Christian Universe™
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
Daily Devotions Archive
October, 2000
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 2, 2000
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. John 3:18 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is imperative to our souls' salvation that we believe on Jesus Christ as the Son of
God. In Him rests the promise of resurrection to eternal life. Until Jesus' resurrection,
Satan held the world in a chokehold--their fear of death.
Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned."
Jesus is not saying that only belief is enough to save the soul. What He is saying is that
disbelief is enough to damn the soul. His words, as recorded by the beloved Apostle John,
explain the concept clearly.
John 3:17-21 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
In other words, if you don't believe Jesus is who He says He is, then you are not going to
follow His teachings. If you hate righteousness, and love evil, you are not going to seek
the Teacher of righteousness.
James wrote:
James 2:24-25 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also."
James 2:18-20 "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. Thou believest that
there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou
know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
The demons knew who Jesus was--they just chose to join the losing side of the warfare
between good and evil. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God is necessary--without it,
you will not seek the righteousness of God, and so will lose your soul. But believing
without obeying the gospel of Jesus and the will of God will also cost your soul.
Disbelief, as well as belief without obedience, both put us on the losing side. I want the
victory, don't you?
1 Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 3, 2000
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but
of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We must believe in God, and in His son Jesus, to the extent that we are willing to listen
to them, and follow their instructions. We must believe to the saving of the soul.
Philippians 2:12-13 "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. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure."
We are to work out our own salvation by letting God work in our lives. There is much work
to be done for the Lord here upon the earth. He chose us as the means to carry out that
great work.
2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us."
These earthen bodies are like clay jars that contain the great treasure of the knowledge
of God and His son Jesus. It is our responsibility to hold and distribute the power of God
as He sees fit.
2 Corinthians 5:7-9 "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say,
and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore
we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
"Walk by faith" indicates action, not passivity. Note the word labor, which
means to work, in the preceding verse. Apostle Paul says that we work that we may be
accepted of the Lord. There is no shame in doing God's work. Some preachers and teachers
have made "work" a four-letter dirty word in the Christian's vocabulary. Those
who use it, or quote a verse about it, are immediatedly assailed as though they were the
devil.
John 5:16-17 "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him,
because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father
worketh hitherto, and I work."
John 10:32-33 "Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father;
for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we
stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself
God."
1 Corinthians 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."
Hebrews 4:11 "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief."
We have to work in the Lord's service, within His will, in order to retain our faith, our
trust, in Him. Faith is not separate and apart from works, rather the two are inseparable.
We are not condemned when we do God's work, only when we try to replace His work with
ours.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 4, 2000
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
God loved us so much that He gave His Son to die for our sins--the ultimate sacrifice. His
Son has instructed us to keep His commandments as proof that He lives in us, and we in
Him.
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
When asked the greatest commandment in the Law of Moses:
Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself."
One of the fallacies of current "Christianity" is that love is warm and fuzzy,
intangible, and immeasurable. That is incorrect, and that is why so many
"Christians" come across as hypocritical and so many marriages fail. Love is
real and is observable. Read the Old Testament scriptures to which Jesus was referring:
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt
talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when
thou liest down, and when thou risest up. "
Deuteronomy 11:1 "Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge,
and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway."
If we truly love God, we will do what He wants us to do. How hard is that to understand?
That means that we seek Him, listen to Him, and obey Him. We love our neighbor in the same
way--we seek to please him, to serve him.
Romans 15:1-2 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to
edification."
Philippians 2:3-4 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others."
If we love God, we will strive with all our being to learn of Him and obey Him. If we love
our neighbor, we will seek to assist him and make his life better.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 5, 2000
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
With all the talk about the ten commandments that God gave the children of Israel through
Moses, we sometimes forget that God told us to listen to Jesus.
Matthew 17:3-5 "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with
him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou
wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of
the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye
him."
When Peter wanted to elevate Moses (the law of Moses), Elias (the prophet), and Jesus (the
son of God), God redirected him to listen to Jesus, His son.
John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you."
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another."
Romans 13:8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law."
1 Thessalonians 4:9 "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto
you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."
1 Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently:"
1 John 3:11 "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should
love one another."
1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his
Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."
1 John 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."
1 John 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."
Are we seeing a theme here for the Christian? Keep the commandments of God, and of His
son, Jesus. The chief commandment that keeps arising is to love one another. Why?
I John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."
God is love. If we are in God, and God is in us, we are love. And perfect love casts out
fear.
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 6, 2000
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Bible teaches that perfect love casts out fear. I suppose that a good way to measure
our love is to see if fear has been removed from our hearts.
The fearful will suffer eternal damnation along with murderers, idol worshippers, and
liars. Why is that? Because fear shows that we do not believe God, and that we do not
trust Him to do right by us.
Mark 4:40 "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no
faith?"
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So
that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto
me."
Hebrews 2:14-15 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had
the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage."
Our greatest fear is of dying, is it not? We are afraid that we will die if we don't have
enough food, clothing, and shelter.
Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you."
We are afraid that we will die if we don't have good health.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself
rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable
unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come."
2 Corinthians 4:16 "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
We are afraid of murderers and terrorists--because they can kill us.
Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the
soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Friends, when we truly come to understand love and live in love, then love perfected will
cast out fear. Jesus died to free us from the fear of death.
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 9, 2000
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Satan used the fear of death to hold the human race in bondage. We have victory over the
fear of death in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58 "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and
this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where
is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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."
Since we know that we have the victory over death in that we will be resurrected to
eternal life, then we are to dedicate our lives in the service of the Lord. "Always
abounding in the work of the Lord" because our "labor is not in vain in the
Lord".
Romans 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."
God wants us to be living offerings, yielding completely to Him and to His will. As
members of the body (the church) of Christ, we become extensions of God, representing Him,
carrying out His work. Unless we recognize this crucial relationship we will never do what
we are supposed to do. And we are to be doers of God's word, not just hearers.
James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 10, 2000
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: Matthew
7:24 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus describes a person who hears His sayings, and then follows those instructions and
that way of life, as a wise man who builds his house upon a solid foundation.
Matthew 7:24-27 "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: 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.
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: 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."
To merely hear Jesus, who brought us the message of God, His Father, is not sufficient.
That is a foolish person. A wise person not only listens, but learns and lives the
teachings of our Lord. Jesus criticized the Pharisees of His time for telling the word of
God, but not doing it.
Matthew 23:2-4 "Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their
works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and
lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their
fingers."
James wrote that salvation comes, not from just hearing the word of God, but by then
following through on those things that we learn to do.
James 1:21-25 "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 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:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man
he was.
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."
Jesus set us free from the law of Moses by fulfilling it. He set us free from sin and
death by showing us that we can live in the flesh and not sin, and that we need not fear
death because we will be resurrected again. Looking into this perfect law of liberty,
James says that we are to be doers of the work. Otherwise, it is like looking into a
mirror, seeing something that needs to be changed, which is immediately forgotten as we
turn from the mirror.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 11, 2000
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Contrary to popular belief there is much work to be done in the service of the Lord. If
you don't think so, just take a good concordance and look up words like do, doers, deed,
deeds, work, worker, worketh, labour, serve, minister, and similar ones, and you will
quickly ascertain that there is much work to be done.
Luke 2:49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father's business?"
John 9:4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night
cometh, when no man can work."
John 14:10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he
doeth the works."
Jesus did what the Father expected Him to do, then charged His disciples to do the
Father's work.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9 "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man
shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together
with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building."
1 Corinthians 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."
Hebrews 4:9-11 "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is
entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us
labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of
unbelief."
Many have fallen under the spell of religious doctrine that says, "Jesus did it all,
so there is nothing left for you to do. Just enjoy salvation, the blood of Jesus takes
away your sins."
A thorough examination of the scriptures (which is lacking when such doctrines are
postulated) reveals that God has much work laid out for us to do.
Luke 17:10 "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are
commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to
do."
It is not a matter of "earning" our salvation, but of obedience to the will and
instructions of God Almighty. It is our duty.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Let us study and meditate upon the teachings of the Lord so that we might understand what
our duty is--then let's just do it!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 12, 2000
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him Colossians 3:17 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
When we set about to work in the service of the Lord, we must remember that it is the
Lord’s work that we must do, not our own. That means that we must acquaint ourselves
with God’s plans and purposes, then become a part of those plans and purposes. One
thing that Jesus emphasized was our love for one another.
Matthew 25:34-40 “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I
was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited
me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw
we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee
sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
1 John 3: 17-18 “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? My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth.”
James 1: 25-27 “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. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his
tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and
undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Meeting the material needs of those in dire circumstances is part of the work of God. It
must not be left to the government, or the rich, or philanthropic organizations. It is the
work of the people of God.
Galatians 6: 8-10 “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who
are of the household of faith.”
We are to help everyone who needs us, beginning with those needy in the church, then
moving outward to take care of those around us who need us. We are to give of ourselves,
whether it is something small or something large that we give.
Matthew 10:42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup
of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise
lose his reward.”
Mark 12: 42-44 “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I
say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into
the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in
all that she had, even all her living.”
2 Corinthians 8:12: “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according
to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
Let us do whatever we can, as little as it may seem, to relieve the suffering of the
needy.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 13, 2000
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
to good works: Heb 10:24 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Our Lord has set the example of loving others. As we move through our short lives here
upon this earth we should consider one another, not just ourselves. Jesus said that we are
to love even our enemies--this is charity, love that is unearned, undeserved, and
unmerited.
Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and
hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you;
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to
rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if
ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And
if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans
so?
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Romans 12:18-20 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger,
feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on
his head."
If we call ourselves Christians, then we must have the Spirit of the Lord. That Spirit
leads us to thoughts and works in our lives that reflect the very nature of God. That is
what sets us apart from the world.
1 John 3:10-11 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the
devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his
brother.
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one
another."
If we are the children of God, we will do righteousness, which includes loving our
brother, loving our neighbor, loving our enemy, and loving our God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 16, 2000
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are
by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
As Christians we are to bear fruits of righteousness unto the Lord. Jesus said that we
only bear this fruit when we live in Him.
John 15:4-6 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are
the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and
is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
He also declared that merely operating in His name, even giving Him the glory, is not
enough for our souls to be saved. Fruits of righteousness indicate that our works, the
lives we live, and the things we do are to be solidly rooted in the commandments and
instructions of the Lord.
Matthew 7:18-23 “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may
be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace.”
If we live and walk in God daily, we will bear fruits of righteousness. We will be
peaceable, gentle, sympathetic to the needs of others, merciful, helpful, impartial, and
sincere. We need to provoke one another unto love and good works. Remember what Jesus
said, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 17, 2000
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth.”
It is sage advice that we think on heavenly things, not on worldly things. We are
bombarded daily from the television, radio, magazines, newspapers, billboards, and the
Internet by advertisers wanting our money. We think we are being entertained, they know
better. We need to get out minds and hearts out of the world and onto heavenly
things--only then can we produce the fruits of righteousness.
One of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned by the Apostle Paul is being peaceable. Jesus
said:
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.”
1 Peter 3:10-12 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his
tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good;
let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his
ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil.”
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.”
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Romans 12:17-19 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the
sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
As Christians we are to do everything reasonable to live in peace with our neighbors, and
our enemies.
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be
of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 18, 2000
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth
her children: 1 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV
Hello Family and Friends,
The Bible teaches us how to behave ourselves in society, and in the church. Both Paul and
James wrote that we are to be peaceable, and both wrote that we are to be gentle. In our
society it has long been expected that men be strong. In recent decades we have tried to
push women into the same roles as men. Now we have a society where both men are women are
expected to be aggressive and domineering.
We mistake meekness for weakness and equate aggression with strength. Those are wrong
assumptions. True strength is shown in our acts of unselfishness, of putting the welfare
of others before our own. We are to be a strong, but gentle, people.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 " And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto
all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if
God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that
they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at
his will."
Titus 3:1-2 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers,
but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Jesus set the example of gentleness:
2 Corinthians 10:1 "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:'
Jesus advised His disciples to be harmless.
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye
therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of
God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given
himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
There is strength in love, in forgiveness, and in kindness. We need to be gentle with each
other, kindhearted, and courteous.
1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love
as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 19, 2000
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
James wrote that Christians are to be "easy to be intreated". Intreated (now
spelled entreated) carries the idea of being a reasonable person, one with whom others can
differ and yet who will remain open to communication and consideration of what the others
are saying. In other words, if someone differs with you, you are willing to listen to them
and consider what they are saying. If you see yourself to be in the wrong, you accept that
and adjust your life. Of course, if you see yourself to be right, you continue in that
while treating those with whom you disagree with respect.
An opposite meaning of this would be implacable, a description that Paul gives to the
unrighteous in:
Romans 1:31 "Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful:"
Implacable means that people cannot reason with you, cannot persuade you when you are
wrong, and generally can't satisfy you in any way--you are not open to what others do and
say.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger
men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all
purity."
We are not to run roughshod over others, but to plead with them to do the right thing when
we see them in error. If we love them, we will try to pull them back from the brink of
disaster. If they love us, they will do the same for us.
Jude 1:21-23 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by
the flesh."
Romans 15:1-2 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to
edification."
We need to encourage and help one another. To do so, we must be open to correction, to
instruction, and to edification. We must be easy to be intreated.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 " Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will
not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears;"
We must receive the reproof, the rebuke, and the exhortation that will make us the kind of
people that God wants us to be.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 20, 2000
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:7 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
James told us that mercy comes from above, and is a spiritual quality. Jesus said the
merciful shall obtain mercy. What is mercy? It is when you give someone the benefit of the
doubt, not holding them to the consequences that they justly deserve.
Matthew 9:13 "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
In terms of judgment and justice, all humans should be eradicated from existence because
of our sinful nature. The mercy of God was shown when He decided to give us another chance
to be redeemed. We are to be merciful because God is merciful.
Romans 11:30-32 "For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained
mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your
mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he
might have mercy upon all."
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
James 2:12-13 "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of
liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy
rejoiceth against judgment."
James 5:11 "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience
of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender
mercy."
Psalm 89:14 "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth
shall go before thy face."
Judgment means that truth is discovered; justice means that you get what you deserve,
based upon judgment; and mercy means that when it comes to punishment, some leniency is
shown, a chance is given to right the wrongs that you have done.
These are attributes of God, and they are to be attributes of Christians.
1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Luke 6:36-38 "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not,
and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye
shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 23, 2000
I charge thee before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without
preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Both James and Paul wrote that we are not to show partiality. This means that we are not
to play favorites, but to treat all the same. This does not mean that we condone or
embrace error, it means that we are just and equitable in how we regard and deal with
others. God is no respecter of persons, and neither should we be.
Acts 10:34-35 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him."
James 2:1-4 "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have
respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good
place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not
then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"
Leviticus 19:15 “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect
the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt
thou judge thy neighbour.”
Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
We are to be impartial, even-handed and just. We are not to be swayed because someone is
famous, rich, or powerful. Neither are we to support them in things that are wrong just
because they are unknown, poor, or weak.
The righteousness of God is firmly based upon judgment, justice, and mercy. This goes for
everyone. As we seek the righteousness of God in our lives, we need to approach those
around us with these same characteristics.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Full
Of Hypocrisy
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 24, 2000
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:28 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
James wrote that we are not to be hypocrites. The word hypocrite is derived from a Greek word meaning "actor". And well the name fits, for a hypocrite is someone who plays a role, acting out the fantasy of being someone that they are not. Read the entire chapter of Matthew 23 to get a solid understanding of what a hypocrite is, and how such a person is soundly rejected by God.
Job 27:8 "For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?"
God calls us instead to honesty. We have no secrets from God.
Psalm 44:21 "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."
Romans 2:16 "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
Since we have no secrets before God, we need to quit acting like we are righteous and start being righteous.
1 Peter 2:11-12 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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."
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
1 Timothy 2:-4 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
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."
Let us live our lives in all godliness and honesty instead of being pretentious. God expects righteousness, not religiousness.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 25, 2000
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2 Peter 1:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Peter wrote about how to make our calling and election sure, and how we can keep from falling from God's grace. God offers us eternal salvation through His great grace, through belief in His son Jesus, and through our obedience to His will--notice that Peter said, "if you do these things".
2 Peter 1:5-12 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 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.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 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."
In order to "see afar off", we must remember that we were lost in sin before coming to the Lord. This memory prompts us to diligently seek to ensure our calling of God, and our election by grace. Remember that we are to diligently seek God:
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Peter indicates that faith lays a firm foundation upon which to build the Christian life. The writer of Hebrews said that without faith it is impossible to please God--faith is not the only thing that pleases God, but it is a prerequisite to all else that pleases Him. First there must be faith, followed by obeying God's will in its entirety.
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
In other words, if we don't believe that God is, then we will not turn our hearts toward God to receive His will. Even if we believe that God exists, but we don't believe that He will reward us for diligently seeking Him, then we won't seek Him. This condemns us because we do not yield to His great will (His plan, His purpose, His intentions).
Hebrews 6:8 "But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned."
Unbelief leads us to ignore God, and by doing so we rebel against Him and dishonor Him. This disobedience makes us like dead wood in His eyes, fit only to be burned.
Matthew 3:10 "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Let's believe in God, and diligently seek Him, so that we escape the damnation of hell and instead hear our Lord proclaim, "Well done, good and faithful servant"!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 26, 2000
And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. Luke 6:19 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Peter said to add virtue to our foundation of faith. 2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;"
Virtue comes from a word meaning "man", and denoting "manliness" or strength. It has come to mean purity over the years, and that can be traced to its roots of strength. It takes a lot of strength and courage to remain pure. The world pressures us to conform to the world, asking us to abandon our service to God.
Romans 12:1-2 "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. 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."
To devote our entire body, mind and soul to God is a reasonable request, as we owe our very existence to Him. We were created for His pleasure.
Philippians 2:1-2 "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. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
It takes strength to resist the temptations of this world.
1 John 2:14-16 "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Jesus overcame, and so can we, by His strength. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Revelation 3:20-21 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 27, 2000
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Colossians 1:9 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to add to our foundation of faith, virtue--or strength. To those building blocks of the Christian life, we are to add knowledge. 2 Peter 1:5 "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;"
1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Romans 10:2-3 "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
Zeal is not enough, as the Apostle Paul said, but must be driven by our knowledge of God's righteousness.
Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
James 3:13 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
James said that with knowledge comes the responsibility of a good lifestyle (conversation).
2 Peter 3:17-18 "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"
God no longer accepts ignorance as an excuse for disobeying Him, but expects us to diligently seek him.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 30, 2000
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to add to our foundation of faith, virtue, and knowledge the additional quality of temperance. 2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
Temperance refers to a proper mix of ingredients, such as in tempered steel. It means that we are to be within limits, under control, and moderate in our behavior. This does not mean that we are to "straddle the fence", as some say. Think of it more like walking the middle of the path in order not to fall off the steep cliff on one side or the other.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
We are to let the spirit control the body, so that we die to sin and live to Christ. This keeps the body in subjection--under control--as Paul wrote.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;"
At the same time, we need to be avoid making a show of "neglecting the body", as Paul warned, rather than having it truly in subjection to the spirit. This results in pride, which is abominable to God.
Colossians 2:20-3:3 "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Jesus also warned about this problem in His remarks on fasting.
Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
Temperance, or moderation, is a condition of living, a way of life, and not a demonstration of "self-control". It is a matter of letting God control our lives.
Romans 6:12-13 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
Romans 6:18-19 "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Philippians 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Oct 31, 2000
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to add to our foundation of faith, virtue, knowledge, and temperance, the further building block that is patience. 2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."
It takes patience to bring forth spiritual fruits for God. Patience is what we achieve when we get through something. Instant self-gratification runs counter to patience. The trials and tribulations of life forge patience in our hearts and souls.
Romans 5:3-5 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
We live in hope of better things here in this life, but if things don't work out as we desire, we know that there is the consolation of eternal life and joy in heaven with our Lord. Patience guides us steadily through the troubles of this world as we take our pilgrimage toward home.
Romans 8:24 "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 5:7-11 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
Let us run with patience the course that is laid out for us, knowing the reward that lies at the end of the race.
Hebrews 12:-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Luke 21:19 "In your patience possess ye your souls."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
