Author: Jim

Escape

John the Baptist questioned them:
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
The Lord Jesus had harsh words for the RELIGIOUS Leaders of His Day:
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Again He warned others:
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Then Paul warns of coming judgement:
Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
To believing Jews he wrote:
Hebrews 2:3 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;
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
To believing Jews Peter wrote:
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
Paul mentioned the Great salvation:
Romans 1:16-19 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Philippians 5:6-10 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 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. Wherefore 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;


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Thanksgiving

WHO SHOULD GIVE THANKS?
The upright … Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
All who love the Lord … Psalm 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
Poor and needy … Psalm 74:21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
WHEN TO GIVE THANKS:
Often … Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
When entering HIS presence … Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Before meals … Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Before eating anything … 1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
WHAT TO GIVE THANKS FOR:
His deeds … Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
His mercy … Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
His goodness … Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
His kindness … Psalm 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD
Revealing His word to us … Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
His unspeakable Gift … 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
All HIS benefits … Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Using me in HIS Service … 1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
For each other … 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
All Things … 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Victory over death … 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOW TO GIVE THANKS:
With your mouth … Psalm 66:16-17 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Living Faithfully … Psalm 119:7-8 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
By attending Church … Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
In unison with other believers … 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD.

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Wife

Have you ever thought what a wife is worth in Dollars and Cents?

Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The chart, “What’s a stay-at-home Mom worth?”, gives a general Dollar and Cents value. But the Scripture puts a higher value, “her price is far above rubies”. It then lists all that she is valued for. Yes, a good wife cannot be equaled.
Men, practice these:
You are the HEAD, but she is the neck that turn’s the head.
She is the hand that does the work, YOU are the glove that protects the hand.
Happy Wife Happy Life.
“her price is far above rubies”


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A Walk Thru Acts

The Acts of the Apostles is a book about transitions. From Salvation for Jews only to Salvation for Gentiles. From Law to Grace. From the Gospel of the Apostles to the Gospel of Paul. From Temple Sacrifice and Worship to personal sacrifice and church worship. Luke was the author of LUKE and ACTS. For who he is see Colossians 4:10-14, 2 Timothy 4:11. Theophilus (beloved of God) some believe is a real person, others believe this means all believers.

Let’s begin the walk, take a step:
⇨ Acts 1 ⇨ Acts 2 ⇨ Acts 3 ⇨ Acts 4 ⇨ Acts 5
⇨ Acts 6 ⇨ Acts 7 ⇨ Acts 8 ⇨ Acts 9 ⇨ Acts 10
⇨  Acts 11 ⇨ Acts 12 ⇨ Acts 13 ⇨ Acts 14 ⇨ Acts 15
⇨ Acts 16 ⇨ Acts 17 ⇨ Acts 18 ⇨ Acts 19 ⇨ Acts 20
⇨ Acts 21 ⇨ Acts 22 ⇨ Acts 23 ⇨ Acts 24 ⇨ Acts 25
⇨ Acts 26 ⇨ Acts 27 ⇨ Acts 28

A quick summary covers 29 AD to 68 AD (dates per chapter are best estimate). Paul went to unbelieving Jews and then to the Gentiles during each of his 3 apostolic journeys. His grace assemblies (churches) were comprised of these two groups of new believers. Travel to Asia (13:3-14:28) Greece/Macedonia (15:40-18:22) Asia/Greece/Macedonia (18:23-21:16) finally Rome (28:16-31)

DateChapter(s)Event
292Pentecost
79Saul’s Conversion
3912Peter in Prison
4513-141st Journey
5315Jerusalem Council
5416-182nd Journey
56-5818-213rd Journey

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Missions

Mission – Missions – Missionary

It’s interesting the terms used widely in churches are NOT found in the Scripture.

In ACTS we read about the travels of Barnabas and Paul, four different journeys, (which is how Luke and Paul refer to them).
No doubt Paul was on a “mission” to preach about the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and get gentiles to confess that the Lord Jesus was God (Romans 10:9) so that they could be saved.

So, by todays definitions Paul was a missionary. The four journeys:
Acts 13:4 1st They, Barnabas and Paul were sent forth …
Acts 15:56 2nd Let us go again…
Acts 18:23 3rd He departed Antioch …
Acts 22:1 4th … Sail into Italy …

Journey is found in: ACTS 9:3,7 10:9 22:6 26:13 ROMANS 1:10, 15:24
1 CORINTHIANS 16:6 2 CORINTHIANS 11:26 TITUS 3:13

Travel is found in: ACTS 11:19 Stephen ACTS 19:24 Paul
2 CORINTHIANS 8:19 Paul

Even though the terms are not in Scripture, we as believers must be on a mission to support (and/or go) missions and missionaries.

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God Tests His Own

Genesis 37-41 The story of Joseph
37:8-36 Rejected by his 11 brothers and sold into slavery
39:1-12 Tempted in the flesh
39:13-20 Lied about and cast into prison
40:1-23 Used by God and then forgotten
For two long years Joseph pondered his life … alone in prison
God tests his people before he uses them
41:9 Joseph is remembered
41:38-44 Quickly he rises in Power
Joseph realized that all he went thru had PURPOSE, as he told his brothers:
Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Noah was tested … Genesis 6 120 years to build the ARK
Abraham was tested … Genesis 22 told to kill his son (Isaac)
Daniel was tested … Daniel 1:1-4 Into a strange land, a slave
The Lord Jesus was tested …. Matthew 4:1-11 by Satan in the wilderness
To his fellow Jews James writes: James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Paul writes to Believers 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

How to deal with temptation:
Trust the Lord, Know His word, Pray without ceasing.

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Lights Part 2

Flare type … What is known about them?
Normally lit when there is danger around.
Must be broken to be lit.
Burn brightly for a season, then die out
Pretty while lit, but very dangerous
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Not always Warm? … Hot and usually dangerous
Drive away darkness? … for a while Reveal things? … while they burn
Draws attention? … O yes However NOT the type of light to stay around!
Some Christians are like Flares … God has to break them before they can be used … While they burn they are warning others but soon they forget about God and their light goes out.

Flash Lights Type … What is known about them?
Usually used in emergencies, usually giving directions.
They only work when their button gets pushed.
They need attention once in a while as they have a tendency to fail when needed the most!
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Yes, usually showing the way Warm? … not usually
Drive away darkness? … in one direction Reveal things? … directly in front of it
Draws attention? … O yes but limited!
Some Christians are like Flash Lights …
The only time they work is when they are pushed into a job.
They are only good for one thing, and they want all the attention.
If neglected, they usually quit what they were supposed to do!

Light Bulb Type … What is known about them?
There are many sizes, once turned on they continue to shine.
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Yes, what’s more cheerful than a light at night? Warm? … Yes
Drive away darkness? … in every direction Reveal things? … all around
Draws attention? … O yes, fills a dark room …
Some Christians are like Light Bulbs … Just turn them on and they keep shining!
Looking for the Lord’s coming!

What kind of a LIGHT are you?

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Marriages

DEFINED
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
A HUSBAND (a man)
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
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.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
A WIFE (a woman)
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
A family (Father, Mother, Children)
1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:20-21 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

MARRIAGE = One Husband(Male), One Wife(Female) and Children as God giveth.

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Priest


Priest(s)(hood) appears in the Old Testament 689 times.
And except for 6 references in Genesis 14:18, 41:45,50, 46:20, 47:22,26 and 3 in Exodus 2:16, 3:1, 18:1, they mostly refer to Jewish Leaders in the Tabernacle or Temple who offered animal sacrifices for the people.
In the New Testament 157 times. In the Gospels 93 times. In Acts 25 times. In Hebrews 34 times. Always referring to Jewish religious leaders in the Temple. Since the fall of the Temple in 70 AD, Religious Jewish leaders are referred to as Rabbis. (The priests were the ones who offered animal sacrifices in the Temple. That practiced ceased, but will start up again when the Temple is rebuilt).

In the early Jewish Church, in Acts, (Believers in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah) the leaders were referred to as Apostles, Deacons, Elders, Evangelist, Prophets ……

As Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles and formed churches, the leaders were referred to as Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Evangelist See CHURCH LEADERS ….. (Note: Priest(s) is never referenced by Paul in instructions to the Churches)

Some groups even refer to their leaders as “FATHER”. Look what the Lord Jesus says about that: Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Peter writing to Jews (strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, because of the persecutions of Saul and other Jewish Leaders) reminds them of Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:. (1 Peter 2:5,9) This will occur when the Temple is rebuilt. John, writing in Revelation about the coming Tribulation also refers to this priesthood (Revelation 1:6). And again, in Revelation 5:10. Then when the kingdom is established on earth, with Christ ruling from Jerusalem for 1000 years, John writes (Revelation 20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is all to the Jews, during that time.

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