Perfect Peace

                                                   

The Lord can work EVERYTHING out, if we turn it over to Him. Usually the hardest part is not the giving it to God, but rather that after giving it to Him we then take it back to carry our burden once again.

 

One of the commandments the Jews have is they are not allowed to carry any burdens on the Sabbath.

 

When we receive the Holy Ghost, we "enter into His rest," - a spiritual Sabbath rest that is 24/7.

 

Sometimes we have to be patient for the Lord to take care of the burdens and situations we have given to Him to work out for us...

 

The Lord has His perfect time. Our will is not always what is best, but rather His will is always good for us and for a purpose (Romans 8:28).

 

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." - 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

 

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." - Psalm 27:14 KJV

 

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." - Psalm 37:5 KJV

 

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22 KJV "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." - Psalm 55:22 NLT

 

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him [to act]: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass [Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes]." - Psalm 37:7 KJV

 

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

 

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

 

A Life Changing God Encounter

                                                            

                                                                           

Paul the Apostle

"And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women." - Acts 22:4 

"And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." - Acts 22:6-8 

"And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” -  Acts 22:10

After his road to Damascus experience, seeing the Light of Jesus and hearing His voice, Saul of Tarsus was blind for three days. 

After Saul’s three days of blindness, God sent His witness to him. 

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." - Acts 9:17 

Paul later testified to the Jews:

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

“And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:12-16 

We don't know Saul anymore as the one that persecuted and killed the Christians. We now know him as Saul (Paul) the Apostle, called to proclaim the Name of Jesus and the gospel to the world. (Romans 1:5). 

Church! Perfected, Equipped, and Built Up by the Five-Fold Ministry

                                                     

Church!

A time and place to be perfected - to mature in Christ. To become equipped to do God’s work through the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as they build up the body of Christ.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV

Gentiles Hear the Gospel - Born Again

 

Cornelius was "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." - Acts 10:2 

You would think by this description of Cornelius that he was saved. But he was not. Cornelius needed to hear and obey the gospel so that he could be saved.

God gave Cornelius a heavenly vision. An angel of God came to him.

"And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." - Acts 10:4-6 

When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, Cornelius had gathered his kinsmen and friends “to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

Peter then preached the gospel of Jesus to them - His death, burial, and resurrection. (Acts 10:39-40).

Peter then preached that those that believe in Jesus shall receive remission of sins through His name. (Acts 10:43, Acts 2:38).

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." - Acts 10:44 

The Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Ghost while Peter was preaching!

"And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 10:45 

How did Peter and the believing brethren that came with him know that God had filled the Gentiles with His Holy Ghost?

"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:46 

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:47 

Peter realized the Gentiles had received the GIFT for entering into covenant with God, but they hadn’t entered into the COVENANT – they had not been WATER BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME!

"And he COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:48 (caps my emphasis).

The Gentiles heard the preaching of the Gospel by Peter, sent by God. The Gentiles OBEYED the gospel by repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues, and being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins.

Above all else, we must be saved!

                                                                 

Above all else, we must be saved!

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:21

We need a true man of God to preach the gospel to us.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:13-16

What is the gospel?

On the day of Pentecost when the church first began, Peter preached the gospel - that Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, then on the third day He rose again - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 2:14-36, 1Corinthians 15:1-4).

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

When we have repented, been water baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us the utterance (ability), we have obeyed the gospel and are born again.

We need a preacher, not only to hear the gospel preached, but also so that we can be water baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness) of our sins. 

We need a pastor so we can grow from a born-again spiritual baby to a mature spiritual adult in Christ.

Jesus Cares About Each and Every One of Us

                                              

                                                          

Philip was in the midst of preaching the gospel in Samaria when the Lord called him to go to the road in the desert that went from Jerusalem to Gaza.

"And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet." - Acts 8:27-28 

"Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." - Acts 8:29 

The Bible tells us a person needs a preacher so that they can hear and obey the gospel of Jesus.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:14-16 

God sent a preacher from a great revival in Samaria out into the middle of the desert so that one man might hear and obey the gospel. This tells us how much one single person means to Jesus. Jesus cares about each and every one of us!

Philip ran to the chariot and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading.

"And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him." - Acts 8:31 

The man was reading a prophecy of Jesus in the book of Isaiah. He asked Philip who Isaiah was speaking of – of himself or of some other man? Philip then preached Jesus to him. 

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." - Acts 8:36-39  

Forgiveness

                                                            

 

When we obey the gospel, we step into God’s mercy. Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost not only the gospel, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, but also how to obey the gospel.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

When we repent and are baptized in JESUS name, the blood of Jesus has been applied to our life. The blood that he shed when he suffered and died for us has washed all our sins away.

We are forgiven.

It is of utmost importance that we also forgive.

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:" - Matthew 6:14

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:15

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 

It is now our turn to show mercy, after the great mercy Jesus has shown us.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." - Matthew 5:7

Landmark Conference

 https://clministry.com/media/live/

The Blood of Christ

 

The Temple

                                                    

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. ... But he spake of the temple of his body." - John 2:19, 21

When we worship Jesus, we are not worshipping a man – flesh – but rather we are worshipping the Spirit of God that dwells within the man.

We are not worshiping the temple, but rather the Spirit of God that dwells within the temple.

After His death, resurrected by His Spirit, Jesus showed Himself alive to many witnesses over the next forty days, and then ascended up to heaven.

Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of Jesus returned to fill the hundred and twenty disciples that were praying in the upper room in Jerusalem.

On that day, their bodies became the temple of God.

When we repent of our sins, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), we become a temple of God.

Just as the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple in Jerusalem, and the body (temple) of Jesus were all called by the name of the Lord, we too, as the temple of God are called by the name of the Lord.

We became called by His name, JESUS, when we were baptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 15:17, James 2:7).

Just as the tabernacle, the temple, and the body of Christ were all filled with the glory of God, we too when we receive the Holy Ghost are filled with the glory of God. (Romans 6:4).

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" - 1 Corinthians 6:19

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - 2 Corinthians 6:16 

Son of God

                                                                 

The Bible speaks of Jesus as being the only begotten Son of God.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:14 KJV

When Jesus was born as a baby, He was holy and without sin.

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:35 KJV

He was full of the Father’s Spirit.

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;" - Colossians 1:19 KJV

He was given His Father's name - Jesus.

"I am come in my Father's name…” - John 5:43 KJV

Jesus was the only one that was BORN the Son of God.

We BECOME sons of God when we are BORN AGAIN.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:11-13 KJV

We are born of God and become a son of God when we are water baptized in the name of Jesus and are Spirit baptized with His Holy Ghost. (James 1:18).

When we are born again of the water, baptized in the NAME of JESUS for the remission of sins, we become without sin, as Jesus is. (Acts 2:38).

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16 KJV

We are given the Father’s name – JESUS – when we are water baptized in the name of Jesus. (James 2:7, Acts 15:17).

When we are born again of the Spirit, filled with His Holy Ghost, we become holy, as Jesus is.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." - Galatians 4:6 KJV

Our Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

                                        

The Bible tells us that we as Christians need to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” and to “put on the whole armour of God” so that we “may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

It tells us we need God’s armour in order to stand. It tells us that our feet are to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:10-20).

We know that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We know while our sins separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2), He made peace between us “through the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20).

It is when we obey the gospel by repentance, water baptism by immersion in the name of JESUS, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, that we find this peace. (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 1:20-23; 2Corinthians 5:17-21). This is the preparation of the gospel of peace that we put on our feet.

In order to stand in our battle against our spiritual enemy, the devil, we must have the preparation of the gospel of peace on our feet. (Acts 2:38). Because we have been reconciled to God when we obeyed the gospel, the devil has no power over us – our sins are forgiven and we no longer fear death. (Hebrews 2:14-15).

The preparation of the gospel of peace is not just on our feet to stand, but also to walk. By obeying the gospel, we receive the gift of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost). When we walk in the Spirit, we are able to live a victorious life. (Romans 8:1, 9; Galatians 5:16).  

With the preparation of the gospel of peace on our feet, we are equipped to fulfill the command of Jesus to “Go ye…”

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [the gospel] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 

Continuing Steadfast Unmoveable

Continuing in prayer:

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." - Acts 1:14

Continuing in the apostle’s doctrine:

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42

Continuing to knock:

"But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished." - Acts 12:16

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." - Luke 11:9

Continuing to teach and preach the word of the Lord:

"Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also." - Acts 15:35

"And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." - Acts 18:11

"And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." - Acts 19:10

 

What doctrine should we continue in?

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:" - Mark 12:29

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 "Jesus said…Before Abraham was, I am." - John 8:58

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:19

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Continuing Steadfast Unmoveable

Continuing in prayer Acts 1:14, doctrine Acts 2:42, knocking Acts 12:16, teaching and preaching Acts 15:35,18:11,19:10.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 

His Name is Jesus

                                             

His name is Jesus

Our Heavenly Father is Spirit. He has a body that He had Mary and Joseph call “Jesus.” (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).

This name of God the Father is above every name.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:10-11 (Isaiah 45:23).

It is by His name “Jesus” that God brought salvation to the world.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

There is only one Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Jesus, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of your Father, the Spirit.

The Holy Ghost that was poured out on the Day of Pentecost is this same One Spirit.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:16-18

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" - John 15:26

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26

The Father, the Spirit of God, is in Christ and in us when we receive His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38-39).

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:4-6

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

                                                                 

God worked a mighty miracle delivering Paul and Silas from the prison they were in by sending an earthquake that shook the foundations, opening the doors and loosing the bands of all the prisoners.

The keeper of the prison seeing the prison doors open and supposing that the prisoners had been fled, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and said,

 

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" - Acts 16:30

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." - Acts 16:31

 

 Is this the end of the story? NO!

 

 "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house." - Acts 16:32

 

What was the response of the keeper of the prison and all those that were in his house to the preaching of God’s word?

 

"And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." - Acts 16:33

 

Just like on the Day of Pentecost, the prison keeper and his house heard the word of the Lord, received it, and were baptized. (Acts 2:38-41).

 

"And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." - Acts 16:34 

There is only one God. He alone created the universe.

                                                                

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

"For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else." - Isaiah 45:18

In the book of Colossians, it speaks of the Son creating all things. How can this be if there is only one Creator, and that is the Lord God?

Colossians explains that the Son is the image of the invisible God. The invisible Spirit of God put on the flesh of humanity and became visible. This human is called the Son of God. All the fullness of the godhead is within this man.

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:9 KJV

It is the One True God that dwells in the body of the Son that created all things. Thus, in the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. The same God that dwells in the Son is the One True God that created all things.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;" - Colossians 1:16-19 KJV

The Father – who is Spirit – dwelt in the Son – which is flesh. God revealed His name of salvation is Jesus.

The reason the Father, Creator of the universe, put on flesh was so that He could pay the price of sin for mankind. This took the shedding of sinless blood, which only God could provide.

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" - Colossians 1:13-15 KJV

Church! The Lord is not slack concerning His promise

                                                             

Church!

The Lord promised he would be back for His church. We can see the signs of the times.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance...

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…" - 2 Peter 3:9, 14-15 KJV

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV

Another translation:

"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. ... And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved…" - 2 Peter 3:9, 14-15

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ." - Ephesians 4:11-13

 

How can we avoid falling into temptation?

                                              

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world [craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions]. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17

We must guard what we look at, listen to, and where we go. The moment we recognize something as a temptation, we need to immediately turn from it to prevent being consumed by it.

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15

We must also guard our thoughts, quenching unforgiving, judgmental, hateful, jealous, proud, angry, or lustful thoughts.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

When we turn to Jesus by repentance, become called by His name by water baptism, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, we are born of God. We receive the authority of Jesus name, and the power of His blood and Spirit to overcome temptation.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

"Put on the whole armour of God... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…" - Ephesians 6:11, 18 

 

New Self, Old Self

                                                                    

 As we are starting off this new year, we remember there are some things we put on and some things we   put off.

When we first came to God, we put off our “old man” of sin, (our old sinful nature). We did this when we repented of our sins. (Repent – to be sorrowful for the sin in our life and making a commitment to God to turn our life completely to Him and away from sin.)

We buried our old sinful nature in a watery grave of baptism “in the name of Jesus.” By our baptism in the name of Jesus, our sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus. (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Acts 10:43).

We then put on the “new man,” our new nature. By our baptism, we put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27). With our water baptism in the name of Jesus, we took on the name of Jesus and applied His blood to our life. (James 2:7, Exodus 12:13, 1 Corinthians 5:7). By our baptism of the Holy Ghost, we were filled with the Spirit of Jesus. (John 14:17-18). With our continual renewing of His Spirit, we are learning to become more like Jesus, day by day. (Colossians 3:10, Romans 12:12, Romans 13:14).

These are some sins we put off when we put off our old nature:

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" - Colossians 3:8-10 KJV

By our transformation by His Spirit, we become more and more the image of our Creator. [“As you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” (Colossians 3:10)]

What do we continue to put on?

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness [which binds us all together in perfect harmony]." - Colossians 3:12-14

Happy New Year! 😊

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself

                                                 

Who is Jesus?

"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." - John 14:8

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:9-10

Why would our Heavenly Father come to dwell among man in a human body?

There was no man born without sin that could pay the price of our sins.

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

The arm of the Lord is God's power to deliver and save.

Isaiah prophesied of Christ – the arm of the LORD revealed. Isaiah 53.

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:23

"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:35

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…" - Colossians 1:20

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." - 2Corinthians 5:19

By His death, burial, and resurrection we can repent of our sins, be baptized in His name Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, and be filled with His Spirit to walk in new life. (Acts 2:38).

There is peace WITH God, and there is the peace OF God

“There is the peace WITH God, and there is the peace OF God.”

The peace WITH God was accomplished when He shed His blood for our sins, making peace between us after sin separated us. God made peace with us by the gospel.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" - Colossians 1:20-23

We have peace with God by the blood of His cross, IF we obey the gospel by repenting of our sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and by receiving the gift of His Spirit.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

The peace OF God is found when we receive the gift of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." - Galatians 5:22-23

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7