Living a Holy Life

2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Like Precious Faith

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

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;

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Life and Godliness

2 Pet 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue

2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

His divine power comes through His Holy Spirit. He will give us all that we need.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Where do we get this knowledge? From hearing the word of God and doing the things to receive the promises of God, guided by the Holy Spirit.

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.

Think of how many people are trying to please God and be good enough; they need to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they need to hear the word of God and believe his promises,. Salvation by faith, then we do the good works ordained of God. We are the children of God with the inheritance of many promised blessings.

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.

Steps to a Fruitful Life

Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, having exceeding great and precious promises:

giving all diligence,( earnest care with urgency, )

add to your faith virtue;( moral goodness, excellence of character,)

Luk 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

and to virtue knowledge;( understanding, especially of the word of God.)

2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge

temperance; (self control, especially of the passions of the flesh )

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

and to temperance

patience;( steadfastness and endurance )

Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

and to patience

godliness; (holiness, reverence and respectful behavior)

God came down in Jesus, spoke to us, touched and saved us by his spirit.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness

brotherly kindness;( love for the brethren )

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

and to brotherly kindness

charity.( love, the love God gives to us, loving each other, agape love.)

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

2 Pet 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These things, these behaviors in you will keep you from being barren and unfruitful. Jesus came to give us abundant life and our Father desires that we glorify Him with spiritual fruit.

The devil opposes us as we seek to live a holy life in Jesus Christ. We are always in a spiritual battle, so by being closely in fellowship with Jesus we live abundant and victorious lives.

Joh 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.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Remember these things

2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

calling; invited by God for a purpose;

and election; the elect are the chosen to receive salvation

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2 Pet 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
2 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2 Pet 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.

Paul wrote to Timothy, to stir up his gifts:

2 Tim 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Pet 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

These words were to be remembered, so that we will be fully equipped to survive without the elders assistance. Look to God, look unto Jesus, read the word, hear it and obey, then you shall abound in all good things. The things you have learned will equip you for life.

2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Onward Christian soldiers...

Acceptable Offerings

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.

The LORD will not receive our offerings if there is anger in our heart towards a brother. If we are no different then the ungodly, how is our life useful to the Lord?

Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

When I first heard this Bible passage in a church service, I thought of my own brother. I wanted to be sure that there was no anger between us, so I went to him and even brought him to church. Whatever the reason, guilt or conviction of the LORD, we are to keep our fellowship open between the Lord and ourselves. This also means we must keep the fellowship open with our brothers and sisters. We are not to live only for our own needs.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Looking back to the beginning we see Cain and Abel; two brothers. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God but his brother's offering was not accepted. It was not accepted because of his lack of love for his brother. This jealousy ended with Cain killing his brother. He had no love for his brother or for God.

Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

We all want the blessings of God. We must love God and our brothers. Love brings the blessings of God and love fulfills all the commandments. If we want our prayers to be heard we must not have anger towards a brother, sister or spouse.

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

LORD forgive us of our lack of love. We do not want to wander over the earth with a curse upon us. Fill us Lord with your love and your Holy Spirit so that we can be examples of your disciples, full of light and truth to an angry and lost people. Help us to bring them into your loving fellowship. In Jesus name, amen.

Take Another Look

There has been something on my mind, a new revelation of a scripture passage that I thought I understood.

Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Let's take another look at what we see in the mirror. Do we see a natural face, a natural man with all of it's flaws and short comings? Do we turn from the mirror and hide in the world or play games as though we are trying to hide from what we see? Stop! Take a deeper look. In your mind do you hear satan's voice condemning you? Are you defeated in that mirror? Okay, you may have flaws, but listen to what God said to Jeremiah and apply it to yourself.

Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Be not afraid of your own face first. See yourself as God sees you. Depart from sin and be God's person in this sinful generation. Who will stand up for God? Who will stand against the evil that is flooding our nation and the world? You are called to represent God through Jesus Christ. Stand up and see yourself as a person of God to do his will in a sinful time. It is an absolute must that we be the people of God in word and in actions. Obey God, in the covenant of grace. The just shall walk by faith. Moses was under the law, how nuch more can we do good having the Spirit of God with us?

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

Evil is taking over places that are called Christian. Speak out against it with the authority of God, not to condemn people, but to warn them in clear words. Jesus came to save, not to destroy, yet in our land that was called Christian and that was established on godly wisdom, we are being swept over by floods of demons. The antichrist spirit is in full attack mode. Rise up ye people of God, turn back the tide of evil and filth. Be the light and salt of the world. Take another look in that mirror and see yourself as a blood bought child of God. We are ambassadors of Christ, soldiers in his spiritual army. Rise up and walk the talk. Onward Christian soldier, speak good words and do good for the name of our LORD. Put off the old man and put on the new man created in the image of God. Stand up for righteousness and be an example, having his righteousness. Walk in his spirit, resist the devil and he will flee. Can we stand with Jesus and make a difference in this generation? YES WE CAN!

A cursed seed and a blessed seed

Jer 22:24 As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

Jer 22:25 And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Jer 22:26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
Jer 22:27 But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
Jer 22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Jer 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary through Nathan a son of David; so He was a blood descendent of King David. His legal father also was a descendent of King David through Solomon, but there was a curse on the descendants of King Jehoiakim and his son Coniah, who were descendants of Solomon. " for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." Joseph could not have been the blood Father of Jesus because of this curse, but he was legally a son of David. This is a proof that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. The LORD God is the father of Jesus conceived of the Holy Ghost through a virgin of Israel.

Luk 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Judah's sin; Jeremiah's lament

As a believer in a wicked land, we see the sins and it brings remorse to our hearts. Some have gone too far and like Judah are under the LORD's judgement. We seek to bring them to Jesus but so many have hearts of stone. This is as the time of Jeremiah who prophesied to his people over a fifty year period of time. A lot can happen in fifty years and time was and is running out then and now. Fifty years ago hearts were more open for receiving the Lord in our land. We were a Christian nation governed by godly precepts; sin had not yet permeated the government and schools. Children were allowed to pray for their schools, homes and the nation. Now there is idolatry, the threat of communism, socialism and Islam, because many have rejected Jesus Christ. Godless leaders we know little about are shaping our nations future. Like Jeremiah we are called to speak out to a people who have grown hard with sins. Nothing moves their hearts but there own desires. As the LORD engraved the laws in stone, those who do not want God have their hearts marred by sin.

Jer 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Sins were engraved on their hard hearts and their altars of stone.

Jesus gave us a soft heart because he removed the sins of those who have trusted in him.

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Jer 17:2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.

Even their children were idol worshippers under the green trees on the high hills.

In our schools our children are taught about idols of humans and the devil, but the Bible is not allowed. How sad is that?

Jer 17:3 O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.

My mountain, Mt. Zion.

Jer 17:4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.

The LORD was angry with them and He would give them into the hands of their enemies.

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Psa 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Jer 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

Like a desert plant, those who trust in flesh shall be on their own apart from the blessings of the LORD.

Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

This is similar to Psalm one.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

So many follow their hearts. This verse shouts a warning to those following their own hearts who are not close to God.

Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Out of the heart come the words and the fruit to show what kind of a person you are. The heart is deceitful, follow God.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God

A warning to those seeking to get rich by any means.

Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jer 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
Jer 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Not as written in the dust of the earth, dust to dust. Some have said that they do not want to go to heaven, they also speak evil words against Jesus and there are many accusers. This reminds me of those who brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus. He stooped down to right in the dust of the temple floor.

Joh 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jeremiahs lament

Jer 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

save; yasha, To rescue, save, defend; to free, preserve, avenge, deliver, help. To release to open wide the gates of the captives.

Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Deu 10:21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Jer 17:15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Isa 5:19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

Jer 17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
Jer 17:17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

Jer 16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

Psa 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

All Glory to God

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

We are not to glory in ourselves. What is meant by the word glory?

Glory; halal, To shine; to praise or boast or to be boastful. What do we have that we have not received from the LORD?

The LORD has all wisdom, He is Almighty and He owns all things.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Exo 6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH( "the existing One") was I not known to them.

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

What is man?

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Isa 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We glory in the LORD

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

If we have wisdom, if we have might or strength, if we have riches, then praise God for he has gifted you to serve him and to bring glory to him.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Psa 57:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Charity, faith, in spirit and purity

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

in charity; agape, affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love, as Christ loves us.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

agapao, the verb

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

in spirit; pneuma, the Holy Spirit, spirits

The word for spirit is pneumos. Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit is the Greek word pneumos. The type of spirit is known depending on the context of the verse.

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

in faith, pistis, conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

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 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

in purity, hagneia, sinlessness of life, (only found in two verses.)

1Ti 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

meditate; meleteo,

1) to care for, attend to carefully, practise

2) to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive

a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians

Ponder, think on these things with a whole mind.

wholly; isthi, give yourself completely to

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

profiting, prokope, progress, advancement

Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Php 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

All things are motivated by God's love. God loves me through Jesus Christ my savior.

Your Word and Your Life

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

in word; logos, a word, uttered by a living voice, in speaking and in doctrine

Jesus was known as the Word of God

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

We get into trouble when we speak words, for often something evil will come out.

Mat 5:37 But let your communication (logos) be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

The Bible words are inspired of God for our instruction and edification.

Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings (logos) of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,

conversation; manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment , your lifestyle

We think of conversation as the exchange of words and ideas, it also includes our works and

lifestyle.

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

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.

Our words and our life should be good to build others up. We are not to be angry and curse people.

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.

To be a Christian, one must give all of their self to him.

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Joh 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Our life will show to others who we believe in and serve.

Faithful Believers

1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Be an example of the believers,

believers; pistos, trusty, faithful; the NT one who trusts in God's promises
1) one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead
2) one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation

A believer is faithful to Jesus his Lord and savior. We are saved by faith in him, so a believer believes in the one who saves us from our sin and it's punishment. Jesus took our punishment; death on that cruel cross. We receive grace by faith in him. Are you a believer? If so, then you are to be faithful.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

How do we know if a person is a believer?

1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 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.

Confessing Jesus and living for him, As James said "James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." We may fool someone, even ourselves about being saved, but we cannot fool God. We are saved by faith, unto good works.

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.

1 Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

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.

To be an example of a believer we must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and live our lives through this faith, being faithful by His Spirit in all good works.

Be An Example

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit gives Timothy his young minister friend some timeless encouragement about how we should conduct ourselves as Christians and as servants of the LORD." Let no man despise your youth." I have found when witnessing in the Internet chats speaking by the Spirit that some will resort to the put down: "How old are you?" As if their age somehow gives them more wisdom and understanding. Usually these are proud people, not wanting to lose an argument, even if it is God they argue with. The word of God has power and authority over someone's age. We are to respect one another, especially is the man or woman of God to be above reproach in their life before those of the world.

"...but be thou an example of the believers" An example; typos, a type,a figure formed by an impression; a pattern to be imitated, worthy of imitation. I think of a kings ring that made an impression in wax, sealing a document, making it official. We are impressed upon by God by the seal of his Holy Spirit. We are his authentic followers.We are to be imitators of Jesus, true examples of his believers. We are to faithfully do what he did and what he commanded us to do.

Be servants

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Longsuffering

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Good works

Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Do greater things

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

How is it possible for us to do greater things than Jesus did? First, we realize that it is not our doing, but he is working in us by the Holy Spirit. All good that we do is by his presence in our lives. We can do nothing of ourselves, but we can do all things through his Spirit.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We must walk by the Spirit in order to do the work of God. There is no list to follow, but we are to know God's word in our hearts and be led by his Spirit. This is to live a life as an example of how a Christian is to live.

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.

We should take this calling seriously as dedicated servants and sons of God. Anything less is to take away from his glory. LORD be glorified in your servants, amen.