His Love Ministries
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 29, 2017
30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL DISASTER AND THE US BEING JUDGED
Wednesday Nov 29, 2017
Wednesday Nov 29, 2017
The United States has a blind spot when it comes to disaster. A report stated that ‘nowhere in the world is the rising number of catastrophes more evident than here.’ Every continent has seen an increase in weather-related disasters over the last 30 years, yet none surpasses our own. Yet despite an estimated $1 trillion in damage from these disasters, Americans have so far been unwilling to take the needed steps to head off an even worse future.” Get it? God’s telling us something. We’re not listening.. America is obsessed with the so called good life and we are Ignoring God’s warnings.
Sunday Nov 26, 2017
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9 PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING
Sunday Nov 26, 2017
Sunday Nov 26, 2017
The problem is worry …………v6
Most people have an inadequate knowledge of God and an inadequate trust in God...both are blasphemous.
Matthew 6:25-34 "For this reason I say to you, Do not be anxious for your life as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor for your body as to what you shall put on."
2. The prescription is prayer…………v6
1 Peter 5:7, casting all your care on Him, because he cares for you
Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
3. The promise is peace…………v7
John 16:33, "In this world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 43:23 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
4. The principle is right thinking or the principle of displacement…………v8
2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true
John 17:17, "Thy Word is truth." Psalm 19:9, Psalm 119:15
Whatever is noble, means worthy of respect
"Whatever is right." And the word is righteous. Think on what is absolutely consistent with the holiness of God.
"Whatever is pure," meaning morally clean, undefiled.
"Whatever is lovely," that means pleasing, attractive, amiable.
Whatever is of good repute," which means well thought of, or highly regarded.
"If there's any excellence and anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things
Since there is excellence and since there are some things worthy of praise, please focus on them." Please. Your mind is the greatest treasure you have in terms of those gifts of human life.
Luke 11: 24 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 “And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 “Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
Proverbs 23: 7 For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he
Right thoughts lead to right attitudes which lead to right actions
5. The practice of Godly living…………v9
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
6. The provision of God’s presence…………v9
Wednesday Nov 22, 2017
30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL JOHN 6 FOLLOWING JESUS NO MATTER WHAT
Wednesday Nov 22, 2017
Wednesday Nov 22, 2017
Hi, I ‘m Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries. In John 6 when Jesus began to speak about the hard things of the Bible such as living for Him and Him only and that we can only come to Him if it has been granted to us by His Father, most of His followers left. He asked the disciples will you leave too? But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Most people today will not stand up for the Word of God. They would rather compromise and go with the popular opinion than be disliked. So which one are you a compromiser, or will you follow Christ no matter what it may cost you?
Sunday Nov 19, 2017
PHILIPPIANS 4:1-5 STANDING FIRM IN SHAKY TIMES
Sunday Nov 19, 2017
Sunday Nov 19, 2017
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
In poetic terms Rudyard Kipling summed it up as well as anyone when he wrote these familiar words, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too; if you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about don't deal in lies, or being hated don't give way to hating and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise; if you can dream and not make dreams your master; if you can think and not make thoughts your aim, if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same; if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and built them up with warn-out tools; if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings not lose the common touch; if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; if all men count with you but none too much; if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run; yours is the earth and everything that's in it and which is more, you'll be a man, my son."
The theme of these verses is spiritual stability
John 16:33 In this world you shall have tribulation
Jesus said, " Mt 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."."
1 Peter 5:8 The devil moves around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
There was selfishness in the church,
There was self- interest in that church,
That there were people who had stumbled and fallen from their spiritual stability into conceit and pride
In verse 3 he has to ask somebody to fix it up which means apparently the leadership of the church had not really done what they should have done in dealing with the problem
There were some people who weren't trusting God.
There were some people who weren't thankful. In other words, it was a church...just a plain ole church, just like every church.
2Peter 2:14 he wrote about false teachers and agents of Satan who were always attempting to entice unstable souls.
2Peter 3:16 says...untaught and unstable people and they distort the scriptures to their own destruction.
James warned about the same thing. James said that the spiritually unstable are the double minded.
James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
They don't know what they believe, they don't know what is right. They can't make decisions.
Genesis 49 Reuben, you are my first born, my might and the beginning of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power." And then he said this, "Unstable as water, you shall not have the preeminence
The Command
Stand firm in the Lord
Chapter 1:28, "In no way be alarmed by your opponents."
Verse 29 he says, "It's been granted to you for Christ's sake not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake."
In verse 30 he says they were experiencing the same conflict they had seen in him.
Chapter 2:2, he commands them, "Be of the same mind."
Chapter 1:27 he says to them, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit with one mind."
Chapter 2:14 indicates that there was some grumbling, and some disputing going on
Chapter 2:18, and start rejoicing instead of fretting
Chapter 3:16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Chapter 3:18 tells us that they were encountering the enemies of the cross.
Chapter 1:27, "Standing firm in one spirit." This is the second time he calls them to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The first word is "therefore"
To summarize the third chapter we could summarize it this way, you remember it well, and we are pursuing Christ's likeness which is both the goal and the prize of our Christian life. And we are waiting for that upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We are waiting for that day when we as heavenly citizens meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and then verse 21, and are transformed into conformity with the body of His glory.
The pastoral spirit of Paul.
V1"My beloved brethren, whom I long for, my joy and crown...." and then he concludes, "My beloved It is his heart.
He uses the strong word for love, the rich and deep word for love.
1 Thessalonians in 2:19, he says, "Who is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you?"
V 20, "For you are our glory and joy."
Then he says, "You're my crown."
So…. it means thus, or in this way.
And then he goes on to explain how. And verses 2 through 9 are extremely basic practical principles
2 Peter 3:17 he says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest being carried away by the error of unprincipled men you fall from your own steadfastness." Peter says don't fall, stay firm.
Acts 14:22 Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God
2 Thessalonians 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught." Don't waver from the truth.
Corinthians 15:58"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,"
V2-3 Be Unified
V4 Be Joyful
V5 Be Humble
Martin Luther became a public and controversial figure when he published (October 31, 1517) his Ninety-Five Theses, Latin propositions opposing the manner in which indulgences (release from the temporal penalties for sin through the payment of money) were being sold in order to raise money for the building of Saint Peter's in Rome. They caused great excitement and were immediately translated into German and widely distributed. Luther's spirited defense and further development of his position through public university debates in Wittenberg and other cities resulted in an investigation by the Roman Curia that led to the condemnation (June 15, 1520) of his teachings and his excommunication (January 1521). Summoned to appear before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in April 1521, he was asked before the assembled secular and ecclesiastical rulers to recant. He refused firmly, asserting that he would have to be convinced by Scripture and clear reason in order to do so and that going against conscience is not safe for anyone. There he said "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise,” Condemned by the emperor, Luther was spirited away by his prince, the elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony, and kept in hiding at Wartburg Castle. There he began his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into German.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL JAMES 1:1-12
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
Hi, I'm Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries. In James 1, verses 1-12 it says to count it all joy when you fall into various trials, to consider the reason for your trials, to count on God in your trials, to call on God in your trials, and to consider the rewards of passing trials. When you go through a trial do you follow these guidelines God gives, or do you pray for God to take it away, or try to get out of it by manipulating circumstances? God says trials make us mature in our walk, more Christ-like. Do you want to be like Him?
Sunday Nov 12, 2017
PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21 FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE
Sunday Nov 12, 2017
Sunday Nov 12, 2017
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (NKJV)
We can go back and read the same things over and over about Paul as reminders of how I'm to respond, how I'm to live, how I'm to act, how I'm to order my priorities, how I'm to deal with trials and suffering and trouble. He is a constant pattern for me.
The goal of my life is not to make sure I'm satisfied but to make sure God is satisfied, that's the goal of my life.
Tozier said, "Faith looks out instead of in and the whole of life falls into line," end quote.
Following after examples
Fleeing from enemies
Focusing on expectations.
V17 Follow after examples
It is not a matter of assessing me, it is a matter of knowing Him deeply. And the more I know Him and the more I am focused on Him and the more I am in communion with Him, the more the Spirit makes me like Him. The more I focus on myself, the more distracted I am from the proper path.
1 Timothy 1:15 he said, "I am foremost of sinners," not I was, but I am.
1John 1:7 and 9 that if you say you have no sin you make God a liar. So Paul is not sinless. He has not reached perfection. He has not had his sin nature eradicated. There's no second work of grace here that's put him in a different category from all the rest of the folks. He is saying I am sinner, I have problems with my flesh but I am pursuing the goal, follow my example.
2Corinthians 3:18 says that as we gaze at the glory that is revealed, the glory of our Lord, the Spirit changes us into His image.
Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? The more I know about Christ, the more I know about wisdom and knowledge. That is why verse 6 says, "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." Pattern your life after Him. Verse 9, "For in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form and in Him you have been made complete." Paul understood it. It's all in Christ.
1Thessalonians 1:6, And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit
1Th 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
Walk means daily conduct, the way you live
1Co 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
1Co 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Heb 6:12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
3Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Christian church should mortify (or crush) the desires of the flesh, on crucifying the needs of the self in pursuit of Christ's likeness
Paul is not saying, "Imitate my gifts." He's not saying, "Imitate my calling, my privileges, my achievements." No. He's saying, "Imitate and others who also are imitating mine, virtues, our humility, our unselfish service, our willingness to suffer, our devotion to Christ, our courage, our effort in spiritual growth," that's what he wants us to imitate.
Paul says, Follow the proper examples. Find those godly pastors and leaders who are above reproach, whose lives are blameless, who are walking the way a believer should walk, who are being obedient. They're not perfect, but the direction of their life is right. They're pursuing the prize, follow them."
To sum it up, the idea here would be this, Christ is the goal, Christ is the standard, Christ is the model, and we are to be like Christ. In order to know how Christ is, we study the Word of God. We study it until the Word about Christ dwells in us deeply, then we have a deep understanding of Christ so we know what He's like so we know what we're to be like. Secondly, we yield to the Spirit of God who keeps molding us into that likeness which we understand.
2. Flee from enemies v18-19
1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Later on in Matthew 23 He described them again. He was concerned about the false teachers, the false leaders, the antichrists in chapter 24:4-5, 11, 15, and 24. You find it all through the book of Acts. The false as against the true...the Simon Maguses, the false claiming in the name of God to cast out demons later on in the book of Acts. You find it in Paul's epistles as he warns, for example, stay away from endless genealogies, stay away from speculations, stay away from false teachers, know sound doctrine, pure doctrine, avoid those who are not true teachers. Peter gives an entire epistle, 2 Peter, to the unmasking of false teachers. Jude is concerned about it. John is concerned about it in his three epistles. It is all through the Scripture. We must beware of the enemies who masquerade as friends. That's the idea here. He has to tell the Philippians that they are enemies of the cross of Christ because they're very subtle.
Acts 20:31, to the Ephesian elders, "Be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I didn't cease to warn each one with tears." And then he says, "The only thing I can do is commend you to His Word which will build you up." You're protected by the Word. If you don't know the Word, you're not protected.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Angels can come in human form.
Tell you weeping …The Philippian church was the first church in Europe, a sort of beachhead for another world to reach. And it was so important that they stay pure and not get messed up.
Enemies of the Cross….the concept of the cross of Christ means all the atoning work accomplished on the cross. It's not just the wood. It's not just the death, it's the cross work of Christ. It signifies the whole of what He did there as the sacrifice for sin who alone could provide salvation for sinful men. That is the heart of our faith.
The phrase "the enemies of the cross of Christ" repulse those who love the Lord Jesus. The "enemy" opposes the cross. The cross is God's work. It stands in contradiction to human merit. People adverse to God's glory hate the cross, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Rom. 5:10). Before we came to know Christ we were the "enemies" of God. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled" (Col 1:21). Our works alienate us from God, even good works, if they are done in the flesh. "Because the carnal mind (the unbeliever) is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God (the Bible), nor indeed can be (does not have the capacity)" (Rom. 8:7).
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (I Co. 1:18). The cross is offensive to those who have not embraced its message, "And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased" (Gal. 5:11).
V19 Their end is destruction Rev 20:12-14
When it says "Whose God is their appetite," it means that they really worship their flesh, they worship their fleshly accomplishments, they worship all of the fleshly religious works that they do. They're very sensual in a religious sense
"Their glory is in their shame," it means they boast in the very works of which they should be ashamed.
In verse 19, "Whose God is their appetite." The word "appetite" is koilia, the word colitis comes from it. It has to do with the mid-section, particularly the stomach. It's the...their God is their stomach, their appetite. It simply means their sensual desires, they're driven by their desires, their drives, they're sensual. They live off of unrestrained sensual pleasure. They're driven by their sensual desire.
1Corinthians 5:2 where the Apostle Paul says to the church, "Not only do you have someone in incest, but you have someone in incest, who is proud about it."
Watch out for the people who come along and are the legalists who add all the stuff. Watch out for the people who come along and are the libertines who subtract the virtue.
"They set their minds on earthly things." The Judaizers, they're into the earthly ceremonies, rituals, and stuff that is nothing more than earthly symbol. In the case of the libertines (Gnostics), "They love the world and enmity with God is the result of friendship with the world," says James. "And if you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you," says John. They are what Paul Reese calls "thing minded." Have you read John Bunyan? Remember the man with the rake who was raking the muck, the manure? John Bunyan in his incredible way shows this guy who is totally unconscious that there's a heavenly messenger right above him with a crown, a golden crown, because his eyes are constantly on the ground where he's raking up the manure. Well that's these people. The gospel offers them a golden crown and they're raking the muck, obsessed with stuff in the world...houses and cars and money and bank accounts and trips and self-aggrandizement and wardrobes and accumulating stuff.
And so we are really laying up treasure on earth where moth and rust corrupts, where thieves break through and steal.
Well, if you're going to pursue the goal, you've got to follow the right example, avoid the wrong example
3. Focus on expectations.
Do you remember in John 14 He said, "I'm going away and if I go I will come again to receive you unto Myself that where I am you may be also," John 14:2 and 3? "I am the way, the truth and the life," passage. So Jesus said I'm going away, in My Father's house there are many rooms, I'm going to prepare them for you, I'm going to come back, I'm going to get you, I'm going to take you to be with Me, so we're waiting for Christ. We're not waiting for an event, we're waiting for a person...we're waiting for a person.
Canada permits citizenship in two countries simultaneously. The Christian has dual citizenship as well. The seat of a Christian's citizenship is in heaven. . The Christian has citizenship both here and there. Philippi was a Roman colony. Many in the church were Roman citizens. They lived in Greece but their citizenship was in Rome. They immediately understood Paul's analogy. They have a citizenship on earth but they have another in heaven. They were never to forget they were citizens of heaven. Their conduct was to match their citizenship.
Speaking of Abraham the author of Hebrews says, "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).
2 Peter 3, "Looking for and hasting under the day of God which causes us to be found blameless and in peace, looking for the Savior." John says if we have this hope in us, we purify ourselves. You're to be looking for Christ. That is the greatest point of spiritual motivation on the one hand, it is the greatest point of spiritual accountability on the other hand, and it is the greatest point of spiritual security.
You say, "What do you mean by that?" Well, if I know Jesus is coming, that's motivation...that's motivation. I want to be ready when He comes. I want to be faithful when He comes. I want to show Him that I've served Him. Paul says that when He comes, 1Corinthians 3:5, He's going to look at your work, it's going to be tested by fire, and you're going to receive an eternal reward. It's going to be determined whether your works are wood, hay, stubble or gold, silver, precious stones. That's motivation. I want to receive the reward, I want to receive the prize. I want to receive the well-done, good and faithful servant. I want to enter the joy of the Lord. That's motivation to me. I am motivated at that point because I love Christ and because I know that there are eternal rewards tied to my faithfulness here. So I am motivated by the fact that He's coming, that I'll have to face Him, that there is a judgment seat of Christ where I will have to face the things that I have done and be rewarded as He would reward me.
2John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
1 Corinthians 4 Paul says, "Look, we have to wait unto the day when the secret things are revealed, then shall every man have praise from God." God's going to open the secret things of your heart and find out what's worthy of praise.
You see, we've already been made a new creation in the inner man. But the inner man is incarcerated in unredeemed flesh. We're a prisoner locked in unredeemed flesh. And that's not just epidermis and tissue, that's the mind of the flesh and the flesh's lusts.
First John 3:2 says we'll be like Him for we'll see Him as He is.
1Cor 16:23 "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O LORD, come!"
Revelation 22 Even so Come Lord Jesus
Wednesday Nov 08, 2017
30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL ROMANS 1:18-24
Wednesday Nov 08, 2017
Wednesday Nov 08, 2017
Romans 1:18-24 says God’s wrath is revealed against men who suppress the truth of God, that everyone knows there is a God because of our conscience and the beauty and order in creation, we have not glorified Him as God, nor are we thankful for His gifts we enjoy everyday, we change the true God into man made images and have exchanged God’s truth for the devil’s lie. We worship the creature (cars, people, money) rather than the Creator. Bob Dylan sang a song that said you may serve the devil, or you may serve the Lord, but you are going to serve somebody. So who or what is your God?
Sunday Nov 05, 2017
PHILIPPIANS 3:8-16 HOW TO PURSUE CHRISTLIKENESS
Sunday Nov 05, 2017
Sunday Nov 05, 2017
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
What Paul Gained
Five Things…………knowledge, righteousness, power, fellowship, glory
V8 the excellence, the surpassing greatness or the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ
John 10 I know My sheep and they know Me
John 17:3 "This is eternal life that they may know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent
Genesis Adam knew his wife and she bore a son
Mt 7:22-23 Lord, Lord Depart from Me, I never knew you
2. V9 The righteousness which is of God by faith Eph 2:8-9
Isaiah 64:6 All My righteousness is as filthy rags
3. V10 the power of his resurrection … Power to overcome sin, trials, and to witness
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
4. The fellowship of his suffering.. Someone to fellowship with
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
5. V11 Glory…. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
1Thess 4:16 Rise to meet him in the air
This was written about 30 years after Paul's conversion so some would assume Paul was perfect
If we are truly saved then we will have a built in desire to grow spiritually
We should grow because:
The Bible says so, it is a command from God
2Peter 3:18 grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus
Glorifies God
1Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Verifies salvation - Truly changed Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Grants assurance of our salvation Hebrews 10:22 draw near with full assurance, Ephesians 5:26
Lets others see the truth of God's Word shown in your life Isaiah 55:11 will not return void
Keeps the Gospel from disgrace 1Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Produces joy and usefulness in your life Acts 20:22-24 22 "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Matthew 6:19 moth and rust
Enhances our witness to the world Matthew 5:16 Let your light
Paul is teaching us perfection is a goal in this life, but never achievable
We are positionally perfect, but not practically
6 principles we need to know in order to pursue the prize
V-12 The awareness of the need to achieve a better condition
Verse 12 He says he is not what he ought to be
2Corinthians 12 Paul was given a thorn in the flesh so that his pride would not get the best of him
If you think you have arrived you are in a dangerous position
2. Exert Maximum effort
V-12 Paul says he presses on
No let go and Let God here
He is pursuing the prize with all his spiritual muscles
1Timothy 6:12 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.
Hebrews 12:1-2 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,
1Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 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.
v- 12 He says he pursues the prize that he May Lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of him
This means his goal is consistent with Christ's for his life My will is his will
Romans 8:28- To be conformed to the image of his Son (Christ)
3. We need focused Concentration on the one goal
Focus our eyes straight ahead on the goal like a runner in a race
4. V-13 The Key to this whole thing is ONE THING I DO
What does he do verse 14 pursues the prize
Doing one thing means Forgetting what lies behind
What do we forget....? Everything in our past… accomplishments, sins, disasters.
Remember the things God did in your life so you can move to greater accomplishments…David
We shouldn't be distracted by the past or so focused on it that it we cannot do anything in the future.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
5. Spiritual Motivation V 14 calls us to a lifelong pursuit of spirituality
V- 14 He says he continuously presses on toward the goal
Goal is being like Christ here and now- Prize to be made like Christ
Out of that pursuit everything else will flow. Ministry, love, joy, peace......
Look forward to the upward call
1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Live in the light and expectation of heaven and God's glory
Paul was waiting for that crown of perfection or righteousness
6. We need to recognize divine resources for spiritual growth
The Word 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11
Desire the pure milk of the word 1 Peter 2:2
Prayer
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
V17 Follow an example
Trials
1Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
V 15 as many as are perfect
As many as have this attitude or think this way
But if any of you have a different attitude
Some were hung up on the past or believe they have arrived or can live any way they want to since they are saved
Paul says God will reveal it to you ....God will discipline, chasten, allow trials, or suffering if you won't grow Hebrews 12:5, 6 &11
Only God can move us at those times and Paul is praying that he will do that
Need Consistency
V 16 One more thing let us keep living by that same we have obtained
In other words whatever you are spiritually live up to it and keep moving forward
TOOLS FOR SALE It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection; each tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements... Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool, well worn and priced very high. "What is the name of this tool?" asked one of the purchasers, pointing to it. "That is discouragement," replied the devil.
"Why have you priced it so high?" "Because it is more useful to me than the others. I can pry open and get inside a man's heart with that when I cannot get near him with my other tools. Once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people know that it belongs to me." Is the devil beating you down trying to discourage you? The Lord has good news for you! But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, SO THAT CHRIST'S POWER MAY REST ON ME." II Corinthians 12:9
Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Are you growing or are you looking backward and defending yourself?
Are you saying I am not what I should be but I will keep trying with the help of God?
If you think you have arrived will you ask God to forgive you and start moving you forward?
Maybe you do not know Jesus, will you trust Him as Lord and Savior and start the race today?
2Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
Hi, I’m Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries. In Philippians 4:1 Paul tells us to stand firm in the Lord. Are you spiritually stable? Or are you like the double minded man in James who doesn’t know what he believes and is tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine? The Bible tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. So how can you stand firm in shaky times. You need to get your Bible out, read it, study it, memorize it, then you won’t fall prey to Satan’s lies and traps because you will Know the truth and the truth will set you free.