter 263 October 2, 2011
Ephesians 5:1-21
King James Version (KJV)
I am sure that we have all seen the three year old boy, dressed as like his father as is possible, and copying his father in everything. He copies his walk, his mannerisms, and his talk. We see him and we laugh and say, “how cute.” But, this is what we as Christians ought to be doing, in our relationship with God our Father. This is what Jesus did in his relationship with his father, God. He said, “He that hath seen me has seen the father.” He is our perfect example.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Our text naturally divides into three parts. The first is:
WALK IN LOVE
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
The world sings it’s “love songs”, meaning a totally different thing than Christian love. When Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” God so loved the world,” “greater love hath no man than this,” he was speaking a “foreign language” to most of the world. Then he went on to define by example, what he meant. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son.” This is sacrificial love, beyond comprehension to most of the world, but, so very clear to believers. God, who made all things, loves us that much!. Just to make sure that we understand, Paul goes on to show the contrast between Christians and the world.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
To place he bow on the parcel, consider I Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three but the greatest of these is love.” This sets Christians apart. “By their love, ye shall know them.”
WALK IN LIGHT
They walk confidently, for they walk in light. They walk confidently because they are not in spiritual darkness. John 1:4-5, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
If you do this, you shall be fruitful. The presence of the Holy Spirit, given at baptism, when one “puts on” Christ, assures the Holy Spirit, the Spiritual guide
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Those things that may have once seemed so important, are now something to be ashamed of.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
WALK IN WISDOM
We seek and study that we might gain knowledge, but wisdom is given in answer to prayer. Solomon pleased God when he asked for wisdom and not power and wealth. As long as he kept his eyes on God, he had wisdom in such quantities that he is spoken of yet as the wisest man the world has ever known. People came from afar, to consult him, but when he took his eyes off God and started looking about at the pagan gods of his many wives, he started to make more foolish mistakes. Walk not only in light, but walk wisely in the steps of the Lord.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Why? , because the days are evil.
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
2nd. Sunday – Jeremiah 3, 4, Philippians 1:15-30, Psalm 116:1-11
3rd. Monday – Jeremiah 5, 6, Philippians 2:1-13, Proverbs 24:1-12
4th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 7, 8, Philippians 2:14-30, Psalm 116:12-19
5th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 9, 10, Philippians 3, Psalm 117
6th. Thursday - Jeremiah 11, 12, 13, Philippians 4, Psalm 118:1-16
7th. Friday – Jeremiah 14, 15, 16, Colossians 1, Proverbs 24:13-22
8th. Saturday - Jeremiah 17, 18, 19, Colossians 2, Psalm 118:17-29
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 792 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
One man met some interesting people when he moved into a new apartment complex. One woman told him, “I miss my ex-husband, but my aim is getting better. “ Another women said, “Sometimes I wake up grumpy, but most of the time I just let him sleep.”
__________
A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
__________
After church on a Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.”
“That’s okay with us,” his mother replied, but what made you decide to be a minister?”
“Well,” he said, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen.”
Ephesians 5:1-21
King James Version (KJV)
I am sure that we have all seen the three year old boy, dressed as like his father as is possible, and copying his father in everything. He copies his walk, his mannerisms, and his talk. We see him and we laugh and say, “how cute.” But, this is what we as Christians ought to be doing, in our relationship with God our Father. This is what Jesus did in his relationship with his father, God. He said, “He that hath seen me has seen the father.” He is our perfect example.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Our text naturally divides into three parts. The first is:
WALK IN LOVE
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
The world sings it’s “love songs”, meaning a totally different thing than Christian love. When Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” God so loved the world,” “greater love hath no man than this,” he was speaking a “foreign language” to most of the world. Then he went on to define by example, what he meant. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son.” This is sacrificial love, beyond comprehension to most of the world, but, so very clear to believers. God, who made all things, loves us that much!. Just to make sure that we understand, Paul goes on to show the contrast between Christians and the world.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
To place he bow on the parcel, consider I Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three but the greatest of these is love.” This sets Christians apart. “By their love, ye shall know them.”
WALK IN LIGHT
They walk confidently, for they walk in light. They walk confidently because they are not in spiritual darkness. John 1:4-5, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
If you do this, you shall be fruitful. The presence of the Holy Spirit, given at baptism, when one “puts on” Christ, assures the Holy Spirit, the Spiritual guide
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Those things that may have once seemed so important, are now something to be ashamed of.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
WALK IN WISDOM
We seek and study that we might gain knowledge, but wisdom is given in answer to prayer. Solomon pleased God when he asked for wisdom and not power and wealth. As long as he kept his eyes on God, he had wisdom in such quantities that he is spoken of yet as the wisest man the world has ever known. People came from afar, to consult him, but when he took his eyes off God and started looking about at the pagan gods of his many wives, he started to make more foolish mistakes. Walk not only in light, but walk wisely in the steps of the Lord.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Why? , because the days are evil.
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER
2nd. Sunday – Jeremiah 3, 4, Philippians 1:15-30, Psalm 116:1-11
3rd. Monday – Jeremiah 5, 6, Philippians 2:1-13, Proverbs 24:1-12
4th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 7, 8, Philippians 2:14-30, Psalm 116:12-19
5th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 9, 10, Philippians 3, Psalm 117
6th. Thursday - Jeremiah 11, 12, 13, Philippians 4, Psalm 118:1-16
7th. Friday – Jeremiah 14, 15, 16, Colossians 1, Proverbs 24:13-22
8th. Saturday - Jeremiah 17, 18, 19, Colossians 2, Psalm 118:17-29
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 792 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
One man met some interesting people when he moved into a new apartment complex. One woman told him, “I miss my ex-husband, but my aim is getting better. “ Another women said, “Sometimes I wake up grumpy, but most of the time I just let him sleep.”
__________
A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
__________
After church on a Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.”
“That’s okay with us,” his mother replied, but what made you decide to be a minister?”
“Well,” he said, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen.”
Sunday, September 25, 2011
JUDGMENT TO COME
Newsletter 260 V September 11, 2011
2 Corinthians 5:6-16 King James Version
Satan and his host of fallen angels are making a proverbial last stand. The Bible tells us that he is like a raging lion seeking whom he might devour, Recall when he tempted our Lord, pointing out the nations of the world, that he suggested that if Jesus would just worship him, he would turn the whole world over to Him. To be able to do that, he would have had to have the entire physical world under his control. You can not give away, that which is not yours.
That world, under Satan’s power, became such a vile place that there was little hope for any faith to survive. When it had come to that, God destroyed it using the great flood, saving only Noah and his immediate family to make a new start.
Satan then led them to build the Tower of Babel, but he was defeated yet again. When he tried to take over the Spiritual world, God defeated his goal by dividing the people into nations and scattering them abroad.
Our Lord had created that world (John 1:3), and it was perfect. Satan could only corrupt it. But, let us take a look at today’s world. It certainly is not perfect. On the purely physical side a hurricane destroyed a big portion of New Orleans. Many came to Texas and stayed. Their homes were gone. Just this year alone, An earthquake and tsunami, and now a typhoon have battered Japan, Haiti suffered an earthquake; a monstrous tornado destroyed a huge swath out of Joplin, and multiple tornadoes destroyed the south-east, now a hurricane has sped up the east coast accompanied by massive flooding and an earthquake. At the present after months of record breaking heat and drought, Texas is fighting massive outbreaks of raging fire everywhere, Its cattle are dying.. These are all physical. Satan, knowing that his end is looming is making a great struggle to destroy all that he can, and to financially destroy all that survive throughout the world. You could not pay me enough to live in California where so many earthquakes are considered to be “normal.” A really big one is expected, at any time.
Still, there is safety for the faithful. The church, which is Spiritual, is our refuge, and it shall safely survive it all. Because the church is Spiritual, Satan can not destroy it from the world. We are in the world, but need not to be of the world..
IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT.
We have a physical body, but we shall leave it behind, for Christians are basically spiritual beings, “born of the water and of the spirit.” We have “put on Christ.” Satan can not destroy Christ, or His.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
A SEPARATION IS COMING
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MEN
If he died for all, then all were lost, whether they knew it or not. The greatest needed thing on earth is not physical, it is spiritual. Food, clothing, shelter, money, transportation, and all the contents of our homes. None of these things can go to heaven. The world’s Museums are filled with the wealth of past empires, because. they could not take it with them. It is for this reason that when I pray for the sick, I also try to remember to pray for their Spiritual well being as well, for that is why our Lord came to dwell among us.
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER
11th. Sunday – Isaiah 27, 28, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 106:40-48
12th. Monday – Isaiah 29, 30, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 107:1-9
13th. Tuesday – Isaiah 31, 32, 33, 2 Corinthians 12, Proverbs 22:17-29
14th. Wednesday - Isaiah 34, 35, 36, 2 Corinthians 13, Psalm 107:10-22
15th. Thursday - Isaiah 37, 38, Galatians 1, Psalm 107:23-32
16th. Friday – Isaiah 39, 40, Galatians 2, Psalm 107:33-43
17th. Saturday - Isaiah 41, 42, Galatians 3:1-14, Proverbs 23:1-9
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 789 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 8:17
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the “cloud” version
After church one Sunday morning, a mother commented: “The choir was awful this morning.” The father commented, “The sermon was too long.” Their seven-year old daughter asked: “You’ve got to admit it was a pretty good show for a dime.”
"MARY'S LETTERS"
ISBN 978-1-4628-9618-9, hard cover $29,99
ISBN 976-1-4628-9617-2, soft cover $15.99
ISBN 976-1-4628-9619-8, kindle $ 7.69
Order from:Kindle.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Xlibris Bookstore.com, Cbookstore.com, Readers Store.com
2 Corinthians 5:6-16 King James Version
Satan and his host of fallen angels are making a proverbial last stand. The Bible tells us that he is like a raging lion seeking whom he might devour, Recall when he tempted our Lord, pointing out the nations of the world, that he suggested that if Jesus would just worship him, he would turn the whole world over to Him. To be able to do that, he would have had to have the entire physical world under his control. You can not give away, that which is not yours.
That world, under Satan’s power, became such a vile place that there was little hope for any faith to survive. When it had come to that, God destroyed it using the great flood, saving only Noah and his immediate family to make a new start.
Satan then led them to build the Tower of Babel, but he was defeated yet again. When he tried to take over the Spiritual world, God defeated his goal by dividing the people into nations and scattering them abroad.
Our Lord had created that world (John 1:3), and it was perfect. Satan could only corrupt it. But, let us take a look at today’s world. It certainly is not perfect. On the purely physical side a hurricane destroyed a big portion of New Orleans. Many came to Texas and stayed. Their homes were gone. Just this year alone, An earthquake and tsunami, and now a typhoon have battered Japan, Haiti suffered an earthquake; a monstrous tornado destroyed a huge swath out of Joplin, and multiple tornadoes destroyed the south-east, now a hurricane has sped up the east coast accompanied by massive flooding and an earthquake. At the present after months of record breaking heat and drought, Texas is fighting massive outbreaks of raging fire everywhere, Its cattle are dying.. These are all physical. Satan, knowing that his end is looming is making a great struggle to destroy all that he can, and to financially destroy all that survive throughout the world. You could not pay me enough to live in California where so many earthquakes are considered to be “normal.” A really big one is expected, at any time.
Still, there is safety for the faithful. The church, which is Spiritual, is our refuge, and it shall safely survive it all. Because the church is Spiritual, Satan can not destroy it from the world. We are in the world, but need not to be of the world..
IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT.
We have a physical body, but we shall leave it behind, for Christians are basically spiritual beings, “born of the water and of the spirit.” We have “put on Christ.” Satan can not destroy Christ, or His.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
A SEPARATION IS COMING
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MEN
If he died for all, then all were lost, whether they knew it or not. The greatest needed thing on earth is not physical, it is spiritual. Food, clothing, shelter, money, transportation, and all the contents of our homes. None of these things can go to heaven. The world’s Museums are filled with the wealth of past empires, because. they could not take it with them. It is for this reason that when I pray for the sick, I also try to remember to pray for their Spiritual well being as well, for that is why our Lord came to dwell among us.
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER
11th. Sunday – Isaiah 27, 28, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 106:40-48
12th. Monday – Isaiah 29, 30, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 107:1-9
13th. Tuesday – Isaiah 31, 32, 33, 2 Corinthians 12, Proverbs 22:17-29
14th. Wednesday - Isaiah 34, 35, 36, 2 Corinthians 13, Psalm 107:10-22
15th. Thursday - Isaiah 37, 38, Galatians 1, Psalm 107:23-32
16th. Friday – Isaiah 39, 40, Galatians 2, Psalm 107:33-43
17th. Saturday - Isaiah 41, 42, Galatians 3:1-14, Proverbs 23:1-9
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 789 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 8:17
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the “cloud” version
After church one Sunday morning, a mother commented: “The choir was awful this morning.” The father commented, “The sermon was too long.” Their seven-year old daughter asked: “You’ve got to admit it was a pretty good show for a dime.”
"MARY'S LETTERS"
ISBN 978-1-4628-9618-9, hard cover $29,99
ISBN 976-1-4628-9617-2, soft cover $15.99
ISBN 976-1-4628-9619-8, kindle $ 7.69
Order from:Kindle.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Xlibris Bookstore.com, Cbookstore.com, Readers Store.com
Thursday, September 22, 2011
THE CHURCH ETERNAL
Newsletter 262 September 25, 2011
Ephesians 3:14-21 King James Version
The church is not a building, whether simple of costly, it is only a building. Even the temple built in Jerusalem in honor of God and spoken of as His home was only a building and a rather short lived one at that, considering how long it was under construction. It was totally destroyed in 70 a.d. All that remains today is the wailing wall, really a retaining wall for the temple area.
The church is composed of those believers who have been obedient to the command to: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) We know this because for the first time the church is spoken of as being present in (Acts 2:47) where we read: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Other versions say, “were being saved.” Symbolically, Peter used the key, when he first preached, at Pentecost, how to become a Christian. No man adds anyone to the church. Our, all knowing, almighty Lord does that, It is His church. Through Christ, and His church, we come to the Father.
GOD THE FATHER
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
ALL CHRISTIANS BEAR THE SON’S NAME
How very right it is that we bear he name “Christian”, meaning belonging to Christ. Add to that to be a part of the “whole family”, both here and in Heaven is an infinitely greater blessing. We are not there as servants, that is the work of the angels, we are there as adopted children, who bear the same name and have the same rights as our brother by adoption, Christ Jesus.
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
STRENGTHENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A truly Christian family is a wonderful thing, and to make certain that we remain that way, God sent us a blessing in the gift of the Holy Ghost.
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
THROUGH WHOM WE ARE STRENGTHENED
If the Holy Ghost in our hearts with Jesus as well, through faith we are rooted and well grounded for ever. We are enfolded in His love for us and we for one another. That includes all saints, Christians world-wide, “breadth, length, depth, and height.” As Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, and the astronauts have been in outer space, God is there, and His love is there for and with us.
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
HIS LOVE CAN NOT BE MEASURED
There is no way that we can understand that great love. It is beyond our ability, but it is there. It encompasses far beyond our human limitations, but one day we will know. Sometime we say, “I want to ask this when I get to heaven.” I think we will know without asking.
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
GLORY TO HIS PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, ETERNAL
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER
25th. Sunday – Isaiah 63, 64, Ephesians 3, Proverbs 23:19-27
26th. Monday – Isaiah 65, 66, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 112
27th. Tuesday – Micah 1, 2, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 113
28th. Wednesday - Micah 3, 4, 5, Ephesians 5:1-16 , Psalm 114
29th. Thursday - Micah 6, 7, Ephesians 5:17-33, Proverbs 23:28-35
30th. Friday – Nahum 1, 2, 3, Ephesians 6, Psalm 115:1-9
OCTOBER
1st. Saturday - Jeremiah 1, 2, Philippians 1:1-14, Psalm 115:10-18 __________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 791 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
OOPS!
The pastor received the following thank you note from a newlywed in his congregation. “Dear pastor: I want to thank you for performing our marriage ceremony. It was beautiful the way you brought my happiness to a conclusion.”
__________
A pastor was called to a local nursing home to perform a wedding. An anxious old man met him at the door. The pastor sat down to counsel the old man and asked several questions. “Do you love her?”
The old man replied, “Nope.”
Is she a good Christian woman?”
“I don’t know for sure.” the old man answered.
“Does she have lots of money?” asked the pastor.
“I doubt it.”
“Then why are you marrying her?” The preacher asked.
“Cause she can drive at night.” The old man said.
Ephesians 3:14-21 King James Version
The church is not a building, whether simple of costly, it is only a building. Even the temple built in Jerusalem in honor of God and spoken of as His home was only a building and a rather short lived one at that, considering how long it was under construction. It was totally destroyed in 70 a.d. All that remains today is the wailing wall, really a retaining wall for the temple area.
The church is composed of those believers who have been obedient to the command to: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) We know this because for the first time the church is spoken of as being present in (Acts 2:47) where we read: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Other versions say, “were being saved.” Symbolically, Peter used the key, when he first preached, at Pentecost, how to become a Christian. No man adds anyone to the church. Our, all knowing, almighty Lord does that, It is His church. Through Christ, and His church, we come to the Father.
GOD THE FATHER
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
ALL CHRISTIANS BEAR THE SON’S NAME
How very right it is that we bear he name “Christian”, meaning belonging to Christ. Add to that to be a part of the “whole family”, both here and in Heaven is an infinitely greater blessing. We are not there as servants, that is the work of the angels, we are there as adopted children, who bear the same name and have the same rights as our brother by adoption, Christ Jesus.
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
STRENGTHENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A truly Christian family is a wonderful thing, and to make certain that we remain that way, God sent us a blessing in the gift of the Holy Ghost.
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
THROUGH WHOM WE ARE STRENGTHENED
If the Holy Ghost in our hearts with Jesus as well, through faith we are rooted and well grounded for ever. We are enfolded in His love for us and we for one another. That includes all saints, Christians world-wide, “breadth, length, depth, and height.” As Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, and the astronauts have been in outer space, God is there, and His love is there for and with us.
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
HIS LOVE CAN NOT BE MEASURED
There is no way that we can understand that great love. It is beyond our ability, but it is there. It encompasses far beyond our human limitations, but one day we will know. Sometime we say, “I want to ask this when I get to heaven.” I think we will know without asking.
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
GLORY TO HIS PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, ETERNAL
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER
25th. Sunday – Isaiah 63, 64, Ephesians 3, Proverbs 23:19-27
26th. Monday – Isaiah 65, 66, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 112
27th. Tuesday – Micah 1, 2, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 113
28th. Wednesday - Micah 3, 4, 5, Ephesians 5:1-16 , Psalm 114
29th. Thursday - Micah 6, 7, Ephesians 5:17-33, Proverbs 23:28-35
30th. Friday – Nahum 1, 2, 3, Ephesians 6, Psalm 115:1-9
OCTOBER
1st. Saturday - Jeremiah 1, 2, Philippians 1:1-14, Psalm 115:10-18 __________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 791 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
__________
http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________
OOPS!
The pastor received the following thank you note from a newlywed in his congregation. “Dear pastor: I want to thank you for performing our marriage ceremony. It was beautiful the way you brought my happiness to a conclusion.”
__________
A pastor was called to a local nursing home to perform a wedding. An anxious old man met him at the door. The pastor sat down to counsel the old man and asked several questions. “Do you love her?”
The old man replied, “Nope.”
Is she a good Christian woman?”
“I don’t know for sure.” the old man answered.
“Does she have lots of money?” asked the pastor.
“I doubt it.”
“Then why are you marrying her?” The preacher asked.
“Cause she can drive at night.” The old man said.
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