A good name

Pro 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 

The local newspaper had a picture and a write up of a woman who turned 100. I recognized her as one of the women we see at one of our rest home services. I had no idea about her past, but the article spoke her name and that she had been a photographer. I knew this name and although I did not personally know her, I had seen her work and it was beautiful. As I was beginning business she was still working and her work inspired me.  Her wedding pictures were lovely. Sunday afternoon I saw her at our rest home service. I spoke her name and showed her the  picture that I had saved with the article in the newspaper. When I was asked to share something, I told everyone about how this lady was a wonderful photographer and that she had inspired me as I was beginning a photography business. I knew her name and I knew her work. We are often known more from our works, our fruit, than we are known by name. Let us have good fruit to be remembered by, to bless others, even if our name is not known. The Lord keeps a record of names and spiritual fruit. Pleasing him is most important. How are we known by others?

 

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

Eaglewings Ministries 

Cleave to God

It seems to me that people are busy with their own things, entertainment or problems of life and often do not reach out with love. Sunday comes and they wear a smile, but inside they may be struggling. God bless those with a pastors heart of love for others. We are commanded to love, even in the midst of a perverted nation. There will always be distractions and problems, but love is greater and good will; triumph over evil. This study was made in 2001 to many new believers who had been victims of lust and satanic abuse. A new believer must grow in faith and that by hearing the word of God, not my opinions, but the powerful word of God.

 

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

dissimilation - unfeigned, not pretended, no hypocrisy

2Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,...
2Cor 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

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:

...abhor that which is evil - to dislike, abhor, have a horror of.

So important! Why, because evil will seek to destroy you. Giving in to evil, whether a desire, thought or an action opens up a place for satan to torment you. In chat I spoke with an older woman who was a satanist. Every word spoken was to destroy me in some way. All efforts to show love and hope were countered with evil comments. We are to remove ourselves from such influences, casting down every offense that does not build us up in the things of our Lord.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

cleave to that which is good - cleave - to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together to join or fasten firmly together to join one's self to,

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We are to love with a true love and run from evil. We are to run to what is good and attach ourselves to this. The list of good things in Philippians 4:8 is a good place to look. For sure we cleave to Jesus, inseparable through his Holy Spirit and our will to obey him. We hold tight to Gods Holy word, the Bible, we eat its contents into our innermost being, we are then a part of a local body of Christ. All for one and one for all, like the three musketeers. United to that which is holy and pure; to those who build one another up in the things of God. These are character building words; the mind and character of our Lord.

Mind of Christ

The Same Mind

Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

If we are of the same mind we should be in agreement about the Lord's commands.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

High things? Like hermaneutics and theological terms, using lofty terms. Keep your language simple so that all can understand. Are we thinking we are better than another? Remember God resists the proud, and exalts the humble. All need the love of God, are we better than that?

1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Provide the truth in love.

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Perfection or maturity comes from knowing God's word and the mind of Christ, a servant obedient mind full of love and good works. He gave his life humbling himself for us, even to the death of the cross. Can we die to self, and be living sacrifices for Jesus?

Coals of Fire

Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

I suppose the opposite of peace would be fear and torment. This sounds like hell, the place of the damned and if I were headed there I would have no peace. Peace comes from God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Is it possible to be at peace with all people? Jesus said no.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Leave the avenging to the LORD. Who can escape his judgment? We are not to "get even" or plot to hurt another.

Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

We are to do good to all in as much as is possible. Little acts of kindness may open a door to share Jesus. "Heaping coals" on one who treats you with disrespect, conviction because you do good to one who considers himself your enemy. Use careful discernment by the spirit of God.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

All things are done by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Strive for peace with all people. Do good to all, let God be the judge, use wisdom and be led by the Spirit. These are not laws of stone, but laws of the Spirit to a sensitive and loving heart. Do not do anything by your own power, excercise discernment and follow the spirit.

Overcome with Good

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Jesus has overcome evil, and his spirit dwells in you and you in him.

The prayer of Jesus for us

John 17:17 Sanctify (separate, set aside unto God) them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Truth is light, Jesus is the light

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 10:10 The thief (devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Salt prevents corruption

Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The better way, Jesus Christ our Lord. Living our lives to glorify God by the power of his Spirit. We overcome Evil with the good we receive from God and we know that we shall not be condemned, but inherit all good things and eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.