Your Spirit and Scripture

[Reborn1977]

my enemy is not people

Good point! Like one of my early mentors told me many years ago, they do not hate me, they hate the Spirit of God that rests upon me, and that when they attack me it is not them, the person, but sin in them and the Emeny attacking me.

 

[Reborn1977]

Monday, April 6, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Ephesians 6:6–7 (NKJV)

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,



Before anyone barks…yes, I know this is a repeat, but it is still the Scripture God wanted posted for today.



Bondservant or “servant” in the KJV, in the Greek means:

1401. δοῦλος dŏulŏs, doo´-los; from 1210; a slave (lit. or fig., invol. or vol.; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):— bond (-man), servant.

1210. δέω dĕō, deh´-o; a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, lit. or fig.):— bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also 1163, 1189.



The word slave has such ugliness attached to it, but the Scripture makes it clear the servant of the Lord is the Lord’s slave. Slaves do not do what they want, they do what they are told.

Can anyone else say ouch!

 

[Martyr's Crown]

I just thought of Jesus Christ; His desire was doing His Father's Will, and not His own will. It was all about doing His Father's Will, and yet He didn't speak of this in a way which showed misery to Him in wanting to do this.

When our desire is to being pleasing to the Lord, doing His will more than our own, this gives us greater joy. It gives us more joy than if we did everything for ourselves. Same way as it gives one greater joy to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

In this world we are taught much about selfishness, that "I" should come first. Whilst Jesus teaches us that the greatest among us is the one who becomes like a servant, and put others before one's self.

Philippians 2:3

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."

This is nothing we can do by our own selves, neither can we change ourselves to the better. It is only through the work of Christ Jesus, that we see any changes happening within us. And it is only through Him that we can become this way, becoming more selfless and managing to put others before ourselves.

I am also reminded of this bible verse;

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

 

[Reborn1977]

I just thought of Jesus Christ; His desire was doing His Father's Will, and not His own will. It was all about doing His Father's Will, and yet He didn't speak of this in a way which showed misery to Him in wanting to do this.

When our desire is to being pleasing to the Lord, doing His will more than our own, this gives us greater joy. It gives us more joy than if we did everything for ourselves. Same way as it gives one greater joy to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

In this world we are taught much about selfishness, that "I" should come first. Whilst Jesus teaches us that the greatest among us is the one who becomes like a servant, and put others before one's self.

Philippians 2:3

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."

This is nothing we can do by our own selves, neither can we change ourselves to the better. It is only through the work of Christ Jesus, that we see any changes happening within us. And it is only through Him that we can become this way, becoming more selfless and managing to put others before ourselves.

I am also reminded of this bible verse;

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

Whereas I agree with your thoughts in general, we must keep in mind it is not always joyous to do God's Will, it can be tough, difficult, and heartwrenching at times, as it was for Jesus in the garden when He sweat drops of blood (now that is heartwrenching agony). Jesus even asked if there was another way to accomplish Father God's Purpose. Thus, it is not deeply sinful not to want to do God's Will, or not to view it as joyful when it is not, it is only sinful not to do His Will.

 

[K2K]

Monday, April 6, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Ephesians 6:6–7 (NKJV)

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,



Before anyone barks…yes, I know this is a repeat, but it is still the Scripture God wanted posted for today.



Bondservant or “servant” in the KJV, in the Greek means:

1401. δοῦλος dŏulŏs, doo´-los; from 1210; a slave (lit. or fig., invol. or vol.; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):— bond (-man), servant.

1210. δέω dĕō, deh´-o; a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, lit. or fig.):— bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also 1163, 1189.



The word slave has such ugliness attached to it, but the Scripture makes it clear the servant of the Lord is the Lord’s slave. Slaves do not do what they want, they do what they are told.

Can anyone else say ouch!

I love the verse and more important, I love the reason for the verse. They go together!!

If we are doing the will of God from the heart, and we already know that the word of God we preach is found in our heart, then we should be doing the will of God according to the word of God that we find in our heart.

And we get a testimony of that very thing with the Scripture because we read that though it was a repeat it was used again per the instruction of God. If we don't see that; I just want to point out that we find His instructions on our heart and according the verse we our out to please God as slaves. Slaves, or better yet I should say bondservants, we get instructions. They can be found in our heart. If we practice listening, they will come across even in words, like 'post this particular Scripture' or any other instruction your Lord asks.

Also I say 'better yet - bondservant' because a bondservant is not just any servant but one who is counted as a member of the house, even like a son or daughter, and that is better than a slave not kept as part of the household. God is god and all things need do His will but not all are counted as part of His household. So slave yes, but special as part of His family!! - If you find His instructions that can be found in your heart.

 

[Reborn1977]

I love the verse and more important, I love the reason for the verse. They go together!!

If we are doing the will of God from the heart, and we already know that the word of God we preach is found in our heart, then we should be doing the will of God according to the word of God that we find in our heart.

And we get a testimony of that very thing with the Scripture because we read that though it was a repeat it was used again per the instruction of God. If we don't see that; I just want to point out that we find His instructions on our heart and according the verse we our out to please God as slaves. Slaves, or better yet I should say bondservants, we get instructions. They can be found in our heart. If we practice listening, they will come across even in words, like 'post this particular Scripture' or any other instruction your Lord asks.

Also I say 'better yet - bondservant' because a bondservant is not just any servant but one who is counted as a member of the house, even like a son or daughter, and that is better than a slave not kept as part of the household. God is god and all things need do His will but not all are counted as part of His household. So slave yes, but special as part of His family!! - If you find His instructions that can be found in your heart.

Nice response today. I really enjoyed reading what you shared.

 

[Martyr's Crown]

Whereas I agree with your thoughts in general, we must keep in mind it is not always joyous to do God's Will, it can be tough, difficult, and heartwrenching at times, as it was for Jesus in the garden when He sweat drops of blood (now that is heartwrenching agony). Jesus even asked if there was another way to accomplish Father God's Purpose. Thus, it is not deeply sinful not to want to do God's Will, or not to view it as joyful when it is not, it is only sinful not to do His Will.

I do agree with this too.

I was looking at it from a different view, yet I understand that doing His Will will not be always easy.

Same way as when we go through trials and tribulations, which are also ordained by God, such times aren't always viewed as very easy, yet one needs to go on and keep on trusting in God.

 

[Reborn1977]

I was looking at it from a different view, yet I understand that doing His Will will not be always easy.

Oh, I realize you were just building on my original point, and I was doing likewise with your points. In my view, we were complimenting each other and piling layers upon layers of understanding surrounding the Word of God for other people reading our post, which is a great thing.

 

[Reborn1977]

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Romans 7:7–12 (NKJV)

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

It is amazing how the sin nature wants what it does not think it can have, what God does not want it to have, what it should not have, etc. Yet, sin fails to announce its ugly end when it is tempting a person – the end being some form of death. If only human nature was attracted to goodness as much as it is attracted to sin, the world would be a different place.



There is so much that could be said regarding this passage, and none of us will cover it exhaustively, but I really look forward to your thoughts today. Remember, make it good, but short enough that people will actually read what you post.

 

[Martyr's Crown]

Oh, I realize you were just building on my original point, and I was doing likewise with your points. In my view, we were complimenting each other and piling layers upon layers of understanding surrounding the Word of God for other people reading our post, which is a great thing.

It is too kind of you saying this.

It is also good for me getting corrected sometimes, or getting a different response.

I was also looking at it this way; Having joy not necessarily always having to outwardly smile, but having an inner joy, a inner peace from within, even when it is hard around you.

Doing God's Will will defintitively not always be a easy task for us, it can be very difficult doing. I just meant that doing God's Will will give you joy because you know it is in His Will.

 

[Martyr's Crown]

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Romans 7:7–12 (NKJV)

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

It is amazing how the sin nature wants what it does not think it can have, what God does not want it to have, what it should not have, etc. Yet, sin fails to announce its ugly end when it is tempting a person – the end being some form of death. If only human nature was attracted to goodness as much as it is attracted to sin, the world would be a different place.



There is so much that could be said regarding this passage, and none of us will cover it exhaustively, but I really look forward to your thoughts today. Remember, make it good, but short enough that people will actually read what you post.

I find it rather interesting; humans think they are free when they live in their own free will. Whilst when living in sin we are in truth bound, because death follows us. In sin we will reap death.

But when we are in Christ Jesus, and decide giving up our free will to God's care, then we are given a freedom which cannot be fully described for us. As the truth sets us free, the Truth which is also Jesus Christ! In Christ Jesus, we are given life.

God is so loving to let us choose, having given us a free will. Yet having a own free will doesn't mean we have much freedom in reality, as our own freedom leads to death. Our own freedom puts us in bondage because of our sin.

So now in combination to your earlier post and this one; I'd rather be a slave of Christ Jesus, in which I will be having full life in Him. And living in true freedom through Him! Instead of being a slave of sin, because of my own free will, which will be destructive for me, and leading me into full death.

 

[Reborn1977]

I find it rather interesting; humans think they are free when they live in their own free will. Whilst when living in sin we are in truth bound, because death follows us. In sin we will reap death.

Bravo! So true.

People living in "their freedom" as they like to call it, living according to their own will, are in the greatest bondage there is in life.

 

[Reborn1977]

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


John 10:10–12 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.



The life that Jesus speaks of her is both literal (physical) life and figurative (spiritual) life.



The abundant life, according to the Greek language is a life “beyond measure” – what a wonderful life Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has given us. May we allow ourselves, through obedience, to enjoy every aspect of the life He died to give us.

 

[K2K]

A couple of things about this passage - First - He is truly my pastor!!!! That is what we are talking about here. The Shepherd is the pastor.

Now that does not mean that I want to disrespect the "Pastor" at my church, but he is truly not my real pastor. He is a hireling. That's ok, but it's important to remember that.

The pastor at my church likes to do an early morning Bible study. I have a business to run, so I never go. Someone at the church once told me "You've got to listen to our pastor". I smiled at him and just let him finish speaking. I say that because right afterword my Lord Jesus Christ suddenly spoke to me. He said, "Karl, if anyone again tells you that you have to listen to their pastor; tell the that they have to listen to your Pastor."

It is written that His sheep hear His voice and He leads them out with His voice.

Which brings me to the second point this has to me. He leads out with His voice, so where is He leading us??

It is important to understand that when I say listen to Him, as your Pastor, I am saying the He does not tell you to steal, kill, and destroy. That is not Him. He leads you to eternal life. Which means a couple of things. It means He is going to protect you from that wolf! And it means that He is going to bring you to a place where you can go for eternity. And not mentioned in those verse is a verse says something about going in and out!

My friends, our Pastor is the King of the Kingdom of heaven. He said His kingdom was not of this world. God is spirit, and His kingdom (the place where we will spend eternity) is in our midst. Also, there are more with us than against us. So we should being praying that His Kingdom come, so that He will is done hear on earth, so that we are going in and out of His Kingdom, now.

He is our Pastor/leader! He protects us! His personality is not about stealing, killing, and destroying! And He is the King of kings, so you have the Kingdom of God in your midst to help you! Isn't it the place you He is leading you to? So shouldn't you be involved with it to some extent now?

 

[Reborn1977]

Thursday, April 9, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Revelation 2:4–5 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.



In the midst of this COVID-19 crisis one thing that has been observed is a turning back or renewal of God’s people in regard to the outward working of their faith. Praise God for at least that in the midst of so much death and heartache.

 

[K2K]

Thursday, April 9, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Revelation 2:4–5 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.



In the midst of this COVID-19 crisis one thing that has been observed is a turning back or renewal of God’s people in regard to the outward working of their faith. Praise God for at least that in the midst of so much death and heartache.

The Lord came into my life in a big way about 20 years ago. I was sooo zealous for Him then. Could I go and do the things I did for Him, now? I'm not sure I can.

I was a retail manager with a large big box chain. (Big box means the stores of the chain had large sized stores) When He came into my life I just had to tell people about Him. So that large chain fired me. We want to think that there is no persecution in the good old USA but there is. I can and could, at work, talk about my favorite sports team, movie, car, pet, or most anything, but I can not talk about my Lord Jesus Christ. That gets you fired in the USA.

Now I got another retail manger job after that and the Lord gave me lots of parables. Now the demons in people still knew what was going on, and still got those people upset, but they parables were just stories the human resource department came by the store and did a meeting with the whole store but could not act upon the accusations because the stories didn't actually point to Jesus Christ or Christianity. It was interesting because one employee was in a wicca, cut his hair with little horns on his hair and could talk about the devil all he wanted. No problem with that, but he did wind up getting fired for stealing. So that was a close call, but because I only spoke in parables, they couldn't fire me.

Then the Lord had me quit that store and had me open up a Christian bookstore for Him. I did that for two years and it cost me all I had. I was literally down to a car and no job. I couldn't pay myself for the two years and I gave the store away to a church.

The Lord got me by all that in numerous ways. I now have my own business and my nice double wide mobile home. So that question is, could I do that all again?

Now I still talk to the Lord everyday, but when I read that verse I get to thinking about if I could do that all again. Of course He was the one that got me to do all that back then, but I am not sure if He could get me to do it again. Certainly somethings He can get me to do. I can volunteer for and do almost any job my church has. Persecution can come there too, and I did have a church not let me join because the Lord gave me the gift of tongues, even though none of them ever heard me speaking in tongues. I just told them during the membership interview and that kept me from being a member of their Christian church. Still it's easier to do things for Him there at church because I can and did find other churches that even like the fact that the Lord gave me the gift on tongue. Loose your job at work and you have to trust in the Lord for a lot more.

So I think about how I was for Him at first, when I read the above verse. It's not an easy verse to think about.

 

[Reborn1977]

The Lord came into my life in a big way about 20 years ago. I was sooo zealous for Him then. Could I go and do the things I did for Him, now? I'm not sure I can.

I was a retail manager with a large big box chain. (Big box means the stores of the chain had large sized stores) When He came into my life I just had to tell people about Him. So that large chain fired me. We want to think that there is no persecution in the good old USA but there is. I can and could, at work, talk about my favorite sports team, movie, car, pet, or most anything, but I can not talk about my Lord Jesus Christ. That gets you fired in the USA.

Now I got another retail manger job after that and the Lord gave me lots of parables. Now the demons in people still knew what was going on, and still got those people upset, but they parables were just stories the human resource department came by the store and did a meeting with the whole store but could not act upon the accusations because the stories didn't actually point to Jesus Christ or Christianity. It was interesting because one employee was in a wicca, cut his hair with little horns on his hair and could talk about the devil all he wanted. No problem with that, but he did wind up getting fired for stealing. So that was a close call, but because I only spoke in parables, they couldn't fire me.

Then the Lord had me quit that store and had me open up a Christian bookstore for Him. I did that for two years and it cost me all I had. I was literally down to a car and no job. I couldn't pay myself for the two years and I gave the store away to a church.

The Lord got me by all that in numerous ways. I now have my own business and my nice double wide mobile home. So that question is, could I do that all again?

Now I still talk to the Lord everyday, but when I read that verse I get to thinking about if I could do that all again. Of course He was the one that got me to do all that back then, but I am not sure if He could get me to do it again. Certainly somethings He can get me to do. I can volunteer for and do almost any job my church has. Persecution can come there too, and I did have a church not let me join because the Lord gave me the gift of tongues, even though none of them ever heard me speaking in tongues. I just told them during the membership interview and that kept me from being a member of their Christian church. Still it's easier to do things for Him there at church because I can and did find other churches that even like the fact that the Lord gave me the gift on tongue. Loose your job at work and you have to trust in the Lord for a lot more.

So I think about how I was for Him at first, when I read the above verse. It's not an easy verse to think about.

Thanks for your transparency, for being so open.

 

[SunAndRain]

Revelation 2:4–5 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.


What strikes me about the verses is “first love.” Love for God is the place to get back to.

Repenting might need to include some time spent thinking about what displaced that love, why we left. With the pandemic, one thing many formerly busy, rushing people have now is time.

 

[Reborn1977]

what displaced that love

What a poignant question.

 

[Reborn1977]

Saturday, April 11, 2020 - Scripture of the Day


Proverbs 3:5–7 (NKJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.



A time is upon us when we are going to have to give up our preconceived ideas and trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit to show us our way. We need Him, we depend on Him, and we will depend upon Him in a greater capacity in the near future.



On this Holy Saturday before Resurrection (Easter) Sunday you may also find this Word from the Lord a blessing…

GodsTruthInLove.org
God speaks breaking His silence on Coronavirus/COVID-19
Saturday, April 11, 2020 (Holy Saturday) 4:45 am (eastern time United States of America)