Romans Thirteen Ten:
A blog about loving your neighbor as yourself.
Christopher:
The man who finds it really easy to procrastinate and not update his blog.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, New King James Version)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I think that He is trying to tell us something
God created the Universe so that He could love you.
God became a man forever to show you that love.
Go love someone today and let them know that because of God's love they don't have to die but can live forever with the One that gave Himself for them.
Share with them the hope that you have in you.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:18-22, New King James Version)
God became a man forever to show you that love.
Go love someone today and let them know that because of God's love they don't have to die but can live forever with the One that gave Himself for them.
Share with them the hope that you have in you.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:18-22, New King James Version)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Good Fruit, Bad Fruit, No Fruit (By David Guzik)
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes
or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good
fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear
bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that
does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)
In the previous passage, Jesus just warned us of a path that leads
to destruction. Now with the words, "Beware of false prophets" He
reminds us that there are many who would try to guide us along the
broad path that leads to destruction. The first step to combating
these false prophets is to simply beware of them.
- We need to beware because not all who claim to speak for God
are true.
- We need to beware because there is truth and there is falsehood,
and the difference is important.
- We need to beware because false prophets never tell us they are
false.
- We need to beware because many false prophets are convinced
they are true prophets.
- We need to beware because the price of following a false prophet
is very high.
Jesus explained one of the great dangers of false prophets: "Who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves." It is in the nature of these false prophets to
deceive and deny their true character. Often they deceive even
themselves, believing themselves to be sheep when in fact they are
ravenous wolves.
Wolves are not interested in helping sheep; to say it gently, they
are interested in what they can get from the sheep. We could say
that the fundamental problem of the false prophet is self-interest.
That self-interest can be expressed by a desire for gain or an easy
life; or by a desire for prestige; or even the desire to advance one's
own ideas and not God's.
Then Jesus gave us one way to know a false prophet: "You will
know them by their fruits." We guard ourselves against false
prophets by taking heed to their fruits. This means paying attention
to several aspects of their life and ministry.
We should pay attention to the manner of living a teacher shows.
Do they show righteousness, humility and faithfulness in the way
they live?
We should pay attention to the content of their teaching. Is it true
fruit from God's Word, or is it man-centered, appealing to ears that
want to be tickled or amused?
We should pay attention to the effect of their teaching. Are people
growing in Jesus or merely being entertained, and eventually falling
away?
That is what Jesus drew attention to when He said: "Even so,
every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit." This fruit is the inevitable result of who we are. Eventually -
though it may take a time for the harvest to come - the good or bad
fruit is evident, revealing what sort of "tree" we are.
Notice also that Jesus said that the choices are not only to bear
good fruit or bad fruit. There is a third category, also bad: "Every
tree that does not bear good fruit." This means that to not have
good fruit is in fact to be wrong. Both the one who bears bad fruit
and the one who bears no fruit are judged.
Earlier in the chapter Jesus warned us to judge ourselves first, to
look for the speck in our own eye before turning our attention to the
beam in our neighbor's eye. Therefore before asking it of anyone
else, we should first ask: "Do I bear fruit unto God's glory?" Jesus
brings us to the place of decision.
By David Guzik
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes
or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good
fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear
bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that
does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)
In the previous passage, Jesus just warned us of a path that leads
to destruction. Now with the words, "Beware of false prophets" He
reminds us that there are many who would try to guide us along the
broad path that leads to destruction. The first step to combating
these false prophets is to simply beware of them.
- We need to beware because not all who claim to speak for God
are true.
- We need to beware because there is truth and there is falsehood,
and the difference is important.
- We need to beware because false prophets never tell us they are
false.
- We need to beware because many false prophets are convinced
they are true prophets.
- We need to beware because the price of following a false prophet
is very high.
Jesus explained one of the great dangers of false prophets: "Who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves." It is in the nature of these false prophets to
deceive and deny their true character. Often they deceive even
themselves, believing themselves to be sheep when in fact they are
ravenous wolves.
Wolves are not interested in helping sheep; to say it gently, they
are interested in what they can get from the sheep. We could say
that the fundamental problem of the false prophet is self-interest.
That self-interest can be expressed by a desire for gain or an easy
life; or by a desire for prestige; or even the desire to advance one's
own ideas and not God's.
Then Jesus gave us one way to know a false prophet: "You will
know them by their fruits." We guard ourselves against false
prophets by taking heed to their fruits. This means paying attention
to several aspects of their life and ministry.
We should pay attention to the manner of living a teacher shows.
Do they show righteousness, humility and faithfulness in the way
they live?
We should pay attention to the content of their teaching. Is it true
fruit from God's Word, or is it man-centered, appealing to ears that
want to be tickled or amused?
We should pay attention to the effect of their teaching. Are people
growing in Jesus or merely being entertained, and eventually falling
away?
That is what Jesus drew attention to when He said: "Even so,
every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit." This fruit is the inevitable result of who we are. Eventually -
though it may take a time for the harvest to come - the good or bad
fruit is evident, revealing what sort of "tree" we are.
Notice also that Jesus said that the choices are not only to bear
good fruit or bad fruit. There is a third category, also bad: "Every
tree that does not bear good fruit." This means that to not have
good fruit is in fact to be wrong. Both the one who bears bad fruit
and the one who bears no fruit are judged.
Earlier in the chapter Jesus warned us to judge ourselves first, to
look for the speck in our own eye before turning our attention to the
beam in our neighbor's eye. Therefore before asking it of anyone
else, we should first ask: "Do I bear fruit unto God's glory?" Jesus
brings us to the place of decision.
By David Guzik
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm
Monday, October 12, 2009
Please, forgive me.
This blog is suffering because I am having various and sundry medical problems right now and the desire to post daily is there but the pain distracts me; I am not the Apostle Paul - Go look up what HE had to deal with and still he wrote three-quarters of the New Testament.
At this point in time I have two constant readers that I know of and I feel that I am letting them down because of my lack of posts. I want to share the Word and be a blessing to those that take the time to stop here.
I will post as I can and when I can, soon.
Yours in Christ,
Christopher
At this point in time I have two constant readers that I know of and I feel that I am letting them down because of my lack of posts. I want to share the Word and be a blessing to those that take the time to stop here.
I will post as I can and when I can, soon.
Yours in Christ,
Christopher
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
World views - Part Two
The World:
Man is getting better and more civilized so one day we will not have hatred, war, violence.
This is not True. With Sin in the world and Satan in control of the kingdoms of this world then there will not be any change in our behavior or the root cause of our actions. Only when the Messiah is on the throne will the world have a chance to see what Peace is but even then Sin will still be present. For the Christian the penalty of sin has been paid for and the power of sin is broken. I sin daily but all God sees is His Son in me. I will have to answer to to the Lord for my actions in and out of the Body but not my sin.
Religious tolerance is what is needed to bring all faiths together as one faith and to unite the world in love.
Religion has never saved anyone. Religion is mans attempt to relink himself to a Righteous and Holy God by his own works and power. I have no tolerance for any Religion because God does not have a part in any of them. True Christianity it is not a religion but a relationship with a person: Jesus (God).
There are many ways to God and everyone has to find his or her own way.
See the above answer
Global warming is caused by man and we are killing the planet.
During the middle of the day go outside and look up. That big flaming thing in the sky is the cause of global warming and cooling. Solar output, solar flares and cosmic rays are what cause the earth to heat and cool in cycles. Long cycles: the weather behavior this year has its roots in solar cycles of five hundred years past. Not me.
Zombie Apocalypse (This is a catchall for any Nut-job, Scientific or Educated theory that claims that the "End of the World" is going to happen on specific date in the near/distant/Next Friday future and that we have to start planning now if we want to survive.)
If any of what you hear or see going on in the world today worries you, then you need to make sure that you have made adequate preparation for the future.
This is an enigmatic statement that does not answer the above argument. Personally, I think having a weeks worth of food per person stored is a great idea that every American should look into. Civil unrest, anarchy, and chaos could be around the corner for our nation and then again they could not.
The bible goes into great detail about the events at the end of the age and tells what is to be expected before the return of Christ to the earth to rule: Meteors, Return of the Nephalim, Nuclear War and Famine are just some of the things to be expected in the future. But, should these things consume us with fear and anxiety? No. If you are in Christ, then it matters not one bit what the future holds for this world: He is in control and the wrath to come is the 'Wrath of the Lamb' (The bible says so.)
Pray for our Nation and pray for Israel: Let God handle the details; its His Kingdom and His Judgments are Righteous and True.
(Part Three onThursday Friday)
Man is getting better and more civilized so one day we will not have hatred, war, violence.
This is not True. With Sin in the world and Satan in control of the kingdoms of this world then there will not be any change in our behavior or the root cause of our actions. Only when the Messiah is on the throne will the world have a chance to see what Peace is but even then Sin will still be present. For the Christian the penalty of sin has been paid for and the power of sin is broken. I sin daily but all God sees is His Son in me. I will have to answer to to the Lord for my actions in and out of the Body but not my sin.
Religious tolerance is what is needed to bring all faiths together as one faith and to unite the world in love.
Religion has never saved anyone. Religion is mans attempt to relink himself to a Righteous and Holy God by his own works and power. I have no tolerance for any Religion because God does not have a part in any of them. True Christianity it is not a religion but a relationship with a person: Jesus (God).
There are many ways to God and everyone has to find his or her own way.
See the above answer
Global warming is caused by man and we are killing the planet.
During the middle of the day go outside and look up. That big flaming thing in the sky is the cause of global warming and cooling. Solar output, solar flares and cosmic rays are what cause the earth to heat and cool in cycles. Long cycles: the weather behavior this year has its roots in solar cycles of five hundred years past. Not me.
Zombie Apocalypse (This is a catchall for any Nut-job, Scientific or Educated theory that claims that the "End of the World" is going to happen on specific date in the near/distant/Next Friday future and that we have to start planning now if we want to survive.)
If any of what you hear or see going on in the world today worries you, then you need to make sure that you have made adequate preparation for the future.
This is an enigmatic statement that does not answer the above argument. Personally, I think having a weeks worth of food per person stored is a great idea that every American should look into. Civil unrest, anarchy, and chaos could be around the corner for our nation and then again they could not.
The bible goes into great detail about the events at the end of the age and tells what is to be expected before the return of Christ to the earth to rule: Meteors, Return of the Nephalim, Nuclear War and Famine are just some of the things to be expected in the future. But, should these things consume us with fear and anxiety? No. If you are in Christ, then it matters not one bit what the future holds for this world: He is in control and the wrath to come is the 'Wrath of the Lamb' (The bible says so.)
Pray for our Nation and pray for Israel: Let God handle the details; its His Kingdom and His Judgments are Righteous and True.
(Part Three on
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
World views - Part One
What the world believes and what is real are two different things:
The World:
Man is getting better and more civilized so one day we will not have hatred, war, violence.
Religious tolerance is what is needed to bring all faiths together as one faith and to unite the world in love.
There are many ways to God and everyone has to find his or her own way.
Global warming is caused by man and we are killing the planet.
Zombie Apocalypse (This is a catchall for any Nut-job, Scientific or Educated theory that claims that the "End of the World" is going to happen on specific date in the near/distant/Next Friday future and that we have to start planning now if we want to survive.)
The World:
Man is getting better and more civilized so one day we will not have hatred, war, violence.
Religious tolerance is what is needed to bring all faiths together as one faith and to unite the world in love.
There are many ways to God and everyone has to find his or her own way.
Global warming is caused by man and we are killing the planet.
Zombie Apocalypse (This is a catchall for any Nut-job, Scientific or Educated theory that claims that the "End of the World" is going to happen on specific date in the near/distant/Next Friday future and that we have to start planning now if we want to survive.)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Matthew Twenty-four and Twenty-five
1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And 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. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9Then 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. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. 26Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24-25, King James Version)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Life driven purpose
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 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: (2 Peter 3:2-5, King James Version)
The bible wars us to not be 'willingly ignorant' about the return of Jesus to the earth. Or as we in Oklahoma might say. "Dumb on purpose." in regards to God's overall plan for Israel, The Church and the Earth dwellers. Maranatha!
The bible wars us to not be 'willingly ignorant' about the return of Jesus to the earth. Or as we in Oklahoma might say. "Dumb on purpose." in regards to God's overall plan for Israel, The Church and the Earth dwellers. Maranatha!
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