Jehovah Shalom I honour You as my Lord and Master enlighten my mind with truth, pacify my heart with love, strengthen me with the will and courage to do Your work without grumbling, enrich my life with service. Pardon what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Father, you have blessed me in so many ways and I am grateful, you’ve blessed me, specifically with a roof over my head, families and friends. Lord, please help me to bring You glory today, through my actions, my words and the work I do today. Help me view my work as a blessing and not a curse. Give me grace and strength for the hardest aspects of my job as I am faced with crisis of the world. Lord, please speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day.
According to Your word in James 1: 5 “If any of your lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” So, Lord I am depending upon You. Teach us to become more reliant on You. Bring each and everyone into a greater discernment of how You operate, so that we may come into a deeper understanding that all we see with natural eyes is not all that is. Today I ask for I ask for Spiritual eyes to see Your hand in all matters, and hearts open to Your work.
Father God You said in your Words, “We should not be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 Father, I love You. I adore You, All that I have expressed above is the desire of my heart. I confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. I Thank You for Your grace and mercy that wake us up to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You.
Lord help us live humble before Your presence . Show us the good things that we often overlook and help us be content with what we have. Lord please Forgive us when we compare our ourselves to others. Forgive us for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Forgive us when we sin and fall short of Your glory
Thank you for loving us right where we are, right as I am. Help us to keep our eyes on you. Lord, I ask today for more of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, it can be easy for us to become consumed with the fears that surround us in life, but we know that just as Your eye is indeed on the sparrow, so also do You care for and see us Lord, help us to remember what a difference it makes when we make time with You a priority in our morning. Awaken us in body and spirit each day.
(1) Ephesians 6vs 18 Praying Always with all prayer and Supplication in the spirit being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints: key word is SUPPLICATION which means supply or needy. Differences between want and need; want is something that we can do without, need is something you can’t do without, God knows best, He promises He will always supply our needs. Philippians 4vs 6 & 19 Summarized that we should not to be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer, supplication and thanksgiving we should make our request be known unto God. In prayer we should go to God with our requests and petitions not demanding, we should go to God humbly reminding Him of what He says in His words asking and waiting on Him and if it is a genuine need He will usually grant it to you unless He has something better or the timing is off. He won’t give us something just because we want it but He will answer our prayers based on His knowledge and wisdom. 1st Timothy 6 VS 8 Simply saying; all we need is food and raiment (clothes)
(2) 1st Timothy 2 vs 1 Therefore I exhort first supplications, prayers intercessions and giving thanks to be made for all men. The key word is: INTERCESSION which means praying on behalf of someone else that they may fulfil their needs. Jesus is an example of a great intercessor He is seated on the right hand of the Father always interceding for us the bible states. St Samuel 12vs 23Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you good and the right way. Samuel is setting a good example for intercessors honoring the Lord in believing that if he refuses to pray for others it is like sinning not willing to see anyone perish.
(3) Nehemiah 11vs 17 Talks about Thanksgiving emphasis on THANKSGIVING we should always come to God with thanksgiving for the gift of salvation and for all that He has done for us. Think of some things GOD has done for you and begin to give Him thanks. We should especially give thanks when we are feeling down, go to God and start giving Him thanks for all He has done it will lift you up and give you joy. God likes when His children are thankful. Colossians 4vs 2 Gives another example of how we should Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant with thanksgiving. Colossians 3vs 15 &17 Refers to being thankful in whatever we do in words or deed, it should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. The question to ask ourselves is are we giving Him thanks daily? Even though it is required of us that in whatever circumstance we find ourselves we should give thanks.
4) 2nd Peter 1vs 4 By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Key word PROMISE there are many scriptures that refers to promises in the Bible. Nothing is wrong with going to God and quoting bible verses pertaining to His promises especially if it is a promise that we can claim dealing with a specific situation in that moment, not demanding but just reminding Him of what He said in His words. (5) Romans 12 vs12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly instant in prayer. Key word INSTANT which means immediately, we are able to pray to God whenever or wherever . We as Christians have the privilege to go to God at anytime and he will hear us.
When to Pray: (1) Psalm 63vs 1 Early in the morning Psalm 5 vs 3 (2) 1ST Timothy 4 vs 3-5 Before we eat, These 3 verses talks about food. God provides food for us and taught us that we should bless our meal before we eat. We should get in the habit of praying over our food before we eat regardless of the time of the day we choose to eat. (3) Mark 14 vs 38 Temptation There are times we are tempted because we were born in sin and is drawn away by our lust, its then that we should get on our knees and ask God to not allow you to follow thru with whatever it is your flesh is desiring for you to do. Our petitition can be something like Lord I am tempted to do this thing but I know it’s wrong, the Lord will then give you the strength not to carry thru with that action. 1st Corinthians 10 vs 13 This is one of the best verse to keep you from temptation, this is a promise from God that if temptation comes in your way, He will make a way for you to escape that we don’t have to give in to that temptation.
(4) Psalm 120 vs 20 Pray during Hard times, David is talking about a time when he went through difficult times and was distressed. We all go through tough times in our lives this is when we should cry out unto the Lord for help or as the term goes ” wrestle in prayer”. Ephesian 6vs 12 We as Christians will need to wrestle against spiritual wickedness its especially in those times we should go to God in prayer. 1st Peter 4 vs 7We should watch and pray.
Model of Prayer Matthew 6 vs 5-15 Jesus said when you pray here is what you should say. This is another model of Jesus teaching His disciples to pray.
Model 1 Matt 6 vs 5 Avoid public performance Do what you were asked to do anything else is public performance.
Model 2 Matt 6 vs 6 / 1st Corinthians 14 vs 1-33 Private petitions Everyone should have a private prayer life
Model 3 Eliminate programme praise. P.R.A.I.S.E
1 Praise- vs 9: Hallowed be thy name.
2 Rule vs 10: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done.
3 Accommodation vs 11: Give us this day our daily bread e.g. God’s will be done on this day.
4 Iniquity vs 12: Forgive us our daily debts (vs 14-15) e.g. pray for our sins. Reaffirm that I have forgiven that person. Reaffirm the importance of forgiveness.
5 Shield vs 13: Lead us not into Temptation e.g. build an edge around us that means we are praying to God not the devil.
6 Empire vs 13: Kingdom Power and the Glory e.g. Ask for the sake of Gods Kingdom to be advanced, if you advance in Gods Kingdom He will make it happen.
What is Prayer? Prayer is having a conversation with God and having Him respond to us.
What does prayer involve (1) Worshipping God and giving Him your time. (2) Seeking God (3) Privilege Luke 11vs1. e.g. In this verse one of Jesus’ disciple beseeched Him teach us how to pray.
Matthew 6 vs 5-8: Gives us examples of how not to pray Prayer is not necessarily done in public for everyone to see. Prayer is an act we should do in a place where we can be alone to talk to God. Vs 5. Talks about people who prays so they can be seen; they love to stand in the Synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Vs 6. Gives a pattern of the best place to go when we pray; when we pray enter in our room close the door and pray to our Father secretly and He will reward us openly. Vs 7. There are people who pray and use vain repetitions eg they pray the same thing over and over again, that’s what the heathens did in the time of Jesus, the heathen thinks that God hears them better for being repetitive in their prayer. PRAYER IS NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, PRAYER IS A CONVERSATION WITH GOD. In this passage Jesus was teaching His disciples how not to pray.
What is prayer – Prayer is conversing with God. Isaiah 44 vs 17. We found some heathens who worshipped false gods not the true and living God. We should never worship or pray to any other gods but the true and living God. Daniel 9 vs 3. Daniel was in a place where he sought the Lord in prayer by setting his face towards the Lord God to make request (seeking) by prayer and supplications. Hebrew 4 vs 16. States that we should come boldly to the throne of Grace, here we see that prayer is a privilege! In that we are able to approach the creator of universe. John 9 vs 31. The prayer God hears is the prayer of those who are saved through faith in Jesus. God does not hear sinner’s prayer, but if we are a worshipper of God and does His will, He hears us. Proverbs 28 vs 9. (Old Testament) clearly said one who turns away his ear from hearing the law even his prayer is an abomination we are not living under the Old Testament anymore we are living under Grace therefore there will never be a time when God will turn away His ears if you are a believer, He is believer, attentive. Prayer is not able to save us it is our faith and trust in God. Psalm 18 vs 41 They cried out, but there was none to save. Psalm 66 vs 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart God will not hear us. Proverbs 1vs 28-29 Wise Word from Solomon says that they will call upon God, but He will not answer; They will seek Him diligently but they will not find Him, why? Because they hate knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 1vs 15. There was a time when God would not listen to the prayer of certain groups of people. How great it is for us today that Jesus came and died and now we have access to God at any time. When we trust Christ and are saved, He hears us. These scriptures are just to highlight the privileges we have as Christians.
A Prayer to Start the Day
Dear God, At the start of each day, help us to give you the highest praise and to recognize you above all thing. Give us Spiritual eyes and enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice the mighty works you are doing through our lives. Give us Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding to make the best choices and fill us with the desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that even though we go through the valleys your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but our true and lasting strength, no matter what we’re up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and mind in you. I ask for your grace and mercy to cover our lives this day.
I adore You, Lord and Creator who creates the Heaven and Earth.
I adore You for all the works of your hands that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy.
Holy Spirit I welcome you in each and every one who visit this website Holy Spirit come alive in our hearts today.
Lord I thank You that I can call upon Your name even when I don’t deserve You.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You care for all of Your creation and all of Your children, but Lord, there are so many areas in each and every one of our lives, our home, our work places, our family lives and in the world that are going wrong and that it seems that our whole lives are about to implode.
Father, I know that we have all made mistakes and I am asking Your forgiveness. We have all made some foolish choices. Father You said in Your Words in Psalms 147:3 You heal the broken-hearted and bind their wounds Abba Father know that You are in the business of restoring those that are hurting and mending those that are broken.
Father, may we repent of the years that we have wasted. Father give us the desire to turn away from our misspent years and return to You with all our heart, and get back into a right relationship with You.
Lord, I know that we do not deserve to have this prayer answered, but we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, who died to pay the price for our sins that You would look down on us with pity and mercy and that Father You remind me in Luke 11:4 that You would forgive us of our sins so Lord here I am asking You to give us back those years we have lost, when we were walking in unbelief and ignorance of Your love and grace towards us.
I know that we do not deserve Your kindness, but You are a good and gracious God, long-suffering and of great kindness. I pray that You would restore those lost years and I ask that You would enable us to start to live a life that is honouring to You.
Abba Father, in Romans 8:15 You said we should call on You, so today I am calling on You to forgive us for the years we have wasted so many years of our life pursuing wrong things and getting involved with worldly activities, fleshly pursuits and the various temporary things of life, while neglecting the important spiritual issues, that are eternal and lasting.
Father I am asking for Your forgiveness and pray that in Your grace You would restore to us the years that the locusts have eaten, the years that we have foolishly wasted.
Lord, help us to be a good and faithful servant when we stand before Your throne, and I know that most if not all of the good works we have done are likely to be burned up, knowing that we have been striving in the flesh instead of resting in You and letting Your Holy Spirit live and work through us. Restore to us the heavenly joy and inner peace that has been evading us. Help us to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal and from this day forward, may we start to live our life in a way that you would have us live.
The best question to ask ourselves as Christians is, “Are you ready for God’s call?”
Your calling is the means by which God made you to venerate Him, serve Him, honor Him, and offer brilliance to Him in all that you do.
By living the good life, God has the ability to use you in any situation. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your capabilities are. As it states in Jeremiah 1:5NIV, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Just remember that God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
We thank you for keeping us as we face another the day We thank you for taking us through the struggles of stress and heartache, and we are grateful that you have kept us in our right mind, body and soul. We thank you because you are the One who loves us and knows us best We thank you for your mercy, grace and the many blessings that you bestow on us.
I rejoice in the privilege that you have granted another wonderful day!
Therefore, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Lord, please help me to be your masterpiece; Your vessel in spreading Your love to others through my actions today; in public, at work, and even in my own home.
Let me be the salt and the light to many people today. I know there will always be unbelievers, but there are also lost souls on very fertile soil and Lord, I pray that the seeds planted today will sprout in the heart of one of those soul. I ask that you water these seeds and reap a bountiful harvest.
Lord, please continue to pour out your gracious protection upon each and every one who has read this prayer.
Lord help us to be like David in Psalms 51 which said create me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
Lord help me to think on the things that are pure and true as this morning I seek your Holy Face.
Defend me from all dangers, and from the fear of all things, that I may enjoy the task that is set before me and refresh my mind to attack those duties today, and the days that follow.
What is Prayer? Prayer is talking to God, seeking Him and listening for His response. Reading and meditating on the word of God both the old and new testament gives us an insight in how men and women of old were able to connect with God.
Luke 11:1—e.g. One of Jesus’ disciple requested of Him, teach us how to pray.
Our Father who art in Heaven we are calling on your name this day. I worship you in the beauty of Holiness. I honour you as my Lord and Master. This is the day you have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. I acknowledge (Psalms 5:3) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
With gratitude, I thank you for preserving our lives one more day.
With gratitude, I thank you for your ultimate gift of love for us in the form of your son and the sacrifice of His life on our behalf.
Lord teach us your ways that we may rely on your faithfulness. Teach us to number our days and to use our time wisely.
I don’t know what this day holds, but I know that you hold the day. It was you that laid the foundations of the Earth and therefore understands every part of it. I know that you keep the sun in the sky, the stars in place, and have created this Earth for mankind to inhabit and enjoy.
Lord I pray for wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, and approachable, with lots of mercy and fairness. You said in (James 1:5) unlimited supply of wisdom is available to me if I simply ask, so I pray for wisdom to know how to deal with the many people and situations that will cross my path whether at home, in my workplace or anywhere I will go.
I pray for your protection throughout this day; protect me from harm and evil; go before me please to the left and right and also be my guide. Order my steps so that I will walk worthy of your calling throughout this day.
May your Word come alive to me so that it is a living guide in every situation. Help me, Lord, to remember the promises of your Word and bring the right passage to my remembrance for the situation. I acknowledge Lord that I need to spend more time with you reading your word and praying so that I can be prepared for whatever the day brings. Lord, I know that your Word is indeed a light unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)
Remove fear and anxiety from me. As a believer you said in your Words that you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of love power and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) So when I am fearful, may I remember your love for me, and use that love as the example to love others and see situations differently.
Lord, draw me close to You today that I may dwell in Your presence, as You have promised in your Word in (James 4:8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. I want to know every day that You can be known, that Your word changes hearts, enriches souls and make us wise.
Lord I am your child, I know that I am your masterpiece though I feel so unworthy help me to remember my worth in you when I am faced with challenging situations. When I feel depressed, help me to remember that (Psalms 139:14)said that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in your image and that you loved me so much you thought that I was worth dying for. I don’t know anyone who would die for us but you were willing and I am eternally grateful and humbled. Lord thank you, you are beyond understanding. You are the God of abundance. You are mine and I am yours. I submit all to you today in the mighty name of Jesus.
Have a wonderful day, remember to look to the hills from whence cometh your help.
It was not until the third and fourth centuries that the Trinitarian view of the Godhead developed. In the history of Christianity, the Holy Spirit long presented a dilemma. The earliest Ecumenical Creeds acknowledged the “reality” of the Spirit, but did not place the Spirit on co-equal par with God (the Father) and the Son of God.
What appears evident in early Christian doctrine, is that the Apologists writing of the Apologists concerning the Holy Spirit were few and far between and less prevalent, scarcely deserving the name of scientific theology. Jeffery Grant echoes that “the predominantly applied them was their relationship of Christ to the Godhead. Nevertheless, being loyal churchmen, they made it their business to proclaim the Church’s Faith, the pattern of which was of course Trinitarian”.
Between the time of the Church Fathers and this past century, the Christian churches didn’t think much more about the spirit. There is a practical reason for this; the spirit is hard to articulate, that much about the same would endorse in much debate and endless theories; which in effect still takes place today. There are many denominations who argue tirelessly about the relationship between God the Father and God the Spirit; the ‘Oneness ideology’ is a prime example of this, anyone who tries to describe the Holy Spirit eventually finds themselves on the edge of the cliff of heresy. Even describing the presence of the Spirit possess a problem. It is usually best to stick with what matters most and that is what the Spirit is doing within us and how He is empowering our Works for the Kingdom.
The Apostle Creed
Attempts to develop an understanding of the Holy Spirit with the Trinitarian passages came to fruition at Constantinople in 381. When the Apostles’ Creed was drawn up, the chief enemy was Gnosticism and Arianism. Both of these were sceptical moments denying that Jesus was truly Man and God; and the emphases of the Apostles’ Creed reflects a concern with renouncing this error.
Arius
Arius a presbyter (elder) who lived in the early 300’s in Alexandria in Egypt, taught the Father, in the beginning, created (or begat) the Son, and that the Son, in conjunction with the Father, then proceeded to create the world. The result of this was to make the Son a created being, and hence not God in any meaningful sense. It was also suspiciously like the theories of those Gnostics and pagans who held that God was too perfect to create something like a material world, and so introduced one or more intermediate beings between God and the world. Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, sent for Arius and questioned him. Arius stuck to his guns, and was finally excommunicated by a council of Egyptian bishops. He went to Nicomedia in Asia, where he wrote letters defending his position to various bishops. Finally, the Emperor Constantine summoned a council of Bishops in Nicea, and there in 325 the Bishops of the Church by a decided majority, renounced Arius and produced the first draft of what is now called the Nicene Creed. The first creedal gathering at Nicea (AD 325) merely concluded: “We believe in the Holy Spirit” without elaboration.
That initial uncertainty and indecision was officially overcome at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381. It was at this church unity Council gathering they confessed the faith of the Apostles when they said, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father.” This creed described deity to the Holy Spirit presenting the Spirit as one God with the Father and Son.
The Trinitarian
It is not until St. Athanasius who wrote in his “Letters to Serapion” explains the relationship of the Holy Spirit with the Father, in one part of his letter Athanasius speaks of this relationship using similar wording to the later doctrine of the Filioque. The Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son. The Spirit proceeds from the Father as well as the Son. The Spirit is characterized by sharing similarities with the Son. We cannot deny that the influences of theologians such as Basil of Caesarea (“the Great”) and his work on the Holy Spirit were the primary influence neither can we deny what was likely the influence of these writings of Athanasius on the subject.
Conclusions
In “Make room for the Holy Spirit part one and part two” was a great experience and journey of the time when the Apostles were going about the Great Commission and were preaching the Gospel. Prior to the Protestant Reformation. In the sixteenth Century the Christian did not have access to the Bible, it was at this time the most learned pagans stopped believing in their gods. Convinced of the falseness of their idolatrous religion, they pursued the truth in the teachings of the ancient philosophers. Thank you Lord for modern society where we have the privilege and access to the Bible which is our daily bread.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
During my Christian journey I realised that I was spending too much time working and not reading my bible often as I should, or focusing on the things of God. Previously I knew my purpose but need confirmation form God, so I began to seek my purpose through this pandemic by prayer and fasting. My eyes are spiritually open to so much things of God thank you Jesus for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was telling me I need to take a step back and focus on things of God instead.
It is so easy to let ourselves be swept away into the world, but it is so important to be mindful of this. We are called to be salt and light in this world. We cannot do that if we are exactly like everyone else.
One evening after work I was jogging in the park while jogging i found myself just worshipping and giving God thanks. Finally, God has revealed my purpose and I take great pleasure and passion in starting my Inspirational and Motivational website page spreading the word of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
What the Bible Says All Taken From ESV
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Proverbs 4 :25
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:25
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:17
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:2-5
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2Timothy 1:7
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2:11-12
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Proverbs 15:20
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Proverbs 18:7
But test everything; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, Hebrews 3:1
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalms 32:8
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, Psalms 119:2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:12
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6
Philosophical View: Discipline refers to the process by which one learns a way of life.
Biblical View: The Bible states that discipline has a positive and essential place in the lives of God’s people. God transcribed a way of life for His people and they learned how to be obedient. The process by which God’s people learned obedience was the “discipline of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 11:2 NIV).
My favourite verse on discipline is:
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.1 Corinthians 11:32ESV
Definition of love:It is an intense deep affection
Biblical View of love: Love is patient Love is kind Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not dishonor others It is not self-seeking It is not easily angered It keeps no record of wrongs Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects , always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1CORINTHIANS 13:4-8NIV)
There are several Ancient Greek word used to differentiate modern word for love.
The three most frequent words used for love:
Eros- which means passionate love ( this kind of love is different from the love for our relatives)
Philia – is the love brotherly ( until something happen the love turn to hatred)
Agape- is unconditional which is the love of God ( and that is the love I want to focus on tonight)
Some scholars said John is a Prophet, some scholars said he is an Evangelist and the author of this book, he was the preacher in the wilderness and the man that baptized Jesus. Reading the Gospel of John over and over it is like reading for the first time WHY? Every text is worded to let the power of the original thought come through in todays language. The result is that you find not only more understanding in reading the book of John but more joy, as the meaning of Scriptures becomes more transparent, more love of God shines through.
If I ask the question tonight about giving up your only son or daughter to die, or for adoption the answer would most likely be no, but God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross to redeem humanity from sin, that is to show us how much God loves us.
One song writer said Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us that we should be called the Sons of God
This paragraph can be found in 1John 3:1 I am going to paraphrase, In this verse I personally think John was concerned because he probably thought who would give up their only son to die?
Here is another similar situation where Abraham was tested with his only son Isaac to take him to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him for a burnt offering this story can be found in Genesis 22.
The Old Testament Covenant depends upon man but thanks be to God that the New Testament Covenant we are living under dispensation of grace which is love of God.
The Love spoken of throughout the bible is Agape love which is the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. We did nothing to earn it, He loves us unconditionally.
According to 1CORINTHIANS 13:13 it is said and now these three remain Faith, Hope and Love, But the greatest of them all is love God is amazing!
Myles Munroe wrote a book called the Purpose Power of Love and Marriage. He said to know love (Agape) is to know God because God is love, he also said one of the greatest truths ever revealed to mankind is the truth that God loves us.
God did not said He loves when we are good said, He loves us with an everlasting.
I am going to summarise John 4:20: if anyone says that they love God and hate their brother the truth is not in them, the unsaved man or woman would see nothing wrong but we as Christians when we hate our brothers and sisters but confess that we love God He is not pleased with us, even the ones that crucified Him. What did He say? He said Father forgive them for they know not what they do, there was a passion of love right there.
Sometimes I buy things online and will ask customer service if it can be personalised, we can also personalise Bible Verses to reflect our need or situation for eg John 3:16 we can say for God so love Dazia that He gave His only begotten Son.
A Song writer said Jesus loves me this if know. The song writer didn’t the mill & boo most us love to read when we were younger, the writer didn’t say Muhammad How do we know? It is written in the Bible. The love Jesus have for us He died on the cross for you and I to have life more abundantly. The bible clearly reveals that God’s love for us, one thing it does not reveal is why He loves us, there is no love with “why” Love with a “Why” is love with conditions, God loves us unconditionally.
Gods love is global, it has no width, it has no length or depth, He loves all people. He loves every race whether you are black or white. He loves us regardless of our gender. He loves the prisoner. He loves the prostitute. He loves the drug addict. He loves the rapist and the murders. It doesn’t matter what goes on in our lives He loves us. What God hates is all sins and all selfish actions of sin, including ours.
For God so loved the world, that phrase “so loved the world” demand our attention I am a living testimony, I should have been dead long time ago but Jesus love me in spite of my situation and character there was never a time God stopped loving us, His love is constant, His love is infinite, God love is sacrificial He gave His only Son to die for our sins.
I want to bring your attention to some mighty man of valor in the Bible they mess up but God still love them.
Moses I wouldn’t say he was disobedient I would say he was insecure telling God he can’t talk his tongue is tied. Exodus 4:10
David a womaniser trick Uriah got him killed and took his wife 2nd Samuel 11:1-14
Abraham lied and said that Sarah was his sister Genesis 20:1-2
Noah drank until he didn’t know himself went and laid naked in his tent Genesis 9:21
How can we forget a thief like Jacob instead of protecting his brother he robbed him, story can be found in Genesis 27
Jonah was a Prophet called by God, who gave him direction to go to Nineveh the people instead he went his own way God had prepared a wale to swallow he was in the wake belly for three days God still love him story can be found in Jonah 1
Bible Verses on Love ( 1CORINTHIANS 13:1-8 NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If i give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
( Short but sweet)Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.(1Peter 4:8 NIV)
God’s Love and Ours 1 John 4:7-21 NIV
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
I will acknowledge that it was very interesting to see how God addresses us as dear friends in (John 4:7-21 NIV)
I believe that like God says, we should love one another as He loves us because He considers us friends so we should love each other accordingly.
Philosophy View of gatekeepers An attendant employed to control who goes through a gate
Biblical View of gatekeepers I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7 NIV
Gates are often mentioned in Scriptures, and gatekeepers play a very important part in maintaining order in ancient and modern societies. Gatekeepers are guards who will and can be placed at different kind of gates. Examples: 1.Hotels/ Functions gate 2. Palace/ Temple gates 3. Store/ Supermarkets gate
Apostle Paul has illustrated eight examples of “Gatekeepers” that should stand in the gateway of all Christian believers thinking:
1.Whatever is true 2.Whatever is noble 3.Whatever is right 4.Whatever is pure 5.Whatever is lovely 6.Whatever is admirable 7.Think about things that are excellent or praiseworthy 8.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. These are moral attributes that Paul is expecting every Christians should adhere to. Philippians 4:8-9 NIV First, as our mind is fed information, we should ask ourselves is it true?” God’s own truth can be our measure.
Then we should think is it honorable? Does the thing I hear have a noble ring to it? Is the action I am being asked to take respectable.
Then we need to determine. Is it right? it is just and fair? We can search the Gospel and see if Jesus addressed the issue, If what He said was right?
When we consider watching a movie, television programmes or consider reading a book, It is usually a good idea to ask ourselves is this beneficial to our spiritual growth or is this pure and lovely?. Will this data I am feeding into my mind result in godly love and beautiful actions? We also need to ask ourselves is it admirable? Is what I am thinking about praiseworthy and well reputed, does it sound attractive or appealing?. The word admirable has been rendered as high-toned. We as Children of God should not be gossiping about each other or listening to gossip, it is unlike Christ.
Conclusion Finally, we must consider, is what we are thinking excellent and worthy of praise? I am sure many of us would have difficulty agreeing that most of our thought life is excellent. We should hold our thoughts above the world’s thoughts. Reach for your star, don’t settle for mediocrity. If we would all determine to allow only that which calls down the approval of God into our thought’s patterns, then we would be well on our way to experiencing continuous peace of mind. If so, Paul concluded that we should value the approval of God. “Think about such things “.
Philosophical View: Pagan Is described as a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions; a religion other than one of the main world religions, specifically a non-Christian or pre-Christian religion.”
Biblical View: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 KJV
When the apostles had started preaching the Gospel; the most learned pagans had already stopped believing in their gods. We must remember that prior to the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century the average Christian did not have access to the Bible. Convinced of the falseness of their idolatrous religion, they pursued the truth in the teachings of the ancient philosophers: Plato, Pythagoras, Zenon, Epicurus and others, Biblical ignorance was rampant. It was hardly the sort of atmosphere in which people would be identified as having spiritual gifts. It was unlikely that they would be expected to seek and pray for such to happen or even recognize them, when they were manifested.
Now concerning the Spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye are gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accused: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3AV
Many maintained that all world was the result of “chance,” and they deified the powers of nature; others thought to attain a state of blessedness by means of a determined self-will, they believed they made things happen when they did not call upon the Creator of the universe, they did respected virtue; still others sought only earthly pleasures and temporary satisfaction.
We do not know what was happening in the churches or home meetings of Christians at this time. I cannot say with confidence that believers regularly prayed for the sick and saw them healed; any more than you can say they did not. You cannot say they never prophesied to the comfort, exhortation, and consolation of the church any more than I can say they did.
But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.1 Cor. 14:3 KJV No one can say with any confidence whether countless thousands of Christians throughout the inhabited earth prayed their prayer language during their private devotions. We must remember that this was long before the printing press or the advantages of mass media. The absence of documented evidence for spiritual gifts in a time when documented evidence for most of church life was, at best, sparse is hardly good grounds for concluding that such gifts did not exist. When we have the Word of God ; that confirms that many were added to the Church on a daily basis; this i believe, to be an example of the True Church and not benchwarmers or Church goers like that of Ananias and Sapphira; but people with a heart after that God.
Who is the Holy Spirit
To the Believers, The Holy Spirit is the most mysterious part of the Trinity, yet we cannot function without Him. God the Father is described to us in familiar terms in that He is our Father and He is our Creator. He loves His creation and He demonstrated that love towards us. God the Son Jesus Christ; lived amongst us as a man and we can identify with Him and with some of His experiences. He became flesh in order that we could share commonality in His life and so that we could be eye witness to His Death and Resurrection.
People without Faith can relate to a God and to be some degree even Jesus can be a talking point. But only the saved in Christ can identify with the mystery of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our Help and our comforter, our Guide and our Protector.
Trying to see the Spirit is like trying to see your own eye. The instrument of perception is not itself perceived. The eye doesn’t see itself, and the Spirit doesn’t show Himself, but rather He shows us the Father and the Son. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 KJV
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity because the Bible reveals this to us.
The Old Testament makes several references to God’s Spirit. The Spirit was present at creation and gave power and strength to people like Moses, Samson, and David. And the Psalms speak of the Holy Spirit’s infinite presence from which no person can hide or flee, the Holy Spirit possess the same attributes of God.
The New Testament writers also elaborated on the Holy Spirit. They wrote about the Holy Spirit’s role in convicting people when they do wrong, guiding people to do what is right, and generally teaching and illuminating the truth about God to all who seek him. Luke, a physician and one of the Gospel writers, indicated that one’s relationship to God is the same as one’s relationship to the Holy Spirit.
Nonetheless, understanding exactly who the Holy Spirit is can be difficult. It’s not too hard to imagine God as a creator or a father-like figure. And Jesus is a tangible person who we can read about and study. But the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is more mysterious.
I like Mr Davidson quote that the Trinity is not a theoretical problem to be solved but a reality to worship. It began quite simply and intuitively when believers discovered they could not say all that they wanted by just saying the word “God” it was not until they added, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Triune God, has been ever present before the creation and form the everlasting to everlasting. Co-eternal and Co- equal.
Changes can be hard to accept, and can take time to implement. The Church was always faced with opposition from those who lack understanding or oppose change. But through the Work of the Omnipotent one it was ordained that the Doctrine of the Trinity would be implemented and understood by believers.
The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit throughout the New Testament provides us with in depth information as to how the Holy Spirit would operate in the latter days (last days). The church of God must be consecrated and Holy before God; in order to prepare for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. Peter emphasized that the most definite temporal element of the great events of earth is the mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God and the blotting out of our sins and transgression. The prophet fortold of what will happened in the last days.
And I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh Joel 2:28AV
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain James 5:7AV⁶
Unbelievers in the Pew
Today Many ‘Christians’ claim to possess miraculous spiritual Gifts, yet when questioned about what their exact purpose is, there is a significant uncertainty. God has always given His Spirit to achieve specific, defined objectives. Because of this, those who truly possessed the gifts of the spirit knew exactly what they were to use them for. This contrast with today’s public representation of individuals claiming to have a Healing Ministry.
I feel that I must mention that the Spirit is revealed first and foremost through Scripture. Without the work of the Spirit, the Bible is dead ink and paper. Without the Spirit’s wisdom and insight, one philosopher quotes that religion is actually the opiate for oppressed countries and cultures would be true.
So, what is the way to defeat what I believe is the unbelievers’ best argument against Christianity? I think there are a number of things that must be addressed before this issue can be put to rest.
First, I’m convinced that the modern-day Church is pregnant with unbelievers. What’s wrong with that, you ask? There’s nothing wrong with unbelievers coming to church, unbelievers do need to attend church but there is a very real problem when they stay unbelievers. Our seeker friendly church programs tends to focus on keeping church, unbelievers are not being confronted with their fallenness or need for repentance, and the requirement to demonstrate fruit as proof of their conversion. David Amoah, actually made a good point that bearing fruits glorifies God, silences the critics of our God and keep believers connected to the Lord, John reiterates that by this My Father is Glorified. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8NIV
Stanley High describes today’s Church like this:
“The church has failed to tell me that I am a sinner. The church has failed to deal with me as a lost individual. The church has failed to offer me salvation in Jesus Christ alone. The church has failed to tell me of the horrible consequences of sin. The church has failed to tell me the certainty of hell, and the fact that Jesus Christ alone can save.
We need more of the living God, more of a Heaven to gain and a hell to shun. The church must bring me not a message of cultivation but of rebirth. I might fail that kind of church, but that kind of church will not fail me.”
According to the great philosophy Stanley High, the Church has stopped telling people the truth about being lost. We have too many people in authority behaving like motivational speakers, encouraging and building up the emotional state of the church but not teaching the truth. Until that change is made and spirit-led pastors and teachers take dominion of the Pulpit and behave more like the Prophets of God were ordain to be; the Church will continue to be a place where unbelievers come and leave with no transformation having taken place, with the end result being lives lived out that stand in stark contrast to Biblical principles.
The Holy Spirit is God’s empowering presence that works mysteriously in the hearts of men and women to bring them to full salvation in Christ. “He alone can quicken those who are dead unto God, can breathe into them the breath of God. The Spirit is the “inspirer and perfecter both of our faith and works.
“Without the Spirit we can do nothing but add sin to sin,” and “that it is impossible for us even to think a good thought without the supernatural assistance of his Spirit as to create ourselves, or to renew our minds and souls in righteousness and true holiness.” John Wesley recognised early on that Spirit played a vital role in overcoming sin and living a holy life. One of the fundamental errors in Christian thinking is the idea that salvation is a gift. A gift is something that is given without expectation of a return favour, payment, or other obligation. It is something that is given freely. It is not something that is given only after an individual has performed work or agreed to some other kind of a verbal or written contractual obligation. Our benefits from employment are thus not a gift.
True believers need to take seriously the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged. Instead of letting the flesh, the world, and Satan win round after round to the extent that their lives appear no different from the lives of unbelievers, Christians need to get aggressive with their spiritual opponents and start living like overcomers instead of being overcome.
The writer of Hebrews urges us: “ Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us [great saints who serve as godly examples, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12: 1.KJV
We all need to re-read Romans 2 and ask ourselves if we’re guilty of preaching things we don’t live out. If so, we need to repent and start being obedient in our actions to what God’s Word says.
Christians need to feed the new creature in Christ that is inside them such that new desires spring forth and fruit is born that is in keeping with Jesus’ statement of, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16. AV
This equates to a holy lifestyle; one that is in the world but separate from it. In the same way a boat can be in the water and exist just fine, but not be of the water and sink, we need to live lives that mirror what James speaks about: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” James 1:27. AV
James also points out a faith that does not act is no real faith at all: “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15–16AV.
Faith in action is what defeats the argument of Christianity failing the existential relevancy test. This is not just a New Testament concept, but is something found everywhere in Scripture. Isaiah echoes James almost verbatim with God’s command to His people: “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from my sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow” Isaiah 1:16–17AV
I will simplify the conclusion by saying just follow Christ’s law of love: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12. AV
Blessings we can we received through the gift of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit can bless your life in many ways. Christ promised His Apostles that the Holy Spirit would:
“Teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance” John 14:26 KJV
He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13 KJV
He also said that the Holy Spirit “shall testify of me” John 15:26 KJV
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, one will recognize and understand Truth and make the right choices and inspired decisions. The Holy Spirit will inspire you with thoughts and ideas, He will warn and comfort you in times of sorrow. You may have already felt His influence at times in your life. Those influences includes “love, joy, and peace”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22 KJV
Every believer has experienced the Holy Spirit at some time in their Faith. But there is a difference between experiencing the influence of the Holy Spirit and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit may temporarily comfort someone or reveal truth to them, the gift of the Holy Spirit is reserved for those who have been baptized and confirmed into Christ’s Church. This Gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit.
Difference between Gift and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
It is important that we understand the difference between the “Gift” of the Spirit and the “Gifts” of the Spirit. There is much debate amongst Pentecostal Churches surrounding the meaning of the spiritual Gift and Gifts. A spiritual Gift is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to a believer to minister as part of the Body of Christ. The “Gift” of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came in answer to the promise of Jesus. The Holy Spirit had been in the world, but now in a new and special way He has come to live in the hearts of His people. He came to dwell permanently within us.
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter. Even the Spirit of truth John 14:16-17AV
In the book of Acts the sinner is commanded to repent, after which the Holy Spirit will be given. The word Gift is singular, In Acts 10:45 the Gift is seen as given to non-Jews also. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer at the moment of conversion.
Circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles Acts 10:45 NIV
At the moment of conversion, the believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:38 and 1 Cor. 12:13. This means that you are immersed in the Spirit and Him in you.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1st Corinthians 12:13 KJV
Once we are saved and have the indwelling Spirit, then we may be filled with the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Spirit is God’s controlling presence in our lives. He will fill only what we yield to Him. We may have the Spirit and not be filled with the Spirit.
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Luke16:20AV
Now all of this has to do with the “Gift” of the Spirit. He comes into our lives to save us, sustain us, and strengthen us. I hope now you understand the singular Gift of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit also imparts Gifts to the believer 1Cor.12, Rom.12. These spiritual Gifts are endowments of power from God given to us so that we might fulfil the calling of God on our lives and others.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament
There are certain Gifts of a spectacular nature that are often given greater attention, the New Testament mentions at least 21 that are provided to the church. These Gifts are listed in Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:3-7, and 1 Cor. 12:1-12, 28, and are generally assigned to one of three categories.
The Gift of Healing
Healing can be defined as a cure of a disease to a wound and also to that of an individual being restored to soundness; or to a state of body in which the natural functions are regularly performed; as, to heal the sick. KJV Dictionary said that Gift of healing helps people who are sick to get better, some have the faith to be healed and others have the faith to heal other people. A work colleague sharing her testimony with me said, for many years she had serious back pain, this resulted in many days off from work. She had many treatments which did not help, on her way to church one Sunday morning she was led to ask her Pastor to pray for her. He laid his hands on her back where the pain was and prayed, during the prayer session the pain immediately disappeared. Jesus was healing every sickness and every disease among the people Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 KJV
Today nothing has changed; the same healing Gifts are still available and are manifested through believers, God gives Spiritual Gifts to every one of us but I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit has endowed some people with such special healing. Paul clearly stated in Ephesians 4 that the purpose of these Spiritual Gifts was for the work of the service for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service to build the body of Christ in other words. God has given each of us a task to do, Job was afflicted with sores from his head to his feet but he had great faith that he would be healed. According to Billy Graham the ministry of physical healings through Spiritual means is associated with faith healers. Paul told Timothy to take some medicinal wine for his stomach.
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake and thine often infirmities” 1Timothy 5:23 KJV
We must keep in mind that Luke was a great physician and accompanied Paul on many of his trips, maybe to give medical help. The Holy Spirit gives the Gift of healing (gift of cures) there are many cases of healing that are recorded in the Old Testament and especially the New Testament with Jesus and His disciples.
The Gift of Wisdom
The Gift of wisdom operates by the Holy Spirit granting you a bit of prudence or understanding (or direction) about what to do in a given situation. The knowledge of our Father in Heaven is given onto us to share with all we come in contact with .This Gift should be used to improve our lives and to teach and give wise counsel. Wisdom as the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good judgements. Solomon was the wisest man in the Bible, God granted him wisdom to build the first temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 KJV
As Christian believers seeking Gods wisdom in our lives, we need to know the Holy Spirits mind, this will help us to identify His will and receiving His guidance so we can think, speak and act in ways that please and glorify God. R.T.Kendall remind us that the wisdom is at odds with how the world operates by thinking of self-motivation but God’s wisdom can change us Paul reminded the Romans: Be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:1 AV
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is not absent. They were possibly less prevalent, but to argue that all such Gifts were utterly non-existent is to ignore a significant body of evidence. After researching I would conclude that there is enough evidence to say that some form of ‘Charismatic’ Gifts continued sporadically across the centuries of church history and is still present in today’s churches but how it was witnessed in the early churches’ would be futile to insist that every report is bogus or the fruits that are seen are of demonic activity or psychological aberration. God is so amazing, it is good to read and meditate on the word of God. After doing my research I realise that the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is in the book of Isaiah.
SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOUND IN ISAIAH 11:2-3 KJV
Spiritual gift or charism is a concept in Christianity that refers to an endowment or extraordinary power given by the Holy Spirit.
Biblical View of the gift of God’s Spirit
To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV
The gift of God’s Spirit
Thomas Aquinas a Roman Catholic writer and scholar discussed at length about the spiritual gifts. He founded the main tradition for gifts of the Spirit in the Catholic Church of Middle Ages Europe and drew their approach from Isaiah 11:1-5, where it speaks of these gifts: wisdom, knowledge, counsel (right judgement), understanding; strength (courage, fortitude), reverence (piety), and fear of the Lord. Through wisdom, knowledge, counsel, and understanding, the Spirit shapes and steers the mind, creating change within Christian life’s, the way we think, speak and act should allow us to standout to non-believers in the world once the Holy Spirit enters our lives all the negativities from the past will slowly disappear.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 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 of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Isaiah 11:1-5 KJV
The Holy Spirit shapes and steers the mind, creating change within the Christian life the way we think, speak and act should make us stand out to the non- believers of the world; once the Holy Spirit has entered our lives bondage to sin is eradicated. The Holy Spirit was promised and sent to all who received the Lord Jesus Christ in their life. However the work of the Holy spirit in our lives is determined by the commitment we have in communicating and fellowshipping with Christ in order to draw Him closer to us. David Schofner echoes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit is given according to the grace that is given to us, they are not just gifts, and we do not earn them through merit, favour or hard work.
Not of works, lest any man should boast Ephesians 2:9 KJV
The Holy Spirit provides us with a viewpoint, reminds us of our past and reveals new opportunities. God knows our personalities and temperaments and He gives us gifts accordingly. Through the varying gifts we recieve we use them for the purposes God is calling us to.
The gifts Aquinas writes about benefits the person who receives them, and help others indirectly through what that person does, which could be through charity work, faith, prudence, fortitude, justice, and hope, which Aquinas drew from Greek philosophy. The Isaiah gifts – although the Holy Spirit was not present in the Old testaments as such, it was still demonstrated through the prophets who were given gifts of their day to carry out the works of God, and these gifts helps to develop a person who is spiritually strong enough for the great tasks at hand.
Today the Spirit helps in building our faith, however other religious beliefs have their own take on what the Holy Spirit means in the Christian life. When a Christian speaks of the Spirit ‘indwelling’, it means being in close relationship, and close relationship demands that you reveal not just will but something of your very self. Christians believe that the heart, the character, and the love of God is revealed to us in creation, in the covenant with the Jews, and then definitively in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Getting us to grasp this is the work of the Holy Spirit.
The one true God in his Omni wisdom saw fit to share himself with us so that we can understand love, compassion, friendship, fellowship with man regardless of his colour, no man is higher or lower than the other.
Our final calling to be a part of the greatest friendship we can ever experience comes to us in many different ways, It may through
Sermon
2. Worship service
3. A youth event
4. A song or testimony,
5. An act of kindness
6. A relationship of love
7. A struggle of conscience
8. A brush with disaster or insanity
A steady gradual series of changes as I experienced when my conversion came about, a blissful ‘peak experience’ moment, a shaken-up charismatic experience, or a whisper calling to you from inside. In that faith, we can be happy even daring in our relationships with other people, because the Spirit is working through us. Thank you Lord.
Many Christians believes that the Holy Spirit was a stranger to the Old Testament and to the Old Testament saints. If the Holy Spirit’s coming was a matter of the Father’s promise, then that promise should be clearly indicated in the Old Testament. In reality, the Spirit of God is more evident than the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God because we see evidence of God in the Old Testament but only hear of the Son who manifests in the New Testament.
Why do we celebrate the Holy Spirit?
From my research the early Church used the Holy Spirit to account for biblical data concerning God. The Bible speaks of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in ways that make it clear that all three are God, yet there is only one God. To the unlearned reader, this may be difficult to understand? But don’t worry; I shall attempt to made clear.
I have complied a listed scripture from both Old and New Testament; clearly identifying God. There could also be many other texts in which the Ministry of the Spirit is clearly at work or referred to, but using other terms than the Spirit of God.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Psalms 51:11AV
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, the redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. Isaiah 61:10-12 AV
The term, “Holy Spirit,” seldom occurs in the Old Testament. Here are some frequently used terms or expressions for the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament are: • the Spirit of the Lord • my Spirit • the Spirit • the Spirit of God • the Spirit of … (Judgement, fire, justice, etc.) • your Spirit
In nearly all of these cases, the reference to the Holy Spirit is clear, there are some instances where the Holy Spirit and the human “spirit” seem almost to merge, so that the Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Spirit of Elijah” 2 Kings 2:9-15.KJV This is also the case with the “Spirit” which was on Moses, which also came upon the seventy elders who were to help him Numbers 11:17-29. If there was any doubt in our minds as to whether or not the “Spirit” of the Old Testament was the same person as the “Holy Spirit” in the New Testament. The evidence is available if we read the inspired New Testament references to the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament, both by our Lord Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36, and by the apostles and others Acts 1:16; 4:25; 7:5, Hebrews 3:7
Regardless of the infrequency of the exact term, “Holy Spirit,” the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament times is much more noticeable. The Spirit of God is almost immediately introduced in the Book of Genesis.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And Spirit moved upon the face of the waters Genesis 1:2 KJV
He is repeatedly mentioned in the writings of the prophets. The Holy Spirit had a significant role in the creation of the world as mention in chapter one and in striving with sinful men. He inspired men who revealed God to men, either in word, or in work. He instructed and guided men, focusing directly on the Israelites; His chosen people.
The Spirit of God instructed and guided not only the nation of Israel as a whole, but men as individuals; in order for His people be led accordingly by David, 1 Samuel 16:13-14; Psalm 143:10. He enabled and empowered men to do that which was humanly impossible e.g., working through the Prophets, Priests and the Judges. The power of God was manifested through men; but the presence of God among men.
The Public Relationship the Holy Spirit has with Man
In the Old Covenant, His work in the heart of men was operated differently to how it does now. The Atonement for the sins of man had not yet been completed, Christ wad yet to come and die and the Prophecy had to be fulfilled in order that the Counsellor would come and live within us. Without this He was unable to make members of the Body of Christ, nor baptize them into one body nor live within them eternally The Spirit had yet to find purified hearts and make them His Temple. Christ, being without sin, was the first in whom the Spirit dwelt. The fact that He now live within us because of the Sacrificial Blood of the Lamb, which cleanses us from all our sins. But under the Old Covenant, the Atonement was not yet accomplished for believers.
The Holy Spirit therefore appears to be the agency through which God works. God used men to reveal His will and His word (e.g. the prophets), but these men were inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that the words they spoke were clearly the “Word of the Lord.” When Prophet spoke in the Spirit, they spoke as an Oracle of God. When men disobeyed the Word of God, they were regarded as having not only resisted God, but His Spirit as well and death was punishment.
The Spirit of men was the sovereign work of God, rather than God’s response to the initiative of men. Generally speaking, men could not ask God for a role, and many had no expectation that they were being chosen. The Spirit of God to come upon them, their role was to fulfil their task. God was in complete control. God took the initiative, and men responded accordingly. Men did not dispose of God or of His Spirit; rather God disposed of men, using His Spirit to do so.
In the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was dictated by the nature of God and the nature of man. God is infinite, man is finite, man would never think God’s thoughts apart from a Divine work of God in man, which is what the Spirit did and what He continues to do, even the thoughts of man are no comparison to the thoughts of God. Beyond this, men would not be able to accomplish God’s purposes, even if we comprehended them and were committed to achieving them. God’s work is a Divine and thus the need for Divine power is a must. Even men of Faith have a limited grasp of God’s ways, and they also have limited power. Thus, the ministry of the Spirit was necessitated by the greatness of God and by the ignorance and impotence of men. The Holy Spirit was God’s way of assuring that His will was accomplished through Him using His Spirit through men.
When I consider the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, I am taken back by the prominence of the third person of the Trinity. Before Jesus was glorified and before Pentecost, the Spirit was not poured out on all flesh. While the Spirit of God may not be clearly distinguished from God, so that the doctrine of the Trinity was crystal clear, He is described as being God, and as the agency which God used to accomplish His purposes in the world. The frequency of the references to the Holy Spirit is much greater than I expected and the extent of His ministry much broader.
In the Old Testament God dwelt at the Ark of the covenant, in the Temple, near, His chosen nation. The people’s relationship with God becomes progressively more personal under the Law in the Old Testament, which is also different in the New Testament relationship under grace, and finally, to the intimate relationship that one now experiences with God when we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Here are a few Bible Verses on the Holy spirit taken from ESV
For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words Romans 8:26
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 1Corinthians 6:19
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14
As Christians, self-examination plays a very important role in our faith as we grow and mature spiritually in God. This is a regular reflection and self- assessment on how we’re performing in accordance with our faith and the necessary steps we need to take to strengthen any area of weaknesses that will help us to become stronger spiritually. It also enables us to maneuver problems before they become out of control. Awesome God how excellent is your name.
God encourages us to look inward and search ourselves daily in order to identify areas of weakness so that we can address them.
Here are some Bible verses which illustrated the importance of self-examination, all taken from the King James Version:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after 4. looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ, eat and drink judgment on themselves.” 1 Corinthians 11:28-29
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40
“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:59-60
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your Matthew 7:3-5
Bible Verses on Spiritual breakthrough
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10KJV
Blessed be the he God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3KJV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6: KJV
What is the Holy Spirit? – The Holy spirit is the third person of the trinity, the Triune God manifested as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
When preparing to return to His heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ in His farewell, informed the Apostles about the forthcoming descent of the Holy Spirit. He explained to the disciples that the Comforter, is the Holy Spirit, that would come soon to them to fulfil the mission of salvation: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, to be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth … He will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I say unto you … He, the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, will bear witness of Me” John 14: 16-17, 26; 15: 26. AV
Throughout His mission on earth, Jesus promised His Disciples that after His Ascension, He would send the Spirit to them. The Apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, returned to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit.
They spent their time in prayer and anticipation. They were all in one accord in one place: They were gathered together sharing the same heart, the same love for God, the same trust in His promise. It was the first “novena”, a common practice of nine days of prayer for a special intention. It was at the end of these nine days on the tenth day the Feast of Pentecost,
The Spirit came, the sound of a rushing mighty wind, filling the whole house with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and all who were present in the upper room and tongues of fire filling believers with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were given great gifts to spread the Gospel. Acts 2: 1-4 KJV.
The apostles’ ability to address foreign visitors in their own languages was a miracle from God. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the twelve Disciples did many other miracles and wondrous signs. From the commencement of the church, we see that God intended His offer of salvation to extend to all nations. Whoever calls on the name of Jesus, repents, and believes in Him will be saved. Today, 2,000 years later, believers in Jesus are still filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live the Christian life without His help. We are to call on Him whenever we need strength or guidance.
After the Day of the Pentecost
After the events of outrage, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, which the Apostles took deeply to their hearts, they became quite different people. They grew stronger spiritually and matured to accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit. An example of the Holy Spirit power is written in Acts 2 the book reminds us of when Peter was frighten by a maid and a few days later the same man is as bold as a lion. It was then that God’s mercy came to them in its fullness and they were the first to enjoy the spiritual fruits.
The book of Acts 2 tells the story of the outcome of Pentecost’s new creation: people witness in word and in deed to the risen Christ. Frank Bartleman is a modern-day witness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; He was gripped by the Holy Spirit and followed the instructions of the Holy Spirit and the “Fire fell on Azusa Street”.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place Acts 2:1 KJV
From the outset, the new-born church immediately plunged out into the streets to witness to God’s mighty works in the languages of people all over the world. By the end of the story, a tiny, Spirit-filled community of faith that broke from its present order has spread across the continents with incredible power to bring new things into being. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible.
Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate God’s gift of Holy Spirit which draws us together as one people, helps us to comprehend what God is doing in the world, and empowers us to announce, in word and in deed, God’s plan of “reconciling all people in the name of Christ,
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 1: 10.KJV
This event brought into existence the Church of Christ and gave rise to the Christian faith on earth. The Holy Spirit renews us in baptism through His Godhead, which He shares with the Father and the Son. Finding us in a state of deformity, the Spirit restores our original beauty and fills us with His grace, leaving no room for anything unworthy of our love. The Spirit frees us from sin and death, and changes us from the earthly humans we were, men of dust and ashes, into spiritual humans, sharers in the divine glory, sons and heirs of God the Father who bear a likeness to the Son and are his co-heirs and brothers and sisters, destined to reign with him and to share his glory. In place of earth the Spirit reopens heaven to us and gladly admits us into paradise, giving us even now greater honour than the angels, and by the holy waters of baptism extinguishing the unquenchable fires of hell.
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit renews us in baptism through his godhead, which he shares with the Father and the Son. Finding us in a state of deformity, the Spirit restores our original beauty and fills us with his grace, leaving no room for anything unworthy of our love. The Spirit frees us from sin and death, and changes us from the earthly humans we are, men of dust and ashes, into spiritual humans, sharers in the divine glory.
We need the Holy Spirit to perfect and renew us, for spiritual fire can cleanse us, and spiritual water can recast us as in a furnace and make us into new men and women. The Holy Spirit also reopens heaven to us where we are gladly received into the paradise.
When Jesus was preparing to return to His heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ in His farewell informed the Apostles about the forthcoming descent of the Holy Spirit. He explained to the disciples that the Comforter, who is, the Holy Spirit, would come soon to them to fulfil the mission of salvation.
May the LORD strengthen and equipped you with knowledge as you read.
Philosophy view: The Ten Commandments is a list of religious precepts that, according to various passages in Exodus and Deuteronomy, were divinely revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai and were engraved on two tablets of stone.
God bestowed the Ten Commandments unto Moses on Mount Sinai to epitomize the moral behaviour the human race is expected to portray. The Ten Commandments of God are deemed as a moral code for Christians.
The Commandments are recorded identically in Exodus 20:2–17NIV and Deuteronomy 5:6–21NIV.
The Ten Commandants are as follows:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour’s.
Forgiveness on all these levels is possible! Both receiving forgiveness and forgiving others is one of the most important things one can ever do. The Bible is full of verses to help us understand how completely God forgives those who confess. There are also many wonderful scriptures about forgiving others. Here are a few:
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Ephesians 4:32 ESV
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”Mark 11:25 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 ESV
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 6:15 ESV
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.Matthew 18:21-22 ESV
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;Luke 6:37 ESV
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.Colossians 3:13 ESV
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,Luke 6:27 ESV
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.Psalm 103:10-14 ESV
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.Matthew 6:12 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Acts 2:38 ESV
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,Matthew 6:14 ESV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”Luke 17:3-4 ESV
According to the website Family Life, “too many couples today decide that if their marriage isn’t working, they should get out. However the Scriptures point to a God who can bring healing.”
Here are a few bible verses about divorce. These were all taken from the ESV.
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.Luke 16:18
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.Matthew 5:32
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.1 Corinthians 7:10-11
But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.1 Corinthians 7:15
So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”Matthew 19:6
And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”Matthew 19:9
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”Malachi 2:16
He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.Matthew 19:8
For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.Romans 7:2
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.Matthew 5:31-32
And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”Mark 10:12
And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” …Matthew 19:3-9
Biblical View: Grace is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires for us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it”. It is not a created substance of any kind. … It is an attribute of God that is most manifested in the saving of sinners. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Philosophical View: Grace commonly refers to a smooth and pleasing way of moving, or a polite and thoughtful way of behaving. The related word gracious originally meant “filled with God’s favor or help.” Grace was borrowed from Old French, from Latin gratia, “pleasing quality, favor, thanks,” from gratus, “pleasing.” Some people thinks of grace as ancient, they think that before Christ came salvation was gained by keeping the law but after Christ came we are now saved by grace. This is contrary to Scripture, for the Bible clearly states that “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11 KJV
Did David understand that we are not saved by works?
David was a man after God’s own heart, however he did many things that were not pleasing in the sight of God. He also understood that even tho he was a king doing God’s work, he was chosen for that purpose. He did understand that his works would not have gotten him into the kingdom of heaven. “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:6 KJV
Did Moses understand God’s grace?
I found this verse very fascinating when God proclaimed His name to Moses He said “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6 KJV. God’s grace was available then as it is today. Moses demonstrated several times in Exodus about finding grace.
How was Abraham saved
This is a good example of how Abraham was saved, he was walking in the newness of life in order to become the father of many nations, the same saving grace also applies to us today.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbids. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4 KJV
Where should the Christian’s love be focused?
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 KJV
Continuing experience in sanctification
I do believe that sanctification is an individual experience in every Christian’s journey it occurs as they begin their walk with God or at conversion but it must continue through life. It is a continuous walking with Christ and having that relationship with Him so will the believer grow.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 KJV
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV
Bible verses related to the relationship we have in Christ.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:7-9 KJV
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 KJV
How close should a Christian’s relationship be to Christ?
We have the option of serving two masters. The choice is ours whether we choose to serve Christ or serve Satan, in living this Christian life we should be dead to sin but alive unto God. Sin has a stronghold in society today, we have all fallen short of God’s glory and plans for our lives, even the best of us if we are honest with ourselves have to admit that we are sinners saved by grace.
I would like to ask these questions:
1.Are we always pure, noble, loving and forgiving as we make out ourselves to be? 2.Are all our words a blessing to people?3.Are all our deeds unselfish? 4.Are we really following in Jesus’ footsteps?
This is a spiritual examination all Christians need to take and if we are following Jesus footsteps we will definitely end up where He leads.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 KJV
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 KJV
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14 KJV
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Romans 6:18-19 KJV
What a Christian’s aim in life should be.Read KJV
Philippians 3:13,14 Hebrews 12:1,2
Do we need to fear or have the assurance in Christ? Read KJV 1 John 4:18, 1 John 5:11-11 2nd Timothy 1:2 John 10:27-29
Conclusion
Sanctification is a conversion carried to completion, it is the process of being made Holy and only done through the merits and justification of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in humanity. Sanctification cannot be obtained by works or any good will process but only through the grace and power of the divine.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10 KJV So, experiencing sanctification we say with Paul “I live; yet not I, but the Christ that liveth in me. “Galatians 2: 20
I can reflect upon today’s thought as I believe that I was created to do great things in the ministry of God. He never gives us more than what we can bear and as the songwriter says, “He’s our burden bearer and our heavy load sharer.“
Bible verse for the day:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”Romans 8:28KJV
How is grace defined: Grace is good will and the love and mercy given to us by God.
Do you ever feel weighed down, discouraged, depleted or drained with cares or worries because of your responsibilities? If so, the great news is that you are in good company. The people who lived and worked closely with the Lord Jesus Christ felt just that way. Jesus invites those who are burdened, who are labored and are weary to draw close to Him. He promised He would help lift the burden.
Come unto me, all he that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and he shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
According to the apostle Paul who certainly worked harder in his ministry than all the other apostles. Paul was also faced with disappointments, burdens and felt heavy laden. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1st Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)
In Greek the word work means “weary toil.” When quoting from the bible It is always good to see where the same word is used to get a better understanding of its meaning. The same word WORK is used by Paul in Acts he emphasised that “you can help the poor and needy by working hard.”
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35(NIV)
1st Corinthians Paul wrote “we have worked hard with our own hands to earn our living” And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 1st Corinthians 4:12 (NIV)
Yet in all our weary and toil Paul said “yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace”
We should get involved in supporting the weak by teaching and discipling them on a one to one basis, or trying to have a ministry. Do we sometimes work more than we need to supplementing our income with other jobs? If so, we very well may feel burdened and heavy laden by your weary toil. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28–30 NIV
Jesus invites us to come to Him, take up His yoke and He will give us rest as we labor for Him, what a wonderful reassurance to know that we can rest in Jesus at anytime, not only because He understands us but because He can share the burden and lift it from our souls, thus giving us rest. Jesus is making us an offer it is for us to make the choice to come to Him and experience relief.
Conclusion
The apostle Paul corroborates a good example for us, he stated that he follows his Master’s instructions and that is what gives him the grace to go on despite the incredible burdens of his ministry. Paul earned his own living as well as caring for the churches he planted. We all have our busy schedule let us not be too burdened and heavy laden with the things of the world and forget the work of God. The grace to go on comes when the God of grace not only directs our work but works in and through us by the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. Paul loved to talk about God’s grace working through him. The same grace that was extended to the apostle Paul is available to each and everyone of us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2nd Corinthians 5:21(KJV)
Philosophy’s View: It is not from yourself or anything you’ve done, but the gift of God.” Salvation, therefore, is a free gift of grace from God. When a person accepts the gift of salvation, he or she is said to be justified — made acceptable before (or made right with) God.
Salvation is saving souls from the consequences of sin, also deliverance from sin and eternal death through the atonement of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is the need of every human being;. According to Romans 3:23 (KJV)” For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Through Whom is Salvation Possible?
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stands here before you whole.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10,12 (KJV)
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21(KJV)
What is our condition?
1.We are born in sin- psalms 15:5;58:3; Isaiah 48:8 2.Our understanding is darkened- write Ephesians 4:18 3.Our heart is full of evil- Jeremiah 17:9 4.Our spiritually is dead- Ephesians 2:1
What do we need in our quest for Salvation?
The Holy spirit- 2nd Timothy 3:15
We should look to God- Isaiah 45:22
To believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ- Romans 1:16
To look for Christ return – Hebrews 9:28
Christ the author of salvation
The Apostle Paul is said to be author of Hebrews who correctly wrote that God is the author of eternal salvation
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:9 (KJV)
Conclusion
The only way we can have salvation is by believing in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ .
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25 (KJV)
Salvation is not for sale it is free gift to anyone who is willing to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. It is a blessing from God.
The Psalmist puts it this way salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Psalms 3:8 (KJV)
The obedience God required of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden He will see fulfilled in the remnant of His people. His desire is for all His children to be saved which is why He gave us laws to govern us so we can walk in the path of righteousness.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12 (KJV)
Philosophy view defines purpose as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
Biblical view: The word purpose appears 80 times throught the books of the bible. Accorging to Romans 8:28KJV“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Here are a few bible verses about Gods purpose all taken from the KJV.
Ephesians 2:8–10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
Matthew 28:18–20: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Philippians 2:1–8: If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Luke 9:46–48: An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.”
Philippians 3:8–11: More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard 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 one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
John 13:31–35: When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Colossians 3:2–17: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
1 Peter 2:4–5: Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
God has a purpose for every one of his creations.
My purpose in life is to know God and hear His voice so I can live a life of servanthood and obedience.
My purpose in life is to grow in the spirit of God.
My purpose in life is to praise and glorify God.
My purpose in life is to teach and to win souls for Kingdom of God.
Have you ever found yourself in life with difficult situations and wondered where to go or whom to turn to ? I have been in that position. In the Bible we see that Habakkuk had somewhere to go and someone to listen to him when he was perplexed beyond measure. He drew a picture of his watchtower which is called prayer tower, he was also confident that God would meet him there and give him answers. I can imagine in those days Ancient cities had large walls around them which was used to watch for attacking armies or running messages and then to spread the news to the city’s inhabitants. These answers would not only be for himself but for the people whom Habakkuk was serving who wanted answers too. The story can be found in Habakkuk 2:1-20 KJV.
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. Habakkuk 2:1KJV
In the world we live today we don’t have to be a prophet to have a watchtower. We can simply be a mother, wife, a member of Congress , a member of the armed force or even homeless who knows God, and knows that God has made a watchtower into which we can climb from that place of prayer, and we can begin to see what God sees and wait patiently for His response or we can keep an eye out for His messenger.
Different ways in which God can send His messenger
As times have changed and become more modern there have become more ways in which God is able to send us word, it can be through different mediums some of which can be Pastors, friends, authors or media. God can also send you a messenger like He did in Habakkuk’s case where He sent it directly through His word. Not only do we as believers have somewhere to go, we also have someone to listen to us and answer the difficulties or perplexities we face and give us rest from all our frustrations.
Conclusion
We as believers sometimes in life are faced with difficult issues and want to let go my advised is to hold on and let us not get weary in our well doing, God will answer our prayer just like Habakkuk. God plans regarding Israel didn’t change suffering was still ahead for the nation but what did Habakkuk did he came down from his watchtower knowing that God was in control and wanted only the best for his people, and that was enough for him. God has not changed is the same way He wanted the best for us, let us hold on to the end and be like Jeremiah.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11KJV
I hope this thought will be a blessing to someone.
I will dare say there is no one else in this world that is just like you or even more special than you are. Your physical appearance, voice, habits, intelligence, personality traits and personal tastes combined make you one of a kind. Even your fingerprints distinguishes you from every other human being past, present and future. You are not the product of some abstract concept. You are unique! But the most important thing is that God has created us in His own image.
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV
You are very special and unique in the sight of God, He is completely interested in who you are as an individual. The Psalmist wrote in one of his most beautiful poems that we are fearfully and wonderfully made which means the Lord was very purposeful in making you, you.
I will praise you for i am fearfully and wonderfully made. wonderful are your works; my soul knows it well Psalms 139:14 ESV
God knew us before we were even conceived, even so He had plans for us, plans rooted in love. We should always appreciate a holy God’s constant concern for us, therefore when we sin we need to realize how offensive our sin is. God loves us so much; still how many times have we strayed, turning our backs on Him, because of sin, yet His desire is that we will always repent and return to Him.
Fulfilling of God’s purpose in our lives are somtimes hindered by sin, but even in our sinful state we are still precious in his sight. He still sees us as individuals with great value, loves us the same and still thinks we are special. His plan is always for us to prosper and have new hope.
Summary
If you aren’t special in the eyes of others, Consider yourself special in the sight of God. Because you mean so much to Him, He wants to forgive you and give you a full meaningful life.
Bible Verses on you are special taken from English Standard Version. (ESV)
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession. Psalms 135:4
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; Exodus 19:5
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us Romans 8:34
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2nd Timothy 3:16
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2nd Corinthians 13:14
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44
Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4 NIV
To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3 :16 NIV
Philosophy View of pain
It is associated with unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, or resembles that of actual or potential tissue damage,” In one of my daily thoughts I wrote about wounds. Reflecting back, I thought to myself, in reality where there is a wound there is usually pain, which led me to think about this question. Have we ever wondered what the point of suffering is? Some of us do, for example Job! he wondered why life is even given to those who must suffer, it seems to him that death would be better than his depression. The darkness of depression that surrounds grief or difficulty can be so deep that it seems that no light will ever penetrate, that there is never an end in sight.
Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter? They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure. They’re filled with joy when they finally die, and rejoice when they find the grave. Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties? Job 3:20-23 NTL
I can only imagine how Job felt when he was going thru this painful period in his life. However there was a point to Job’s pain, which at the time I’m sure he didn’t realise. Job learned some lessons through his season of suffering that he probably couldn’t have learned otherwise. I wanted to highlight three things found in the scriptures that he learned while going thru the pain he experienced.
That he had an intercessor and an advocate in heaven who counted his tears, who was able to lift him out of his pain and misery. Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. Job 16:19-20 NTL
Job also learned that God is the living Redeemer, who would stand upon the earth at last. Job understood that there was a life beyond the grave and in that life he would have a new body instead of the terribly painful disintegrating one that he was suffering with in the present life. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes I will see Him with mine own eyes. Job 19:25-26 NTL
Job learned that God the creator – the power behind all of nature is the one who cares for the animals He created, they depend on Him and He surely makes provision for them. How much more valuable was Job than the reptiles, birds and animals that his creator would more so care for him.
Conclusion
As Christians it is likely that we will be faced with excruciating pains at some point that might cause us to be depressed. The book of Job lets us know that regardless of what causes us pain in those times if we continue to hold fast to our faith and remember that the God we serve is able to deliver us it will help us to be patient and trust that He will deliver us no matter what.
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. Job 42:5 NTL Sometimes we as Christians see God in the dark in a way we seldom see Him in the light. That glimpse of God’s glory, as Job discovered, made a terrible ordeal worthwhile. In other words, God’s presence became more important than God’s protection, God’s presence was enough.
Here are a few corresponding bible verses that will prove that God is always with us and that He is a God that surpasses His promises to us.
1. He gets your attention. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)KJV
2. He repeats himself. “I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.” Acts 11:5b-10NIV
3. He assures us of His presence. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15ESV
4. He will give us the first step. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8ESV 5. He will provide what you need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, KJV
6. He’ll send helpers. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 ESV
7. He will reassure you. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Isaiah 41:10KJV
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24KJV
Great News: No matter what happened to us in life , we should use the gifts that the Lord gave us. If we put our talents to use, we are proving to God that we love Him and worship Him.
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15KJV
Great News: Even in our darkest and most confusing hour, do whatever is needed to be done without doubt or hesitation. If we choose to work hard and keep our head down, other people will follow your lead.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9KJV
Great News: Even though we may not see our reward immediately we should continue to do good doings. The time will come to reap your just reward. Do not give up! Perseverance is the key.
The bible is like a telephone directory or a dictionary. It is a great source for information, it provides wonderful verses for anything and everything we need. Here are some awesome bible verses on love, please take the opportunity to enlighten yourself in the relationship with Christ whether as a married couple or in a relationship. These related bible verses about love is the perfect way to reflect your devotion; to not only each other but also, your faith. These scriptures on love serve as spiritual and sentimental reminders of the love that you share as a couple and provide you with a way to honour your religious beliefs whether celebrating with friends or family.
Bible Verses from the New International Version (NIV)
1. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
2. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Corinthians 13:131
3. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
4. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
5. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
6. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4: 18-19
7. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
8. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
9. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9
10. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
11. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Silence is the absence of ambient audible sound, the emission of sounds of such low intensity they do not draw attention to themselves, or the state of having ceased to produce sounds; this latter sense can be extended to apply to the cessation or absence of any form of communication, whether through speech or other medium.
Two Biblical examples of Silence
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10 NIV
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 KJV
Listening work wonders! Loving silence has its rewards, it can tell the one sitting next to you that you care. It can say to the hurting heart, “I want to free you to think about yourself, your troubles, as well as your needs and desires”. Because I love you, I am interested in you, I am willing to be here and sit in silence with you.
Job was a faithful servant of God yet he was faced with difficulties, he was visited by his friends during a most difficult time when they heard of the tragedy he had. They got together and travelled from their homes to comfort and console him. I can imagine he might have been discouraged from his faith but he remained silent. When they arrived they were rendered speechless by Job’s obvious sickness and pain, they sat beside him in silence. They had the ministry of presence and they showed him that they cared and wanted to be with him.
Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. Job 2:11 KJV
There is a ministry of presence and a ministry of silence
Ecclesiastes echoes that “there is a time to be quite and a time to speak up” A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 KJV
Can we ask ourselves these simple questions? 1. Can we sit with a friend in silence?
When someone is going through difficult times can you let them vent cry or spill while you simply listen or do you interrupt with every opportunity you get to try to complete their sentences for them?
In life do we feel that we must try to give an answer to all of our everday problems?
Do you tend not to pay complete attention to what someone else is saying, just waiting for your opportunity to speak or even dare to share your troubles?
In reality sometimes we need to listen not to talk too much or be quick to give answers. James gives good advice when he says “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.”
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19 KJV
Conclusion
Sometimes we as Christians face difficulties and discouragements, let us remain calm, our anger never makes things right in the sight of God. Let us keep silent because we know that God will make a way and He will never give us more than we can handle because when we have been tried we will come out victorious.
Bible Verses About Silence All Taken From KJV
But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. Judges 3:19
It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Job4 :16
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. Job 29:21
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Job 31:34
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Psalms 31:18
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. Psalms 32:3
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far from me. Psalms 35:22
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. Psalms 39:2
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Psalms 50:3
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Psalms 50:21
A Song [or] Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. Psalms 83:1
Unless the LORD [had been] my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. Psalms 94:17
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. Psalms115:17
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; Isaiah 15:1
Bible Verses on Love, Marriage and Relationship all taken from King James Version (KJV)
Honor your wedding vows on this special day and lift your spirit with the word of God. Let your faith guide you by reading what the bible has to say about marriage and reflect on a scripture that reminds you of a friend or relative or the kind of trust and kindness that resembles the both parties.
Here are some of the most treasured bible verses about love and marriage that you can integrate into your wedding day.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself it. Ephesians 5:25
Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife see that reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33
With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them like wise. Luke 6:31
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16-17
So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replpenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:27-28
Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10 :9
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Solomon 8:6-7
11. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
12. There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. Proverbs 30:18-19
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies Proverbs 13:10
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lies together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1st Timothy 3:15KJV
At one point in the sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke about false prophets. He pointed out also the folly of profession unless the life measures up to the profession. He concluded His sermon by comparing those who heard His Word and did it to a wise man who built his house on a rock, his house withstood the rain, the floods and the winds. On the other hand there was a man who built his house on the sand and the winds and rain came but the house did not stand. This man also heard His Word but it was easily forgotten when the storm blew. Conclusion not everyone who hears the word of Christ will keep it.
What was the reaction of the people to Jesus’ doctrine?
Doctrine is defined as a principle or group of principles which are taught by religion or political party.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29 KJV
This verse gives us an example of what Paul declares to be the true foundation upon which we are to build.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 3:11 KJV
Can one be saved without believing the truth?
Paul reminds us that “from the beginning” God has chosen them. This is not an unpredictable choice. The choice is dependent upon the sanctification of the chosen ones. Sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13 KJV
Paul counsels Titus on the kind of doctrine preachers should proclaim.
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Titus 2:1,7 KJV
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1 :9 KJV
Paul echoes that sound doctrine must be the basis of all exhortation to bring about conviction.
Paul cautioned Timothy when instructing him to preach God’s word that there would come a time when people would not want to hear “sound doctrine “.
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: The Lord reward him according to his works: 2nd Timothy 4 :14 KJV
Bible verses describing the result of anyone who rejects the truth.
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 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.” 2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12 KJV
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Proverb 28:9 KJV
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1st Timothy 4:16 KJV
Conclusion
Bible Verses regarding closing our eyes to the truth
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. John 12 :35-36 KJV
The foundation of truth
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some? 2nd Timothy 2:18 KJV
We can see that false doctrine overthrow the faith of some. Therefore we ought to determine to test what we believe by the law (the book of Moses) and the testimony of all prophets as we are instructed in Isaiah.
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20 KJV
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:3-9 KJV
It would be wise if we all forget the traditions of men as a foundation of truth. We must worship the Creator in spirit and in truth. Jesus points out all worship is in vain while teaching man’s commandments as God’s doctrine.
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22KJV
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2nd Timothy 3:1-4 NIV
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Luke 21:32 ESV
So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Matthew 24:33 ESV
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18 ESV
Here are a few Bible Verses that related to the End Times all taken from King James Version (KJV)
1.Increase in Natural Disasters Like Earthquakes, Storms, Floods. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Increase in Lawlessness – Examples-protests, Strikes, Crimes, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12
3.False Prophets Will Arise
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2nd Peter 2:1-3
Calling Good Evil and Evil Good
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5 :20
Increasing Materialism
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
Depraved Entertainment: Examples -, Music, TV
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
Without SElf Control: Example- Anger, Over eating
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
Increase in Blasphemy: Example Mocking the true and living God
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
Global Cry for Peace
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1st Thessalonians 5:3
Increasing Famine
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers’ places. Matthew 24:7
Persecution of Christianity
All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:8-9
There will be Falling away from the Faith
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2nd Thessalonians 2:3
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14
Preaching of the Gospel Worldwide
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14
Denial that the Earth was Once Flooded
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 2nd Peter 3:5-6
16 The Establishment of World Church Council
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubinesis 6 :15
Rise of False Messiahs
And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceives you. False Religions Roman Catholicism, and many other new age Movements. An Australian Cult prophes to be reborn Christ Matthew 24:4
Nation will Rise against Nation
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers’ places. Matthew 24:6-7
Increasing Pestilence
And great earthquakes shall be in divers’ places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Luke 21 :11
These crises are what the world is facing today, my advice is to stay strong in our faith and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us feed on His words and He will direct our path.
Here are some useful Bible Verses on Living Water taken from different bible versions.
English Standard (ESV) Version
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 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.” John 4:13-15
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. Revelation 21:6
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Isaiah 41:17-18
On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter. Zechariah 14:8
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water. Jeremiah 17:13
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2
King James (KJV) Version
Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Ezekiel 47:1-12
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:10-14
Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isaiah 12:3-6
Amplified (AMP)Version
He who believes in Me “who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me” as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow “continuously” springs and rivers of living water. But He was speaking here of the Spirit, whom those who believed “trusted, had faith” in Him were afterward to receive. For the ‘Holy” Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified “raised to honor”. John 7:38-39
Presently, when a woman of Samaria came along to draw water, Jesus said to her, Give Me a drink. John 4:7
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And he said unto them, these are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:27,44,45 KJV
Good News – The bible is its own best commentary even though many excellent books have been written that discusses the principles involving understanding the Bible within the church of Christ.
Ways in which the Bereans were more noble than the people at Thessalonica
To be like the Berean is one of the most notable amongst modern Christian audiences, they were more noble than those in Thessalonica. Differences of the Bereans: 1.Were called noble 2.Because they received the Word with readiness 3.And searched the Scriptures to examine Paul & Silas’s words.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 KJV
There should be perseverance in research in order to maintain an existing belief or conception especially in the word of God to develop our spiritual growth.
The book of Revelation gives us warning that helps us to see how serious it is to add to or to subtract from God’s Word.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelations 22:18-19 KJV
There should be no adding or taking away from the word of God which is the (Bible) Good News.We must let the total Bible speak from the weight of evidence concluded in what it teaches.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 KJV
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV
Reminder: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law Deuteronomy 29 :29 KJV
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 2nd Peter 3:16-17 KJV
But thanks be to God, for which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1st Corinthians 15:57 KJV
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; his mercy endureth for ever.1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 KJV
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 KJV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 KJV
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15 KJV
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 KJV
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 KJV
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13 KJV
Can the Bible be understood? Yes it can be, as believers all we need to do is ask the Holy spirit for directions and to impart wisdom, knowledge and understanding. There were times when Christian churches did not allow the congregation to read the Bible. The clergy was the only person who had access to copies of God’s Word. It was believed that only the learned and more educated were able to understand the Bible. However, this reasoning is not in accordance with the Bible.
The first basic rule for knowledge or truth.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17 KJV.
So to understand the bible we must study the scriptures and daily meditate on His words. We also need to study the bible diligently with a sincere desire to know and practice truth.
What is truth?
Truth can be defined as conformity with facts or reality, or a verified indisputable fact. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV
We should accept the bible as God’s voice to us in doing so He will direct us in the way to be true to ourselves and to walk in the right path.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10: 27-28 KJV
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe 1st Thessalonians 2:13 KJV
Can we find truth on a particular subject in the Bible
Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1st Corinthians 2:13-14 KJV
In these verses we can clearly see that the bible itself is the evidence of truth. From reading one key scripture we can unlock the meaning of many other scriptures or similar scriptures in the bible.
Conclusion The good news is that when we study the scriptures we discover that the bible can be understood. Various Bible authors who have written on the same or similar subjects/events enables us to compare and ” connect the dots”. This is pretty much like putting pieces of puzzles together. Occasionally, in order for us to gain understanding of the Bible’s teaching on a given subject we can sometimes gather information from various different reputable Christian authors outside biblical ones who have written on the same subject matter. Read and be blessed have a great day.
The Bible is a gift from God, one for which we can be truly grateful. This distinctive book reveals facts that we could never find in other books. For example
The bible educates about the creation.
The celestial heaven and the earth.
The first man and woman.
The Bible contains reliable principles to help us cope with daily life problems and anxieties. This is how God will fulfil His purpose and bring about better changes on the earth. What an exciting gift the Bible is!
What the Bible say to us about Jehovah, and why this is auspicious:
The Bible is also a propitious gift, it reveal details about the Giver, Jehovah God. Certainly God has provide us with this great book to show us that He wants us to get to know Him well. The Bible can help you to draw closer to Jehovah.
Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Isaiah 48 :17-18 NIV
The Distribution of the Bible
If everyone possessed a Bible, we should be far from being alone. The Bible has been produced and published in many different languages and is available to more than 90 percent of the world’s population. I should imagine that millions of copies have been distributed. Surely, there is no other book like the Bible. The Bible is “inspired of God.”
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2nd Timothy 3: 16 KJV
The Bible retort itself : “Men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.” For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2nd Peter 1:21 KJV
If we should try putting this into perspective, we will say a businessman has his secretary writing letters, those letters contains the thoughts and instructions of the businessman actually those letters are for the businessman, not the secretary. It is the same way, the Bible contains God’s messages, not that of the men who wrote them down. The entire Bible truthfully is “the word of God.”
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain. 1st Thessalonians 2:1KJV
Conclusion
There are many books and journals quoted from the bible but I believe that the bible is the best book to read it is our manual instruction for life. Through the bible we can learn many characters of God and how we are to conduct and be the best versions of ourselves.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates. 2nd Corinthians 13:5KJV
Bible verses for the day that will give you peace of mind.
Philippians 4:6-7- careful for nothing; but in ever thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 16:33 -These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 26:3 -Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Romans 16:20 – And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Romans 15:13 – Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Romans 8:6 – For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Matthew7:7- Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Romans 5:1- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Psalms 55:22- Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Hebrews 12:14 – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Luke 24:14 – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
John 1:12- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Psalms 34:17-The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Questions or concerns are often raised about who wrote the bible. The bible is the revelation of God to man, it consists of sixty-six books together forming one book.
Categories of the Bible 1 Twenty-two books of the Bible are mainly historical. 2 Twenty-one are largely books of prophecy. 3 Twenty-one books are in the form of letters. 4 Two books are primarily poetic.
These books were written by at least thirty-six different authors over a period of 1,600 years, some of whom were Kings, Farmers, Lawyers, Fishermen, Ministers, Priest and Tax collector. Some rich, some poor. All these books combined became the Bible, One Book! because God the author inspired all these different authors to record His messages of love, creation, fall of mankind , right living , the gift of His Son to this world , His soon coming to rescue His people from a sinful world among so many other messages. I pray we will all take some time to read the bible, which is the word of God and come to know Him as our Lord and Savior.
The prophecies of the Bible were given by the Holy Spirit. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2nd Peter 1:21KJV Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.1st 1vs 10-11 KJV
This is a confirmation that “the Spirit of Christ” inspired the prophets to show that the whole Bible is a God inspired book.
The question may be asked how much of the Bible is inspired by God?
Paul echoes that all inspirational knowledge and wisdom was given to man by God so that man may be perfect through the Holy Spirt.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2nd Timothy 3 16 -17 KJV Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7KJV
Examples of prophet’s recognition that their messages were from God.
1 David said—”The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” 2nd Samuel 23:2 KJV 2 Jeremiah said– Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jeremiah 1:4-9 KJV
3 God told Ezekiel— “And thou shalt speak my words,” Ezekiel 2: 7 KJV
4 When Zacharias, the father of John the Baptists, “was filled with the Holy Ghost” he said that God had spoken “by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. “Luke 1: 70 KJV
Conclusion Here we can see the inspiration in God’s messages to the prophets we see that God is the fountainhead of truth. Christ received truth from the Father, Jesus then gave it to the chosen angel. The angel communicated the message to the people either orally, written or both.
Let us all keep the faith and continue the fight in this Christian journey, especially now more that ever, as we are faced with this pandemic that seems to have no end. The Psalmist says “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Psalms 91:10 KJV.”
Let us also remember that Romans 8:28NIV tells us that ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.‘
We have the power to bring sins under control! Self-control is listed in the Bible as one of the Fruits of the Spirit; a sign that Christ is in us. It is a discipline that God grows in us when we continually choose to render flesh and live in Him.
The Bible warns us that if we do not have self control, we will be slaves to what controls us. Food, lust, money, our words etc….we may often find ourselves overwhelmed with the consequences of not having self control in many areas of life. Being in self control is the foundation for living a life of righteousness and selflessness that reflects Jesus and brings glory to God.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self control it’s time to get in the Word of God and allow Scripture to change your heart and mind.
“Abundant life” means fullness of life. It derives from the Bible verse John 10:10bKJV, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. This means to have a superabundance of a thing. “Abundant life” refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul and body.
What abundance teaches: • Abundant life begins with a new birth, a new relationship with God, new motivations, and a new relationship with mankind. • Abundant life teaches prosperity and health for the total human being, including the body, mind, emotions, relationships, material needs, and eternal life. • Abundant life teachings may include expectations of physical and material prosperity and good health and well-being, but may also include other forms of fullness of life, including eternal life, when persecuted or suffering. • The source of abundant life is identified as the Spirit of God in Galatians 5:22-23KJV, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”. Here are a few bible verses on abundance. Read and be blessed.
Thought for the day- Achievement should be every one’s desire
Philosophy view of achievement – is something accomplished, especially by superior ability special effort, great courage and a great or heroic deed.
Bible view on achievement – Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed Proverbs 16:3 KJV
The starting point of all achievement is a desire which begins from appreciating the small things in life and working towards greater achievements. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by the people who keep on trying when it seems as if there is no way out or no help from anyone.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth 3 John 1:2 (KJV)
This is the wish from apostle John for us to prosper to accomplished our achievements with effort, skill and courage.
Achievement desires: Faith optimism can lead to achievement. Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure can sometimes lead to success. Happiness is the greatest joy of achievement.
Bible Verses on achievement 2 Timothy 3:17- That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Matthew 6:1 – 21:46 – Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2 Corinthians 5:7 – (For we walk by faith, not by sight:
Habakkuk 2:1-2 – I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
OMNIPRESENT- This means that the presence of God is everywhere.
Omnipresence
“Where is God?”—This is a very important question. The seeker wants to know so does the skeptic and the guilty sinner so he can run the other way. And so, does every hurting person who feels abandoned by the Almighty. Where is God when I need Him?”
Omnipresence is the hardest of the 3 “Omni” for us to grasp. We can only be in one place at any time, but God is everywhere at the same time, it means His divine presence encompasses the whole universe. There is no location where he does not inhabit. Omnipresence indicates that God is distinct from the universe but inhabits the entirety of it, He is everywhere. The problem is we have nothing to compare it to. Man is only able to be in one place at a time. None of us have the ability to exist forever- we all have a birthday and an expiration date! We are all constantly changing (Hopefully into a greater likeness of Christ).
Is God all powerful? YES! we can slightly grasp that concept because we have power and strength. Is God all wise? YES! we can conceive because we have wisdom and knowledge. We are not able to appreciate the logic of present everywhere. We can’t even be in two places at once. True fact is that we sometimes forget. I feel that I must tell you that Satan is NOT Omnipresent, so we are not alone in this. Only God is Omnipresent. All other beings are restricted to a given place and a given time. Some people believe that Satan in “his” world has a god like status and can somehow mimic God’s powers just at a lower level. There is no such thing as “partial Omnipresence”. Satan is a created being! He is limited and restricted in the spirit realm, while we would agree that Satan works through a vast array of spirit beings who works his evil will, he is no more Omnipresent than you or me for that reason Omnipresence is a mystery to us.
Conclusion Omnipresent clearly means that God is everywhere, we cannot flee from His presence, He is always near. “The Lord is near at hand” according to William Secker “a man may hide from God from himself, and yet he cannot hide himself from God “so we need to recognise the Omnipresence of God. I really love these statements they immediately got me thinking, do I understand about God and how He reveals Himself to us?. God is the greatest, highest concept we can think about. It is important to know who God is because our faith is built on knowng Him, the more we know about Him the more our faith should grow.
Bible verses on (KJV) Omnipresence of God
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Job 34:21 – For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
Psalms 139:1 – 127:24 – (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
Psalms 139:7 – 127:10 – Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Isaiah 43:2 – When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Jeremiah 23:24 – Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Luke 17:21 – Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
John 1:3-5 – All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Acts 17:27 – That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Colossians 1:17 – And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
