Category: BELIEVERS

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Christian Life

LIKE the Psalmist … Who looks to the Lord for help. Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
LIKE Abraham … Who trusted the Lord Genesis 12:1-9 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:…
Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
LIKE Enoch … Who walked with the Lord daily Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
LIKE Moses … Chose to suffer afflictions rather than enjoy sin for a season Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
LIKE Daniel … Who communed with the Lord daily Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
LIKE Job … Patience under all circumstances Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
LIKE Caleb and Joshua … refused to be discouraged Numbers 13:30-31 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
LIKE Andrew … strove to lead his brother to the Christ John 1:40-42 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
LIKE John … To lean upon the Lord John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
LIKE Stephen … who manifested a forgiving attitude Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
LIKE Timothy … To study the word of God 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
LIKE Peter … To step out on Faith Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
LIKE Paul … Who could say “Be Ye Followers of Me” 1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

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Abundant Life

Read John 10:1-16
vs 10 “they might have it more abundantly” (What does that mean to you….)
The Bible is for everyone … and applies to all: Rich, Poor, Black, White, Yellow, Brown, Widow, Orphan…
It cannot only involve:
Material things … TV, Cars, Boats, etc.
External things … Food, Clothing, Job …
Personal things … Education, friendships, marriage, children …
This is written to all Believers, regardless of status in life, no matter where one lives.
Free Land, Communist Land, Dark Jungles, poor Nations, everywhere …
THEN, what is the Abundant Life?
Let’s look at 5 points from Scripture:

  1. A Life of Submission to the Lord.
    The Cross brings Salvation
    The Resurrection brings Victory. The Abundant Life is a victorious Life.
    Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
  2. A Life of Service. (For and to Christ)
    Christ’s Example Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.,
    Philippians 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
    Believers Responsibility Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
  3. A Life of Separation. (Not removal, BUT Denial, saying NO to self)
    Galatians 5:16-21 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
    Colossians 3:5-9 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
  4. A Spirit filled Life. (Controlled)
    Not as hard as it sounds. Pray daily “not my will, THY will be done”
    Some suggestions from the Bible: Ephesians 5-6
    Spirit Filled Life.. Seek God’s will every day, in every situation!
  5. A Life of Spiritual growth.
    Living involves growth …not stagnation
    1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
    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.
    Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
    Results of these 5 points …An Abundant Life

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Christ Is All

Without Christ ….. Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
In Christ ….. 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
For Christ .…. Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Through Christ ….. Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Know Christ ….. Phillipians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
With Christ ….. Phillipians 1:21-23 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Like Christ ….. Phillipians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Christ is All I need

A popular children’s song:
Christ is all I need,
Christ is all I need,
All, all I need,
Christ is all I need,
Christ is all I need,
All, all I need.

He was crucified,
For me He died, on Calvary.
That He loved me so,
This is why I know,
Christ is all I need.

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Gentiles

Defined as: a person who is not Jewish.

From Adam to Noah, some 1600 plus years, there is no distinction between the peoples.
After the Flood, Noah’s decedents were instructed to spread out and repopulate the earth Genesis 9:1.
As they multiplied, Nations were formed, Genesis 10:5, but they were all of one speech and one language, Genesis 11:1. They turned their backs on God and they build a city and tower to make a name for themselves: Genesis 11:1-4. So, God scattered them and confounded their language Genesis 11:7-8. Still no Jews. Then God chose one man, Abram a Hebrew, Genesis 12:1-3, and gave him many promises. After many years Abram was renamed Abraham, Genesis 17:5, and Sarai became Sarah Genesis 17:15. Again years passed and they had a son, Isaac Genesis 21:3. Still no Jew. Isaac took Rebekah to wife Genesis 24:67. They had twin boys, Esau and Jacob Genesis 25:26. Esau married, had sons who became the nation Edom Genesis 36:1. (Not Jews). Jacob married and fathered 12 sons Genesis 35:22. Jacob is renamed (by God) Israel Genesis 32:28. The twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) go into Egypt and under the leadership of Joseph prosper and multiply becoming a nation. 400 years later they are slaves of Egypt. God sends Moses to take them out and lead them to the promise land Genesis 12:7. But just when did they become Jews?
NOTE: The English term Jew originates in the Biblical Hebrew word Yehudi, meaning “from the Kingdom of Judah”.
The first mention of JEW is in 2 Kings 16:6. It would appear, as they occupied the promise land and grew as a nation, the descendants of Abram, a Hebrew, started to call themselves JEWS. The promises God gave to Abram were passed unto Isaac and then to Jacob and his 12 sons who became the nation of Israel, JEWS. Now, anyone descending from any of the twelve tribes (sons of Israel) are called Jews. The rest of the people of the world are Gentiles.
One can follow to Jews all thru history by reading the Bible. From Genesis to Acts, chapter 12, when God shuts the door to Salvation to the Nation of Israel, and opens the door of salvation to the Gentiles, who are spread all over the earth Genesis 11:7-8. This includes Europe, Asia, and the Americas. But as the gentiles traveled, they took with them their false gods and false religious practices. Remember the Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-4? These towers, pyramids are still being discovered in many parts of the earth.
Why did God exclude the Gentiles until He called Saul (Paul) to go to them with the Gospel? The answer is found in Romans 1:18-32. But now, the door of salvation is open to every individual, Jew and Gentile. Romans 1:13-17.

For more about who are Jews, See God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
For more about the tower, See Tower of Babel

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Marriage Failures Part 2

Marriage Success
Things to remember about Marriage:
Marriage is life’s biggest relationship and should be the longest and closest.
Become and expert on your mate. What makes them happy.
Talk over your relationship. Face life together. Remember your vows.
Seek help from others when problems arise.
Keep the Lord center in your marriage.

God has a divine order for EVERYTHING, including the Home.
Christ is head
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
He is over all
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Man is head of the Family
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Woman is to be the backbone of the family, loved by her husband
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Children are part of the family, obey parents
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Marriage Success includes:
FINICIAL… Partners in everything. Everything above the board.
IN-LAWS… Your mate comes first.
SEXUAL… Be lovers. Remember, love is more than sex, but sex is important. Given by God.
SPIRITUAL… Put Christ first. It’s His will for marriage to succeed.
Four things married couples ought to be:
Partners, Pals, Lovers, Christians
Believers in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and that He is God

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Bowling


Bowling is like Life:
Everyone has just so many frames to get the best score possible.
Some get good frames but mostly we get bad ones.
Why are some better than others?
— PRACTICE— PRACTICE— PRACTICE
To succeed as a Believer, we must PRACTICE.

Paul compares the life of a Believer to a runner.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Paul rebukes the Believers in Galatia.
Galatians 5:7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
Paul reminds to keep trying. Practice!
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
And to believing Jews (applies to all believers).
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Paul, knowing his ministry is coming to an end, reminds Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
And reminds him (and us) the results of practicing a good life.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

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