#Philippians: Chapter 4 : 1 - 23

[nolliebee13]

Bible Study : Philippians 4

Session 12 Philippians Session 12Philippians 4:1-23V. 1-3 My dear and precious friends, whom I deeply love, you have truly become my glorious joy and crown of reward. Now arise in the fullness of your union with our Lord. ²And I plead with Euodias and Syntyche to settle their disagreement and be restored with one mind in our Lord. ³I would like my dear friend and burden-bearer, Syzygos to help…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Weapons of our Warfare are Divine

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the tearing down of strongholds, 5 as we tear down speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is fulfilled. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 | Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. Cross References: Isaiah 2:11; Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 7:5; Romans 8:4; Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 11:20; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Philippians 4:7

Read full chapter

Thoughts on Today's Verse… In our battle against evil, we use the spiritual weapons of God that enable us to know the truth and the freedom that the truth brings. The devil's greatest tools are deception and death. God's grace allow us to see through the deception and demolish its falsifying grip on the minds of men and women. God's power has broken through the barrier of death and given us victory in Jesus Christ. Our task in this victory march? To obey our Lord and help others to do the same, finding his grace and power sufficient to help us overcome all that we face that could defeat us.

The Thoughts on this verse were written by Phil Ware.

[liuisi]

1 Corinthians 11: The head covering

I've been wanting to talk about this topic for a while now, just to inject some nuance into the online conversations I've been seeing about this passage. (before I start, this post is going to be from the perspective of someone who DOES believe that wearing the head covering is a commandment)

1."Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (verse 1)

The very first verse in this chapter encourages us to imitate Christ in everything. The question we need to ask, then, is "how can I be more like Christ?". One of the many ways we can emulate Christ is by following His complete and utter obedience and subjection to God and His word. (And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8)

2. "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you." (verse 2)

The word "deliver" used here (right before Paul starts to talk about the head covering) is the same word used in verse 23 (For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:) and in chapter 15, verse 3 ( For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;). These other two verses speak of fundamental scriptural truths: the breaking of bread and the cross. We very easily accept these truths, but we find it harder to accept the head covering, even if it is introduced to us in the same way.

3. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (verse 3)

Okay! Now for the Headship. I think it would do us well to remember that we are not Just Ourselves when we come to church. In the sense that when we are at church, the woman is a representation of the Church as the Bride of Christ, and the man is a representation of Christ. In the same way, marriage is not just marriage, but also an image of Christ and His bride. So when we are at church, we shouldn't just think of ourselves. We are representing something so much bigger!

As we know, the man is the head of the house (be it husband or father). When we come to church, the only Person on display should be the Lord. No one else. Since the head of the woman is man, man must be hidden! Which is the role of the head covering. The ONLY Head that is allowed to shine through should be God, and Him alone.

Let's take Rebekah and Isaac as an example. Rebekah is an image of the church as the bride (traveling through the wilderness to meet her beloved) and Isaac is an image of Christ (what with him almost being sacrificed by Abraham). When Rebekah finally sees Isaac, "she took a vail, and covered herself." (Genesis 24:65). When she does this, she's expressing that she exclusively belongs to Isaac, just as the church exclusively belongs to Christ. By covering our heads in a meeting, we show that we exclusively belong to Christ, not our husband or our father or whoever else. In the presence of the Lord Jesus, we cannot show any other man.

4. "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." (verse 10)

Let's look at Ephesians 3:10: "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,"

The angels look down at us and learn about the wisdom of God. In its essence, when we wear the head covering, we are obeying God. Eve, the very first woman, disobeyed God. When we obey God, we show the angels that it is not like it was before. We have been saved and made new by the sacrifice of the Lord, and now we have the ability to obey God and display His wisdom. We are a testimony to the angels.

5. "But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." (verse 15)

Now. What about this verse? Does it contradict everything I've just said? Nope! Allow me to get into the greek. The greek word for "covering" used in verse 15 is "περιβόλαιον" which translates to "that which is thrown around, a covering" and is used as "a wrapper, mantle, veil, cloak, covering". It is the same word used in Hebrews 11:12: "And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." (source). Meanwhile, the word for covering used in all the verses before is "κατακαλύπτω" which translates to "to cover up" and is used as "veil, cover the head". (source)

The "covering" mentioned in this verse is along the same lines as the garments Pharaoh gave Joseph in Genesis 41:42 (And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;). He adorned Joseph in fine clothes so that all of Egypt would know how important Joseph was. In the same way, God has given the woman her hair as a natural veil (adornement, garment) to make her distinct from man and to give her a special beauty for her own glory. This adds another reason to wear the head covering in the presence of God: there can be no other glory but His.

6. "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." (verse 16)

Okay. What about THIS verse? Is it saying that if someone is contentious about the head covering, then let her not wear it? No, that's a misunderstanding. This verse is saying that contentiousness is not a custom that should be found in the churches of God. Wanting to willfully alter God's order because it does not please us is not acceptable.

7. The culture argument (almost done, I promise)

The most common argument you will find against the head covering is that Paul was writing to the Corinthian women, in the context of Corinthian culture and it applies specifically to them, and not us.

(a) How does Paul start the epistle to the Corinthians?

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:" (1 Corinthians 1:2)

Quite frankly, you would be hard pressed to find a teaching in this epistle that applies ONLY to the corinthians. Why is it that we find it so easy to dismiss this one as only applying to them, while we accept every other one as the truth?

(b) The Headship of Christ, and man being the head of the woman is not cultural. It is a biblical truth, therefore we cannot say that a teaching that rests on this truth doesn't apply to every culture.

--

Alright. That was a long one. I want to stress, before I end this post, that this is not a condemnation. I'm not here, sitting on my soapbox, going "if you aren't wearing a head covering in church meetings you are SINNING and you must REPENT." I am very aware that this teaching is not widespread at all. I was simply lucky enough to be born into a church where it is accepted as truth. Wearing/not wearing a head covering is not an indicator of your spiritual state or your closeness with God.

But now that you've read this post, I would urge you to really think about it. Meditate on this passage for yourself, and ask yourself "Why should I not wear the head covering? What's stopping me?" If your conclusion is that it is a commandment, then do it. I understand feeling hesitant, especially if no one else in your church wears it. But we already live in a world that hates God and His commandments and yet we chose to follow Him every day. What more is this?

May God bless you, and thank you for reading! I am happy to answer any questions.

[freebiblestudies]

Line Upon Line Lesson 052: Not by Our Power

Exodus 2:11-12 - Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

In many movies about Moses, there is usually a scene where Moses is shocked to learn about his Israelite heritage.  He has to come to grips with the destiny God set before him.  While this story makes for good drama, is it really biblical?

Let’s read together Exodus 2:1-10 and Acts 7:20-22.

‭Contrary to popular belief, Moses grew up aware of his Israelite heritage.  When you read Exodus chapter 2, you find that Pharaoh’s daughter paid Moses’ mother to nurse him.  Moses’ mother raised him for a while before giving him to Pharaoh’s daughter.

Let’s read together Exodus 2:11-13 and Acts 7:23-29.

Moses was trying to show the Israelites he was going to deliver them from the Egyptians by his hand.  Perhaps Moses planned to lead a slave rebellion to overthrow the Egyptians.  

Let’s read together Exodus 2:14-15 and Acts 7:27-29.  

Unfortunately, the Israelites did not rally behind Moses.  Rather than lead an uprising, Moses ran away in fear of his life.  Moses thought he was going to be a revolutionary leader, but he ended up being a lonely exile.

What went wrong for Moses?

Let’s read together Psalm 73:26; Luke 9:54-55; John 15:5; and Philippians 3:4-7.

Moses was zealous for God, but he did not have the right spirit for God.  He tried to raise up the children of Israel on his own power.  Moses failed because he did not wait on the Lord.

Will you learn from Moses’ mistake and put your trust in Jesus first?

[bibleversegarden]

God’s Anointing and Power in Our Lives

Mankind in a fallen, captive state, is incapable of rising to the high stature, high calling of God. Thanks be to God, for the anointing that removes burdens and breaks the yokes of sin, that keeps us bound.

God anointed Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. (See Acts 10:38)

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

At God's appointed time, "The Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)

Jesus who appeared in the flesh, and was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin, was able to resist the devil, and cast Him out of many, for He was full of the Holy Ghost and power. This Jesus, is calling disciples to Himself, to live holy lives, and to proclaim the good news of salvation in the earth, with signs and wonders following.

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."  (Luke 10:19-20)

In order to be effective ambassadors for Christ, we must be sanctified and consecrated vessels, reconciled to God, fruitful in every good work; bringing glory to His name.

"And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:10-11)

"Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:21 and 22)

A Prayer:

All thanks and praise to God our Father, for Christ His Son: Prophet, Priest and King; for the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and the anointing that breaks the yokes, and sets us free; for the power to daily walk in the Spirit; for a new and living way; for an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that doesn't fade away. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings:

In the Scriptures, God instructed Moses to make a holy anointing oil. (See Exodus 30:22-33 for its use and purpose.)

Luke 4:1-15; Luke 9:1-3; Luke 10:19 & 20; Acts Chapter 2; Isaiah 10:27; Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians Chapter 5; Colossians Chapter 1, 2, 3 and 4; Psalm 23, Jeremiah Chapter 1; Ephesians in its entirety; First Epistle of John 2:27-29; Acts Chapters 1 and 2; Romans Chapters 6 and 12; Hebrews 1:8 & 9; First Epistle of Peter in its entirety; Philippians Chapter 3; 2 Corinthians Chapter 5; Joel 2:28-32

[anumberofhobbies]

THE RAPTURE--ACCORDING TO JESUS

Feb 2, 2024 Jesus taught such a comforting, hope-filled message of His return to rescue His Church before the Tribulation, that His disciples went everywhere teaching this same truth.

When Paul had only a month in a pagan city where he planted a church, the Rapture was central to their doctrine.

The Rapture was First Taught by Jesus

The Rapture is a doctrine started and taught by Jesus, continued and spread by His disciples, and believed and passionately lived out by His Church.

The early church heard and understood this doctrine of Christ’s any-moment return, and radiantly lived, looking for ways to please Him when He came to rescue them.

James in the first NT letter said that Christ was standing at the door (5:7).

The second NT book was I Thessalonians and every chapter shines with Rapture-induced hope-filled expectancy (1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23).

Paul’s epistles start to finish, are seasoned with the flavor of a focused life awaiting Christ as in Philippians 3:20 where we as citizens of Heaven await Jesus eagerly, as Paul confesses in his last words of II Timothy 4 where he talks about His crown “at that day” when Jesus comes.

Peter says the same, going so far as asking what kind of lives should we live because we know the future (II Peter 3:11 ).

John’s Epistles are the same, in I John 3:2-3 he says that this “hope” causes us to purify our daily life looking for Christ’s coming.

In Revelation 3:7, Jesus Christ identifies Himself to the Church at Philadelphia as the One who is True, Holy, and has the unstoppable Messianic Key of David. When Jesus speaks He tells the Truth. When we listen to Him and hear what He says we can have confident assurance that He knows what He is talking about.

Jesus Christ taught repeatedly (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) that His 2nd Coming is to Judge the ungodly.

That was the content of every sermon on the future that He ever preached.

Each sermon was taught in the context of Israel, was focused upon the Jews, and involved the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.

The Rapture is Not The 2nd Coming

But, when Jesus spoke to believers His emphasis was different.

Jesus taught His own born-again children of the faith, three bedrock truths about the Rapture or His coming for His Church.

These truths are that: the Rapture will be a source of comfort; the Rapture will be similar to the Ascension; and that the Rapture will be an intentional rescue.

Those truths, taught by Jesus Christ Himself, constitute the Biblical, doctrinal basis for all that the early church was later taught by the Apostles and which extends to us throughout all the centuries since Christ’s ministry.

[dailyaudiobible]

10/3/2023 DAB Transcript pt1

Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4:1-23, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20

Today is the third day of October, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it's great to be here with you today as we gather around the Global Campfire and move forward together. So, we have moved into a new week. We have moved into a new month. Now, today, because we finished the book of Isaiah yesterday, we’re moving into a new book in the Old Testament. We’ll also be concluding a letter in the New Testament today. So, movement is happening. So, when we get to the New Testament, we’ll finish the book of Philippians.

Introduction to the Book of Jeremiah:

But now, here at the beginning in the Old Testament, we have reached the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, which is a part of the grouping of books known as the major prophets, just like Isaiah. And Jeremiah is prophesying a couple of decades before and then through the Babylonian attack and conquest. Things that we read about and we're reading in second Kings and second Chronicles, Jeremiah is a prophetic voice during this time. And as with many prophetic voices and prophetic books that are in the Bible, we have these oracles from God. And so, like with Isaiah, we’re jumping around a lot because the things that he had to say were aimed in different directions at different times. So it's not like a linear narrative story; like this happened, then this happen and this happened and this happened. Jeremiah is a book of prophecy so it’s like this as well, but it's intriguing because we…we get a glimpse more into Jeremiah's mindset, and he does not want to be doing some of the things that he's invited to do, especially at the time that he’s invited to do them. And so, there’s an authenticity to Jeremiah that we get to understand and we get to see the frustration of a prophet who thinks nobody is listening and he just wants to be released from the mission. And he wasn't just making it up, Israel had turned her back on God and for more than two decades Jeremiah was one of the only, if not the only voice warning the people that the direction they were going in wasn't going to end anywhere good. They were on the wrong path going in the wrong direction. And this often led Jeremiah to be in conflict with the people. This is a time where there is reasonable prosperity. It doesn't look like there's impending doom. And so, if you know, if business is good but there is a doomsayer, then the doomsayer probably isn't good for business. The business people want people to spend their money right, not be freaked out that something bad is about to happen. And this kind of went up the chain until powerful enough people were just fed up with Jeremiah and all of his interference. So, we’ll watch that even though Jeremiah has frustration and even in tremendous amount of sadness, his loyalty to God remains true. And as it turns out, he was speaking from the Lord and telling the people the truth. Babylon did invade the land in 587 BC. Jerusalem, the holy city, fell. The palace of God that Solomon had made was leveled, completely destroyed. And through it all Jeremiah is there giving words from the Lord to instruct the people how to navigate what is happening and they're not listening. So, with that, we begin one of the most intriguing prophets in the Bible, Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 1 through 2 verse 30 today.

[christianengineersblog]

IprayMinistry 🇨🇦 Canada/ChristianEngineer

Bible Reading Plan 2024

2Corinthians 1-13; Galatians 1-6; Ephesians 1-6; Philippians 1-4; Colossians 1-4; 1Thessalonians 1-5; 2Thessalonians 1-3

PEACE ON EARTH

"Goodwill Toward Men!"

🙏🏼Prayer📖Verse:Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” - Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

READ:Luke 2:1-14; Mathew 1:18-23

OR Whole Chapters

Let's Pray🙏🏼To God

Our Father in Heaven, thank You for the birth of Jesus that brought "Peace on earth" to whoever believes in His Name.

Jesus was born to save sinners from their sins. - Matthew 1:21

The Messiah was prophesied to be born in Judea. - Micah 5:2

Let us celebrate Christmas🎄praising God with the Angelic host saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - Luke 2:14

Joy to the world Jesus our Savior is born. - Luke 2:11

The birth of Jesus is a great mystery:God was manifested in the flesh. - 1Timothy 3:16

Jesus is Emmanuel "God With Us" - Isaiah 7:14; Mathew 1:22

He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

For God so loved the world that He gave His Son to save us. - John 3:16

Jesus was born to die in order that we might receive the free gift of Salvation.

Without the shedding of His blood, there is no forgiveness of our sins. - Hebrews 9:22

Jesus Himself is our peace who came to give us perfect peace. - Ephesians 2:14; John 14:27

It is for freedom that You sent Jesus to set us free from sin and gave us eternal life.- Galatians 5:1

May the world today make a choice to receive God's gace unto Salvation. - Ephesians 2:8-9

The "Prince of Peace" will come back to establish a universal peace in His everlasting kingdom.

Father, we thank You for Your Christmas package, 📦the greatest gift with blessings for mankind.

In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen. ---- CPM16DC24

Prayer Engineer

Merry Christmas🎄and Happy Holiday Season.

[wolint]

JEHOVAH JIRE. OUR PROVIDER!

JEHOVAH JIRE. OUR PROVIDER

Genesis 22:6-8.

 

Jehovah Jireh! The Lord will see; that is, God will ensure that everything necessary for the comfort and support of those who trust in Him is done: this is usually translated as, The Lord will provide! Abraham had great confidence that God “Himself” would provide for his needs.

Remember, up until chapter 22, God had providentially cared for Abraham. But that’s a long way from having God provide food and shelter to believing and trusting that He will provide a “Ram” instead of “your child” for the sacrifice He requested from you. Abraham’s trust in God was rewarded by the provision of the expected ram.

Abraham probably remembered God’s covenant with him, of God’s steadfast promise where He (God) swore an oath by Himself that He would provide for Abraham. God’s promises still stand. He swore by Himself, and He will not go back on His word. Philippians 4:19 says: My God shall supply all your needs.

I have experienced the providential supply of the Lord in such diverse ways and measures that I have come to know and understand the truth and revelation of “Jehovah Jireh” like I know my name. According to His riches—but wait! It’s amazing that God is not providing all your needs according to your strength, your popularity, or your righteousness, and needs, otherwise, a lot of us would perish before our needs are ever met. What a glorious promise! God’s provision is based on His infinite fullness, His untold, unlimited riches through Christ, whose followers we are.

God’s supply can never be depleted, ask the Jews (the Israelites). While Israel was journeying through the wilderness, God never left their side. He protected and provided for them the entire time, see Exodus 13:21. With an estimation of over three to five million people, who made this journey, from Egypt and around the wilderness, including women, children and livestock, God had no challenge or shortage of supplies to meet their daily needs.

Could you trust God in that situation to meet your needs? Whatever they may be? God’s provisions included all the necessary sustenance (food, shelter, clothing, and water) Israel would need during their 40-year sojourn through the wilderness. Exodus 16:12-15 shows that God provided manna and quail and in Exodus 15:25, God gave the Israelites clean water to drink.

During a time of drought, God had ravens delivering food to Elijah. God also provided food for the widow and her son because she was willing to trust that God was speaking through Elijah. Elijah fully trusted the Lord and God provided for all Elijah’s needs in 1 Kings 17.

We can trust God’s goodness, guidance, and shepherding care to do more for us than we could ever achieve on our own. God provides a way for us to develop an intimate, conversational, obedient relationship with Him so that we can lead ourselves and others into a “Psalm 23” quality of life. Those whose shepherd is the Lord can say, “I lack nothing”. God will dispense every requisite blessing of providence, grace, and glory you need to you. God’s provision extends to His ongoing relationship to all His creation, which is deeply dependent on Him, like the Lion in Psalm 104:21. And in Malachi 3:6 the Lord says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Therefore, He will keep His promises.

Trust Jehovah Jireh to provide all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am grateful for all your provision and the promise that every area of my life and needs will be met in you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT PRAYER MIN."

[narrowroadblog]

A Consecrated Life

What is a consecrated life? If you look at Romans 12:1, you get an idea of what it means. What Paul is stating should require us to ask, “Am I living a life in total surrender to the Lord?” As believers, we have settled the sin question (Romans 6:14), and now we must present ourselves in willing surrender to the Christ who laid down His life for us. Consecration in the Bible The word consecration means complete surrender to God—to seek, hear, and do His will, placing ourselves in absolute submission to be a vessel for His glory in every word and action we create. Our heart should reflect a life devoted to serving Him, for from the heart comes our sincerest desires (Luke 6:45). Paul reminded us in his letter to the church in Philippi that our thinking must reflect a heart that is focused on love (Philippians 4:8); to do so means our heart must be committed to reflecting the love our Father has for us. Jesus warns His disciples about being a false follower in Matthew 7:21. It‘s not enough to simply confess Jesus as your Savior; you must also live a life that reflects the will of the Father. Empty words will ring hollow to Christ on that day you must give an account of yourself. Take stock of the life you are living, fellow Christian. Does it reflect a life of His will or yours? I’m certain every one of us has parts of our life we keep to ourselves and struggle to give it over to God. Ultimately, we must surrender this area to Christ as well. In the very next few verses, we hear the words of Jesus denouncing those who pretend to be His—words I’m sure none of us wish to hear the day we are called into His presence (Matthew 21:22-23). Living Out a Consecrated Life Consecration is not something simply added to salvation and is therefore deemed optional. True salvation leads to a life of holiness (Titus 2:11-14) and therefore should be viewed as binding upon every Christian heart. To view consecration as simply a “down-the-road” goal is certainly not what the writer of Hebrews suggested in the 14th verse of chapter 12: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” A consecrated life is accompanied by so many spiritual blessings. You live a life focused on others instead of yourself and possess an aura that truly reflects life in step with your Creator. You live to serve Him and look for ways throughout your day to humble yourself in service to others. As a child of God, you live a life on the right side of Paul’s admonition to the Galatians (Galatians 6:8); and when you stray some, you welcome the chastisement of a Father who wishes to bring you back (Hebrews 12:6) Make today the day we surrender every part of our life to His will. Once we do this, we truly will understand what it means to be a living sacrifice. Shop now Read the full article

[steveezekiel]

UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

1 THEN He [Jesus] spoke a PARABLE to them, THAT MEN [humans] ALWAYS OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT LOSE HEART,

2 SAYING: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

3 NOW there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

4 AND he would NOT for a WHILE; BUT afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,

5 YET because this widow TROUBLES me I will AVENGE HER, lest by her CONTINUAL COMING SHE WEARY ME.’ ”

6 THEN the LORD said, "HEAR what the UNJUST judge SAID.

7 AND SHALL GOD NOT AVENGE HIS OWN ELECT WHO CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT TO HIM, though He bears long with them?

8 I TELL YOU THAT HE WILL AVENGE THEM SPEEDILY. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)

• As a Believer, you are not to give up in Prayers, when the world waxes worse and worse, and the persecutions come, in which you almost despair of life.

- You have to cry to God and He would not hesitate to avenge you speedily. God would not be like the unjust Judge in the parable, who hesitated before he eventually helped the widow (Luke 18:4).

- Jesus meant in the parable that, If Believers would be persistent, or importunate or solicitous, in Faith and Prayers, how speedily God would avenge them, even better than the unjust judge did (Luke 18:7,8).

- It is the Persistency of Faith, and not the Persistency of doubt, that causes God to respond and avenge His elects.

- Jesus in the parable was talking about the people of God who are under prosecutions, and are crying out to God for Deliverance; would surely receive His help If they persisted.

• Asking in Jesus' name:

13 AND whatever you ASK in My [Jesus'] name, THAT I WILL DO, that the Father may be GLORIFIED in the SON. 14 IF you ASK anything in MY NAME, I will do IT" (John 14:13,14 NKJV).

- Believers are given the right to exercise authority over the devil, in the name of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:19).

- It is a demand or command of whatever due the Believer because of the rights and privileges God has provided for him or her in Christ Jesus—which is based on the authority invested in His name (Philippians 2:9-11).

- The Greek word for 'ask" implies or means "call-for", or " require" or "demand"  something or what is due you.

- Therefore, John 14:13 could be read As this: "AND whatever you CALL FOR, or REQUIRE, or DEMAND, in My [Jesus'] name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

- In such a situation, the Believer is standing against satan and whatever circumstance which does not line up with the Word of God in his or her life.

- Such a Believer is exercising his or her Authority over satan and whatever the adverse circumstance, affecting his or her life. Commanding satan to bow his knees, take his hands off, in the name of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9,10).

• The principles for the New Testament Prayer:

23 “AND in that day YOU WILL ASK ME NOTHING. MOST assuredly, I say to you, WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME HE WILL GIVE YOU. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. ASK, and you will RECEIVE, THAT your JOY may be FULL" (John 16:23,24 NKJV).

- Believers in Christ Jesus are to address their prayers to God the Father in Jesus' name. And NOT through an angel, or one saint or another. Not through Angel Raphael, or Mary, or Patrick, or any of the saints.

- God the Father can only be accessed through Jesus' name. The Believers pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. If you understand the principles of Prayer, you will not pray amiss (James 4:3). 

- Jesus told a parable about prayer in Luke chapter 18:1-8; which was used As the text of this teaching.

- He talks about asking in His name in John chapter 14:13,14.

- And in John chapter 16:23, He taught that All prayers should be addressed to God the Father in His name.

• Prayer is the strongest weapon in the world.

- Many failed in the place of prayer because of their inabilities to persist.

WITHOUT persistency, you could not get the desired results in Prayer.

- The widow who went to the unjust Judge was persistent, importunate, in her request. She was asking for justice.

- When dealing with opposition in prayer, you had to be Persistent, otherwise you would not get the results.

- The devil would not want his captives go, hence, Persistency is needed when dealing with him on any matter.

- If you wanted to fell a tree, the first stroke of the Axe would not make it Fall, it might take several strokes.

- The tree might fall at the fifteenth stroke of the Axe, but the weakening of it started with the first stroke.

- If you are dealing with a problem, and abandoned it after a period of time, and you are not Praying on it, the powers or the forces behind it would be reinforced. When you resumed to pray on it, It means you are just starting all over again.

- Prayer is a journey, which when embarked upon, you do not turn back on the way, you have to get through, and see the end of the matter—get the results.

- It takes persistency in Prayer to prevail. God would avenge His children who are Persistent, importunate, in their walking with Him in Prayer.

- Believers must not be lazy in Prayer. We have authority in the name of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:19).

- God Promises to avenge on the enemies of those who are His; who called on Him day and night, speedily (Luke 18:7,8).

- We have the privilege to approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ which those who are in the world, and not in Christ Jesus, the unbelievers, could not do:

"LET us therefore COME boldly to the throne of GRACE, THAT we may OBTAIN MERCY and FIND GRACE TO HELP in time of NEED" (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV).

• Life is not a funfair. The devil would want to challenge whoever declared his or her allegiance for Christ Jesus (Revelation 12:17).

- Note:

(i) The kingdom of darkness is real (1 Peter 5:8).

(ii) They are out to devastate the elects, the chosen ones of God (Revelation 12:17).

(iii) God has given us the name of Jesus Christ, the authority in it, to deal with the devil and his agents (Luke 10:19).

- We are potential winners in Christ Jesus. The battle being talked about is, the battle or fight that has already been decided in our favour—we cannot lose, but only to WIN (Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Do Not Rely On Your Own Insight

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6 | New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Numbers 9:20; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Nehemiah 7:5; Psalm 37:3; Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 11:5; Proverbs 16:3; Proverbs 22:19; Proverbs 23:4; Proverbs 28:26; Jeremiah 9:23; Philippians 4:6; James 1:5

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Spiritual Warfare: 'God Will Clear the Way'

[pastortomsteers]

The Bible Study –

Our readings for Friday, Jan. 5 are Isaiah 65:8-25 & Luke 3:1-20.

The prophet Isaiah powerfully states God’s Word of judgment and salvation.

The Almighty will eternally punish those who won’t listen and reject His salvation in Christ.

There is both a present and future spiritual restoration for Christians.

By God’s grace, through faith in Christ, believers now receive the salvation of their souls and the blessings of the Christian life, including hope and peace.

In Revelation, Chapter 21, the Apostle John will speak of “a new heaven and a new earth,” the paradise of eternal life, and full spiritual and physical restoration in Heaven.

Martin Luther would write, Christians are a ‘now and not yet people.’

In our passage from Luke, John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah.

John is preaching Law before the coming Gospel of Christ.

John offered a baptism of repentance for sin.

God’s Law shows us our sins, our desperate need of redemption.

The Gospel shows us our Saviour, Jesus.

God Himself instituted Baptism, for our Lord Jesus commanded His Church to Baptize all nations, all people: adults, children, infants. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 18:15-17; Acts 2:38-39)

In this Baptism, God, the Holy Trinity, receives us into communion, into fellowship with Himself.

Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Baptism is a means of grace. This is God’s work, not our own (Titus 3:5-8).

Baptism is a Sacrament, an earthly element, water, included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word.

There is no other God-given Baptism today beside the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5)

Matthew 3:11 speaks of baptizing “with water” and also “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

The difference here is not between Sacramental Baptism and some sort of “Spirit Baptism,” but between the preparatory mission and baptism of repentance of John, and the full permanent mission and Baptism of Jesus.

John the Baptist pointed forward to the redemptive work of Christ our Saviour.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His Church.

The Spirit, through the Word and Sacrament, freely gives all Christians the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

In Apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform miraculous signs and wonders, for example, healings and raising the dead.

The Bible does not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous abilities.

The Spirit bestows His blessings according to His good pleasure.

Today, some denominations that have fallen away from the Bible, term themselves “charismatic.”

However, the Greek word, “charisma,” simply means “gift,” and refers, for example, to Christ’s whole work of salvation (Romans 5:15-16) and to eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Even the Apostle Paul warned against misapplying ‘speaking in tongues’ in Church (1st Corinthians 14:1-25).

According to Paul, no one ought to speak in tongues in the Church unless there be at least two or three interpreters (1 Corinthians 14:27). If there is no one to interpret, the tongues ought not ensue.

God, however, doesn’t reveal Himself through individual ecstatic experiences, but through His Word, the Bible. That is how faith is worked in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17).

It’s very significant that in the Lord’s sending out of His disciples upon His ascension (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8), no mention is made of miraculous healings, speaking in tongues, and the like.

What is mentioned is preaching, the witnessing of the Apostles concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus for the remission of sins (Luke 24).

The Holy Spirit, by the Gospel, keeps us in the true faith (Philippians 1:6).

The Spirit also calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps believers in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 3:6).

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

[christianengineers]

Iprayministry 🇨🇦 Canada/ChristianEngineer

ONE YEAR BIBLE 2023

Galatians1-6

Ephesians1-6 ; Philippians 1-4

Colossians 1-4

1 Thessalonians 1-5

2 Thessalonians 1-3

Praying Scripture:John 1:1;14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 (NKJV)

JESUS IS GOD

"Born In The Flesh"

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Let's Pray!

God our Father, who grants mercy and truth to Your people, from generation to generation.

May the world believe the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He existed in the beginning before the beginning with God in heaven.

Jesus is distinct in personhood from the Father and a member of the triune Godhead.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1

The Word became flesh and dwelt among men. - John 1:14

He was not created in the beginning but is co-Creator.

Jesus Christ is God, He is divine and is eternal.

Everything was created through him, and nothing was created except through him” - John 1:3;John 1:10;Col 1:16

Jesus was already present when the universe began and Has always existed. - Genesis 1:1;John 8:58

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

May the entire universe know and accept that Jesus shares in God's eternality and was glorified before the world began” - John 17:5

Jesus is the Alpha and omega, the beginning and the end—"the Almighty One” - Revelation 22:13;1:8

“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God...” - Hebrews 1:31

O God, no one has ever seen You at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. - John 1:18;Exodus 33:20

Great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifested in the flesh, Believed on in the world and Received up in glory. - 1Timothy 3:16

The little baby Jesus was born on Christmas to reveal the identity of the Almighty God in heaven.. - Mathew 1:18-23; Isaiah 9:6

Jesus was born to save His people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21

And His name shall be called Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” - Matthew 1:23

Thank You for such great redemption and salvation in Jesus Mighty Name Amen. --- WPF8DC23

PrayerEngineer

[humbleservantprayerwall]

Daily Devotionals 10-29-2023   

Verses of the Day: Ecclesiastes 7:9/Romans 12:1/Romans 8:15/Psalms 91:14/Colossians 3:15/Matthew 25:41/Romans 6:23/John 3:36/Romans 8:1-4/Luke 24:1/Matthew 6:9/Exodus 16:22-30/Exodus 20:8/Genesis 2:2-3/Nehemiah 13:15–22/Psalm 46:1/Philippians 1:14/Matthew 6:9/Psalm 104:34/1 Peter 2:6/Psalm 45:2/Philippians 2:9/Colossians 1:19/1 Peter 1:8/Philippians 3:8/Joshua 24:15/Matthew 6:9-13/ Chapters of…

[melissa-lynne]

Where is the House that Ye Build Unto Me?

Isaiah 66:1 Day 275 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16 ______ Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible. It speaks of Jerusalem’s coming judgment and restoration, as well as the future glory of the Lord’s kingdom. The chapter begins with the Lord declaring that heaven is His throne and the earth is…