2019_03_2-- Perseverance of the Saints
Hi all,
Changed recently: Interesting Spiritual Acronyms-- Version 2 -- https://app.box.com/s/6jcb9abykts7o4imkmoig9hd4btj5fey
Saw these recently:
Skywriting “JESUS”-- https://www.facebook.com/BibleloverBill
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Vietnam+attractions&FORM=EMSDS0
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=heart+shaped+nature+images&form=M400PG&OCID=M400PG
Wonderful song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b2qkWnzYhE
I have received many requests for me to donate to organizations and ministries for helping Veterans, political investigations, cancer victims, and starving children. I am 72-years-old and receive low Social Security income. How do you choose which requests to respond to?
What is Christ-likeness? What are the responsibilities of the adopted children of God? What is Sanctification that follows Justification?
Make the Choice
(by Pastor Johan Lourens of South Africa, www.gebednetcom.simplesite.com)
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)”For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Jesus clearly warned us that in this world we will face trouble, trials and challenges that will cause great frustration, even distress. Then in the same breath, He proclaimed that when these difficult times do present themselves we must make the choice to refuse being sucked into a state of worry and fear, and instead choose to rejoice in Him! Why on earth would we choose to rejoice in hard times? We choose to rejoice because Jesus said He has already overcome every obstacle, trial and challenge and since we are in Him, that means the power to overcome whatever we face is something we are already equipped with.
We have the Spirit of God Who is our strength and the source of power. No challenge or work of the enemy can ever prevail against us. Every time we are tempted to be overwhelmed by the circumstances we face, we must choose to refuse fear and cling wholeheartedly to the Spirit of victory that lives within us. God is the rock of our salvation and we can rely on Him. We have His Word that produces faith in us so we can hear His leading and follow after His ways. His peace will be the safeguard over our minds to keep us praising and trusting in the Lord and purposefully resisting fear. No matter how fierce the battle, remember that the you do not have a spirit of fear - so deliberately choose to embrace that Spirit of victory that's on the inside of you!
The Age of Laodicea
Revelation 3 (from the Amplified Bible and logically formatted by Bill Stevenson)
14 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the trusty {and} faithful and true Witness,
the Origin and Beginning and Author of God's creation:
15 “I know your [record of] works {and} what you are doing;
you are neither cold nor hot.
Would that you were cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot,
I will spew you out of My mouth!
17 For you say, ‘I am rich; I have prospered {and} grown wealthy,
and I am in need of nothing’;
and you do not realize and understand that
you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18 Therefore I counsel you
to purchase from Me
gold refined {and} tested by fire,
that you may be [truly] wealthy,
and white clothes to clothe you
and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen,
and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see.
19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love,
I tell their faults and convict and convince
{and} reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them].
So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal
and repent [changing your mind and attitude].
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hear and listens to
{and} heeds My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and will eat with him [or her],
and he [or she], [will eat] with Me.
21 He who overcomes (is victorious),
I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne,
as I Myself overcame (was victorious)
and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
22 He who is able to hear,
let him listen to and heed
what the Holy Spirit says to the assemblies (churches).
1 Corinthians 3
10 According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me,
like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation,
and now another [man or woman] is building upon it.
But let each [one] be careful how one builds upon it,
11 for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid,
which is Jesus Christ (The Messiah, The Anointed One).
12 But if anyone builds upon The Foundation, whether it be with
gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, straw,
13 the work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known;
for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it,
because it will be revealed with fire,
and the fire will test and critically appraise
the character and worth of the work each person has done.
14 If the work which any person has built on this Foundation
[any product of his (or her) efforts whatever] survives [this test],
he (or she) will get his (or her) reward.
15 But if any person's work is burned up [under the test],
he (or she) will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his (or her) reward],
though he (or she) will be saved,
but only as [one who has passed] through fire.
***What is the most important fact in that passage?
How do you know that verse 12 is about true Christians?
John 10
Jesus Christ said,
14 I am The Shepherd Who cares for the sheep.
I know My sheep just as The Father knows Me.
And My sheep know Me just as I know The Father.
I give My life for these sheep.
15 Even as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father.
And I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep too.
They are not in this flock here.
I must lead them also.
They will listen to My voice.
In the future there will be one flock and one Shepherd.
***What are the probable priorities of the two types of Gospel believers?
How can you improve in your use of time so that you are building more on the foundation of Jesus Christ?
27 My sheep listen to My voice.
I know them, and they follow Me.
28 I give My sheep Eternal Life.
They will never die,
and no one can take them out of My hand.
29 My Father is the one Who gave them to Me,
and He is greater than all.
No one can steal My sheep out of His hand.
30 The Father and I are One.”
Warnings and Assurances For Those Living On Earth During the “Last Days”
Note: On January 30, 1994, I heard an excellent expounding on 2 Thessalonians 2. Thus, I felt like doing the following. This is a relationship showing format. Try to determine why I indented phrases the way I did. I also underlined for emphasis. Try to determine why. Take notice of the pronouns starting with capital letters. Why are they done so?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-3:5
Wherefore also we pray always for you,
that our God would
count you worthy of this calling,
and fulfill
all the good pleasure of His goodness
and the work of faith with power,
that the name [character] of our LORD Jesus Christ
may be glorified in you, and you in Him
according to the grace of our God and the LORD Jesus Christ. [See Ephesians 1-2.]
Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto Him,
that you
be not soon shaken in mind, or
be troubled,
neither by the spirit,
nor by word,
nor by letter as from us,
as that the day of the LORD is at hand. [See Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 1, and 2 Peter 1.]
Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first,
and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition
who opposes and exalts himself above all
that is called God,
or that is worshipped;
so that he as God sits in the temple of God,
showing himself that he is God.
Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you,
I told you these things?
And now you know what withholds
that He might be revealed in His time.
for the mystery of iniquity does already work:
only He Who now lets will let,
until He be taken out of the way.
And then shall that wicked be revealed,
whom the LORD
shall consume with the spirit of Hs mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
even Him, Whose coming is after
the working of Satan [See Job 1.] with
all power
and signs and wonders,
and all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish, [See John 3:18-20. ]
because they received not
the love of the truth,
that they might be saved.
[See Jude and 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.]
And for this cause
God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie:
that they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness. [See Romans 1.]
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD,
because God has from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto He called you by our gospel,
to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren,
stand fast,
and hold the traditions which ye have been taught,
whether by word or our epistle. [See Ephesians 1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15]
Now our LORD Jesus Christ Himself and God, even our Father, Who
hath loved us,
and hath given us
everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace. [See 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.]
Comfort your hearts,
and establish you in every good word and work. [See Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58.]
Finally, brethren, pray for us,
that the Word of the Lord
may have free course
and be glorified, even as it is with you;
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men;
for all men have not faith.
But the LORD is faithful, Who shall [See 1 John 1:9.]
establish you,
and keep you from evil. [See Philippians 4:4-8 and John 17.]
And we have confidence in the LORD touching you,
that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
And the LORD direct your hearts
into the love of God, and
into the patient waiting for Christ. See Psalm 37 and 2 Peter 3.]
Conclusions by the AOG preacher:
True Christians need to love truth and righteousness much more and hate deception and sin much more.
There is already too much emphasis of signs and wonders, new prophecy speculations, theories of “who” is the anti-Christ,
and denominational distinctives/theories/judging.
The emphasis should be on sound Bible teaching, discipleship, and outreach ministries.
Important Choices for Each True Christian for New Testament Living
Note: This is an unusual Bible verses/relationships study for personal revival.
Try to determine the reasons for the below formatting of the chosen Scripture.
2 Corinthians 1:
2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father,
and from The Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God,
even The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Father of mercies,
and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble,
by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses: What a ministry for true Christians!!]
2 Corinthians 2:
14 Now thanks be to God, Who always
leads us to triumph in Christ,
and diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are to God a fragrance of Christ,
among them who are saved,
and among them who perish:
16 to the one, we are the aroma of death leading to death;
and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses: Our words and actions can encourage or discourage, be God-pleasing or God-grieving.]
2 Corinthians 3:
3 Clearly you are an epistle of Christ,
ministered by us,
written not with ink,
but by The Holy Spirit of The Living God;
not on tables of stone,
but on fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also has made us able ministers of the New Testament;
not of the letter, but of The Holy Spirit:
for the letter kills, but The Holy Spirit gives life.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones,
was glorious,
so that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses
for the glory of his countenance;
which glory was to be done away,
8 how will the ministry of The Holy Spirit be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory,
the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect,
because of the glory that excels.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious,
much more that which remains is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope,
we use great plainness [or boldness] of speech:
13 And not as Moses, who put a veil over his face
so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away;
14 But their minds were blinded.
For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament;
because the veil is taken away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless, when one turns to The Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is spirit;
and where the spirit of The Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of The Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as by The Holy Spirit of The Lord.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above passage: reread Galatians and Romans 8-12.]
2 Corinthians 4:
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty,
not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the Truth
commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our Gospel be veiled, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this World has blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God,
should shine to them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 always bearing about in the body the dying of The Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also might be made manifest in our body.
15 For all things are for your sakes,
that the abundant grace having spread through the many
may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart,
even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above passage: reread Hebrews 10-12.]
2 Corinthians 5:
9 Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent,
we may be accepted of Him.
10 For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his [or her] body,
according to that he [or she] has done, whether it be good or bad.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses: reread 1 Corinthians 1-5.]
17 Therefore if any man [or woman] be in Christ, he [or she] is a new creation:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, Who
has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and
has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the World to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us:
we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
21 For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin;
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 6 verses: reread John 14-17. ***John 13-17-- ETRS (7 pgs.)--
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for God and for back-to-the-basics Christianity,
Bible lover Bill
Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:4-8, and Jude 20-25
new e-mail address: [email protected]
(but I have to use a similar e-mail address for my e-mail compilation sends to 8 groups)
Interesting Spiritual Acronyms-- Version 2 -- https://app.box.com/s/6jcb9abykts7o4imkmoig9hd4btj5fey