58.u. Eph 2:10  

 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1Ki 17:1  Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

2Ch 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

2Co 5:20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Jas 5:16-18  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

In Ephesians 2:10, the apostle Paul painted a word picture of God’s purpose
for us: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”
Regardless of your age or social status right now, your life is a light and a book—not to be put on the shelf somewhere but to be seen by those around you! It is a light that reflects Jesus in you and a book that God wants others to see your life story and your stand for Him.

God has placed each of us in a particular home, family, and community. If you and I are going to influence the culture in which God has placed us, we must embrace three biblical convictions:

  1. God is alive and active in the culture. We see this conviction demonstrated by the Old Testament prophet Elijah. When he stood before evil king Ahab, he said, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand” (1 Kings
    17:1). Elijah wasn’t serving a set of ideas; he was serving the living Jehovah
    God. God is alive, and He’s still active in our culture today.
  2. We are God’s representatives to the culture. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul wrote, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.” Our calling as God’s ambassadors is to articulate the King’s message clearly and boldly to those around us.
    God is still looking for men and women, like the prophet Elijah, to be His spokespeople to this world, and He promises to give His power and protection to those who stand with Him. The Bible says God “strongly support[s] those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
  3. God is able to change the culture. As this world continues to deteriorate and darken, we can get discouraged, feeling as if we’re not making a difference. The prophet Elijah, too, went through periods of loneliness and discouragement. But as we seek to carry out God’s purpose for us to influence our culture, we can rest assured that we’re not alone in this mission; we’re partnering with God!
  • We can trust in the power of God’s Word to change people.
  • We can depend on the Holy Spirit to work through us.
  • And we must practice the power of prayer.

James 5:16–18 says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”

Elijah reminds us that one believer—empowered by the Word of God,
the Holy Spirit of God, and regular communication with God—can be a real world changer.

The same is true for you. (Jeffress)

58.t. Psalm 1:1-2

 

 

Blessed is the man…[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Deu 4:6-9  Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

An American seminary professor spent a summer studying Hebrew in Jerusalem. On one occasion, he followed along in his Hebrew text as a Jewish rabbi recited from memory, word for word, the entire book of Psalms in Hebrew. That commitment reflects the priority in the Old Testament of storing up the Word of God—of continually meditating on it and integrating it into one’s life (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

The longest psalm in the book of Psalms—all 176 verses of Psalm 119—is given over to extolling the value and importance of God’s Word. For example, verse 11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 1 says the man is blessed who meditates on God’s Word “day and night”—a figure of speech that means “all the time.” Not every second of every hour, but as a way of life—not just for fifteen minutes in the morning or an hour on Sunday but as a continual source of reflection, memorization, and meditation.

Consider committing portions of Scripture to memory so they become food for thought throughout your day. (Jeremiah)

58.s. Genesis 43:32

 

 

So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. (Genesis 43:32)

There is no denying that Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel), was abused and victimized by many people. These included his brothers, the Midianites who bought and sold him as a slave, his master Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, and the baker and the butcher in prison. In their own ways, each of these did wrong to Joseph, and there were probably several more that the biblical account never mentioned.

Why? Why did God allow such terrible things to happen against Joseph? Even if we said that God did not do these things by His own hand, it is still true that God allowed them to happen. We suppose God had a purpose, but what was it?

One part of the answer is in Genesis 43:32, a verse explaining some of the dining customs of the ancient Egyptians. When Joseph invited his brothers for dinner, he ate at a place by himself. They Egyptians knew Joseph was a foreigner, so there were three tables at this dinner party. One for the Egyptians, one for the Hebrew brothers, and one for Joseph by himself.

They didn’t eat at the same table because it was an abomination to the Egyptians. According to some sources, in those ancient days, Egypt was one of the most racially separated societies on earth. The claim is that the ancient Egyptians believed that they came from the gods, and all other people came from lesser origins. Therefore, there was little social mixing with foreigners.

This is especially seen in that the Egyptians also ate…by themselves. The Egyptians would not eat with Joseph, much less the strangers from Canaan (the sons of Jacob). Even with all his status and power, Joseph could still not eat with “real” Egyptians.

Here we see the wisdom of God. Before the book of Genesis is finished, God brought the entire family of Jacob into Egypt, where they were isolated from the surrounding people for some 400 years. In that time, they multiplied greatly, increasing to the millions.

If God had allowed the family of Israel to remain in Canaan they would have simply assimilated into the corrupt and godless peoples of Canaan. God not only had to take the family of Israel out of the corrupt environment of Canaan, but He also had to put them among a racially separated people who would not often intermarry or mingle with them. God simply sent Joseph on ahead to make the arrangements.

They couldn’t see it at the time, but God had a great reason for sending Israel to Egypt. God has a great plan for your life, even in the hard times He allows. He has a good and wise reason for it all, even when you can’t see it. (Guzik)

58.r.  Job 34:16  

 

 

Pro 1:2-7  To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

 Proverbs 4:5-7   Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

 Proverbs 16:16      How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 Proverbs 8:10-11    Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

 Proverbs 17:16    Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

 Deuteronomy 4:5-6    See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.  Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

 2 Timothy 3:15-17    and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 Proverbs 2:1-9    My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,  making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;  yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,  guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

 Job 22:22    Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.

 Proverbs 9:9     Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

 Proverbs 12:1      Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

 Job 34:10     “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

 Job 34:16   “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

  Psalms 119:98-100    Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 

 2 Chronicles 25:16   “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

 Psalms 111:10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

 Psalms 112:1     Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!

 Ecclesiastes 12:13    The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

 Proverbs 1:22     “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

 Proverbs 1:29-30   Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,  would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,

 Proverbs 5:12-13     and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!  I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.

 Proverbs 15:5    A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

 Proverbs 18:2     A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

 Romans 1:28     And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

 John 3:18-21    Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.  And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

“We have more illumination than our Christian brothers and sisters before us and walk in less light than ever.” That is true because we often seek human counsel when God wants us to pursue His. ªHavnerº

Biblical wisdom comes from the proper use of biblical knowledge. It gives insight and good judgment, but you must be receptive to instruction to receive it. Do you want to live wisely? Be teachable and open to guidance. Determine to take a firm grip on God’s Word and follow His commands—even when difficult—and you will understand the right and profitable way.

According to the Bible, God’s wisdom is unfathomable! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Romans 11:33). Are you considering a new ministry endeavor?Do you want to repair a relationship or start a new one? Or are you at a crossroads and wondering which way to go? God alone is the One to turn to because He promises to give liberally wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).

His thoughts toward you are of peace, to give you a future and a hope, to bring your life to a full and complete end. Seek Him! (Hibbs)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Worldly (non-heavenly minded, or non-God fearing, or non-God glorifying or honoring) people will tell you many things about wisdom and how to gain it apart from God. 

Self-knowledge (know your strengths and weaknesses)

Emotional intelligence (understanding of others)

Sound judgment (seeing beyond the surface into the complexity of situations)

Life knowledge (accrues through life’s experiences)

Life skills (practical application of knowledge)

Willingness to learn (Recognize the limitations of your own knowledge and understanding and be open to instruction)

Wisdom is recognized as good within the worldly realm. This wisdom bases this on worldly values, cultural norms, and what a person can obtain on their own through dedication and hard work. Just because a person is “Worldly Wise” and “Worldly Successful” does not make them examples we should immolate. 

The world will tell you of the benefits of its wisdom.

Improved decision-making (reducing stress and regret)

Greater clarity and understanding (navigate complex situations)

Enhanced adaptability and resilience (sense of calm and resilience)

Inner peace and well-being (deeper sense of contentment)

Personal growth (fulfilling and meaningful life)

Self-improvement (self-awareness)

Wisdom compared to knowledge and understanding is recognized within the worldly as; “Wisdom is the ability to apply your knowledge and understanding in order to cultivate sound judgment, make good decisions, and create a meaningful life. While knowledge and understanding can be measured with tests, wisdom is often seen only through the outcomes of our behavior, our responses to situations, or our life choices.” 

Other worldly comments on Wisdom -You have to reflect on your experiences and learn from them to gain wisdom. Some people are naturally wise. 

There is no recognition of God, God’s Word, Things of God, or Godly knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. 

The world says “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”

God’s Word says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”

Godly wisdom does not come to us apart from God’s Word. Busyness of life can keep us from His Word and the peace, joy, rest, and hope, found in it. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if we were to ask God to give us discernment and wisdom between worldly and heavenly? Would our lives change? Would there be anxiousness, fear, worry, hate, jealousy, greed, pride, etc…..? Would people see a difference in how we live? Would our families see a difference in how we act? Would our ears be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, guidance, discernment, knowledge, and understanding of God, God’s Word, Things of God, and what is worldly and fleshly? How much of our life is wasted on worldly wisdom? 

There is contentment, peace, joy, and hope that is only found in God-given Godly wisdom. 

58.q. Luke 6:45

 

Luk 6:45  The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks

Mat 15:10-11  And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Jas 1:26  If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Pro 18:20-21  From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Pro 4:20-24  My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.  For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Pro 10:11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Psa 14:1   The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Pro 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Ezk 11:21  But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”

Ezk 16:30  “How sick is your heart, declares the Lord GOD,

Sometimes we are more concerned with what we do than what we say. It is important to do what is right for the honor, glory, and praise of Jesus Christ. Yet, it is what is in our hearts that comes out of our mouths and is a very good indicator of what are actions are going to be. Our minds mull over many things. Thoughts come in at the speed of light. Some of them are good thoughts and others are not good at all.  It is good for us to be able to discern these thoughts as good or bad. Bad thoughts should be taken captive. When they pop into your head, pray, “God this thought is not honoring or glorifying you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who has revealed this to me. Cast it out of my head. Discard it from my memory. Amen.”

Where do these bad and unholy thoughts end up if we allow them time in our minds? They end up in our words and actions. 

How can we recognize them? Continually being in God’s Word will. God’s Word filling our hearts and minds will transform our hearts and minds. However, there must be a desire driving us. It is an intentional choice and desire above all else in life to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all of our thoughts, words, and actions. 

Do we actually think we can overcome all of the stimuli we get each day from news outlets, sports, social media, culture, or friends and family by attending church once per week and committing to listening to a Christian radio station? Both of which I think are good. No, they can never and will never replace personal time in God’s Word—EVER.  

If you truly want to honor and glorify Jesus Christ fill your heart with His Word.

58.p. Romans 8:28

 

 

Romans 8:28    And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

In his 1618 book about the promises of God, Puritan Nicholas Byfield said, “The promises are called the unsearchable riches of Christ to assure us Christians we are very rich people when our hearts are stored with the promises of God, well applied…. God’s promises will drive away grief, discouragement, or fears that may at any time seize us. They will sweeten all our afflictions.”

Perhaps the most all-encompassing promise in the Bible is Romans 8:28. We know God works in all things. He is working behind the scenes on our behalf and for our good. Not everything that happens to us is good, but God can use everything that happens to us for good in His long-term plan and by His overruling grace. He knows how to manufacture treasure out of various and sundry components, and we must trust Him with that.

Today, remind yourself of this great promise. Apply its truth to what is troubling you. Take courage! God will work it all for good!

58.o. 1Peter 5:6 

 

 

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 Psalms 56:3-4    When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

 Psalms 55:22   Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

 Matthew 6:25    “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,

 Matthew 6:34   “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 Luke 12:11-12    And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,  for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

 Luke 12:22     And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,

 Philippians 4:6     do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 Hebrews 13:5-6   Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

When God’s glory came to dwell on Earth through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and made a way for us to find freedom from our sin and experience His presence and peace both now and forever when we believe, trust, rely, follow, and obey (in/on) Him alone. And yet, all too often, life’s busyness and struggles can take our focus off our Lord and Savior who brought peace and light to the darkness and chaos in the world.

Self-reliance far to often is where we land in our thought process when struggles, trials, problems, and uncertainty come into our lives. We think that we can solve it ourselves or at the least we can google it and find a solution. Obviously this works for home and car maintenance. What do we do when we are hit with an unexpected death, struggling relationship, financial difficulty, lost employment, etc……? The “peace” we search for often eludes us in times of uncertainty, confusion, worry, and fear causing events or possible outcomes. 

Psa 121:1-8  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

When we are born again God sends and fills us with the Holy Spirit who will guide, encourage, teach, correct, convict, and lead us. I am not sure how this all works, but I do know that time in God’s Word and prayer opens our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit quiets whispers and shouts. 

Neglecting God’s Word will always result in a drifting away from trust and reliance in God, and lead us to self-reliance. 

God’s Word gives us precious promises that we can rely upon.  Prayer keeps our heart and mind in the presence of God. 

Our God is ever-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. Cast your cares on Him.

58.n. Luke 13:5 

 

 

Luk 13:5  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 2:38    And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19    Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Acts 17:30   The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Luke 13:3  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Acts 20:21  Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Romans 2:4  Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Luke 15:10  Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Mark 1:15  And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 3:8  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Revelation 2:5  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Matthew 3:2  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 5:32  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

2 Corinthians 7:9  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

Do you remember when God allowed you to see, feel, and become aware of your sin? Do you remember the weight, shame, and guilt of it? Do you remember hearing about God’s gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ? Do you remember believing, repenting, trusting, and relying in and on Jesus Christ?  If yes, then you know what it is to have been convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin, the need for forgiveness, salvation, and redemption!

Note what it was like on the day of Pentecost:

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Act 2:38  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Without God’s love and pouring out the Holy Spirit to lead us to understanding and knowledge of sin there is no need to repent, no human need for repentance, no need for Jesus sacrifice. We would be walking around in darkness. Blind to the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I fear the weakness of how Jesus is proclaimed in our culture is missing speaking out about SIN. There is much preached about eternal life, joy, hope, faith, love, and peace through following Jesus, without speaking a single word about sin and repentance. There is little to no preaching about God’s wrath, anger, and coming judgment, or Hell, eternal torment, and utter darkness. God’s blessings abound on those who thought he Holy Spirit’s conviction become aware of sin and the need of redemption and of the gift of God through Jesus Christ. Likewise, God’s wrath will abound on those who reject the free gift of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness of sin, and who never come to a place of repentance.

Our culture is ever-changing and tolerance of sin is more than the norm. Why? I fear it is mostly because sin does not preach well or fill up the pews, people are caught up in the busyness of life and spend little to no time reading the Word of God, there is no conviction of sin, no knowledge of sin, and neglect and complacency are rampant. When preaching is watered down people walk in darkness. 

There is a big difference in the lives of those who have become aware of sin, believed, and repented than those who have come to Jesus just for the blessings of joy, peace, love, and hope of eternal life without becoming aware of sin, the need for forgiveness, and the need for repentance. One is saved unto eternal life and the other is not. 

If you are one of the saved – Praise God

If you are not, ask God to give you knowledge and understanding of sin and the need for forgiveness. He surely will and you can know your salvation is complete in and through Jesus Christ. 

58.m. Galatians 4:4

 

 

 

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
Galatians 4:4

“I’m not sure exactly what time I’ll be there; but I will be there—promise,” a father tells his teenage daughter. The daughter’s faith is dependent on one thing: the father’s character. She has grown up knowing that her father keeps his word. She doesn’t need to know exactly what time he will arrive, but she knows he will show up.

God spoke through the Old Testament prophets about the coming of the Messiah without ever saying exactly when He would appear. But there is no record of the prophets doubting God’s promises. They didn’t need to know the exact time because they had learned to trust in God’s words. So when Christ did appear, the apostle Paul said it happened in “the fullness of the time.” That is, it happened at the “right time” according to God’s plans and purposes (Galatians 4:4, NLT).

God has given us promises without telling us, for the most part, how or when they will be kept. But the fulfilled promise of Christ reminds us that God always keeps His promises at the “right time.” (Jeremiah)

58.l. Philippians 4:5

 

Philippians 4:5   Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

 

Let your moderation be known unto all men – That is, let it be such that others may see it. This does not mean that they were to make an ostentatious display of it, but that it should be such a characteristic of their lives that it would be constantly visible to others. The word “moderation” – ἐπιεικὲς epieikes – refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness – They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people in view of the expectation that the Lord would soon appear.

The Lord is at hand – Is near; see the Philippians 3:20 note; 1 Corinthians 16:22 note. This has the appearance of being a phrase in common use among the early Christians, and as being designed to keep before their minds a lively impression of an event which ought, by its anticipation, to produce an important effect. Whether, by this phrase, they commonly understood the coming of the Lord to destroy Jerusalem, or to remove them by death, or to judge the world, or to reign personally on the earth, it is impossible now to determine, and is not very material to a proper understanding of its use here. The idea is, that the expectation that the Lord Jesus will “come,” ought to be allowed to produce moderation of our passions, in our manner of living, in our expectations of what this world can furnish, and in our desires of earthly good. On him who feels that he is soon to die, and to stand at the bar of God – on him who expects soon to see the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven, it cannot fail to have this effect. People indulge their passions – are extravagant in their plans of life, and in their expectations of earthly good for themselves and for their families, because they have no realizing sense of the truth that there is before them a vast eternity. He that has a lively expectation that heaven will soon be his, will form very moderate expectations of what this world can furnish. (Barnes)