February 2016

"We Are To..."

February 28, 2016

“We Are To…”

Blessings folk!

So, a synopsis of what we learned from Ephesians 4.

We are to…
walk in a manner worthy of the calling
be humble
be gentle
be patient
bear with one another
maintain the unity of the Spirit
attain to the unity of the faith
be mature
no longer be children
speak the truth in love
grow up into Christ
not walk as the Gentiles
put off the old self
be renewed in the spirit of your minds
put on the new self
put away falsehood
speak the truth
be angry and do not sin
not let the sun go down on anger
give no opportunity to the devil
labor
share with those in need
have not corrupting talk
speak what is good, up building, full of grace
not grieve the Holy Spirit of god
let al bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice be put away
be kind to one another
be tenderhearted
forgive one another

Wow.
One chapter of one letter.
The Lord has much to say to us.
We have much to do in Him.
Do it.

"Do Not...Let...Be..."

February 27, 2016

“Do Not…Let…Be…”

Blessings folk!

The final instructions from Ephesians 4.
We have seen many.
We do well to spend much time the balance of our lives in Ephesians.

Again note the “do not”, “let”, “be”…

Eph 4:30-32
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.


We learn some about the Holy Spirit.
He is the Holy Spirit of God.
We who are true believers are sealed for the day of redemption.
This is a great truth. We are sealed by the Spirit in the Lord. Yes, no where in Scripture do you find the phrase “once saved, always saved”. But, you do find that we are sealed for the day of redemption. You find that we are “kept” by the Lord…Galatians addresses this.
We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.
It is possible to grieve and quench the Spirit.
We must not do so.
We will not, if we abide in Him.

We are to let things be put away from us…
bitterness
wrath
anger
clamor
slander
malice

These grieve and quench the Spirit.
These break the unity of the Body by the Spirit.

We are to…
be kind to one another
be tender-hearted
forgive each other (which means there will be occurrences that require forgiving&hellipWinking
forgive as Christ forgave us…without merit, with mercy, with grace.

If the Body would live as we are instructed in Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3…how different things would be.

The power of God would flow.
Many would come to salvation.

Let’s do it.

"Work, Share, Speak"

February 26, 2016

“Work, Share, Speak”

Blessings folk!

When one is truly saved…not just a conversion to religious activity…then, there will be an accompanying change in behavior.

The thief will not longer steal.
He will work.
He will work for a couple of purposes…note them…

Corrupting talk will no longer come from our mouths.

Eph 4:25-32
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and give no opportunity to the devil.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.


We will labor.
We will do honest work, not only to provide, but to be able to share with anyone in need.
That is the the reason the Lord provides abundance.
To share.
Not to hide away.
To meet the needs of others.

We should have no corrupting talk.
Rather, we should speak only that which builds up, which edifies, which encourages.
Speech which fits the occasion…correction, truth, etc.
Our speech should impart God’s grace to all who hear.

So…
Work
Share
Speak the grace of God

"Let..."

February 25, 2016

“Let…”

Blessings folk!

Often, important principles and profound truths are “hidden” in plain site in the Word.

Read the passage we have examined the past couple of days, as well as the following verses.

What do you see?

Each of us will “see” something different.
Something the Spirit is saying to us at this moment.

Look at the action involved.

Eph 4:25-32
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and give no opportunity to the devil.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you
.


These are things that we as believers are to do.
Did you see “how” we are to do them?

Look at the word “let”.

We are to “let”.
“Let” brings forth the idea of “allow”, “do”, “function within”.

We are to allow that which is in us to flow.
We are not to inhibit.
We are not to quench.

Because we are new creatures, we are to “let”.

Let…
each one speak the truth in love
the thief no longer steal
the thief labor
no corrupting talk come out of your mouths
all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice be put away from you

We are to let these things occur.
Such is possible because the Spirit is within.

We are to let the Spirit do…

Let.

"The Devil's Opportunity..."

February 24, 2016

“The Devil’s Opportunity…”

Blessings folk!

Be not angry.
Do not sin.
Do no let the sun go down on your anger.
Do not give the devil opportunity.

The devil is seeking and searching for opportunity to kill, steal and destroy.

Jhn 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.


Satan prowls as a roaring lion…the lion roars to paralyze his victim with fear…seeking to devour..

1Pe 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


This is nothing new.
We see it at the beginning.

Gen 4:6-7
The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”


Cain was angry because the Lord had not received his offering.
Cain’s anger was an anger due to sin.


He had not approached the Lord in the manner the Lord prescribed.

The Lord questioned Cain.
“Why are you angry…?”

The Lord then tells him that if he will do what is right…what the Lord says…then, all will be well.
If not, then sin/enemy is crouching at the door.

The enemy does the same today.

Resist the enemy…

1Pe 5:9
Resist him, firm in your faith,…

The enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy.
Jesus gives abundant life.

In which will you walk?

"Speak the Truth"

February 23, 2016

“Speak the Truth”

Blessing folk!

“Therefore”…in light of what we have seen in Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3…

Eph 4:25-27
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and give no opportunity to the devil.


We as believers have put away falsehood.
There should be no “shades grey” related to truth in the life of the believer.

We are to speak the truth with our neighbors.

Why?

Because we are members one of another.

True, we may be angry.
But, we see that we can be angry and not sin.

Yet, we are not to let the sun go down on our anger.
We are not to “stew”.
We are not to hold anger and resentment for a future time.

Such give opportunity to the devil.
Give none to him.

Do as the Lord instructs…watch what He does.

"Be Renewed..."

February 22, 2016

“Be Renewed…”

Blessings folk!

Eph 4:20
But you did not learn Christ in this way,


In what way?

The way of the Gentile…what we saw yesterday…

Eph 4:17-19
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.


Read the next sentence in Ephesians 4.
Give close attention to the action…

Eph 4:20-24
But you did not learn Christ in this way,
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.


True believers have learned Christ.
They have heard Him.
They have been taught by Him.
All Truth is in Jesus.

We are to lay aside the old self.
We are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.
We are to put on the new self.

We saw this Truth in Colossians 3.

The old self:
former manner of life
corrupted with lusts of deceit

The new self:
in the likeness of God
created in righteousness and holiness of truth

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Walk in the Spirit.

"Walk No Longer As..."

February 21, 2016

“Walk No Longer As…”

Blessings folk!

We have seen from Ephesians 4 how the Lord has instructed us to live together.

He has also told us to not live as the Gentiles…

Eph 4:17-19
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.


The walk of the Gentile/world/unsaved…
futility of mind
darkened in understanding
excluded from the life of God…because of…
ignorance in them
hardness of their heart
callous
have given themselves over to sensuality
given themselves over to the practice of every king of impurity with greediness

This is the walk of darkness of the world.
Much of it is looked upon by the world as being enlightened…illuminated living.
Such is a lie.

We as believers are called to walk in and as Light.

Reject the ways of the world
Embrace the way of the Lord.

"Each Part..."

February 20, 2016

“Each Part…”

Blessings folk!

The true church…the organism…is the Body of Christ.

Before the foundations of the world the Lord knew us.
He chose us.

We are His.

How does the Body function together?
In and through Him.
Empowered by Him.
As He gifts each individual part and as each part walks in obedience.

Eph 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies,
according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.


We are no longer to be children.
We are no longer to be tricked, deceived…tossed about.

We are to speak the truth in love.
Truth is so lacking within the Body of Christ today.
Tickling of the ears is the norm.
We are paying a heavy price for such.

We are to grow up into Him who is the head Christ.

Now this next part…
The whole Body is fitted and held together by each believer.
According to the proper working of each individual part.
Again, proper working of each individual part.

This causes the growth of the Body.
This causes the building up of the Body…of Itself…in love.

In love.
To the praise and the glory of the Most High.

Not to the praise and glory of man.
Not to the building up of the kingdom of man.

To the building up of the Kingdom.

Therefore, abide in Him.
Live as He has called each.

…to the praise of the glory of His grace…

"Arrows..."

February 19, 2016

“Arrows…”

Blessings folk!

Change of direction/thought for the day.

Into what do you pour your life?

Career?
Pursuit of stuff?
Pursuit of happiness, satisfaction?

If the Lord has blessed with children, you should be pouring Him into them through you.

Deu 6:4-7,20-21a
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
Then thou shalt say unto thy son,…


Children are a blessing from the Lord…

Psa 37:26
He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

One is blessed to have many children of many generations.
I suspect that we have rejected many blessings from the Lord…

Psa 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.


Thank the Lord for the “arrows”.
Pour Him into them.

Happy 5th birthday to Camp… Happy

"Grow Up"

February 18, 2016

“Grow Up”

Blessings folk!

We are no longer to be children.
Then, what are we to be?

We are to grow up.

True believers are to continue to grow in righteousness and holiness….in the truth.

Eph 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.


We are to grow up in all aspects into Him.
Into Him.
The Head.
Christ.

We are to know all aspects.
We are to grow into all aspects.

We must encourage, exhort, implore one another to do so.
Speaking the truth in love.

It is from Christ that the organism of Christ, the whole body is…
fitted together
held together

How does Christ do this?

The proper working of each individual part.
Every joint supplies a need.
Every part of the Body is important.

Such causes the growth of the Body.
The Body builds itself up in love by the proper functioning of the parts.

For the most part, the current Body of Christ is dysfunctional, functioning in the pattern and strategies of man rather than by the Word of the Lord.

We must repent.
We must live as He as designed.

All other ways will fail…and fail…and fail.

"Trickery Scheming of Doctrine of Man..."

February 17, 2016

“Trickery Scheming of Doctrine of Man…”

Blessings folk!

Because of the equipping of the saints and the building up of the church…

Eph 4:11-13
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.


…we to no longer be children.

But, wait!
There is more.

Eph 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.


We are to no longer be children.
We are not to be tossed here and there as by waves…
We are not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine…teaching…instructions…
We are not to be tossed about by the trickery of men…
We are not to be tossed about by craftiness in deceitful scheming…

What protects us from all this?

The functioning of the Body as the Lord designed.
This explains much about the church today.
We do not know the Word.
We do not function/operate/live as the Word directs.
We do not have the proper form/function/etc. related to leadership.

More often than not, we follow the patterns and principles of the world/man rather than the Word of the Lord.

Do not be deceived.
Do not be tricked.
Do not succumb to scheming.

Know the Truth of the Word.
Be filled with the Spirit.
And you will know the false…
…to be continued…

"No Longer Children..."

February 16, 2016

“No Longer Children…”

Blessings folk!

We as believers are no longer to be children.
We are to grow in the truth of the Kingdom…

Eph 4:14
As a result, we are no longer to be children,…

We are to set aside all sins and grow in salvation…

1Pe 2:1-3
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.


The Word will feed us unto growth.
Those who are given as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are to equip the saints for the work of the service.
When they do so, we will no longer be children.

2Pe 3:17-18
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.


…to be continued…

"As A Result..."

February 15, 2016

“As A Result…”

Blessings folk!

The Lord desires for His saints to be equipped.
The Lord desires for His Body to be built up…His way. His design.
The Lord empowers His Body through the Holy Spirit to do so.
He works through each true believer to build up the Body.

To some, He gives specific gifts to equip and build…

Eph 4:11-13
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.


As mentioned earlier, I do not believe that we see specific “gifts of apostles”, “gifts of evangelists”, etc. But, we do see apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teacher who are gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Unique combinations of the gifts of the Spirit for each person according to the grace and desire of the Lord. Roles within the Kingdom.

What is the purpose of the equipping, the building?

Read carefully the following.
We will discuss…to be continued…

Eph 4:14-16
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.


“As a result…”
The fruit.
The goal.
The purpose.

"He Gave Some..."

February 14, 2016

“He Gave Some…”

Blessings folk!

The Lord ascended.
The Lord gave gifts to men.

Eph 4:11-13
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.


I believe these are gifted individuals with roles within the Kingdom.
Not necessarily a “gift of apostle”, etc.
These roles/functions are empowered by the Holy Spirit and the varied gifts released by the Spirit in each individual.

Note
what they do.
Equip the saints for the work of service.

Why?
To the building up of the body of Christ.

Until
when?
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith…not unity itself…we are unified by definition. But, the “attaining”…walking out…of unity.
Until we have the knowledge of the Son of God.
Until we are mature.
Until we attain to the fullness of Christ…until we reach His stature.

These roles are needed within the Body.
They have not “passed away”.

To what is the Lord calling you?

"He Ascended..."

February 13, 2016

“He Ascended…”

Blessings Folk!

When the Lord ascended on high He gave gifts to men.

Ascended from where?
The next two verses are a parenthetical statement that tell us…

Eph 4:8-10
Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)


When Jesus died, He descended to the lower part of the earth.
Hear what the Word says…

Mat 12:40
for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

1 Peter 3:18-20
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.


The Lord descended.
The Lord preached unto the spirits in prison…kept in a place…I think those are from Genesis 6.
This is not a “preaching” unto salvation. This is a proclamation of victory over death.

Isa 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Rev 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.


He lives!
He ascended and is seated at the right hand of Father on the throne.
He has released His gifts in us.
Rejoice!

"Ascended....Gifts"

February 12, 2016

“Ascended…Gifts”

Blessings folk!

Now, for some interesting verses that are often overlooked, ignored, skipped, etc. Happy

All believers have received a measure of God’s grace.
To what does that refer?
Does it mean that it takes more of God’s grace to save some?
LOL Perhaps.

I think the next verse brings some clarity.

Eph 4:7-8
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”


Note the Word “therefore”.
Therefore it says…then a quote from the Old Testament.
How do I know?
When all caps, it means quote from Old Testament.

This passage is from Psalm 68.
The Psalm declares the great works of God.

Read it from two translations.
See anything interesting?

Psa 68:18
You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives;
You have received gifts among men,
Even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.
NASB

Psa 68:18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
KJV


It is always interesting to see how the Spirit led the writers of the New Testament to use and interpret the Old Testament.

What the Spirit is saying through Paul to us is this.
The Lord ascended on high (this will be clarified in next verses) after His death.
The Lord led captive a host of captives…I believe this is a reference to the Lord bringing forth those in the Bosom of Abraham…those who believed unto righteousness in anticipation of Messiah yet to come…He took them to His Presence.

The Lord then gave gifts to men.
This is in reference to spiritual gifts that He gives believers.

So…
He ascended on high.
He led forth the captive.
He gave gifts.

Did you see the difference in the Psalm 68 translations? “Received gifts among men” in NASB
“Received gifts for men” in KJV

When the Lord ascended, He received gifts for men…gifts of the Spirit…which He gave to each according to His grace via the Spirit.

Rejoice!
You have what He has given.
Live in it.

"Grace to Each One..."

February 11, 2016

“Grace to Each One…”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that true believers are One…

Eph 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

One Body.
One Spirit.
One Hope…of your calling.
One Lord.
One Faith.
One baptism.
One God and Father…of all…who is over all…through all in all.

Within this One-ness each of us is called and equipped for the work of the Kingdom.

Eph 4:7
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.


A measure of grace was given to each believer.
A measure of grace unto salvation.
A measure of grace to empower us for the work.

All is according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
The Lord determines.

Know this.
As a true believer you have the exact measure of the grace of the Lord that He desires.
He releases the type of giftedness and the degree of giftedness.

It is to His praise, honor and glory.

Rejoice and be not resentful.
Rejoice and be not pride-filled.
Rest in the gift of the Lord.
Live it out.
Be faithful.

"There Is One..."

February 10, 2016

“There Is One…”

Blessings folk!

This is a profound Truth often unknown to believers.
This Truth would resolve many issues.
This Truth would set us free.
Understand.
There is one…

Eph 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

One Body.
One Spirit.
One Hope…of your calling.
One Lord.
One Faith.
One baptism.
One God and Father…of all…who is over all…through all in all.

The Body of Christ is not divided.
We are One.

Certainly we have corporate worship in varied place…
We worship in varied styles…
We live and express the Kingdom in different ways…

Yet, we are one.

Again, within the Godhead and His Body there is no division.

Therefore, live out the calling of the Lord.
Allow not division to invade the Body.
Grieve not the Spirit.
Stand firm in the one faith.

Rejoice in the One…God and Father, Lord and Spirit.

"Walk In A Worthy Manner"

February 9, 2016

“Walk In A Worthy Manner”

Blessings folk!

Let us look at what Ephesians has to say about what we have learned in Colossians 3.

Eph 4:1-3
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


Again, we see “therefore”…in light of what has been covered previously in Ephesians - who we are in the Lord.

Paul implored them.
He encouraged.
He exhorted.
He kept the Truth ever before them.

HIs first “implore-ment”?
Walk in a worthy manner.
Walk according to the calling by which we have been called.

Paul described himself as a prisoner of the Lord.
He literally was in prison, yet he was free.
So are we.
Freedom and liberty are in the Lord.

We walk in this freedom and liberty.
What are the characteristics of this liberty?
humility
gentleness
patience
tolerance for one another in love
diligence in preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

As I’ve mentioned many times before, true believers are unified by definition.
It is the Spirit that unifies.
True believers have the Spirit.

It is our responsibility to walk and live in the Spirit and to preserve the unity.
We must not create division within the Body.

Choose today to walk in this worthy manner.
No.
You “can not do it” of your own volition nor in the flesh.
Yes.
You can “do it” in the Spirit of the Lord.

"The New Self..."

February 8, 2016

“The New Self…”

Blessings folk!

Had a good question asked, based upon what we have seen in Colossians 3.

What is the “new self”?

We are told to put it on.
We are told to walk in it.
What is it?

What saith the Word?

Col 3:9-11
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

Eph 4:20-24
But you did not learn Christ in this way,
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.


The new self:
is created in righteousness and holiness of truth
is in the likeness of God
is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created Him

When one repents…
When one confesses…
When one calls upon the Lord unto salvation…
Then, the Lord creates a new self…literally a new being within us.

We are a new creature.
We are a new creation.

2Co 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Gal 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.


So, we are instructed to “put on” this new self.
We can walk in the flesh and the evil of the past if we choose.
We are exhorted to not do so.

Put on the new self.
Walk in the Spirit.
Abide in the Lord.
Thereby, we will walk holy as the Lord desires.

"Whatever You Do..."

February 7, 2016

“Whatever You Do…”

Blessings folk!

Quick wrap-up weekend Word.

We are to…
let the Word of Christ richly dwell within
let the peace of Christ rule our hearts
put on love
forgive each other
bear with one another
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience
put on the new self
not lie to one another
put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech
consider our bodies dead to sin
set our minds on the things above
keep seeking the things above

Then this…

Col 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.


We are to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Does everything we do align with the name of the Lord?

We are to give thanks through Jesus to God the Father.

In whatever we speak…word.
In whatever we do…deed.

"Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs"

February 6, 2016

“Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs”

Blessings folk!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you…

Are we?

Let us continue looking at how we are to do so…

Col 3:15-16
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


With all wisdom, we are to teach and admonish one another.
We are to do so with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Think on that.

Now, think on it without superimposing a “western mindset” upon it.

What do I mean by that?

Often we apply our experience/culture to a Word.
Mistakes are therefore made.
We think that “true worship” has to be some form of twelve-tone western music. It has to be a certain style.
Such is error.

Look at the words.

“Psalms” - psalmos…a reference to the Psalms in the Old Testament
“Hymns” - hymnos…a declaration of truth, a song of praise directed to God, song of heroes
“Spiritual songs” - pneumatikos ode…a song of the Spirit, supernatural, carries the idea of spontaneous, extemporaneous

Those of us from “my background” are accustomed to psalms and hymns.
Not so much spiritual songs.

Yet, all three are to be used in wisdom to teach, to admonish, to sing with thankfulness unto the Lord.

This is the reason that musical worship is so important.

The truth of experience is this.
Most people receive most of their understanding of God through the songs they sing/hear.
Therefore the reason that we are careful of that which we sing.

Determine to do this.
Teach, admonish, give thanks through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Watch what the Lord will do.

"Let the Word and Peace of Christ..."

February 5, 2016

“Let the Word and Peace of Christ…”

Blessings folk!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you.

Look at the balance of each sentence…

Col 3:15-16
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

We are called in one body.
By definition, the true church is one.
The church is unified.
The church is the body of Christ.
This is the organism of the body of Christ.
It is alive.
It is well.
It is the Lord’s.

On the other hand, most of what we “deal with” in corporate life is the organizational church.
It is of man.
It is, at best, of the soul, not the Spirit.
It is not the true body.

We are to live in the ruling peace of the Lord in the One Body.
We are to be thankful.
We are to sing with thankfulness in our hearts to God
We are to teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…in wisdom.

Think on that.
Compare this Truth to the reality we see in many portions of the organizational church.

Lastly, have you ever considered that psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are way of teaching and admonishing…

…to be continued…

"Let..."

February 4, 2016

“Let…”

Blessings folk!

Reflect upon the “action” to which we have been called in Colossians 3…
keep seeking the things above
set your mind on the things above
die to self
die to the desires of your earthly body
lay aside, put off, the old self
put on the new self
put on the new heart
put on love

Seeking/Set
Die
Put off/put on

As stated before, how different the Body of Christ would be if we would live this Word!

The next two verses begin with the same Word - “let”.

Think about that for a moment before you read it.
“Let”…”allow”…

The idea is that there is something that is there.
There is something that is available…that is already in place.
We simply need to allow it to be.

Col 3:15-16
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


Meditate on these two “lets” today.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you…

The peace of the Lord is in every Believer.
We are to allow His peace to rule.
Anything else is idolatry…setting ourselves, circumstance, situation above the peace of the Lord.

The Word of Christ should richly dwell in in every believer…the written Word in which we are so blessed, and the Word Himself…the Lord…the Holy Spirit.
Richly dwell.
Not a perfunctory acknowledgment.
A dwelling that transforms and conforms us to His image.

Let.

"Put on Love..."

February 3, 2016

“Put On Love…”

Blessings folk!

God’s chosen one.
That is who you are as a True Believer.
Chosen by God.
Elect, from before the foundation of creation.

Never forget this.
It is a marvelous truth.
It is a mystery.
All is not known.

As chosen of God, we are holy and beloved.

We are to…

Col 3:12-13
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

We have seen that we are to bear with one another and forgive each other.

Now, the next verse.

Col 3:14
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.


Put on love.
Above all the things that we have seen to this point in Colossians 3.
Put on love.

Love is in each Believer.

We choose whether to “put it on” or to “put on the old self”.

Love is what binds believers together in perfect harmony.
We are unified - by definition - as believers.
We are One in Him.

Love is the manifest expressing of the Oneness of the Life of the Body in the Lord.
Put on love.

"Bear and Forgive..."

February 2, 2016

“Bear and Forgive…”

Blessings folk!

Continuing our thought from yesterday.

We are to put on the new heart the Lord has given us as Believers…

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


Put on a heart of…
compassion
kindness
humility
gentleness
patience

Then, we are called to do…to act…to behave.

We are to bear with one another.
This means that there will be times that we must bear with one another…duh.
Someone may do something…or prefer something…in which we disagree.
Not a sin.
Not something detrimental.
Simply a choice.
We are called to bear with one another.

We are to forgive one another.
This means that there will be times when forgiveness is needed…duh.
This means that something wrong will be done.
We must forgive.
Unforgiveness is the root of most people’s problems.

Is there a complaint?
Forgive.
Just as the Lord forgave us.
This means that repentance and confession is involved.
If there be a complaint, and it is valid, then repent…confess.
Then we all forgive.
We all bear one another.

This is the Word of the Lord.
This is the Life of the True Believer.

"Put On A Heart..."

February 1, 2016

“Put On A Heart…”

Blessings folk!

So, we as believers…
set our minds on the things above
seek the things above
die to self/flesh
put aside the evil practices of the old self
put on the new self

The new self is being renewed…constantly…to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created us.

In His image…we are being conformed…transformed.

We have a choice.
We can walk within the evil practices of the old self.
Or, we can put on the new self that is provided by the Lord and walk/abide in Him.

We are chosen by God…

Col 3:12-13
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.


We are chosen.
We are holy.
We are beloved.

We are to put on the new heart that the Lord has given us.
A heart of compassion.
A heart of kindness.
A heart of humility.
A heart of gentleness.
A heart of patience.

How different the Body of Christ would be if we would simply obey this Word.
Rather, we are encompassed about with defensiveness, arrogance, smugness, self-promotion, impertinent narcissism, fear, backbiting, rebellion, refusal to repent, etc.

Where is the compassionate person with no agenda other than the good of the other?
Where is the kind person?
Where is the humble person…true humility…as seen in Moses?

Num 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)

Where is the gentle?
Where is the patient?

All these characterstics are within the True Believer.
If we set aside the practices of the past.
If we put on the new self.
If we put on the heart of God.

…to be continued…