Be Faithful To Christ

2 John 1:1-13

King James Version (KJV)

2 John 1

 ¹The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

 ²For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

 ³Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

 ⁴I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

 ⁵And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

 ⁶And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

 ⁷For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

 ⁸Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

 ⁹Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 ¹⁰If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

 ¹¹For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 ¹²Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

 ¹³The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

What’s in your “Bucket List“?  What do you want to do before you die?  I only have 3 things I’d like to do before I die, and that’s to visit Australis, Ireland, and Victors, BC. I realize I may never be able to do that, and that’s okay, but they are 3 of the most beautiful places on earth, to me, that I want to see, and always have.  But, you see, there is one destination more beautiful, and precious, awaiting me, and I’m not worried about whether I’ll be able to get to got, because I keep that ticket up to date, and that’s my trip to Heaven.  That is my ultimate destination on my life’s “Bucket List”.  Where does heaven fit on yours?  If you stay faithful to Christ, your destination is just as sure as mine.

How many of you would marry your spouse if you didn’t believe what they said when they told you the loved you?  Afterall, you have to believe there is a truth to the words they are telling you, and that is backed up by their actions.  That’s the same with God, He tells us over, and over, all the times how much He loves us, how much He wants us to be with Him, then He backs it up by showing us, giving us His Son to die for our sins, His Holy Spirit to guide our lives, and a heavenly home waiting for us to look forward to.  All we have to do is show Him how much we truly love Him in return, by living for Him, and bringing other lost souls to Him, through witnessing.  He wants a loving relationship with us, being able to fellowship with us at any time of the day, or night, all we have to do is open our hearts and minds to Him, and He will guide, and help us along our journey.

There is no way a person can claim to be a Christian, and hate anyone!  God is love, period!  This is not a cliché!  Although we here this said time, and time, again, it still rings true.  To say you are a Christian in one breath, and say you hate So-n-So, is contrary to everything God stands for.  This is of the devil, and is meant to put strife in the lives of God’s people.  God commands His people to love one another.  He even tells them to love their enemies.  We are to love people who don’t love us.  This is living a life like Jesus did.  Picture Jesus on the cross.  Was He put on the cross by people who love, or hated, Him?  Yet, He loved them enough to die for their sins.  So, as Gods children, we are to do the same, we are to love everyone, ever those that hate us.

Christians have tobe diligent in their prayer life, and constantly on guard against attacks from the devil.  There are many people today trying to force their beliefs, and opinions, down our throats, saying the Bible doesn’t mean what it meant years ago, times have changed, we have to change with it.  We have to watch out what we latch on to, because we might find ourselves on the fast track to Hell.  The devil disguises himself, and his doctrines in pretty packages, taking away just a word here, adding an action there, and so forth, until the world has you wrapped up in something you can’t get out of.  You have to listen to that voice in your head, when it tell you, “I don’t think you should do that!” , or that cold chill that crawls up your back, just before you do something you have a doubt about, because that’s the Holy Spirit telling you to stop.  We also have to watch who we hang around with, because our so-called ”friends” can lead us astray, too.  Just like an alcoholic trying to quit drinking can’t hang around a bar, a true Christian can’t always hang around sinners, or else they’ll fall into sin’s trap.

 

Assurances of the Believer

1 John 5:1-21

King James Version (KJV)

1 John 5

 ¹Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

 ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 ⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

 ⁶This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

 ⁷For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

 ⁸And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

 ⁹If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

 ¹⁰He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 ¹¹And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

 ¹²He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

 ¹³These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 ¹⁴And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

 ¹⁵And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 ¹⁶If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

 ¹⁷All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

 ¹⁸We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

 ¹⁹And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 ²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

 ²¹Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

As we go into this lesson, think about what assurances you’d want when you decide to purchase a life insurance policy, for example.  You want to make sure the company will pay out what it says it will, what the accident clause is to the policy, whether it has a double indemnity, how soon it’s paid out, etc.   These are things we look at when we purchase life insurances, but there’s not a better policy around and one you can have with our Heavenly Father!  He will give you the best assurance you can look forward to, that no one else can offer, and when He promises something to you, you can depend on Him to keep His word, as you will learn in today’s lesson.

A true Christian will keep God’s commandments.  It will be easy and joyful to live a Christian life.  Yes, they will stumble along the way, but as long as they look to God for guidance, asking for help and forgiveness when they make a mistake, they will continue to grow stronger in their Christian walk.  Looking toward God is looking toward “light”, because He is the  “Light”.   When you turn away from God, that’s when darkness and sin begin to enter a Christian’s life.  Once that happens, God can no longer abide, until the Christian rededicates their lives back to him, and becomes His child again.

We have the assurance of eternal life by reading the Bible, opening up our hearts and minds to God’s word, and His Holy Spirit, waiting for Him to speak to us.  We believe, through faith, Jesus came to earth as God’s Son, and died for our sins, arose the third day, and ascended back to Heaven, and now sits on the right hand of God.  By reading the Bible, knowing what has happened years before it did in the Bible, through prophecy, and what is prophesied to happen in the future, why not be assured of your eternal life?  Everyone has an eternal destination.  It’s up to you where you will spend yours, whether it’s in Heaven, or Hell.  God has given you the road map to Heaven, which is the Bible, all you have to do is pick it up, and use it.  If you need help with directions, just ask.

I love knowing that I can ask God for anything, and He will give it to me, but I also know when I do ask, I ask Him to let it be His will, in His time.  I learned from adopting my daughter, things happen in God’s time, not in my time.  I had given up on ever having a child, but God made sure I was I the right position, before I could become a mother.  I became a mother when I was single, after my first marriage ended in divorce, and my second husband had died.  God knew those two would not have been good father material, and he was saving me for my daughter, and my daughter for me, because we were going to need each other.  He answered 2 prayers when he gave me my child.  Not only a prayer for a child, but I always wanted a little girl, and I got that, too!  Now I’m doing all I can to live for God, showing her the way to live a Christian life, and trying to lead my family and all who I meet to the Lord.  God a has given me a boldness I didn’t have before, where I will speak out more about my belief in Him, and I pray I’ll get bolder every day.

God’s Inheritance

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.”— Psalm 33:11–12

We tend to think of an inheritance as the legal transmission of property after death, but in a broader sense an inheritance is a possession — perhaps a treasured heirloom that is priceless to the one who possesses it, even if no one else can see its value. It may be tattered, torn, faded, and practically worthless, but it is valued.

From the beginning, God called Israel His “treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5). Although the whole earth is His, God chose one nation as His inheritance: “But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are” (Deuteronomy 4:20).

Like anyone holding a treasured possession, God has always been very protective of His inheritance, Israel. The Lord spoke though the prophet Joel, saying, “I will gather all nations . . . I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land” (Joel 3:2).

Even though God judges the nations for their treatment of Israel, His love and protection does not mean that Israel is immune from war. At times, God also “gave his people over to the sword; he was very angry with his inheritance” (Psalm 78:62). But, throughout history, God has never allowed Israel to be destroyed by her enemies.

Indeed, we have seen evidence of this throughout history. The people of Israel have been war-torn, exiled, scattered around the globe, faced with almost certain annihilation, and seemingly forgotten. Yet, she as a people, as a nation, and as God’s treasured possession, has persevered. Despite all the threats she has faced and continues to face, God has seen fit to restore her.

Perhaps you have a treasured possession — perhaps something you inherited from a family member. Whenever you look at it, remember that Israel is God’s treasured possession. Let it be a reminder to value that which God values and to pray for God’s continued protection of His treasured possession — Israel.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/gods-inheritance

Handling Criticism Constructively (1)

“A wise person stays calm when insulted.”                        Pr 12:16 NLT

How can you tell constructive criticism from destructive criticism? By practicing these principles from God’s Word: (1) Resolve that whatever it is, you’ll handle it constructively. “A wise person stays calm when insulted.” Angry responses only short-circuit rational thinking and trigger emotion-driven reactions. “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding” (Pr 15:31-32 NLT). Always ask yourself, “Can I learn something here? (2) Consider the character of your critic. “An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing” (Pr 12:17-18 NLT). Is your critic trustworthy? Are their words meant to help you? If so, appreciate them and grow wiser. “Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool” (Ecc 7:5 NLT). Are their words intended to demean you and damage your self-worth? Words that humble you have a godly purpose, but words that humiliate don’t; so reject them. (3) Check your conscience. Paul wrote: “My conscience is clear…It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide” (1Co 4:3 NLT). If you’re in the clear, leave the outcome with God. He alone sees the whole picture. (4) If you are criticized because of your faith, consider yourself blessed. “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1Pe 4:14 NIV). Rejoice, your life is pleasing to God.

http://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/handling-criticism-constructively-1/

A Mind-Blowing Vision of God by Mark D. Roberts

Ezekiel 1:1-28

As I watched, suddenly a driving storm came out of the north, a great cloud flashing fire, with brightness all around. At its center, in the middle of the fire, there was something like gleaming amber. And inside that were forms of four living creatures. This was what they looked like: Each had the form of a human being, though each had four faces and four wings. (CEB)

Ezekiel 1:4-6

In the first verse of Ezekiel, the prophet reports that he “saw visions of God” (1:1). The first of these visions, which dominates chapter 1, is truly mind-blowing. I have read it several times, trying to picture what the words portray. I can make sense of the words, but have a hard time putting them together into a coherent image. I sense that Ezekiel may have been struggling to find the right words to describe this utterly extraordinary vision of God, one that included flaming angelic beings with four faces and a set of brilliant wheels corresponding to the faces. And then, above the winged beings, was a gleaming, glorious revelation of God himself.

Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that we mustn’t limit God by our words and images. God is infinitely greater than anything we can explain or imagine. In his grace, God has condescended to make himself known to us in ways we can begin to understand. Yet we mustn’t confuse our understanding of God with the real thing. God is so much more than anything we can fathom or envision.

It’s tempting for us to latch on to certain ideas about God or pictures of God, such that we neglect the fullness of his revelation. This is one reason why Christians in my tradition (Reformed) have been reticent to display images of God. We can too easily let our images take God’s place in our minds and hearts. Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 1 reminds us of God’s transcendent greatness. It encourages us to be continually challenged to learn more about God and to know him more deeply and fully.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What ideas about God or images of God are especially meaningful to you? Why? What helps you to remember that God is so much greater than anything you can think or imagine?

PRAYER: Awesome, amazing God, my mind has a hard time figuring out just how Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 1 fits together. How much more difficult it is for me to understand who you really are.

Yet, I confess that I can sometimes feel as if I have you all figured out. I can even pick and choose among the images and ideas of God that I like. Forgive me for my arrogance, for my failure to attend to the wideness of your self-revelation in Scripture.

Thank you, Lord, for making yourself known to us in ways we can understand. Thank you especially for revealing yourself in a human being, in Jesus of Nazareth, the Word Incarnate. In him, we catch a unique glimpse of your truth, glory, and love.

All praise be to you, awesome, amazing God. Amen.

P.S. from Mark: The Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 22. If you’d like to know more about the special season of the year that we are about to enter, you might visit the following link on my blog: Resources for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.

http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/mind-blowing-vision-god

Worry Changes Nothing · Max Lucado

Worry Changes Nothing · Max Lucado.

The Remedy For Fear

In his first inaugural speech in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the US, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!”

Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something—our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God’s care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We’re afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God’s presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).

 

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. —Berg

http://odb.org/2012/02/20/the-remedy-for-fear/

Jesus Wept

Jesus Wept.

Storm the Gates of Hell

Storm the Gates of Hell.

Tozer Devotional-Handling Criticism

Handling Criticism

“Let not thy peace depend on the tongues of men,” said the wise old Christian mystic, Thomas a Kempis; “for whether they judge well or ill, thou art not on that account other than thyself.” The desire to stand well with our fellow men is a natural one, and quite harmless up to a point, but when that desire becomes so all-consuming that we cannot be happy apart from the praises of men, it is no longer harmless, it is sinful in itself and injurious in its effects. One of the first things a Christian should get used to is abuse. The sweetest soul ever to live in this world was subjected to an ever-increasing barrage of vile calumny during His walk among men; and if they so used the Master of the house, how can the servants hope to escape? The only way to avoid evil tongues is to withdraw entirely from the society of men; and even then there might be those who would raise a meaningful eyebrow and suggest that perhaps after all we may have a pretty good reason for getting under cover! To do nothing is to get abused for laziness, and to do anything is to get abused for not doing something else.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=465