Genesis 45-46. Are you a deceiver, or, are you a servant of God____?
Our last lesson was of Joseph reaping the Goodness of God’s plan for his life after years of hardship and prison; he was made the number two ruler of Egypt. Remember Pharaoh had a dream of which only Joseph could interpret; there would be a famine of seven good years and seven bad years. Joseph is now 30 plus years old and God has given to him the keys to the kingdom of Egypt in order to preserve the lives of His chosen people, who still live in Canaan. This is the ultimate plan of God; to bring to fruition His promise that Abraham would be the father of a great nation, and through that nation, bring the Messiah. Scripture makes it clear, had Jacob and his family remained in Canaan; their lives would have been forfeited. But you say God could have provided for them to make it through the worst famine the world has ever known had they stayed. Yes He could, but this was not His plan for the family of Jacob (Israel), Joseph’s father.
First, came the 10 brothers to Egypt to buy supplies to sustain their families because the seven good years predicted by Joseph have now passed and they were in the second year of the bad seven years of famine. They, being foreigners, had to go directly to Joseph to buy their supplies. Joseph recognized them and tested them; but they did not recognize Joseph. He accused them of being spies; imprisoning them for three days. After releasing them, he sent nine of his half-brothers, keeping Simeon, on their way back to Canaan, requiring them to bring Joseph’s full brother, Benjamin, the other son of Rachel, back to Egypt with them. Remember Rachel was Jacob’s favorite wife and Benjamin is now his favorite son because he thought Joseph was dead. After much anguish, Jacob (Israel) was forced to send Benjamin to Egypt with his brothers to buy grain. On their return to Egypt is where our lesson picks up when Joseph tells his brothers who he was?
Genesis 45:1-5, “Joseph could no longer keep his composure in front of all his attendants, so he called out, “Send everyone away from me!” No one was with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and also Pharaoh’s household heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come near me,” and they came near. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt. And now don’t be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life”. Some think Joseph concealed his identity to punish his brothers as revenge for them selling him into slavery nearly 22 year before. This I do not believe, Joseph recognized that what happened to him was God’s plan to preserve the lives of God’s chosen family, Abraham’s descendants. If this was God’s plan, then who was Joseph to take vengeance on his brothers for their evil acts. In fact Joseph wept for his brothers because he had tested them. One very special trait of Joseph was forgiveness. Genesis 45:5, “And now don’t be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life”.
Scripture does not say so, but I suspect Joseph forgave Potiphar and his wife for what they did to Joseph because this was his nature. Where do you stand here, is it in your nature to forgive or is it your nature to get revenge___? When we think of what we did to Christ (our sin nature caused Him to go to Calvary to die for us) and He forgave us, how can we be one that holds a grudge and seek revenge? If you are a Christian, then Jesus should be your example, it is His nature to forgive.
Joseph has sent for his Father, Israel (Jacob) to join him in Egypt where he could take care of him and his family during the remaining days of the famine. Genesis 46 1-4, “Israel Jacob set out with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, and he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. That night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. And Jacob replied, “Here I am.” God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will put his hands on your eyes”. Jacob agreed to go to Egypt to visit his son Joseph, I am not sure he was planning to stay. Before he left the land of Canaan, however, he stopped and consulted with God as to what he was to do. God told him to go to Egypt and God would go with him. Jacob would die in Egypt. Although Joseph is prominent in this section of Genesis, we must be sure to mark the evidence of the spiritual man of faith in the life of Jacob (Israel). Jacob has become the man that God wanted him to be, and only God can make this kind of man.
The life of Jacob can be divided into three geographical locations: the land of Haran, the land of Canaan, and the land of Egypt. They are not only geographical areas, but they denote three spiritual levels of the life of Jacob. Jacob left the land of Canaan because of his lies and deception to his father carrying just a staff (a stick) with him Genesis 27:30 -33, 28:1-5. When Jacob arrived in Haran, he was still a deceiver; he was God’s man living in the flesh. Jacob came out of Haran, running. He was still a deceiver; He was running away from his father–in–law and was afraid to meet his own brother Esau, who he thought still hated him because of his deceptions of stealing his birthright, Genesis 31 14-23. Then coming back into the land of Canaan, Jacob had a wrestling match with God, now he is God’s man who is fighting in his own strength, Genesis 32: 22-32. At this time God changed his name from Jacob to Israel.
Now, Jacob is going to Egypt. He is not walking in his own strength, and he is not running away anymore. Now, Jacob is walking by faith and trust in God.
Jacob’s life can be divided into three human stages: 1. Jacob’s life in Haran pictures a man of God who is living in the flesh. 2. Jacob’s life in the land of Canaan pictures a man of God who is fighting in his own strength. 3. Jacob’s life in Egypt pictures a man of God who is walking by faith. How typical this is of most people today. 1. There was that time in your life when you came in contact with the Gospel, the Word of God, and was saved. 2. Then came a time of struggle; when you thought you could live you life in your own strength. Even now, perhaps you have not come to know the true power of walking with God. Or! 3. Perhaps there has come a time when you grew in grace, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and began your walk of faith. You have found the blessings one only finds in walking with the lord. Where do you walk today, 1, 2, or 3___?
If you are not saved, you cannot walk with God. You are dead to God. You do not have a living connection with God (you are not born again), you are not saved. To be saved you must recognize you are a sinner and come to Christ and ask for forgiveness for your sins. You must believe that Jesus is God and that He can save you. You believe with your heart that Christ died for you and you ask Jesus to save you. The instant you ask Jesus to save you, you will be saved, Romans 10:9-13.
The greatest tragedy of life is to die lost. The second greatest tragedy is to live your whole life without walking with God; you are saved but you live your life for yourself, never thinking of what God wants in your life? I urge you to get your Bible and find your “gift of joy”. That special thing God wants for your life. Joseph lived his whole life in the service of God. Jacob lived the last third of his life for God. How much heartache would Jacob have missed if he had lived all his life for God? The name of Jacob means deceiver. Israel means servant of God. Are you still a deceiver (a Jacob), living in the flesh, or, are you an “Israel”, the servant of God, ___? God Bless you, Cosby.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Our primary purpose is not to defend right from wrong, or truth from untruth---it's not even to defend Him. God can do that, remember. Our ulimate goal is to be fully yielded to Christ.
If we are primarily focused on the obvious sins of the world, we are diverted from our sins---pride, a lack of grace, self centeredness.
Shaunti Feldhahn "The Veritas Conflict"
If we are primarily focused on the obvious sins of the world, we are diverted from our sins---pride, a lack of grace, self centeredness.
Shaunti Feldhahn "The Veritas Conflict"
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
God's Cosmic Plan!
Another great lesson from Charles Cosby!
God’s Cosmic Plan!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 23, 24. When is “when” the wrong question ____?
A few years ago, the end times were on the minds of Christians and many books were written to explain them. Some writers even went so far as to indicate a questionable date of when Christ would return. Because in the minds of the people, they wanted to know “when” this would all take place. How wrong this was because it is not for us to know the day and hour when God will send Jesus Christ back to receive His own. They were asking the wrong question. “When”, is not for us to know. A better question would be; “what” must I do in the meantime or how can I remain faithful until Christ returns?
Today, one does not hear much about the end times; one, it does not sell books. Two, it has been forgotten because the preachers have moved away from controversial subjects. Three, Christians are not concerned with the end times but have joined the world in seeking all the gusto they can; living only for today.
In the early Church, the return of the Lord Jesus was very much on their minds. But as usual, error had crept into true doctrine. The people in Thessalonica were worried the Lord may have already come and they were left behind, or those who have died before Christ’s return would miss out on His Kingdom. Some began to question if Jesus really was going to come back and set up His kingdom. Being under great pressure from the very large Greek community around them, some began to flirt with loose living. Taking part, in the worship of the Greek gods on near by Mt. Olympus. Thessalonica was a key Roman colony devoted to the philosophy of Rome with a god-like worship of Caesar. Both situations had a heavy influence on the believers in Thessalonica. Paul was writing to them, encouraging them, to live their lives modestly, yet being consistently active in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the pressures we are submitted to today!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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”. Folks, know this, the Lord Jesus does not come as a “thief in the night” to His Church. We have many writers such as Paul in 1Thessalonians 4:15, Matthew 24:44-45, 2 Peter 3:10, all warning of the “Day of the Lord” that is coming. . We, the Christian, are to look for the return of Jesus (the Rapture) which will take place before the “Day of the Lord”. The “Day of the Lord” will have no effect on the believer as they will already be in Heaven. The “Day of the Lord” is the judgment of evil.
2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”. It is the world, who will experience the “Day of the Lord”, the Tribulation, Christ’s final return, and the White Throne Judgment, as a “thief in the night”. They will be saying peace and safety, all is well, living it up, enjoying life. God will say enough is enough and end Man’s time on earth. Take heart dear Christian, you will not be here for this terrible event. You will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ, our Lord. At Christ’s first coming, “the dead in Christ will rise first and then we that remain will be called up to join them in the air”, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober”. You are a child of the Light, Jesus, for He is light. You are not in the darkness of sin, as the world is. What an analogy Paul uses here, “Children of light and children of darkness”! When you became a believer, you became a child of light. You are in Christ Jesus, who is light, living in Heaven forever. You left the darkness, the domain of Satan, black with sin and shame, doomed to an eternity in Hell. This is unexpected by the world, unstoppable by Satan and Man, and inescapable if you die in your sins. If you are still living in Satan’s darkness of sin and shame, confess your sins to Christ and ask Him to save you from this terrible place. Do this now before it is too late.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober”. Knowing this, then how should we be living? Though we see those of the world sleeping in their sin and shame, stumbling about in the drunkenness of fame, power, and hellish living, we are not to envy them or want what they think they may have. Why long for their slumbering ways, when it will only bring us sorrow, heartache, and separation from the fellowship of God. We, as believers are blessed with the filling of the Holy Spirit of God, to walk in light and knowledge. We are not going to pay the awful price they will pay for their unforgiven sins. We are to walk the Christian life with purpose and self-control, knowing we are fulfilling God’s ultimate plan. The salvation of all who come to Jesus!
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul is reminding us of who we are. We are the chosen of God, the day dwellers, illuminated by the light of Christ. We already have the breastplate of faith and love covering our body in the form of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. He is our shield from the fiery darts of Satan. We have the helmet, the promise of Salvation written in the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, on the cross of Calvary. There is no wrath awaiting us. The love of God and the forever protection of His promises are our reward for receiving and trusting in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I
put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love)”.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 19-24 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying (preaching). Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it”. “When” is a tantalizing question but it is clearly the wrong one. We want to know how long we can play around before we have to get serious with God is what we are asking. We cannot wait until the last minute to serve God or accept Him as our Savior. We are not promised tomorrow or even the rest of this day. We must walk in the light of day in the power of the Holy Spirit, encouraging our brothers and sisters, and offering Salvation to all that are lost. We must place all our faith and confidence in the One that is faithful, the One, who goes before us in the battles of life, and the One, who will ultimately come and take us to be with Him in our new home in Heaven. Amen!
Prepared by Charles Cosby for the Internet Sunday school class.
God’s Cosmic Plan!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 23, 24. When is “when” the wrong question ____?
A few years ago, the end times were on the minds of Christians and many books were written to explain them. Some writers even went so far as to indicate a questionable date of when Christ would return. Because in the minds of the people, they wanted to know “when” this would all take place. How wrong this was because it is not for us to know the day and hour when God will send Jesus Christ back to receive His own. They were asking the wrong question. “When”, is not for us to know. A better question would be; “what” must I do in the meantime or how can I remain faithful until Christ returns?
Today, one does not hear much about the end times; one, it does not sell books. Two, it has been forgotten because the preachers have moved away from controversial subjects. Three, Christians are not concerned with the end times but have joined the world in seeking all the gusto they can; living only for today.
In the early Church, the return of the Lord Jesus was very much on their minds. But as usual, error had crept into true doctrine. The people in Thessalonica were worried the Lord may have already come and they were left behind, or those who have died before Christ’s return would miss out on His Kingdom. Some began to question if Jesus really was going to come back and set up His kingdom. Being under great pressure from the very large Greek community around them, some began to flirt with loose living. Taking part, in the worship of the Greek gods on near by Mt. Olympus. Thessalonica was a key Roman colony devoted to the philosophy of Rome with a god-like worship of Caesar. Both situations had a heavy influence on the believers in Thessalonica. Paul was writing to them, encouraging them, to live their lives modestly, yet being consistently active in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the pressures we are submitted to today!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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”. Folks, know this, the Lord Jesus does not come as a “thief in the night” to His Church. We have many writers such as Paul in 1Thessalonians 4:15, Matthew 24:44-45, 2 Peter 3:10, all warning of the “Day of the Lord” that is coming. . We, the Christian, are to look for the return of Jesus (the Rapture) which will take place before the “Day of the Lord”. The “Day of the Lord” will have no effect on the believer as they will already be in Heaven. The “Day of the Lord” is the judgment of evil.
2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”. It is the world, who will experience the “Day of the Lord”, the Tribulation, Christ’s final return, and the White Throne Judgment, as a “thief in the night”. They will be saying peace and safety, all is well, living it up, enjoying life. God will say enough is enough and end Man’s time on earth. Take heart dear Christian, you will not be here for this terrible event. You will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ, our Lord. At Christ’s first coming, “the dead in Christ will rise first and then we that remain will be called up to join them in the air”, 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober”. You are a child of the Light, Jesus, for He is light. You are not in the darkness of sin, as the world is. What an analogy Paul uses here, “Children of light and children of darkness”! When you became a believer, you became a child of light. You are in Christ Jesus, who is light, living in Heaven forever. You left the darkness, the domain of Satan, black with sin and shame, doomed to an eternity in Hell. This is unexpected by the world, unstoppable by Satan and Man, and inescapable if you die in your sins. If you are still living in Satan’s darkness of sin and shame, confess your sins to Christ and ask Him to save you from this terrible place. Do this now before it is too late.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober”. Knowing this, then how should we be living? Though we see those of the world sleeping in their sin and shame, stumbling about in the drunkenness of fame, power, and hellish living, we are not to envy them or want what they think they may have. Why long for their slumbering ways, when it will only bring us sorrow, heartache, and separation from the fellowship of God. We, as believers are blessed with the filling of the Holy Spirit of God, to walk in light and knowledge. We are not going to pay the awful price they will pay for their unforgiven sins. We are to walk the Christian life with purpose and self-control, knowing we are fulfilling God’s ultimate plan. The salvation of all who come to Jesus!
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul is reminding us of who we are. We are the chosen of God, the day dwellers, illuminated by the light of Christ. We already have the breastplate of faith and love covering our body in the form of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. He is our shield from the fiery darts of Satan. We have the helmet, the promise of Salvation written in the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, on the cross of Calvary. There is no wrath awaiting us. The love of God and the forever protection of His promises are our reward for receiving and trusting in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I
put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love)”.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 19-24 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying (preaching). Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it”. “When” is a tantalizing question but it is clearly the wrong one. We want to know how long we can play around before we have to get serious with God is what we are asking. We cannot wait until the last minute to serve God or accept Him as our Savior. We are not promised tomorrow or even the rest of this day. We must walk in the light of day in the power of the Holy Spirit, encouraging our brothers and sisters, and offering Salvation to all that are lost. We must place all our faith and confidence in the One that is faithful, the One, who goes before us in the battles of life, and the One, who will ultimately come and take us to be with Him in our new home in Heaven. Amen!
Prepared by Charles Cosby for the Internet Sunday school class.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A Chosen People
I have a friend, Charles Cosby, who writes and emails an Internet Sunday School Lesson each month. His latest lesson, A Chosen People, I have posted with his permission.
1 Peter 2:1-10
To be a Christian you must be "born again". What it took to bring us to being "born again" required the life and blood of the Son of God to be shed on the cross. Through His death on the cross the new birth was made available to you and I. God will not force us to receive the new birth but He has sent His holy Spirit to woo, draw, encourage, beg, us to come to Jesus (the Son of God) so He can give us new birth. The only way we can come to Jesus is in humility, confessing that we are a sinner and ask Jesus to save us. We will not be saved if we don’t ask Jesus to save us! We must believe by faith that He is who He said He is, the Son of God. That He died for us on the cross in our place, and that He can and will save us when we ask, Hebrews 11:1. This is called faith! Have you called upon Jesus Christ to save you, if not, why not do it right now? The "New birth" is God, through the Holy Spirit, making our soul new and alive that was dead in sin.
1 Peter 1:18-21, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God". You are included in the precious plan God set forth before the world began. God planned that you and I would have the opportunity to have the "new birth", shedding our burden of sin that was carrying us to death and hell. To live righteous lives before Him as we journey through our days on this earth. To enjoy this righteous life there are things we must do ourselves, (with the help of the Holy Spirit).
1 Peter 2:1-2, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby". We are responsible to lay aside malice, guile, hypocrisies, envying, and all evil speaking by completely removing them from our lives. Paul in Ephesians likened it to taking off a coat, Ephesians 4:22, 24, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,… And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". Malice is having a willfully formed desire to hurt someone, to have an unforgiving spirit. That bitterness you are carrying in your heart, that chip you are carrying on your shoulder daring anyone to knock it off. The Christian cannot have the fellowship God wants for him when malice controls his life.
"And all guile", using cleverness to get even with someone, to deceive someone into thinking you are something you are not by making a good impression for deceptive reasons. Ananias and Sapphire used this to impress the church into thinking they were big givers. God punished them by taking their lives as they spoke the lie to Peter.
"Hypocrisies, envying, and all evil speaking", hypocrisy is attempting to impress someone you are something you are not. Envying is having a bitter, restless spirit that longs for the success or the nice things of others to the point of begrudging them what they worked for and received because of that work. Not satisfied with what God has given them, angry because of their lack of money, looks, fame, and or successes.
"All evil speaking", slander of another, backbiting, someone working behind the scenes to damage the reputation of those they dislike. This is portrayed in nearly every daytime soap opera and many movies. So many watching these portrayals get caught up in them and incorporate this attitude into their lives. Which should give us a warning that we must be careful as to what we watch called entertainment.
Christians who do not read and study God’s Word are open vessels to Satan and his lies. 1 Peter 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby". Do you desire to know what God’s Word says? Peter said that new as well as old Christians should desire to know the Word of God. If you do not desire to know God’s Word or to know God better, your salvation is suspect and you must do some serious soul searching as to if you really are saved! Just as a newborn baby will die if they are not fed fresh milk, the Christian if he does not feed on the Word of God will die to the things of God. He will not grow spiritually, grow in grace, and will fall into dire sin. I did not say he will lose his Salvation, but his relationship with God will deteriorate to the point that he is totally taken over by the things of this world.
The study of God’s Word reveals who we are in Christ and how we fit into His plan for us and His Church. 1 Peter 2:4-7, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner".
Peter speaks of Christ as a living stone rejected by men. Christ came to build His Temple (the Church) by using us as new living stones. Until Christ made us alive through Salvation we were dead in our sins. He rejuvenated our soul to new life (the new birth). Once we are made alive to God, we became a priest (believer) working in a spiritual house (Christ’s church) offering sacrifices to God made acceptable through Christ. That stone that was rejected by men is now the head cornerstone of Christ’s church. That stone is Jesus Christ Himself. Have you experienced the "new birth"?
Those that rejected Christ have much to fear. 1 Peter 2:8, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed". To the Christian, Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith but to the disobedient, He is the rock of offence, the rock that one day will fall upon them in destruction. That same cornerstone will be the judge and jury of their life spent in rejecting Jesus Christ. Their appointment is Hell.
1 Peter 2:9-10, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy". We were once sinners, lost, on the road to hell. Because of Christ, our cornerstone, we are part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a set apart people. Who should show our gratitude to God for this wonderful thing He has done for us. Christ has taken us out of total darkness, brought us into His marvelous light, and has filled us with His love and mercy to overflowing.
How do you treat your fellow believer? Do you treat him with respect? They are princes and princesses just like you and I. They are part of God’s master plan. Jesus told us to love our brother, John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another"? Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments! Do you love Jesus ________?
1 Peter 2:1-10
To be a Christian you must be "born again". What it took to bring us to being "born again" required the life and blood of the Son of God to be shed on the cross. Through His death on the cross the new birth was made available to you and I. God will not force us to receive the new birth but He has sent His holy Spirit to woo, draw, encourage, beg, us to come to Jesus (the Son of God) so He can give us new birth. The only way we can come to Jesus is in humility, confessing that we are a sinner and ask Jesus to save us. We will not be saved if we don’t ask Jesus to save us! We must believe by faith that He is who He said He is, the Son of God. That He died for us on the cross in our place, and that He can and will save us when we ask, Hebrews 11:1. This is called faith! Have you called upon Jesus Christ to save you, if not, why not do it right now? The "New birth" is God, through the Holy Spirit, making our soul new and alive that was dead in sin.
1 Peter 1:18-21, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God". You are included in the precious plan God set forth before the world began. God planned that you and I would have the opportunity to have the "new birth", shedding our burden of sin that was carrying us to death and hell. To live righteous lives before Him as we journey through our days on this earth. To enjoy this righteous life there are things we must do ourselves, (with the help of the Holy Spirit).
1 Peter 2:1-2, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby". We are responsible to lay aside malice, guile, hypocrisies, envying, and all evil speaking by completely removing them from our lives. Paul in Ephesians likened it to taking off a coat, Ephesians 4:22, 24, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,… And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". Malice is having a willfully formed desire to hurt someone, to have an unforgiving spirit. That bitterness you are carrying in your heart, that chip you are carrying on your shoulder daring anyone to knock it off. The Christian cannot have the fellowship God wants for him when malice controls his life.
"And all guile", using cleverness to get even with someone, to deceive someone into thinking you are something you are not by making a good impression for deceptive reasons. Ananias and Sapphire used this to impress the church into thinking they were big givers. God punished them by taking their lives as they spoke the lie to Peter.
"Hypocrisies, envying, and all evil speaking", hypocrisy is attempting to impress someone you are something you are not. Envying is having a bitter, restless spirit that longs for the success or the nice things of others to the point of begrudging them what they worked for and received because of that work. Not satisfied with what God has given them, angry because of their lack of money, looks, fame, and or successes.
"All evil speaking", slander of another, backbiting, someone working behind the scenes to damage the reputation of those they dislike. This is portrayed in nearly every daytime soap opera and many movies. So many watching these portrayals get caught up in them and incorporate this attitude into their lives. Which should give us a warning that we must be careful as to what we watch called entertainment.
Christians who do not read and study God’s Word are open vessels to Satan and his lies. 1 Peter 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby". Do you desire to know what God’s Word says? Peter said that new as well as old Christians should desire to know the Word of God. If you do not desire to know God’s Word or to know God better, your salvation is suspect and you must do some serious soul searching as to if you really are saved! Just as a newborn baby will die if they are not fed fresh milk, the Christian if he does not feed on the Word of God will die to the things of God. He will not grow spiritually, grow in grace, and will fall into dire sin. I did not say he will lose his Salvation, but his relationship with God will deteriorate to the point that he is totally taken over by the things of this world.
The study of God’s Word reveals who we are in Christ and how we fit into His plan for us and His Church. 1 Peter 2:4-7, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner".
Peter speaks of Christ as a living stone rejected by men. Christ came to build His Temple (the Church) by using us as new living stones. Until Christ made us alive through Salvation we were dead in our sins. He rejuvenated our soul to new life (the new birth). Once we are made alive to God, we became a priest (believer) working in a spiritual house (Christ’s church) offering sacrifices to God made acceptable through Christ. That stone that was rejected by men is now the head cornerstone of Christ’s church. That stone is Jesus Christ Himself. Have you experienced the "new birth"?
Those that rejected Christ have much to fear. 1 Peter 2:8, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed". To the Christian, Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith but to the disobedient, He is the rock of offence, the rock that one day will fall upon them in destruction. That same cornerstone will be the judge and jury of their life spent in rejecting Jesus Christ. Their appointment is Hell.
1 Peter 2:9-10, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy". We were once sinners, lost, on the road to hell. Because of Christ, our cornerstone, we are part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a set apart people. Who should show our gratitude to God for this wonderful thing He has done for us. Christ has taken us out of total darkness, brought us into His marvelous light, and has filled us with His love and mercy to overflowing.
How do you treat your fellow believer? Do you treat him with respect? They are princes and princesses just like you and I. They are part of God’s master plan. Jesus told us to love our brother, John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another"? Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments! Do you love Jesus ________?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
In Hosea 14:4 God declared his boundless love to Israel.
When our will is weak and our conscience is burdened with a load of guilt, we can remind ourselves that God offers forgiveness and boundless love. When friends and family desert us or don't understand us, God's love knows no bounds. When our shortcomings or an awareness of our messed-up lives overwhelms us, God's love knows no bounds. Regardless of how things seem or even how you feel, you can rely on this truth: God's love knows no bounds.
Thanking God in times of trials for His boundless love.
When our will is weak and our conscience is burdened with a load of guilt, we can remind ourselves that God offers forgiveness and boundless love. When friends and family desert us or don't understand us, God's love knows no bounds. When our shortcomings or an awareness of our messed-up lives overwhelms us, God's love knows no bounds. Regardless of how things seem or even how you feel, you can rely on this truth: God's love knows no bounds.
Thanking God in times of trials for His boundless love.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, . . . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . .. . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!
Who seems not to notice . . . the things that you do
And forever is losing . . . . . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am .
As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . . . . . . . . who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . . . . . . a lover he'll meet..
A groom soon at Twenty ... my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. . have grown and are gone,
At Forty, my young sons .. . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . my wife is now dead.
Dark days are upon me . . my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . . . . . . . . . shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . . . . . . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . . . . . . and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . a young guy still dwells,
But inside this old carcass . . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . .. . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . . . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . . . . . . . open and see.
Not a crabby old man. Look closer . . . . . see ME ! !
Anonymous
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . . . . we will all, one day, be there, too!
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