Righting Our Wrongs

Inspired Scriptures also has the function for correction in the life of a believer.

Correction means to make something stand up again or to right something again. Through the Scriptures correction teaches us how to make the wrong things in our lives right with God and others.

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." --Proverbs 29:13 When righting our wrongs, both, confession and forsaking are crucial elements of this process.

• Confession is making any offense right with God and others. It's agreeing that we are guilty of the charges that have been brought against us. Making confession and asking forgiveness shows we accept full responsibility and our desire to reconcile.

• Forsaking means a willingness on the part of the offender to make restitution and accepting certain restrictions. Forsaking is like working out or the exercising of repentance.

Correction through confession and forsaking restores our fellowship and usefulness to God.

[How many times have we said or heard, "I'mmm sorrrrry! (often said with an attitude or grudge) I'm sorry, I'M SORRY! (given with great emotion and tears but it is a repeated offense that happens over and over) That's because we are remorseful from being caught and corrected but it's not followed with repentance. I have done this myself and I saw it through my kids as they were growing up too. We all do it but in what we read above it falls short of a true apology that shows genuine change. If we don't practice this kind of apology of confession and forsaking we stunt our growth in Christlikeness.

Some other thoughts that I've been thinking on is oftentimes we only think about the outward sin that we see and is obvious to us. Outward sin only reveals to us that there is an inward problem of the heart where the root of sin lies. Rebuke and correction must be applied to the root of the sin problem not to how it is manifested.

We often try to fix only the outward manifestation of sin--stop that swearing, stop that drinking/smoking, change how you dress....... These things will only last for so long if the root of the sin problem isn't taken care of first. When things are right in the heart changes will automatically manifest itself on the outside. Whatever is in the heart is revealed through our words, actions or appearance. Help me Lord, that my life would manifest a genuine testimony and not a false facade.]

Excerpt taken from Jim Berg with my thoughts added.

Is It Rebuking Or Criticism

The Bible is used by God to teach us what is wrong with us and how that wrong is to be addressed. Every man--even a believing man--is prone to go his own way. Therefore, the believer must "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." --2 Timothy 4:2-4

We should prayerfully self-examine our life and heart before dealing with the sins of others. We cannot be used of God to call anyone to obedience to us or to God if we are doing so from a position of our own disobedience. [Ouch] The words of God must saturate our own heart before we attempt to teach them to others.

Following the example of Jesus Himself, he considered this willingness to rebuke and chasten an expression of His love for His people. He loved them too much to allow them to continue in their sin. His rebuking was done for the sole purpose of restoring them to God.

But the one who criticizes usually desires to elevate himself over the one he is criticizing. These motivations are ungodly and follows the ways of Satan. So the important thing for us to ask our self is do we follow Christ's example? Is our desire for giving rebuke or "constructive criticism" done with the intent of restoring a person to a closer relationship with God? A loving heart must clearly be evident when giving a rebuke. A believer who is allowing God's Word to convict his own conscience and his relationship with God and his follow neighbor will not be mean-spirited as he deals with others.

Dealing With The Hurt

God is the Expert at addressing people in pain. Most of the Bible was written to hurting people.

• O.T. Scriptures were written about and to hurting people who were in the chains of slavery
• N.T. Gospels recorded Jesus' words to Jews living under the cruel rule of Roman Gentiles.
• N.T. Epistles were written to Gentile churches whose congregations often contained many slaves.
• In the 1st century believers were targeted for persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, being martyred at the hands of Jewish religious leaders. No matter where they went they suffered greatly.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
--James 1:2-4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead....Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." --1 Peter 1:3,6-7

So how do we deal with great pain? --Grow out of it. We are to increase our intake of the Word and be doubly careful that we are "not fashioning our[selves] according to the former lusts in [our] ignorance." --1 Peter 1:14

In the epistles Peter and James used these words often to counsel their scattered flock of believers: "know" "knowing" "knowledge" "known" "remember" "remembrance" "mind" and "grow". Our problem is we do not know Him and His Word well enough to know His ways.

God's inspired Word will always tell us what is right. It is the only infallible source of truth. It accurately contains "all things that pertain unto life and godliness." --2 Peter 1:3

[Excerpts from Jim Berg.]

The B-I-B-L-E

The B-I-B-L-E,

Yes, that's the book for me.

I stand alone on the Word of God.

The B-I-B-L-E,

The BIBLE!!!!

Long ago I learned that the Bible is the holy, inspired words of God. I have no trouble accepting that God inspired 400 men over the course of 1600 years to write 66 books of His exact words -- word for word.

It is quite easy for me to believe that an all-powerful God could create every part of this universe and mankind out of nothingness. In God's omniscience of knowing all things He didn't ignorantly leave out anything important. Nor has He revealed anything that can be contradicted by new information in the future. He has revealed completely and truthfully everything necessary for man to know. God is wise enough that His Word is without error. He is also omnipotent--all powerful and therefore competent to make sure His Will is transmitted without error and will be fulfilled. Shout! Jump! Hallelujah! Leap for Joy -- AMEN!!!!!

So why would we turn to other sources (then the Bible) for answers for our daily problems? Who can we find that is Greater? Who is more Powerful? Wiser or more Loving than our Heavenly Father? Help me, Lord, to change old habits that would stunt my spiritual grow. Readers, I'm preaching to myself here. If you get anything good from it too, Praise the Lord! Boy, does Satan use secular things from this world to plant seed thoughts in our mind to make us in effect for God.

I think I'll jump on my soap box for just a minute here since this is my blog space. One of those ways is through all the versions printed of God's Word. How can they even say they are God's words anymore for the way it is so diluted down? Why would they want to leave out verses on the blood? Because "....without shedding of blood is no remission [for sin]." Why would they want to take away from the miracle of Jesus' conception to say Mary was a young maiden? The whole point was Mary was a virgin and Jesus' conception was through the Holy Ghost not a man. Why do they leave out verses and passages of scripture all together? I know, I heard hundreds of people say those other versions are easier to understand. But we are to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Most of us studied harder for our history or biology test than we do God's Word! I have also been asked what bible version is the best because they are so confused as they consider the different versions to pick from. That right there should tell people the new translations of God's words are works of Satan because he is the author confusion not God.

If any reader would like more information on what I have just said there is a really good tract out there to go through. "The Eye Opener" that will show you 200 KEY REFERENCES on how all modern Bibles differ from the KJV and the Greek Textus Receptus from which it was translated. I do not stand on the Word of God through KJV 1611 out of bull-headed, stubbornness there is good reason for it. If you truly want to know more get the tract or contact me and I'll send it to you.

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 7)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Endureth all things (vs. 7)--sacrificing self by staying put when feeling like quitting; bears all things at all costs; digs a trench and stays put; stays when feels like running."

SELF-LOVE

• Quits. "I've tried, but that was the straw that broke the camel's back." "I'm not sticking my neck out there again so he can chop it off!" "I'll cut and run while I still have some dignity." "I can't handle it anymore!" "You wouldn't be able to handle it either if you were in my shoes!""

GOD'S LOVE

• Love never faileth (vs. 8)--sacrificing self It always accomplishes God's work on earth and in heaven. It is supernatural in its origin and its results.

SELF-LOVE

• Self-love always fail! (Galatians 6:7-9)-- "He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 6)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Believeth all things (vs. 7)--sacrificing self to believe the best about God and others; puts the best interpretation on events; believes in the best outcome; doesn't look to condemn; looks to save, not to judge."

SELF-LOVE

• Wants to judge; condemns; plays up the doubts; believes the worst; in cynical, suspicious. "I told you he was no good!" "I know what he's thinking/" "I know why he did that!" "So what do you want from me this time?" "He said he would change once before, but....." "

GOD'S LOVE

• Hopeth all things (vs. 7)--sacrificing self by not giving up; anticipates a good outcome when God's truth wins out; hopes in every situation, against all evidence; confronts people with the truth in the hope that they will obey and change. As long as God's grace operates, failure is never final.

SELF-LOVE

• Acts hopeless; talks hopeless; feels hopeless; gives up; quits praying; doesn't trust God or follow His way. "He's hopeless." "Why try? He'll never change!? "That's just the way I am. I'll never change!""

Mr Fix-It

Have you ever found yourself trying to fix things? I don’t mean things like a leaky faucet, or a cracked window or a torn sleeve. But have you found yourself trying to fix the problems of life? I was one of those who always tried to fix whatever problem came up. When problems raged in my life I didn’t feel very secure. What I found out though some problems are just beyond my capability of fixing, especially when it involves other people. I figured if I could just fix the problem it would stop hurting; things would return to normal and then my world would feel secure once again.

When I took this kind of approach toward problems I was looking to my own way and strength in which to fix it. If the problem was actually solved it was after much add stress and grief which seemed to amplify the hurt and pain. Often times the problems remained unsolved prolonging duration of it.

You know that isn’t how we are to handle the heartache and problems we go through. God’s Word says we are to carry an attitude of prayer by…..”praying without ceasing.” Because then we are more likely to “cast all our cares upon him.” God cares for us and He wants us to rely on Him. Whatever the problem in our life is….our pain that causes our heart to hurt. We don’t have to fix it. Just give it over to God. Does it hurt so badly that you feel you just can’t cope any more? Give it over to God…..surrender it to Him. Stop searching for the solution.

Chances are you won’t see the problem or heartache solved or taken care of instantly. But God will calm your heart if you trust Him. He will give you peace and grace to wait as He works out the solution. Satan likes to play tricks on our thinking in believing this doesn’t work since the pain or stress comes back. You will find it is a process that we must keep repeating. God will ease our pain and He will take care of our problems of life in His time. “His ways are not our ways” that is why we must “trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on thy own understanding.

The Sword of the Spirit

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." --2 Timothy 3:16-17

This verse shows us four very important functions of God's Word. God uses the Word in these ways to equip the believer for their own spiritual walk and the ministry to others (furnished unto all good works.)

1. Doctrine--what is right for us.
2. Reproof--what is wrong with us.
3. Correction--how to make it right.
4. Instruction in righteousness--how to keep it right.

The religious climate today tolerates anyone except those who claim that doctrine is important for biblical unity. Modern ecumenists say the sole test of faith is whether one loves Jesus. The question is "which Jesus?" Paul was fearful that the believers of his day would be deceived by men who were "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." --2 Corinthians 11:13

There are more verses to warn us.......
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

2 John 1:9-11 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

Doctrine was inspired by God for these men to write. It was important to them and it must be important to us. What the Scriptures say is important because of what the Scriptures are. [I am just loving this stuff in my study. Each day I feel I receive something spiritually meaty to chew on. Maybe that is why I could never be a vegetarian in my physical diet either because I like a good juicy beef steak, pork chop, fish fillet, chicken breast, ham, turkey, whatever the meat. Love it!]

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 5)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but refoiceth in the truth (vs. 6)--sacrificing self to love what God loves and hate what God hates; is excited to do the biblical things; doesn't take iniquity by the hand and escort it into some other area of life. "If God likes, it, I'll like it. If God hates it, I'll hate it." "

SELF-LOVE

• Rejoices in iniquity; entertains sin; escorts it right into his life; gets a thrill out of sin--his own or someone else's. "It's my life; I'll do it if I want to. I'm strong enough to handle it." "It's my body; I deserve a little pleasure!" "Did you hear about what _______ did?" "

GOD'S LOVE

• Beareth all things (vs. 7)--sacrificing self to cover others' weaknesses; covers, supports, protects; covers anything it can righteously cover; bears, not bares

SELF-LOVE

• Uncovers and exposes someone's sin to others unnecessarily; bares, doesn't bear sin. "I don't mean to gossip, but...." "Did you hear about _______? She did a terrible thing! Don't tell anyone, but it's a fact that...." "Well, my wife/husband has her/his faults too!""

One More Night With the Frogs

"And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? And he said, To morrow." --Exodus 8:9-10

Can you imagine?.....The frogs were everywhere! There were frogs in the bedroom, frogs in the kitchen, frogs in the parlor, frogs in the oven, frogs in the kneading-troughs! God had said, "If thou refuse to let them [the children of Israel' go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs"! (Exodus 8:2). God keeps His word! Imagine an Egyptian woman opening her oven; she screams! --out jump frogs! There's a fellow pulling down the sheets to get into a comfortable bed, and --frogs are his bedfellows! Imagine another is putting on his clothes: what's that in his pockets? Frog! See those Egyptian boys kicking along the roads to school, squashing frogs (instead of mud) between their toes! Frogs in the palace, and frogs in the hut of squalor. Little frogs, big frogs! The din must have been deafening! Frogs in the house, frogs in the yard--thousands of dead frogs heaped up in smelly mountains as millions more come from the rivers to take their places! Finally Pharaoh could stand it no longer. He called for Moses, the servant of God. "Intreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord"!

Moses must have been overjoyed. At last Pharaoh had made up his mind. At last Pharaoh was to be converted! So Moses said, "Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?"

And Pharaoh said, "To morrow"! I have never been able to figure that one out! Frogs in his food, frogs in his bed, frogs in his clothes, frogs all over the house--and God was ready to remove the frogs instantly: the decision was up to Pharaoh. And he said, "To morrow"!---"Give me one more night with the frogs!" Why could he have possibly chosen one more night with those frogs?

Pharaoh was a sinner and a type of sinners. Rebellious, proud, fleshly, godless, he was a good picture of the sinner today, the lost man outside of Christ. God had warned him. But like sinners today he stubbornly refused to obey God. So the frogs came. The frogs came because of his sin. Even so, for sin we are plagued today! Troubles, doubts, burdens, sufferings. Sickness, sorrows, fears, perplexities. Disappointments, heartaches--frogs, all of them! Frogs of difficulty and grief on every hand, directly or indirectly because of our sins! But God loves us and is ready to remove the frogs that plague us because of our sins. But like Pharaoh, most of us say, "Tomorrow! Give me one more night with the frogs!"

Pharaoh said, "To morrow." But " the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts!" (Hebrews 3:7-8). Think of it: Pharaoh said, "To morrow"! The Holy Ghost saith, "To day"!

A Christian will ask for one more night with the frogs, one more night with his defeated, wasted Christian life!...before he wants to fully surrender to God."

The black-slider will ask for one more night with the frogs, one more night of his compromising and carousing before coming back to God. 1 John 1:9says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "

The lost sinner begs for one more night with the frogs! He knows he ought to be saved, and he's going to be---TOMORROW!

We are famous for what we are going to do TOMORROW!

What we don't seem to think about is.....the frogs may not leave tomorrow! Or....Something worse may come in the place of the frogs! Or....Tomorrow may never come! "Behold, now is the accepted time...." "The Holy Ghost saith, TO DAY"! Won't you right this minute decide that you will not spend even one more night with the frogs of sin?

[Except taken from sermon of Evn. Hugh Pyle -- August 17,1956]

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

A message every parent should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT Each of us (mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influence the life of a child.

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 4)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Is not easily provoked (vs. 5)--sacrificing self to be calm; is not soon angry for its own causes; is not oversensitive and touchy (Hebrews 10:24). "

SELF-LOVE

• Explodes; is an earthquake in the spirit; reacts in anger instead of acting in kindness; retaliates; is given to sudden out bursts; is angry for selfish reasons. "You can't do that to me and get away with it." "

GOD'S LOVE

• Thinketh no evil (vs. 5)--sacrificing self by not keeping score; is not jealous; does not take permanent account of some thing for the purpose of bringing it back up; believes the best about a person; gives the benefit of doubt; forgives.

SELF-LOVE

• Uses "indelible ink"; builds a case for evil; enters wrongs into a ledger so that they can't be forgotten; jealous; thinks evil; won't forgive and go on. "I remember when he...." "You always/never do that." "I haven't forgotten what you did to me!" "I know what kind of person he is." "I know what he meant when he said/did that!""

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 3)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Doth not behave itself unseemly (vs. 5)--sacrificing self by being a lady or gentleman; doesn't present the love of God in an ugly, misshapen way; is proper and courteous; does the right thing at the right time. "

SELF-LOVE

• Is rude, crude, boorish; draws attention to self by being loud, silly, moody, harsh, or having poor manners, inappropriate actions, words, timing; giving too much attention to fashion (fads) or appearance (flashy or dowdy). "I can't help it. That's just the way I am." "I do what I want when I want to do it."

GOD'S LOVE

• Seeketh not her own (vs. 5)--sacrificing self by not demanding rights; is not selfish; is a servant; gives; is not grasping for "my rights, my time, my money, my comfort, my things" (Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3).
  

SELF-LOVE

• Is selfish; rejects God's way for own way; seeks to please self. "I demand my rights." "I am right!" "I want my way!" What I want is more important than what you want!" "It's my _________ ; I'll do what I want with it."

Sermon in Shoes

"Putting on the new man" means having a Christlike influences that makes a difference in the lives of those around us--being a God-loving example. Our example shows forth through what we are teaching.

God calls us to be teachers. Not the sort classroom teacher with lesson preparations that you would expound upon a classroom of students. But God calls us to be a "Word-filled" teacher by saturating our whole heart with the ways and the words of the living God.

"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." --Colossians 3:16

We are teaching all the time because we teach by our example. We also teach whenever we open our mouth and give advice, comment or instruction. A children's song comes to mind right now called.........

"Sermon in Shoes"

Do you know oh Christian you're a sermon in shoes?

Do you know oh Christian you're a sermon in shoes?

Jesus counts upon you to spread the gospel news;

So walk it and talk it; Live it and give it;

Teach it and peach it; Know it and show it.

A sermon is shoes.

You see, we will always be teaching something by what we say and do. So we must ask our self are we a "Word-filled" teacher? .......And the things that we teach, do we practice our self?

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 2)

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"
1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Envieth not (vs. 4)--sacrificing self to cheer for or weep with others; does not "boil, seethe, stew"; is content with God's control; doesn't compare for the purpose of looking "down on" or "up to."

SELF-LOVE

Is envious; boil, seethes; laughs when others weep; weeps when others laugh; resents and wants what others have; wants to be what others are; is displeased by prosperity of others; judges others' worthiness by comparing it with his own. "It's not fair! I should have that."

GOD'S LOVE

• Vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up (vs. 4)--sacrificing self to remain small; doesn't "parade to gain applause"; is not proud; points to God not self; doesn't brag or boast; doesn't inflate self.
  

SELF-LOVE

• Is proud; a "windbag"; praises self; will become anything so others will notice; brags; attempts to impress others; tries to appear to be what he is not; never admits he is wrong; is mad when others are too selfish to notice; points to what he's accomplished. "Hey! Look at me!"

God's Love Versus Self-Love (Part 1)

[I found this charter for self-evaluation. So for the next several days I'll post a couple new section for us to ponder on through our day. We must ask our self this question, "How do others see me?" Self-evaluation is hard. We must be honest with our self. And we must be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit?]

"Just two choices on the self--loving God or loving self"

1 Corinthians 13

GOD'S LOVE

• Suffereth long (vs. 4)--sacrificing self to wait for God's way and timing; is patient; has the divine power to wait; is long-fused; doesn't retaliate even when it has the power; gives to others not what they deserve but what God gave us!

SELF-LOVE

• Desires own way and own timing; suffers if can't have its way now!; is impatient; resents any departure from own schedule; won't wait for God to work; snaps at people. "I want it this way, and I want it now!" "I will teach him a lesson he won't soon forget!"

GOD'S LOVE

• Is kind (vs. 4)--sacrificing self to meet others' needs; has passion to be active and useful in the lives of others; is kind in words and deeds; does the unexpected, undeserved, and unrewarded.

SELF-LOVE

• Is nasty and hurtful in words and deeds; acts in favor of "me" instead of others; always puts conditions on others' love. "Why should I do that for them? They didn't do it for me." "Others? It's all I can do to deep up with my wants and needs."

Seed Thoughts

A seed thought is often the start of what we meditate on. Sin starts with a deception of a planted thought--often a twisted truth. Just like in the Garden of Eden the serpent planted twisted truth in Eve's thoughts. Like her, we don't recognize it as a bad seed thought. Like Eve, we'll mull it over and over in our mind the deception, considering the benefits of indulgence until we are so convinced of its virtues that we choose to embrace the it.

Our sin never happens by accident. It is a decision of choice. Some sins become so automatic they are done without much reasoning or thought because we have made a practice (habit) in that sin behavior. For a believer the hook of sin may get embedded in our natural responses but that doesn't mean we are enslaved to them. Just as we made the choice to sin, we can make the choice not to sin. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for strength and help in order to be successful because it is a spiritual battle to overcome.

Whatever a believer's thoughts are based upon, is what he meditates on. If he meditates on truth he desires for God. If he meditates upon lies he desires are for things that will become a replacement for God.

God is good, He is delightful and He is desirable to make one wise. We must be careful of the seed thoughts we choose to meditate on, because they will become our desires, and our desires become our actions whether they be good or evil.

Quench Your Thirst

True worship does not come from people whose feelings are like air ferns with no root in the solid ground of biblical doctrine. These religious feelings that do not come from a true apprehension of God are neither holy nor truly free, no matter how intense.

Those who have great impact for God are those who have a great passion for Him fueled by meditation upon His Word. No one can know Him intimately and lot love Him passionately.

Are we thirsty for God?

• ".....they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness" --Matthew 5:6
• "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." --Matthew 11:28

It is a thirst He intends to quench and a rest He intends to give them who come to Him and who stop searching for relief from other sources. When He is revealed to us as we behold His glory, we will be stunned by His mercy to us, humbled by His grace and thirsty for knowledge of Him.

Have we been tasting God?

• "O taste and see that the LORD is good" --Psalm 34:8

Scripture sermons, biblical Christian hymns & music, short Scripture reading and discipleship studies all help but you will not be full until you have feasted at His banquet hall and fill yourself with the knowledge of who He is.

Do we know the joy of abiding in Christ?

After we spend a day with God reflecting on what He has revealed about Himself, confessing our sin, turned our heart toward Him in praise and offered our self to Him to use as He wills, we will begin to experience the joy of abiding in Christ. This kind of God-loving believer makes a difference in the lives of others because he is filled with "all joy and peace in believing."

[Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy that endureth forever. How often do we find our self bent toward the flesh and casual in our attitude toward God-Himself, and His Word? I've learned that's why it's so important to have that daily time with God. Otherwise we just start our day off on the wrong foot and in our flesh. But when we experience the "hunger and thirst after righteousness" it is like pulling up the shades on our windows and viewing the Himalaya Mountains for our self. It is so good and wonderful!

"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." --1Timothy 4:15-16]