How many and how many times have we awakened to realize within ourselves that we have changed from within? And to how many of you has this happened? For me and my wife this has been happening since we have been Redeemed and even more so it seems since we came out from among them (2Corinthians 6:11-7:4). Because for along time now during the wee hours of each days morning we each have given ourselves a new to the LORD as a living offering wholly unto Him (Romans 12:3-7). As for me and my household we will serve the LORD and this requires that to do so and accomplish this, we must serve humanity in all of its forms as serving the LORD. That said I will turn my attention towards Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace and then look into Spiritual Perception. Making use of the ESV translation and when the LORD gives insight I will add it there and then.
"How the Characteristics of Grace Appear"
"And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant." (2Corinthians 3:4-6)
"We have been considering some characteristics that the great High and Sovereign GOD wants to develop in our lives by His Grace: namely, triumphant living, a fragrance of Christ, godly sincerity, and becoming living letters of Christ. How do these appear in our lives in an ever-increasing manner? As Paul wrote on these wonderful descriptions of godly living, his heart was stirred to ask, "And who is sufficient for these things? " (2Corinthians 2:16). Paul fully realized that man cannot produce these realities. Mere Human resources are inadequate.
These heavenly traits grow in those who are living by the terms and conditions of the New Covenant (humbly trusting GOD, not in ourselves). "And we have such trust through Christ toward GOD." Paul's confidence in exhibiting these spiritual qualities of life was directed toward GOD, based upon the relationship that is available only in and through Christ Jesus our great High and Sovereign LORD of all lord. This is not self-confidence; it is GOD-confidence. GOD must produce these characteristics. This HE does when HE is seated as GOD in our receptive heart.
There is no room for believers to trust in themselves. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves," We are not the source of any of these wonderful traits of godly Christ-likeness living. They must all come from GOD at work in us. "Our sufficiency is from GOD." When we live in humble dependency, the LORD's supply becomes our needed sufficiency. "Our sufficiency is from GOD, Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant."
Yes, the New Covenant servants live by the Grace of GOD. Consequently, their sufficiency is what the LORD Himself supplies! This is precisely what GOD has Promised of old through His prophets. "I Will make a New Covenant . . . I Will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). GOD inscribes these spiritual traits upon the inner man (the heart and the mind) through His Grace and Truth. The results are these characteristics, godliness develops in our lives.
Again, we are looking at every day Living by humility and faith. "GOD . . . gives Grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Also, faith accesses Grace: "through Whom [that is, the LORD Christ Jesus] also we have access by faith into Grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Spiritual Perception here are a few examples of this Perception,
David,
2Samuel 5:11-12 "Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel."
The Shunammite Woman,
2Kings 4:8-10 "One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, "Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there."
Nehemiah,
Nehemiah 6:10-14 "Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night." But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in." And I understood and saw that GOD had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my GOD, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid."
The Wise Man,
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 "So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head (has clear perception for the eyes only see what the brain is programmed to see), but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Jesus,
Luke 5:17-26 "On one of those days, as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the LORD was in Him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when He saw their faith, He said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but GOD alone?" When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the man who was paralyzed—"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home." And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying GOD. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified GOD and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today."
The Samaritan Woman,
John 4:15-26 "The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered Him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but You say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. GOD is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth." The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He Who is called Christ). When He comes, He Will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."
Peter,
Acts 10:34-43 "Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that GOD shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears (reverences and reveres) Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. As for the word that HE sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (HE is LORD of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for GOD was with Him. And we are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Hebrews and in Jerusalem (the center of the religious, economic, politically correct Jews hierarchy). They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, but GOD raised HIM on the third day and made Him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by GOD as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him (for these people knew Him personally and therefore could accurately bear HIM witness as having) after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by GOD to be judge of the living and the dead (those who remain separated and estranged from GOD). To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
I am looking at Wisdom and Knowledge from GODS angle as it is the most important of all. Yesterday I looked at Discernment which many confuse as judgment because they lack understanding and knowledge of GOD. Today I was going to look into Spiritual Perception but will hold off on that to look at Dullness instead as it is condemned, what drew me to this was what I stated above, the lack of understanding. But before I do I will turn again to Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace. And then I will use the ESV translation with the LORDS help to look at mans Dullness and as usual when the LORD gives me utterance I will put it in.
"Living Letters of Christ"
"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living GOD, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." (2Corinthians 3:3)
"Another significant characteristic resulting from living by Grace is that we become Living letters of Christ. "You are manifestly an epistle (enjoined: to direct with emphasis as a letter) of Christ." The LORD wants to turn our lives into a "walking and talking letter of Him." He wants to make us a living explanation of Who Christ is and all that He offers. What a great opportunity this presents. As we go about our daily responsibilities, others are often "reading our lives." While they are observing us, they can actually be learning of the Truth and Love of our LORD, Christ Jesus, as He is working in and through our lives. Although this may sound like too much to hope for, the LORD declares or decrees in His word that this process can become very clear to those who are watching us: "You are manifestly [that is, "to be plainly recognized as"] an epistle of Christ."
Remember, this is what is available for all of us not only "ministers [i.e., servants] of the New Covenant" (2Corinthians 3:6). This is what happens in those who live by the Grace of GOD. We are all to be and be conscious of this fact as both servants of GOD in Christ but also our fellow man while we out His life here and Now. This is something that GOD does in us, not something we manufacture for Him. Certainly, people are involved in the process. We become fully engaged by humbly and dependently seeking after the LORD (the hidden question of Matthew 11:29 and our receiving of His yoke) who wants to work in us. Others also get involved by ministering to us. "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us." Paul had ministered GOD's Truth to the saints at Corinth. Yet, these Living letters of Christ were not being written by ink, as ordinary letters would be. GOD in Christ leaves and indelible make upon and in us, "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living GOD." GOD, in the Holy Spirit is at work writing the letters that our and their lives were becoming.
Notice where the LORD is inscribing these Living letters: "not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is to say, on the heart." The old covenant message of law was written on stones. The New Covenant message of Grace and Truth is written on the hearts of all who will walk in humble dependency upon GOD being restored within them (John 17's prayer is answered in stark reality within us). This heavenly work changes us from the inside out, making us Living letters, epistles of Christ!"
Dullness Condemned:
Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 44:19, Ezekiel 12:2 "How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but You, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered."
Isaiah 44:18-20 "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Ezekiel 12:1-7 "The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place (2Corinthians 6:11-13, 14-7:1, 2-4) to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel." And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight."
Luke 12:54-57 "Jesus also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but Why do you not know how to interpret the present time? "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"
John 8:39-46, 47 "They answered Jesus with, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did." They said to Him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but HE sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear (understand or perceive) to hear My words. Therefore you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me?
Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews (this is religious economic politically correct and not the Hebrews) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both (elitist) Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of GOD before their eyes."
Hebrews 5:9-10, 11-6:8 "Being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by GOD a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
"This we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward GOD, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of GOD and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of GOD to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from GOD. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."
"Living Letters of Christ"
"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living GOD, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." (2Corinthians 3:3)
"Another significant characteristic resulting from living by Grace is that we become Living letters of Christ. "You are manifestly an epistle (enjoined: to direct with emphasis as a letter) of Christ." The LORD wants to turn our lives into a "walking and talking letter of Him." He wants to make us a living explanation of Who Christ is and all that He offers. What a great opportunity this presents. As we go about our daily responsibilities, others are often "reading our lives." While they are observing us, they can actually be learning of the Truth and Love of our LORD, Christ Jesus, as He is working in and through our lives. Although this may sound like too much to hope for, the LORD declares or decrees in His word that this process can become very clear to those who are watching us: "You are manifestly [that is, "to be plainly recognized as"] an epistle of Christ."
Remember, this is what is available for all of us not only "ministers [i.e., servants] of the New Covenant" (2Corinthians 3:6). This is what happens in those who live by the Grace of GOD. We are all to be and be conscious of this fact as both servants of GOD in Christ but also our fellow man while we out His life here and Now. This is something that GOD does in us, not something we manufacture for Him. Certainly, people are involved in the process. We become fully engaged by humbly and dependently seeking after the LORD (the hidden question of Matthew 11:29 and our receiving of His yoke) who wants to work in us. Others also get involved by ministering to us. "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us." Paul had ministered GOD's Truth to the saints at Corinth. Yet, these Living letters of Christ were not being written by ink, as ordinary letters would be. GOD in Christ leaves and indelible make upon and in us, "You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living GOD." GOD, in the Holy Spirit is at work writing the letters that our and their lives were becoming.
Notice where the LORD is inscribing these Living letters: "not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is to say, on the heart." The old covenant message of law was written on stones. The New Covenant message of Grace and Truth is written on the hearts of all who will walk in humble dependency upon GOD being restored within them (John 17's prayer is answered in stark reality within us). This heavenly work changes us from the inside out, making us Living letters, epistles of Christ!"
Dullness Condemned:
Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 44:19, Ezekiel 12:2 "How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but You, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered."
Isaiah 44:18-20 "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Ezekiel 12:1-7 "The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place (2Corinthians 6:11-13, 14-7:1, 2-4) to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel." And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight."
Luke 12:54-57 "Jesus also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but Why do you not know how to interpret the present time? "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"
John 8:39-46, 47 "They answered Jesus with, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did." They said to Him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but HE sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear (understand or perceive) to hear My words. Therefore you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me?
Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews (this is religious economic politically correct and not the Hebrews) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both (elitist) Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of GOD before their eyes."
Hebrews 5:9-10, 11-6:8 "Being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by GOD a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
"This we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward GOD, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of GOD and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of GOD to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from GOD. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
There are two areas of knowledge required of us and they are Discernment and our having a clear Perception. Perception I will look at later because it has many parts of interest. So for now I will look at Spiritual Discernment to find out about it more accurately. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace. And then I will use the ESV translation with the LORDS help should He give me utterance I will inject that where and when He does so.
"Godly Sincerity in General"
"We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you." (2Corinthians 1:12)
"GOD not only wants our lives characterized with godly sincerity toward His word, He desires to mark our lives with godly sincerity in general. "We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity . . . and more abundantly toward you." As the Apostle Paul and his missionary team evangelized throughout the known world, and as they ministered among the churches, they functioned in both arenas with simple, Christ-like genuineness.
The world as we know it is filled with pretense and attention to outward appearances. Many within what is called today the Lord's church have yielded to temptation in these directions. The flesh of each of us is enticed to develop an exterior image that does not match what is going on inside. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for such an attitude. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation" (Matthew 23:14). These men were actually taking advantage of the helpless widows. Yet, they stood in public and made long prayers, hoping to be considered as godly in the eyes of the people.
Their hypocrisy was not only a matter of observable, contradictory behaviors, but the very core of their being was drastically different from what they appeared to be outwardly. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:26-27).
Our LORD loves sincerity and hates hypocrisy. However, it takes a working of GOD and His Grace to effect the sincerity that GOD desires. "We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the Grace of GOD." Human ingenuity cannot produce the genuineness that GOD wants to see in our lives. GOD's Grace is the only sufficient resource to bring about this godly characteristic of life. GOD's Grace works within our hearts, where true sincerity must be formed. "First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also" (Matthew 23:26).
Spiritual Discernment:
1Kings 3:3-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15 and Isaiah 7:15 "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and GOD said, "Ask what I shall give you."
Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward You. And You have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?"
It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this. And GOD said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I Will lengthen your days."
Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants."
Isaiah 7:10-16, 17 "The LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria."
Isaiah 11:1-5 "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what His eyes see, or decide disputes by what His ears hear, but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and faithfulness the belt of His loins."
1Corinthians 2:14-16 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of GOD for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the LORD so as to instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
Hebrews 5:8-10, 11-6:8 "But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For GOD is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward GOD, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. This we will do if GOD permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, having tasted the goodness of the word of GOD and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of GOD to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing (Grace) from GOD. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."
"Godly Sincerity in General"
"We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you." (2Corinthians 1:12)
"GOD not only wants our lives characterized with godly sincerity toward His word, He desires to mark our lives with godly sincerity in general. "We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity . . . and more abundantly toward you." As the Apostle Paul and his missionary team evangelized throughout the known world, and as they ministered among the churches, they functioned in both arenas with simple, Christ-like genuineness.
The world as we know it is filled with pretense and attention to outward appearances. Many within what is called today the Lord's church have yielded to temptation in these directions. The flesh of each of us is enticed to develop an exterior image that does not match what is going on inside. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for such an attitude. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation" (Matthew 23:14). These men were actually taking advantage of the helpless widows. Yet, they stood in public and made long prayers, hoping to be considered as godly in the eyes of the people.
Their hypocrisy was not only a matter of observable, contradictory behaviors, but the very core of their being was drastically different from what they appeared to be outwardly. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:26-27).
Our LORD loves sincerity and hates hypocrisy. However, it takes a working of GOD and His Grace to effect the sincerity that GOD desires. "We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the Grace of GOD." Human ingenuity cannot produce the genuineness that GOD wants to see in our lives. GOD's Grace is the only sufficient resource to bring about this godly characteristic of life. GOD's Grace works within our hearts, where true sincerity must be formed. "First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also" (Matthew 23:26).
Spiritual Discernment:
1Kings 3:3-5, 6-9, 10-14, 15 and Isaiah 7:15 "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and GOD said, "Ask what I shall give you."
Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward You. And You have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?"
It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this. And GOD said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I Will lengthen your days."
Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants."
Isaiah 7:10-16, 17 "The LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.
The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria."
Isaiah 11:1-5 "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what His eyes see, or decide disputes by what His ears hear, but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and faithfulness the belt of His loins."
1Corinthians 2:14-16 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of GOD for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the LORD so as to instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
Hebrews 5:8-10, 11-6:8 "But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For GOD is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward GOD, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. This we will do if GOD permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, having tasted the goodness of the word of GOD and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of GOD to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing (Grace) from GOD. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
In the introduction of yesterdays post I exposed one of the many problems that hinders our reception and vision that brings understanding and that is dullness. To this one I could add no Understanding, Ignorance and Grossness but instead I choose to only look at Dullness. And it is this that I will look at today. But first I will turn to Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. Then with the use of the ESV translation and the LORDS help I will do as directed.
"Godly Sincerity Concerning God's Word"
"For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." (2Corinthians 2:17)
"Godly sincerity concerning GOD's word is another characteristic that the LORD desires to mark us with His Grace. Grace and Truth are an integral part of the LORDS Character and Nature, just as it was Adams in Genesis 2. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD; but as of sincerity . . . we speak." The manner in which we relate to the word of GOD is a high priority to our Lord Who is indeed LORD of All and in all who belong to Him. In the early Church, some were already relating wrongly to GOD's word. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD." They were using the word of God for self-gain. This is the standard of many leaders in the worlds church, for some it is unwittingly so. I say unwittingly because I am giving them benefit of a doubt on their behalf.
The scriptures warn us about the temptation that people would face concerning inappropriate uses of the word." There are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1:10-11). Titus was warned of many in the church world who were rebelling against the message of GOD's word. They were into the meaningless chatter and religious deception that came from the legalists, who loved to lay the Law of Moses on people. It was necessary that these men be silenced with the Truth, because they were undermining the spiritual well-being of entire families. They were teaching things that were biblically unacceptable. Their motivation was the financial advantage they could acquire by peddling untruths. So many today are tempted to go after the material gain that often comes from those who will easily buy into religious schemes. These are those who are blind guides leading the blind or put another way have dullness of thought and lack vision.
Paul also warned about others who would be motivated by the power and influence that a cleverly distorted message might produce. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29-30). True disciples follow the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, a true disciple wants to assist others in their quest to follow the LORD Jesus. These deceivers want others to follow them. This threat would be two-fold. Ruthless unbelievers would "come in" from outside the church. Also, "from among yourselves," men with an adulterated message would arise inside the church. Over the years of my carrying the Lords yoke, I have seen this very thing with deep concern of heart within me.
Godly sincerity is to characterize our treatment of the scriptures. We are to proclaim the Truth. "But as of sincerity, but from GOD, we speak in the sight of GOD in Christ." We are to proclaim the message that is from GOD (the Bible), and do it in genuineness, knowing our GOD is watching."
Dullness which is Condemned:
Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 44:19, Ezekiel 12:2 "How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but You, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered."
Isaiah 44:18-20 "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Ezekiel 2:1-6 "He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. And He said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD GOD.' And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house."
Luke 12:54-56 (Jesus) "He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
John 8:39-47 "They (the Religious Jewish elite) answered Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works (believe as) Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father (the lier Satan) did." They said to Him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but HE sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews (this includes the Hebrews as one group) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews (Hebrews) and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear (respect or reverence) of GOD before their eyes."
Hebrews 5:11-14 "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
"Godly Sincerity Concerning God's Word"
"For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." (2Corinthians 2:17)
"Godly sincerity concerning GOD's word is another characteristic that the LORD desires to mark us with His Grace. Grace and Truth are an integral part of the LORDS Character and Nature, just as it was Adams in Genesis 2. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD; but as of sincerity . . . we speak." The manner in which we relate to the word of GOD is a high priority to our Lord Who is indeed LORD of All and in all who belong to Him. In the early Church, some were already relating wrongly to GOD's word. "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of GOD." They were using the word of God for self-gain. This is the standard of many leaders in the worlds church, for some it is unwittingly so. I say unwittingly because I am giving them benefit of a doubt on their behalf.
The scriptures warn us about the temptation that people would face concerning inappropriate uses of the word." There are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1:10-11). Titus was warned of many in the church world who were rebelling against the message of GOD's word. They were into the meaningless chatter and religious deception that came from the legalists, who loved to lay the Law of Moses on people. It was necessary that these men be silenced with the Truth, because they were undermining the spiritual well-being of entire families. They were teaching things that were biblically unacceptable. Their motivation was the financial advantage they could acquire by peddling untruths. So many today are tempted to go after the material gain that often comes from those who will easily buy into religious schemes. These are those who are blind guides leading the blind or put another way have dullness of thought and lack vision.
Paul also warned about others who would be motivated by the power and influence that a cleverly distorted message might produce. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29-30). True disciples follow the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, a true disciple wants to assist others in their quest to follow the LORD Jesus. These deceivers want others to follow them. This threat would be two-fold. Ruthless unbelievers would "come in" from outside the church. Also, "from among yourselves," men with an adulterated message would arise inside the church. Over the years of my carrying the Lords yoke, I have seen this very thing with deep concern of heart within me.
Godly sincerity is to characterize our treatment of the scriptures. We are to proclaim the Truth. "But as of sincerity, but from GOD, we speak in the sight of GOD in Christ." We are to proclaim the message that is from GOD (the Bible), and do it in genuineness, knowing our GOD is watching."
Dullness which is Condemned:
Psalm 92:5-9 and Isaiah 44:19, Ezekiel 12:2 "How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but You, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered."
Isaiah 44:18-20 "They know not, nor do they discern, for He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?" He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
Ezekiel 2:1-6 "He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you." And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. And He said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD GOD.' And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house."
Luke 12:54-56 (Jesus) "He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
John 8:39-47 "They (the Religious Jewish elite) answered Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works (believe as) Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father (the lier Satan) did." They said to Him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but HE sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews (this includes the Hebrews as one group) any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews (Hebrews) and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear (respect or reverence) of GOD before their eyes."
Hebrews 5:11-14 "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
I am all about shying away from the negative side of our growth to focus on the positive side. However there is I have found many who just never seem to come acquiring the positive completely and therefore they are lacking insight which may be caused by dullness and it is this that I want to look into. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace and our having the fragrance of Christ. And then with the use of the ESV translation and the LORDS help I will look into our having a lack of insight.
"A Fragrance of Christ to Every Person"
"Now thanks be to God who . . . through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of Life to LIFE." (2Corinthians 2:14-16)
"The fragrance of Christ is one of the great characteristics that GOD wants to build into our lives by His Grace. "Now thanks be to GOD Who . . . through us diffuses the fragrance of His Knowledge." This spiritual aroma, which results from getting to know the LORD, blesses the heart of GOD. "For we are to GOD the Fragrance of Christ." The Father loves to see the Life of His Son being expressed in and through our humanity, even though this requires our willingness of dying to self. "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the Life that was in Jesus (in His humanity) also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Corinthians 4:11).
As we are getting to know the LORD more and more, our GOD is not the only one who is impacted. This spiritual aroma of Christ impacts every person we meet. "GOD . . . through us diffuses the Fragrance of His Knowledge in every place." This includes both the saved and the unsaved. "For we are to GOD the Fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
This fragrance affects those who Know the LORD: "the Fragrance of Christ . . . among those who are being saved." For those who are enjoying the benefit of their Life in Christ, that heavenly scent in our lives is "the aroma of Life to LIFE." Christ's Fragrance in us draws them to seek the abundance in that Life which they have entered.
This spiritual scent also influences those who do not yet Know our LORD: "the fragrance of Christ . . . among those who are perishing." To them it is "the aroma of death to death." They are dead (separated from the commonwealth of GOD) in their sins, and this aroma makes them more aware of their deadness, more aware of their need for Christ.
When this fragrance is emanating from our lives, we are not the cause. GOD is the active agent, working in and through us to bring forth this heavenly scent. "Now thanks be to GOD Who . . . through us diffuses the Fragrance of His Knowledge." This work of GOD's Grace is available to us every day we live and every place we go: "the Fragrance of His Knowledge in every place."
Lack of Insight:
Matthew 16:5-12, 21-27 "When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees......From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed (by those called Jews), and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a (religious) hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of GOD, but on the things of man." Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He Will repay each person according to what he has done."
Luke 24:13-27 "That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And HE said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And HE said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." And HE said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His Glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
John 3:4-8 "Nicodemus (a Jew a pious man of the Pharisee sect) said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (this draws an assumption of the ritual of washing a purely human aspect) and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 6:59, 60-65 "Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
When many of His disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit Who gives Life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life (indicating that for one to hear and see they are in need of this Life of faith within them). But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) Then He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father."
John 20:1-10 "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark (between 4 to 6 am), and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that HE must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes."
John 21:4-8 "Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered Him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off."
"A Fragrance of Christ to Every Person"
"Now thanks be to God who . . . through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of Life to LIFE." (2Corinthians 2:14-16)
"The fragrance of Christ is one of the great characteristics that GOD wants to build into our lives by His Grace. "Now thanks be to GOD Who . . . through us diffuses the fragrance of His Knowledge." This spiritual aroma, which results from getting to know the LORD, blesses the heart of GOD. "For we are to GOD the Fragrance of Christ." The Father loves to see the Life of His Son being expressed in and through our humanity, even though this requires our willingness of dying to self. "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the Life that was in Jesus (in His humanity) also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Corinthians 4:11).
As we are getting to know the LORD more and more, our GOD is not the only one who is impacted. This spiritual aroma of Christ impacts every person we meet. "GOD . . . through us diffuses the Fragrance of His Knowledge in every place." This includes both the saved and the unsaved. "For we are to GOD the Fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
This fragrance affects those who Know the LORD: "the Fragrance of Christ . . . among those who are being saved." For those who are enjoying the benefit of their Life in Christ, that heavenly scent in our lives is "the aroma of Life to LIFE." Christ's Fragrance in us draws them to seek the abundance in that Life which they have entered.
This spiritual scent also influences those who do not yet Know our LORD: "the fragrance of Christ . . . among those who are perishing." To them it is "the aroma of death to death." They are dead (separated from the commonwealth of GOD) in their sins, and this aroma makes them more aware of their deadness, more aware of their need for Christ.
When this fragrance is emanating from our lives, we are not the cause. GOD is the active agent, working in and through us to bring forth this heavenly scent. "Now thanks be to GOD Who . . . through us diffuses the Fragrance of His Knowledge." This work of GOD's Grace is available to us every day we live and every place we go: "the Fragrance of His Knowledge in every place."
Lack of Insight:
Matthew 16:5-12, 21-27 "When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees......From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed (by those called Jews), and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a (religious) hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of GOD, but on the things of man." Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He Will repay each person according to what he has done."
Luke 24:13-27 "That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And HE said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And HE said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see." And HE said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His Glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
John 3:4-8 "Nicodemus (a Jew a pious man of the Pharisee sect) said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (this draws an assumption of the ritual of washing a purely human aspect) and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 6:59, 60-65 "Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
When many of His disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit Who gives Life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life (indicating that for one to hear and see they are in need of this Life of faith within them). But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) Then He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father."
John 20:1-10 "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark (between 4 to 6 am), and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that HE must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes."
John 21:4-8 "Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered Him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off."
Monday, April 25, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
Today we will see that with GOD there are fragrances that differ between those of us who are actually in Christ. For this is our subject Divine Knowledge, as I progress along the path of righteousness and Holiness to Godliness through Grace and Faith in the Faithful One Who has promised. We like small children are to grow in the Knowledge GOD. And GODS being in Christ and Christ within us. But first Pastor Hoekstra to see what he has to say about Grace and the revelation of how Grace works within us. Then with the use of the ESV translation and when the LORD gives me utterance I will add it where and when HE does.
"A Fragrance of Christ to God"
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge . . . For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." (2Corinthians 2:14-15)
"In addition to the characteristic of triumphant living, GOD also wants to mark our lives with the fragrance of Christ. "Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His Knowledge."
Just as there are physical fragrances that can be noticed by our physical senses, there are also spiritual fragrances that can impact us spiritually. If a person partakes of food that is heavily seasoned with garlic, others will notice the fragrance of garlic. If a person consistently presses on to Know the LORD, others will be impacted by the "fragrance of His Knowledge." This is described as the "fragrance of Christ." This is that spiritual aroma that wafts forth from the lives of those who are getting to know the LORD. It is a validating reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is dwelling in their lives and is being evidenced through their lives.
As we are getting to know the Lord Who is LORD more and more, this spiritual aroma of Christ is even impacting GOD Himself. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ." Yes, GOD is the first one who is impacted by this Christlike fragrance. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ ." We are the Living Sacrifice of worship to HIM. (Romans 12:1-3)
Our ministry and testimony is always to the LORD. We who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be "proving what is acceptable to the LORD" (Ephesians 5:10). We are not here on earth to please ourselves. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). We are here to please GOD. "Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please GOD" (1Thessalonians 4:1).
What ultimately pleases our heavenly Father is His beloved Son. When the Father looked down from heaven at the baptism of His Son, He exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). When our Father looks down today upon our lives, He wants to enjoy the fragrance of His Son emanating forth from our lives. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ."
Divine Knowledge,
1Sameul 2:1-10 and Psalm 69:5, 139:2 "Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. "There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them He has set the world. "He Will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
Psalm 69:5-12 "O GOD, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You. Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through Me, O LORD GOD of Hosts; let not those who seek You be brought to dishonor through Me, O God of Israel. For it is for Your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered My face. I have become a stranger to My brothers, an alien to My mother's sons. For zeal for Your house has consumed Me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on Me. When I wept and humbled My soul with fasting, it became My reproach. When I made sackcloth My clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about Me." (the My and Me here are both the LORD Christ and those who are become One in Him)
Psalm 139:1-6 "O LORD, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."
Isaiah 40:27-31 "Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Daniel 2:17-23 "Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the GOD of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the GOD of heaven. Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of GOD forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To You, O GOD of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Matthew 6:5-8 (Jesus is speaking) "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father Who is in secret. And your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
1Corinthians 3:18-4:5 and 1John 3:20 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with GOD. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is GOD's. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries (secrets) of GOD. (Deuteronomy 29:29) Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the LORD Who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the LORD comes, Who Will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and Will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from GOD."
1John 3:13-22 "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into Life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has Eternal Life abiding in him. By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's Love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the Truth and reassure our heart before Him; for whenever our heart condemns us, GOD is greater than our heart, and He knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before GOD; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him."
Because HE Lives within us we are ONE within Him!
"A Fragrance of Christ to God"
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge . . . For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." (2Corinthians 2:14-15)
"In addition to the characteristic of triumphant living, GOD also wants to mark our lives with the fragrance of Christ. "Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His Knowledge."
Just as there are physical fragrances that can be noticed by our physical senses, there are also spiritual fragrances that can impact us spiritually. If a person partakes of food that is heavily seasoned with garlic, others will notice the fragrance of garlic. If a person consistently presses on to Know the LORD, others will be impacted by the "fragrance of His Knowledge." This is described as the "fragrance of Christ." This is that spiritual aroma that wafts forth from the lives of those who are getting to know the LORD. It is a validating reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is dwelling in their lives and is being evidenced through their lives.
As we are getting to know the Lord Who is LORD more and more, this spiritual aroma of Christ is even impacting GOD Himself. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ." Yes, GOD is the first one who is impacted by this Christlike fragrance. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ ." We are the Living Sacrifice of worship to HIM. (Romans 12:1-3)
Our ministry and testimony is always to the LORD. We who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be "proving what is acceptable to the LORD" (Ephesians 5:10). We are not here on earth to please ourselves. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). We are here to please GOD. "Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please GOD" (1Thessalonians 4:1).
What ultimately pleases our heavenly Father is His beloved Son. When the Father looked down from heaven at the baptism of His Son, He exclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). When our Father looks down today upon our lives, He wants to enjoy the fragrance of His Son emanating forth from our lives. "For we are to GOD the fragrance of Christ."
Divine Knowledge,
1Sameul 2:1-10 and Psalm 69:5, 139:2 "Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. "There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The LORD kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and on them He has set the world. "He Will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
Psalm 69:5-12 "O GOD, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You. Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through Me, O LORD GOD of Hosts; let not those who seek You be brought to dishonor through Me, O God of Israel. For it is for Your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered My face. I have become a stranger to My brothers, an alien to My mother's sons. For zeal for Your house has consumed Me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on Me. When I wept and humbled My soul with fasting, it became My reproach. When I made sackcloth My clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about Me." (the My and Me here are both the LORD Christ and those who are become One in Him)
Psalm 139:1-6 "O LORD, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."
Isaiah 40:27-31 "Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Daniel 2:17-23 "Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the GOD of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the GOD of heaven. Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of GOD forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To You, O GOD of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Matthew 6:5-8 (Jesus is speaking) "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father Who is in secret. And your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
1Corinthians 3:18-4:5 and 1John 3:20 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with GOD. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is GOD's. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries (secrets) of GOD. (Deuteronomy 29:29) Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the LORD Who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the LORD comes, Who Will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and Will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from GOD."
1John 3:13-22 "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into Life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has Eternal Life abiding in him. By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's Love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the Truth and reassure our heart before Him; for whenever our heart condemns us, GOD is greater than our heart, and He knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before GOD; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him."
Because HE Lives within us we are ONE within Him!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom and Knowledge)
I have been looking at Wisdom and today I will look at the other side of the same coin, because these two items go together as one. The other side contains Knowledge. However it is not of this world or the worldly kind, of which there are many forms or kinds, nor it is received in the same way. There is within the scriptures worldly knowledge that we should all know and learn but my emphasis is on the Spiritual kind. As it is acquired through Love by Faith and Grace in all Truth of Spirit. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace which prepares us to become conquerors through the LORD Christ. And then I will use the ESV translation and with the LORDS help tackle our subject.
"More Than Conquerors Even in Impossibilities"
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35-37)
"When considering the triumphant that Christian life is believed to bring as it is taught in mans religious institutions of his churches, we may wrongly think that victory depends upon getting out of impossible situations. Actually, we are already "more than conquerors" even while we are in the midst of the impossibilities. What hinder us is our own mental perception, vision and how we interpret what is actually taking place within and without our new being.
For us to be ultimately defeated, we would have to be separated from Christ's selfless Love for us. We would have to be cut off from the loving care of our victorious Lord Who is now both LORD and Christ restored within us. Can any foe or any situation accomplish that? "Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? " This question is answered in Romans 8:38-39. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us (me) from the Love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our LORD."
No spiritual foe can enforce such a separation. Neither can any circumstance of impossibility separate us from our Loving GOD. Romans 8:35-36 list some of the impossibilities that make us feel as though we are being defeated. "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'" When troubles and pressures (afflictions) arise, when we are attacked or are lacking resources, we may be tempted to think that victory is no longer available. When our experience is like a lamb being led to the slaughter, we may think that victory could never be ours. Nevertheless, the truth is that "in all these things we are more than conquerors."
Yes, right in the middle of the impossibilities of life, we are already more than a spiritual victor. What many of us lack is the vision of men like Joseph, for he knew within him that he was GODS man of the hour in many such afflictions. Through them he did not waver or loose faith in GOD Who promised him success. Actually, we have already been made participants in a mighty, eternal, abundant victory, the victory that Christ accomplished on the cross and in the resurrection. "We are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us." Our victorious position in any situation is not circumstantial. It is Relational. We are united by faith to the victorious One, through the Lord Jesus Christ! "But thanks be to GOD, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Coritnians 15:57).
Spiritual Knowledge:
A cause for Exultation,
Jeremiah 9:23-24, 31:34 "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD Who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 31:31-34 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I Will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the Covenant that I Will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I Will put My law within them, and I Will write it on their hearts. And I Will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I Will forgive their iniquity, and I Will remember their sin no more."
Obtained by Acquaintanceship with GOD,
Hosea 6:1-3 "Come, let us return to the LORD; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
Obedience, the Condition of Receiving,
John 7:14-18 "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied?" So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone's will is to do GOD's Will, he will know whether the teaching is from GOD or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him Who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood."
Liberates the Soul from all Error,
John 8:31-33 "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." They answered Him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, 'You will become free'?""
Leads to Eternal Life,
John 17:1-5 and Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:10 "When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give Eternal Life to all whom You have given Him. This is Eternal Life, that they know You the only true GOD, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed."
Philippians 3:7-11 "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from GOD that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Colossians 1:9-14 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the Knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He having delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
"More Than Conquerors Even in Impossibilities"
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35-37)
"When considering the triumphant that Christian life is believed to bring as it is taught in mans religious institutions of his churches, we may wrongly think that victory depends upon getting out of impossible situations. Actually, we are already "more than conquerors" even while we are in the midst of the impossibilities. What hinder us is our own mental perception, vision and how we interpret what is actually taking place within and without our new being.
For us to be ultimately defeated, we would have to be separated from Christ's selfless Love for us. We would have to be cut off from the loving care of our victorious Lord Who is now both LORD and Christ restored within us. Can any foe or any situation accomplish that? "Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? " This question is answered in Romans 8:38-39. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us (me) from the Love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our LORD."
No spiritual foe can enforce such a separation. Neither can any circumstance of impossibility separate us from our Loving GOD. Romans 8:35-36 list some of the impossibilities that make us feel as though we are being defeated. "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'" When troubles and pressures (afflictions) arise, when we are attacked or are lacking resources, we may be tempted to think that victory is no longer available. When our experience is like a lamb being led to the slaughter, we may think that victory could never be ours. Nevertheless, the truth is that "in all these things we are more than conquerors."
Yes, right in the middle of the impossibilities of life, we are already more than a spiritual victor. What many of us lack is the vision of men like Joseph, for he knew within him that he was GODS man of the hour in many such afflictions. Through them he did not waver or loose faith in GOD Who promised him success. Actually, we have already been made participants in a mighty, eternal, abundant victory, the victory that Christ accomplished on the cross and in the resurrection. "We are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us." Our victorious position in any situation is not circumstantial. It is Relational. We are united by faith to the victorious One, through the Lord Jesus Christ! "But thanks be to GOD, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Coritnians 15:57).
Spiritual Knowledge:
A cause for Exultation,
Jeremiah 9:23-24, 31:34 "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD Who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 31:31-34 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I Will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the Covenant that I Will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I Will put My law within them, and I Will write it on their hearts. And I Will be their GOD, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I Will forgive their iniquity, and I Will remember their sin no more."
Obtained by Acquaintanceship with GOD,
Hosea 6:1-3 "Come, let us return to the LORD; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
Obedience, the Condition of Receiving,
John 7:14-18 "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied?" So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If anyone's will is to do GOD's Will, he will know whether the teaching is from GOD or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him Who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood."
Liberates the Soul from all Error,
John 8:31-33 "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." They answered Him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, 'You will become free'?""
Leads to Eternal Life,
John 17:1-5 and Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:10 "When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give Eternal Life to all whom You have given Him. This is Eternal Life, that they know You the only true GOD, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed."
Philippians 3:7-11 "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from GOD that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Colossians 1:9-14 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the Knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He having delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom)
So far we have found that GODS Promises are far reaching and genuinely profound in scope and knowledge and understanding. And for wisdom we are acquired to search for her and she has a voice which calls each of us. It is this voice and call that I will look at next after I visit Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace and Christ. Then with the use of the ESV translation and the LORD should He give me insight and utterance at any moment regarding the subject I will edit it there and then.
"Triumph Living Even in Difficult Situations"
"When I came to Troas (the plains of Troy in Asia minor) to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the LORD, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." (2Corinthians 2:12-14)
"Triumphant living is one of the characteristics that GOD wants to develop in us by the work of His Grace. Even when we are in difficult situations, the LORD wants us to learn to walk in the victory that is available to us in Christ.
The Apostle Paul encountered a very difficult situation in Troas, as he traveled on one of his missionary journeys: "When I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the LORD, I had no rest in my spirit." As Paul arrived in Troas, it was apparent that the LORD had granted an open door to preach His Gospel. Nevertheless, Paul was distressed within his heart. The reason for the turmoil within was the absence of a key ministry partner. "I did not find Titus my brother." In some situations, ministry cannot be conducted properly, if all of the strategic parts of the body of Christ are not fully engaged. So, Paul left that plain, leaving Troas for another time. "Taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia."
Circumstantially, this looked like a defeat. Yet, Paul had a more profound perspective than what the eyes of man could see or what the mind of man could conceive. "Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." Paul gave thanks to the LORD for a truth that was greater than the obviously difficult situation that he had just experienced. Whenever we allow the LORD to be the one leading our lives, He "always leads us in triumph in Christ." Paul was rejoicing in the fact that he was yielded to Christ as His LORD, his leader. Thus, he knew that the LORD was leading him in triumph, because when Jesus is counted upon to lead us, He "always leads" us triumphantly.
Christ leads us in triumph; we do not win it for ourselves. This triumph is a spiritual victory that belongs to us by being in Christ. "Thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." Jesus won the victory at His death, burial, and resurrection. Now, He wants us to look to Him to lead us in that victory day by day."
Wisdom's Voice and Call:
Proverbs 1:20-33 "Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at My reproof, behold, I Will pour out My spirit to you; I Will make My words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out My hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all My counsel and would have none of My reproof, I also Will laugh at your calamity; I Will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon Me, but I Will not answer; they will seek Me diligently but will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of My counsel and despised all My reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to Me Will dwell secure and Will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Proverbs 8:1-11 "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call, and My cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I Will speak noble things, and from My lips will come what is right, for My mouth will utter Truth; wickedness is an abomination to My lips. All the words of My mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take My instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her."
Proverbs 9:1-6 "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of My bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
Understanding of Spiritual things:
Deuteronomy 4:5-8 "See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our GOD is to us, whenever we call upon Him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?"
1Chronicles 22:6-16 "David called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood before Me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I Will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I Will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name. He shall be My son, and I Will be his father, and I Will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.' "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He has spoken concerning you. Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when He gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your GOD. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!"
Mem.
Psalm 119:97-104 "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep Your word. I do not turn aside from Your rules, for You have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
Proverbs 2:1-8 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His Saints, the Godly ones."
Proverbs 8:12-21 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By Me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by Me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me.
Riches and honor are with Me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and My yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love Me, and filling their treasuries."
Proverbs 11:3-13 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered."
Proverbs 13:13-18 "Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Good sense (understanding) wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored."
Proverbs 14:25-31 "A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him."
Proverbs 17:24-28 "The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."
2Timothy 2:1-7 "You then, my child, be strengthened by the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
"Triumph Living Even in Difficult Situations"
"When I came to Troas (the plains of Troy in Asia minor) to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the LORD, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." (2Corinthians 2:12-14)
"Triumphant living is one of the characteristics that GOD wants to develop in us by the work of His Grace. Even when we are in difficult situations, the LORD wants us to learn to walk in the victory that is available to us in Christ.
The Apostle Paul encountered a very difficult situation in Troas, as he traveled on one of his missionary journeys: "When I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the LORD, I had no rest in my spirit." As Paul arrived in Troas, it was apparent that the LORD had granted an open door to preach His Gospel. Nevertheless, Paul was distressed within his heart. The reason for the turmoil within was the absence of a key ministry partner. "I did not find Titus my brother." In some situations, ministry cannot be conducted properly, if all of the strategic parts of the body of Christ are not fully engaged. So, Paul left that plain, leaving Troas for another time. "Taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia."
Circumstantially, this looked like a defeat. Yet, Paul had a more profound perspective than what the eyes of man could see or what the mind of man could conceive. "Now thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." Paul gave thanks to the LORD for a truth that was greater than the obviously difficult situation that he had just experienced. Whenever we allow the LORD to be the one leading our lives, He "always leads us in triumph in Christ." Paul was rejoicing in the fact that he was yielded to Christ as His LORD, his leader. Thus, he knew that the LORD was leading him in triumph, because when Jesus is counted upon to lead us, He "always leads" us triumphantly.
Christ leads us in triumph; we do not win it for ourselves. This triumph is a spiritual victory that belongs to us by being in Christ. "Thanks be to GOD Who always leads us in triumph in Christ." Jesus won the victory at His death, burial, and resurrection. Now, He wants us to look to Him to lead us in that victory day by day."
Wisdom's Voice and Call:
Proverbs 1:20-33 "Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at My reproof, behold, I Will pour out My spirit to you; I Will make My words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out My hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all My counsel and would have none of My reproof, I also Will laugh at your calamity; I Will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon Me, but I Will not answer; they will seek Me diligently but will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of My counsel and despised all My reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to Me Will dwell secure and Will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Proverbs 8:1-11 "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: "To you, O men, I call, and My cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I Will speak noble things, and from My lips will come what is right, for My mouth will utter Truth; wickedness is an abomination to My lips. All the words of My mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take My instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her."
Proverbs 9:1-6 "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of My bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
Understanding of Spiritual things:
Deuteronomy 4:5-8 "See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our GOD is to us, whenever we call upon Him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?"
1Chronicles 22:6-16 "David called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood before Me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I Will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I Will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name. He shall be My son, and I Will be his father, and I Will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.' "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He has spoken concerning you. Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when He gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your GOD. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains I have provided for the house of the LORD 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!"
Mem.
Psalm 119:97-104 "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep Your word. I do not turn aside from Your rules, for You have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
Proverbs 2:1-8 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His Saints, the Godly ones."
Proverbs 8:12-21 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By Me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by Me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me.
Riches and honor are with Me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and My yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love Me, and filling their treasuries."
Proverbs 11:3-13 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered."
Proverbs 13:13-18 "Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Good sense (understanding) wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored."
Proverbs 14:25-31 "A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him."
Proverbs 17:24-28 "The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."
2Timothy 2:1-7 "You then, my child, be strengthened by the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
Friday, April 22, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom)
To date I dare say that there have not been visitors to this blog or my other one which reveals that GOD has One Way for us all to acquire entry into His kingdom. Primarily because man does not normally seek search or inquire into such things. Instead he settles for the mundane earthy worldly things in the knowledge of these things. That is unless he acquires the Comforter and Teacher of Spiritual matters man remain on the out side as an outsider and is satisfied to remain there. However when we have the Holy Spirit within us that normal way of life after a period of time looses its attractiveness to us. Because the new man within demands more and more knowledge of the LORD and of GOD his Creator, just as any son does of his Father. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace and the Person of Christ. And then with the use of the ESV translation and the LORD I will look into our need to search for Wisdom from on High.
"Characteristics of Living by Grace"
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant." (2Corinthians 3:5-6)
"When we live in the New Covenant of Grace, GOD impacts our lives. He makes us sufficient by sharing His sufficiency with us. "Our sufficiency is from GOD, Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant." This Impact is from His Grace at work on us, in us, and through us. This process produces spiritual characteristics in our every day living. A brief reflection upon the workings of GOD's Grace will provide a helpful context as we begin to consider these characteristics.
The Grace of GOD is brought to us through the ascended LORD Jesus Christ in His humanity. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . full of Grace and Truth" (John 1:14). When Jesus came to earth as GOD's incarnate word to man, He came overflowing with the Grace of GOD. This abundance of Grace in Christ is to be our ongoing spiritual provision for living in the Christ-likeness of Christian life our being One with GOD just as Adam first was in Genesis 2 and Jesus was in His own earthly walk. "And of His fullness we have all received, and Grace for [upon or in] grace" (John 1:16). One work of GOD's Grace builds upon another work of His Grace is to mark our pilgrimage day by day.
This constantly-available Grace of GOD is able to justify and sanctify lives. "And now, brethren, I commend you to GOD and to the word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance" (Acts 20:32). GOD's Grace, held forth by His word, offers us new birth by (in and through) Grace. But all of the is predicated first on our Trusting Him Believing Him from which faith grows. Faith in Faith is the receptive force that works through the law of Love to receive Grace. When we believe the Lord Jesus, we are justified (declared not guilty, righteous in GOD's sight). Thereby, we obtain the spiritual inheritance of the children of GOD: "the word of His Grace, which is able to . . . give you an inheritance." This same Grace of GOD then becomes our heavenly resource for growing sanctification (that is, growing in Godliness): "the word of His Grace, which is able to build you up."
Part of growing in Godliness involves being set free from the dominating influence of sin (the worlds hostility of resentment, bitterness, anger and unbridled thoughts) in our lives. GOD's Grace provides this liberating reality. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under Grace" (Romans 6:14). As we learn to live by GOD's Grace, instead of by our own best performance, the Grace of GOD is working deep within us, bringing spiritual stability to our inner man. "It is good that the heart be established by Grace" (Hebrews 13:9).
This working of GOD's Grace in us marks us with distinctive spiritual characteristics, which will be examined in the passages of scripture that lie ahead."
The Search for Wisdom:
Job 28:10-11, 12-22, 23 "He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden HE brings out to light. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. "From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.'
"GOD understands the way to it, and HE knows its place."
Taw.
Psa 119:169-176 "Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word! Let my plea come before You; deliver me according to Your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes. My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are right. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise You, and let Your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments."
Proverbs 2:1-15 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD.
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways."
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 "I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that GOD has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted."
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 "So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Ecclesiastes 7:23-26 "All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases GOD escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her."
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 "When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of GOD, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out."
Guidance Sought:
Psalm 5:8-10 "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O GOD; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against You."
Psalm 25:4-7 "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in Your Truth and teach me, for You are the GOD of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast Love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast Love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!"
Psalm 27:11-14 "Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"
Psalm 143:10-12 and Acts 1:24 "Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my GOD! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For Your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in Your steadfast Love You Will cut off my enemies, and You Will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am Your servant."
Acts 1:15-26 "In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection." And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, LORD, Who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
"Characteristics of Living by Grace"
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant." (2Corinthians 3:5-6)
"When we live in the New Covenant of Grace, GOD impacts our lives. He makes us sufficient by sharing His sufficiency with us. "Our sufficiency is from GOD, Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant." This Impact is from His Grace at work on us, in us, and through us. This process produces spiritual characteristics in our every day living. A brief reflection upon the workings of GOD's Grace will provide a helpful context as we begin to consider these characteristics.
The Grace of GOD is brought to us through the ascended LORD Jesus Christ in His humanity. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . full of Grace and Truth" (John 1:14). When Jesus came to earth as GOD's incarnate word to man, He came overflowing with the Grace of GOD. This abundance of Grace in Christ is to be our ongoing spiritual provision for living in the Christ-likeness of Christian life our being One with GOD just as Adam first was in Genesis 2 and Jesus was in His own earthly walk. "And of His fullness we have all received, and Grace for [upon or in] grace" (John 1:16). One work of GOD's Grace builds upon another work of His Grace is to mark our pilgrimage day by day.
This constantly-available Grace of GOD is able to justify and sanctify lives. "And now, brethren, I commend you to GOD and to the word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance" (Acts 20:32). GOD's Grace, held forth by His word, offers us new birth by (in and through) Grace. But all of the is predicated first on our Trusting Him Believing Him from which faith grows. Faith in Faith is the receptive force that works through the law of Love to receive Grace. When we believe the Lord Jesus, we are justified (declared not guilty, righteous in GOD's sight). Thereby, we obtain the spiritual inheritance of the children of GOD: "the word of His Grace, which is able to . . . give you an inheritance." This same Grace of GOD then becomes our heavenly resource for growing sanctification (that is, growing in Godliness): "the word of His Grace, which is able to build you up."
Part of growing in Godliness involves being set free from the dominating influence of sin (the worlds hostility of resentment, bitterness, anger and unbridled thoughts) in our lives. GOD's Grace provides this liberating reality. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under Grace" (Romans 6:14). As we learn to live by GOD's Grace, instead of by our own best performance, the Grace of GOD is working deep within us, bringing spiritual stability to our inner man. "It is good that the heart be established by Grace" (Hebrews 13:9).
This working of GOD's Grace in us marks us with distinctive spiritual characteristics, which will be examined in the passages of scripture that lie ahead."
The Search for Wisdom:
Job 28:10-11, 12-22, 23 "He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden HE brings out to light. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. "From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.'
"GOD understands the way to it, and HE knows its place."
Taw.
Psa 119:169-176 "Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word! Let my plea come before You; deliver me according to Your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes. My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are right. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise You, and let Your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments."
Proverbs 2:1-15 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD.
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways."
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 "I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that GOD has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted."
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 "So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Ecclesiastes 7:23-26 "All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases GOD escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her."
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 "When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of GOD, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out."
Guidance Sought:
Psalm 5:8-10 "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O GOD; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against You."
Psalm 25:4-7 "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in Your Truth and teach me, for You are the GOD of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast Love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast Love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!"
Psalm 27:11-14 "Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"
Psalm 143:10-12 and Acts 1:24 "Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my GOD! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For Your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in Your steadfast Love You Will cut off my enemies, and You Will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am Your servant."
Acts 1:15-26 "In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection." And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, LORD, Who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Wisdom)
The course of my study has brought us to the point of our ever growing in the pure Knowledge of the LORD GOD in the Spirit of Christ. The anointed One in Whom we receive His anointing of which many speak of but miss out on. Because they lack the Wisdom of GOD which comes to us from on High. From here I will again call upon the writing of Pastor Hoekstra and then use the ESV translation for our text. And should the LORD give me further utterance as doing I will as always break in where and where He does so.
"Growing in Knowing the Lord"
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever." (2Peter 3:18)
"Peters statement by the way is a commandment to grow in the Knowledge of the LORD with hesitation or argument. The New Covenant of Grace (at its very core) is a Covenant of Relationship reestablished. GOD's Grace is available to enable us to grow in spiritual Intimacy with our LORD. "Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ." Here, Grace is linked with Growing and with Knowing the LORD. As surely as Grace is the requirement for spiritual birthing, Grace is also the requirement for our Growing. The most strategic area of Spiritual Growth is progress in a deepening Intimate Relationship with the LORD. Paul prayed in this manner for the saints: " that you may have a walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him . . . and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD" (Colossians 1:10).
This process of Growth necessitates consistent intake of the word of GOD by having our mind set on Him. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1Peter 2:2). It is through the scriptures that we learn of the Grace of GOD. The words of GOD are "the word of His Grace" (Acts 20:32). Also, the word of GOD has the LORD Christ Jesus as the constant, primary subject. "And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them and then through them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). From Genesis through Revelation HE has established this standard for our learning in many ways HE has done so. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the One Who is to guide us into all of these great truths of the LORD Christ Jesus. "However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all Truth . . . He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13-14).
GOD Wills for our lives is that we might live in His Will which is revealed through and to us by HIS Word. This allows us to Grow in His Grace that we might know Him better. This is what is to delight our hearts and change our lives. "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD' " (Jeremiah 9:23-24). So many people (sometimes, even the people of God) chase after human wisdom, earthly power, or material riches. Thus is our being contrary and hostile to GOD, which is spiritual idolatry which is fornication. GOD desires that He becomes the delight of our hearts and the goal of our life: "that he understands and knows Me." So, let's respond with joy to Hosea's call: "Let us know, let us pursue the Knowledge of [the knowing of] the LORD" (Hosea 6:3)."
Prayers for Wisdom:
2Chronicles 1:7-13 "In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you." And Solomon said to GOD, "You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O LORD GOD, let Your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of Yours, which is so great?" GOD answered Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like." So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel."
Psalm 90:7-12 "For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days pass away under Your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of Your anger, and Your wrath according to the fear of You? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Proverbs 2:1-15 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways."
Ephesians 1:15-2:10 "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and of Revelation in the Knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that HE worked in Christ when HE raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And HE put all things under His feet and gave Him as Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills All in all. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by Grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming Ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of His Grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Colossians 1:9-14 "From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
"Growing in Knowing the Lord"
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever." (2Peter 3:18)
"Peters statement by the way is a commandment to grow in the Knowledge of the LORD with hesitation or argument. The New Covenant of Grace (at its very core) is a Covenant of Relationship reestablished. GOD's Grace is available to enable us to grow in spiritual Intimacy with our LORD. "Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ." Here, Grace is linked with Growing and with Knowing the LORD. As surely as Grace is the requirement for spiritual birthing, Grace is also the requirement for our Growing. The most strategic area of Spiritual Growth is progress in a deepening Intimate Relationship with the LORD. Paul prayed in this manner for the saints: " that you may have a walk worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing Him . . . and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD" (Colossians 1:10).
This process of Growth necessitates consistent intake of the word of GOD by having our mind set on Him. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1Peter 2:2). It is through the scriptures that we learn of the Grace of GOD. The words of GOD are "the word of His Grace" (Acts 20:32). Also, the word of GOD has the LORD Christ Jesus as the constant, primary subject. "And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them and then through them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). From Genesis through Revelation HE has established this standard for our learning in many ways HE has done so. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the One Who is to guide us into all of these great truths of the LORD Christ Jesus. "However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all Truth . . . He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13-14).
GOD Wills for our lives is that we might live in His Will which is revealed through and to us by HIS Word. This allows us to Grow in His Grace that we might know Him better. This is what is to delight our hearts and change our lives. "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD' " (Jeremiah 9:23-24). So many people (sometimes, even the people of God) chase after human wisdom, earthly power, or material riches. Thus is our being contrary and hostile to GOD, which is spiritual idolatry which is fornication. GOD desires that He becomes the delight of our hearts and the goal of our life: "that he understands and knows Me." So, let's respond with joy to Hosea's call: "Let us know, let us pursue the Knowledge of [the knowing of] the LORD" (Hosea 6:3)."
Prayers for Wisdom:
2Chronicles 1:7-13 "In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you." And Solomon said to GOD, "You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O LORD GOD, let Your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of Yours, which is so great?" GOD answered Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like." So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel."
Psalm 90:7-12 "For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days pass away under Your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of Your anger, and Your wrath according to the fear of You? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Proverbs 2:1-15 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways."
Ephesians 1:15-2:10 "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and of Revelation in the Knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that HE worked in Christ when HE raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And HE put all things under His feet and gave Him as Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills All in all. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by Grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming Ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of His Grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Colossians 1:9-14 "From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the Knowledge of GOD. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)