His Love Ministries

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL JOHN 6 FOLLOWING JESUS NO MATTER WHAT

Hi, I ‘m Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  In John 6 when Jesus began to speak about the hard things of the Bible such as living for Him and Him only and that we can only come to Him if it has been granted to us by His Father, most of His followers left.  He asked the disciples will you leave too? But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  Most people today will not stand up for the Word of God.  They would rather compromise and go with the popular opinion than be disliked.  So which one are you a compromiser, or will you follow Christ no matter what it may cost you?

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-5 STANDING FIRM IN SHAKY TIMES

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
            In poetic terms Rudyard Kipling summed it up as well as anyone when he wrote these familiar words, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too; if you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about don't deal in lies, or being hated don't give way to hating and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise; if you can dream and not make dreams your master; if you can think and not make thoughts your aim, if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same; if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and built them up with warn-out tools; if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings not lose the common touch; if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; if all men count with you but none too much; if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run; yours is the earth and everything that's in it and which is more, you'll be a man, my son."
The theme of these verses is spiritual stability
John 16:33 In this world you shall have tribulation
Jesus said, " Mt 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."."
1 Peter 5:8 The devil moves around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
There was selfishness in the church,
There was self- interest in that church,
That there were people who had stumbled and fallen from their spiritual stability into conceit and pride
In verse 3 he has to ask somebody to fix it up which means apparently the leadership of the church had not really done what they should have done in dealing with the problem
There were some people who weren't trusting God.
There were some people who weren't thankful. In other words, it was a church...just a plain ole church, just like every church.
2Peter 2:14 he wrote about false teachers and agents of Satan who were always attempting to entice unstable souls.
2Peter 3:16 says...untaught and unstable people and they distort the scriptures to their own destruction.
James warned about the same thing. James said that the spiritually unstable are the double minded.
James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
They don't know what they believe, they don't know what is right. They can't make decisions.
Genesis 49 Reuben, you are my first born, my might and the beginning of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power." And then he said this, "Unstable as water, you shall not have the preeminence
The Command
Stand firm in the Lord
Chapter 1:28, "In no way be alarmed by your opponents."
Verse 29 he says, "It's been granted to you for Christ's sake not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake."
In verse 30 he says they were experiencing the same conflict they had seen in him.
Chapter 2:2, he commands them, "Be of the same mind."
Chapter 1:27 he says to them, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit with one mind."
Chapter 2:14 indicates that there was some grumbling, and some disputing going on
Chapter 2:18, and start rejoicing instead of fretting
Chapter 3:16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Chapter 3:18 tells us that they were encountering the enemies of the cross.
Chapter 1:27, "Standing firm in one spirit." This is the second time he calls them to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The first word is "therefore"
To summarize the third chapter we could summarize it this way, you remember it well, and we are pursuing Christ's likeness which is both the goal and the prize of our Christian life. And we are waiting for that upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We are waiting for that day when we as heavenly citizens meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and then verse 21, and are transformed into conformity with the body of His glory.
The pastoral spirit of Paul.
V1"My beloved brethren, whom I long for, my joy and crown...." and then he concludes, "My beloved It is his heart.
He uses the strong word for love, the rich and deep word for love.
1 Thessalonians in 2:19, he says, "Who is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you?"
V 20, "For you are our glory and joy."
Then he says, "You're my crown."
So…. it means thus, or in this way.
And then he goes on to explain how. And verses 2 through 9 are extremely basic practical principles
2 Peter 3:17 he says, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest being carried away by the error of unprincipled men you fall from your own steadfastness." Peter says don't fall, stay firm.
Acts 14:22 Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God
2 Thessalonians 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught." Don't waver from the truth.
Corinthians 15:58"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,"
V2-3 Be Unified
V4 Be Joyful
V5 Be Humble
          Martin Luther became a public and controversial figure when he published (October 31, 1517) his Ninety-Five Theses, Latin propositions opposing the manner in which indulgences (release from the temporal penalties for sin through the payment of money) were being sold in order to raise money for the building of Saint Peter's in Rome. They caused great excitement and were immediately translated into German and widely distributed. Luther's spirited defense and further development of his position through public university debates in Wittenberg and other cities resulted in an investigation by the Roman Curia that led to the condemnation (June 15, 1520) of his teachings and his excommunication (January 1521). Summoned to appear before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in April 1521, he was asked before the assembled secular and ecclesiastical rulers to recant. He refused firmly, asserting that he would have to be convinced by Scripture and clear reason in order to do so and that going against conscience is not safe for anyone. There he said "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise,” Condemned by the emperor, Luther was spirited away by his prince, the elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony, and kept in hiding at Wartburg Castle. There he began his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into German.

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL JAMES 1:1-12

Hi, I'm Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries. In James 1, verses 1-12 it says to count it all joy when you fall into various trials, to consider the reason for your trials, to count on God in your trials, to call on God in your trials, and to consider the rewards of passing trials.  When you go through a trial do you follow these guidelines God gives, or do you pray for God to take it away, or try to get out of it by manipulating circumstances?  God says trials make us mature in our walk, more Christ-like.  Do you want to be like Him?

PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21 FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (NKJV)
We can go back and read the same things over and over about Paul as reminders of how I'm to respond, how I'm to live, how I'm to act, how I'm to order my priorities, how I'm to deal with trials and suffering and trouble. He is a constant pattern for me.
 The goal of my life is not to make sure I'm satisfied but to make sure God is satisfied, that's the goal of my life.
 Tozier said, "Faith looks out instead of in and the whole of life falls into line," end quote.
Following after examples
Fleeing from enemies
Focusing on expectations.
V17 Follow after examples
It is not a matter of assessing me, it is a matter of knowing Him deeply. And the more I know Him and the more I am focused on Him and the more I am in communion with Him, the more the Spirit makes me like Him. The more I focus on myself, the more distracted I am from the proper path.
1 Timothy 1:15 he said, "I am foremost of sinners," not I was, but I am.
1John 1:7 and 9 that if you say you have no sin you make God a liar. So Paul is not sinless. He has not reached perfection. He has not had his sin nature eradicated. There's no second work of grace here that's put him in a different category from all the rest of the folks. He is saying I am sinner, I have problems with my flesh but I am pursuing the goal, follow my example.
2Corinthians 3:18 says that as we gaze at the glory that is revealed, the glory of our Lord, the Spirit changes us into His image.
 Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? The more I know about Christ, the more I know about wisdom and knowledge. That is why verse 6 says, "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." Pattern your life after Him. Verse 9, "For in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form and in Him you have been made complete." Paul understood it. It's all in Christ.
1Thessalonians 1:6, And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit
1Th 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
Walk means daily conduct, the way you live
 1Co 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
 1Co 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
 Heb 6:12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
 3Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Christian church should mortify (or crush) the desires of the flesh, on crucifying the needs of the self in pursuit of Christ's likeness
Paul is not saying, "Imitate my gifts." He's not saying, "Imitate my calling, my privileges, my achievements." No. He's saying, "Imitate and others who also are imitating mine, virtues, our humility, our unselfish service, our willingness to suffer, our devotion to Christ, our courage, our effort in spiritual growth," that's what he wants us to imitate.
Paul says, Follow the proper examples. Find those godly pastors and leaders who are above reproach, whose lives are blameless, who are walking the way a believer should walk, who are being obedient. They're not perfect, but the direction of their life is right. They're pursuing the prize, follow them."
To sum it up, the idea here would be this, Christ is the goal, Christ is the standard, Christ is the model, and we are to be like Christ. In order to know how Christ is, we study the Word of God. We study it until the Word about Christ dwells in us deeply, then we have a deep understanding of Christ so we know what He's like so we know what we're to be like. Secondly, we yield to the Spirit of God who keeps molding us into that likeness which we understand.
 2.     Flee from enemies v18-19
1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
 Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Later on in Matthew 23 He described them again. He was concerned about the false teachers, the false leaders, the antichrists in chapter 24:4-5, 11, 15, and 24. You find it all through the book of Acts. The false as against the true...the Simon Maguses, the false claiming in the name of God to cast out demons later on in the book of Acts. You find it in Paul's epistles as he warns, for example, stay away from endless genealogies, stay away from speculations, stay away from false teachers, know sound doctrine, pure doctrine, avoid those who are not true teachers. Peter gives an entire epistle, 2 Peter, to the unmasking of false teachers. Jude is concerned about it. John is concerned about it in his three epistles. It is all through the Scripture. We must beware of the enemies who masquerade as friends. That's the idea here. He has to tell the Philippians that they are enemies of the cross of Christ because they're very subtle.
 Acts 20:31, to the Ephesian elders, "Be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I didn't cease to warn each one with tears." And then he says, "The only thing I can do is commend you to His Word which will build you up." You're protected by the Word. If you don't know the Word, you're not protected.
 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Angels can come in human form.
Tell you weeping …The Philippian church was the first church in Europe, a sort of beachhead for another world to reach. And it was so important that they stay pure and not get messed up.
Enemies of the Cross….the concept of the cross of Christ means all the atoning work accomplished on the cross. It's not just the wood. It's not just the death, it's the cross work of Christ. It signifies the whole of what He did there as the sacrifice for sin who alone could provide salvation for sinful men. That is the heart of our faith.
The phrase "the enemies of the cross of Christ" repulse those who love the Lord Jesus. The "enemy" opposes the cross. The cross is God's work. It stands in contradiction to human merit. People adverse to God's glory hate the cross, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Rom. 5:10). Before we came to know Christ we were the "enemies" of God. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled" (Col 1:21). Our works alienate us from God, even good works, if they are done in the flesh. "Because the carnal mind (the unbeliever) is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God (the Bible), nor indeed can be (does not have the capacity)" (Rom. 8:7).
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (I Co. 1:18). The cross is offensive to those who have not embraced its message, "And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased" (Gal. 5:11).
V19 Their end is destruction Rev 20:12-14
When it says "Whose God is their appetite," it means that they really worship their flesh, they worship their fleshly accomplishments, they worship all of the fleshly religious works that they do. They're very sensual in a religious sense
"Their glory is in their shame," it means they boast in the very works of which they should be ashamed.
In verse 19, "Whose God is their appetite." The word "appetite" is koilia, the word colitis comes from it. It has to do with the mid-section, particularly the stomach. It's the...their God is their stomach, their appetite. It simply means their sensual desires, they're driven by their desires, their drives, they're sensual. They live off of unrestrained sensual pleasure. They're driven by their sensual desire.
1Corinthians 5:2 where the Apostle Paul says to the church, "Not only do you have someone in incest, but you have someone in incest, who is proud about it."
Watch out for the people who come along and are the legalists who add all the stuff. Watch out for the people who come along and are the libertines who subtract the virtue.
 "They set their minds on earthly things." The Judaizers, they're into the earthly ceremonies, rituals, and stuff that is nothing more than earthly symbol. In the case of the libertines (Gnostics), "They love the world and enmity with God is the result of friendship with the world," says James. "And if you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you," says John. They are what Paul Reese calls "thing minded." Have you read John Bunyan? Remember the man with the rake who was raking the muck, the manure? John Bunyan in his incredible way shows this guy who is totally unconscious that there's a heavenly messenger right above him with a crown, a golden crown, because his eyes are constantly on the ground where he's raking up the manure. Well that's these people. The gospel offers them a golden crown and they're raking the muck, obsessed with stuff in the world...houses and cars and money and bank accounts and trips and self-aggrandizement and wardrobes and accumulating stuff.
And so we are really laying up treasure on earth where moth and rust corrupts, where thieves break through and steal.
Well, if you're going to pursue the goal, you've got to follow the right example, avoid the wrong example
 3.     Focus on expectations.
Do you remember in John 14 He said, "I'm going away and if I go I will come again to receive you unto Myself that where I am you may be also," John 14:2 and 3? "I am the way, the truth and the life," passage. So Jesus said I'm going away, in My Father's house there are many rooms, I'm going to prepare them for you, I'm going to come back, I'm going to get you, I'm going to take you to be with Me, so we're waiting for Christ. We're not waiting for an event, we're waiting for a person...we're waiting for a person.
Canada permits citizenship in two countries simultaneously. The Christian has dual citizenship as well. The seat of a Christian's citizenship is in heaven. . The Christian has citizenship both here and there. Philippi was a Roman colony. Many in the church were Roman citizens. They lived in Greece but their citizenship was in Rome. They immediately understood Paul's analogy. They have a citizenship on earth but they have another in heaven. They were never to forget they were citizens of heaven. Their conduct was to match their citizenship.
Speaking of Abraham the author of Hebrews says, "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).
2 Peter 3, "Looking for and hasting under the day of God which causes us to be found blameless and in peace, looking for the Savior." John says if we have this hope in us, we purify ourselves. You're to be looking for Christ. That is the greatest point of spiritual motivation on the one hand, it is the greatest point of spiritual accountability on the other hand, and it is the greatest point of spiritual security.
You say, "What do you mean by that?" Well, if I know Jesus is coming, that's motivation...that's motivation. I want to be ready when He comes. I want to be faithful when He comes. I want to show Him that I've served Him. Paul says that when He comes, 1Corinthians 3:5, He's going to look at your work, it's going to be tested by fire, and you're going to receive an eternal reward. It's going to be determined whether your works are wood, hay, stubble or gold, silver, precious stones. That's motivation. I want to receive the reward, I want to receive the prize. I want to receive the well-done, good and faithful servant. I want to enter the joy of the Lord. That's motivation to me. I am motivated at that point because I love Christ and because I know that there are eternal rewards tied to my faithfulness here. So I am motivated by the fact that He's coming, that I'll have to face Him, that there is a judgment seat of Christ where I will have to face the things that I have done and be rewarded as He would reward me.
2John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
 1 Corinthians 4 Paul says, "Look, we have to wait unto the day when the secret things are revealed, then shall every man have praise from God." God's going to open the secret things of your heart and find out what's worthy of praise.
You see, we've already been made a new creation in the inner man. But the inner man is incarcerated in unredeemed flesh. We're a prisoner locked in unredeemed flesh. And that's not just epidermis and tissue, that's the mind of the flesh and the flesh's lusts.
First John 3:2 says we'll be like Him for we'll see Him as He is.
1Cor 16:23 "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O LORD, come!"
Revelation 22 Even so Come Lord Jesus

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL ROMANS 1:18-24

Romans 1:18-24 says God’s wrath is revealed against men who suppress the truth of God, that everyone knows there is a God because of our conscience and the beauty and order in creation, we have not glorified Him as God, nor are we thankful for His gifts we enjoy everyday, we change the true God into man made images and have exchanged God’s truth for the devil’s lie.  We worship the creature (cars, people, money) rather than the Creator.  Bob Dylan sang a song that said you may serve the devil, or you may serve the Lord, but you are going to serve somebody.  So who or what is your God?  

PHILIPPIANS 3:8-16 HOW TO PURSUE CHRISTLIKENESS

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
What Paul Gained
Five Things…………knowledge, righteousness, power, fellowship, glory
V8   the excellence, the surpassing greatness or the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ
John 10 I know My sheep and they know Me
John 17:3 "This is eternal life that they may know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent
Genesis Adam knew his wife and she bore a son
Mt 7:22-23 Lord, Lord    Depart from Me, I never knew you
2.     V9   The righteousness which is of God by faith  Eph 2:8-9
Isaiah 64:6 All My righteousness is as  filthy rags
3.     V10   the power of his resurrection … Power to overcome sin, trials, and to witness
Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
4.     The fellowship of his suffering.. Someone to fellowship with
2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
5.     V11 Glory….  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
1Thess 4:16 Rise to meet him in the air
This was written about 30 years after Paul's conversion so some would assume Paul was perfect
If we are truly saved then we will have a built in desire to grow spiritually
We should grow because:
The Bible says so, it is a command from God
2Peter 3:18 grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus
Glorifies God
1Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Verifies salvation - Truly changed Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Grants assurance of our salvation Hebrews 10:22 draw near with full assurance, Ephesians 5:26
Lets others see the truth of God's Word shown in your life Isaiah 55:11 will not return void
Keeps the Gospel from disgrace 1Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Produces joy and usefulness in your life Acts 20:22-24 22 "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
 Matthew 6:19 moth and rust
Enhances our witness to the world Matthew 5:16 Let your light
Paul is teaching us perfection is a goal in this life, but never achievable
We are positionally perfect, but not practically
6 principles we need to know in order to pursue the prize
V-12 The awareness of the need to achieve a better condition
Verse 12 He says he is not what he ought to be
2Corinthians 12 Paul was given a thorn in the flesh so that his pride would not get the best of him
If you think you have arrived you are in a dangerous position
2.     Exert Maximum effort
V-12 Paul says he presses on
No let go and Let God here
He is pursuing the prize with all his spiritual muscles
1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
1Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
v- 12 He says he pursues the prize that he May Lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of him
This means his goal is consistent with Christ's for his life My will is his will
Romans 8:28- To be conformed to the image of his Son (Christ)
3.     We need focused Concentration on the one goal
Focus our eyes straight ahead on the goal like a runner in a race
4.   V-13 The Key to this whole thing is ONE THING I DO
What does he do verse 14 pursues the prize
Doing one thing means Forgetting what lies behind
What do we forget....? Everything in our past… accomplishments, sins, disasters.
Remember the things God did in your life so you can move to greater accomplishments…David
We shouldn't be distracted by the past or so focused on it that it we cannot do anything in the future.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
5.       Spiritual Motivation V 14 calls us to a lifelong pursuit of spirituality
V- 14 He says he continuously presses on toward the goal
Goal is being like Christ here and now- Prize to be made like Christ
Out of that pursuit everything else will flow. Ministry, love, joy, peace......
Look forward to the upward call
1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Live in the light and expectation of heaven and God's glory
Paul was waiting for that crown of perfection or righteousness
6.       We need to recognize divine resources for spiritual growth
The Word 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11
Desire the pure milk of the word 1 Peter 2:2
Prayer
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
V17 Follow an example
Trials
1Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
V 15 as many as are perfect
As many as have this attitude or think this way
But if any of you have a different attitude
Some were hung up on the past or believe they have arrived or can live any way they want to since they are saved
Paul says God will reveal it to you ....God will discipline, chasten, allow trials, or suffering if you won't grow Hebrews 12:5, 6 &11
Only God can move us at those times and Paul is praying that he will do that
Need Consistency
V 16 One more thing let us keep living by that same we have obtained
In other words whatever you are spiritually live up to it and keep moving forward
TOOLS FOR SALE It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection; each tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements... Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool, well worn and priced very high. "What is the name of this tool?" asked one of the purchasers, pointing to it. "That is discouragement," replied the devil.
"Why have you priced it so high?" "Because it is more useful to me than the others. I can pry open and get inside a man's heart with that when I cannot get near him with my other tools. Once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people know that it belongs to me." Is the devil beating you down trying to discourage you? The Lord has good news for you! But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, SO THAT CHRIST'S POWER MAY REST ON ME." II Corinthians 12:9
Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Are you growing or are you looking backward and defending yourself?
Are you saying I am not what I should be but I will keep trying with the help of God?
If you think you have arrived will you ask God to forgive you and start moving you forward?
Maybe you do not know Jesus, will you trust Him as Lord and Savior and start the race today?
2Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

PERSONAL OPINIONS VS SCRIPTURAL TRUTH

Our prayer is that, as Christians, we would not view others’ differences in opinion regarding the scriptures as a personal attack. Our hope is that each of us would search the scriptures as the Bereans in Ac 17:11 did to see if these things were so and do the study for ourselves with an OPEN mind to what God says about Himself.  Our interpretation of what God says is far less important than what God actually says. It is important that we do not allow our personal opinions and views to shape our interpretation of scripture; rather, we should allow for scripture to shape our views. In the end, scripture must be allowed to speak for itself—God must be allowed to speak for Himself.
Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

PHILLIPIANS 3:1-3 THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRUE AND FALSE CHRISTIANS

  1) To see the error of placing confidence in fleshly accomplishments    
   2) To understand the need to strive toward perfection in our desire to know and serve Christ                                            
   3) To be reminded of our true citizenship in heaven                     
   SUMMARY In this chapter we find a warning against those who place great confidence in the flesh (1-3).  If anyone had reason to boast about fleshly accomplishments, it was Paul with his Jewish heritage (4-6). But all such things were considered rubbish in relation to the         
BEWARE OF THE JUDAIZERS (1-3)
Rejoice in the Lord! (1) The Need to Rejoice                                  
The distinctive characteristic of the False Christian - vs 2 Their Conduct Beware of "dogs", Isa 56:10; Ga 5:2, Ga 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Their Character evil workers 2Co 11:13
Their creed or beliefs - the false circumcision 1Ki 18:28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.  
Gen 17 the sign of it given De 10:16; 30:6;
The distinctive characteristic of the True Christian - For the true circumcision are those who... Ro 2:25-29
 Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--)                   
Our Character - Worship God in the Spirit - John 4:24
 Mt 15:8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.    
1Pe 3:4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Ac 2:25 "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
De 5:29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!                       
Our Conduct - Rejoice in Christ
Our Creed - Have no confidence in the flesh (3)
Application
Don’t despair or be discontented - Rejoice in the Lord!
Beware of those that would lead you astray
Don’t trust in Works but Christ
Do you worship Christ with all your heart?
De 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.      B. PAUL'S EARLIER CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (4-6)                      
Paul had many grounds for boasting in the flesh (4)
A list of things pertaining to the flesh in which he could have boasted (5-6)
PAUL'S DESIRE TO KNOW CHRIST (7-11)  
He counted all as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ v7

GOING THROUGH A TRIAL ROMANS 8:28 DEVOTIONAL

Hi, I'm Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries. Are you going through a trial in your life?  There are some things we say that are not in the Bible, but are very true.  Every cloud has a silver lining and it is darkest before the dawn.  God does great thing in our lives through trials if we will just trust Him.  In Romans 8:28, it says God works all things together for good to those who love Him.  Just when things get the worst and you don’t think you can make it, just call on God and He will get you through and just like it is darkest before the dawn, you will be blessed greatly on the other side if you will just hang on to God.

PHILIPPIANS 2:17-30 THE SACRIFICE THAT PLEASES GOD

Philippians 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. (NKJV)
 Paul was a Jew, Timothy ½ Jew and ½ Gentile, Epaphroditus is 100% Gentile
 Paul was being poured out …Great and mighty
V20 Timothy was similar to Paul- Likeminded
V20 Timothy was sympathetic like Paul- He will naturally care for your state (welfare)
V21 Timothy was single-minded like Paul He seeks the things of Christ
It is said we all live in either Chapter 1:19-20 to live is Christ, to die is gain, or chapter 2:21
In verse 21, "For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus
In 1Timothy where he says, "At my first defense no one was at my side, but all deserted me." In another place he says, "All in Asia have forsaken me."
V22The fourth thing about Timothy that makes him a good model for us is he was also seasoned
V22The fifth characteristic of this model servant, he was submissive
The word "serve" is to slave
"That he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father
 Epaphroditus is the hero of the common man
We could say there are few Paul’s, there are some Timothy’s, there are many Epaphroditus. This is the people's model.
He gives him 5 titles
He is my brother. What does he mean by that? He means brother in the sense of spiritual birth.
The second title is how he related to the ministry, and he calls him "my fellow worker
We could also determine that he was a man with a heart of a servant. For him to go and to simply
Thirdly, he says "my fellow soldier." he is commendable in relationship to the enemies which fight against the ministry.
He was a man of great courage because he knew exactly what he was walking into.
If Paul's life was taken away, it would probably be a matter of course for them to at least consider taking the lives of those who served alongside of him.
Fourth, He is your messenger
He is your minister to my need.
He was a priest doing sacred service and offering a sacrifice of money for the needs of Paul.
V26 Because you heard that he was sick." Now wait a minute. That's hard to believe. You heard he
Verse 27, "But God had mercy on him."
Verse 28 The Philippians are concerned with Epaphroditus, Epaphroditus with the Philippians, and Paul with both. But nobody with himself. There's that humility. Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;
Because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

TO SUM UP JAMES 1 DEVOTIONAL

To sum up James 1 it says we are going to have trials in our life, we are going to be tempted, and we need to follow God’s Word and work for Him.  If we keep our joy in trials, overcome temptation, clean up the sin in our lives, and reach out to those who afflicted and downtrodden, then God has mighty things in store for us.  James 1:27 says Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.  Do you want to be used mightily of God? If so, then follow these principles

WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH HIS LOVE MINISTRIES ANNUAL BANQUET 2017

Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
             James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
 Marty McKenzie - Speaking about His Love Ministries as a whole – Minutes 1-12
Matt Gallant – Speaking about what we do in the Nursing Homes - Minutes 13-16
Brandon Beard - Speaking about what we do in Georgia Regional and Coastal Harbor Adult Treatment Facility - Minutes 16-21
Erik Lacanilao - Speaking about the Prison, Greenbriar, Nursing Homes, and being a Bible Teacher to the boys at the Youth Detention Center - Minutes 21-27
Billy Miller - Pastor of Isle of Hope Baptist Church Speaking about His Love Ministries over at John Wesley Assisted Living Facility and the part the ministry played in his life - Minutes 27-30
Ronnie Nichols - Speaking about his role as Bible teacher for Coastal Harbor Treatment Center Adult and Youth Facilities Minutes 30-40
Shelly McKenzie – How you can partner with His Love Ministries - Minutes 40-45
              Please help His Love Ministries reach out to those the World has forgotten.  Everyone we minister to is locked up in some way, shape, or form.  Some are locked up in bodies that don't work and in the Nursing Home facility or in the wheelchair or bed they cannot get out of.  We minister to children and youth who are locked up because of behavioral problems or their parents aren't doing right and their cry is we want to have a “REAL FAMILY”. 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 and a variety of other things that keep them from becoming who Jesus wants them to be.  He came to give us life and set us free and these folks are not free that we minister to, but we can set them free through Christ Jesus at least in their minds and spirit.

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL JOHN 8.24 JESUS SAID, YOU SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS

In John 8:24 Jesus said, "You shall die in your sins for if you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins."  “John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life.” Did you hear that?  It says whoever believes, not whoever behaves or is baptized or takes communion or does good works.  You need to believe that Jesus is God, He died for your sins, turn to Him, repent of your sins and ask God to forgive you by because He said He would. Have you been made righteous because you have trusted Christ?

PHILLIPIANS 2:12-18 WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

Passage Could be summed up in Do my Part, Depend on God, and Live Differently than the World
One of the things that interests me about Paul's writings is that he is intensely practical
He always relates...
Doctrine and duty
Creed and character
Faith and life ...to him, these are inseparable!
So, having described the example of Christ, he gives his exhortation to move forward in spiritual progress
In this passage, Paul exhorts Christians to "Work Out Your Own Salvation
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF OBEDIENCE (12a)
THAT DONE ONLY IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS...
Paul did not want the Philippians' obedience to be of this sort
"eye-service" - cf. Co 3:22-23 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
THAT DONE IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHERS...
Done to please God, conscience, and no one else!
IT INVOLVES THE WORKING OF BOTH MAN AND GOD (12b-13)..God either works in us or on us Heb 12:5
MAN HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN HIS SALVATION...
He must "work out" his salvation.. This is a command in the Greek -1Ti 4:7, Eph 2:10
He must do it in "fear and trembling" – a proper sense of awe and responsibility
1 Peter 4:18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Humility and unity is demonstrated by obedience Phil 2:8
1Co 4:7, James 1:17 – All Good woks come from God – Daniel 4:31-34
There is a place for the right kind of fear in the life of a Christian
 1) The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge - Pr 1:7
   2) The "fear of the Lord" will cause one to hate evil Pr 8:13
   3) The "fear of the Lord" will prolong life - Pr 10:27
   4) The "fear of the Lord" provides strong confidence and is a fountain of life - Pr 14:26-27
5) The "fear of the Lord" prompts one to depart from evil- Pr 16:6
 6) The "fear of the Lord" leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil - Pr 19:23
7) The "fear of the Lord" is the way to riches, honor, and life! - Pr 22:4
But many never experience such love from God because they have not had the "fear and trembling" in the first place!
 B.v13 BUT GOD IS ALSO VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION!
Notice that Paul writes, "for it is God who works in you” Eph 3:20
"to will" - God gives us our desire
"to do" - and motivation to do His will
1) At conversion, He begins a new work in us, and intends to complete it Ph 1:6 …God is the energy and he energizer
2) Through His indwelling Spirit and Son, He gives us whatever strength we need – Gal 2:20
Ep 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Ph 4:13
3) According to His Good Pleasure – means kind or benevolent intentions for us Ro 8:28 – It is the same word translated good will in Phil 1:15So that, whatever we may become in the Lord, it is by His grace! –
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
God can work (and is willing!), but only if we let Him!
III. DOING ALL WITHOUT MURMURING & DISPUTING (14) Do all is a command; it is first word in the Greek Text
MURMURING WAS THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL...
      1.10 times they complained- Notice 1Co 10:10-11 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Ex 16:68, 1Sam 8:4-9
This can also be a problem among many Christians today whenever they face hardships
But we are told that God is ever ready to help us (1 Co 10:13), and that He is in us both to "will" and to "work" Ph 2:13), so why complain? 1Pe 4:9
Rather, rejoice for the opportunity such "tribulations" give us to develop spiritually! - Ro 5:3-5; Ja 1:2-4
DISPUTING FOLLOWS MURMURING... Emotions lead to Actions…1Co 3:1-4
Those who murmur are likely to be the same ones who begin disputing with others
Ex 16:8Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD."
SO THAT YOU MAY BE BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS –PURPOSE OF WHOLE SECTION
SO YOU CAN SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (15-16)
TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT...
Which is possible only if we "become blameless – look good to others, a life of integrity, because we deal with our sins as we should.
 And harmless – pure or unmixed, simple and innocent Mt 10:16 wise as serpents, Col 4:5, Shouldn’t fear us…2Tim 2:23-26
Which requires doing all things "without murmuring and disputing"
Which can only happen if we allow God to "work in" us as we "work out" our own salvation; in other words...
Allow God go forgive us in obedience to the gospel
Allow God to strengthen us through His Word and prayer
Allow God to change us in conformity to His Will
TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE "IN THE MIDST" OF CROOKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION...
Can’t Shine with inconsistency and hypocrisy in your lives which is evident to all
Lights are valuable only if they are used to dispel darkness Mt 5:14-15
Though we are to "be separate" from the world (2Co 6:14-18), we must "not isolate" ourselves from it - cf. Jn 17:15, 18; 1Co 5:9-11
TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST "HOLD FAST" THE WORD OF LIFE...
Some translations read "hold forth", Certainly we should do both...
hold fast the Word of life by paying attention to it by our study and obedience to it- 2Ti 2:15, Acts 3:5, Ezra 7:10
"hold forth" the Word of life (by offering it to those in the world) - Mk 16:15
In both ways, we are to be like "The Statue Of Liberty"
Showing the way
Offering hope to those in need …….Read 2Co 4:8-18
(16-18), so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. He shifts the basis of appeal from the example of Jesus (2:3-15) to himself and to the judgment; he must face at the day of Christ. Therefore, he now asks them to do something for his sake.
WE MAY BE CALLED UPON TO SACRIFICE OURSELVES...
It may be in service to our own faith, or in the service of the faith of others
It may be a sacrifice of time, energy, money, or even life itself
But it is for a good cause, and this is how Paul viewed his possible execution for the cause of Christ
SUCH SACRIFICES SHOULD BE AN OCCASION FOR GLADNESS AND REJOICING!
This is how Paul viewed it- Be Glad and Rejoice are commands
For he knew his sacrifices were in the cause of saving others
And he knew that their salvation would ultimately bring him greater joy at Christ's coming - cf. 1Th 2:19-20
 As someone has suggested:  "Work as though it all depended upon you, but pray as though it all depended upon God"
CONTRASTS BETWEEN A HELPER AND A SERVANT
A Helper
A Servant
A helper helps others when it is convenient.
A servant serves others even when it is inconvenient.
A helper helps people that he or she likes.
A servant serves even people that he or she dislikes.
A helper helps when he or she enjoys the work.
A servant serves even when he or she dislikes the work.
A helper helps when the circumstances are convenient.
A servant serves even when the circumstances are inconvenient.
A helper helps with a view to obtaining personal satisfaction.
A servant serves even when he or she receives no personal satisfaction.
A helper helps with an attitude of assisting another.
A servant serves with an attitude of enabling another
Lessons-
We need to act on the desires and want to’s that God puts in us
Need to be in awe and reverence of God
Need to Live a life of Integrity
Need to trust the Word and Share the Gospel
Need to have hope
Need to realize all is subservient to the Gospel
Need to realize that we Frustrate Gods plan for humility and Unity(Phil 2:5) when we complain and Grumble
We are either working out our salvation or complaining and grumbling….Are you doing YOUR part?

JAMES 1:13-18 DEVOTIONAL

James 1:13-18 tells us that God does not tempt us, but He does test us.  He says we fall prey to temptation when we are consumed by our desires.  That trial is test from God and a temptation from the Devil. God wants us to pass and the Devil wants us to fail.  He will truly bless us when we do not sin.  He says blessed is the man when he has endured temptation.  Do you realize when you sin that you missed out on a blessing that God wanted to give you?

ROMANS 1:16 DEVOTIONAL

Hi, this is Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  In Romans 1:16 Paul says For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. In 1Corinthians 15:3-4 it says the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that He died for our sins, He was buried and rose again the third day.  It is the power to change lives, to forgive sins, and make us a new creation, so why aren’t we telling people about the Good News of the Gospel? Mark 8:38 says If we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 THE UNITY THAT PRODUCES CHRISTLIKENESS

Phillipians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
In our text for this study, Paul exhorts them to manifest "The Unity That Produces Joy" (2:1-4)I. v1 THE "MOTIVATION" FOR HAVING UNITY THAT PRODUCES JOY (1)
DO WE NOT HAVE ANY "CONSOLATION IN CHRIST"? "
We should be unified because we have a common Lord, Philippians 2:1-2. We don’t have a future of doom and gloom but, a promise of new life. In others words do it because you have a gratitude for Christ and others a.  This is a common use of the conditional "if...then" where given the reality of the "if" clause, "then" a point should naturally follow (should be translated since)
a.     For example, consider
Ga 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Indeed, there is MUCH consolation (paraklesis) to be found in Christ! It means to walk alongside and encourage Console, a more formal word, means to make grief or distress seem lighter, by means of kindness and thoughtful attentions: to console a bereaved parent.
2Th 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
A.     DO WE NOT HAVE ANY "COMFORT OF LOVE"? Means to whisper words of encouragement in your ear as they are walking beside you, To cheer you up and counsel you To comfort is to lessen the sadness or sorrow of someone and to strengthen by inspiring with hope and restoring a cheerful outlook: to comfort a despairing person. "Comfort" is a greater degree of tenderness than "consolation.
We should be unified because we have a common love, Philippians 2:1-2. We have a common love: the Lord Jesus. In others words do it because you have a love for Christ and others 2Co 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
DO WE NOT HAVE ANY "FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT"? III. We should be unified because we have a common life in fellowship. We are equal members of the same body so what we do effects the body.
In others words do it because you have a gratitude and love for the Spirit and other believers All who have been baptized into Christ has received the gift of the Holy Spirit –
Ac 2:38-39; 5:321.     As the church (the temple of God), the Spirit dwells in us 
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit  1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
4. Not only by the Spirit have we all been baptized into one body, but have all been made to drink of one Spirit
1 Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
D. DO WE NOT HAVE ANY "AFFECTION AND MERCY"? IV. We should be unified because we have a common load, Philippians 2:2. We need to carry this load together having affection and compassion towards each other.  In others words do it because you have a gratitude and love for other believers1. There is the "affection" that comes from Jesus and from other brethren – love from the heart- like Jesus when he died for us on the cross2. "Mercy" that comes from our loving Father in heaven – acts of love because of affection.
Ep 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
II. V2 THE "NATURE" OF THE UNITY THAT PRODUCES JOY…. fulfil my joy The Marks or the actions that produce Unity   In others words do it because you have a gratitude and love for your Pastor or Paul as in this case
IT INVOLVES "BEING LIKE-MINDED"...thinking the same way….attitude, feelings, disposition   An attitude is a habit of thinking, a demeanor in life. What is your mental orientation towards others? Is it bitter, resentful? Deal with it decisively.  Spiritual thoughts for the greater good of God, the Spirit and Christ
Conflict comes out of a wrong attitude
1Co 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
IT INVOLVES "HAVING THE SAME LOVE"...the love of Christ flowing through them, sacrificial loving service, Conflict comes out of a wrong love, not loving everyone the same
C. IT INVOLVES "BEING OF ONE ACCORD"...harmony of the body of Christ Conflict comes out of a wrong agenda, i.e. Selfish ambition, empty conceit, etc.1.     Literally, "of one soul; having your souls joined togetherD. IT INVOLVES BEING "OF ONE MIND"...intent on one purpose…the Gospel Conflict comes out of a wrong purposeIII. v3-4 THE "ATTITUDES" REQUIRED FOR THE UNITY or The Measure of UnityA.v3 "LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT"...a.     The DESIRE FOR EXALTING SELF ("selfish ambition")B. "LOWLINESS OF MIND"...an attitude of humble service1.     In other words, humility2.     Humility will be easy to maintain if we remember our own faults3.     C. "LET EACH ESTEEM OTHERS BETTER THAN HIMSELF"...
Ro 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
D. v4 "LOOK OUT...FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS"...1.     This attitude eliminates the problem of "selfish ambition"2.     It is the attitude of MATURITY, and was the attitude of Christ! –
Ro 15:1-3 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."
Brokeness Stallions are proud, independent, and need to be broken to be useful to ride or use for work.  We need to be like a horse pulling a wagon… Working together... not trying to pull ahead, but keeping pace with others helping them keep up.

1 JOHN 1:5- CHAPTER 2:2

LUKE 11:2 PRAY FOR OUR NATION

In Luke 11:2 Jesus said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. I would like to ask you to pray everytime you hear this devotional or think about it to please pray for our world, our nation, it’s leaders, and for us to come back to God.  That God would be glorified because of the way we live for Him, that people will be saved, and that we would live in obedience to God’s Word so that He is pleased with our lives. That is His will being done.  Will you do that with me?

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 LET YOUR CONDUCT BE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

3 important things to see:1.     In Chapter 1:7 we see the defense of the Gospel2.     Chapter 1:13-18 we see the proclamation or telling of the Gospel3.     In Chapter 1:27 we see the conduct of the GospelThe Philippians may have been suffering persecution for several reasons The first is the relationship of Christianity to Judaism, and thus to the Jews.Second, the church at Philippi may have begun to suffer persecution because of its association with Paul.Third, Paul had legally embarrassed the magistrates of Philippi, and it may now appear to them that they have finally gained the upper This charge is essentially the same indictment the Jews made against Jesus (Luke 23:2), and also that the Jews made against Paul (see Acts 24:5-6, 12I.                 OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING OUR "CONDUCT" A.    LOOKING AT THE WORD "CONDUCT" ITSELF...1. The KJV translates this word as "conversation"2. In the Greek, it literally means "behave as citizens" I’ve got a Mansion just over the Hilltopa.     Whose "citizenship" is actually in heaven –
Ph 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,   “Remember who you belong to” and be law abiding citizens.  Jeremiah 29:4-7
1.     OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CITIZENS" IS TO BE "WORTHY" OF THE GOSPEL... or Priority 1 is our conduct
1Pe 2:11-12 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
·       OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CITIZENS" IS TO BE WORTHY "WITH OR WITHOUT" THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS... In other words we need to be consistentB.    It has been said that what you really are is how you act when no one else is watching.
Daniel 1:19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
1. Note that Paul said "whether I come and see you or am absent"II. SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING OUR "CONDUCT"2.     OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CHRISTIANS INVOLVES "STANDING FAST IN ONE SPIRIT" (27)·       "Behaving as citizens" involves "standing fast" against those things which would beset us:·       Note also that we must stand fast "in one spirit"  20 times we are to stand, 8 to be steadfast
2Thess 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
a.     We are not to stand strong by ourselves, in isolation from one another, but in UNITY! Or Having one purpose3.   OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CHRISTIANS INVOLVES "WITH ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL" (27) A word used of athletes... we need to work hard for the advance of the Gospel Matthew Henry said that a man may sleep and go to hell, but he who will go to heaven must look about and be diligent or hardworking
OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CHRISTIANS" INVOLVES "NOT BEING TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES” (28-30) The devils job is to stop us from knowing, growing, going, and showing
V28 Not terrified………. Paul informs the saints that persecution is to be perceived as an encouragement, as an occasion for rejoicing.
Mt 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
V29 –30 granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CHRISTIANS" INVOLVES Suffering 
Faith is a gift and suffering is also
2Ti 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Ac 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
1Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
Lu 13:17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
1peter 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
2Th 1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; Read MacArthur’s Note on 2Th 1:4-8
2Ti 2:12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
Therefore, our attitude should be like that of the apostles in
Ac 5:41-42 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 14: 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1Pe 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
1Pe 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith,
1Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

His Love Ministries Devotional So Shall You Reap

Hi, This is Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  Why do you think God gave us the 10 commandments?  Is it because you think that God is some kind of cosmic kill joy, and that He doesn’t want you to have fun?  You wouldn’t let someone you loved play in the middle of a busy highway would you?  God gave the 10 Commandments because He is Holy and also to keep us from getting hurt.  When we sin we hurt others and ourselves.  The Bible says sin is fun for a season, but it also says whatever a man sows that shall he reap.  Sin does have consequences.

PHILIPPIANS 1.19-26 EXALTING CHRIST WITH OUR LIVES

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
 I. Paul Magnified CHRIST BY HIS LIFEA.      WHY  Because of Christ's love for him 2Co 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again2. Because of the strength Christ gave him for daily living – Ph. 4:13
Because of what Christ would one day do for him - Ph. 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
B. HOW DID PAUL MAGNIFY CHRIST BY HIS LIFE?V21 By his attitude toward Christ "to live is Christ" b. He made Jesus the focus of his life - Ph. 3:7-8
By devoting his life to serving Christ - cf. Ga 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
V22 He would be fruitful while he lived  ...what one did for others, he did for Christ! 1Co 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
 Mt 25:40 "And the King will answer and say to them, `Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
    1. Do we magnify Christ with our lives?1) Do we encourage or discourage the brethren?
Pr 18:9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
Christ loved us, and gave HIS life for usII. Paul wanted to magnify CHRIST BY HIS DEATH if that is what it tookv23 What would death mean to Paul To die means to "be with Christ, which is far better" 1)    Paul understood that when a Christian dies, they go to be with the Lord! 2)    2Co 5:6-9 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
 1Th 5:9-10 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Are you willing to magnify Christ by life and by death if needed?
More Christians need to have the attitude of Paul
 Ac 20:22-24 "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Re 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL REACHING FOR THE PRIZE PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14

Hi, I’m Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  To sum up Philippians 3:12-14,  Paul said I have not already attained, nor am I perfect; 13 but one thing I do 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  The goal is to be like Christ here on earth, the prize is to be made like Him in Heaven.  Many have died climbing the Alps, one grave reads he died climbing. Are you continually climbing one step at a time with the goal of being like Jesus?

PHILIPPIANS 1:8-18 MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS

V8 - affection (bowels) this is a love that involves ones entire being
V9-11 The Prayer
V9 - Knowledge - this is advanced knowledge
Biblical love is not empty show or sentimentalism, but it is anchored deeply in the truth of the scripture
1Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
Discernment - practical application of knowledge
Rom 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
V10 -  approve things which are excellent  Romans 12:2
Says till the day of Christ again
V11 - fruits of righteousness  Glory and praise - ultimate end of all Paul's prayers was that God would be glorified Daily bread Oct 20, 2001
Brighten the corner where you are would have been Paul's theme song1. Today we shall see Paul's JOY, despite circumstances, which would cause most people to despairI. IN IMPRISONMENT (12-14)A. PAUL INFORMS THEM OF THE Furtherance OF THE GOSPEL (12)He had "good news" - not bad news! 2. Paul could have looked at the bad side of his situation...  a. His imprisonment, His restrictions in travelThe gospel was spreading, and it was "good news"!B. HIS CHAINS WERE IN CHRIST (13)1.         Paul was under "house arrest" 
Ac 28:30-31 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
  a. Paul wasn't there for crimes
Paul was under constant guard
Ac 28:16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul got to preach to those who were of Caesar's householdC. HIS EXAMPLE WAS MOTIVATING OTHERS TO ACTION (14)So the gospel was being spread, and to Paul, that's GOOD news!II. IN PERSECUTION (15-18) A. SOME WERE PREACHING TO HURT PAUL (15a,16)  1. Some were motivated by "envy”, “strife", and "selfish ambition"B. WE SEE PAUL'S JOY (15b, 17-18)   1. But he also saw those preaching out of "love" and "goodwill"Paul did not fall into the trap of "self-pity" and "despair" of Christians1) Who when persecuted, think they are the only ones who are faithful2) When persecuted, lose sight of the faithful because of the unfaithful   2. Secondly, those seeking to persecute him were spreading the gospel!
Paul's main purpose in life
 1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
What applications can we make from this? III. THE "KEY" TO "MAKING GOOD OUT OF BAD"...1.            Presenting Jesus Christ was his goal and purpose in life'2.            We can experience a joy greater than any other 3John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.   b. We can "make good out ill" in just about any circumstances1)                  Hospital confinement, situations at work, with family, and the church 2)                  Even in death and dying B. GOD CAN USE "IMPURE" TEACHERS...v16, 18  1. Don't get discouraged by "false teachers" they will be held accountable for their error;
Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
V18 God can use those who were impure in motive to proclaim Jesus b. He can also use those imperfect in "ability". It's not your ability but your availability1)               Paul certainly claimed lack of ability to some degree.
1Co 2:3-5  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I. Paul Magnified CHRIST BY HIS LIFEA.      WHY  Because of Christ's love for him 2Co 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again2. Because of the strength Christ gave him for daily living – Ph. 4:13

GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS

Hi, this is Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  There are many people standing in line to do the “great and mighty things” of this world, while countless “little things” for His Kingdom go undone.  What you do for “the least of these” may seem a little thing, but it will likely go undone unless you do it.  What an opportunity God has given us to make a difference for eternity.  Wow, how true that is.  Are you waiting in line, or are you willing to be like Jesus who humbled Himself and made Himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a servant.  Are you willing to do anything God asks you to do

PHILIPPIANS 1:1-7 HE HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK AND WILL COMPLETE IT

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
 Intro to the Letter it it a Prison Epistle, I, Me, my 100 times, I 52 times in whole book Christ at least 36 times, references make the total over 50.  Rejoice 8 times, joy 3 times.
Daily Bread Oct 18th, 2001
What Is Heavy When Empty?
READ: Isaiah 1:1-17
Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. --Isaiah 1:17
After reading Isaiah 1, I thought of this riddle: What is heavy for God when it's empty for me?
Nothing is too hard for God to do, of course, but that doesn't mean that nothing is a burden to Him. In fact, one thing I sometimes take lightly is actually a heavy concern to God.
In the time of the prophet Isaiah, the Jewish people followed their religious celebrations to the letter. They showed up at the right time, sacrificed the right amount, and offered many prayers. But when they left the temple, it was as if they left God there.
Nearly 3,000 years later, not much has changed. Sometimes I think my responsibility to God begins and ends with going to church and giving an offering. But this attitude makes me more of a burden to God than a blessing. I'm not accomplishing the tasks that are important to Him—doing good, seeking justice, defending the fatherless, and pleading for widows (Isaiah 1:17).
God is not impressed with a full house at religious gatherings if the people come with empty hearts. God wants worshipers with hearts so full of love for Him that they overflow in good deeds for others.
Oh, are you still wondering what is heavy for God when it's empty for me? The answer is worship.    
My heart is filled, dear Lord, with love, So let it show in words and deeds; And help me share, in all my ways, The overflow for others' needs. —Hess
The heart filled with praise brings pleasure to God.
 Chapter 1 Theme is Exalting Christ or Exalting Christ in Trials - Key Verses, 1:1, 12, 21, and 27
Chapter 2 Imitating Christ or Humility and Servanthood - Key Verses, 2:3-5, 2:9-10, 14, 21
Chapter 3 Knowing Christ or Pressing On - Key Verses, 3:9, 3:12, 3:20-21
Chapter 4 Rejoicing In Christ or Joy no matter what - Key Verses, 4:6, 4:11-13, 4:19
Key Verse – Phil 1:21 To live is Christ, to Die is gain
Paul uses this occasion not only to thank them, but also to comfort them concerning his situation as a prisoner for Jesus Christ (1:12-14). 
He also writes to them to be unified Phil 2:3-5, of his plans to send Timothy soon (2:19-24), and why he considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus back to them (2:25-30). 
He warns them of false teachers 3:3-3,the danger of resting on our accomplishments 3:4-11, and the need to press on in spite of life’s difficulties 3:12-16
There may have also been a problem at Philippi involving two women, for Paul has a few words to say concerning them (4:2-3). Not to worry 4:6-9, And the need for contentment 4:11-19
 V1-2 The Letter
Sender- Paul and Timothy - bondservants- a title of dignity and humility
A Slave Thinks in Terms of Stewardship, Not Ownership (Genesis 39:4-10)
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Recipients- Saints or set apart ones
WITH The Bishops & deacons speaks of approval of the leadership and unity by addressing all the saints, bishops and deacons.  Bishop just means overseer, elder. 
Paul was Speaking to all of them
In Christ Jesus Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Greetings or Salutations
            Grace and Peace
Grant Richison says it could read like this “May you, a group of saints who have experienced the grace of God in salvation, now experience and express that grace toward one another in a corporate way. May you be gracious in your dealings with one another, especially when you disagree. May your words and actions bring grace to the rest of the church. And may the peace that you have come to experience in a personal way (through faith in Jesus Christ) now work itself out in the church corporately. May dissention and strife not be found among you, and may you be at peace, one with the other.”
V3-8 The Thankfulness and Love
V3 - thankful in all letters except to Galatians
V4 - Paul thanks God for them always _ God is always behind the god we do
V5 - fellowship A Definition of fellowship
There is, first of all, a partnership, i.e., the sharing of mutual interests, mutual resources, mutual labor together. God, other Christians and I, working together, a partnership. All that I have is put at his and their disposal.  But it is not only partnership, there is also friendship. Friendship and partnership together spell fellowship.
2Corinthians 8:1-5
v6 - He will complete it-
Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Day of Jesus Christ is not the Day of the Lord
Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.
1Corinth 1:7-8 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The believers final salvation, reward, and glorification
Jim Elliott – He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he can never lose
V7 - heart is the center of thought and feelings (mind)
Prov 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
The heart or mind includes the emotions, will, thinking and reason
Rom 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

JAMES 5:19-20 RESTORING STRAYING SAINTS

As James comes to the close of his epistle, he stresses the importance of restoring those who wander from the truth:
Restoring straying saints is a responsibility given to ALL who are truly the children of God
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Yet, it is a responsibility that is so easy to neglect, and in most cases IS neglected!
The purpose of this lesson is two-fold:
To impress upon our minds the importance of engaging in this work of restoring straying saints
To suggest how we should carry out this important work
THE CONDITION OF SAINTS WHO HAVE STRAYED FROM THE TRUTH
They are in danger of physical DEATH! - Ja 5:20
1John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death.
RESTORING STRAYING SAINTS REQUIRES SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES...
PEOPLE WHO ARE SPIRITUAL
Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Unqualified personnel need not apply for this work
1) They might best work on themselves first, so they can help others Mt 7:3-5
A SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS - Ga 6:1
A CONSTANT SENSE OF SELF-EXAMINATION - Ga 6:1
If we are not careful, we can easily fall into the same fault!
A WILLINGNESS TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS - Ga 6:2
Which involves an expense of time and energy to help the weak to overcome their faults
Our responsibility is not fulfilled by simply pointing out our brother's faults!
HUMILITY
2Ti 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
BROAD KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WORD - 2Ti 2:24
We must be able to teach and apply God's Word to the situation
For it is important that they respond to GOD'S word, and not just to OUR views or opinions!
PATIENCE (longsuffering) - 2Ti 2:24
The same kind that we receive from God for our faults
And Paul showed towards the church at Corinth 2Co 1:23-2:3
Of course, if repentance is not forthcoming, we can wait for only so long 2Co 13:1-2 his will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."
2  I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare——
A SINCERE DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE
Both at the time of rebuke - cf. 2Co 2:4
And at the time of repentance - cf. 2Co 2:6-8
IT REQUIRES THE PROPER PROCEDURE...
The proper procedure is outlined by Jesus in Mt 18:15-17
1) Go to the person first
2) Then take others, if necessary
3) Then tell it to the church, if necessary
If he won't hear the church, withdraw any association that might appear to give approval to their behavior cf. 1Co 5:1-13; 2Th 3:6-15;
Ro 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
CONCLUSION
The work of restoring or correcting saints may be unpleasant at times, but it has the potential for great joy!
Both in heaven: "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (Lk 15:7)
And in our hearts: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 Jo 4)
It comes down to this...
Do we really love God?
Do we really love our straying brethren?

JAMES 5.7-12 WHEN YOU'RE BEING MISTREATED OR THE TEST OF PATIENCE

INTRODUCTION
Do you feel like someone is out to get you, they are trying to take advantage of you? Are you being mistreated?
In James 5, we find James giving instructions to those who have been mistreated by the rich
Notice Ja 2:6
The rich had been holding back their wages - Ja 5:4
The rich had been oppressing the righteous - Ja 5:6
What is our response as Christians?
DON'T RESIST
Notice Ja 5:4, 6
NOT RESISTING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TEACHING OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES...
Consider Lk 6:27-36 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Also Ro 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
And 1Pe 2:18-23
Human nature says if we get angry, and strike back, it is "justifiable anger"
Human wisdom calls for "standing up for one's rights"
BUT NOT RESISTING IS BASED UPON TWO THINGS...
AN AWARENESS that the Lord is coming to judge - Ja 5:7, 8, 9 3 times he is coming
This passage may refer to His judgment when Rome destroyed Jerusalem in ad 70 - Luke 21
But ultimately, it refers to the Lord's final coming on the Day of Judgment that has yet to occur
A WILLINGNESS to let Him be our avenger  Lk 18:7-8 7  "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.
BE PATIENT
THE WORD FOUND HERE IS DIFFERENT THAN THAT FOUND EARLIER IN THIS EPISTLE...
In Ja 1:3, the word is "hupomone" Which means to bear up under trials in reference to THINGS or CIRCUMSTANCES
In Ja 5:7, 8, 10, the word is "makrothumia" Which means to suffer long in reference to PEOPLE like those who oppress or mistreat you)
In verse 11, he uses the humomeno like humpomone that means to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ
THREE EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN TO ENCOURAGE US TO BE PATIENT...
The FARMER: James 5:7
The PROPHETS: James 5:10
JOB: James 5:11
THESE EXAMPLES TEACH US...
To place our trust in the Lord, that He will eventually reward us for our trust in Him
To be steadfast, in the meantime, in our service to Him
III. ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS
THE WORD "ESTABLISH"...
Means "to fix, make fast, to set" It Is translated "strengthen" in other places
It means to strengthen our heart so as to be patient and not resist the evil being done
John Gill says it means to take heart, be of good cheer, do not be dismayed, or faint, or sink under your pressures, but be of good courage, pluck up your spirits, lift up your heads: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh;
THE "KEY" TO ESTABLISHING OUR HEARTS...
Is the Word of God - cf. 2Pe 1:12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.
Our faith in God and His eventual justice is made stronger
Patience and strength to not resist is developed - cf. Ro 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
James mentions two things that we are to avoid. 
DON'T GRUMBLE
ESPECIALLY AGAINST ONE ANOTHER (9)
We are likely to vent our frustrations as those closest and dearest to us
A man after a bad day at work often takes it out on his wife and family
WE HAVE GOOD REASON NOT TO GRUMBLE...
"Lest you be condemned (judged)"
The same Lord who judges the oppressors, will judge those who murmur and grumble!
Phil 2:14-
2John 8
DON'T SWEAR
THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE ONE IS LIKELY TO DO WHEN IN TROUBLE...
In other words, make rash promises
Promises, which God will hold you to, even if not serious - cf. Eccl 5:2-5 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
THIS PROHIBITION APPLIES ESPECIALLY TO "FLIPPANT OATHS"...
The Jews said oaths using His name were considered binding, while the others were not
Jesus and James condemn this distinction between different kinds of oaths Mt 5:33-37; 23:16-22
The word condemn is the word hupokrisis which means hypocrisy.
PRAY
THIS IS THE MAIN THING TO DO WHEN OPPRESSED or Mistreated...
As we learn from Ja 5:13
This is what the Christians of James' day were doing - Ja 5:4
WHEN WE PRAY, GOD HEARS!
As seen in Ja 5:4
Jesus and James promised, the Lord will avenge His righteous ones - Lk 18:7-8; Ja 5:7-8
It may not come when we want it, and the Lord may "bear long with us" -
Re 6:9-11 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
But when the time is ripe, the oppressed will be avenged!
CONCLUSION
Therefore, when we are being oppressed...
Don't resist
Be patient
Establish your hearts
Don't grumble
Don't swear
PRAY!
When we react this way to oppression...
We follow the example of Christ and the early disciples
Who committed themselves to God who judges righteously
  1) Christ - "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judges righteously:" (1 Pe 2:23)
  2) The disciples - "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Pe 4:19)
With such a righteous God on our side, it should be a lot easier to endure those who oppress us!
Is the righteous God on your side?  Or rather, are you on His side?

30 SECOND DEVOTIONAL CHRIST ALONE JOHN 3:16

Hi, I’m Marty McKenzie with His Love Ministries.  John 3:16 -17 says for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  Did you hear that?  Jesus did not come to condemn you, but to save you through His death on the cross.  So what would you say if God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven?  Will it be I am trusting in Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation?
 
Where do you stand? Are you in Christ or lost and without Christ?
 What do you think it takes to go to Heaven?  Good works, church membership, baptism, communion, Keeping the 10 commandments, I have done more good than bad?
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. www.hisloveministries.podbean.com  #HLMSocial www.hisloveministries.net  https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/
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“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32

JAMES 5.1-6 WHEN GOD GETS ANGRY AT THE RICH OR THE TEST OF RICHES

James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
 Compared to many people in the world, we are indeed blessed; in fact, in comparison with most people who live now and who have lived in the past, we are VERY RICH!
Now, it is important to stress that God does not condemn being rich...
Some of the godliest people in the Bible were rich
Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia
However, Christ does speak of the difficulty of the rich being saved Mt 19:23-26
And there are times when God is very angry at the rich, as in our text:
As we consider this passage more carefully, we will ask and answer four questions:
Who is James addressing in this passage?
What is in store for these rich people?
Why is God so angry at them?
What applications can we draw from this passage?
WHO IS JAMES ADDRESSING IN THIS PASSAGE?
ARE THEY CHRISTIANS?
Possibly, but unlikely for several reasons...
There is no call to repentance in this passage as he would for Christians  Here there is only condemnation.
  The brethren are not addressed until verse 7, in which THEY are told to be patient in light of what has just been said
They are not addressed as "brethren" as is often done in this epistle - Ja 1:2,19; 2:1,14; 3:1,10; 4:11
MORE LIKELY, THOSE ADDRESSED ARE RICH UNBELIEVERS...
Who had been oppressing the Christians - cf. Ja 2:6
This tirade of judgment is used to comfort the brethren who were being oppressed by them -Ja 5:7
The Lord has heard their cries - Ja 5:4b
Judgment is coming upon these rich oppressors
Therefore, the Christians are told to be patient
WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THESE RICH OPPRESSORS?
MISERIES THAT WILL CAUSE THEM TO "WEEP AND HOWL"! (1-3a)
So certain are these miseries to come, that James speaks of them already occurring!
Riches are corrupted
Garments are moth-eaten
Gold and silver are corroded
When this "corrosion" of their riches occurs...
It will serve as a witness against them
It will eat their flesh like fire
 1) The anguish and misery of poverty usually affects the hardest those who were once rich!
 2) When poverty strikes, it will make them "weep and howl" as though they were on fire!
THE MISERIES SPOKEN HERE MAY HAVE REFERENCE TO WHAT LATER OCCURRED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM IN 70 A.D.
Not long after this epistle was written, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans
Many of the rich Jews who had oppressed their Christian brethren literally "wept and howled"
They had failed to realize was that they had heaped up treasure "in the last days" (Ja 5:3b)
Like the man in the parable of the rich fool (Lk 12:16-21), they thought they were laying up riches for their latter days
When in fact, it was the "last days" of the Jewish economy when they were so busy storing up wealth!
Like some today, who store up for retirement and then die before they retire!
Just as upon the rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31)!
III. WHY IS GOD SO ANGRY WITH THESE RICH PEOPLE?
BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GOT THEIR WEALTH...
Specifically, by withholding wages from those who had worked for them
Some people today get rich through dishonest schemes or unjust labor practices!
BECAUSE OF HOW THEY USED THEIR WEALTH...
They hoarded their wealth - 3b
They spent it on themselves with pleasures and luxury - 5 (fattening themselves like cows for the slaughter!)
They used the power that comes with wealth to oppress "the just" - 6
The manner in which they got their wealth and used it caused those who were oppressed to cry out, and the Lord heard their prayers
Now, God who is just is about to bring judgment upon these rich oppressors!
WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WE DRAW?
WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE OBTAIN OUR WEALTH...
To do so at the expense of others will bring God's wrath upon us! Deut 24:14,15
It is wrong to think that success can only come by stepping on others
This might be an appropriate place to add what we learn from Paul in 1Ti 6:9-10
It is not riches that are wrong, but the DESIRE TO BE RICH that is wrought with many dangers!
Riches are not wrong if they are the BY-PRODUCT of our endeavors, not the GOAL of those endeavors!
  1) I.e., one may desire to be a doctor to help the sick, and receive riches as a by-product because of the value society might place on such services
  2) But to enter such professions solely because one's goal is to get rich is wrong
So how do we obtain our wealth?
If we do it honestly and in compensation for a job well done, then God is not displeased
But if we do it by hurting others and by making wealth our primary object, then we are in danger of God's wrath!
WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE USE OUR WEALTH...
To spend it on luxurious living when others are suffering...
Is exactly what James has described in this passage
Is an indication of the lack of the love of God - 1 Jn 3:17
According to the New Testament, the purpose of working is not to obtain wealth for our own gratification, but to help those less fortunate!
As commanded by Paul - Ep 4:28; 1 Ti 6:17-19
As exemplified by Paul - Ac 20:34-35
CONCLUSION
Living in the country and society in which we do, we have much for which to be thankful
But we also have much of which we need to beware:
We live in a society where it is quite easy to become wealthy
We live in a society where covetousness or the desire to be rich are not considered sins
We live in a society where heaping up treasures for our own gratification is considered an inalienable right!
   -- It is easy to be influenced by these values!
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves constantly: Are we laying up treasure in heaven, or on earth?
Those who lay up treasure in heaven are those who use their wealth to do good and help the poor and less fortunate - cf. Mt 19:21; 1 Ti 6:18-19
Those who lay up treasure on earth are actually storing up for themselves miseries and wrath!
   1) Miseries...when their wealth fails them in their time of true need
   2) Wrath...from God in the Day of wrath that is yet to come
Have you begun to lay up treasure in heaven by obeying the gospel of Christ?