Inspiration

 Sixty five years ago I was twenty years old and was fighting cancer. God opened my eyes and I was aware of him personally.  I was witnessing to everyone in the hospital that God is real and  that he was here for them.  Later on, I was to be baptized as an outward witness  of my Christian faith, My entire family; father, mother and two brothers were baptized along with me. An elderly woman in the church said that she had never seen an entire family baptized together. It was a time of inspiration and hope for our entire family.

The dictionary defines inspiration as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. I believe that to do something new and worthwhile that you need the help of God, the creator.

A Biblical definition of inspiration is  "God breathed".  

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

God makes living creatures and he gave a soul to human-beings. The Bible say that we were created in the image of God, with a soul and spirit.

The Bible is inspired by God and is truth.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God is the author of his word and he spoke his word into men who were given inspiration to write the Bible.

2Pe 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation.

2Pe 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

It is a great comfort to me to trust in the truth of God, the Holy Bible. Jesus spoke to us to learn of him and  that the truth shall set you free.

John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

 I pray for you that you will come to God through Jesus Christ. Through him he will give you inspiration and direction to chose what is good and right. He loves you and he will receive you and give to you more love than you have ever known. He wants you to come to him. Lord God I ask that you give me opportunities to serve you by bringing others to you. Amen

Brotherly Love

 Brotherly love requires that we have the same Father. God's love "agape love" reaches out to all people.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Be as a families love and affection to one another in the Lord's family, with;
brotherly love - philadelphia - love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
in honour preferring one another;

Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,


Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Affectionate brotherly love is for the family of God, we cannot be on the same level of affection with the unsaved, they do not have God's spirit, but we are to have compassion. We are to tell them about God's love for them and show them Jesus with prayers and kindness.

Jude 1:20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude 1:23  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 

The family of Jesus

Mark 3:31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
Mark 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mark 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

His mother and brothers were outside calling him. Yes, he had brothers and sisters too.

Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Why were they not inside where he was ministering. They called the Jesus they knew in the flesh, the older brother. His Father in heaven had called him to a greater calling. His close family was the family of God.

The word "brethren" could mean family or close relatives or brothers in the faith. The word "sisters" refers to natural family or the family of God.

The Catholics have taught that the virgin Mary; was a virgin and Jesus was virgin born which is true. They say that she remained an eternal virgin. The scriptures show to me that Jesus was the firstborn of Mary and of God. There were other brothers and sisters born in the natural, half brothers and sisters, with Joseph as the father. Jesus the firstborn and preeminent of God, also has a spiritual family. All who are born again in the Holy Spirit are of his family. We belong to the family of God our best family. Our unbelieving natural families see us as flesh family and do not understand that we are Spirit born into God's family.

The epistles of James and Jude were said to be written by the half brothers of Jesus who were converted after his resurrection. When Jesus was on the cross, he entrusted the care of Mary to his spiritual brother John. The Bible never shows Jesus calling Mary mother. He referred to her as "woman". Religion has exalted Mary as the eternal virgin and the Mother of God. I think they have given too much attention to Mary, making her an idol. Mary was a humble virgin, chosen to be the birth mother of the Messiah. Jesus is God the Son and we are to exalt him. Let us come together as own family in Christ Jesus.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
John  19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.