The seeing and the blind

Jesus came being the light of the world. Without light we are unable to see. His light brought spiritual understanding, opening spiritual eyes and giving sight to blind eyes.

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6  When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Joh 9:14  And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 

Joh 9:15  Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 

Joh 9:16  Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 

Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. 

Because so many refused to see with spiritual eyes, in Matthew 11 Jesus began speaking only in parables. We have a lot of churches that are parable speaking churches because the people do not care to see in the spirit. They want to hear pleasant words and words that appeal to their desires for wealth and power. Some just want to belong to a fellowship, like a friendly club and not interested in a deeper walk. They go to church liking the fellowship; but they choose to forget about going to Bible study and prayer.

The last two times that I opened a Bible reading chat room, the only ones who came were the mockers of God's word. There is no fruit in mockers and if left alone the subject would be anything but fruitful. Some come to destroy faith. It is impossible to do the will of Jesus Christ without faith and the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant through his blood requires that we follow him by faith and  he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. The difference between the first covenant of outward law keeping is that Jesus has kept the laws and forgiven our sins. From this higher ground we follow him by the voice of his Spirit. From our innermost being we hear and do his will, flowing out to others the works of Christ. If we sin, he convicts us of sin in our hearts. Whatever is not of faith to us, is sin. If we are convicted of sin we must confess it in prayer and be forgiven. If we do not do this, we are most miserable. This is the Holy Spirit bringing conviction to the believers and judgment to the ungodly. He is the restrainer of sin. O Father do not withdraw your Spirit from our nation. We need you.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Woe to the Unjust

Isa 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

Another woe of judgment of God on Israel; upon those that write wicked laws or rulings to oppress the people, or to exalt that which the Bible condemns.

Isa 10:2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

Jesus spoke of these matters when he taught.

Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Isa 10:3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

If you deal wrongly with one another, who will you turn to when the Assyrians come? Jesus spoke of how doing evil in good times, when Jesus was present, would make it almost impossible to survive in bad times.

Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Our everyday walk with the LORD prepares us for surviving the bad times. If we say we are a victim, and cannot get through a small problem in good times, what will happen in evil times to our faith? Be strengthened now by trusting the Lord, reading his word with prayer and good works.


Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Faith or Fear

 

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

We have faith to ask God for our own needs, but what of the needs of others? One thing about Christianity is that many come to a church when they are in need of food or gas money. Another religion coerces or kills the "infidels." They grow because of fear and fear is respect. How much more should we fear and respect the Living God? I think often the world plays the church as a con artist would. They ask for favors, but secretly many do not respect the one giving help; they have no fear of God. We are to do good because Jesus did the good works of his Father and it brings glory to God the Father. He gave all to us and by giving to others we are giving back to Jesus. We cannot out give God. If some people come with wrong motives, perhaps they will change?

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. 

Zealous in good works

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

His grace is for all men, grace for salvation and grace for living. Grace is available for all, but not all will trust in Jesus for a new life. If you think government will meet your needs, think again. We need the grace of God.

Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

A new life requires a new heart and new life style to show others that we are the Lord's family. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and leads us in the path of righteous living.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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.

We are to be evangelists, seeking to bring others to the new life of hope in Christ. Those apart from Christ are under the wrath of God because of sin and rebellion.

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We are to to be pure and peculiar. Most of us have half of that right and we are to be zealous, enthusiastic to do good works.

A radio talk show host was warning us that if 40 million aliens are given amnesty then the poor of our nation will suffer as these new workers take low income jobs and go on welfare and free healthcare, our nations  will collapse in debt. We will be given opportunities to be zealous in good works; let it start now and let us remain hopeful in the grace of God.

Overcome evil with good

  

There is so much evil in the world. Even school children can be cruel and evil to those they wish to torment. Adults attempt to tear down one another to make themselves look good; it is evil. An adopted son of God is to tell the truth and to live a good life before others, doing good works. We should not share the wicked stories of the world nor take part in their wicked works. We are in the world, but not of the world.

 

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

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

 

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Col 3:25  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

 

As a child of God we are to walk in His will and direction doing his good will.

There is the devil, the spirit that opposes the work of God who will buffet you, but God is greater. Keep your eyes on Jesus and walk by the Holy Spirit that is in you.

 

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 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.
1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

We give our whole heart and mind to God.

 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John 10:10  The thief 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.

 

Be a encourager and do good. 

A loving touch needed

At the nursing home we minister in each week two of our regulars passed on to Jesus. One of them probably was without any family. As we were leaving, the building we were called back to see one of our friends who was unable to attend our service. Her hands were trembling and she was so glad to see us as we came to her room. We had made soul to soul contact and shared the same faith, but she needed to see someone that had entered into her life in the past weeks who cared about her. I do not know if she had any family, but she is a very special woman. Her manner reminds me of a favorite aunt, a real special person. We need the Lord but we also need friends to hold our trembling hands in times of distress. We are the body, the living on earth body of Christ. Lively stones, yes, but also flesh and blood. Sometimes a voice is needed and a friendly touch.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

A little about the two women that passed away this week. One of them would sing for us three children's songs each week: the B-I-B-L-E, J-O-Y, and J-E-S-U-S. Everyone took part and loved it when she sang . The other lady was very quiet. Our piano player put his baseball hat on her head and this became her prized possession; someone loved her.  One week she was in tears because her hat was missing, so he gave her his new hat. Now I see her wearing a crown in heaven and they are singing with all the Saints in the presence of Jesus. They are no longer wheel chair bound and alone...Standing in the presence of God...

Sanctification

  

Salvation is a gift of God through faith in Jesus his only begotten son. Read these verses carefully and in the end is a children's hymn to help you remember.

 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Many churches preach the grace of God, by faith and not by works for salvation. Many in those churches do no work of service because grace is not works. They are afraid to mix works with God's grace. God has ordained that we are to walk in good works. We are to work outwardly our salvation. This is our sanctification, working outwardly the new life within us.

 

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Some repeat a prayer to be saved. Are they saved? We must show the new life in our outward expression of sanctification; pure hearts cleansed by the blood of the lamb. Servants of the Lord giving light and truth and Jesus, the way of salvation to as many as will receive him.

 

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 Salvation first, then the good works; this brings insight to the word of God given through James.

 

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

The world wants to see God in us who profess to believe in him.

 

1Pet 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.

 

Religion puts works as a way to please God. God is pleased in his Son; believe in him first and be saved by faith and then show the world by your life that you belong to God.

 

I want to put down all that the Spirit is showing me. There is more, but we need to understand that we are saved through faith in Jesus. Our sanctification is living out our life so that others see Jesus in us. It is not work by self effort alone, but the walk of faith as we learn from the Spirit of God as he teaches us all things. Get in the word of God and hear the voice of God. Pray to him and do his will. It is spirit to spirit that we live outwardly our sanctification. I am reminded of a children's hymn by Charles King.

 

If you're saved and you know it, clap your hands!   X X X
If you're saved and you know it, clap your hands!   X X X
If you're saved and you know it,
Then your life will surely show it,
If you're saved and you know it, clap your hands!   X X X
2.   Stomp your feet
3.   Say "AMEN"
4.   DO ALL THREE

 

This simple children's hymn is a way of getting across the message. Music and the word is a great way to remember the word and to be refreshed in the spirit. Saved by faith, God sees us in Jesus. The world sees us in the flesh, so we need to be like Jesus, to show them our new life.

Which is it?

Many are casual hearers of God's word. Sometimes they will take a passage of the Bible and make it to say more than intended. Another passage may seem to be saying the opposite. I would like to compare two Bible passages that seem to come to different conclusions.

Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

Compare to this:

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

In the first story we are told not to judge someone if they are doing good works in the name of Jesus. They will not soon, or immediately turn against Jesus. I see the first example as to not prevent someone that is not of our group, if they do good in Jesus name. Some denominations preach against other denominations instead of leaving them alone, letting them do good in the name of Jesus.

However in the Matthew scriptures, not all who once served Jesus saying Lord, Lord we have done good works and miracles in your name, will be accepted by him. Perhaps their foundation was not secure on the rock that is Christ and they fell away because they did it all in their own will? We do not judge before the time, but some who think they are special will be rejected, perhaps even a well known TV evangelist with a great audience? God knows who are truly his; He knows them.

My advice is to keep the focus on Jesus and not our differences. The world teaches tolerance and self esteem. Many large churches preach the same thing, but do it in a positive way focusing on Jesus. Another church will preach on sin and hell, warning people of the coming judgment. Jesus is given as the answer to the problem of sin. I believe that we need a balance , but I am not to condemn another minister for not preaching like I would. If good comes from it and they point to Jesus , leave them alone. If they are in truth, Jesus will receive them. If they were making up things by their own will, then at the judgment Jesus may say, I never knew you, depart from me. We are not to "bash" other servants of God, but we are to examine ourselves to be sure that we are in the will of God. Too many think they are serving God by destroying the name of another person. We can correct false teaching in our own group, but if someone is doing good in Jesus name who has different ways, leave them alone. Protestants differ from Catholics in many beliefs, but both may be doing good standing up for Biblical morality in a decaying society in the name of Jesus. The focus should be on Jesus and good works through his name and power, not on our differences to a nation needing Jesus. Let each man choose, but may he choose Jesus. Another example is that God loves Israel and so should we. In time they too will receive their Messiah.

Psa 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Psa 26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2Co 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be (appear to you) as reprobates. 
2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

 I try to show the Bible references to what I say. Truth is important to me. Jesus gave us His truth for us to share by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the way to everlasting life. Do good in Jesus' name, amen.