Gardening

When there is pruning, the Gardener is nearby. – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. – John 15:1,2 KJB

Fear of God

Joshua 24:14; Ecclesiastes 12:13; I Peter 2:17

There are those that have a serious problem with fearing the Lord. There are those that are lost and have no fear of God. There are those that say they are saved and have no fear of God. There are those that are lost and have seen the mighty hand of God working in peoples lives and they have not fear of God. Moses was dealing with Pharoah about releasing God’s people and some of the greatest miracles man has ever seen were brought to bear on Pharoah and his people. Here is what Moses said about Pharaohs hardened heart. Exodus 9:30; “But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Notice the benefits these scriptures tell us of fearing the Lord.

Psa_22:23  Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Psa_33:8  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa_34:9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Psa_115:11  Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psa_115:13  He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

Psa_118:4  Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa_135:20  Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Pro_3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Ecclesiastes tells us a thing or two about no fear of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

We are told explicitly to fear God. We have Peter instructing us in I Peter 2:17; “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We have plenty of excuses today for our actions. We use a statement, “God looks at the heart, God knows my heart, or don’t be so legalistic.” Some do not like to think that God expects any more than salvation. We are clearly told that we are a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1. We are told in Ephesians that we become new creatures, that old things are passed away, behold all things become new. When we have been saved, Our way of thinking changes, Our way of talking changes, Our way of living changes. There are many that claim to be saved that continue to curse, think wrong thoughts and live a way that does not show fear of the Lord. Those that are trying to do their best to live in a way that honors God are called legalistic. What a shame that that those want to live like Christ are maligned by others. May we fear God and live as much like Christ as possible. May we give our best to the Master.

Brain

The mid-life brain is a wonderful organ; it starts the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office.

WHAT DID THIS HOST OF NAMED FOLKS DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

William Andrew Dillard
It gives one pause to think that some of the grandest deeds mentioned in the Bible do not carry with them proper names of those who did them. On the other hand, a number of proper names are given without much if any detail of what they did except in a general way. Could it possibly be that such is another way of underscoring that any worthwhile thing done in the sight of God is actually attributable to God rather than the human instrument? Could it also be that the mention of many proper names without detail of what they did is another way of the Bible underscoring the importance of the individual being dedicated to God, and to the things of God so that they forever share in the blessings of dedicated discipleship?
Truly, one cannot be held responsible for living in a day of smaller things. But every person in every age is accountable to God for how he is faithful in that to which he has access.
It is in this line of thought that the following host of proper names are brought forth for consideration.
Gaius, Erastus, Quartus, Tertius, Sosipater, Jason, Lucius, Timotheus, Olympas, Nereus, Julia, Philologus, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Phlegon, Asyncritus, Rufus, Persis, Tryphosa, Tryphena, Harcissus, Herodion, Aristobulus, Apelles, Stachys, Urbane, Amplias, Junia, Andronicus, Mary, Epaenetus, Aquila, Priscilla, and Phebe.
Aside from being somewhat difficult to pronounce, most of them are also foreign to a great many Bible readers. But there they are, penned into the eternal Word of God. They are noted specifically as being helpers or blessings in other forms to the apostle Paul. This may be found in Romans 16. Moreover, the brief paragraph of names is far from inclusive of all whose names may be found in the divine sixty-six books.
However, that these are there shouts loudly to all of God’s people of covenant down through the age of names that are not known to us, but names that are well known to God. The role of their kind has swollen the magnificent books of life, and nothing could be more humbly rewarding than that names of modern saints should continue to swell those pages.
To believe what God has said, and to walk within the constraints of that belief is of far greater value than most people realize. The host of folks that ran through the mind of the apostle Paul as he neared the finish line of his course brought him thankfulness and joy. They blessed the apostle, and they were a blessing to one another in the sweet fellowship of God’s work, and folks, that is so right!

A Gift

Today is a gift . . . That’s why it is called “the present.”

‘Is there not an appointed tome to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?” Job 7:1 KJB

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Eph 5:16 KJB

Death

Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church.

Rev_2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Faith

FAITH

Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6

How often we hear, “have faith.” How infrequently we demonstrate our faith. Faith is the first step to salvation, a relationship with Jesus. We find that “. . . faith cometh by hearing.” God has provided for the hearing of the word by building His church during His time here on earth. Therefore we have this instruction, “ . . . and hearing by the word of God.” This publishes the importance of hearing the word of God. That means attendance to the Lord’s church. Yet we must be sure that what is preached from the pulpit is the word of God. That demands that we carry the word of God and follow the scriptures that are used. Here is that scripture; “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 KJB

We have faith as a basis for salvation. Without faith there is no salvation. With our faith, God gives us a free gift of forgiveness of sin. Salvation is completely dependant upon the grace of God. His grace has provide a means to establish a relationship. When we have faith we can be saved and become a child of God. Here is the scripture; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8 KJB

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 KJB Do you believe in God?If you do believe in God, do you want to please God? That means you must exercise your faith in God. Be saved and then through hearing the word, increase our faith. The more time we spend in the word and hearing the word, the more our faith will increase. My prayer, Lord increase my faith.

Have a Nap

Daily Prayer

Daily prayer diminishes your cares.

Joh_17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

It’s too late when – you know all the answers, but nobody ask you the question.

Doubt

Matthew 14:31; Mark 4:40; Luke 24;25

Here is a time that many people, those faithful and those not faithful, remember and refer to Peter walking on the water. He has just finished seeing Jesus take 2 fish and 5 biscuits and feed a multitude. He has also seen the healing and miracles performed by Jesus. He now sees an apparition in the midst of the storm that was threatening the ship that he was in. Peter experiences fear. We are told that the disciples cried out with fear. They knew that no ordinary man could walk on water. Jesus replied, “Be of Good cheer; it is I, be not afraid.” We have fear and doubt. There is a difference between fear and doubt. Doubt is a lack of trust. Peter replied, “if it is you bid me come to you on the water, Jesus said, come.” In faith and without doubt, Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. When he realized what was happening, he started to doubt. Doubt defeats. Jesus said to Peter, “wherefore didst thou doubt? Notice the lack of trust in Jesus expressed on the circumstances.

Fear can bring doubt. Our relationship is built on faith. We are saved through faith. Notice that statement. We are saved by faith and become a “new man in Christ.” Then we are to step out in faith trusting the Lord to lead us. There are times that we are like Peter and exhibit exuberance and plunge in and follow. Then we realize we have never done this before and fear starts to set in. That is when we start to doubt. When Peter realized he had never walked on water before, he experienced fear and started to doubt Jesus. Jesus said in Mark, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

Jesus then says to them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:” We have all we need to serve the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Why do we hesitate? Do we experience fear in our lives as we try to serve the Lord? Does that bring us to doubt the Lord and His ability to keep us, guide us and protect us? Does fear bring doubt in witnessing to others? Luke 12:5 leaves us with the idea we should only fear God. 2Ti_1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1Jn_4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.