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April, 2001
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 02, 2001
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
God has called His people to put sin out of their lives. It is not enough to claim the blood of Jesus and to go on sinning against God. God hates sin. He hates rebellion, and disobedience. If we want eternal life, God has called us to righteousness, true holiness.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
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 10:3 "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."
1 Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."
Ephesians 4:24 "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."
Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
The blood of Jesus purges us from our past sins--but that is not an excuse to keep sinning. His death was the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, and there will be no other.
Hebrews 10:26-27 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 03, 2001
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The righteous are those who have been purified by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus. They have believed in Him as the son of God, and obeying His teaching, have been baptized into the church, the body of Christ. The blood of Christ cleanses us from past sins, and we are expected to "go and sin no more".
Hebrews 1:1-3 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:"
Hebrews 9:22-23 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."
Ephesians 2:13 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Hebrews 9:11-12 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Revelation 12:10-11 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Romans 3:25-26 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
Colossians 1:12-15 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"
Revelation 7:13-15 "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."
Daniel 12:9-10 "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
Do you understand? To be purified requires that we both believe and obey the Lord--only then is His blood applied to our sin-stained lives.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 04, 2001
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Many people misunderstand "communion", the eating of the bread and the drinking of the fruit of the vine, and fail to see the significance to the Christian.
Matthew 26:26-28 "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
It was perhaps better understood by the early disciples than by us today. They rightly understood that the bread is the body of Christ and the fruit of the vine is the blood of Christ. (Jesus didn't say "represents", He said "is".) Some of them abandoned Christianity after Jesus spoke to them of eating His flesh and blood.
John 6:49-56 "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."
John 6:60-66 "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
Jesus said that the words that He spoke give spirit and life. Then why do we eat and drink "His flesh and blood"? It shows the true meaning of communion--that we are one with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit of God. We are one in purpose, in thought, and in action. When we eat His "body" we are reminded that He lives in us, and that we are His body. When we drink His "blood", we are reminded that His pure blood saved us from sins, and we now have His pure blood in us. We are saved by His broken body and His shed blood--the sacrificial Lamb of God!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 05, 2001
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We take what is commonly referred to as "communion, or "the Lord's supper", to remember the life and the death of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
This reminds us of His sacrifice, and what it was for--to take away our sins. Some have the notion that the Lord's supper is to take away sin. They think that we can sin throughout the week, then on Sunday, have the "blood of the Lord" take away our sins of the previous week. The Bible does not teach this. When we are baptized, the blood of Jesus washes away our past sins. We are born again of water and spirit, and are to sin no more. Once purified, we are to put sin out of our lives.
Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Romans 6:2-4 "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Galatians 5:24-25 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:"
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Once we become Christians, we must study the scriptures, meditate upon them, discuss them with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and pray for wisdom concerning the will of God--then live it! The Lord's supper, taken upon the first day of each week, constantly reminds us of our past and present situation, and our future goals. Purged from our past sins, we are to walk in Jesus, learning and following His example. Having the purified blood of Jesus, and being a part of His body, we are to be sinless.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 06, 2001
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John 3:25 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
One of the most misunderstood concepts about righteosuness is that it requires purity. Some equate religiousness with righteousness, and are wrong to do so. We are expected to remain pure. How is this accomplished? When we are baptized--yes, in the water--our sins are washed away. The blood of Jesus purges us from our past sins, and puts us into a pure state.
Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Ephesians 5:26-27 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
If it is the blood of Jesus that saves us, or if it is the word of God that saves us, where does water enter the equation? When the disciples of John the Baptizer discussed purification with the Jewish religious leaders, water baptism was the key subject, because water is used for purification.
Numbers 31:23-24 "Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp."John 2:6 "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece."
John 3:22-26 "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
1 John 5:6-8 "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
John 19:34 "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
As the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Spirit agree in one mind in heaven, so the Spirit, the water, and the blood agree in one on the earth. Thus is purification achieved, being born again of water and spirit, washed in the water and the blood, kept by the Word of God Almighty as that Word lives in each of us.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 09, 2001
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Once we have been made pure in the blood of the Lamb of God--His Son, Jesus--then we are to maintain purity. After all, we are the body of Christ, and His body and blood are in us!
1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
Colossians 1:18 "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
1 John 3:3-10 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 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."
There is no sin in Christ--He was, and is, sinless. We are the body of Christ, as we are reminded each first day of the week when we commune with the body and blood of the Lord by taking the Lord's supper. Since there is no sin in Christ, there must be no sin in His body, the church.
Matthew 13:41-42 "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
Revelation 3:1-2 "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."
Revelation 3:4-5 "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 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."
2 Peter 3:14 "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Let us not shame the body of Christ and think that we will enter into heaven, spots unnoticed, when this life is behind us. Let us purify ourselves, ceasing from sin, and live righteously day by day. Our judgment will come soon enough! I want to hear:
Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
He will not say, "Well done!" unless we have first done well!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 10, 2001
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Isaiah 13:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The blood of Jesus washes away our sins when we are baptized into Him. How do we remain pure? By diligently seeking God's will, that we might obey Him in all things. Part of this transition into the image of Christ occurs during our trials and tribulations. The troubles of life become as refining fires, buring out the impurities and leaving pure, precious "metal" behind.
Psalms 66:10 "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried."
Zechariah 13:9 "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."
1 Peter 1:6-7 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
1 Peter 1:22-23 "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: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Revelation 3:17-18 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
1 Peter 4:1-2 "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."
The hard and troublesome things that test us in life show our consistency, the stuff of which we are made. To those who cry, "Why, Lord? Why are you letting this happen to me?", realize that God is purifying us. When we suffer, Apostle Peter said, we cease from sin. In other words, we begin to realize that being ready to face God in judgment is of the utmost importance. Everything else ceases to matter when we understand that this life is short and full of trouble, then we stand before our Creator to give account of what we have done while in the flesh.
Romans 14:12 "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
2 Timothy 2:11-12 "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:"
Romans 2:5-8 "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"
Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 11, 2001
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. James 1:27 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Once purified, how do we remain pure? James gives us some insight in his writing.
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."
We maintain purity by learning the ways of God, obeying His will, and keeping His instructions. That means that we must make ourselves aware of the needs of folks around us, and meet those needs as the opportunity presents itself.
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."
Our salvation lies not merely in being baptized into Christ, attending "church services", and following a few fundamental tenets of the gospel. Our salvation lies in becoming images of Christ, in which the world sees Christ living in us because we function as Him, in His stead.
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Since we are the image of Christ, we will do what Christ would do in the same circumstances. What we have to do is study the life of Christ, be led by His spirit, learn His mind, and we will be pure, as He is pure!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 12, 2001
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
How many of us truly attempt to gain the mind of Christ? How many of us really want to think like He thinks, to be like He is? The Bible teaches that we are to walk as He walked. That means that we are to live the life that He lived, and make the same decisions that He made.
Deuteronomy 8:6 "Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him."
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. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
Some argue that it is impossible to know the mind of God, or of Christ, the Son of God. This is a holdover from Catholicism, where the people were told that they could not possibly understand what God desired, or required, of them. This forced them instead to rely upon the Catholic leadership hierarchy to tell them what to do. I suspect that many modern Protestant teachers and preachers fall back on the abuse of this scripture to cover for their own lack of study and understanding of the word of God. They incorrectly cite these scriptures as proof of their argument.
Romans 11:33-34 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"
If we read this in the overall context of the scriptures, we are told that in Christ we now have access to God's thinking, and His plans for the universe. Therefore we are no longer under a shroud of mystery and secrecy.
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Philippians 2:3-7 "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.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
Romans 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."
Our minds can reflect the thinking of Christ, and of God. If we let the Holy Spirit guide us, and if we will study and meditate upon the teachings and instructions of God, we will have our minds filled with God's thinking. That is, we will have the mind of Christ! And the mind of Christ tells us to server one another!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 13, 2001
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galatians 5:14 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The mind of Christ is a mind of service. When we think of the Lord of the universe, we probably conjure an image of someone who is arrogant and demanding, ordering people around and getting angry if they don't do what He says. But the opposite is true. The Lord of the universe is loving, a servant who wants to do all that He can for His people. You see, true leadership comes through humble service. Those who order people about, and throw their power around, are weak. Strength comes from putting others before self, and meeting their needs. Was this not the spirit of Christ?
Philippians 2:7-8 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
Matthew 20:26-28 "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Matthew 23:10-12 "Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
Anyone can order people around--that is a commander, not a leader. True leadership comes through service. People will follow the one that meets their needs.
2 Corinthians 4:5 "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
When Jesus came to take away the sins of their world, to take our whipping and then to die in our place--the punishment that we rightly deserve--He became the ultimate servant.
John 13:13-15 "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
Galatians 5:13-14 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Matthew 22:37-40 "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. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
In love, serve those you wish to lead to the Lord!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 17, 2001
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The word of God teaches us to be pure and holy like Jesus. The word tells us that we have the mind of Christ. If we have the mind of Christ, then we should think upon the things of God, as did Jesus. We must think upon them constantly, mulling them over in our minds all day long, inspecting those things from every angle. This is called meditation.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 "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. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Psalms 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Meditation is more than reading. One can read without understanding.
2 Timothy 3:6-7 "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Meditation is more than scholarly research. One can research truth without knowing the truth.
Ecclessiastes 12:12-13 "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Meditation comes from a root word that means to measure, or consider. In the Bible, it means to consider all the implications, the ramifications, the grandness and totality of a thing. That is how we are to approach the word (the will) of God.
Philippians 4:8-9 "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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Let us think on the things on which Jesus thought. Let us think of God, the Father. Let us think of love for God and mankind. Let us think of holiness, righteousness, and purity. Let us think of sacrifice and offerings, of service and humility. Let us think of comfort, joy, and peace.
"..and the God of peace shall be with you."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 18, 2001
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
A common complaint from religious folks is, "I can't seem to do what is required of a Christian." As the conversation continues about studying the word of God, meditating upon it, and doing what God has demanded, a sad and familiar picture emerges. Most people are worldly, even those in "churches". They want to balance spirituality and carnality, hoping for the best of both worlds. This is not the spirit of Christ.
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
You see, most modern "Christians" don't want to stand out from the world, they want to blend in. Did John the Baptist blend with the culture of the day? Did Jesus? Did the Apostle Paul? Or did they stand out from the masses, known for their zealous good works? Weren't they just a little peculiar?
Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Most of us concentrate on the "good" (not righteous!) life here in this world. We want the best pleasures that this world has to offer, but we want to go to heaven afterward. We want to be constantly entertained, to waste our time glued to a television set, a radio, a CD player, a computer, or a game machine. When we have a few extra dollars we want to go to movies, concerts, and amusement parks. Why? Because the rich advertisers want your money! Instead of using it to the glory of God, we give it to those rich advertisers!
James 4:2-4 "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
1 John 2:15-17 "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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Let us love God, and not money and the things that it can buy. Let us put our hearts upon the Lord and His salvation, and take them off the things of this earth. We will then be walking spiritually, not carnally. Talk about a peculiar people!
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."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 19, 2001
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
As much as is said about money, wealth, and material goods in the Bible--both Old and New Testaments--there is little said about it among modern "Christians". Why? Is it because that in America we are in love with money? And the love of money, wrote Apostle Paul, is the root of all evil--not money itself, but the love of money!
1 Timothy 6:8-12 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
We need to distance ourselves from this love affair with money and ask the Lord instead how we may best use it in His service. It is not impossible for the wealthy to receive eternal life, but they have a responsibility to use their riches as God has ordained..
Matthew 19:-26 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Then his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
I Timothy 6:17-19 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
James 4:17-5:6 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."
The problem is not in receiving riches, but what is done with them once received. Many are not satisfied with the wealth God heaps upon them, lusting instead for even more.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 20, 2001
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
There is something more powerful than riches (money) and the possession of material things, and that is righteousness. None of us actually owns anything--God owns it all--and we are only made stewards of God's possessions for a short while. Since God owns it all, we must first concentrate on learning the righteous will of God. Once in tune with His thinking, understanding His plan and purpose for us in this world, then we know how to deal with material goods.
Psalms 24:1 "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."
Psalms 104:24 "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."
Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."
Proverbs 13:7 "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."
Proverbs 11:4 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."
Proverbs 28:6 "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."
Is God against wealth? Not if we remember where it comes from, and we use it accordingly.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 "Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God."
Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."
Psalms 37:16 "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."
Psalms 73:12 "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches."
Our righteousness does not determine how much God blesses us materially, although currently there are some religious people teaching that ungodly doctrine. God sometimes gives the wealth to the unrighteous. What makes the difference between the two groups is how the resources are used in the service of God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 23, 2001
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:21 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus told a story of a wealthy man who made his servants stewards over a portion of his treasure. They were to use what gave them to make a profit for him while he was traveling out of the country.
Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
God owns everything. That which we think that we possess is only a portion of the King's riches that have been entrusted to us for awhile. There is a day of reckoning in which we will give account of what we have done with those riches. What resources has God placed in your charge? How are you using them to get Him a profit? He will not say, "Well done!" if we have not done well!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 24, 2001
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Luke 12:19 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is easy to become selfish in the wealth which God so graciously and bountifully heaps upon us. Jesus told the story of such a man who saw only personal gain and selfish goals in the wealth he received from God.
Luke 12:16-21 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Do we store back everything that God gives us "for a rainy day", or do we save with the intention of not only meeting our own needs, but also carrying out the work of the Lord?
Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease."
Matthew 19:16-24 "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Riches are not a sin--neglecting to use them in the service of God is a sin. When material goods are seen as more valuable than human lives and souls, then they become a millstone about the neck.
Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
You Cannot Serve God And Mammon
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 25, 2001
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We need to see where our heart is. Is it on God, in heaven above, or is it on the flesh and blood body in this world here that we call earth? Jesus said that we cannot serve both God and Mammon. We need to have a "single eye", that is, we need to keep our eye upon the goal--obedience to God, resulting in eternal life in heaven!
Matthew 6:22-24 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Which one do we hate, and which one do we love--God, or the materialism of this world? Once we realize that wealth comes from God, and belongs to God, then we will seek to use it in God's service. What is our service to God? Jesus said that when we help our fellow man, we are doing it unto Him.
Matthew 25:37-40 "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."
James said that our claim to have faith is without merit if we do not prove our love by our loving actions toward those in need. John says that if we see our brother in need, and help him not, we don't have the love of God in us.
James 2:14-20 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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?"
1 John 3:17-19 "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. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to admonish the rich to assist the poor and needy.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
It is not wrong to have wealth if we are focused on heaven and use that wealth as God has directed us--in the service of our fellow man.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Visit The Fatherless And Widows
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 26, 2001
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. James 1:27 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
One of the things that we neglect most in pursuit of righteousness is the use of our time and resources to look after those in need. We are much like those in the first century that James described, who wished the needy well, but did nothing to help.
James 2:15-16 "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"
When James said to "visit" the fatherless and orphans in their affliction, he did not merely mean to go spend a few minutes with them. He was speaking of meeting their needs. God has always required that the needy be assisted by the more well-off.
Deuteronomy 10:16-18 "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment."
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 "At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest."
Deuteronomy 24:19-21 "When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow."
Psalms 68:5 "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."
Psalms 82:3-4 "Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked."
Isaiah 1:15-18 "And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Let us not neglect those among us who are in need. Let us return to righteousness, and be pure and undefiled.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 27, 2001
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. Matthew 26:11KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Some folks argue that since we have the poor with us always, then we might as well give up trying to relieve their needs. Still others claim that if people would just try hard, they would not be needy. But God recognizes that there will be folks in need. We are to meet their needs as much as possible.
Deuteronomy 24:11-15 "Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee."
Luke 14:12-14 "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
John 13:29 "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor."
Romans 15:26-27 "For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things."
Galatians 2:9-10 "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do."
James 2:5-6 "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?"
Proverbs 22:22-23 "Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them."
Zechariah 7:9-10 "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
Malachi 3:5 "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts."
James 4:17-5:6 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."
As God blesses us with wealth, let us put that wealth to work in His service, aiding those who are in trouble, the poor and the needy among us. Let us do good unto all men--especially our Christian brethren.
Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Apr 30, 2001
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Lord teaches us to be unselfish, looking after our Christian brethren and our fellow man. We serve God by serving one another. If we look out for our brethren, and they look out for us, everybody is then looking out for everybody else. This is the will--the way--of God.
Galatians 5:13-14 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
If we serve one another in love, and look on each other's wealth, then the needs of all are met. One of the ways that this is done is through the church. The church meets the needs of its members. In the early days of the church, people sold what they had and put it into a common pool to meet the immediate needs.
Acts 2:44-45 "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
Acts 4:32-37 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."
The problem with this was that, once the common pool was exhausted, everyone was in poverty and there was nothing left with which folks could assist one another. The Apostle Paul then gave instructions that allowed other congregations to gather up money and goods to send to the poverty-stricken.
1 Corinthians 16:1-3 "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem."
2 Corinthians 9:6-13 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;"
2 Corinthians 8:12-15 "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. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack."
So the church again was able to take care of its own. We can follow this godly example in the church today to help meet the needs, not only of the church, but of the needy in the communities where our congregations are located.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
jews lent without interest, not muzzle the ox, forbear working, levital priests, daily ministration of widows, poor widow's mite, be not slothful, work with own hands, share, what give in exchange for soul, render unto caesar
Proverbs 13:11 "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
