A SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Ephesians 6:12 New Living Translation

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

            There is a spiritual realm that exists. Hollywood depicts it in a certain way, but believe me when I tell you, it is nothing to trifle with. When Paul says our fight isn’t with those who have flesh & blood, he’s referring to demons. They are the angels who fell from heaven⁽¹⁾ along with Lucifer. (Scriptures listed in footnotes) This isn’t some video game we’re talking about; we’re talking about a powerful army of darkness that is the enemy of every Christian on the face of this earth. Those who sit on the fence regarding their beliefs or don’t believe in God at all have nothing to be concerned about. They are already under his control. 

            We are in need of supernatural power to defeat the devil & his minions. That kind of supernatural power is at our disposal by virtue of being a child of the King of all creation. If he created Lucifer, he can take his reign down. There’s no need to be discouraged or afraid. Satan can do nothing to you unless you let him. He is a toothless lion whose roar is much worse than his bite. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says to Peter: “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

            If we determine to live a life dedicated to Christ, we will need to fight this battle against the dark forces of this world until Christ returns. Feed your spirit regularly so that you have what it takes to withstand Satan’s attacks. He wants you to believe you are nothing. He wants you to wear around your neck a medallion with all your sins etched on them. He wants you to own them so you will be totally ineffective for the Lord, but you know what, Christ bore those sins on the cross and shed his blood to remove them, so don’t you dare let the devil lie to you. God’s grace says you are no longer defined by your past mistakes. You are free now and forevermore. That is the good news of the gospel! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

⁽¹⁾Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-17; 2 Peter 2:4 & Matthew 25:41.  

INITIAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM PAUL

Ephesians 6:11 New Living Translation

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

            Let’s start off our look at the armor of God by seeing what Paul has to say in verse 11. God never tempts his children, but he does put our faith to the test. We wouldn’t have much faith if we walked away whenever things don’t go as they were planned.  It is said that, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go askew”.⁽¹⁾We prove that every day, because despite detailed planning, things rarely go as we like, but God is always aware of our circumstances and is there to encourage and guide us. 

            While the devil is not as powerful as God, he is much more powerful than we are. However, we do not have to fight our enemy on our own. We fight him with the unlimited power God provides us thru his Holy Spirit, which dwells within us. The armor is readily available and adjusts to fit any size believer. If we plan to stand up for Christ in the face of our enemies, then we would be foolhardy not to utilize God’s Armor. Zeal doesn’t defeat guile, but those who do battle in the name of Christ do not have zeal alone. 

            The key words in the verse are “stand firm”. We have all of God’s resources at our disposal. He gives us the ability to stand up to whatever comes at us, whether it is physical, material or spiritual. We must stand tall and strong in the might of God. We cannot be defeated if we rely on God to surround us. Believe more in what you cannot see than what you can because your eyes can most definitely deceive you. We cannot run this race alone. Place heavy reliance on your Heavenly Father; he is all-powerful and will never leave you. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; The Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

(1)Adapted from a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns called “To a Mouse On Turning her up in her Nest with the Plow, November 1785”.

Ephesians 6: A Brief Look at the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20 New Living Translation

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

“Ephesus was a strategic city, ranking in importance with Alexandria in Egypt and Antioch of Syria as a port. It lay on the most western edge of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), the most important port on the Aegean Sea on the main route from Rome to the East.”⁽¹⁾Ephesus was roughly 300 miles due east across the Aegean Sea from Athens, Greece.                        

            Chapter 6 of Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus begins with instructions for children to obey and respect their parents and for parents not to provoke their children to anger. He then tells slaves to obey their masters and masters not to treat their slaves poorly. Paul then concludes his letter with a section on the Armor of God. He introduces this topic by saying, “A final word: …”, which indicates he is about to finish his correspondence.

            The Apostle’s final word to the Ephesian believers is to be strong in the mighty power of God.  They are not being asked to be strong using their own resources, because Paul knows their resources are limited and pitifully lacking compared to the resources God offers them. What is true for the Ephesian Christians is also true for us. Just as Jesus said in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Therefore, it is imperative to remain in the Lord by virtue of not just reading, but digesting his word. It tells us how to live a godly life by tapping into his plentiful resources.

            Tomorrow we move to verse 11 and begin touching on these resources, namely the Armor of God. Until next time, walk with the one true God and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

⁽¹⁾ Location of Ephesus, p. 2613, The Life Application Study Bible.

RUNNING THE RACE OF FAITH

Hebrews 12:1 New Living Translation

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

            Our walk with the Lord is likened to a long distance race. Long distance runners work very hard to build up endurance and strength. It’s not just that they are in a race; if they are competitive at all they want to win the race. Now in Christendom we are all winners if we run the race to the end. It’s like the non-experienced runner participating in a marathon. Even though he doesn’t win it he did finish it and that makes him a success. 

            The “crowd of witnesses” is listed in the previous chapter. The crowd consists of the likes of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the parents of Moses and Moses himself. They have finished their race and are cheering us on because every temptation that confronts us has confronted them at one point in their lives. They know what a walk with God entails. It calls for continuous self-assessment to see if there is anything that comes in conflict with your relationship with God. Those things must be removed. 

            Is there something that is blurring your focus, something that is distracting you? Get rid of it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Do you find that you are lugging around a backpack full of bricks? Let it drop to the ground and continue on. As long as you are in the center of God’s will for your life, there is nothing you cannot do. Spend time with God. He desires your company. Until next time, walk with the one, true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:1 Amplified Bible 

“Now faith is the confirmationof things divinely guaranteed, and comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses.”

            Above you will find the original text replaced with the more descriptive words found in the Amplified translation of the Holy Scriptures. I think it clears up any doubt a person may have regarding how to define “faith”.  Why is faith so important? “We need faith that the promises God made are true, however unlikely that might seem in the present circumstances.” ⁽¹⁾Hebrews 11:6 declares that we musthave faith to please God. Faith implies trust. If we don’t trust God we will find it difficult to place our faith in him. We have faith that everything the Bible proclaims is literally true and shall come to pass when God knows the time is right.

            Those who feel they must see a miracle or Jesus Christ in the flesh or Almighty God to believe would only find some other reason not to believe even if one of those things actually happened. A common phrase in society is “seeing is believing”, but not when it comes to God. Seeing isn’t having faith. We are asked to believe the unbelievable. We’re asked to see what is unseen. It sounds completely illogical - downright insane. But that’s what is so great about it. We have a choice to conform to this world or conform to the standards set forth by God. It’s our choice. We can do as we like. We don’t haveto follow anyone’s rules but your own. We have that right. God gave us that right. It’s called “free will”. But every choice we make is followed by consequences. 

            At the end of the day those who have placed their unwavering trust in God will reap the benefits of his kingdom when the last day arrives. Don’t have blind faith or empty faith, allow your faith to blossom and grow. Believe in what the world scoffs at and place your undying trust in the one who created you and consequently is the only one who can also save you from your sins.  That happens to be the way God set it up. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource:www.biblegateway.com; The Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

^[1]Part of theTheology of Work Bible Commentarynotes for Hebrews 11:1. This commentary is found on the Bible Gateway website.

COMMITTING TO GOD’S WORD

Psalm 119:57-64 Amplified Bible

⁵⁷“The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
⁵⁸ I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be merciful and gracious to me according to Your promise.
⁵⁹ I considered my ways and turned my feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.
⁶⁰ I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments.⁶¹ The cords of the wicked have encircled and ensnared me, but I have not forgotten Your law.⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances.⁶³ I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You and of those who keep and honor Your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of Your loving kindness and goodness; teach me Your statutes.”

            As believers in Christ we have chosen to believe God’s Word is true in its entirety. It is ludicrous to think a finite minded being would be able to determine whether God’s Word is real or fake. That would be to say the creature is wiser than the Creator himself. Just as we choose to believe in his existence, we choose to believe his word. That is faith. Some say that is crazy but they speak of something they do not and cannot understand in the natural.

            The testimony of the author, whom some scholars suggest is Ezra the priest, is that we stay true to God and his word no matter what befalls us in this life. The only way to find real happiness, peace and contentment is to obey the standards put down by God. There is happiness outside of God but it is fleeting and fades over time. What we receive from the Lord is a package deal. Happiness and true contentment are born out of the hope and peace that is found in relying on God for everything. And that comes from unwavering faith and trust in a supreme, supernatural being. 

            Christians on the whole haven’t done a very good job presenting Christ’s message. Too many personal agendas have gotten in the way of real, lasting progress in the battle to save souls. Those first two statements are “broad sweeping generalities”. We are all individuals, made by God’s own hand. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, so no two people are alike either. We are all unique, one of a kind and blessed of God. Take his word to heart. Learn from him thru the scriptures. You’ll never learn it by osmosis. You have to partake of it one bite at a time. Feed your spirit man. Ask God to expand your mind so you can soak up all he wishes to impart to your heart, mind and soul/spirit. The earth is filled with the goodness of God. Look all around you and see it in all its majesty. Live the word of God don’t just talk about it. God will enable you to do whatever he is calling you to do. You are never alone. The Spirit of God resides within you. Remember that in your darkest hour. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

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NOTE: There was a request to take a look at the armor of God found in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. I will begin that study this coming Monday, July 30^th, 2018. Thank you for your request.

The Beatitudes: One Final Look

Matthew 5:3-11Amplified Bible

            This is why I like using the Amplified Version of the Bible. It uses additional words to clarify the meaning, making it more descriptive. They amplified the word “Blessed”in each verse andthe characteristic that the blessed individuals have. If you alter the text using only the amplified words you get the following:

3 “Those spiritually prosperousare devoid of spiritual arrogance, …

4 “Forgiven are those who mourn over their sins and repent, …

5 “Inwardly peaceful are those who are kind-hearted, sweet-spirited and self-controlled, …

6 “Joyful are those who actively seek right standing with God, …

7 “Content are the merciful, … 

8 “Spiritually mature are those with integrity, moral courage and godly character, …

9 “Spiritually calm are those who make & maintain peace, …

10 “Comforted are those who are persecuted for doing what is morally right, …

11 “Morally courageous are those because of their association with Christ …  

            

            I don’t believe it is heresy in any way to alter scripture simply for the sake of an illustration. The original text remains intact, yet the above rendering is insightful and crystal clear as to what the Beatitudes is really saying. It lends itself to the original meaning and brings into clear focus how we, as believers in Christ, are to live out our lives. The words up above are not much different than the words we find elsewhere in scripture to present the godly characteristics we are to exhibit. 

            I trust this and the rest of the “Look at the Beatitudes” was interesting and rewarding for you. If anyone who like a similar, short and sweet look at another list in scripture, such as the armor of God or the Ten Commandments or a certain brief portion of scripture, let me know at rkeller03211955@gmail.com.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Amplified Bible; The Reformation Study Bible; The Life Application Study Bible; and the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

Matthew 5:11-12 Amplified Bible

“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

            The Beatitudes are not conditions one must meet to earn entry into heaven. They are declarations of our being blessed and pronouncements of God’s immutable grace. The chance that any one person is going to meet all 8 conditions listed is pretty slim. It’s no different than the Ten Commandments. They were set up to shine a light on Israel’s sin and need of God to forgive them. These promises are exhibits of how we are under God’s umbrella of grace; however, the idea is that as we seek to be like Christ we will begin to live out these statements as a living illustration of our faith and trust in God.

            Take the notion of mourning being a blessing in verse 4, for example. At the time of our loss our spirit is crushed, albeit temporarily. The blessing we have experienced in our state of mourning is that God has comforted us in some form or fashion. At that time you were probably emotionally numb, but if you allow your mind to comb over the details of the events following the loss you will find comfort somewhere you least expected it. That is the blessing and manifestation of the promise.

            When things don’t go the way you want them to and they often times do not, allow your faith and trust in God to kick in and keep moving forward. You see, God knows the beginning from the end and all parts in between. The wheels of heaven are turning on our behalf. We just need to be patient and learn to wait for his open door. Until next time, walk with the one true king and be a blessing!

Resource: Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

THE RESULT OF ACTIVE FAITH

Matthew 5:10 Amplified Bible

“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

            Up to this point in the Beatitudes we have see positive expressions of how we are to act as a believer in Christ. We heard about humility, meekness, right relationships, mercy, a pure heart and being a peacemaker. Now we hear about persecution for doing that which is right in the eyes of the Lord. If the prophets of old were persecuted for standing up for God, why would it be any different for us today? But don’t get hung up on being persecuted for Christ’s sake. God is our shield and protector and we will not experience anything he and we cannot withstand together.

            We live in a fallen world where even the most admirable people are still tainted by the fall of man. Our responsibility is to stand up for that which is morally right and pleasing in the sight of God. We cannot sit idly by and think that the kingdom of God will advance all by itself. Christians have been called to put on their spiritual armor and stand ready to fight, if necessary. For those who stand persecution will come. 

            For those who suffer for things they have said and done that go against the supposed norm on their own, the fault is theirs and punishment is probably justified. However, the persecution of God’s children comes many times without provocation. It takes place simply because we are Christians. We are perceived by some to be wild-eyed zealots who try to force others to conform to our “rigid” ways or face an everlasting hell. Showing people Christ rather than just talking about it can lift the stigma of rigidity, but as a result will shine a light on our actions, which may usher in persecution. In many countries people give their lives for their faith. We are blessed in America. The question we have to ask ourselves is what are we willing to give up for our faith? Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

BE A PEACEMAKER

Matthew 5:9 Amplified Bible

“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.”

            In the Biblical sense, being a peacemaker is helping others find peace in God. In that case it is to be assumed that these people have made their own peace with the Lord. In other words, they have experienced the richness that flows from knowing God.

            We will be known as sons of God by being a maker of peace. Since we are to reflect the Lord’s characteristics, we should know that God is a God of peace _{(1 Corinthians 14:33)}  We are to exude a peaceful spirit. It’s very difficult for a person to initiate conflict with a peaceful spirit. It will frustrate them and as we remain silent before them they will become self-conscious and appear foolish to anyone around him. That isn’t your objective, but it would be the consequences of the seeds they had sown. 

            Our goal as a believer in Christ is to represent peace in our homes, our communities and our workplace, not to mention the entire world in which we live. If we fail to reach this goal we will end up acting and reacting just like the world. Sinners long to see hope portrayed before them. They may scoff at it, but deep down inside they know they are missing a key piece of the universal puzzle. While not perfect, we hold the key to the salvation of the world. We must extend it with outreached hand as we display those behavioral patterns others seek but don’t know how to obtain. We must show them God’s mercy and love in a tangible and believable way and then stand back and allow the Holy Spirit to work. The Lord is with us every step of the way, however, this is his show. We are nothing more than characters in the play. Surrender your will and be used in a mighty way by our Creator God. It’s what we were made for. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Reformation Study Bible; Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace… .”– 1 Corinthians 14:33 New Living Translation

SEEING GOD

Matthew 5:8 Amplified Bible  (AMP)

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.”

            Apart from God, we are neither blessed, nor are we pure in heart. Even though we think we know exactly where we are going, we are in fact lost. We live in a dark world without a light until we receive Christ, the light of the world. _{(John 8:12 AMP*)}

            Look at how the editors of the Amplified Bible accentuate the words “pure of heart”. It is the one who has integrity, moral courage and a godly character. That is supposed to be our goal as a believer in Christ. Integrity can be defined as “adhering to a strict moral or ethical code.” I’ve said that if a person doesn’t have integrity they really have nothing. I say that because a person without integrity cannot be trusted. And a person who cannot be trusted isn’t worth anything to others. Anyone, both Christian and non-Christian alike, can stumble and lose their integrity by making a poor decision. The Christian serves a gracious God who can bring that type of person all the way back to a place of trust with his peers. The non-Christian can only rely on his own resources and that pales greatly in comparison to the resources God offers.

            How can we see someone or something that is invisible to the human eye? Colossians 1:15 (AMP) says, “He (Christ) is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.” We will see God through the eyes of faith, but even if we have a hard time seeing him that way, we can see the effects of his existence. Take the time to look around you and realize all that he has created. The savvy believer will notice his handiwork and praise him for his great power, love, mercy and grace. Once we are in our glorified bodies in heaven we shall “see him as he is”(1 John 3:2). Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

* John 8:12 Amplified Bible “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

EXHIBIT MERCY DAILY

Matthew 5:7 Amplified Bible

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

                  To show mercy to another person is a godly trait. Scripture is clear that the mercy we show others is the mercy God will show us on the last day. That sentiment shows up both in Matthew 7:1-2 & James 2:13. The Gospel of Matthew states that we “…not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” In James letter chapter 2, verse 13 he writes, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.”

            We are not to administer revenge to anyone for God says in Deuteronomy 32:35, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Sometimes we want to get back at someone so bad we can taste it, but we mustn’t. We must give it to God and leave it there. Turn and walk away. 

            This is very much a sowing/reaping thing going on here. Scripture tells us in the book of the minor prophet Hosea, just as Israel had, those who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind. _{(Hosea 8:7)}Mercy is a Godly characteristic and since we are to strive to reflect the behavior of Christ, we should exhibit mercy, even when we feel it is not warranted. Let God’s word be our guide, not the principles of this world. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: www.biblegateway.com

THIRSTING TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD

Matthew 5:6 Amplified Bible 

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.

            In my study of this verse I saw two ways to view the righteousnesswe are to hunger and thirst after. 1) Righteousness can be a figurative reference to heaven, since we know that righteousness dwells there _{(2 Peter 3:13 AMP)};2) It can be simply hungering and thirsting after God who IS righteousness personified _{(Psalm 42:2 AMP)};righteousness thru maintaining a right relationship with God. The key there is the meaning of the word righteousness, which in ancient Judaism meant, “to acquit, vindicate, restore to a right relationship.”

            Regardless of which reason you choose to accept, they all lead to the same place; cultivating a right relationship with Almighty God. It should be encouraging to us that all our diligent efforts to follow the Lord’s lead will make and keep us “completely” satisfied. The satisfaction that the world provides is temporal. Nothing lasts forever in this world. Not one thing. God, himself, isforever. His love is forever. His forgiveness is forever. His judgment lasts forever. 

            So when someone says to you “nothing lasts forever” you have a response for him. Even if he blows you off, laughs at you or begins an argument, God’s word doesn’t return void. _{(Isaiah 55:11 AMP)} The seed has been planted. Now you can pray for his salvation and watch the Holy Spirit work. Until next time, walk with the one true king and be a blessing.

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament and Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

* 2 Peter 3:13 Amplified Bible “But in accordance with His promise we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Psalm 42:2 Amplified Bible 

“My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God?”

Psalm 63:1 Amplified Bible A Psalm of David; when he was in the wilderness of Judah. “O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You; My soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Isaiah 55:11 Amplified Bible “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament.

A SUBMISSIVE SPIRIT

Matthew 5:5Amplified Bible

“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.”

            Those who are meek or gentle in spirit will be blessed of God. The expanded view of the word ‘blessed’ in the Amplified version of the Bible describes the meek, gentile, humble believer as one who has inward peace shall be yours. This is no doubt the peace that reassures the heart, yet is impossible to comprehend spoken of in Philippians 4:7. Such a peace stands guard over our hearts and minds, keeping the enemy from infiltrating us.

            The word in the Greek is defined as ‘meek’. It doesn’t mean we are weak willed pushovers or people who have no backbone. It simply means we have a kind heart and a sweet spirit toward others, whether inside or outside the family of God. It means we are to be self-controlled as opposed to out of control. One who allows the Holy Spirit to lead them.  The world tends to view the word ‘meek’ as being “overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame or docile”.⁽¹⁾Nothing could be further from the truth. Believers aren’t submissive to the world, but rather to the spirit of God who seeks to encourage, comfort, lead and bless us as the Lord wills.

            There is a day coming when the earth shall be taken over by Christ and the children of God. That shall be once all evil is wiped from the face of the earth. This is the earth faithful true believers will inherit. Stay plugged into my “Look at the Beatitudes” when I look at verse 6 on Wednesday, July 17. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

⁽¹⁾ www.yahooanswers.com

MOURNING OVER OUR SIN

Matthew 5:4 Amplified Bible

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”

            Continuing on in our look at The Beatitudes, verse 4 encourages true believers by saying that if you grief over your sinful condition and repent God will comfort you. The Amplified translation really brings home the true meaning of this statement. If we grieve over our sinful life, we shall be ripe for repentance, which means we will come out on the other end with sins forgiven. 

            This view of mourning over our sins is also found in Paul’s 2^ndletter to the Corinthian church. In Chapter 7 verse 10 he writes: “For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.”_{(Amplified Bible)} 

                  Whenevera person is in a state of grieving, what they need more than anything at that time is to be comforted. To comfort is to sooth as a cooling balm soothes aching muscles. It is to empathize and encourage. It is to provide relief. It is to lift one’s burden. The main burden in this verse’s case is the burden of sin that had accumulated over time causing us to be weighed down. What a blessing it is to know that when we come to the throne of grace, lay our burden of sin down and kneel before the one true King, we will never have to bear that particular burden ever again. Lay it down. 

            A Christians life no doubt seems very strange to those in the world. As believers we must be willing to “give when others take. Love when others hate. Comfort and help when others abuse and give up our own rights to serve others.”⁽¹⁾ That is Christ-like living. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

⁽¹⁾The Life Application Study Bible; page 2003, footnote for Matthew 5:3-12.

DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ...

... the devotional covering Matthew 5:4 will be sent out Monday, July 16. In the meantime ... walk with the one true King and be a blessing! rlkeller

A Study in the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-3 Amplified Bible

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to teach them, saying, “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

            For the next few days I will be taking a look at the portion of Jesus Sermon on the Mount referred to as The Beatitudes. I’ve used the Amplified version of the Bible for clarity as to the meaning of each verse. 

It should be noted that the Beatitudes can be understood in several different ways:

1 – As a code of ethics for both the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.

2 – As a contrast between eternal Kingdom values and temporary worldly values.

3 – As a contrast between the superficial faith of the Pharisees and the pure faith demanded by Christ.

4 – As an illustration of how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in Christ’s kingdom.

            Look carefully at the word explanations. A person that is ‘Blessed’ is not someone who has vast sums of money or material possessions. It is the person who is spiritually wealthy. Those are the ones who are content or happy with their life. Though it isn’t perfect, God is perfect and as we serve him faithfully we will lack none of life’s essentials. 

            Those who are ‘poor in spirit’ are those who are humble rather than haughty. Their first thought is regarding others and not themselves or their own need. God will take care of us. That frees us up to take care of the needs of others.

            The tag line in the Amplified version for the phrase “kingdom of heaven” expresses the eternal nature of God’s kingdom. His kingdom shall never end _{(Luke 1:32-33)}. If we live a life that is in humble obedience to God and his statutes we will be rewarded with eternal life in his presence. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the next verse regarding those who mourn. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom

GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN

Ephesians 3:6-7 New Living Translation

“… this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.”

            Romans 11:11-31 describes how some branches have been broken off so that the Gentile believers could be grafted into the one true vine. The broken branches are from the house of Israel. The one true vine is Jesus Christ. We, as Gentile believers in Christ, are spiritually linked to the Jews thruChrist’s blood. The above verses are speaking of this “grafting in”.We have been commissioned, as was Paul, to spread the Gospel message. While it is true that we are neither an Apostle, nor an evangelist, we have been given the ability by God to share our faith in a natural and loving, yet compelling way to those non-believers we encounter each day. Our first responsibility is to make ourselves available for God’s use. Then we can ask him for opportunities to share. We needn’t be afraid or apprehensive, for God goes before us to till the soil so it is ready for seed planting.

            Paul admits in verse 8 that he is “the least deserving of all God’s people”because of his past denial of Christ and violent persecution of his followers. Yet it was “God’s grace(or undeserved favor) and mighty power”that allowed him the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Christ. Remember, scripture says the Lord takes the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the weak to confound the strong. 

(1 Corinthians 1:27)  

            Always remember that there is nothing we cannot do if God is in it. Follow God’s lead … listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to your spirit. Use discernment to recognize him.  Do not let your own desires talk you into believing the Spirit is directing you in a certain direction. Be careful to remain humble and attentive. God does not fail, but we miss our cues. That’s on us. Immerse yourself in his spirit and tune into what he wants to use you for. It can be simple, but we make it harder than God intends it to be. Spend uninterrupted time listening. Praise God for who he is. Then don’t talk … block out external distractions and listen. What we may have to say pales in comparison to what the Lord wishes to say to us. This is what the Lord would have us do. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

            

STARTING WITH PRAISE

Psalm 138:1-3 New Living Translation

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart. I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”

            This is a Davidic Psalm. King David wrote this to give thanks to his Lord for answered prayer. We should do as David has done; praise God for who he is. There is no need to come into his presence with a crisis on your lips from the very start. Your crisis is simply another opportunity for the Lord to show you he already knows and will take care of the situation. He doesn’t need our input on how to fix things. God has that covered. So we should start by praising him for who he is.

            David says that as soon as he prays God answers. How come we don’t always see immediate answers? I believe the wheels in heaven begin to turn as soon as we pray. Knowing that God can be trusted to know our plight and is capable of rectifying any situation should be a major encouragement to us all. As long as we understand that the rectification comes in the form God chooses and that he knows the best time is for it to take place. We never call the shots. We must trust the Lord to do the heavy lifting for us. We must understand that ONE WORD for the Lord can change EVERYTHING, just as it did with creation.

            There will be ample time to share our concerns, which God is already aware of, so showing him the awe and reverence that is due him is a more than appropriate way to start our prayers. David’s words reveal to us, somewhat as a blueprint reveals future plans, that God works out HIS plans for our lives and has every intention of carrying us thru any difficulties we may face. Until next time, walk with the one true King and be a blessing.

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible; www.gateway.com.

THE PATH OF GOD

Psalm 18:30 New Living Translation

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”

            King David is the author of this Psalm. It is a song that he sang to the Lord when he rescued David from Saul and his enemies. Some say leaning on God like a crutch is only for the weak and faint of heart, but David was a mighty warrior, afraid of nothing. He just knew that the power of God was unmatched. He knew that with God moving on his behalf no enemy could stand against him. 

            The same is true for us today. If you scour the Old and New Testament you will not find one example where God failed to fulfill one of the promises. His way is indeed perfect, free from any flaw. He enables us to overcome that which comes against us. The key is truly committing your life to his way. While the scripture does indeed say, “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved … you and your whole household”, [Acts 16:31 NLT] it is insufficient to simply say you believe. You cannot take this or any one scripture by itself to build a doctrine. If you look at the entirety of scripture you will find ample evidence that you are expected to please God with your life. 

            Here are some ways: 1- Have Faith in God; 2 – Be Spiritually Minded; 3 – Fear God; 4 – Study & Follow Christ’s Example; 5 – Obey God; 6 – Do God’s Will and 7 – Give the Sacrifice God Wants. (Associated scripture verses in footnote.) Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; www.lifehopeandtruth.com

Footnotes:

1 - “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

2 - “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6-8).

3 - “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147:11) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) NOTE: In these cases “fear” refers to having “awe” and “respect” or “reverence” for who God is.
4 - “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5).

5 -“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

6 - “[May God] make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:21).

7 - “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

THOUGHTS FROM A RANDOM MIND

            We all have failings and shortcomings. They come from our influences growing up. There is one thing we must do for our own well being and the health of our relationships, whether they be with our parents, a girlfriend, a spouse or our children and that is to take ownership of our failings and shortcomings.  If we deny them, we negate the chance to overcome them.  

            If someone you trust, perhaps a spouse, mentor or close friend, points out that you are selfish, don’t fluff it off. Take it to heart. Do some soul searching. Ask the Lord to reveal your flaws to you so you can lay them down and have the Holy Spirit remove them. Ask him to teach you how to proceed. It will take you one step closer to becoming selfless. You have to WANT to change your behavior. You have to WANT to imitate Christ in your daily walk with God.

            Perhaps you are a habitual liar or addicted to something that is harming you and by extension those you interact with?  Reach out to God. You can’t do it, but God can. We cannot do this thing called life alone. God is willing to help, but we must be willing to accept his help. He forces himself on no one. Remember, arrogance is for fools. Let down your guard and allow God in to rearrange your heart and life. God never disappoints. 

              Don’t think for one second this word is meant for non-believers or those new to the faith. Even the most dedicated believer has issues and problems even they may not be totally aware of.  Keep yourself in check.  Assess and reassess your walk with the Lord regularly. Pleasing him is your goal, not pleasing yourself or anyone else, for if you please God with your life, you will end up pleasing those closest to you as well. rlkeller

THE DAY OF SALVATION PROCLAIMED

   In that day you will sing:

    “I will praise you, O Lord!
You were angry with me, but not any more.
    Now you comfort me.
² See, God has come to save me.
    I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.”

³ With joy you will drink deeply
    from the fountain of salvation!
⁴ In that wonderful day you will sing:
    “Thank the Lord! Praise his name!
Tell the nations what he has done.
    Let them know how mighty he is!
⁵ Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things.
    Make known his praise around the world.
⁶ Let all the people of Jerusalemshout his praise with joy!
    For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

Isaiah 12 New Living Translation

            The prophet Isaiah is inspired by the Holy Spirit to encourage the people of Israel with this writing. “That day” is the day the Messiah comes to bring salvation to God’s people. By extension, salvation has been provided for all who receive Christ as the Lord of their life and Savior of their soul. It is by God’s grace and his grace alone that we are saved from our sin. There is nothing we’ve done or could ever do to save ourselves. 

            We are called as children of God to proclaim his virtues and share what he has done for us. God is consistent in his love and care for us. Nothing can cause us to be abandoned by him. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.” [2 Timothy 2:13 Amplified Bible]  We serve a gracious and kind Heavenly Father. “The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.”[Exodus 34:6-7 NLT] Rejoice in all the Lord has done for you up to this point in your life. Allow him to mold you into all he knows you can be for him. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblehub.com;www.biblegateway.com.

THE LORD IS OUR HOPE

Psalm 33:20-22 New Living Translation

“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”

            Scholars are uncertain who the author is of this Psalm, but the message is consistent with scripture in that it lists the Lord as our hope. In reality, he is our onlyhope. No one else is capable of doing for us what he has done and can do for us throughout our lives. So many people are blind to this. Past prejudices and non-committal influences have forged a personal border of steel against what webelieve to be the truth. God knows who will be receptive and who will not, but our responsibility isn’t to choose whom we share the gospel with. Ours is to listen for the still, small voice of the spirit as he leads us. 

            No matter what befalls us in this life, our hope must remain in God and him alone. He is more than capable of taking care of his children. When calamity comes your way, don’t question God as to the why of it, praise his name and ask him what he wants you to learn from the situation. No matter what it happens to be, life or death or injury or destruction to you or a loved one, God has a reason and a purpose for all things that take place in this world. Nothing escapes his ever-watchful eye. His orchestrations are masterful. He puts everything in place just where it belongs to aid his followers. We are only asked to trust and do as we feel the Lord has instructed us to do.

            Life has a way of knocking us down, but the Lord is always there to pick us up and take us to the place he wishes us to be … if we’re willing.  We must be willing participants for God forces his will on no one. His love for us is without end. There are no conditions placed upon it. We are a truly blessed people, but we mustn’t take that blessing for granted. A supreme price was paid for the freedom from sin that we enjoy. Rejoice in the name of our Lord, for he is more than worthy of all our praise, glory and honor. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com.

A HEALTHY EGO

Romans 12:3 New Living Translation

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

EGO defined:

a. An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit;

b. Appropriate pride in oneself; self-esteem.

            It is interesting to me and appropriate based on its’ definition alone, that the word “ego”has two very contrasting definitions. A person can have a healthy ego or an overblown one. A healthy ego is a good thing to have. Look at the ‘b’definition in blue above; an “appropriate pride in oneself”.  The word “appropriate” is open to interpretation here. It’s like saying, “act normal” … but who can definitively tell me what “normal” means? You can’t, because everyone has their own definition of the word “normal”, just like they all have there own definition of the word “appropriate”.  Many times we have a mixed bag. We have many non-believers who have very healthy egos. They “don’t think of themselves as more important than they ought”at all. We have many Christians who think they are God’s gift to creation and we should be grateful to be in their acquaintance. They are unaware of their condition and cannot be told anything about their pride and arrogance, because they are above the fray in their own mind … a rather lofty place to reside and a very high place to fall from when their arrogance is revealed. 

            Think about your own situation. Look at yourself. Check your heart. Do you have a haughty spirit? Do you think of yourself as better than anyone else? If you do or even think you might, ask God to purge it from you so that you may be pleasing in His sight. Being pleasing in the sight of the world may get you somewhere this side of heaven, but your accomplishments will hold no eternal value. Any rewards you receive here will be valueless in heaven. It’s like paying $10,000 for what you think is a real diamond ring, only to find out it is fake; nothing more than shiny glass. 

            Find out from scripture what God expects from you.  And remember, God’s motives are pure; he always has the greatest benefit in mind for his children. Until next, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible; The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

A MATTER OF THE HEART

Jeremiah 17:9-10 New Living Translation

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

            From birth we have a propensity to sin. Even when we reach adulthood, if given a choice, we will lean toward that which seems easiest or the most pleasant of the choices before us. God is set aside far to readily, leaving his counsel unheeded. God makes it very clear that our sin comes from the deepest recesses of our heart. All that we feed our mind trickles down into our heart and has a pronounced impact on where we go and what we do in life.

            No matter what happens in our lives we can be sure God knows about it. There is no place to hide from him; no place to go that is void of his presence. This should not be a threat to us unless we sin and have no interest in stopping. Our rejecting of his free gift of forgiveness shines a spotlight on our supreme ignorance regarding what is good for us and what is not. So many feel that walking with God is restrictive and will rob them of all the pleasantries this world has to offer. But like a unripe banana that after a few short days becomes overripe and inedible, so the things of this world become unpalatable to us over time.

Only God knows what is best for us. He knows our deepest desires and wishes to oblige us, but we turn away, not wanting to be bound by things we don’t understand.

            Bare your soul to God. Lay your life before him. Allow the Holy Spirit to do a wonderful work in you. Living for God is not what some think it to be, but the choice is up to you. For believers, do regular assessments of your relationship with Christ. Are you at the place you ought to be? We all have things we can work on to become a little more like Christ. This is not a hardness or burden, but an eye opening event in our lives where we suddenly realize something we didn’t know about our God and what it means to willingly serve him. Don’t hide behind your faith, declaring that you know God and that is enough. It is never enough as long as we walk this earth. It is a joy to grow in the things of God for it allows you to be a blessing to those around you a little bit more each day. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.