Doers of the Word
Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres,and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in all he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows n their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. [2 James 1:19-27]
Love For One Another
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed [then,] brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love was that He [Jesus] laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. [1 John 3:11-18]
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,for you also are in the body. [Hebrews 13:1-3]
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything that I own, and hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-10 and 12-13]
Christian Conduct
Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called that you might inherit a blessing. For:
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."[1 Peter 3: 8-12]
Entry for: Day 26
God's Love and Christian Life
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us [by the gift of his only Son, Jesus Christ].God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. [1 John 4:7-13, 16-21]
Inheritance through the Spirit
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory. [Ephesians 1:11-14]
One in Christ
Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh ... were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in the place of two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.[Ephesians 2:11-22]
Unity of the Body
I then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [Ephesians 4: 1-6]
[The encouraging words of Paul to Timothy regarding his call to witness for God apply to each of us, brothers one and all, even today:]
"He saved us and called us to holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began...". [2 Timothy 1:9]
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Day 24
[About the Writings of the Bible]
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture [the Bible] that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather from human beings [who] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. [2 Peter 1:20-21]
Apostolic Witness
We [the disciples] did not follow cleverly deceived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while were with him [Jesus] on the holy mountain. [ 2 Peter 1:16-19]
False Teachers Denounced
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings, whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, suffering wrong as payment for wrong doing. [2 Peter 2:11-13]
Warning Against False Doctrine
I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith. The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the of the law, but without understanding neither what they are saying nor what they assert with such assurance. [1 Timothy 1:3-7]
Testing the Spirits
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us [scriptures (of the Bible)], while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. [1 John 4:1-6]
Warning Against Useless Disputes
Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription "The Lord knows who are his"; and"Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them [Bible study note:teachers of false doctrine] repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare where they are entrapped by him, for his will. [2 Timothy 2:14-14, 19 & 23-26]
Confession and Intercession
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three hundred years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Conversion of Sinners
My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:16-20]
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture [the Bible] that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather from human beings [who] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. [2 Peter 1:20-21]
Apostolic Witness
We [the disciples] did not follow cleverly deceived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while were with him [Jesus] on the holy mountain. [ 2 Peter 1:16-19]
False Teachers Denounced
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings, whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, suffering wrong as payment for wrong doing. [2 Peter 2:11-13]
Warning Against False Doctrine
I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith. The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the of the law, but without understanding neither what they are saying nor what they assert with such assurance. [1 Timothy 1:3-7]
Testing the Spirits
Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us [scriptures (of the Bible)], while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. [1 John 4:1-6]
Warning Against Useless Disputes
Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription "The Lord knows who are his"; and"Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."
So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them [Bible study note:teachers of false doctrine] repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare where they are entrapped by him, for his will. [2 Timothy 2:14-14, 19 & 23-26]
Confession and Intercession
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three hundred years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Conversion of Sinners
My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:16-20]
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Day 23, Bear Your Trials as Discipline ...
Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards. Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen you drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet ... Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. [Hebrews: 12 7-13]
God Bless All. Amen.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Day 22, A Message of Hope and Encouragement for a Country in Need
peaceifwepray@gmail.com
Things have been busy and hectic here. Such is life for all at times. Anyway, as I prayed this evening/early morning: I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer -- as I was physically and mentally tired. I said a few words of prayer and then allowed my Bible to open to the page that it would -- at random ... led by the Holy Spirit.
These are the words that I found and I feel as if these words are words of encouragement, meant for those in a country with much need and need for encouragement at this time (Iraq):
"And take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work! For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt, And my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear!
For thus says the Lord of hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth,the sea and the dry land. I will shake the nations, and the treasure of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.
Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts; And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts." [Haggai 2:4-9]
The Lords Peace Be With Each and Every One of You. Amen.
Things have been busy and hectic here. Such is life for all at times. Anyway, as I prayed this evening/early morning: I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer -- as I was physically and mentally tired. I said a few words of prayer and then allowed my Bible to open to the page that it would -- at random ... led by the Holy Spirit.
These are the words that I found and I feel as if these words are words of encouragement, meant for those in a country with much need and need for encouragement at this time (Iraq):
"And take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work! For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt, And my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear!
For thus says the Lord of hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth,the sea and the dry land. I will shake the nations, and the treasure of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.
Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts; And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts." [Haggai 2:4-9]
The Lords Peace Be With Each and Every One of You. Amen.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Days 18-21, Still Praying!
We are still praying! No new insights, or points of interest to share. Let me know if you have any and thank you for your continued prayers. God Bless!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Day 17, Jesus Prays for All Believers
peaceifwepray@gmail.com
Jesus speaks to a Samaritan Woman [John 4:21-24]
"Believe me, woman an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Your people worship what you do not understand, while we understand what we worship; after all, salvation is from the Jews. Yet an hour is coming, and is already here, when authentic worshipers will worship the Father is Spirit and truth. Indeed, it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."
Jesus Prayer For All Believers (before he is arrested) [John 17:20-26]
"I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word, that all may be one as you, Father are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be [one] in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me that they may be one, as we are one -- I living in them, you living in me -- that their unity may be complete. So shall the world know that you sent me, and that you loved them as you loved me.
Father, all those you gave me I would have in my company where I am, to see this glory of mine which is your gift to me, because of the love you bore me before the world began. Just Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these men have known that you sent me. To them I have revealed your name, and I will continue to reveal it so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them."
Please continue your prayer efforts. I do feel that we are making an impact. God Bless you and yours!
Jesus speaks to a Samaritan Woman [John 4:21-24]
"Believe me, woman an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Your people worship what you do not understand, while we understand what we worship; after all, salvation is from the Jews. Yet an hour is coming, and is already here, when authentic worshipers will worship the Father is Spirit and truth. Indeed, it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."
Jesus Prayer For All Believers (before he is arrested) [John 17:20-26]
"I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word, that all may be one as you, Father are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be [one] in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me that they may be one, as we are one -- I living in them, you living in me -- that their unity may be complete. So shall the world know that you sent me, and that you loved them as you loved me.
Father, all those you gave me I would have in my company where I am, to see this glory of mine which is your gift to me, because of the love you bore me before the world began. Just Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these men have known that you sent me. To them I have revealed your name, and I will continue to reveal it so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them."
Please continue your prayer efforts. I do feel that we are making an impact. God Bless you and yours!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Day 16
We are still praying! Your prayers and reflections are greatly appreciated. I have faith that they are making a difference.
In light of a news story this morning saying that children were left in a car as a diversion before a car bomb exploded in that car: I will pray more earnestly for protection of the innocent against these sorts of violence. I had been praying for the safety of pilgrims making their religious pilgrimages and for a cessation of violence against them.
Keep praying! God Bless!
In light of a news story this morning saying that children were left in a car as a diversion before a car bomb exploded in that car: I will pray more earnestly for protection of the innocent against these sorts of violence. I had been praying for the safety of pilgrims making their religious pilgrimages and for a cessation of violence against them.
Keep praying! God Bless!
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