What Message Are You Giving Your Children?

What Message Are You Giving Your Children?

Children receive a lot of advice and messages from many, many sources. At school, at clubs, at recreational  activities, and from friends just to name a few. Satan is a deceiver and he will use anyone and anything to deceive your children.

2 John 1:7-9  NKJV   “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever trangresses abd does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

     Children must be encouraged to read God’s Word for themselves. In order to overcome all the false messages that they are bombarded with they must know God’s Word. When children are armed with the truth they can guard against and reject the things that go against God and His Word.

Wholeness Through Worship

   

Memory Verse: Luke 17:18

Life Application: We need to give God the glory for the things that He does for us.
Jesus And The Lepers

Luke 17:11-19  NKJV     “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers who stood afar off.”

     As Jesus was traveling, ten lepers saw Jesus off in the distance. The recognized Him and they called out to Him. They wanted Jesus to heal them.

Luke 17:13  NKJV     “And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ ”

     When Jesus  saw ten lepers off in the distance, He gave them a command.

Luke 17:14  NKJV     “So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.”

Go To The Priest

Jesus told the lepers to go to the priest. Only a priest could declare that a leper was clean (well). The priest would examine them and then begin the ritual for cleansing healed lepers.

Leviticus 14:1-9  NKJV     “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. And the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall examine him; and indeed, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, a cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose in the open field. He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean. After that he shall come into the camp, and stay outside his tent seven days. But on the seventh day he shall shave all the hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows- all his hair he shall shave off. He shall wash his clothes and wash his body in water, and he shall be clean.”

After the cleansing was complete then a wave offering and a trespass offering was to be given.

Leviticus 14:12-17  NKJV     “And the priest shall take one male lamb and offer it as a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. Then he shall kill the lamb in the place where he kills the sin offering and the burnt offering, in a holy place; for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy. The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own hand. Then the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD. And of the rest of the oil in his hand, the priest shall put some on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the trespass offering.”

     Once the trespass offering was made, atonement for the leper was made.

Leviticus 14:18  NKJV     “The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD.”

     A burnt offering was to be offered after the atonement was made.

Leviticus 14:20  NKJV     “And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.”

Jesus Is Our High Priest

Nine of the lepers saw Jesus as a prophet or a man who could perform miracles. But one recognized Jesus as someone much greater. As they walked away, all ten of the lepers were cleansed (healed).

Luke 17:15-16  NKJV     “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.”

     All ten of the lepers called upon the Lord and all ten listened for His voice. All ten had captured the attention of Jesus. But only one returned to Him (his and our High Priest) and gave thanks and worshipped Him. Only one had seen Jesus through spiritual eyes. Only one had ministered to Jesus.

Luke 17:17-18  NKJV     “So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Where there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Made Whole

Instead of just being healed (cleansed from leprosy), the one leper (the one who ministered to the Lord) was made whole.

Luke 17:19  NKJV     “And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’ ”

     The one leper returned to Jesus to glorify the Lord. He gave thanks to the one responsible for his healing. Because he recognized Jesus for who He was and worshiped Him, he received an even greater blessing. He was made whole – every part of his body that he had lost to the disease (leprosy) was restored. When something is restored it is brought back to a former (normal) condition.

Restore: bring back, establish again, restore order, bring back to a former condition, bring back to a normal condition, give back, put back.

     Nine of the lepers went to the priest, one of the lepers went to the great high priest (Jesus). Nine went to participate in a ritual that pointed to the Messiah. One went to the Messiah, himself.

Just like the one leper, we should worship the Lord before we see the victory. We worship the Lord for who He is, not what He’s done. The one leper came back to worship Jesus before he was made whole (before restoration). When we worship the Lord and minister to Him for who he is (our High Priest) we too can be made whole. We too, can be restored. Everything that the enemy has tried to take from us can be returned (restored). We serve a God of restoration.

Review

1. According to Luke 17:11-19, how many lepers were there?

2. Did the lepers recognize Jesus?

3. What did the lepers want from Jesus?

4. What command did Jesus give to the lepers?

5. Who was the only person that could declare  a leper was clean (well)?

6. After the priest examined a healed leper, what was the ritual for cleaning healed lepers?

7. After the cleaning ritual, what offerings were to be made?

8.  Nine of the lepers saw Jesus as a  ______________ or a man who could perform miracles.

9. . As they walked away, all ten of the lepers were _________________(healed).

10. Only one leper returned to Jesus  and gave ________________ and worshipped Him.

11.  Instead of just being healed the one leper was made _____________.

12. Every part of the one leper’s body that he had lost to the disease  was ______________.

13. Who is our High Priest?

14. We should worship the Lord _____________ we see the victory.

15. We worship the Lord for ________  _____  _____, not what He’s done.

16. Everything that the ______________ has tried to take from us can be returned.

17. We serve a God of _________________.

Birthing A Desire For The Presence Of The Lord

    Birthing A Desire For The Presence Of The Lord

Memory Verse : John 4:23 

Life Application: God has a remnant of true worshippers.

 
I. Intimacy With God

Man was created to have intimacy with God. God desires for us to be devoted to Him.

Deuteronomy 6:5  NKJV     “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 30:6  NKJV     “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”

     We were created to worship and minister unto God. He desires for us to have a personal relationship with Him. When we have an intimate relationship with God, we will reflect the light of Jesus Christ.

Luke 1:35  NKJV     “And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

     Just as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and placed a “seed” within her, He is overshadowing a remnant and placing within them a “seed” for spiritual awakening. A desire for a deeper intimacy with God has been placed within. A desire for the manifest presence of God (the glory of the Lord) is growing within them.

Isaiah 60:1-2  NKJV     “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”

II. The Glory Of The Lord – God’s Manifest Presence

As the days of this earth draw to a close, we are instructed to draw closer and closer to God. He desires for us to be surrounded with His glory- His manifest presence. He desires for us to have a greater intimacy with Him, because He loves us so much. The glory of the Lord will be our defense. Our intimacy with God and our worship to Him will be our only shield (protection / strength) from the things that are going to usher in the end-times.

Hebrews 10:25  NKJV     “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

     There was great persecution in the early church, and there will be great persecution at the end of the church age. The early church grew and prospered despite great persecution and opposition because the glory of the Lord was upon them. They experienced the power of the “breaking of the bread” and corporate worship. They were truly in love with God.

II. God’s Remnant

One definition of remnant is a small isolated group of people. God has a group of people that have been like Mary. They have sat at His feet and worshipped Him. God has a remnant, of true worshippers.

Isaiah 1:8-9  NKJV     “So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a hut in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

Isaiah 10:21-23  NKJV     “The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty  God. For though your people, O Israel, be as the sands of the sea, a remnant of them will return; the destruction decree shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord God of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land.”

Ezekiel 6:8  NKJV     “Yet I will have a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries.”

     No matter how bleak or bad things seems, God always has a remnant. Even in the driest, most desolate places God has a remnant.

Jeremiah 15:11  NKJV     “The Lord said: Surely it will be well with your remnant; surely I will cause the enemy to intercede with you in the time of adversity and in the time of affliction.”

IV. Worshipers Should Produce Worshipers

God’s remnant is called to be fruitful and increase. In the natural realm fruitfulness and increase comes through reproduction. God desires His remnant of worshipers to produce other worshipers. You produce what you are.

Jeremiah 23:3-4  NKJV     “But I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to the folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.”

     Pregnancy (reproduction) causes changes in the natural and in the spiritual realm. There will be a change in appetite, nutritional needs, and activities. There will also be an increase of danger.

V.  A True Worshiper’s  Appetite Should Be Different

The things that you use to desire are no more. The things that gave you pleasure before no longer do. You have new cravings and desires. The remnant is hungry for the things of God. Their appetite for holiness can’t be quenched. They become hungrier for the glory of the Lord. Worldly pleasures hold no attraction for them. Just as a woman who is physically pregnant plans most of her activities around the expectant birth and new addition, so does that of true worshipers. The remnant of true worshippers’ life style is one of love, worship and devotion to God. It should be their goal to reproduce what they are. Their activities should be planned with the goal in mind.

VI.  True Worshipers Have Different Nutritional Needs

When an woman is pregnant they have different nutritional needs. Their body cannot get enough milk- their body needs more and more nourishment, including an increase of milk. When God is trying to “birth” desperation for worshipping Him through you, you need more spiritual nourishment.

God’s remnant can’t get enough of the Word. Shallow sermons and sermons designed to tickle the ear leave them hungry and wanting. Only the meat (fatness) of the Word will satisfy them.

Isaiah 55:2     “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

Isaiah 55:1-2  NKJV     “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

      God’s remnant hungers and thirst after righteousness.

Matthew 5:6  NKJV     “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

VII.  Activities Are Different For True Worshipers

When a woman is pregnant there will be a change in their activities. Their activities are different. If they are not, they should be. They are carrying something precious inside of them. They must take precautions to protect the new life growing inside of them.

So it is with the remnant also. Their activities should be different than the rest of the world. They should allow the Holy Spirit to guide them concerning their activities. The Holy Spirit is their teacher.

John 16:13  NKJV     “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

     We could also say that the Holy Spirit is their “birthing coach.”

VIII. True Worshipers Should Be Aware Of Dangers

When a woman is pregnant there is an increase of danger to their body. Sometimes in the early stages of pregnancy, a woman will not realize that she is pregnant. There is danger in not knowing that you are pregnant. Your dangerous lifestyle might not change, or you might not receive the proper nourishment that your baby needs in the early stages of development. You might not seek the attention and care of a physician, thus jeopardizing your life and that of the unborn.

There is danger when the remnant of true worshippers don’t know that they are pregnant. When God’s worshippers are oblivious to the fact that they are  to “birth” a desperation for God into the body of Christ the church is in trouble. When we don’t seek the attention of the Great Physician we are jeopardizing our life, the life of the body, and the unborn spiritual awakening. Satan looks for every opportunity to abort the birth of desperation for God.

Joel 2:32  NKJV     “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”

     Now is the time for the remnant of true worshippers to call out to God like never before.

IX. True Worshipers Must Listen To The Holy Spirit

We need to listen close for the Holy Spirit to say, “PUSH!” As a woman goes into labor, she will begin to feel her muscles contract. She must work with her muscles and push at the right time. She should not try to hold the baby back because it could cause damage or even death to the unborn baby. When the Holy Spirit is telling us to push (to birth) what has been placed in us, we must work with Him. We must be obedient. If we try to “hold in” or “hold on to” what God has placed in us we can kill it. The remnant of true worshippers is “pregnant” with a desperation to worship the Living God. They long to look upon the face of their Bridegroom. They long to feel His embrace, and to smell His fragrance. The remnant of true worshippers is lovesick and pregnant. We long for His presence because of who He is! Now is the time for the true worshippers to rise up and cry out to God. God is looking for a people that will worship Him in Spirit and  in truth.

John 4:23  NKJV     “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”

     If a natural family doesn’t birth new life, the family will die out. So it is with the church. If the remnant doesn’t birth a desire (desperation) for intimacy with God it will die out. The church will cease to be what God desires. Religion will replace intimacy.

Matthew 16:6  NKJV     “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take head and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ ”

     What was the sin (leaven) of the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Just like the Hebrews that left Egypt, they had replaced a personal relationship with the Living God to just knowing about Him. God’s number one reason for bringing them out of bondage was so they could worship Him. He longed to have an intimate relationship with each of them. He desired for all the people, not just the tribe of Levi, to minister unto Him. He longed for His glory to overshadow each of them personally. When religion replaces intimacy we will raise up a generation that knows all about Jesus, but does not know Jesus personally.

Matthew 7:23  NKJV     “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

     Religion kept the Israelites in bondage to the world (and sin), thus they never saw the promised land. The people never experienced the manifest presence of God on a personal level. God has entrusted His remnant to birth a desperation for Him.

As a remnant we need to:

a) Be aware of the appetite that God has put within us.

b) Receive the proper nourishment.

c) Line our activities up with the Holy Spirit.

Review

1. Man was created to have _________________ with God.

2. We were created to __________________ and ___________________ unto God.

3. When we have an intimate relationship with God, we will _______________   ______   ___________  of Jesus Christ.

4. We are instructed to draw closer and closer to God as the days of this earth draw to a ____________,

5. When the Bible refers to the “glory of the Lord”, what does that mean?

6. What does manifest mean?

7. As the world becomes more and more evil, the glory of the Lord will be our ______________.

8. Our intimacy __________ God and our worship _______ Him will be our only shield (protection / strength) from the things that are going to usher in the end-times.

9. What does forsake mean?

10. What does Hebrews 10:25 mean?

11. The early church grew and prospered despite great ______________________ and opposition.

12. What is the definition of remnant?

13. What has God’s remnant been doing?

14. According to Isaiah 1:8-9 , what would have happened if God had not had a remnant?

15. According to Ezekiel 6:8, what was the purpose of the remnant?

16. According to Jeremiah 23:3-4, what has God’s remnant been called to do?

17. In the natural realm fruitfulness and increase comes through _____________________________.

18. You produce what you __________.

19. Our appetite should be different. What does appetite mean?

20. As a Christian, the sinful things that gave us ________________ before, should  no longer be a desire.

21. Worldly pleasures must not be anoverwhelming  _____________________ for God’s remnant.

22. What does attraction mean?

22. The remnant of true worshippers’ life style is one of _________, _______________ and __________________ to God.

23. God’s remnant can’t get enough of the __________.

24. God’s remnant hungers and thirst after _________________________.

25 The activities of God’s remnant should be _________________ than the rest of the world.

26. God’s remnant should allow the Holy Spirit to guide them concerning their __________________.

27. According to John 16:13, what is the Holy Spirit?

28. When God’s worshippers are oblivious to the fact that they are  to “birth” a desperation for God into the body of Christ the church is in ______________.

29.  According to Joel 2:32, when the remnant calls upon God, what will happen?

30.According to John 4:23, what is God looking (seeking) for?

31. Read Matthew 16:6. What was the sin (leaven) of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?

32.  When religion _________________ intimacy we will raise up a generation that knows all about Jesus, but does not know Jesus personally.

33. Religion kept the Israelites in ________________ to the world (and sin), thus they never saw the promised land.

Tabitha (Dorcas)

Tabitha (Dorcas)

Memory Verse: Acts 9:42 

Life Application: Miracles can cause people to believe on the Lord.

 

Acts 9:36-42  NKJV     “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.”

     A disciple named Tabitha lived in Joppa. Some people called her Dorcas. This woman done many good works and charitable deeds . One day she became sick and died. She was washed then laid in an upper room.

Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples heard that Peter was there, so they sent two men to him, asking him to come to them. When Peter arrived they took him to the upper room where they had place Tabitha‘s body. Many widows stood by him crying and showing the garments that Tabitha had made for them.  Peter sent all the people out of the room, then he knelt down and prayed. He said, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Peter helped her up.  News of Tabitha’s healing became known throughout all Joppa, and many people believed on the Lord because of what had happened.

 

Review

1. A ________________ named Tabitha (Dorcas) lived in Joppa.

2. This woman done many ________ works and charitable deeds.

3. One day she became sick and ________.

4. The disciples heard that __________ was near, so they sent two men to him, asking him to come to them.

5. When Peter arrived they took him to the upper ________ where they had place Tabitha‘s body.

6. Many widows stood by him crying and showing the garments that Tabitha had ________ for them.

7. Peter sent all the people out of the room, then he knelt down and ____________.

8. Peter said, “Tabitha, __________.”

9. Tabitha opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she ______ up.

10. News of Tabitha’s healing became __________ throughout all Joppa.

11. Many people believed on the ________ because of what had happened.

Let Us Grow In Sensitivity

Let Us Grow In Sensitivity

Sensitivity is being quick to feel other’s hurts, notice their needs, or appreciate their worth. When we are sensitive we will receive impressions easily. We will be more aware of those around us. In order to do what God expects of us we must be sensitive to the needs ( burdens) of others.

Galatians 6:2  NKJV    “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Let Us Grow In Reverence

   Let Us Grow In Reverence

Reverence is a feeling of great love and respect for God and His Word.

 

Psalm 89:7  NKJV    “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,

And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”

       God is a holy God and the only way to approach Him is in the fear of the Lord (reverence, respect).

 

Proverbs 9:10  NKJV    “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Hebrews 12:28  NKJV    “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Let Us Grow In Restoration

    Let Us Grow In Restoration

We serve a God of restoration. Restoration is a restoring or establishing again. It is a bringing back to a former condition

Joel 2:25-27  NKJV    “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

The crawling locust,

The consuming locust,

And the chewing locust,

My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied; And praise the name of the Lord your God,

Who has dealt wondrously with you;

And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel;

I am the Lord your God

And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”

       Restoration follows true repentance. God can restore people to usefulness in spite of their past disobediences, however this does not mean that the consequences of the sin are removed. When we sin and then ask God to forgive us He will forgive us the penalty of our sin, but we will still reap the  consequences of the sin in our life. Our sin does not just effect us, it effects others.

We are called to restore the saved and the unsaved to a right relationship with God. We are to be a restorer.

Galatians 6:1  NKJV    “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

     During the time of Jesus the “older brother” had many responsibilities. One of which was to restore a sibling into a right relationship with their parent. In the parable of the prodigal son the older brother did not fulfill his responsibilities. Not before his brother left home and not after his brother came back home.

Let Us Grow In Purity

Let Us Grow In Purity

Purity is being clean inside and seeking to keep myself away from wrongdoing. Purity of heart brings blessings.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV    “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

      Christians are to be an example of purity. The dictionary defines purity as freedom from contaminants, the absence of anything inferior or unwanted,  innocence, or virtuous (moral integrity). An example is a person or thing to be imitated; model; pattern. We are to be a pattern or model of purity for the world to see and imitate. Not only are we to be an example to the world, we must be an example of purity to other Christians. Each of us must take heed to the ministry that God has called us to and be an example of Christ like purity. We must set ourselves away from all wrongdoing (words and actions).

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV    “Let no one despise you your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

      We should desire and practice purity. Purity must be developed early in our Christian walk if we are to be an effective witness for Christ. We are not to allow the world to spoil our purity or to set the standards for our purity. God has never changed His mind about purity – it is very important to Him. God does not desire for us to be contaminated with the things of the world.

Titus 1:15-16  NKJV    “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

      As Christians we are to keep ourselves pure. Our actions and words should bring glory to God, build up His kingdom and strengthen the body of Christ.

1 John 3:3  NKJV    “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

      Jesus is morally pure. If we desire to be like Him we too must strive to be pure also.

Let Us Grow In Generosity

Let Us Grow In Generosity

Generosity is giving of myself and what I have with a willing and joyful heart. God promises blessings to those who are generous. Wealth is given so that it can be shared. We are not to be greedy or selfish with what God gives us.

Proverbs 11:25  NKJV    “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8  NKJV    “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

      Giving is like planting seeds. The more you give (sow) they greater your harvest (blessings). God will see to it that the person who is generous will not go without. They will always have what they need. When people observe the needs of others and act upon what they see, they will be blessed.

Proverbs 22:9  NKJV    “He who has a generous eye will be blessed,

For he gives of his bread to the poor.”

Let Us Grow In Consistency

     Let Us Grow In Consistency

     Consistency is continuing to do right, even when it is difficult. It is also keeping the same principles, agreement or harmony.

Romans 11:22  NKJV    “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

      We are to continue in the ways of God and not to turn back to our old sinful way of life.

Colossians 1:21-23  NKJV    “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul became a minister.”

      We must be in harmony with God – we are to be in agreement with Him and have the same principles. We must do right even when it is difficult or seems impossible.