skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Pro 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
I recently went to a memorial service for Earl, a saxophone player in our local swing band. Earl lived a long 97 years of age. His love for music kept him going. What an inspiration to us all to continue in the gift that God has given to us.
Trombone Bob, a member of our trombone trio has had health problems that have set him back. At 80 years of age he has hope to return to his trombone and to again share music at the local retirement homes. Hope keeps us going. What gift do we have that gives life meaning and hope with enthusiasm? Is Jesus our great hope? If so, how will we share this hope with others? Do we have a passion for serving him? We will someday stand before the King of kings. This hope should keep us going.
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
2Jn 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2Jn 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
The elder is in reference to the writer of the epistle, John the elder. It is believed that he was old in age at this time being close to one hundred years old. The word elder, is also a designation of a bishop, the overseer of a church. John is also the beloved apostle that the Lord loved.
Just who the elect lady is we are not sure of. It was a person because he refers to her in verse twelve as a face to face person; 2Jn1:12..."but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."
In the commentary of John Gill; the Greek word for "lady" is "Kyria". Proper names often have meanings, especially in the Bible times. This is interesting to me because I knew a lady named Kira who was saved through our Internet ministry. She was an elect lady with many "children", those she led to the Lord. As the elder Gary, I write to her memory, hoping that someday we will exchange letters and even meet face to face. If not on this side of glory, for sure we shall meet in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is coming a meeting time for me and my wife, my folks, Kira and her children, my brothers and sisters in Christ on the day of his coming. What a day that will be.
Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
Php 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Php 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul speaking to us by the Holy Spirit is exhorting us to be filled with the love and affection of Jesus Christ. That it may increase more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. I see this as loving our brethren and the good things of God and not partaking of the evil in the world. We are to approve what is excellent, and to be pure and blameless by walking in his Spirit so that at his coming we will not be ashamed. (Phil 4:8) We are to be filled with the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of the spirit which comes by and through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Gal 5:22-23.) Love God and love one another; love his good things and be separated unto Christ. Separated from the evil of the world and at unity with God and the brothers and sisters who are saved by Jesus Christ. Looking forward to eternal life through the salvation that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is heartbreaking that so many do not know this and come to Jesus to be forgiven of their sins.
Pro 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Pro 19:14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
When a married man seeks another woman, he often says "my wife does not understand me." A prudent wife is a wife of understanding. My wife was prudent in understanding, supporting, loving me and we worked together. I do not recall her ever speaking words to put down or that were unkind. A kind woman accepts people as they are and seeks to draw out the best in them. Not everything we did was together. I had my music playing and an internet ministry. She supported me in this and I was free to pursue these things. She was a proficient crocheter and was good with her hands. I wanted her to join with others in fellowship who had similar gifts. Not all are gifted the same, but all should be allowed to grow in their gifts. My wife Faye, of forty four years was a true help meet. A prudent and caring woman, a blessing to me, her family and her friends. She has left us now to be with others who have gone to be with Jesus. Their fellowship there is sweeter and truer than of this world. In Christ Jesus we are loved and have this great promise and hope, that we will be together with the family of God forever.
Wind, storms, twisters, hurricanes, the threat of war, missiles, nuclear bombs. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Demonic activity, protests, lack of respect for authority, all these things are signs of the last days. A child of God has the kingdom of God that cannot be shaken. Therein is the righteousness of God.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
We are to be conformed to the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This means that we are to do as Romans 12:1 and 2 says.
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.
We are to present our bodies as servants of God and to make our minds new by hearing his word so that we can know his will and to do it with a pure heart. Anything that is not of God shall be burned off in his presence, so we are to reverently fear God, and to stay in his word to know his will. We are to walk in his light by the power of his Spirit. Spirit trumps flesh. God's light and truth removes the darkness from our lives and becomes a strong presence in a sin darkened world. We see and know the truth and are to do better things because we see with the eyes of God and the mind of Christ.
We are to quit walking in your own fleshly desires and submit all to God, which is our reasonable service as the family of God.
Mat 12:48 But (Jesus) answered, ... Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
