The Toolbelt

Good morning and welcome in today. Today we’re going to take a look at a passage of scripture from the book of Colossians but before we do that….

When my son starts to work on a project outside or decide that he’s going to fix something on the house, he likes to go into our tool shed. He likes to put on a carpenter’s tool belt and fill it full of all kinds of different things. He loads it up with nails and a hammer, a tape measure and a pencil, lots of screws and some screwdrivers.

The Christian life is very similar to this because each day we have to put on our own personal tool belt, but our tools are the qualities of the Holy Spirit.

Col 3:12

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;…..

When you put something on your wearing it and walking in it.

Eph 6:11

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Today we’re going to discuss a group of things that we need to put in the Christian tool belt.

First of all, when somebody is elect or elected they are chosen or singled out. The definition of chosen is a person or thing that has been picked out or decided upon for a certain purpose.

1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Deuteronomy 14:2 – For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

The first thing that we need in the tool belt is bowels of mercies. The word bowels means the seat of pity. It’s from deep down inside your heart. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

For example when someone does something wrong but they confess fault and apologize, mercy is to withhold the punishment that is due to them because you grant them forgiveness.

James 2:13 – For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

We are supposed to be very forgiving with people in the church because if we aren’t, God will show no mercy. It requires apologies, forgiveness and reconciliation between parties. That is exactly what God does for us.

Luke 6:36 – Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Obtain means to come into possession of, to get or acquire. To get mercy from God you have to be merciful and forgiving with others.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Our God is ready to forgive and show us mercy. To obtain that, we have to go unto Him and admit our shortcomings.

Mercy is a virtue that’s required in the Christian toolbelt.

Kindness is being generous and helpful and genuinely caring about other people.

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

1 Pet 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The definition of humble is someone who knows they are not perfect. Humility is very important because without it you won’t admit fault to God or others. Pride is a stumbling block to forgiving people.

1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Matthew 23:12 – And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Meekness is another virtue that we need in our tool belt. Meekness is an attitude of a person’s heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of someone else. A Christians desire is to be meek and submissive to the teachings of God’s Word.

Imagine having a dad that asks you to do something around the house. When you perform and obey what he tells you to do, that is being meek.

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Ps 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

The direct result of being meek is obedience. Look at the things God did with Moses.

Numbers 12:3 – (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

A meek person is submissive. They are ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Our last tool belt item for today is the quality of being long-suffering which is having or showing patience in spite of troubles, caused by other people. It’s patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.

Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

2 Pet 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

It’s by God’s grace and long-suffering that any of us are here today. He could have destroyed the world years ago but he wants people to believe the truth in his son Jesus and turn to him in faith to get forgiven.

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,..

So all of these qualities are ones that you need to possess in your tool belt. Remember to wear them when you go to work today!

Let’s think about that for right now and Lord willing we’ll talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everyone.♥️

tlkjbc.wordpress.com

The Laborer is Worthy

“For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:18

If someone is “worthy” of something, it means that they merit or deserve something. If someone works from 9 to 5, five days a week, they deserve to be paid for their time and effort that they gave working. They deserve a paycheck to recompense them for their work.

It’s like when I start planting a garden in the spring. I spend time digging up the soil, breaking up all the clumps and raking it out smooth to prepare it for planting. I sow the seeds, keep the ground moist, keep the weeds away (or try to), until the plant reaches maturity and is ready to be picked. With all of the effort that I put into the garden, my reward is the matured fruit. It is the “payment” for my labor. 

Now what if after I had done all that work, waiting all summer until the plants matured and it was time to pick them but someone came up to me and said, “You can’t have that.” That would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? I put in all of the time and work into the garden, and I deserve to receive the fruit of my labor.

That is what sometimes happens to those who preach the gospel. Some people have a notion that pastors and preachers shouldn’t have anything, that they should be dirt poor and need to live on ramen noodles. They put in hours working, just like everyone else, and just like everyone else they are worthy to receive a reward for their works. 

This is what Paul was trying to teach the church in 1 Corinthians. It sounds like there were some there in the church that were examining Paul, and saying that he shouldn’t receive things for preaching to the church. So he wrote to them:

“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:7-14

Some people won’t think twice about paying the plumber to come over and fix a broken pipe, or a leaky faucet. It make take them an hour and they will charge $100, and a person won’t bat an eye and will pay it. The plumber worked for his wages, and whatever he decides to buy with it is his decision. But if a pastor preaches for an hour or two, and decides to go out to eat at a restaurant with his wife, some people will get upset at that. And that is what sounds like was happening to Paul. 

And Paul wasn’t a covetous, greedy person. He didn’t stand up in the front of the church and demand that the people give him money, food, or possessions. Paul preached the gospel freely, but he taught them that if he did receive something for his work, that he was worthy of it.

Those who labor in the gospel should be able to live of the gospel. Whether they receive food, money, clothing, possessions, they are worthy to receive the fruits for their labor.

In Christ,

Andrew

Tuck Me In

Good morning and welcome in today. Today we’re going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 1st Peter chapter 4 but before we do that, I wanted to ask you something.

What is something that a lot of children like having done to them at bedtime each night? After they brush their teeth they run and jump into their beds. How many times have you heard the words, please come and tuck me in! They want you to cover them up with their blankets. When we cover something up, it’s being completely hidden from view.

When we cover something up, it means to put something on top of or in front of (something), especially in order to protect or conceal it.”

Have you ever had an old tough looking table that was filled with scratches and marks that you covered with a really nice tablecloth?

Think about an old landfill that has gotten to capacity. With some bulldozers they cover it all up with dirt. In time when the grass and trees start to grow, you wouldn’t even know that it was there.

God wants to cover our sins up. He loves and cares for us and wants each of us to come to a place of repentance. Just like love in somebody’s heart will tuck children in at night, it is love that covers, forgives and forgets sin.

1 Pet 4:8 , 10

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Forgiveness happens because of true Charity in a person’s heart. You realize how much you’ve been forgiven by God each and every day of your life and you want to show other people that same forgiveness. You want to be merciful with others because God has been merciful to you. Many times the most forgiving people in this world are those who’ve been forgiven much.

There are reasons why people can be so unforgiving with each other. They’ve been hurt or wronged. It doesn’t feel good when others do something bad to you. We have to suffer but remember during those times of your life, you have to think about what Jesus did for us at the cross. He took the nails in order to forgive us.

Colossians 3:14 – And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

A bond is something that holds us all together, like when you glue two pieces of wood together. That’s why we’re supposed to forgive and reconcile with people in the church because without those two qualities there’s a lack of Christian charity. In a marriage people are joined together and supposed to stay together. It’s forgiveness in a person’s heart led by true charity for Christ and others that results in reconciliation. It’s the bond that keeps us all together day by day.

Pro 10:12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

When somebody apologizes in a church you need to be capable of forgiving them otherwise you’re turning away from everything the Christian faith teaches us. You’re turning away from everything he has done for us at the cross. This is why all the apostles taught that we need to be so forgiving with each other because that is the way God is towards us. Without charity forgiveness cannot happen, it only turns into hatred and bitterness.

James 5:20 – Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Hunting is a large tradition up here in northern Minnesota and there are things that a lot of hunters use to be concealed, it’s called a hide. They are hidden from view.

Each of us have sin issues that we have to confess and get forgiven for from God and others. When we get forgiven for our sins, they are hidden from view just like those hunters in the woods. He forgets them, reconciles us, hides them away and forgets our misdeeds.

This is why if you can convince a sinner about the forgiveness and mercy found in Christ, they can get forgiven for them, resulting in their transgressions to be blotted out.

How many of you like to have a good cold refreshment on a hot summer day? I really like freezing cold lemonade with ice. It really refreshes the entire body. That’s what God wants to do to us. He wants to refresh our hearts with forgiveness.

Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

I guarantee you that forgiveness is the greatest refreshment you could ever have.

Here’s a beautiful passage about God’s forgiveness.

Ps 51:1-9 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Here’s one more beautiful passage in the Psalms.

Psalms 32:1-5 – Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

This is how forgiving God is with us and it’s why the disciples taught the church to be this forgiving with each other.

Forgiveness is a gift that is extended from God to us. It’s a free gift because we cannot earn it. All we can do is confess and apologize to receive it. We can’t undo our past misdeeds, but God can forgive us and wash them away from our hearts and our minds.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Manifold means he has a lot of grace available. God is ready to forgive. His mercies are there for each of us. It’s not a problem of having no forgiveness available, it’s having the problem of not admitting your own faults unto him and others in the church, and learning to forgive as we go. Be forgiving as God forgives. Thank God for Jesus Christ.

That’s it for today and Lord willing I’ll talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️ tlkjbc.wordpress.com

A Discreet Woman

Good morning and welcome in today. Today we’re going to take a look at the following passage of scripture dealing with the calling of a Christian woman.

Titus 2:5 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Today we’re going to discuss some of the qualities of a Christian woman.

The word discrete means careful and circumspect in ones speech or actions especially in order to avoid causing an offense or gaining advantage of somebody else. A woman who is discrete handles problems without calling attention to them in a public manner. Someone who is discreet is judicious in their conduct and their speech especially with regard to respect and privacy and maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature. A woman is supposed to be of a Meek and quiet spirit. When she is discreet she doesn’t discuss personal matters that go on within her home.

1 Peter 3:1-6

3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Notice that in this passage it teaches that she’s supposed to have a quiet spirit. Quiet means making little or no noise. Something that is quiet is carried out discreetly, secretly or with moderation.

Have you ever sat down in a library before and listened and enjoyed the soothing sounds of silence? Quietness from a woman holds great value in the eyes of God. When they have that quality it shows faithfulness and obedience to what Christ Jesus taught.

When you are discrete you are capable of keeping a secret. A secret is something that is not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by other people. It is something that is private and kept to oneself. If you are capable of keeping a secret, it’s a piece of information that is only known by one person and should not be told to others. That’s what it means to be discreet.

In the government there are a lot of things that are classified as top secret. They have some materials that are meant for Eyes Only. You can read them but you’re not supposed to discuss them with other people.

Being discreet is one of the callings for Christian woman. When you think about it, God is very discreet with us. When we confess and admit our sins to him, He covers them and blots them out rather than exposing them to everybody else. The opposite of being discreet is a gossip or a talebearer which are sinful in the eyes of God.

1 Cor 14:34-35

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

The word shame means something that brings disgrace. When a woman speaks in a church she brings shame upon herself. Women speaking in church settings has gone on for centuries, but certainly not in the original Christian Church. It is something that is forbidden. When a woman is discrete she is quiet.

1 Tim 2:11-12

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Once again a woman needs to be a quiet learner if she truly professes to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A woman of God needs to be chaste. This word means pure and decent and modest in nature and behavior. A chaste woman is pure in her heart toward her husband.

When I think about the meaning of this word I usually think about a water purifier. The end result of what comes out of a water purifier is perfectly pure water. It’s free from contaminants and things that pollute. A woman who is truly chaste in her heart will have a truly pure heart toward their husband. The Lord Jesus taught blessed are the pure in heart.

A woman of God needs to be a keeper at home. A keeper is a person who manages or looks after something or someone else. You might think of a zookeeper or a groundskeeper somewhere. These are people who are charged with the responsibility of watching over things.

Christian responsibility for a woman is to be a keeper at the home. Not at a store, not at a job not at the neighbors. She is supposed to be at home, that is their responsibility towards Christ.

They also need to live a life of obedience toward their husbands. When you obey, it means to comply with the command direction or request of someone and submit to their authority.

Ephesians 5:22-24

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

When you submit you accept and yield to a superior force or authority.

Colossians 3:18

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Prov 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

So once again back in our main study verse today they are supposed to be obedient to their own husbands.

This is done so the word of God may not be blasphemed.

It says without the word of God may not be blasphemed. Blaspheming is to speak in a way that shows an irreverence for our God. It is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for Him and his teachings.

A wife who disobeys her husband can cause other people to speak evil of the things in His word. People outside the church are watching how she treats her husband. The Christian woman is supposed to be a quiet silent learner. She needs to obey her husband in everything.

I think that’s where I’m going to stop for right now, but Lord willing I’ll talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️

tlkjbc.wordpress.com

Seeking Hearts

The definition for the word seek is “to search for or attempt to find someone or something; to attempt or desire to obtain or acheive something.” 

One of the most popular games kids play is hide and seek. I can remember burying myself under piles of clothes and boxes in a closet with some other kids while one of them searched throughout the house trying to find us. We were the “hiders”, and the person trying to find us was the “seeker.” Once the seeker found everyone who was hiding, the game was “completed” and we started a new one.

Sometimes a city will have a “treasure hunt” event where they hide a medallion or some other kind of thing and they will put clues out in the newspaper that give hints to where it is located. Hundreds of people will go out searching for that medallion, hoping to receive the prize that is awarded to the winner. When someone eventually finds what was hidden, they win the prize.

That is why people go seeking for something. They want to aquire something or receive a prize. When a family loses a pet, they might put up signs around the area, offering a reward to anyone who finds their animal.

Well, God has also offered up a reward. He offers salvation to those who seek to do His will, and follow His Son. But unlike an earthly reward that is only available to just one person, God offers that reward to all who come seeking Jesus.

In the book of Luke, we read about a man who was seeking to see Jesus, and overcame an obstacle that prevented him.

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” Luke 19:1-5

So Zacchaeus was a shorter man, and because he couldn’t see over the top of all of the people around Jesus, he did something that only someone who was truly seeking would do in that situation. He climbed up a tree! He didn’t give up just because he couldn’t see over the crowd. He didn’t turn around and go home. He sought out Jesus, until he found Him. Just like Zacchaeus, we also need to seek out Jesus.  

Jesus told the parable about a woman who lost a coin in her house. What did she do? Did she just resign herself to her loss, and forget about it? No, she didn’t. She swept the entire house, seeking for that one coin, and eventually she found it. 

We need to continue to seek the things of God, and let nothing stand in our way to receiving that reward. Like Paul wrote in Philippians, 

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Like a runner running a mararthon, they don’t run 25 miles and then give up with 1 mile left. They want to receive that prize, they press forward and seek to finish the race. We don’t only read the Bible, and go our way living the way of the flesh. We seek to obey and live our lives as Jesus commands us.

Do you have a seeking heart? Do you want to be rewarded someday by God? He is a rewarder, you just need to seek Him.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

In Christ,

Andrew

Warning

The word believe, means to “accept the word or evidence of; to accept something as true, genuine, or real.” Therefore, unbelief is the exact opposite. To not accept something as true, genuine, or real.

When you are driving on the highway and you see a sign that shows that there is a very sharp corner coming up, what should you do? The normal course of action would be to reduce your speed and prepare for the turn. You might not actually see the turn yet when you first see the sign, but because it is there you begin to decelerate.

But what if someone didn’t believe that sign? What if instead of slowing down and preparing for the corner they continued to maintain their current speed? What do you think would happen? They would likely drive off the road and get seriously injured, or possibly killed. The sign was put there to warn you about the danger that could happen if you didn’t slow down. It is up to that person to either believe what the sign says or not.

Or when a person goes to a coffee shop and gets a cup of coffee, what is usually written on the side of that cup? “Caution: contents hot.” The company puts this on their cups to warn people to be careful so that they don’t hurt themselves (and then go and sue the company). Someone could say, “Ah, it’s not that hot” and then try to pour the cup down their throat but they would be burned by the hot coffee. The warning is there to, well, “warn” you. Whether someone believes it or not is up to them. 

We also have warnings in the scriptures. We are warned over and over to keep ourselves away from sin. We are told to not lie, covet, blaspheme, etc. We are told not to do these things because they are sinful, and we are warned what will happen if we continue to sin.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

It is cause and effect. When you take a pin and press it into a balloon, what happens? The balloon pops. When you strike a match and hold it to some paper, what happens? The paper starts to burn. When we sin, the “effect” is death. It is what we receive for not listening to the warning from God. We can be forgiven and have that sin taken away by Christ’s precious gift, but if someone doesn’t believe in Jesus and the forgiveness He offers, they will not receive forgiveness, and therefore will not receive eternal life.

We are told to walk in love, as Christ has loved us.(Ephesians 5:2) Do you believe that? Do you believe that you should love your neighbor as yourself, as Christ Himself taught? Because if someone doesn’t believe that they need to love others, then:

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Forgiveness is one of the greatest things that we can receive. Without it, we would be lost in our sins, and separated from God for eternity. And that is another warning that we have. We need to be forgiving with others, as God has been forgiving with us.(Ephesians 4:32) Do you believe that? Because if someone doesn’t, and refuses to, then they need to read what Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

That is a huge warning. If someone is going to deny someone forgiveness, then in a sense they are actually doing it to themselves. Do yourself a favor: forgive others.

Do you believe? Do you believe that every word in the Bible is the inspired word of God? The warnings inside are for us so that we do what is right. It is up to you to believe them.

In Christ,

Andrew

The Main Ingredient

Good morning and welcome in today. Today we are going to take a look at some scripture from 2nd Timothy chapter 3, but before we do that I wanted to ask you a question.

Have you ever tried to make scrambled eggs without eggs? Have you ever attempted to make spaghetti without any kind of noodles? As incredible as that may sound, there are many people today who profess to be Christian who are leaving out the main ingredient. It’s a Christianity without things that Christ taught in his Holy Word.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

This is a very easy memory verse because a lot of people think about John 3:16. Many people who profess to be Christian today completely forget about this verse. Doctrine is a belief or a set of beliefs that are held and taught by a church or another organization. Out in the world today there are many places that have doctrine. If you join the military they have doctrine. You need to obey the things that they are teaching you. If you attend a school or college somewhere they have doctrine. You need to obey what they instruct you to do. If you join the Christian church we have doctrine, the teachings of God’s holy Word.

Take note that the Apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy. Notice that he says scripture is given by inspiration of God. Scripture is defined as a body of writings that are considered sacred and authoritative. Notice that the Apostle says the word (all). All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Many people today who profess to be Christian actually deny certain parts of what the apostles taught. The truth of Christianity has not changed it’s the world’s acceptance of the truth that has changed.

The word (all) means everything. It is the whole entire and total amount. The things that we have contained in God’s holy Word has been given to us by the inspiration of God.

Can you imagine trying to make pancakes without flour? We need to have the proper ingredients to produce the things that we want. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. When people decide to ignore divine scripture they are willfully choosing to leave the flour out of the pancake recipe. It’s not going to come out the same and that is exactly what is going on in the world today. It’s a Christianity without Christ.

Numerous people profess to be Christian and claim to walk in love while the truth is they do not love Jesus and the things that he taught.

Just like a school out society, the church is a place of learning and instruction. People go to a Vo-Tech to become a mechanic. Children go to school to learn the English language. We go to a church to learn the ways of Christ. We are learning how to become a Christian. We have a handbook that is placed before us.

When you went to school when you were young didn’t you have study materials? In school they give you books and things to learn from. The Bible is our handbook in the Christian church that shows us how to love God and others.

How can you learn anything without some kind of study book? How can you learn how to cook food when you take the recipe cards and throw them away? This is what many people are doing today in regards to the Christian faith. They are turning away from scripture, denying it and rejecting wholeheartedly the things that Jesus and his apostles taught.

Many people who profess to be Christians today are willfully leaving there books in their locker rather than studying the things that are taught in it. They don’t have a desire for spiritual knowledge but are more focused on things of this world. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God.

Inspiration is a Divine influence that is directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul of a person.

The teachings of scripture are profitable to each of us. They are beneficial and useful an advantageous. A doctrine is a set of beliefs. A belief is something that is believed or an opinion and a conviction. A belief is something that somebody holds to be true.

Each day people believe a map that leads them through uncharted territory. Christians are supposed to believe the map that God has given unto us.

The Apostle teaches that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof correction and instruction in righteousness.

Have you ever had somebody disagree with something that you were doing? Have you ever sat in a class somewhere and the teacher expressed blame or disapproval because of your behavior? If you are reproved it is a negative comment.

Reproval can be a reprimand or even a rebuke but we must understand that they are to help us to become better.

Just like an Earthly dad may find fault with us, God corrects us in the scriptures to put us on the right path

Maybe you can remember as a child when people stuck their fingers in their ears because they wouldn’t listen to the reproofs of those who are in authority. Those things are going on today in modern-day Christianity.

As the Lord and the prophets taught, they have ears to hear but they will not listen. They choose not to accept correction of any kind. Scriptural teaching is there to lead us on the right path, but there are many people today who are completely turning away from it. The scriptures have been given to us for our correction.

Correction is the act of making something accurate or better. Correction is a change that fixes a mistake. It is something that changes from wrong to right or from abnormal to normal.

I guarantee you that the changes that God wants from us will result in a better person and a better life for us. When we choose to obey God it is the best path that we can take. I have always taught my family that if a dad truly loves you, he will correct you and point you in the right direction.

It is a fact that God loves us, cares for us and wants to save us. God knows what is best for each of us. He has given us scripture to guide us and lead us.

Each day when people drive down the highway in a car they have to correct the course in order to stay on their side of the highway. Children in school have to use a pencil eraser in order to correct the mistakes that they have made. God gives us His grace and mercy not only to correct the things that we have done wrong but to know the right path that we need to be on.

One of the main purposes of scripture is too correct us. It’s like a dad that we never had.

A correction is a change that rectifies an error that we have made.

I want you to think about a mission to the moon. Astronauts have to make corrections on their course. To do so they listen to people who guide their ship at NASA. To inherit eternal life we have to listen to the guidance of the teachings of Christ and the apostles.

People in today’s society are turning away from the truth of what the Bible teaches. We have a God who cares for us so very much but his love letters to this world are being unheeded. Like a dad who cares about you so very much who doesn’t want to see get hurt, but you completely ignore him. This has gone on since the beginning of time, but still God waits for us.

It is clear that God loves and cares for us, but we in our human nature rebel against his love and correction. It happens because of our own pride and arrogance. God gives us his word for instruction in righteousness. If you receive instruction it means that you have detailed information telling about how something should be done, operated or assembled. Instruction is an outline or a manual of technical procedures. God’s desire for us this is do what’s good and right. The scriptures are trying to teach us that very thing. In our human nature we fight against that.

Have you ever taken a can opener and opened up a can of really good food? Each of us need to open our hearts up to God. Just for today I want you to think about that. Think about opening up a can of your absolutely favorite food. And then I want you to think about opening up your heart to a God who loves you.

God wants to save us and forgive us but in order to do that we have to accept the truth. God’s word is truth. I guarantee without it you will miss the main ingredient.

Let’s think about those things for today and Lord willing we will talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye-bye everybody.♥️

tlkjbc.wordpress com

Thank the Lord

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When someone is thankful it means that they are conscious of benefit received. And when someone gives thanks, it means to express gratitude or show appreciation to someone. 

That is something that I was taught to do at a young age. Whenever an adult gave me something like a piece of candy or a cookie, my parents asked me, “Now what do you say?” And I would reply with, “Thank you.” I was taught to be thankful to others when they did something nice to me.

Before we eat a meal, we pray to God and ask bless the food that He has provided for us, and thank Him. Everything that we eat has been provided by God and He gives it to us to nourish our bodies. He made the water you drink, the animals He made for meat, fruits and vegetables. Everything that we eat is because He has provided it for us, and we need to be thankful for everything.

When we wake up in the morning, we praise the Lord and thank Him for another day. We thank Him for the change of seasons. In the spring everything is all fresh and new, beautiful flowers, green grass, fruit growing. It is a beautiful season. In the summer if it gets hot we can go swim in lake or pool and thank the Lord that we are able to keep cool and have fun. When fall comes it brings the changing of the colors, with red, orange, yellow leaves in the trees. Winter brings the white snow that blankets the ground, bringing joy and glee to millions of children who slide down hills on their sleds.

There is always something to be greatful for. Thank the Lord for your health. Thank Him for healing you when you weren’t feeling well. Do you own a business and it is doing well? Thank Jesus. If you go on a fishing trip and catch a bunch of fish, give thanks to God. In everything give thanks.

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:20

When we remember to thank God for things, it shows Him that we are grateful to Him for what He has done or given us. But there are some people in the end times who will not be thankful. 

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Never forget to be thankful. Each day is a gift from God, and we should be filled with thankfulness and joy towards Him.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

And most importantly, we should thank the Lord Jesus for coming to this world to offer us forgiveness for our sins. Without His sacrifice that He did for us, we would all be shut out of the Kingdom of God. Thank Jesus for His incredible gift of forgiveness.

“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1

In Christ,

Andrew

Spiritual Food

What is something that everyone requires? What do our bodies need? We need food and water. From the moment we are born, our bodies require that we consume food and water in order to grow and continue to live.

We start out as babies, only drinking milk. As we grow slightly older, we start to eat foods that are slightly more solid, like rice cereal and baby food. Then as we get even older, we go and eat foods that are slightly more solid, but still softer, like hotdogs, whole bananas, maybe fish sticks. Then we get to the point to where we can eat any solid foods. Our bodies consume the foods we eat and turns it into energy so that we continue to “run.” Now, what will happen if you don’t eat any food and water? Eventually, your body will cease to run, because you don’t have any “fuel in the tank.”

A car also requires something to run. It requires some kind of fuel. You fill up your tank and the car consumes that fuel to drive down the road. Now if you drained all of the gas out of a car, what will happen? That car won’t run. In a sense, it is “dead.”

Well Christians also need something that gives them energy, and life. We need spiritual food. Baby Christians start out with the milk of God’s word, learning the beginning parts of the faith, how Jesus loves them, and died for their sins. As they grow stronger and learn more, they can handle the stronger parts of the Word, like resisting and overcoming temptation. 

We need something to fuel us spiritually. We need spiritual food. We need the bread of life.

In John 6, Jesus had just fed the five thousand and crossed over the sea. Well, the some of the people he had just fed also went into ships, and followed Jesus all the way to Capernaum. But Jesus knew the reason why they followed Him across the sea.

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” John 6:26-27

They didn’t follow Jesus because they believed in the miracle Jesus had done, they were seeking only to get physical food. So Jesus taught them what they should seek instead. Instead of seeking and laboring for earthly food, which eventually spoils and goes bad, Jesus taught them to seek to obtain spiritual food, and He told them where they could find it.

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Jesus is the bread of life. He is what we need to live for eternity. It is Him that we need to seek to obtain. 

When Jesus had fasted in the desert for forty days, and the devil tried to tempt Him with food, what did Jesus say?

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

You can eat as much food as you want, but unless you have the bread of life, Jesus, you will not live forever, for it is through Christ that we have eternal life. 

In Christ,

Andrew

Artificial Sweetener

Good morning and welcome in today. Today we’re going to take a look at the following passage of scripture.

2 Pet 2:1….

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

There’s a very simple way to discern alot of false prophets in today’s world. If you have ever seen a man allowing a woman to preach and teach the scriptures, or to speak in a church meeting somewhere, you just met one. God’s word gives us a test of spirituality in 1 Cor 14:34

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

There are a lot of people who profess to be Christians today who actually serve and worship women. They even profess that they are a prophet. The sad thing is they’re going to miss out on eternal life if they hold that belief until the day they die. Not everybody is going to be heaven. Our verse teaches about us about false prophets.

The word false means contrary to what is true. False is something that is artificial and untrue.

Have you ever had artificial sweetener? It looks like sugar and tastes like sugar, but it’s not sugar. The same thing is going on out in society today with people who profess Christianity. They look like a Christian, they sound like a Christian, but they are not a Christian. True Christians believe the things that Jesus taught. They believe the things that are contained in the Holy scriptures.

A true Christian is supposed to be a follower of the things that Jesus taught. The Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ didn’t want the church to be ignorant about their duties to the Christian faith. Nowadays people have reduced Christianity to a few verses from the Bible, but how can anything be truly understood without some study time?

Can you imagine claiming to be a mechanic but the only thing you know about is how to stick the spark plug in the hole in the motor. That sounds ridiculous doesn’t it but today people today have turned Christianity into that.

Can you imagine claiming to be a plumber but the only thing that you know how to do is to clean the pipe underneath the kitchen sink. Doesn’t that sound crazy?

There are people who profess to be Christians today who are being led astray because they are not filled with any knowledge of the truth of scripture. The church is a spiritual school where we are supposed to be educated in God’s holy word. It’s by God’s Word that we discern truth from fiction. Remember that there will be people who claim Jesus as their Lord but they are not going to inherit eternal life. There will be people who profess to be Christian but they never really followed Christ teachings. The disciples of the Lord preached and teached the things of Christ day by day. True believers are filled with knowledge of Gods Word.

Just claiming to be a Christian is not enough to get to heaven. The bible is clear that we need to have faith which means we need to accept and believe the things that Jesus taught. Jesus taught that before his return it was going to be like the days of Noah. Take a look around you can’t you see the sign of the times?

Because Jesus is the truth we must understand that real Christianity is not going to be on the rise when He returns, but rather a form of Christianity that is not true and genuine. Just like a fake diamond there will be people who profess to be followers of Christ who really don’t follow him at all.

The Christian life teaches us that we need to be filled with discernment. Can you tell the difference between a cat and a dog? Can you tell the difference between a horse and a squirrel? People in this world can discern these simple things yet many who profess Christianity cannot discern a false prophet.

If you have ever seen a woman preaching and teaching God’s word or speaking in a public church service, these are signs and works of a false prophet. A true prophet of God does not allow a woman to usurp over a man in any capacity and do these things.

I guarantee you that holding these beliefs are not the norm in society. The world is very different than the church. Jesus Christ is coming soon and his judgment is approaching quickly.

Somebody who professes spirituality or claims to be a prophet and allows women to preach and teach God’s word or speak in the church is a fraud. They are no different than someone who puts on a policemans outfit and impersonates an officer. Do you think a sheriff really appreciates when somebody does that to them? Do you think God appreciates when people profess to be followers of his only begotten son, yet they wholeheartedly reject the things that he taught? Just like people impersonate an officer, there are numerous people today who are impersonating Christianity.

Remember that someone who claims the word prophet is professing spirituality. The issue with a false prophet is that they are not spiritual at all. It’s no different today when people profess to believe in Jesus but they don’t believe in the things that he taught. To do such things is to make a mockery of the Christian faith to an unbelieving world. God will judge that. Discernment is a gift from God that helps us see things for what they truly are.

In this world, discernment is something that helps you tell the difference between a bird or a fish. It helps us to recognize a difference between a dog and a cat. The role of women in a church is something that helps us to discern true men of God from those who are fake.

If you were going to buy a diamond anniversary ring for your wife would you like to know that you’re getting a real thing instead of a counterfeit? If you were going to purchase a painting of a famous artist, wouldn’t you like to know that you’re getting the real thing?

The Lord teaches us in the scriptures how to discern a true prophet from a false one. Women preaching or teaching God’s Word in any capacity is forbidden along with them speaking in the church service. They are never to usurp over a man. This is one way to discern true men of God. False prophets serve and obey women in the church, rather than Jesus.

If you ever see a man who professes to be a Christian who allows these things to go on, you can guarantee they are not spiritual. They have never been born again. This happens all the time in the world but not in a church who is supposed to be serving Christ.

In the church we are called to love one another and to forgive one another, but authority is a whole different issue.

Can you imagine a private telling a general how to run a war? Can you imagine a five-year-old trying to instruct a sheriff how to shoot their weapon? Anybody who professes spirituality or claims to be a Christian has to understand that women are underneath men. Those who allow that to go on in the church are false prophets. Many people today worship women rather than Christ.

For 20 years I’ve always told my wife that I love somebody more than her. She bears witness to the fact that I have always told her that she is my number two. Nothing is ever going to be able to change that fact. I love Jesus more than anybody including my wife.

The Bible teaches husbands to love your wives but remember that we are to worship and serve Christ.

In today’s modern form of Christianity men worship women. They worship and serve their wives and mothers. Those who teach those things cause you to err. They are one the signs of a false prophet.

Heresy is a belief or action which seriously disagrees with the principles of a particular religion. We can come boldly to the throne of grace in time of need and get forgiven with God but heresy is a different issue.

A heretic believes something that goes completely contrary to the teachings of the Christian faith. Instead of admitting the truth contained in scripture, a heretic will continue to hold on to their false belief. What they do is they believe a lie as though it’s true even though the scriptures teach otherwise. The Bible clearly teaches those who hold onto these opinions without repentance are going to be damned. The reason why is they do not believe the truth. They choose instead to believe a lie. They choose to love the world rather than Christ.

For many years, people have tried to make different versions of the Bible. You can tell the parts that they don’t want to become obedient to. They change verses or completely leave them out. Many people today find it easier to change God’s Word then change their own lives. That’s what happens when people are involved with heresy. Heresy is a terrible sin because it’s a rejection of Truth. Without truth you will not accept the fact that you are in error. Like a flood comes or tornado without a moment’s notice, swift destruction will come to these people. And that my friends is biblical truth.

Think about those things for today and Lord willing we’ll talk some more tomorrow till then bye-bye everybody. ♥️ tlkjbc.wordpress.com