John 9:30

"The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)

 

A "marvelous thing" in the Bible is something that generates awe or wonder. Sometimes it refers to a miracle, but more often to something very unexpected and remarkable.

 

But the most marvelous thing of all is that unbelievers still persist in their unbelief. In our text passage the Lord Jesus Christ had just performed one of His most amazing miracles of creation--making perfect eyes for a man with no eyes, blind from birth. As the man testified to the frustrated Pharisees: "Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind". Yet these religious intellectuals, so opinionated in their prejudices, refused to believe what they saw and heard. Similarly, "when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things, that he did, they were sore displeased".

 

There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. One of the saddest verses in the Bible is  "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." And, "he came unto his own, and his own received him not". Even when He raised Lazarus from the dead, "the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus".

 

Modern "intellectuals" are still the same, rejecting the overwhelming testimony of the created complexity in the cosmos to the fact of a personal Creator in favor of an impossible scenario of chance origin. "Herein is a marvelous thing!" Such people "willingly are ignorant" and "without excuse".

Humility

We have all heard the saying Pride comes before the fall, so if there be any among us who is proud let him or her be aware it is not pleasing to God, for your pride interferes with God's plans for your life.  In order for God to truly use us we must be Humble.


"For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)



Humility is the opposite of pride.

Humility does not think it is better than anyone else. "I am what I am by the grace of God. "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

A humble person is one who follows God's instructions, instead of leaning to their own understanding. Being a humble person does not mean being a loser. A humble person is one who has the proper relationship to God and grasps reality, which is: without God, we can do nothing. Humility will cause a person to remember their need to pray. A humble person is one who prefers to suffer wrong rather than do wrong. Pride will bring you low. Humility will cause God to exalt you.

 


 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.(James 4:10)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, (1 Peter 5:6)

You are called!!!

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)

Ministry means service. To minister is to serve.

How does God "serve us"? God serves us by helping us. So, primarily, ministry means helping people. Of course, the foremost way of helping people is to help them know God and His Word, so they can receive all
God has provided for them. But anything that helps people -- that makes their life easier, or better -- is also ministry. That is, it is part of the ministry of God: God's purpose, God's plan, God's desire for humanity.
God desires the best for all people. People were God's idea, and He longs to bless them. God helps people. So, when you help someone, even in the smallest way, you are acting like God.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave
Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

We are to imitate our Father God -- or act like Him. How? By walking in love, just as Christ did. In practical terms, what is walking in love? Helping people. Walking in love means you will help people, you will put their interests first. Whether your involved with homeless ministry or praying for those in need, or assisting with clean up at the church or working in children ministry you do the Will of God. Being apart of ministry does require that you have a degree or a license but  simply a desire to glorify God and show the love of God to those that are in need.  If that is what you desire to do, then you are apart of ministry.

Comfort me

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?" (Psalm 119:81-82)

 

Those who "love the LORD" with all their heart, soul, and might  and those seek the kingdom of God  deeply long to "understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" Yet in spite of such longing, the saints of God are often perplexed by the apparent success of the wicked.  Among all the heartfelt complaints, however, is the continual reliance on the promises and principles of God's Word. He promised not to forget the statutes, though he felt invisible to God . And though he knew that his days are not guaranteed, he expected God judge the wicked . He knew the "commandments are faithful," and he promised the Lord that he would not forsake the precepts.

 The final request should be ours as well: "Quicken me (enliven, revive) after thy lovingkindness" . Even though God "hast shewed me great and sore troubles," the confidence is that God "shalt quicken me again". On the basis of that assurance, our response should be like this godly man's: "So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth".

Awake Sleeper

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14)

The message in our text provides an attention-getting warning to those who claim to be Christians but indulge in or even allow the evil practices of. A Christian does not, and indeed cannot, live a life of fornication, or uncleanness, or covetousness, or filthiness, or foolish talking, or jesting, for no such person "hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God . . . for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience". Those who practice such things are "fools".

While we as Christians must always be willing to bring the saving message of God’s grace to the sinner, we must not be "partakers with them" in their sins and indeed must "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness". Instead, we must "reprove them", pointing out the consequences of their actions and focusing their attention on Christ, who "hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor"  in payment of their penalty. All that must be done is to accept this forgiveness. In doing so, we who are "light in the Lord" will shed light in their darkness, for "all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light".

As children of the light, our lives must exhibit the "fruit of the Spirit . . . goodness and righteousness and truth". We must prove "what is acceptable unto the Lord", "walk circumspectly, . . . wise", "redeeming the time, because the days are evil". The sleeper in our text, whether he be an unbeliever or a professing Christian, is "asleep"--locked in moral insensibility. "Awake, Sleeper!" Paul would say, "and accept the God given remedy for your present plight!" 

Hope

We may not always have good circumstances around us that would cause us to rejoice. But we can always rejoice in hope.


By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
What is hope? Hope is a positive expectation for the future. Things may not be great now, but you can have a hope that the future will be better. (Hope is always future, by definition, but can be in the near future -- not just when we get to Heaven.) According to Romans 8:24, hope involves what is not seen. The only way humans have of dealing with things that are unseen is by using our imagination.

Hope is not seen, or detectable by our physical senses. Hope is a positive imagination, something we can only see inwardly. As Christian believers we can rejoice in hope. We can rejoice when circumstances are not perfect. We can rejoice ahead of time. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. As we mature as Christians, we are not to be controlled exclusively by our physical senses. Being controlled by the physical senses is what the Bible refers to as being "carnally minded." Because we believe what God has said, we know that we have a bright future. A glorious future with God! In this we can, and should, rejoice now!

If we are the body???

 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be
weaker are necessary. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:22,27)

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body.

The devil wants us to believe that life that we are not a important part of the body.

But your are. Your prayers are important. Your giving is important. Your witness to others is important. Your encouraging others in the body and those lost is important. For we are the feet, the hands and the lips that our Father uses to bless, to heal to share and to love and redeem the lose. The best part of this that our Father does not need us but desires to use us. For many are called but few answer, how sad is that???

It is easy to believe a famous person like Billy Graham who ministers to thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed including little old me!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you are doing. God knows. Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for  Do you know that person's name? God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts! No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is significant. Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God. Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or liver. A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.
Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise. Maybe all you can do is pray, remember that prayer can move mountains. I don't know about you but there are times in my life like right now, where I have mountains in my life that are unmovable for me. God is the only one who can move it. But the prayers of the body can make a big difference they not only can encourage us, but God says they come before him as sweet smell.

James 5:13-16

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:13-16)

The best thing we can do when facing trouble  is to pray. You might say I  don't know how, just pour out your heart to God and discuss the situation with Him.

We are tempted to do many other things: cry, complain, criticize others, but Scripture says we should pray when we face tough problems. Notice it does not say you should ask everyone else to pray for you. It says you should pray. There is nothing wrong with having other people pray for you. But there is something wrong with expecting others to pray, while you never pray.

By praying, we do not mean begging God for help. God loves you,and always desires to assist you.

What is needed is not twisting God's arm to get Him to help. Usually a part of the answer is God getting us quiet enough for long enough so He can speak to our hearts and show us what needs to be done.

Sometimes we have missed it, and that is why we are in trouble. Other times, we may face trouble just because we live in a fallen world. But always, when we are in trouble, we need to know God's direction as to what to do.

Discuss your situation with the Lord. Lay it out in detail. Often just telling Him honestly about the situation will cause you to realize what should be done. Pour out your soul to the Lord, but also wait in His presence with thanks and praise. Let your heart and mind get quiet. Let God's peace overcome your turmoil and worry.

God tells us that if we will draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. This is why you should pray. You need God's help. He has the wisdom and knowledge to get you out of the trouble you face.

Direction may not come the first time you determine to seek God and pray. You may not seem to get the answer while you pray. But know this: God is working, and the answer is coming. So keep praying. Keep on drawing closer to God. Help will come.

Romans 3:24-25)

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past." (Romans 3:24-25)

 

Yeshua has done all that is necessary to bring us into right standing with a holy God, if we but believe and accept His free gift of salvation. Jesus saves! It is enough! "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" ). The second verse of the hymn "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place" further explains this: Yeshua, who loved us, said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" . There is no fear here, for "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear". Nor should there be any doubt in Him or His intentions, "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him". Furthermore, "being confident . . . that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of the Messiah" .

 

 When asked why one should be forgiven, granted eternal life and entrance into heaven, the argument or legal defense can be given that Christ died for you and I, and that debt was paid on Calvary by his blood. No other legal defense or answer need be given. The plea has already been entered, and the court’s findings us innocent, for by the blood of the Lamb are we redeemed

Feed on the Word

 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

Just as our  physical bodies need to be feed also our  spiritual bodies need to be feed to stay strong spiritually.

God's Word  is food to our soul its what  feeds our faith, and gives us spiritual strength.

Every day each of us need to feed, on God's Word.

A helpful key is to develop good habits, such as reading the Word every time you eat food, or every morning when you awake, or right before you go to sleep. The time is not important, just that you remember every day.

There are many ways to feed on God's Word available to us today. Reading, or listening to, teaching from the Bible is one way. Speaking the Word -- especially when you personalize it, can really build your faith fast. Of course, nothing can replace your own reading of the Bible, or having it read to you.

Most of us have busy schedules. Time is scarce, and we must invest it wisely. Ponder this for a moment, what would say if you called on God and he said, " I would love to help you my child but right now is not a good time for me." That is not the answer we would want to hear and that is not the answer you will ever hear from your heavenly Father. For he always makes time for you and I. Let us each day give Him time let us on our way to work. We download copy of the bible unto our Ipod or get it in CD format to listen. Durning our lunch break sit in our car and read from the Word. We have no excuses not to feed on the Word of God.
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2 Corinthians 8:7

"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also." (2 Corinthians 8:7)

 

The "grace" of which Paul was writing in our text is the grace of giving! Many Christians may show diligence and love in their Christian life, but are still very reluctant to give sacrificially to the work of the Lord.

 

Many follow what they consider the "law of tithing" (most Christians don’t even do that!) and consider this to be meritorious. The fact is, however, that giving for the Christian is not a law to be obeyed, but a grace to be cultivated.

 

The motivation cited by Paul for abounding in this grace was not the Old Testament ordinance, but the New Testament example in the church at Philippi. Consider, he said, "the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality . . . beyond their power they were willing of themselves." And the real secret of their motivation was that they "first gave their own selves to the Lord" . An even greater motive for abounding in this grace is the example of Christ: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" .

 

This grace of giving is thus displayed when one gives liberally (even in times of affliction and poverty) out of wholehearted devotion to the Lord and for the spiritual enrichment of those who are spiritually impoverished.

 

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" .

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)

 

 

"Yeshua" was His birth given name, speaking especially of His mission as suffering Savior. "Messiah" (meaning "anointed"), speaks of His office as God's chosen King. As "Lord" He is sovereign Creator and ruler of the universe; victorious over all enemies, even death itself.

 

Our service is to be rendered not to men--not even to the man Yeshua in His perfect humanity--but to the Lord and our Messiah, Creator of all things and King of kings. "Your labour is not in vain in the Lord"  For He is "heir of all things"   Thus can dispense "the reward of the inheritance" to His faithful servants who are "joint-heirs with Christ". The inheritance is ours because of our position in Christ; the reward is given for service for the Lord.

 

Because of whom we serve, whatever we do should be done heartily! This is the Greek word psuches, usually translated "soul," or "life," as well as "heart." If there is anything we cannot in good conscience do with full heart to the Lord, then it should not be done at all.

Overcomes

 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?( 1 John 5:4-5)

Most of us have an excuse. We are too young or old, short or tall, educated or uneducated etc. Each of us can claim or justify our failure. But when we focus on God and His ability to never fail we will find we have victory in Christ Jesus, for the blood of Christ covers all.  So as Christ over came the world and issue of this world we must also do the same, for we are born into this world but not of this world once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior then we are made a new creature. As we journey this sinful world let us keep our eyes on Christ and walk as he walked through this world. our Adversary the devil wants nothing more to convince us that  God is not with us and that he will not aid us in our journey through life.  That is a life from the pit of hell, my God says he is always with us and He will never depart from us or abandon us. We must by faith claim our victory, when the trials come and believe they will come your way for Christ was tempted by this world but he was an overcoming and through Christ Jesus you and I are also over comers. Let us put our faith in Christ that no matter the storm that He is able to deliver us from the hand of the evil one.  Pray daily and seek God in His Word and stand upon that word when the storms of life come your way. Trust in the Lord God with all your might.

Isaiah 58:6-7 Its time

Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, hmm have you feed your enemy or cloth those that hated you?  I have, trust when I say it was not by my spirit that I did this, but it was my Holly Spirit cause left up to my flesh it will take care of itself first.  But we are called to be Christ like.




Christ said fox have holes, birds have nest but the son of man has not even a rock to lay his head upon.  He put the need of others first, what about you???  Have you step outside of your comfort zone to see who around you needs help.  Are you trepidated that you do not have the tools to do out reach?  No one is speaking of out reach I speaking of reaching down to help another up, one who may have fallen down or one who feels he or she can not stand anymore because  they were abused by love one's, because they lost their job and family.  Did you know that most of us are one pay check away from being homeless?  I worry daily for my children with that knowledge in the forefront of my mind. That I must trust the Lord to provide and protect my children and lovely wife.  Tell when God blesses you does he not do it through other people?  If He does not do it that manner with you I would like to hear how he does it for you. Cause for me and my wife God uses people to bless us.


  Did you know this:

• Fact: some 24,000 people die each and every day from world hunger; that works out to one person every 3.6 seconds; 75% of them are children.
• Fact: there are 800 million hungry people in the world.
• Fact: in the United States, 12 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
• Fact: the main cause of hunger is not a lack of food. Already in 1986 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported that there was enough food being produced to supply every person in the world with more than they needed to enjoy a healthy life. Grain production alone supplied enough to enable people to consume 3600 calories a day, 1100 more than the recommended daily requirement. Yet people still die from hunger. Even more startling is the fact that countries we consider "hungry" often have enough food to feed their own populations. For example, India ranks near the top in agricultural exports among the developing countries. In Brazil, the second largest food exporter in the world, 86 million Brazilians are undernourished. Obviously, a shortage of food is not the main cause of hunger.
• Fact: the main cause of hunger is not laziness. Women in the developing world work an average of twelve to sixteen hours a day trying to survive. For their hard work, they earn practically nothing. A Filipino laborer on a plantation earns $1.50 per day for working from sunrise to sunset.
• Fact: the main cause of hunger is not overpopulation. It is true that the countries that suffer from hunger also have a rapidly growing population. But the reason they have more babies is to fight poverty. Children who work represent the labor and income the poor need to survive, especially in old age. 

Mark 16:15

Every believer has been called to preach God's Word, not just pastors of churches. When Christ gave the Great Commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), it was clear that this could be accomplished only if every Christian would actually preach the gospel!

 

This was practiced first by the members of the church at Jerusalem. Then, when the believers were "all scattered abroad . . . except the apostles", these "laymen" went everywhere preaching the Word. One of the "deacons" selected to relieve the apostles of the "business" affairs of the church was Philip, and he "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them", speaking to great crowds and winning many to Christ. Then shortly afterward, the Lord called him down to Gaza where he met an Ethiopian eunuch, and he "preached unto him Jesus". This teaches plainly that one can preach to a large congregation, but he or she can also preach to one person. It is not the size of the congregation but the theme of the message that makes one a preacher of the Word!

 

Furthermore, it is not only by word of mouth that Christ is preached; Paul says that "the gospel . . . was preached to every creature |literally, 'in every creation'| which is under heaven". "And how shall they hear without a preacher? . . . But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world". One can preach verbally to a congregation or to an unseen audience through radio or in writing to a reader, and even a godly lifestyle can "preach" effectively (although not specifically) of the saving work of Christ. Even the heavens declare His glory, and every believer must preach the Word! 

Matthew 6:26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matthew 6:26)


Have you ever watched birds eating on a snowy day? It takes some effort on their part. They don't just sit around waiting for someone to put food in their mouth.

Is God feeding them? Directly or indirectly? Christ stated clearly that God is the one who provides food for
the birds. This implies that God provides for every creature. Yet, if a bird sits still, instead of gathering the food God has provided for them, they will starve. Yes, the birds can be a good lesson for us. They don't worry. Neither should we. They gather what God provides for them. So should we. I don't know whether the birds are thankful to God, or not. But we should be thankful. And we should recognize that God is the Source of all the good that we enjoy in life. So work, but don't worry. (And if you can't do normal work -still don't worry, because God cares more for you than He does the birds, and He will provide for you somehow.)

Psalm 30:5

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

 

God is necessarily a God of wrath, for He is a holy God and cannot ignore human sin. Nevertheless, He is even more a God of love. His very purpose in creation was that His love could be manifested to men and women created in His image.

 

Because there is sin, there must be suffering and death, but He is "slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8). He has provided a marvelous means of forgiveness and salvation to all who will accept it, through the substitutionary death of His Son. This was a most cruel death, but even this was ameliorated by God's overshadowing mercy, and there was "joy . . . in the morning!" He "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God".

 

Likewise in each believer's life there must be pain and weeping, but as measured in the scales of eternity, these will only "endure for a night," and one morning the night will vanish forever. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: . . . for there shall be no night there" .

 

Therefore, as the apostle Paul said: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". We can, like Him, "reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". We will be forever "in Christ," who could say prophetically while looking toward the cross (as recorded in one of the Messianic psalms): "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." 

John 3:6

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6)

Perhaps the greatest purpose of Christianity is to take that which is only flesh and see it reborn as Spirit--to see spiritual life born where before there was only death. But then, even in the most mature of believers, there remain aspects of the old nature mixed in with--even at war with--the new. In frustration Paul cried, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me". But each Christian should, through the power of God, be winning that war.

Christ came to regenerate the spiritual side of man. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death".

Too many Christians still have their spirits buried deeply within the flesh, having "yielded |their| members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity" . But Christ came to change all that. "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" .

Through faith, "according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again". To "beget" means to reproduce a like kind. Since He has "begotten us," we should be becoming like Him in attitudes and aims. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus".

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" . This is the object of Christianity.

Job 12:1-2

"And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." (Job 12:1-2)

 

It is remarkable that the Bible, with its great variety of literary forms and numerous personal conversations and discourses, contains very few examples of sarcasm or satire.

 

Nevertheless, the few examples of biblical irony are well worth noting, with one of the most notable being Job's response as above to the self-righteous platitudes of his three philosophizing "friends." In their intellectual and moral arrogance and with no real understanding of God's purposes, these critics were far out of line and well deserved Job's cutting sarcasm. Examples of such combined spiritual ignorance and intellectual arrogance are not hard to find today and, occasionally perhaps, a satirical commentary may be effective in changing them or preventing their effect.

 

One other well-known case of biblical sarcasm is Elijah's taunting monologue to the prophets of Baal: "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked" . Jeremiah also had a word to say about the ineptitude of false gods and the foolishness of those who put their faith in them, and who were "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: . . . But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble".

 

Much more foolish than those who believe that sticks and stones can generate living beings, however, are those modernday idolaters who worship "Mother Nature," believing that her "natural processes" can evolve hydrogen atoms, over billions of years, into human beings. The examples of Elijah and Jeremiah as well as Job may warrant an occasional touch of sarcasm when discussing such notions!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1

 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 CORINTHIANS 5:1)
The "real you" is not your body. Your body is just a vessel.

Just as someone can change houses where they live, you can, and will someday, leave your body and still exist.

We focus too much on our body. The inner part of us is most important. These bodies we live in are not eternal and one day shall return to the dust simply to food for the worms.

It is not wrong to take care of our bodies, any more than it iswrong to take care of the house or apartment where we live. It is a mistake, however, to spend all our time on our body and neglect our spirit and mind.


 For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Who a person is on the inside is more important than what their body looks like.

We judge too often on how people look and dress on the outward appearance (body) , instead of focusing on the real person living inside that body that part which is eternal the soul. For God looks at the hearts of men which is the soul of man. For it is that part that God desire to commune with.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)

The promise of our Savior is clear: the end result of staying in His Word will be freedom.

So, if you are not becoming more free, you need to examine if
you are accurate in your understanding of the Word of God.

 Ws need to stand upon the Word of God no matter what occurs in our life, for only through His Word is there hope and freedom in His Word;

"What do you mean by freedom, preacher?"

I don't mean a license to sin. Sin produces bondage -- the opposite of what I am talking about.

I mean freedom in every area of life. Freedom from having to sin. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from doubt.
Freedom from strife. Freedom from confusion. Freedom from
family problems. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from poverty.
Freedom from disease.

Note that Christ did not promise that everyone who called Him Master would automatically and instantly be free. Instead the Savior indicated that time would be involved before those who truly followed Him would see the full result of the freedom His Word would produce in their lives.

If you continue....

If you abide....

If you live in....

If you remain in....

Don't forget the "IF." And don't forget the "CONTINUE." This Scripture promise is NOT for everyone who claims to be a Christian. Only for those who are willing to spend the time and effort required to feed on God's Word.


Remember that it only takes a tiny amount of poison added to an otherwise wonderful and nutritious meal to make it dangerous.So if it not backed supported covered seasoned in and of the truth which is the Word of God then it is a lie and God is not apart of that. Nor should we, whether it be teachings of a minister or bible or book or a brother or sisters who is attempting to share what they preceive is truth. It must be backed, supported and based on the only true truth which is found in our Heavenly Father's Word.