His Love Ministries
We spread the gospel to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten. Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
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Episodes
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
In Joshua Chapter 24, we see that Joshua wants the people of God to recommit themselves to God. He rehearses all that God has done so that they know who He is and what His will for their life is, but that is contingent on really being interested in knowing it. This also applies to us today. The bible always gives two sides to salvation in our Christian lives; there is the fact that God is Sovereign and He does what He wants to do based on His Holiness, but then there is our part, human responsibility. God will do everything He can to get us to know Him and do His will, but He will not make us into robots. We have a choice, we can serve God (meaning we get saved), or we can serve the Devil. Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." We can also as christians grow and serve God, or we can live as babies in Christ and never experience all that God has for us. 1 Peter 2:2 says as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 2 Peter 3:18 says but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. Or Stay Babies - Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. It is our choice, what will you or what have you chosen to do?
Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice." (Joshua 24:24) But they did not!!!!
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
4 days ago
4 days ago
BE PRAYERFUL (VV. 2–4)
PRAYER AND THE BELIEVER (VV. 2)
NEW MANS MOUTH IS SHOWN BY PRAYER PROCLAMATION, PERFORMANCE –RIGHT LIVING, PERFECTION –SEASONED WITH SALT
Does God really answer prayer? If so, God’s Children need to ‘continue [persevere] earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving’. Prayer prevails with God because we are his adopted Children (Gal. 4:6). These words echo the words of our Saviour who taught that ‘men always ought to pray and not lose heart’ (Luke 18:1). Time must be set aside for prayer. Jesus told the parables of the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5–8) and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1–8) to encourage us to intercede until the answers come.
PRAYER IS A BATTLE: ‘continue earnestly in prayer’. Mental, emotional and physical effort is involved in prayer, and one can feel exhausted by it all. This is because it has to do with the whole person. Thus when we pray the mind is engaged (1 Cor. 14:15), the will is involved (Acts 12:5) and the heart is burdened (James 5:16). This is illustrated both by our Saviour in Gethsemane, where he was ‘exceedingly sorrowful, even to death’ (Matt. 26:38– 44), and by Jacob, when he wrestled in prayer at Peniel and would not let Jehovah go until he was blessed by him (Gen. 32:24–31).
PRAYER IS A MINISTRY: ‘being vigilant in it’. Prayer is vital if the ‘spoilers’ are not to corrupt the minds and hearts of the believing members. Satan wants to irritate and distract with disputes, problems, etc., but it is a saint’s duty to bring all these issues to God in prayer. When this is done, Satan will fail and the ‘spoilers’ will not succeed (James 4:8). Prayer cannot be made if you are asleep, as it is wakeful fellowship and communion with the Father through the Son by the help of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 26:40–41a).
PRAYER BRINGS VICTORY: ‘with thanksgiving’. Prayer brings victory when it is full of thanksgiving. Paul adds the element of thanksgiving deliberately, because praise of this sort ‘imparts spiritual freshness to prayer’ (Carson). Let every Christian be grateful for grace, happy about holiness and delighted with so great a salvation (1 Thess. 5:18). The Fatherhood of God is evident here, and the spiritual relationship which believers have with Christ is emphasized. The best types of prayers are those ‘according to his will’ (1 John 5:14–15). Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to say ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matt. 6:10). Faith tells us that God’s good pleasure is best for us because his wisdom is to be preferred to ours. We need therefore to submit to his will with meekness, while putting away self-will and pride.
Paul says we need Strong prayer, consistent, watchful, and thankful
Prayer and intercession (vv. 3–4)
Paul, as a missionary pastor and preacher, felt the need for prayers of intercession on behalf of himself and the team he worked with. What does he request?
THAT HE WILL PREACH CHRIST FREELY (V. 3A): Prayers are requested so that all obstacles hindering the work are removed and a door opened which will give Paul opportunity for the preaching and teaching of the gospel (Rev. 3:8). This, however, does not guarantee that Paul will not have opposition or trouble as he does the will of Christ (1 Cor. 16:9). Pastors and all engaged in evangelism and church planting need prayer support. This is an act of fellowship in the gospel, and Paul requested this fellowship on several occasions (2 Cor. 1:11; 1 Thes. 5:25; 2 Thes. 3:1–2).
THAT HE WILL PREACH CHRIST TRULY (V. 3B): Who and what Jesus Christ is must be faithfully and consistently made known when Paul and his team preach the gospel, for it reveals the incarnate Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the world (Eph 6:19–20). Jesus Christ is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit and this is the ‘mystery’ Paul preaches (1:26–27; 2:2; Eph. 3:3–4, 9). There is no other Saviour (John 14:6).
THAT HE WILL PREACH CHRIST CLEARLY (V. 4): He requests that he and his team will be able to speak clearly and boldly to sinners about the glories and love of Christ. He wishes to make the gospel ‘manifest’, ‘to make clear by uncovering’. He wants to speak plainly and not incomprehensibly, in order that others can share in the joy of eternal life (Rom. 15:13; 1 John 1:4). He wants to be able to discern when to speak and how much to say, and how to share the message so that it is not misunderstood.
Be wise (vv. 5–6)
‘Walk in wisdom towards those who are outside, redeeming the time’ (v. 5). Paul uses this term ‘outside’ in other epistles to distinguish between the members and non-members of the local churches (1 Cor. 5:12–13; 1 Thess. 4:12). Our actions towards non-Christians must be controlled, with God’s grace shining through our words and works. Respect must be shown for all those who are made in the image of God. This exhortation is to ‘walk’ and ‘talk’ wisely, and emphasizes the correct use of available time.
We get wisdom by worship, prayer, studying and instruction from Godly teachers
Time management (v. 5b)
Christians are to make the most of all the opportunities that God gives to them. Thus Paul calls upon them to ‘redeem the time’. Although this is, as Thayer says, ‘an obscure phrase’, it implies that believers should ‘make time your own property’ (NIV) by being diligent in the use of it. Christ is drawing the world and its powers to his judgement seat at his Second Coming (Rom. 8:19), when there will be no more time to evangelize or preach; the days of mercy will then be over and the longed-for ‘not yet’ will become a reality. Paul uses the same phrase, ‘redeeming the time’, in Ephesians, but adds, ‘because the days are evil’ (Eph. 5:15–16). Thus everything is to be done for the glory of God and in the light of eternity, remembering that we live in a fallen universe. Don’t put off until tomorrow what should be done today, because procrastination is the thief of time. ‘Redeeming the time’ is about making the best use of time, making time your own property, but this will prove impossible unless one is ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Eph. 5:18). There is need for the household of God to:
REDEEM THE TIME LOST. We cannot turn the clock back—yesterday is lost forever— but today and tomorrow are ours! God said to the prophet Joel, ‘I will restore … the years that the swarming locust has eaten’ (Joel 2:25). Time has been lost by procrastination, pleasure, laziness, disobedience, etc.; so let us put these aside and make the most of what time is left.
REDEEM THE TIME LEFT. Jesus said, ‘The night is coming when no one can work’ (John 9:4). Thus we are reminded that our days are numbered and our time is short. How long do we have left here on earth? How long will the door be opened still? Do we understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17)?
REDEEM THE TIME LOANED. We can miss opportunities; we can fail to act when opportunity comes; we can be too late and the door can shut. Yet we depend on heaven for the time that we are allowed. Time is loaned to us and, as stewards of Christ, we must use it wisely and grasp it fully with zeal, while we have strength and opportunity.
Word management (v. 6)
When speaking, care must be taken to be gracious and wise: ‘Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.’ To speak well of Christ, local churches and pastors is the height of wisdom. People are more inclined to ‘read’ believers’ actions rather than the Bible. Wise words from believers will prevent outsiders slandering the local church, and will help to advance the kingdom of Christ. Christians are to let God’s grace teach them how to handle others well. Paul’s use of the word ‘always’ alerts us to the need to show grace even when provoked (1:11; Eph. 4:29). Because of this, the believer’s conversations and retorts need to be ‘seasoned with salt’. Paul is reminding them that the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to control (James 3:1–10). His illustration is apt, as Christian conversation should be both appetizing (tasty) and beneficial (nutritious), thus leaving the outsiders wanting more (1 Tim. 3:7).
Put your own name in this verse: ‘Let …’s speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.’ Let this be so when you are with your friends and the tendency is to be unguarded and crude, or when confronted by your enemies and the tendency is to be rude and harsh. Rather let there be a gracious habit of speech, not abusive, not vindictive, but truthful and loving (Eph. 4:15a; 1 Peter 2:23; Prov. 10:32; Eccles. 10:12). Paul is encouraging us to speak the right word to the right person at the right time.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
John 5:28-29 tells how the saved will rewarded for their good and those not trusting in Christ will be judged and condemned. Most people don't understand the implications of living for Christ here on earth & how it is going to impact eternity, or else they would live differently. Dan 12:3 says those who teach & lead others to faith will be considered wise & will shine in heaven because of the work they have done for Christ. Mt 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. What will eternity be like for you?
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en
https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/110230052184687338/charity/145555
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Paul next applied the implication of this exhortation to various groups of Christians.
"What is beyond question is that the three paragraphs which follow are given as examples of Christian submission, and that the emphasis throughout is on submission."
He addressed six groups: wives and husbands (3:18-19), children and FATHERS (20-21) and slaves and masters (3:22-4:1). In each of the three pairings, the first partner is responsible to be submissive or obedient However the second partner is also to show a submissive spirit. All are to relate to one another as unto the Lord. This is one of several "house-rule" lists in the New Testament (cf. Eph. 5:22—6:9; 1 timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:1-10; 1 Pet. 2:18—3:7). The writings of some Apostolic Fathers also contain such lists.
"Too much so-called 'holiness teaching' emphasizes a personal relationship to Jesus Christ without any attempt to indicate its consequences in terms of relationships with the people we live and work with. In contrast to such holiness-in-a-vacuum, which magnifies experiences and minimizes ethics, the apostles spelled out Christian duty in the concrete situations of everyday life and work."
When God controls us, we experience harmony in the home and in the workplace, in spite of possible friction, tension, and opposition there.
Up to this point Paul has been describing how we ought to live
In what might appear at first to be an abrupt change of direction, Paul begins to describe how various family members are to conduct themselves
The responsibilities of wives
The responsibilities of husbands
The responsibilities of children
The responsibilities of fathers
The responsibilities of servants or employees
The responsibilities of masters or employers
3. But the subject matter is really not so abrupt as it may appear, for Paul mentioned earlier...
How the church is to treat each other
How we are to put on certain attributes which show we love Christ...and it is through family relationships that we can often do this more successfully than in any other way!
4. How can this be? It is through our families that we interact so much with the society in which we live...
Thus it is through our families we have great potential to demonstrate the wisdom of God...
The same principles that underlie the gospel message (submission, love, sacrifice, obedience, honesty, fairness) are to be displayed in our family relationships
By example, then, we can demonstrate in our families what is truly good and right (i.e., God's will), and prepare others to be receptive to the gospel message!
Thus Paul is not abruptly changing direction, but continues to talk about those sort of things which are crucial to having a "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called".
The root problem is pride and wanting first place in everything
Satan: Is 12
Submission involves voluntarily putting oneself under another’s authority
The idea implicit in the term is “to place under” (in the active voice). As it is found in our text, the idea would be, “to subordinate oneself” or “to place oneself under.” In general terms, submission is the placing of oneself under the one to whom we submit. Since we are commanded to submit ourselves one to another, we are to place all others above ourselves. This idea is certainly not foreign to the New Testament, nor is it found only where the term “submit” is employed:
It is the love of our Lord which prompted Him to subordinate His own rights and privileges, and to humiliate Himself by taking on human flesh, and then by death on Calvary. In His first coming, Jesus not only submitted Himself to the will of the Father (see Matthew 26:39), He also submitted His interests to the interests of lost sinners, whom He would save by His death, burial, and resurrection:
Phil. 2:3-8 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I doubt that any one word can sum up the heart of what the Scriptures mean by submission. Let me suggest several words, each of which identifies a certain element of submission. The first word is “surrender.” Submission is a voluntary act or surrendering one’s rights or will.
The second word is” sacrifice.”
The third is “service.” The service which is rendered those to whom we submit often involves a sacrifice. It costs us something to render service to the other person.
A fourth term is “authority,”
while a fifth is “obedience.” When we submit to one who has authority over us, we should evidence this submission, in part, by our obedience. On the other hand, when we submit to those under our authority, we evidence this with sacrificial service.
The final term is “priority.” Those to who we submit have, in some manner, priority over us, our rights, our pleasure, or our will.
Mt 8:5-10 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." 7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Submission involves Sacrifice and Responsibility
Jesus gave up His rights yet maintained His responsibilities. The biblical concept of authority emphasizes responsibility, not tyranny
Responsible authority does not wield power; it serves with it."
The writer to the Hebrews has much to say about the sacrificial aspects of our Lord’s earthly ministry (see chapter 9).
We must distinguish between what we are as a person in Christ and what role we are to portray about Christ and His church. We are all given a role to play, but a subordinate role does not imply an inferior relationship to Christ.
If someone were to protest that the role they have been given to play is beneath them, Let’s remind ourselves that we are not worthy of any role. We were, as sinners, worthy only of Christ’s eternal wrath. Any role is a privilege. And, also, that in order to achieve our salvation at Calvary, Jesus took on a role which was beneath Him. Finally, I would say that the values assigned to our roles by our culture are opposite to those assigned by God. Do you think it demeaning to hold a position of service? Our Lord has taught us that to be the greatest is to serve, and not to be served (Matthew 20:20-28,
Mr 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.").
Why, then, should we agonize about any role which God has graciously given to us?
A CALL TO WALK IN MATRIMONIAL HARMONY (18-19)
DUTIES OF WIVES (18)
Submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord (18)
DUTIES OF HUSBANDS (19)
Love their wives
Don”t be bitter towards them
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
THE DUTY OF CHILDREN... (20)
Children are to obey their parents in a way that honors them
But there are also spiritual repercussions - cf. Co 3:20 ("for this is well pleasing to the Lord")
THE DUTY OF FATHERS... (21)
Fathers are charged negatively..
DON'T provoke children (i.e., put unreasonable demands on them, exasperate them)
Lest they be discouraged
THE DUTY OF SERVANTS OR EMPLOYEES... (22)
In the First Century A.D., servants or slaves were an intricate part of many households, which may explain Paul including instructions to them and masters in this and parallel passages - cf. Eph 5:22-6:9
Christians who were servants or employees we could say in today’s setting were expected to demonstrate the proper kind of obedience required of all Christians...
Obedience in sincerity of heart, as to Christ Himself, not with eye service, as men-pleasers
Obedience with fear of God, Holy and reverential fear of God[i] - cf. Ph 2:10
Obedience with good will, as to the Lord
Obedience with an understanding that the Lord is an impartial Judge
In this way even slaves or employees in today’s setting could demonstrate by example what true obedience was according to the Will of God
Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Paul reminds the believers that there are rewards to come for the good and faithful servants of Christ. Christians are to work as if they are in God’s service: they ‘serve the Lord Christ’. This is their calling, so they are to do the best they can and pray for grace and protection (Matt. 6:13). Whatever believers do for their Savior here on earth it will not be regretted; in fact, when they reach heaven they will wish that they had given more to him who gave everything for them (John 21:15–17). Ultimately, we do not work for our employer but for the Lord Jesus Christ. Understanding this principle will help produce a better and healthier attitude to work and allow us to do the unpleasant tasks with patience. There are rewards promised and waiting for believers in heaven after a lifetime of faithful service[ii]
Col 3:25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
THE DUTY OF MASTERS OR EMPLOYERS... (4:1)
Those Christians who had slaves (like Philemon) were charged to treat their servants in very special ways:
" give your bondservants what is just and fair", i.e., their treatment of slaves should be governed by the same sort of principles given to the servants...
1) "with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ"
2) "not with eyeservice...but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart"
3) "with good will...as to the Lord, and not to men"
By their example, masters could demonstrate the proper exercise of authority, and reveal much about how our Master in heaven rules over us in the kingdom of God!
This series of warnings is actually a practical application of Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” It is by His power and authority that we should live in our daily relationships. If He is the preeminent One in our lives, then we will love each other, submit to each other, obey, and treat one another fairly in the Lord.[iii]
Our Lord Jesus became a slave in order to bring about our salvation (Mark 10:45), and thus also became an example of submission for slaves (1 Peter 2:18-25). Paul often referred to himself as the Lord’s slave (see Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:19). Beyond this, every Christian has been delivered from slavery to sin, and has become a slave of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:16-20; 14:4; 1 Corinthians 7:22). And so the instructions which Paul gives to “slaves” applies to every Christian, as Christ’s slave.
Paul contrasted masters according to the flesh with the Master of the human spirit, namely, Jesus Christ. Christian slaves owed their earthly masters obedience. Obedience demonstrated their submission to Christ.
"Christianity does not offer us escape from circumstances; it offers us conquest of circumstances."
Earthly rank has no relevance in heaven
As we review this section of duties, we need to remind ourselves that only a WORD filled or Spirit-filled believer will be able to fulfill them (3:16-17). Essentially what Paul urged was humility that expresses itself in loving submissiveness to others rather than arrogant self-assertiveness.
CONCLUSION
It would be well for us to review Ephesians 5:18–6:9 and note the parallels between that passage and the one we have just studied. This section of Ephesians emphasizes being filled with the Spirit, while the Letter to the Colossians emphasizes being filled with the Word; but the evidences are the same: joyful, thankful, and submissive living. To be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Word.
The fullness of the Spirit and the fullness of the Word are needed in the home. If family members are controlled by the Spirit of God and the Word of God, they will be joyful, thankful, and submissive—and they will have little trouble getting along with each other. Christian employers and employees will treat each other fairly if they are filled with the Spirit and the Word.
The heart of every problem is the problem of the heart, and only God’s Spirit and God’s Word can change and control the heart.
Can the people who live around you detect that you are filled with the Spirit and the Word?[iv]
[i] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 78). Day One Publications.
[ii] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 79). Day One Publications.
[iii] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 145). Victor Books.
[iv] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 145). Victor Books.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Luke 9:26 says “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Here we see the contrast between a Christian’s reputation now in the eyes of those of the world getting glory here or the good reputation before God in the future getting His glory later. Which one is it that we seek? Every day we have a choice are we going to look good in the eyes of the world around us or please the one who died for us. Most of the time we don’t think of it in that way. But that is how it really is. It is tough to be a Christian and to be excluded from many of the things that the world does even if it does not involve outright sinful behavior. Too many choose friendship with the world and therefore shame themselves and Jesus’ reputation. When the world sees a Christian they expect us to be different and it is our Godly behavior that causes them to shun us. Yes, it hurts to be excluded, but is what the world thinks about us more important than what Jesus does? No, and until we make a stand to be what Jesus called us to be the world will never stand up and take notice of our differentness and hopefully want to trust Christ because it knows what we have is better. Does your life and mine reflect the glory of Jesus? What is that we will we hear when we see Jesus after we die?
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
Col 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.
3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE SECOND PERSON PLURAL. Notice that this dwelling is not automatic. Believers must co-operate in the Christian life as they do in salvation.
The outlines of Eph. and Col. are very similar. The parallel to this verse in Eph. is 5:18!
3:16–17 There is a theological and structural parallel between Eph. 5:18–21 and Col. 3:16–17. In Eph. there is a PRESENT PASSIVE IMPERATIVE with the passive imperative our responsibility lies in being open to God’s operation, the Spirit’s working, and Christ’s indwelling. Thus the passive imperative preserves in the grammar the most fundamental principle of God’s economy, that is, that God is the One who operates in us and yet we are responsible to open to His operation, to allow Him to operate, and to cooperate with His operation. God is sovereign and we are responsible go hand in hand.
“ever be filled,” while in Col. there is a Present Active Imperatives are commands that are expected to be followed not once, but as an ongoing process. “let the word of Christ dwell within you.” Also in Eph. the IMPERATIVE is followed by five PRESENT PARTICIPLES which describe the Spirit-filled life:
This means, of course, the Word of God. The false teachers came to Colossae with man-made traditions, religious rules, and human philosophies. They tried to harmonize God’s Word with their teachings, but they could not succeed. God’s Word always magnifies Jesus Christ.
It was not the word of false teachers that brought salvation to the Colossians; it was the Word of the truth of the Gospel (Col. 1:5). This same Word gives us life and sustains and strengthens us (1 Peter 1:22–2:3).
The Word will transform our lives if we will but permit it to “dwell” in us richly. The word dwell means “to feel at home.” If we have experienced the grace and the peace of Christ, then the Word of Christ will feel at home in our hearts. We will discover how rich the Word is with spiritual treasures that give value to our lives.
However, we must not think that Paul wrote this only to individual Christians; for he directed it to the entire church body. “Let the Word of Christ dwell among you” is a possible translation. As it dwells richly in each member of the church, it will dwell richly in the church fellowship.
There is a danger today, as there was in Paul’s day, that local churches minimize the Word of God. There seems to be a lack of simple Bible teaching in Sunday School classes and pulpits. Far more interest is shown in movies, musical performances, and various entertainments than in God’s Word. Many saved people cannot honestly say that God’s Word dwells in their hearts richly because they do not take time to read, study, and memorize it.
There is (according to Paul) a definite relationship between our knowledge of the Bible and our expression of worship in song. One way we teach and encourage ourselves and others is through the singing of the Word of God. But if we do not know the Bible and understand it, we cannot honestly sing it from our hearts.
Perhaps this “poverty of Scripture” in our churches is one cause of the abundance of unbiblical songs that we have today. A singer has no more right to sing a lie than a preacher has to preach a lie. The great songs of the faith were, for the most part, written by believers who knew the doctrines of the Word of God. Many so-called “Christian songs” today are written by people with little or no knowledge of the Word of God. It is a dangerous thing to separate the praise of God from the Word of God.[1]
“with all wisdom” This is a play on the false teachers’ overemphasis on human knowledge. The word of Christ (the Spirit-filled life) is true wisdom. Wisdom is a person (cf. Prov. 8:22–31) and a lifestyle, not isolated truth or creeds.
“with psalms” The NKJV and NASB translations imply “teaching with songs,” but the NRSV and NJB imply “teachers with songs in their hearts.”
Psalms were, of course, the songs taken from the Old Testament. For centuries, the churches in the English-speaking world sang only musical versions of the Psalms. I am glad to see today a return to the singing of Scripture, especially the Psalms.
Hymns were songs of praise to God written by believers but not taken from the Psalms. The church today has a rich heritage of hymnody which, I fear, is being neglected.
Spiritual songs were expressions of Bible truth other than in psalms and hymns. When we sing a hymn, we address the Lord; when we sing a spiritual song, we address each other.
Paul described a local church worship service (1 Cor. 14:26; Col. 3:16). Note that the believer sings to himself as well as to the other believers and to the Lord. Our singing must be from our hearts and not just our lips. But if the Word of God is not in our hearts, we cannot sing from our hearts. This shows how important it is to know the Word of God, for it enriches our public and private worship of God.
Our singing must be with grace. This does not mean “singing in a gracious way,” but singing because we have God’s grace in our hearts. It takes grace to sing when we are in pain, or when circumstances seem to be against us. It certainly took grace for Paul and Silas to sing in that Philippian prison (Acts 16:22–25). Our singing must not be a display of fleshly talent; it must be a demonstration of the grace of God in our hearts.
Someone has said that a successful Christian life involves attention to three books: God’s Book, the Bible; the pocketbook; and the hymn book. As a believer grows in his knowledge of the Word, he will want to grow in his expression of praise. He will learn to appreciate the great hymns of the church, the Gospel songs, and the spiritual songs that teach spiritual truths. To sing only the elementary songs of the faith is to rob himself of spiritual enrichment.
Before we leave this section, we should notice an important parallel with Ephesians 5:18–6:9. In his Letter to the Ephesians, Paul emphasized being filled with the Spirit; in his Letter to the Colossians, he emphasized being filled with the Word. But the evidences of this spiritual fullness are the same! How can we tell if a believer is filled with the Spirit? He is joyful, thankful, and submissive (Eph. 5:19–21); all of this shows up in his relationships in the home and on the job (Eph. 5:22–6:9). How can we tell if a believer is filled with the Word of God? He is joyful, thankful, and submissive (Col. 3:16–4:1).[1]
The Spirit-filled life is daily Christlikeness or allowing the word of Christ and the mind of Christ to guide in every area, especially interpersonal relationships.
The key is the heart of the worshiper, not the form of the music (cf. 3:17).
Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
THE SERVICE OF LOVE: The work of Christ must be done in the manner of Christ. Believers are to live and act as those who bear his name and must do nothing that would make them ashamed to say that they are Christians. This is a principle to live by: ‘whatever you do’ (v. 17), whether at home, at work, in the church, or out and about. This sense of duty must also be accompanied with a sense of gratitude and note of praise, ‘giving thanks to God the Father through him’. Giving thanks declares the gratitude of grace and the praise of peace.
3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed” This is a major spiritual truth. Believers must relate all their motives and actions to God through Christ. Every aspect of our lives is “as unto the Lord.” Believers do not live for themselves (cf. v. 23; Rom. 14:7–9; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:15; Eph. 6:7; 1 Pet. 4:11). This truth could revolutionize the modern, western, individual-focused church[1]
The Name of Christ (Col. 3:17)
In modern society, we pay little attention to names. But the ancient world held a man’s name to be of utmost importance. Often, during Old Testament days, God changed a person’s name because of some important experience or some new development.
As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. The word Christian is found only three times in the entire New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). The name was given originally as a term of contempt, but gradually it became a name of honor. The name of Christ, then, means identification: we belong to Jesus Christ.
But His name also means authority. A man’s name signed to a check authorizes the withdrawal of money from the bank. The President’s name signed to a bill makes it a law. In the same way, it is in the name of Jesus Christ that we have the authority to pray (John 14:13–14; 16:23–26). Because Jesus Christ is God, and He has died for us, we have authority in His name.
All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. If we permit anything into our lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.
Bearing the name of Jesus is a great privilege, but it is also a tremendous responsibility. We suffer persecution because we bear His name (John 15:20–21). [1]
Note that Paul again mentioned thanksgiving in this Colossian letter. Whatever we do in the name of Christ ought to be joined with thanksgiving. If we cannot give thanks, then we had better not do it or say it! This is the fifth of six references in Colossians to thanksgiving (Col. 1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2). When we remember that Paul was a Roman prisoner when he wrote this letter, it makes this emphasis on thanksgiving that much more wonderful.
As we review these four spiritual motivations for godly living, we are impressed with the centrality of Jesus Christ. We forgive because Christ forgave us (Col. 3:13). It is the peace of Christ that should rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15). The Word of Christ should dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). The name of Christ should be our identification and our authority. “Christ is all, and in all” (Col. 3:11).
Since we are united with Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have all the resources we need for holy living. But we must be spiritually motivated. Because we have experienced the grace of Christ, we want to live for Him. Because we have enjoyed the peace of Christ, we want to obey Him. We have been enriched by the Word of Christ, and raised to the rank of nobility by the name of Christ; therefore, we want to honor and glorify Him.
Can we desire any higher motivation?[1]
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Ephraim got an inheritance from the Lord as His people when they entered the promised land. This inheritance was to be one that had crops, land, animals, houses, and fruit trees which they did not plant nor build. God had said He would drive the people out little by little so that the land would not be overgrown and taken over again by wild animals and become difficult to live in. God put this in the Bible in Exodus 23:29-31 so that we would know that just as He said He would drive these people out little by little, that this is a picture of driving out the sin in our lives once we become believers. He also states that we also have the responsibility of driving out the sin in our lives, but now we have His Power as believers to do so. So, it is not let go and let God, rather God said He would, but we have to do our part in ridding our lives of the sin that He puts His finger on and says must go. Are we depending on and trusting in His power to do what He asks us to do or are we trying in our own strength? If we are trying instead of trusting, we will fail and be like the Israelites who did not drive the sinful inhabitants out and so were plagued by them the rest of their lives.
Joshua 16:8-10 The border went out from Tappuah westward to the Brook Kanah, and it ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families. 9 The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.10 And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 61:4)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
Love: a new goal
Col 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
3:14 “put on love which is the perfect bond of unity” Love, which issues in unity, is the distinctive mark of the Christian (cf. Eph. 4:2–3; 1 Cor, 13; Gal. 5:22).
Paul leaves the greatest and highest grace to the last: ‘But above all these things put on love’. Christian love is above all these other important and beautiful graces because it is self-sacrificing, self-giving, and the fulfilment of both the law and the gospel. It is a new commandment given to us by our Savior (John 13:34–35). The local church needs lashings of love for unity to be maintained.
Put on … love (Col. 3:14). This is the most important of the Christian virtues, and it acts like a “girdle” that ties all the other virtues together. All of the spiritual qualities Paul has named are aspects of true Christian love, as a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 will reveal. Love is the first of the fruit of the Spirit and the other virtues follow—joy (Col. 3:16), peace (Col. 3:15), long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, and meekness (Col. 3:12).
When love rules in our lives, it unites all these spiritual virtues so that there is beauty and harmony, indicating spiritual maturity. This harmony and maturity keep the life balanced and growing. The gnostic system could never do this.[1]
Once again, Paul gives the Colossians the responsibility for making changes to their lives. The new clothes are beautiful gifts from God, but putting them on is the work of every individual Christian.
The most important item of all is love, which Paul imagines as either an overgarment or a belt. Love unites all the other qualities, and makes the outfit perfect.[1]
THE SUPREMACY OF LOVE: ‘above all these things put on love’. Philosophy was the ‘false teachers” trump card, however, ‘the love of God poured out in our hearts’ (Rom. 5:5) is the ultimate thing. It is superior to all other graces (1 Cor. 13; 1 Thes. 3:12).
THE STRENGTH OF LOVE: ‘which is the bond of perfection’. Love is like cement or belt that binds all the holy graces together in perfect harmony. Love completes and to keep our illustration of holy apparel, it completes the outfit. If there is no love then the other graces are only duty, cold morality or at best good manners. But love makes them all acceptable to God (even when they are imperfect).
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
In this verse Paul turned from character to conduct. How can a Christian know when he is doing God’s will? One answer is: the peace of Christ in the heart and in the church. When the believer loses his inner peace, he knows that he has in some way disobeyed God.
3:15 “Let the peace of Christ” This term originally meant “binding together that which was broken” (cf. John 14:27; 16:33; Phil. 4:7). There are three ways the NT speaks of peace: (1) as the objective (doctrinal) aspect of our peace with God through Christ (cf. Col. 1:20); (2) as the subjective (experiential) aspect of our being right with God (cf. John 14:27; 16:33; Phil. 4:7); and (3) as God’s uniting believing Jews and Gentiles into one new people (body) through Christ which is the mystery of God (cf. Eph. 2:14–17; Col. 3:15).
The word translated “rule” is an athletic term. It means “to preside at the games and distribute the prizes.” Paul used a variation of this word in his Letter to the Colossians: “Let no one declare you unworthy of a prize” (literal translation, Col. 2:18). In the Greek games, there were judges (we would call them umpires) who rejected the contestants who were not qualified, and who disqualified those who broke the rules.
The peace of God is the “Umpire” in our believing hearts and our churches. When we obey the will of God, we have His peace within; but when we step out of His will (even unintentionally), we lose His peace.
THE SIGN OF LOVE: love teaches us how to talk to each other, how to cope with each other and how to forgive. It fills the heart with God’s peace (v. 15). This is a subjective ‘peace’ (it is felt within) which is intended to ‘rule’, i.e. to ‘act like an umpire’ who keeps us right and tells us when we are wrong. There must be no racial barriers, cultural barriers or social barriers when love is in control. Love is a telling sign of regeneration.
We must beware, however, of a false peace in the heart. Jonah deliberately disobeyed God, yet he was able to go to sleep in the hold of a ship in a storm! “I had peace about it!” is not sufficient evidence that we are in the will of God. We must pray, surrender to His will, and seek His guidance in the Scriptures. The peace of heart alone is not always the peace of God.
Something else is involved: if we have peace in our hearts, we will be at peace with others in the church. We are called to one body, and our relationship in that body must be one of harmony and peace. If we are out of the will of God, we are certain to bring discord and disharmony to the church. Jonah thought he was at peace, when actually his sins created a storm!
When a Christian loses the peace of God, he begins to go off in directions that are out of the will of God. He turns to the things of the world and the flesh to compensate for his lack of peace within. He tries to escape, but he cannot escape himself! It is only when he confesses his sin, claims God’s forgiveness, and does God’s will that he experiences God’s peace within.
When there is peace in the heart, there will be praise on the lips: “And be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15). The Christian out of God’s will is never found giving sincere praise to God. When David covered up his sins, he lost his peace and his praise (Pss. 32; 51). When he confessed his sins, then his song returned.[1]
“rule” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. In contrast to the false teachers acting as umpires in 2:18, Christ is our only judge, guide and arbiter.
“you were called” God always takes the initiative in calling, electing, and wooing believers to Himself (cf. v. 12; John 6:44, 65; Eph. 1:4–5, 11). The term “calling” (kaleō) is used in several theological senses: (1) sinners are called by God through Christ to salvation; (2) sinners call on the name of the Lord to be saved (cf. Rom. 10:9–13); (3) believers are called to live Christ like lives (cf. Eph. 4:1); and (4) believers are called to ministry tasks (cf. 1 Cor. 12:4–7).
“in one body” This speaks of unity amidst diversity (cf. 1:18, 24; Eph. 4:4–6)! Notice that the emphasis is not on personal election, but corporate election. Salvation is corporate, not just individual.
In reaction to the abuses of power in the Roman Church, the Protestant Reformers emphasized the rights and responsibilities of the individual before God. However, their formulation became a biblical overstatement. The Bible does not teach the “priesthood of the believer,” but “the priesthood of believer s.” It is not a doctrine which emphasizes the freedom of the individual, but the body-life responsibility of each believer (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:).
“be thankful” This was a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, “keep on always being thankful.” Thankfulness is a sign of Christian maturity, of the Spirit-filled life (cf. v. 17; Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18). It is not a resignation to determinism (Islam), but a biblical world-view that God is with us and for us even amidst the difficulties and circumstances of this fallen world!
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Many times we want to be thought of highly enough that others would do something for us. But think about this that Jesus who is God in human flesh came to earth and humbled Himself and served others while He was here. Philippians 2:1-11 speaks of thinking of others more highly than ourselves and looking out for their interests too. It also says being humble was the mindset that Christ had and we should have it too. Is this the way we go about our day, do we think of what we could do for others rather than what we can do for ourselves or what others can do or have done for us?
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
3:12 “chosen of God, holy and beloved” These terms were used to describe Israel (Exod. 19:5–6), but now they describe the church (cf. Gal. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6).
Notice that the goal of the People of God is holiness (cf. Eph. 1:4), not a privileged standing. Israel was chosen as a tool to reach all humans made in the image of God. Israel missed her evangelistic mandate (cf. Gen. 12:3; Exod. 19:5). The Church has clearly been given this assignment (cf. Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 1:8). Believers are called to holiness and to be witnesses.
Christians are defined here as ‘the elect of God, holy and beloved’. This means that God has chosen them from eternity for salvation. Once saved, Christians are holy before God, being set apart in Christ by the Holy Spirit who indwells them. If we are saved we are highly loved by an act of divine love that flows from his heart (Rom. 9:13a)[1]
Chosen by God, set apart for God, loved by God, and forgiven by God. They all add up to GRACE! Now, because of these gracious blessings, the Christian has some solemn responsibilities before God. He must put on the beautiful graces of the Christian life. Paul named eight graces.[1]
“Put on the new man,” says Paul. “Put on mercy, kindness, and humility. Put on meekness, longsuffering, and love.” In short, put on Christ.[1]
“put on” This is an AORIST MIDDLE IMPERATIVE which indicates urgency. This is the continuing use of clothing as a symbol and mandate for the Christian life. It is even possible that this was baptismal terminology (cf. Gal. 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ).
Put on …NASB “a heart of compassion” and indicates deep feelings[1]
NKJV “tender mercies”
TEV Today's English Version “compassion”
NJB The New Jerusalem Bible “heartfelt compassion”
This is literally “bowels of compassion” (cf. 2 Cor. 6:12; Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Philemon 7, 12, 20). The ancients believed the seat of emotion was located in the lower intestines (abdomen).
Kindness, gentleness and patience are part of the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 5:22). They help Christians live in harmony with one another. Compassion and humility may sound like weaknesses. But Jesus showed in his own life that compassion and humility are at the heart of God.[1]
Put on … “kindness” is the desire for another’s good, and shows sweetness of disposition. This should be the Christian’s response to others (cf. Rom. 2:4; 9:23; 11:22; 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:12; Titus 3:4).
Put on … “humility” Humility of mind’ speaks of lowliness (Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3–5) and allows us to recognize that we have no reason or right to be self-confident.[1] This is a uniquely Christian virtue (cf. Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3). The Stoics viewed meekness (humbleness) as weakness and did not include it in their list of virtues. Only two people in the Bible are called humble, Moses (cf. Num. 12:3) and Jesus (cf. Matt. 11:29; Phil. 2:8). This becomes the will of God for every believer (cf. Matt. 18:4; 23:12; James 4:6, 10; 1 Pet. 5:5, 6). This term is used in a negative sense in 2:18, 23.
The pagan world of Paul’s day did not admire humility. Instead, they admired pride and domination. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of humbleness of mind (Phil. 2:1ff). Humility is not thinking poorly of oneself. Rather, it is having the proper estimate of oneself in the will of God (Rom. 12:3). The person with humbleness of mind thinks of others first and not of himself.[1]
Put on … “gentleness or meekness” means Power under control. This originally referred to domesticated animals (horses, camels, donkeys) whose strength had been channeled for their master’s purpose. God does not want to break us, but direct His giftedness to His glory. Paul often uses this metaphor for the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:25).
Put on … ‘Meekness’ is the opposite of self-interest and reveals itself in gentleness. It is a spirit of quiet submission, not weakness but rather a spirit of Christian courtesy. Thomas Watson once said, ‘Meekness is a grace whereby we are enabled by the Spirit of God to moderate our passions’ (see 2 Cor. 10:1[1]
Put on …Longsuffering or patience” This is often used of God’s patience with people (cf. Rom. 2:4; 9:22; Titus 3:2, 1 Pet. 3:20) or Jesus’ patience (cf. 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:15). It is used to exhort believers in their treatment of one another (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2; 2 Tim. 4:2). This word is literally “long-temper.” The short-tempered person speaks and acts impulsively and lacks self-control. When a person is long-suffering, he can put up with provoking people or circumstances without retaliating. It is good to be able to get angry, for this is a sign of holy character. But it is wrong to get angry quickly at the wrong things and for the wrong reasons.[1]
Patience in the face of provocation and suffering. This is a divine attribute (Rom. 2:4; 9:22). It is the opposite of anger and ‘it is associated with mercy’.
Kindness, gentleness and patience are part of the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 5:22). They help Christians live in harmony with one another. Compassion and humility may sound like weaknesses. But Jesus showed in his own life that compassion and humility are at the heart of God.[1]
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
ASB, NKJV “bearing with one another”
NJB “bear with one another”
TEV “be tolerant with one another”
Put on forbearance …bearing with one another is a PRESENT MIDDLE PARTICIPLE (used as an IMPERATIVE) which implies voluntary non-retaliation (cf. Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3–4).
This word literally means “to hold up” or “to hold back.” God is forbearing toward sinners in that He holds back His judgment (Rom. 2:4; 3:25). Meekness, long-suffering, and forbearance go together.[1]
Paul emphasizes forgiveness, as Jesus used to do. Forgiving one another and being forgiven by God belong closely together—indeed, they are inseparable (Matthew 6:14–15).[1]
Put on forgiveness … “forgiving each other” This is a PRESENT MIDDLE (deponent) PARTICIPLE. It is from the same Greek root as grace, “freely forgive.” One sign of believers being forgiven is that they forgive others (cf. Matt. 5:7; 6:15; 18:22–35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:36–38; James 2:13; 5:9). Forgiveness of others is not the basis of forgiveness, but it is its fruit.
“whoever has a complaint” This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which meant probable future action. There will be complaints! Christians will be at odds with other Christians, but Jesus’ cross should put a stop to it (cf. Rom. 14:1–15:13).
“just as the Lord forgave you” This is the basis for believers’ actions toward others (cf. Eph. 4:32; Rom. 15:7).
The point here is that of keeping oneself in check even when irritated by others, and the forgetting of offences personally received. We have to do so looking to Christ as our example: ‘even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do’. Believers can, and must, be a forgiving people (Matt. 6:14–15). Peter was told to forgive up to seventy times seven (Matt. 18:22). Note that Paul is still discoursing on Christian freedom! The antinomians will not like this clear and indisputable call from Paul because they consider themselves not under the law of obedience. However, a forgiving attitude marks out a true Christian from a false one.[1]
This is the logical result of all that Paul has written so far in this section. It is not enough that the Christian must endure grief and provocation, and refuse to retaliate; he must also forgive the troublemaker. If he does not, then feelings of malice will develop in the heart; and these can lead to greater sins.[1]
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Many people refuse to recognize Jesus as God, worship Him, and trust in Him. But in Luke 8:26-39 we see these demons, apparently thousands of them who have possessed this man recognize Jesus as the Most High God. They know that one day they will be sent to hell and so they ask Jesus not to send them there at this time. This man has been shackled, bound with chains and the strength of the demons in him allow him to escape each time. He is tormented and living like an animal until Jesus comes along. Jesus has more power than any chain, shackle or anything man can come up with. Jesus casts the demons into some pigs and sets the man free. The man becomes a believer in Christ and wants to follow Jesus, but he is told to go tell everyone what Jesus has done for him. Jesus can set us free from any problem that overwhelms us so that we can live for Him. Are you struggling with a sin that is beating you over and over? He can set you free. Have you ever trusted in Jesus as Savior? Have you been to Jesus for His cleansing power and been washed in the blood of the Lamb? I had someone one time ask me if Jesus can set us free, why are we not free. The answer is we are only as free as we want to be and if you are not free it is because you don’t want to be. Are you ready for Jesus to set you free? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhG25DnZoog
Luke 8:26-31,38-39 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
After warning us against the sensual sins, Paul then pointed out the dangers of the social sins (Col. 3:8–9
Because we are alive in Christ, we must seek the things that are above. And, because we died with Christ, we must put off the things that belong to the earthly life of past sin. The result is that we can become like Jesus Christ! God wants to renew us and make us into the image of His Son!
The Greek verbs translated put off and put on (Col. 3:9–10) indicate a once-for-all action. When we trust Christ, we put off the old life and put on the new. The old man has been buried, and the new man is now in control. But the verb translated “renewed” is a present participle—“who is constantly being renewed.” The crisis of salvation leads to the process of sanctification, becoming more like Jesus Christ.
God’s purpose for us is that we be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
GOD’S TRUE FAMILY
Jesus had just got through teaching on the soils and the seeds when this scene happens in Luke 8:19-21. This parable in Luke 8 shows you that not all people who go to church or follow Jesus are the real thing. The parable of the four soils or seeds makes this very clear. This is not four different kinds of Christians in this parable; it is one real Christian who bears fruit and three who never become Christians. So, Jesus speaks here of listening carefully. He says that those who because of not believing will have what truth they seem to have taken from them, but more truth would be given to those believing what He had already told them. Jesus says when they tell Him that His mother and brothers are outside wanting to see Him that only the true believers are His family, not those who say and do not do. What do your words and deeds say about you? Which soil are you? Are you a true believer?
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You. "But Jesus answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:19-21)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
It may surprise us to read that holiness starts with a negative action: ‘Therefore put to death …’ (v. 5); later we have the positive side: ‘Therefore … put on’ (vv. 12–17).
These appeals are undoubtedly of a high moral and spiritual standard and they will challenge and search the soul; but they must not be rebelled against nor neglected. It is the Christian’s calling to seek God’s grace so as to walk in a holy manner. Paul exhorts them to refuse to yield to the appeal of sin: ‘Put to death your members’. We possess a fallen human nature, but the call is to subdue the passion and power of the flesh (cf. 1 Thes. 4:3, 7).
Holiness negatively considered (vv. 5–11)
Sinful self-indulgence (vv. 5–7)
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
The word mortify means “put to death.” Because we have died with Christ (Col. 3:3), we have the spiritual power to slay the earthly, fleshly desires that want to control us. Paul called this “reckoning” ourselves to be dead to sin but alive in Christ (Rom. 6:11). Our Lord used the same idea when He said, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out” (Matt. 5:29–30).[i]
John Owen’s said The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.[ii]
The reliance on the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin is the only way that works.
All other ways of mortification are vain, all helps leave us helpless; it must be done by the Spirit…Mortification from self strength, carried on by ways of self-invention, unto the end of a self righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion in the world.[iii]
1Sa 15:32 Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me." So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." 33 But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
Not only was Paul negative in this paragraph, but he also named sins; and some people do not like that. These sins belong to the old life and have no place in our new life in Christ. Furthermore, God’s judgment falls on those who practice these sins; and God is no respecter of persons. God’s wrath fell on the Gentile world because of these sins (Rom. 1:18ff), and His wrath will fall again. “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming,” Paul warned (Col. 3:6,).
Five self-indulgent sins of the flesh, mind and heart are listed here. Christians must put them all to death.
‘Fornication’ is sexual immorality in general and includes sex outside of marriage which is contrary to God’s law.
‘Uncleanness’ is moral impurity of all kinds and has an inward reference here to the mind and thoughts including “lustful impurity that is connected with luxury and loose living.”. ‘Passion’ is lust that uses others for self-gratification. It describes a state of mind that excites sexual impurity. The person who cultivates this kind of appetite can always find opportunity to satisfy it[iv]
‘Evil [wicked] desire’ is a craving for evil things. desires lead to deeds, appetites lead to actions. If we would purify our actions, then we must first purify our minds and hearts.
What we desire usually determines what we do[v]
If I create in my children an appetite for candy, then I must satisfy that appetite. If they become overweight and unhealthy, then I must change their appetites, and I must teach them how to enjoy foods other than sweets. “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10) should be our prayer; for it is out of the heart that these evil desires come (Mark 7:21–23).[vi]
‘Covetousness which is idolatry’ is not a reference to stone or silver gods or goddesses, but to a greedy heart. Greed is idolatry. Literally, it is ‘to have more’—thus adultery is idolatry, as it wants more.
Covetousness is the sin of always wanting more, whether it be more things or more pleasures. The covetous person is never satisfied with what he has, and he is usually envious of what other people have. This is idolatry, for covetousness puts things in the place of God. “Thou shalt not covet” is the last of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:17). Yet this sin can make us break all of the other nine! A covetous person will dishonor God, take God’s name in vain, lie, steal, and commit every other sin in order to satisfy his sinful desires.[vii]
Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Do believers in local churches commit such sins? Unfortunately, they sometimes do. Each of the New Testament epistles sent to local churches makes mention of these sins and warns against them. I am reminded of a pastor who preached a series of sermons against the sins of the saints. A member of his congregation challenged him one day and said that it would be better if the pastor preached those messages to the lost. “After all,” said the church member, “sin in the life of a Christian is different from sin in the lives of other people.”
“Yes” replied the pastor, “it’s worse!”
God hates these sins. They are against his moral law (Exod. 20), and those who do them are called ‘sons of disobedience’ (v. 6); unrepentant sinners will feel the just wrath of God (Matt. 10:28; 25:19–30; 2 Thes. 1:8–9).
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
[i] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 134). Victor Books.
[ii] VI:7.
[iii] VI:7.
[iv] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 135). Victor Books.
[v] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 135). Victor Books.
[vi] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 135). Victor Books.
[vii] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 135). Victor Books.
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Luke 7:47-50 tells the story of a very sinful woman who by faith trusts in Christ and is forgiven her many sins. I am always thankful to see those who at a young age trust Christ and don’t end up in a life of misery because of their many sins. But it is amazing sometimes to see how people who have lived such a sinful life, that when they do trust Christ, how much they end up being used by Him. Jesus says the same thing here, that this woman knowing just how sinful she was showed great love and sacrifice in what she did for Christ. It takes the same grace to save a young person who is without great sin in their life as it does to save a great sinner, yet how often does that person who has been saved most of their life remember how great a Savior Jesus is and but by the grace of God they could have been in the same place as the great sinner? If you were saved at a young age, don’t forget to be thankful for all that God saved you from and serve Him in a mighty way. If you have been saved from such a sinful life, don’t ever forget how much He loves you. Be a grateful servant and do much for Him because He deserves all the honor and glory for what He has done and continues to do in our lives.
Luke 7:47-50 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
“Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” (Luke 7:23)
“Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (Luke 7:35)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
In view of these truths Christians need not pursue another way that claims to provide more than we have in Christ. God has provided all that we need, both for acceptance by Him and for godly living in Christ. All we need to do is to apply the implications of these truths,
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
In Luke 7:11-17 we see Jesus having compassion on a widow by raising her son from the dead. This was the woman’s only son and she was emotionally and financially destitute without him to support her. Jesus demonstrates the kind of love and compassion we should have for those who are not able to take care of themselves. We cannot raise the dead as Jesus did, but we can pray for, support, and help those who have no one and nothing or not enough to financially take care of them. It is interesting that nearly all of the instances of raising the dead in the Bible are for women. We are to take care of the helpless, the hopeless, and hurting people by showing them the love of Christ. Who is it that needs us to help them in some way today?
Luke 7:11-17 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. 16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Paul moved from doctrine to practice, from the truth to its application in daily living.
In order to encourage his readers to turn away from their false teachers Paul reminded them of their union with Christ. He also urged them to continue living in keeping with their position in Christ.
Chapter three begins the practical division of the book of Colossians.
Paul now moves to the positive. Not only does the death of Christ relate to the believer but so does the resurrection of Christ. The one relates to our salvation in the past; the other relates to our future. Not only is the Christian to relinquish his pre-death life but he is to seek the post-resurrection life of Christ.
Jesus liberated us from legalism. We have new privileges in Christ. Chapter three launches our responsibility to live up to our privilege.
Chapter 3 follows chapter 2. In chapter 2 he talked about those things which are below. He’s thinking about those things that are on the earth, and he defined those things which are on the earth. And then he goes into chapter 3 and says, “But if you be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.”
Our passage is really a hinge passage. In the first half of Colossians, we have four chapters and we're moving our way into the second half now, in the first half as Paul tends to do in many of his letters, he is making many revealing statements of theological truth. This includes statements where he is saying things like here is who Christ is. That's one category of these revealing statements, here is who Christ is. He is the image of the invisible God, He is the firstborn of all creation, by Him all things were created, He is before all things and in Him all things hold together, and He is the head of the body, the church. So, it's here who Christ is. Then there are these statements of here is who you are, Christian. You were formerly alienated and engaged in evil deeds, but “now you have been redeemed and forgiven and reconciled, now you have been rescued from that domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13) and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” So, it's here who Christ is; here is who you are, believer. Then category three; has been and here is who they are, meaning the false teachers. Those would be the ones who would seek to take you captive through philosophy and empty deception. Those would be the ones who would seek to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or festivals or new moons or Sabbath days. Those would be the ones who would seek to defraud you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels. Those would be the ones who would take their stand on visions that they say they have seen and who are inflated without cause in their fleshly mind. And those would be the ones who promote self-made religion (Colossians 2:23), self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, which he says, “are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
But in Colossians 3, Paul is moving away from this is who Christ is and this is who you are, and this is who they are type of statements, he's moving away from these revealing statements to giving us more commands. Now he is going to do so in Colossians 3 and 4 and be no less theological and no less doctrinal, but the words here in Colossians 3 and 4, that we’re going to cover in the future have more of a finger in your chest, step on your toes, this is what you have to do now tone to them.
In verses 1 and 2, he is going to highlight events that happened at a fixed point in the past. “You have been raised up with Christ,” he says. Then in verse 3 he is going to use a different verb tense, one that has more present-day ramifications. “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” In verse 4 he is going to get into yet another verb tense, one that is more futuristic in its orientation when he says, “When Christ who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” So, as we survey this section of inspired Scripture what we're going to witness is Paul not only slowly transitioning from giving more commands than mere statements. Layered on top of that we're going to see him make these statements that pull in from the past, that point to the present and also highlight the future. It's a magnificent section of Scripture. No wonder H. C. G. Moule, the old Anglican bishop, said this. He said, “It is one of the golden paragraphs of the whole Bible”
"If then you were raised with Christ" OR therefore since
We could translate "If" as "Since" (first class condition in Greek). It introduces another "in Christ" position that Paul assumed to be true for the sake of his argument and which is
indeed true (cf. 2:20). Paul returned to his thought about the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (2:9-15).
That God has already raised us with Christ, is an assumed fact. It is a fact that God has raised us with Christ (Eph 2:5,6). God sees better than we do but he expects us to see what he has done in Christ with the eye of faith. This has nothing to do with our feelings. We cannot taste, feel or smell positional truth. Our position in Christ is infallible, unalterable, eternal and exalted. God said it and our faith lays hold of it. All God wants is for us to lay hold of our privilege by faith.
Our present resurrection with Christ is one of many expressions of our position in Christ. Positional truth cannot change. It is something we have forever with Christ. God provides our position with Christ. He establishes this position forever entirely apart from merit at the moment of our salvation. We can draw power daily from this resource.
PRINCIPLE: God expects us to live the Christian life on the declared fact of our resurrection with Christ.
Two present commands identify the Christian's responsibilities: "keep seeking" (v. 1) and "set your minds on"
(v. 2). Since God raised us with Christ, and we are already as good as seated with Him in heaven, we should keep seeking heavenly things. Keep looking up (cf. Heb. 12:12:1-2)
"seek those things which are above" is translated as Keep Seeking
"Seek" is the first of many commands in the remaining practical section of Colossians.
"Seek" means to pursue, search for, endeavor to obtain, desire to possess. If a legalist were writing this he would write "Don't ...." but Paul writes "Seek..." God wants us to apply our eternal privileges to time. Make those privileges our scope of daily living. Center our lives on the ascended and glorified Christ.
"'Seek' (zeteite) implies here not an investigation but an effort to obtain.
We are to travel in this world as we walk through our lives, but instead is a reference to the direction that our gaze should be going, as those whose citizenship (Philippians 3:20) is in heaven, as those whose inheritance (I Peter 1:4) is reserved in heaven and as those who (as Hebrews 11:16 says) are awaiting a heavenly country.
What you seek is what your ambition is. Your ambition is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) The devil doesn’t care what on earth you may seek, as long as you do not seek those things which are above.
The next verses explain how to go about seeking things above. Non-Christians are earth-bound, secular, materialists. They operate in a world of taste, see and feel. They spend all their time trying to keep body and soul together. That is life to them. They do not know that there is more to life than that. For the Christian, his life is Christ (v.4). This is far more than existence. When we center our lives on Christ, life takes on a purpose, a life worth living.
The Bible is the mind of God reduced to writing. We have what we need for the Christian life in writing. We have the Holy Spirit to help us dig it out.
God wants us to rest on what Christ has done, not on what we do. Everything we have before God is because we have been incorporated in Christ at our salvation. The Christian experience must relate to our position in Christ.
"where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God"
Jesus is seated at "the right hand of God." This is the completeness of our position. Our status quo before God in Christ is already finished in God's eyes. Our position is complete in the mind of God.
"The description of Christ as 'seated at the right hand of God' is another implied response to those who were seeking to diminish Christ's role as mediator, inasmuch as the right hand of God is a metaphor for the place of supreme privilege and divine authority."5
Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
"Set your mind on things above"
The Christian's second responsibility it to continually set his or her mind on the things above (the things of heaven; i.e., our spiritual blessings and hope, our Savior's desires, etc.) rather than on the things that are only physical and temporal. They should occupy a large place in our thought lives.
Paul turns to a stronger term than "seek" of verse one -- "Set your mind." "Set your mind" places stress on the whole bent of life while "seek" emphasizes the pursuit of more concrete goals.
"You must not only seek heaven; you must also think heaven." 1 lightfoot
From now on the Christian will see everything in the light and against the background of eternity. He will no longer live as if this world was all that mattered; he will see this world against the background of the larger world of eternity. … He will, for instance, set giving above getting, serving above ruling, forgiving above avenging. The Christian will see things, not as they appear to men, but as they appear to God."2
"The Christian has to keep his feet upon the earth, but his head in the heavens. He must be heavenly- minded here on earth and so help to make earth like heaven."3
The two commands differ in that the first emphasizes the more practical pursuits of life whereas the second stresses the whole bent of the life. The first is outward and the second is inward.
Intellectual brilliance, advanced education, or unusual physical strength are not required for a Christian to become great in God's estimation. What He requires is faithful perseverance in the basics of the Christian life. Any Christian can do this since we all have the help of the Lord Himself.
If the Christian is to survive in spiritual war, his mind must focus on eternal things (2 Cor. 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
"Seek" in verse one implies striving; Set your mind implies concentration.
"Mind" includes understanding, attitude and the will. It means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, with emphasis upon the underlying attitude -- to have an attitude, to think in a particular manner as in the attitude that Christ Jesus had (Phil. 2.5).
"Christ's sitting at God's right hand is the exercise of all the majesty and the power of deity according to his human nature."2
"That is a place, heaven itself, where a glorified Man, Himself God the Son, is seated, His work of salvation finished."3
This word also means to keep on giving serious consideration to something -- to ponder, to let one’s mind dwell on, to keep thinking about, to fix one’s attention on as here -- "Let your mind dwell on the things which are above."
God wants us to love "things above." The Greek emphasizes "things above." "Things above" are the things which are ultimately essential, belonging to God. He wants our desire to orient around them.
Our greatest need is to think about God's divine operating assets which he has provided for us. God wants us to think about Christ and what he has done for us. We need to think about our union or position with him eternally.
"not on things on the earth"
"Things on the earth" is set in contrast to "things above." These are moral things, not physical things. This is not Gnostic contempt for material things. Paul is not pushing spiritual escapism such as becoming a monk or hiding from everyday life. Rather, our Christianity operates within the framework of everyday life whether in work or marriage. God created physical things for our enjoyment (Ps. 24).
Philippians 3:19-20 contrasts those who "mind earthly things" with those whose citizenship is in heaven.
PRINCIPLE: God does not want us to focus on the trivial but on the eternal.
APPLICATION: Most of the things we think about are materialistic. It is not wrong to think about material things as long as material things do not become ultimate importance in our hearts. We must make a living; we must shop for groceries. God expects us to become productive members of the human race.
Our problem is we think about material things exclusively. If we are earthbound, we will be miserable. We will have a worm's eye view of life instead of a bird's eye view. Materialism is so insidious that we succumb to it without realizing it. If we are honest, there is none of us who are not susceptible to it. We are forced to admit that "I do have materialistic tendencies."
We do not need faith when we deal in material things. We taste, feel, see and touch material things but faith takes us into another arena. Faith takes us into a spiritual stratosphere. There we can see things we could not see with a material viewpoint. Faith is the spiritual telescope that brings the things of God afar off near to our soul. We can, therefore, see things we could not otherwise see. Faith puts reality on intangible things. Eternal things are real but they are only real to those who have faith to see them.
It was written of Moses, "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible" (Heb. 11:27).
God calls upon us to think about eternal things. He wants us to be heavenly-minded. However, we are not to be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Most of us are so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Luke 6:47-48 says “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. I pray that your life is built on that Rock which is Jesus Christ. He is the one who died for your sins, paid your debt, and either has or can set you free from the penalty of sin, death, and hell. If you were building a house hopefully you would build it on a solid foundation so that it would stand the test of time and all that comes against it. It is the same with your life, if you are not trusting in Jesus Christ and Him alone for your salvation you will never make it to heaven. Is your faith one that is based on works (what you have done) or one of what Jesus has done? When the storms and tough times of life come your faith will stand if it is based on Christ alone, if not it will all come tumbling down. What kind of faith do you have?
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
This section closes the second chapter of Colossians in which the emphasis was on danger. Paul defended the preeminence of Jesus Christ, and he refuted the false doctrines of legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. It now remains for us to believe what he wrote and practice these spiritual principles.
The answer to legalism is the spiritual reality we have in Christ. The answer to mysticism is the spiritual union with Christ, the Head of the church. The answer to asceticism is our position in Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.
We put all of this into daily practice as we fellowship with Christ through worship, the Word, and prayer. As we yield to the indwelling Spirit, we receive the power we need for daily living. It is in our fellowship with other believers that we contribute spiritually to the growth of the body, the church, and the other members of the body contribute to us. What a wonderful way to live!
Is Christ preeminent in your life? Are you drawing on His spiritual power, or depending on some man-made “religious” substitute?[1]
"Man's way of safeguard is by placing various restraints and negations of evil … God's way is by 'stripping off the body of the flesh' through death and resurrection with Christ, giving us a new life, a new nature, and a continual flow of nourishment for that new life direct from the Risen Head in Heaven."
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:8-9)
God wants us to read His word, meditate on it, study it, not so we can become greater in our knowledge of the word, but so that we can get to know Him better. When we really begin to read the word and get into the meaning of it, then it can do the work it was meant to in our lives. God wants to bless us and give us the strength to do great things for Him if we will only be strong and courageous and not be afraid or discouraged. He is with us, loves us, and wants only the best for our lives but we have to be willing to trust Him and step out in faith. We can only do that by knowing His will from His word. I would like to challenge you to take a chapter, or a short book of the Bible and read it every day for a week, maybe a month or 3 months and see how God’s word comes alive and begins to open up and you will see the things God wants you to see, learn, and apply in your life. Will you commit to do this and see how God works?
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Tragically, this “vain religion of the puffed-up fleshly mind” is but a mere substitute for true spiritual nourishment from Jesus Christ, the Head of the body, His church. This is one of several passages in the New Testament that pictures the church as the body of Christ (see Rom. 12:4ff; 1 Cor. 12–14; Eph. 4:4–16; Col. 1:18, 24). All of us, as believers, are members of the spiritual body, the church, because of the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12–13). As Christians, we minister to one another in the body just as the various parts of the human body minister to each other (1 Cor. 12:14ff).
But if a believer does not draw on the spiritual nourishment that comes from Christ and other Christians, he becomes weak. The false teachers were not holding to the Head, and therefore they were spiritually undernourished; but they thought they were spiritual experts. Imagine thinking yourself a spiritual giant when in reality you are a spiritual midget!
The correct view of Christ is one which submits to his authority and acknowledges his power as the head of the church. This will lead to God-given growth. Jesus is Lord[1]
The false teachers were anxious to win converts to their cause; but the spiritual body grows by nutrition, not by addition. Every member of Christ’s body, including the “ligaments and sinews” (joints and bands), is important to the health and growth of the body. No matter what your spiritual gift may be, you are important to the church. In fact, some people who may not have spectacular public ministries are probably just as important behind the scenes as those out in public.
It is through worship, prayer, and the Word that we draw on the spiritual resources of Christ. All of us must be part of a local church where we can exercise our own spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:11–17). “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7, niv). The New Testament says nothing of “isolated saints” outside of the local church.
But it is possible to be in a local church and not draw on the Head and the nourishment of the spiritual body. The false teachers in Colossae sought to introduce their teachings into the local assembly; and if they succeeded, they would have caused the spiritual nourishment to decrease instead of increase.
Unless the members of the local assembly abide in Christ, yield to the Spirit, and obey the Word, they cannot experience the life of the Head, Jesus Christ.
There is a fascination with “religious mysticism” that attracts people. Learning mysteries, being initiated into the inner secrets, and having contact with the spirit world all seem exciting. But these practices are soundly condemned by God.
The true Christian glories in Christ, not in his own experience. He follows the Word, led by the Holy Spirit; and as he abides in Christ, he experiences blessing and fruitfulness. He seeks no other experience than that which relates him to the Head, Jesus Christ.[1]
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Do you completely trust in God's word Psalms 56:10-11?
Psalms 56:10-11 says In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Here we see that David knows because of his trust in God that he did not need to fear the opposition of mere man. He has already stated that once in this Psalm in verses 3-4. Here there is a close connection in being able to praise the Lord because of knowing His word. If we spend the time in the word so that we can get to know the God of the Bible, then we will have great confidence in the times of trouble. Have we read the Old Testament and Hebrews 11 with the great Hall of Faith where over and over again ordinary people became great heroes of the faith by trusting in the God who can be trusted to do what He said He will do? If we get to know Him, then we will know we can trust Him. Open the word today and get to know God and His love for you in a greater way.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Three lessons stand out here
Because Jesus ‘wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us’, God’s law no longer condemns us (there will be no bailiffs at our door!). Christ has cancelled our debt and the law has no grounds to accuse us. Romans 8 tells us that ‘there is … no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus’ (vv. 1–4ff.).
Satan is a defeated foe. He is not ‘put out of existence’, for we still wrestle with him even now (Eph. 6:12), but Christians will have the final victory as they are on the winning side.
It is folly to think that if our good deeds outweigh our bad, we will please God. No, men are saved due to Christ’s victory on the cross and God’s grace in their lives and not because of their own good works (Eph. 2:8). How can God forgive sinners who break his law and still remain just? The cross was the solution, for on it Jesus Christ gave ‘himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling aroma’ (Eph. 5:2). ‘There is no salvation by balancing the records. There is only salvation by cancelling records’.[i]
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
[i] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (pp. 47–50). Day One Publications.
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
In Luke 5:12-13 we see Jesus doing a miracle that was supposed to show the religious leaders that He really was God. The man knows Jesus can heal him and so he begs Jesus to heal him of his leprosy. Leprosy in the bible is a picture of sin in that it is not just a problem on the surface, but a deep defiling disease and so cannot be fixed by any external measures. It is also a disease that like sin if unchecked spreads everywhere and so the person had to be isolated from others as those who do not trust Christ will one day be isolated in hell. Jesus reaches out and does the unthinkable, He touches the man and so expresses compassion, love, reassurance, and also lets him know as he is healed that he is no longer alone and separated. He has now become a part of those around him. When Jesus touches the leprosy of our sin and separation He welcomes us into the family of God and says you are no longer alone, but now you not only have a family, but a Savior who loves you and will never leave you nor forsake you. Have you come to Jesus and asked Him to make you clean? If you have not then ask Him today to forgive you and save you from your sin. As for me I am so glad I am a part of the family of God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlT6KoT73O0
Luke 5:12-13 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.
Lu 5:18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? 24 "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" --He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
We see in the concept of baptism, how it symbolizes the great spiritual reality of being buried with Christ and raised to new life in faith. This symbolic act is to be understood as an essential part of the believer's identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We need to have the assurance that we if we are believers are complete in Christ and have been given everything we need for salvation to not seek to add external religious practices or ceremonies to the finished work of Christ on the cross. Paul emphasizes the power of faith and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for redemption and salvation.
If you haven’t you need to place your faith in Jesus Christ and repent and believe in the gospel. The primary message is that authentic faith in Jesus Christ, not religious rituals or external forms, is the essence of salvation and the foundation of the Christian life.
These conclusions go way beyond the specific religious context of the Colossian church and have a universal application. The emphasis on true faith and spiritual authenticity over external practices holds significance in current society, particularly in the context of increasing secularization and the challenges faced by religious communities. This section serves as a reminder of the significance of genuine faith, the sufficiency of Christ, and the need to prioritize spiritual substance over external forms in the Christian walk.
Without faith in Jesus Christ, no rite or ceremony or anything done in this world ultimately has any meaning or significance.
Hebrews 11:6 “it is impossible to please Him [God].” And without faith, faith in Jesus Christs finished work only, what unrepentant sinners face, those who have not put their faith in Jesus Christ, is an eternity spent in hell, an unending future of facing God's unmitigated wrath in fury in a place where the flames are never quenched and the worm never dies and the torment never ends.
Colossians 2:12 What Paul is describing here, just as he did when addressing circumcision back in verse 11 and really as he is doing throughout this letter of Colossians, he is addressing spiritual matters. He is bringing up the unequalled spiritual reality, the eternal reality that the true follower of Christ has undergone a spiritual metamorphosis. The old man has been buried with Christ in baptism and the new man has been “raised up,” verse 12, “with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” This was an important word for the Colossian church, a church that was made up of individuals who were still newer in their faith, a church which had been infiltrated, as we've seen, by these false teachers who were trying to persuade the members of this church to add various matters of form to the substantive truths they already knew. This was a timely word from Paul to remind these new believers here in Colossae that they had already been spiritually circumcised, that they had already received the circumcision that he calls as “a circumcision made without hands,” one which united them in “the circumcision of Christ,” meaning the death of Christ, a death He died only once, a death which was perfectly sufficient in its atoning power and provision, a death to which nothing could ever be added. Not only that, it was important and timely of Paul to remind the Colossians here in verse 12 of the death that they had already died, “having been buried with Him in baptism,” and of the fact that they had now been “raised up with Him through faith.”
Nothing greater on this earth will be done until we get to heaven than for God to
Take us from kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light
Forgive us from our sins and free us from guilt
From Slavery to freedom
From Emptiness to Fullness
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
In Luke 5 Jesus does another miracle that shows He is God in human flesh. This miracle so astounds Peter that He realizes he is a sinner and how unclean he is in the presence of Jesus. Being in this position is one that can lead us to trust in Christ, first as Savior and then for all of life’s trials and needs. The word sin speaks of falling short of the mark, we have missed the mark of perfect holiness which is what God requires of all. What Peter does not understand at the time is what we all need to see that our own inability and sin is the best qualification for service to God because at that point we realize our need to depend on Him in all areas of our life. Have we realized how weak and sinful we are and how much we need Christ to save us and every day to live our life in the way we ought to for Him?
Luke 5:3-9 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Being circumcised, spiritually speaking, which is just a way of referring to the fact that we were saved.
When Jesus Christ died and rose again, He won a complete and final victory over sin. He not only died for our sins (salvation), but He “died unto sin” (sanctification; see Rom. 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. What the Law could not do, Jesus Christ accomplished for us. The old nature (“the body of the sins of the flesh”) was put off—rendered inoperative—so that we need no longer be enslaved to its desires. The old sinful nature is not destroyed, for we can still sin (1 John 1:5–2:6). But the power has been broken as we yield to Christ and walk in the power of the Spirit.[i]
Their sinful nature (lit., “the body of the flesh”; cf., lit., “the mind of the flesh,” Col. 2:18) was decisively put off by Christ’s death and resurrection. What people were in Adam—sinful, fallen, and corrupt—was destroyed by Christ. Now “in Christ” a believer is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). And having a new Head a believer has a new authority for his life—not the Law of Moses but the life of Christ.
In Galatians, at the end, in the sixth chapter and the fifteenth verse, he says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything nor uncircumcision” – listen – “but a new creation.” Same as 2 Corinthians 5:17, “A new creation.”
Paul says you have new life. It’s been given you in the way that Christ circumcised your heart by taking away the old nature. You don’t need any outward sign. That’s absolutely irrelevant.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
[i] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 126–127). Victor Books.
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
If you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is your King, and you address Him and say, “Yes, Sir.” If you call yourself a believer in Jesus Christ this is the authoritative, truthful Word of God and you do not play with it, but you submit to it. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, this world is not to be Heaven. This world is not your home. This world isn’t to be better and better, and God has a wonderful plan for your life. Yes, He may bless you and it seems to me He loves to bless us, but that’s not the attitude of the believer. It is reporting for duty, saying, “You are my King. You are my God. You are the Master of the universe. You are the Master of my soul and I am here because you are Truth, and I submit to your truth. Amen!” Easley
"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Believers, having trusted in Christ's finished work, are already complete and full in Him, unable to become more complete or full. There's no need to pursue additional experiences or knowledge to truly experience God, as true believers already have everything they need in Christ.
The passage serves as a reminder to remain faithful, grounded in Christ, and alert to false teachings that seek to lead believers astray.
The fundamental test of any religious teaching is, “Where does it put Jesus Christ—His person and His work?” Does it rob Him of His fullness? Does it deny either His deity or His humanity? Does it affirm that the believer must have some “new experience” to supplement his experience with Christ? If so, that teaching is wrong and dangerous.
In summary, Paul warns the Colossians against being taken captive by the empty deception of worldly philosophy and legalism. Instead, he emphasizes the fullness found in Christ, where all who God the Father is dwells in bodily form, and believers are already made complete in Him.
Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.
hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don’t go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F
The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions
25 YEARS OF MINISTERING TO THE FORGOTTEN
Please help us reach out to those the World has forgotten. Everyone we minister to is locked up in some way, shape, or form. Those in Nursing Home facilities are locked up in bodies that do not work, in a wheelchair or in a bed. We minister to children and youth who are locked up because of behavioral problems. Some have told us, “We want to have a Real Family”, because their parents have lost or given up custody of them. Other kids are locked up because they have committed crimes. We also minister to those locked up at the jail/prison; to those locked up in addictions to drugs, alcohol, depression, and suicidal thoughts; to those locked up in a variety of other things that keep them from becoming who Jesus wants them to be. He came to give us abundant life, joy, and set us free, and these people that we minister to are not free. Our desire is to show them whatever their background, no matter what they have done, to see how much God loves them; We seek to help them receive forgiveness and freedom from their sin in Jesus Christ. We minister in the local area of Savannah, Georgia and surrounding Effingham and Chatham area. We have recently expanded our ministry to the Lexington/Columbia SC area. We do over 700 services every year. We hope and pray that you will support us in some way so we can continue our mission. Go to His Love Ministries.net and Click on the Donate Now button or send it via regular mail to PO Box 1881 Lexington, SC 29071. We hope and pray that you will do that. Thank you and God bless you.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/112574644767835624/charity/145555