Hebrews 11:6 and Eph. 1:15-23 Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. -Hebrews 11:6.

Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, 16 I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.  
19 I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. 22 And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.
NLT

New Teaching: Do we listen, Do we hear, Do we see what the Lord is Telling us?

July 18, 2012: Do we listen, Do we hear, Do we see what the Lord is telling us?

How many of us as Christians (or those who claim to be Christians) hear and see what the Lord is showing and telling us? How many of us heed His warnings to us and the world? How many of us see what is going on in the world (such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and record heat waves) and blame it on what the world calls “global warming.” Are we blind to what the Lord is telling us? Do many of us choose to ignore or block out the Lord’s cries to us, to the world? Does even most of the church ignore His cries?

Sadly, the answer to the questions above is yes, we don’t hear the Lord’s grief and distress; we don’t see or hear his broken heart because we do not hear, see, or listen to what He is lovingly trying to tell us or show us. This was apparent in 9-11 and in many other warnings that the Lord has sent to us and we ignore at our own peril and that is not counting what the scriptures tell us. Oh yes, we as a nation and the church joined together for a very short time then we forgot about it. What would it take to wake up the church and this nation, this world? How quickly we go back to worldly ways!

Do you think that the Lord God will be mocked? I can tell you right now that the Lord will not be mocked! The Gospel tells us in Galatians 6:7 ASV “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall reap.”   Does anyone but a few believers know that when this nation (or any other nation) does something against God’s chosen people (Israel) that we will and have suffered the consequences for it? Every time we have taken an action against Israel this nation (and the unbelieving churches) have has some kind of consequence as a result of the action taken against Israel or by us ignoring God’s word. You do not have to believe me all you have to do is look at recent history.

Just look at the history since Israel once again became a nation on May 14, 1948 at midnight (and for a little historical biblical background this was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:24 NIV” For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.”). As I was saying just check the recent history, for example when this nation first started to appease the Palestinians to break up parts of Israel to give land to them by mostly forcing Israel to sign into a so called treaty or treaties that the Palestinians (or their government which is made up of mostly terrorists) had or have no intention of honoring and even up to the present day and what this nation is still doing now to force Israel to give in to the Palestinians.

Every time that this nation has made a move to force Israel to give up land something has happened to this nation (such as financial, weather related, and so on) every time the day we supported some United Nations move or we “suggested” that Israel give up something either that day or up to a week or a little longer depending when we for sure supported a move to take something away from Israel some calamity happened to this nation or to some other nation that made a move against God’s chosen. A good example is when the nation of Japan ( a nation of false gods) in the United Nations made a demand of Israel to go back to 1967 borders ( a move our own President first suggested!), hours after that Japan had the earthquakes and the tsunamis which in turn caused the nuclear calamity with their reactor plants. I suggest to you this is not coincidence. What does the Gospel say about Israel?

Numbers 24: 9 NLT states; “Like a lion, Israel couches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”

Genesis 12:3 NLT states; “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.”

Genesis 27:29 NLT states; May many nations become your servants. May you be the master of your brothers. May all your mother’s sons bow low before you. All who curse you are cursed, and all who bless you are blessed.”

 Is it too late for us, the church, the nation, the world? I pray not. Prayer and repentance can change things. It can change things for the church, individuals, and nations. We do have hope; we need to become a righteous people and church in God’s eyes without spot. We as believers can save our families and the church; but be warned those churches that are preaching false doctrines will be disciplined and the Pastor, Minister, or Prophet who is supposed to be ministering God’s word to the congregation and instead is preaching false teachings and doctrines, you are held more responsible then all of us. How are you going to justify to God what you did? It cannot be justified! You will surly suffer in hell. Let us look into what the Gospel teaches us about false teachers.

2 Peter 2: 1-3 NLT

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.”

2 Peter 2: 12-14

“These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, who are born to be caught and killed. They laugh at the terrifying powers they know so little about, and they will be destroyed along with them. 13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They revel in deceitfulness, while they feast with you. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their lust is never satisfied. They make a game of luring unstable people into sin. They train themselves to be greedy; they are doomed and cursed.”

2 Peter 2: 17-19

“These people are as useless as dried up springs of water or as clouds blown away by the wind—promising much and delivering nothing. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”

The Lord is coming soon; no one knows the time or the date. He will come in His time not our time. Many of the signs of His coming are present, many prophesy’s in the gospel has come into being and we still have more that has yet to come into play. We have to become immersed in the Good Word and listen to what God is telling us. God’s word is a living word shaper than a two edged sword.   

This is not just about Israel or global warming; this is about us as people, the church, our countries, our families, our children and much more. We need to wake up and as they say “smell the roses.” Our Lord and Savior is clearly sending us warnings and crying out to us, He does not want even one of us to be lost. Our Father loves us; after all He sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins. We must pull the binders away from our eyes, our ears, and our hearts. We have to stop listening to what the world and Satan is telling us. We must tear away the veils of deception that are around us, our countries, and the church. We must get back into the one true Gospel and not listen to the false doctrines that are being taught. We must get away from the “manmade” church and manmade church rules. We must read the Gospel as God had it written and not as many different interpretations as there are different denominations. Get back into the word and get into your prayer closet, pray and call out to God and then become silent and listen for that still small voice and be obedient to God. The church needs to wake up or it will be shook up by God, for God will cleanse His Church.

Wake up Church! God is knocking, can you hear Him calling?        

What does AMEN stand for?

Perhaps we do not realize it, but every time we say, “Amen” to something, we are not only giving an emotional assent to what was said. Amen means more than “I agree.” It also means, “So be it.” In other words, don’t just talk about the truth, be it. Don’t just tell us the standard, attain it. Let’s not just enjoy the teaching, let’s live it. Let's not limit our Christianity to doctrines, let's actually be sons and daughters of the living God."

Someone shared this with me and I am passing it on to all of you. This is something we all need to know and think about and know what you are doing when you say "amen".

God is telling us, Do not lead others astray by your attitude.

See to it that no one be led astray by any attitude coming from your heart and mouth. You have been made holy. Listen to Me. Let Me keep you and protect you from those who would criticize your testimony.

Leviticus 20:26 (NIV) "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

Daily Devotional 1 Thessalonians 1:4 "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
1 Thessalonians 1:4

Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain your own election;--after the following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell Him that He has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him." Christ was at the everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in Him, and His answer will be--"I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about His having chosen you, when you have chosen Him.

"Sons we are through God's election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe."

Spurgeon's Devotional; Mark 16:9 Christ honours those who honour Him.

"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene."
Mark 16:9

Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene," probably not only on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but because, as the context intimates, she had been a special trophy of Christ's delivering power. Learn from this, that the greatness of our sin before conversion should not make us imagine that we may not be specially favoured with the very highest grade of fellowship. She was one who had left all to become a constant attendant on the Saviour. He was her first, her chief object. Many who were on Christ's side did not take up Christ's cross; she did. She spent her substance in relieving His wants. If we would see much of Christ, let us serve Him. Tell me who they are that sit oftenest under the banner of His love, and drink deepest draughts from the cup of communion, and I am sure they will be those who give most, who serve best, and who abide closest to the bleeding heart of their dear Lord. But notice how Christ revealed Himself to this sorrowing one--by a word, "Mary." It needed but one word in His voice, and at once she knew Him, and her heart owned allegiance by another word, her heart was too full to say more. That one word would naturally be the most fitting for the occasion. It implies obedience. She said, "Master." There is no state of mind in which this confession of allegiance will be too cold. No, when your spirit glows most with the heavenly fire, then you will say, "I am Thy servant, Thou hast loosed my bonds." If you can say, "Master," if you feel that His will is your will, then you stand in a happy, holy place. He must have said, "Mary," or else you could not have said, "Rabboni." See, then, from all this, how Christ honours those who honour Him, how love draws our Beloved, how it needs but one word of His to turn our weeping to rejoicing, how His presence makes the heart's sunshine.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotinal; Exodus 20:25 If thou lift up ty tool uponit, thou hast polluted it.

"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."
Exodus 20:25

God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional; Johah 4:9 Does it do you well to get angry?

"God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry?"
Jonah 4:9

Anger is not always or necessarily sinful, but it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its character, with this enquiry, "Doest thou well to be angry?" It may be that we can answer, "YES." Very frequently anger is the madman's firebrand, but sometimes it is Elijah's fire from heaven. We do well when we are angry with sin, because of the wrong which it commits against our good and gracious God; or with ourselves because we remain so foolish after so much divine instruction; or with others when the sole cause of anger is the evil which they do. He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it. Sin is a loathsome and hateful thing, and no renewed heart can patiently endure it. God himself is angry with the wicked every day, and it is written in His Word, "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil." Far more frequently it is to be feared that our anger is not commendable or even justifiable, and then we must answer, "NO." Why should we be fretful with children, passionate with servants, and wrathful with companions? Is such anger honourable to our Christian profession, or glorifying to God? Is it not the old evil heart seeking to gain dominion, and should we not resist it with all the might of our newborn nature. Many professors give way to temper as though it were useless to attempt resistance; but let the believer remember that he must be a conqueror in every point, or else he cannot be crowned. If we cannot control our tempers, what has grace done for us? Some one told Mr. Jay that grace was often grafted on a crab-stump. "Yes," said he, "but the fruit will not be crabs." We must not make natural infirmity an excuse for sin, but we must fly to the cross and pray the Lord to crucify our tempers, and renew us in gentleness and meekness after His own image.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional; The Three are One

We all need to read this one and take it to heart.

"Sanctified by God the Father."
Jude 1

"Sanctified in Christ Jesus."
1 Corinthians 1:2

"Through sanctification of the Spirit."
1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if He were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.

Eph 6-18 Put On The Whole Armor Of God

 Ephesians 6:18
The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.   16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.   17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
NLT

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional: Eph. 2:19; Fellow citizens with the Saints.

"Fellow citizens with the saints."
Ephesians 2:19

What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven's government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven's honours. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesu's righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven. As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in heaven that belongeth not to us. "Things present, or things to come," all are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent--prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesu's feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.

Spurgeons daily devotional. Genesis 1:4 "And God divided the light from the darkness."

"And God divided the light from the darkness."
Genesis 1:4

A believer has two principles at work within him. In his natural estate he was subject to one principle only, which was darkness; now light has entered, and the two principles disagree. Mark the apostle Paul's words in the seventh chapter of Romans: "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members." How is this state of things occasioned? "The Lord divided the light from the darkness." Darkness, by itself, is quiet and undisturbed, but when the Lord sends in light, there is a conflict, for the one is in opposition to the other: a conflict which will never cease till the believer is altogether light in the Lord. If there be a division within the individual Christian, there is certain to be a division without. So soon as the Lord gives to any man light, he proceeds to separate himself from the darkness around; he secedes from a merely worldly religion of outward ceremonial, for nothing short of the gospel of Christ will now satisfy him, and he withdraws himself from worldly society and frivolous amusements, and seeks the company of the saints, for "We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." The light gathers to itself, and the darkness to itself. What God has divided, let us never try to unite, but as Christ went without the camp, bearing His reproach, so let us come out from the ungodly, and be a peculiar people. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and, as He was, so we are to be nonconformists to the world, dissenting from all sin, and distinguished from the rest of mankind by our likeness to our Master.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional Psalm 25:5

"Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:5

When the believer has begun with trembling feet to walk in the way of the Lord, he asks to be still led onward like a little child upheld by its parent's helping hand, and he craves to be further instructed in the alphabet of truth. Experimental teaching is the burden of this prayer. David knew much, but he felt his ignorance, and desired to be still in the Lord's school: four times over in two verses he applies for a scholarship in the college of grace. It were well for many professors if instead of following their own devices, and cutting out new paths of thought for themselves, they would enquire for the good old ways of God's own truth, and beseech the Holy Ghost to give them sanctified understandings and teachable spirits. "For thou art the God of my salvation." The Three-One Jehovah is the Author and Perfecter of salvation to His people. Reader, is He the God of your salvation? Do you find in the Father's election, in the Son's atonement, and in the Spirit's quickening, all the grounds of your eternal hopes? If so, you may use this as an argument for obtaining further blessings; if the Lord has ordained to save you, surely He will not refuse to instruct you in His ways. It is a happy thing when we can address the Lord with the confidence which David here manifests, it gives us great power in prayer, and comfort in trial. "On Thee do I wait all the day." Patience is the fair handmaid and daughter of faith; we cheerfully wait when we are certain that we shall not wait in vain. It is our duty and our privilege to wait upon the Lord in service, in worship, in expectancy, in trust all the days of our life. Our faith will be tried faith, and if it be of the true kind, it will bear continued trial without yielding. We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Brethen, pray for us.

"Brethren, pray for us."
1 Thessalonians 5:25

This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader's memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us. Brethren, our work is Solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ's army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels. Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you

"BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US."

Spurgeon's Daily Devotional Romans 1:7 Called to be saints

"Called to be saints."
Romans 1:7

We are very apt to regard the apostolic saints as if they were "saints" in a more especial manner than the other children of God. All are "saints" whom God has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit; but we are apt to look upon the apostles as extraordinary beings, scarcely subject to the same weaknesses and temptations as ourselves. Yet in so doing we are forgetful of this truth, that the nearer a man lives to God the more intensely has he to mourn over his own evil heart; and the more his Master honours him in His service, the more also doth the evil of the flesh vex and tease him day by day. The fact is, if we had seen the apostle Paul, we should have thought him remarkably like the rest of the chosen family: and if we had talked with him, we should have said, "We find that his experience and ours are much the same. He is more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are, but he has the selfsame trials to endure. Nay, in some respects he is more sorely tried than ourselves." Do not, then, look upon the ancient saints as being exempt either from infirmities or sins; and do not regard them with that mystic reverence which will almost make us idolators. Their holiness is attainable even by us. We are "called to be saints" by that same voice which constrained them to their high vocation. It is a Christian's duty to force his way into the inner circle of saintship; and if these saints were superior to us in their attainments, as they certainly were, let us follow them; let us emulate their ardour and holiness. We have the same light that they had, the same grace is accessible to us, and why should we rest satisfied until we have equalled them in heavenly character? They lived with Jesus, they lived for Jesus, therefore they grew like Jesus. Let us live by the same Spirit as they did, "looking unto Jesus," and our saintship will soon be apparent.

Sanctify Them Through Thy Truth. John 17:17

"Sanctify them through Thy truth."
John 17:17

Sanctification begins in regeneration. The Spirit of God infuses into man that new living principle by which he becomes "a new creature" in Christ Jesus. This work, which begins in the new birth, is carried on in two ways--mortification, whereby the lusts of the flesh are subdued and kept under; and vivification, by which the life which God has put within us is made to be a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. This is carried on every day in what is called "perseverance," by which the Christian is preserved and continued in a gracious state, and is made to abound in good works unto the praise and glory of God; and it culminates or comes to perfection, in "glory," when the soul, being thoroughly purged, is caught up to dwell with holy beings at the right hand of the Majesty on high. But while the Spirit of God is thus the author of sanctification, yet there is a visible agency employed which must not be forgotten. "Sanctify them," said Jesus, "through thy truth: thy word is truth." The passages of Scripture which prove that the instrument of our sanctification is the Word of God are very many. The Spirit of God brings to our minds the precepts and doctrines of truth, and applies them with power. These are heard in the ear, and being received in the heart, they work in us to will and to do of God's good pleasure. The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound understanding. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Do not say of any error, "It is a mere matter of opinion." No man indulges an error of judgment, without sooner or later tolerating an error in practice. Hold fast the truth, for by so holding the truth shall you be sanctified by the Spirit of God.

Spurgeon's Daily Devotinal Psalm 33:21

"Our heart shall rejoice in Him."
Psalm 33:21

Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus--it is all by Jesus. Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy. He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, "Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die; nay, he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is at once

"The glory of our brightest days;
The comfort of our nights."

Are We Accountable to God, Is The Church And Nation Accountable To God?

July 2, 2012 Are We Accountable to God; Is Our Nation Accountable To God?

I am asking you in this teaching to reach deep down inside your heart and seek the answers. If you hear from our Father in heaven you will know the correct answers to the questions and the Holy Spirit will strike a chord within you.

Are you accountable to God? Is the nation accountable to God? Is the church accountable to God? Are the appointed Supreme Court justices accountable to God? Were this nation and the justice system founded on biblical principles? Is it worth remembering the Godly foundations upon which America was established?

Soon on July the fourth we will celebrate Independence Day and the above questions should provide food for thought and reflection. At what cost are we able to enjoy this day? Many or most citizens of this nation have forgotten what the real meaning of this holiday is or the cost that was paid and to this day is still being paid for your freedom so you can enjoy what too many is just another holiday off. Do we forget so soon?

The majority of our schools and great learning centers do not teach the real truth anymore that would not be PC (politically correct). They want us to learn the PC version of history and thus our young people heads are filled full of mush. They and the PC media teach us to hate and despise this great country and what this nation really stands for and what our founding fathers wanted for this country and the constitution that was very carefully crafted and paid for with blood. Have we so soon forgotten that? The powers that are in control want this country divided and have to date been successful in doing exactly what they wanted to do. It has been said that a country divided cannot stand and we are a country divided. We are losing our freedoms and don’t even know it.

Am I saying that this nation at its founding was perfect and that this great nation did not as our history proceeds make many moral mistakes? No I am not saying that at all! Along the way we as a nation made many mistakes such as slavery but we tried to correct that and many other moral mistakes that we as a nation made. We as people make mistakes. Is it right for a man to beat his wife and put her in fear of her life? No, it is not alright. Yes this nation is struggling and we have made many mistakes; but it can still be a great nation; we have to get back on track. We as a nation, as a church need to repent and ask God for forgiveness and ask God to bring back the protective hedge over our nation that we lost on 9-11. Our Father sent us many warnings and we ignored them and lost our moral compass. So as to some of the questions above are we responsible for that, is the church responsible, are we as a nation responsible? The answer is yes, we are all responsible and accountable. The church (as a whole, not all) has failed us, not God, it is us the church, it is us as people; it is us as a nation. We have only ourselves to blame. In too many ways the church is divided, too many denominations, division within our own churches, churches by race, church by many man made interpretations, bickering, hate and deceit in the church, too many churches teaching and preaching what man wants and not as the one true gospel (God’s true word) wants us to preach and teach. The church was never meant to operate that way. Most Christians do not even realize that Satan is alive and well in the church, their spiritual eyes have been blinded and they do not see what they should be able to see. The church is full of sin and we as a church need to repent.

God will judge our work (2 Chronicles 19:5-10) NLT

“He appointed judges throughout the nation in all fortified cities, and he gave them these instructions: “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the LORD. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case that comes before you. Fear the LORD and judge with care, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.” Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges in Jerusalem for cases concerning both the law of the LORD and civil disputes. These were his instructions to them:” You must always act in the fear of the LORD, with integrity and with undivided hearts. Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God’s instructions, commands, laws, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the LORD, so that his anger will not come against you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty.”

How many of our appointed for life judges think about this or have fear of the LORD before they pronounce judgment or make an interpretation of the constitution that is not just and pleasing to the LORD?

Sin has consequences (Ezekiel 18:20) NLT

“The one who sins is the one who dies. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own goodness, and the wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.”  

God will hold us accountable for our sin (Ezekiel 18:30) NLT

“Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn from your sins! Don’t let them destroy you!

And I will include verse 31-32 because it is relevant to this teaching and all of us should take it to heart.  The gospel states: “Put all your rebellion behind you, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!”

Our LORD loves us and does not want us to die in sin, He wants us to get a new heart and a new Spirit, He wants us to turn back to Him and live.



We are accountable for every word that we speak (Matthew 12:36) NLT

Here the Lord is speaking and He is holding us accountable to the smallest word.

“And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.”

Confronting others with their sins should be done in private (Matthew 18:15) NLT

Here the LORD is again speaking: “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”

We should hold each other accountable (Luke17:3) NLT 

Our LORD says: “I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him.” I will follow up with verse 4 because it is talking about forgiveness here and we all need to read and heed this: “Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”

We are accountable for what we believe (John 3:18) NLT

The LORD states: “There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.”

To more explain this verse so that we will all understand it I will refer to Matthew Henry’s Commentary in it he states: This denotes more than a reprieve; he is not condemned, that is, he is acquitted; and if he be not condemned he is discharged. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died. The cross perhaps lies heavy upon him, but he is saved from the curse: condemned by the world, it may be, but not condemned with the world, Rom. Viii.1. Read here the doom of those that will not believe in Christ: they are condemned already. How great the sin of unbelievers is. They believe not in the name of the only-begotten Son of God, who is infinitely true, and deserves to be believed, infinitely good, and deserves to be embraced. God sent one to save us that was dearest to himself; and shall not he be dearest to us? How great the misery of unbelievers is: they are condemned already, for their own hearts condemn them.  A condemnation grounded upon their former guilt. He is condemned already, because he has not believed. Unbelief is a sin against the remedy (something that corrects or counteracts).

God holds Christians accountable (Romans 14:11-12) NLT

“For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live, says the LORD, every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.” Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God.”

Again because this is important I will quote from Matthew Henry’s Commentary it states:

We shall all stand before the judgment- seat of Christ. Christ will be the judge, and before Him we shall stand as persons to be tried. To illustrate this (verse 11), he quotes a passage out of the Old Testament, which speaks of Christ’s universal sovereignty and dominion, and that established with an oath: As I live (saith the Lord), every knee shall bow to me. It is a prophecy, in general, Christ’s dominion. Here is a proof of Christ’s Godhead. Divine honor is due to him, and must be paid. The bowing of the knee to Him, and the confession with the tongue, are but outward expressions of inward adoration and praise. Every knee and every tongue, either freely or by force. All His friends do it freely. Bowing to Him—the understanding bowed to His truths, the will to his laws, the whole man to his authority; and this expressed by the bowing of the knee, the posture of adoration and prayer. Confessing to him--acknowledging His glory, grace, and greatness—acknowledging our own meanness and vileness, confessing our sins to him. All His foes shall be constrained to do it. Hence he concludes in verse 12, Everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.

God will reward Christians for their good deeds (1 Corinthians 3:8) NLT

“The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work.” According to Matthew Henry’s Commentary this means that we are employed by one Master (Jesus Christ) busied in one work, in harmony with one another, however they may be set in opposition to each other by factious party-makers. All the faithful ministers of Christ are one (or should be as one) in the great business and intention of their ministry. All such may expect a glorious recompense of their fidelity, and in proportion to it: Every man should receive his own reward, according to his own labor. Those that work hardest shall fare best. Those that are most faithful shall have the greatest reward. They are labourers with God, fellow-labourers.

God will examine our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10) NLT

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.”

Accountability should help others (Galatians 6:1) NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back into the right path.”

This brother and sisters means that we are here taught to deal tenderly with those who are overtaken in a fault, bought to sin by the surprise of temptation. It is one thing to overtake a fault by contrivance and deliberation, and another thing to be overtaken in a fault. Great tenderness should be used. Those who are spiritual must restore such a one with the spirit of meekness; not in wrath and passion, as those who triumph in a brother’s fall. Many needful reproofs lose their efficacy by being given in wrath; but when they are managed with tenderness, and from sincere concern for the welfare of those to whom they are given, they are likely to make a due impression. This is as stated in Mathew Henry’s Commentary.

In closing this teaching I again will refer you to the questions that were stated in the beginning of this lesson. It boils down to yes us as a nation, as a church, as individuals are accountable to God for our actions, our works, and our words as the gospel plainly and clearly points out. Is our nation lost? The answer to that one is no; we are not lost yet. The time is short but there is still time to save this great country of ours. We as a nation and the church must repent; we must get right with God. We must get our moral compass back on track. It can be done; it will not be easy, it will take a lot of work, a lot of praying, praying, and praying. It will take the church teaching the true gospel, learning to work together as a team (as God’s team). The church can no longer stand by the way side and do nothing and believe the misquoted nonsense of separation of church and state that the PC people (that includes some ministers, judges, the congress and senate, the media, the false history of our nation as being taught by our so called higher learning centers, ACLU and others like them and by our own government). The true information is still out there; all you have to do is look for it. It may open your eyes and mind to all the lies that are being taught as fact. The church must get active in who is elected to office; in other words the church must get out and vote. You have no one to blame but yourself when the same people who are messing up this great nation get reelected over and over because you did nothing. Many of us vote or do not vote for a certain person or individual because of what the PC media tells us, sadly we do not ourselves look up that persons record (which is available on the internet) and we do not pray and ask God to help us decide who the right person is or even better another way to get the right advice is to go to the gospel itself! What a novel ideal that is! It could be very simple; if that person or persons running for office voting record are not in line with God’s word than you would know not to vote for or re-elect that person to office. So once again; yes we are responsible and accountable for our actions.  You do not have to agree with me or believe me, check out God’s word for yourself and see what He has to say to you. I am trying to wake you up as to what is going on in the church, in our government, in our schools, our higher learning centers, and in our homes. As it stands we are on the verge of losing many of the freedoms that we now enjoy. The Lord is our only hope and I am praying and calling on you to pray for a spiritual awaking in our church and nation. If we as a nation continue on the course that we are on now we will no longer be celebrating the fourth of July for our freedom but will be seeing the death of freedom and liberty this lifetime. I want you to remember and think on this as you celebrate this holiday. If you as a Christian choose to remain in the dark, uninformed, and ignorance to what is going on in this country, and in our government it will be our own fault that this happened and I for one do not want to see this great nation and the people of this nation loose the freedom and liberty that we now enjoy. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy! Do not let this happen on our duty watch. We are the keepers of the wall, we are the security, and we are God’s army! Woe to us if this happens on our watch! Our Father has entrusted this nation to us to be good stewards. I for one do not want to see God’s displeasure and to lose it for our children and grandchildren.

 For those of you who live in other nations this same lesson and teaching can be applied to your situation.

Isaiah 54:10 The Lords love will never leave you.

"The mountains may disappear, and the hills may come to an end, but my love will never disappear; my promise of peace will not come to an end," says the Lord who shows mercy to you.

Isaiah 54:10