Category: BELIEVERS

Bruising the Devil

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (Romans 16:20)

This is an intriguing promise, suggesting that believers can somehow inflict bruises on the devil, who is perpetually seeking to “devour” them (1 Peter 5:8). This promise is a clear allusion to the primeval assurance of Genesis 3:15, when God promised that the unique “seed” of “the woman” would eventually “bruise” (actually “crush”) the head of the old serpent, the devil. This prophecy will finally be fulfilled in Christ’s ultimate victory, when Satan first will be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit and then confined forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:2, 10).

In the meantime believers, who also in a sense are the woman’s spiritual “seed” (Revelation 12:17), can repeatedly achieve local and temporary victories over Satan and his wiles by resisting him “steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9).
If we resist him as Jesus did with relevant Scripture, then God promises that he will “flee from you” (James 4:7). Such local victories can be obtained over these dangerous teachers whom Satan is using (note Romans 16:17-19, just preceding today’s text) “shortly” in this manner, but we need to be continually alert against his recurrent attacks. The ultimate victory over Satan, of course, will be won only by the Lord Jesus when He returns, and we must “be sober, be vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8) until that time.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we must perpetually “wrestle…against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12), who will be casting “fiery darts” (v. 16) against each believer. Finally, with the sword of the Spirit that is the Word of God (v. 17), we can even by God’s grace inflict spiritual wounds on Satan himself!

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Man o Man

Men – Boys, this is for you. A look at special commands for MALES!
Women seem to be more interested in spiritual things than men.
Men seem to be content in where they are, spiritually.
ADAM vs EVE Genesis 3:5-6
Adam was content with his relationship with God.
Eve apparently wanted more.
Some directions for Men
1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Serve where you are, be content.
Don’t try to be something you are not.
Don’t think being a Christian entitles you to favors from this world.
1 Corinthians 11:3 Man is head of the house.
1 Timothy 2:13-14 Man was formed first.
1 Timothy 3:4-5 Rule over your house.
Rules for Marriage
1 Corinthians 7:2-5 Every man has his own wife
Husband, render due benevolence
Marriage is a two way street, but each mate has their own responsibilities.
HUSBANDS
Ephesians 5:25,28-29, 30,33
Colossians 3:19
1 Peter 3:7
FATHERS – 2 commands
Ephesians 6:4 Correct them, don’t punish them
Teach them about God and godly things.
Colossians 3:21 Build, don’t destroy
SOME GUILD LINES
1 Corinthians 11:4-14 Hair styles
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Support God’s work
Titus 2:2 Aged Men
Titus 2:6-8 Young Men
1 Timothy 2:8 Remember to Pray, always.
O MAN OF GOD
1 Timothy 6:11-16 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

MEN – Are you WHAT God wants? Are you WHERE God wants you?
⇛ checkout List of Topics

Some Day …

Most little girls dream of a handsome prince charming coming on his white steed and sweeping them off their feet and whisking them away to live happily ever. Either because of Cinderella or perhaps the story grew because of dreams.
June has developed as the wedding month, why June? There are many legends and customs. Here is one: The goddess Juno (for whom June is named) was the protector of women in all aspects of life, but especially in marriage and childbearing.
There are many customs connected with weddings. Even in the Bible, we see development of weddings.
Genesis 2:23-25 ADAM and Eve First mention of WIFE Genesis 3:6 HUSBAND
Genesis 24:57-67 … First Ceremony
Genesis 27:21 … First wedding feast
What exactly does WEDDING mean? And what does all the pomp and ceremony mean?
Origin of Wedding … (as a word) … The WED was the purchase money (or equivalent) which the Groom gave to the Bride’s father, either before or after she became his wife.
Three basic types of marriage:
Marriage by capture (usually force)
Marriage by purchase
Marriage by Love
Religion and Marriage never really came together until after the COUNCIL OF TRENT … a valid catholic wedding had to consist of two or three witness’s and be preformed by a priest.
Prior to this time (around 1500) weddings consisted of two people deciding to live together.
Usually, it was the decision of the man.
SOME OF THE CUSTOMES THAT DEVELOPED AND STILL REMAIN:
The ENGAGEMENT … the time between betrothal and the wedding, is not today what was.
One ancient custom among common people was the breaking of a piece of gold or silver, one half to the girl and the other keep by the man, thus sealing their vow of marriage. In ancient Ireland, a man gave his girl a bracelet of woven human (his) hair (pity the poor bald man). The engagement ring can be traced back to 4 BC. Engraved in one found was the Greek word equivalent to HONEY.
The WEDDING RING … also traced back to ancient Egypt, symbolizes a tie for eternity. It was made out of every conceivable type of material, varying in sizes, many times to large to be worn. (Hebrews did not wear ornamental jewelry). It symbolizes for the woman … subjugation. For the man … bondage.
The very finger the ring is worn on has a lot of symbolism. The left hand symbolizes Subjection…The right hand symbolizes Power, Authority. The finger chosen is thought to have a nerve or vein that runs directly to the seat of love, the heart. It \was chosen because it is guarded on both sides by other fingers and it is the finger least used.
The WEDDING SHOES … also a symbol of authority. The bride’s father gave the groom one of his shoes which meant the authority for the bride passed from father to husband. His first act was to tap his bride’s head. The shoe is illustrated in the story of Ruth.
RICE AT WEDDINGS … symbol of fertility or productiveness. Fruit, Nuts, Wheat, Barly have also been used. Even cooked Rice (still wet) has been used. Among primitive tribes, throwing rice was done to ward off the demons … Rice was also offered to keep the soul of the Groom from leaving the Bride … The bride has also been beaned by rice cakes.
The WEDDING CAKE … a carry over from eating of special foods and the wedding feast … it’s size and shape is traced back to Northern England where many small cakes were prepared and then stacked. The Groom was to try to kiss the bride over the stack and a successful completion (not knocking any part of the stack over) meant a long and happy life together … A French baker saw a problem and developed the idea of cementing the cakes together with frosting … Hence the wedding cake.
The HONEYMOON … a remanent of the days when the Groom had to capture his wife and literally hid out with her to avoid her family or tribe. The word comes from Northern Europe where the young married couple drank a kind of wine made from honey for the firth month of their marriage … thus, the Honey Month became the Honeymoon. It symbolizes the period of sweetness and delight.
For more about WEDDING PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD
Continue Some Day Part 2

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

True Christians

How does one know they are a True Christian? The Scripture gives us signs:
1 A New Birth:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2 A Growth
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 Peter 1:5-6 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
3 A New Garment
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Zechariah 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
 Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

⇛ continue reading True Christians Part 2

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Believers Should Be

BELIEVERS OF THE BIBLE
That it is the literal and infallible word of God
LED
By the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the spirit
HAVE
The Father’s Heart for the lost, the poor, the elderly, the widow and the orphans
A HOUSE
Shall be called a house of prayer. Prayer is the foundation of all ministry
WILL
Be called the servants of the Most High God. We are here to serve Him in ministry
IN EVERYTHING WE DO
We glorify our Lord. It is our love for Him that compels us
Standing Firm
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

SAMUEL Called by God

God Called Samuel – to do His work.
WHY? 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

Ever wonder why God hasn’t called you? Could it be:

Lack of dedication.
We all want to serve … IF it doesn’t interfere with other plans.
Church attendance … IF nothing else comes up.
Not sure how to serve … Service opportunities:
Teach Sunday School, Sing in choir, Usher, Door greeters, Nursery Worker, Bus Driver, Church Cleaning, Decorating, Visitation, Soul winning …

Habitually late for appointments.
5-10 minutes … never on time … you are cheating others.

Don’t keep your word.
Promise to do something … and don’t
Promise to be somewhere … Don’t show up (or arrive very late).

When you fulfill 1 Samuel 2:26, you’ll be hearing from God.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Lights

Read Ephesians 5:1-10 (vs 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:)
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
What is known about light?
It’s cheerful
It radiates warmth
It drives away the darkness
It reveals the things around it
It draws attention to itself
Matthew 5:14 … a city … ever notice how cheerful a city all light up appears and how warm that city appears?
John 8:12 The Lord Jesus drives away the darkness
Matthew 5:15 Reveals things … Gives light to all in the house
Matthew 5:16 Draws attention to self … that others may see
Matthew 5:14 What kind of a light are you?
Flash bulb, Flare, Flashlight, Light Bulb

Flash bulb Type … What is known about them?
They give off a very bright light … very briefly
Everyone knows when one goes off
They usually only shine when something is happening
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Not always Warm? … Hot or a brief moment
Drive away darkness? … very briefly Reveal things? … very briefly
Draws attention? … O yes However NOT the type of light to stay around!
Some Christians are like Flash Flash bulbs … Only time they show up is when something is happening, they never stay around very long.

⇛ continue reading Lights Part 2

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Confess your Sins

1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. This text is used in many churches while calling for its members to come for an altar call. And in other churches to compel people to go to confession booths. But, let’s apply the rule for Bible Study. Who said (wrote) it and to whom was it said (written). First, who wrote it? It was written by the Apostle John, one of the original 12 who were sent to the nation of Israel to tell of the Messiah and coming Kingdom. Second, to whom was it written? It was written to the Nation of Israel. Why did he use this statement? Look at: Leviticus 26:40-41 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity:

God had given the Nation of Israel THE LAW and they agreed to obey it. BUT THEY DIDN’T! Reread the text 1 John 1:8-10 (The pronouns apply to John and Israel). Since the Messiah had come and died for them, rising from the dead and ascending back to Heaven, John was telling them (as a Nation) they needed to confess that SIN (not obeying the Law) and when they did, God would forgive all. Look at Daniel’s prayer: Daniel 9:4-6,11 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

No, this text in 1 John does not apply to Gentiles. It applies to Israel! But what about Gentile believers (us). What about OUR SIN? According to the apostle to the Gentiles (Paul Romans 11:13), Christ took ALL our sins with His blood on the Cross. Past sins, present sins and future sins. This does not give us a license to Sin, but should encourage us to live for Him. Look what Paul wrote:

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

In Adam In Christ

During the 60’s and 70’s American was bombarded with INS!
Love-ins, Sit-Ins, Hate-Ins, Stand-Ins, Drive-Ins… Just so many protests!

IT’S A MUD-IN

Everyone wants to be IN … in the group.
Well, God is the originator of the IN group, and He says today, there are only two groups …
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
WE were all born in Adam.
Thru Adam, Sin entered into the world and has passed unto all born of a man and a woman. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When we Believe (Death, Burial, Resurrection) and (Confess Jesus as Lord) and are saved, then:
Thru Christ, a new life became available, an eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
A new position in Christ
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Anyone Anywhere Anytime can live a successful Christ life.
The Secret: Allow Christ to live it for you!

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Crucified with Christ

John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him..
Bethany was about 2 miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18). The Jews there were trying to kill Jesus (John 10:28,31). Thomas spoke a devoted soldier, ready to follow his leader into the jaws of danger, even death. Thomas was speaking in the natural, but his words were wiser than even he knew. In a very real way, these words are true for everyone who desires to be a disciple of Christ.

What’s the total meaning behind the death of Christ? Many, many Christians never comprehend the real meaning, the real power in the death, burial and resurrection of the Saviour, otherwise their lives would be different.

Christ died for SIN, once (Romans 6:10) and now He’s ALIVE. Because of this, we who believe, are dead to SIN. (Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We are alive, to live for God (Romans 6:11).

The difference between the Blood of Christ and the blood of animals … (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Animal blood covered sin …. Christ blood cleansed sin, washed it away …
When God saved you, He did not merely overlook your SIN, He removed it!
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
When God saved you, He forgave you, completely and finally … you will never beheld guilty for SIN again. (SIN is what you are (born a sinner, rebellion against God. SINS are what you do.)
God washed away, removed your sin with the Blood Of Christ.
He has justified you (Romans 5:8-9),
He has declared you righteous (Romans 5:18-21).
God, sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for SIN, condemned SIN in the flesh (Romans 8:3). Got that … God condemned the flesh, then put His Son in the flesh and killed the flesh … Why?
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Has it really hit you? God has condemned the house (your body) that you live in. It cannot live with God. You were at odds with God, in fact you were His enemy! (If you are not saved, YOU still are!)
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Thomas said “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”.

Have you every said “Oh, if only I could start over again?”.
You can! By believing the Gospel.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and confessing the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9-13).
When you do, (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. You are a new creation.

You may say “I’ve done that, but I’ve sinned since then!”.
Christ died for all your sins, Past present and future.
The Believers life is one in which we must die daily with Christ, Day by day, moment by moment (Romans 8:36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Psalm 44:22) Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. (Jeremiah 12:3) But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
John the Baptist said (John 3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease.
This should be our daily experience, more of Him, less of us! This is what the world should see in our life.
The Lord wants to work in all areas of your life.
(Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Let us also go, that we may die with him.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛