Gen 13:7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
Gen 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
Gen 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left."
There was strife, not between Abram and Lot, but between those who cared for their cattle, sheep and goat herds. There were too many animals in one place. Strife, arguing, anger and loud voices were heard among the herds. Was this just a silly dispute? Perhaps and one that could be worked out peacefully.
Abram and Lot were men of God. Abram was called by God, led by faith to a new land. God's people are called out of their worldly life and called to a better place. A place where God dwells with men.
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Abram and Lot were ambassadors of God to those who were watching them. Abram was a peacemaker, he gave Lot his choice of land for his flocks. Abram would not dwell together with strife. The people around them were watching and listening. The Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelt in the land. When we come together with God's people we are not to quarrel or make strife, because others are watching. Maybe someone seeking God will be in a chat room and be confused and disheartened by the quarreling and strife. They should find peace and be shown the way to God through Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is the false Christians, the wolves who are causing the strife. Separate from them unto your own place. Do we bring with us strife or peace and life?
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Let Your Light Shine
Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
What is this light? It is the truth of God; Jesus is the light of the world. Often Jesus spoke in parables or stories that could be understood as just a story, but for those who saw in the Spirit, there was a spiritual meaning. The new life in Jesus is a new Spiritual life. He gave to us the Holy Spirit of truth, our Comforter and teacher so that we may be able to witness his light of truth in the world.
John 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.
A new disciple of Jesus may not yet know the deep things of God to share in the world's darkness. Your light may not be as bright as someone with more experience. Do not hide your light under a basket; the light you have is enough to lead another to Jesus. Just tell them how you came to Jesus; perhaps through an affliction or some other experience. Let them know that God sent his son in a human, to pay for sins by dying in our place. Let others know that Jesus has arisen from the grave and was seen by many people to prove that he is the way to everlasting life. This is your personal testimony or witness.
Luke gives a warning to us.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Be careful what you hear and believe. Is it the truth of God? Or are they the words of a false teacher? We are to hear the word of God, through reading the Bible and through teachers who teach correctly. If we receive error from false teaching, or follow a cult, our light will dim, so be careful what you hear. In the Internet chats there are many false ones, wolves who pretend to be Christians. We grow in faith as we exercise our faith in obedience to the truth of God. What small understanding we may begin with will grow as we serve God. If we receive and believe a lie, then we will not increase in the kingdom God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
What is this light? It is the truth of God; Jesus is the light of the world. Often Jesus spoke in parables or stories that could be understood as just a story, but for those who saw in the Spirit, there was a spiritual meaning. The new life in Jesus is a new Spiritual life. He gave to us the Holy Spirit of truth, our Comforter and teacher so that we may be able to witness his light of truth in the world.
John 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.
A new disciple of Jesus may not yet know the deep things of God to share in the world's darkness. Your light may not be as bright as someone with more experience. Do not hide your light under a basket; the light you have is enough to lead another to Jesus. Just tell them how you came to Jesus; perhaps through an affliction or some other experience. Let them know that God sent his son in a human, to pay for sins by dying in our place. Let others know that Jesus has arisen from the grave and was seen by many people to prove that he is the way to everlasting life. This is your personal testimony or witness.
Luke gives a warning to us.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Be careful what you hear and believe. Is it the truth of God? Or are they the words of a false teacher? We are to hear the word of God, through reading the Bible and through teachers who teach correctly. If we receive error from false teaching, or follow a cult, our light will dim, so be careful what you hear. In the Internet chats there are many false ones, wolves who pretend to be Christians. We grow in faith as we exercise our faith in obedience to the truth of God. What small understanding we may begin with will grow as we serve God. If we receive and believe a lie, then we will not increase in the kingdom God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Greatest is Least
Luke 7:24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
Luke 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Luke 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The people came to see a prophet, a man who speaks from God. Some come out to look at things of nature, making nature a god, while others seek the lifestyle of the rich, loving the world more than God. But those of faith want to hear from God. There still are people seeking to hear from God. They go to church to hear from God, but sometimes see another wind blowing, another spirit, the spirit of a man and not of God. They see riches in the house of God, but no hearing from God.
Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets, speaking and doing what God commanded him . Yet, John in prison had lost faith. He was not sure if Jesus was the one sent. Even the greatest of men can lose faith. I think of the prophet Balaam, who spoke the word of God, but was unfaithful and loved money and yet he prophesied from God.
Jesus said something hard to understand.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest prophet, but did he make it into the kingdom of God? We must have faith to enter the kingdom of God. We must have faith in Jesus, the Messiah. John spoke this when he introduced Jesus to the world.
John 1:29 ... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
He spoke what God gave him to say, but did he lose faith in Jesus? Jesus sent words of encouragement to John. Sometimes we just need a little help to remember who we are in Jesus.
Luk 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luk 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Luke 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Luke 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The people came to see a prophet, a man who speaks from God. Some come out to look at things of nature, making nature a god, while others seek the lifestyle of the rich, loving the world more than God. But those of faith want to hear from God. There still are people seeking to hear from God. They go to church to hear from God, but sometimes see another wind blowing, another spirit, the spirit of a man and not of God. They see riches in the house of God, but no hearing from God.
Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets, speaking and doing what God commanded him . Yet, John in prison had lost faith. He was not sure if Jesus was the one sent. Even the greatest of men can lose faith. I think of the prophet Balaam, who spoke the word of God, but was unfaithful and loved money and yet he prophesied from God.
Jesus said something hard to understand.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest prophet, but did he make it into the kingdom of God? We must have faith to enter the kingdom of God. We must have faith in Jesus, the Messiah. John spoke this when he introduced Jesus to the world.
John 1:29 ... Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
He spoke what God gave him to say, but did he lose faith in Jesus? Jesus sent words of encouragement to John. Sometimes we just need a little help to remember who we are in Jesus.
Luk 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luk 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Clean Food
Politicians are starting to tell us what food we should eat for our health. In the time of Noah there were few restrictions.
Gen 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Noah knew that certain animals were clean and acceptable to be used for a sacrifice, but there were no restrictions for food.
Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
This is a change, for in the beginning the food was to be vegetables and fruit for man and beast. The fall of Adam brought the killing of animal and the eating of meat. There were no restrictions as to the diet until the law of Moses. Mankind could kill and eat anything they wanted. After Jesus came and the new covenant the dietary restrictions were once again removed.
Peter had a vision that removed the dietary restrictions.
Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
The blood is the life of the animal, it was not to be eaten. This prohibition continued in the New Testament.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
The shed blood was a picture of Jesus, who would have his blood shed for our sins.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Let your conscience be your guide in choosing what to eat.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Gen 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Noah knew that certain animals were clean and acceptable to be used for a sacrifice, but there were no restrictions for food.
Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
This is a change, for in the beginning the food was to be vegetables and fruit for man and beast. The fall of Adam brought the killing of animal and the eating of meat. There were no restrictions as to the diet until the law of Moses. Mankind could kill and eat anything they wanted. After Jesus came and the new covenant the dietary restrictions were once again removed.
Peter had a vision that removed the dietary restrictions.
Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
The blood is the life of the animal, it was not to be eaten. This prohibition continued in the New Testament.
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
The shed blood was a picture of Jesus, who would have his blood shed for our sins.
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Let your conscience be your guide in choosing what to eat.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Our source of Strength
Psalm 3:2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
Psalm 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Are others telling you there is no God? Are unbelievers mocking you as you witness to them? Do relatives only see you as who you once were and not as a child of God redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb? Do old friends come to pull you back into a sinful life? Are you tired and losing hope? Do not listen to these negative voices for they are not of God. Remember the LORD and follow His Spirit that dwells in you.
David was running from his son Absalom, who was stealing his kingdom from him. David still loved his son and gave orders that his son should not be hurt. When Absalom was killed and David's kingdom was restored to him; he wept:
"
The LORD is our source of love, comfort and strength. Jesus cried over Jerusalem much as David cried over Absalom because of love.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Still, Jesus paid the price to redeem us, with his own blood.
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Psalm 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Are others telling you there is no God? Are unbelievers mocking you as you witness to them? Do relatives only see you as who you once were and not as a child of God redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb? Do old friends come to pull you back into a sinful life? Are you tired and losing hope? Do not listen to these negative voices for they are not of God. Remember the LORD and follow His Spirit that dwells in you.
David was running from his son Absalom, who was stealing his kingdom from him. David still loved his son and gave orders that his son should not be hurt. When Absalom was killed and David's kingdom was restored to him; he wept:
"
O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
(
2
Sam 19:4) The LORD is our source of love, comfort and strength. Jesus cried over Jerusalem much as David cried over Absalom because of love.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Still, Jesus paid the price to redeem us, with his own blood.
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Finding Dirt
Luk 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Luk 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Luk 6:7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luk 6:8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
Luk 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Luk 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Luk 6:11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Jesus had no sin and never broke the law of God. Religious people add to the law many restrictions, to bind and to trip others. The very law that they judge others by, they do not keep. Fallen mankind loves to accuse and they do not discern good and evil, because their hearts are evil.
Years ago I had installed a new carpet in my business. A pedlar came with a special carpet cleaner. I told him that my carpet was new and that it is clean. He insisted in demonstrating that his carpet cleaner could remove dirt from my carpet. He applied the liquid to a white cloth and rubbed the carpet and to his surprise, there was no dirt.
Jesus had no dirt, no sin, but the law people were determined to accuse him. These accusers are still busy accusing in our time. They try to dig up dirt on the people of God to discredit them and to destroy a lifetime of good service. You who point fingers with the law, examine your own heart. Is your life clean and do you have a testimony of years of faithfully serving the Lord? Or are you just seeking to dig up dirt? What is your purpose? Are you obeying and serving God? Be careful...
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Luk 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Luk 6:7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luk 6:8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
Luk 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Luk 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Luk 6:11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
Jesus had no sin and never broke the law of God. Religious people add to the law many restrictions, to bind and to trip others. The very law that they judge others by, they do not keep. Fallen mankind loves to accuse and they do not discern good and evil, because their hearts are evil.
Years ago I had installed a new carpet in my business. A pedlar came with a special carpet cleaner. I told him that my carpet was new and that it is clean. He insisted in demonstrating that his carpet cleaner could remove dirt from my carpet. He applied the liquid to a white cloth and rubbed the carpet and to his surprise, there was no dirt.
Jesus had no dirt, no sin, but the law people were determined to accuse him. These accusers are still busy accusing in our time. They try to dig up dirt on the people of God to discredit them and to destroy a lifetime of good service. You who point fingers with the law, examine your own heart. Is your life clean and do you have a testimony of years of faithfully serving the Lord? Or are you just seeking to dig up dirt? What is your purpose? Are you obeying and serving God? Be careful...
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Light Is Good
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
In the beginning God. He was in the beginning creating the heaven and the earth. He made all things through Jesus who spoke: "let there be" Let there be light, and it was good. God created good things because God is good. He separated the light from the dark and the first day was created. Sunday is the first day, the beginning of God's creation of life on earth. Sunday is resurrection day too. The day of a new beginning. The Son of God who took on the form of the son of man, died and was raised from the dead on Sunday. His light shines in the hearts of those who are new creations in Christ Jesus.
Much of the world is still in darkness. They refuse to believe that God is and that he is the creator. The darkness of the world teaches evolution, a chance godless creation. They do not see the creator of light, because their sins love the darkness. They have substituted their thoughts for the truth of God. God from the beginning separated the good light from the darkness. The children of light will inherit eternal life. Where will the children of darkness be? Heaven or hell, light or darkness? Trust in Jesus, the light and truth of God. Jesus my Lord has redeemed me from sin and darkness and translated me into the kingdom of light. I do not accept the world's dark thoughts.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
In the beginning God. He was in the beginning creating the heaven and the earth. He made all things through Jesus who spoke: "let there be" Let there be light, and it was good. God created good things because God is good. He separated the light from the dark and the first day was created. Sunday is the first day, the beginning of God's creation of life on earth. Sunday is resurrection day too. The day of a new beginning. The Son of God who took on the form of the son of man, died and was raised from the dead on Sunday. His light shines in the hearts of those who are new creations in Christ Jesus.
Much of the world is still in darkness. They refuse to believe that God is and that he is the creator. The darkness of the world teaches evolution, a chance godless creation. They do not see the creator of light, because their sins love the darkness. They have substituted their thoughts for the truth of God. God from the beginning separated the good light from the darkness. The children of light will inherit eternal life. Where will the children of darkness be? Heaven or hell, light or darkness? Trust in Jesus, the light and truth of God. Jesus my Lord has redeemed me from sin and darkness and translated me into the kingdom of light. I do not accept the world's dark thoughts.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
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