Category God

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus pt1

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Hearing the VOICE of Jesus?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

The Hebrew writer wrote, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb 1:1-2).

We now live under the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was nailed to the cross and is obsolete (Col 2:14; Heb 8:13).

Any who desire to go back to do one part of the Old Law of Moses is obligated to do the whole; “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal 5:3-4).

But that is not good, for that Law was a shadow of the good things we have in Christ now (Heb 10:1; Col 2:17).

God Himself said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Mark 9:7). Seeing that all this is true, believers are to hear Jesus. What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.

Contrary to mainstream belief, the sheep that follow Jesus do so of their own volition. God is seeking those that seek Him. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). God’s desire that all to come to repentance and be saved (2Pet 3:9) is evidence that we have free choice. We voluntarily seek Him, listen to His voice, and it’s His voice (words) that will judge us in the last day. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

Therefore, all are invited to follow the Good Shepherd of our own free will.

Those that choose to follow Jesus also Obey His VOICE. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15; 15:14). “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:21-23).

It makes zero sense to call oneself a “follower” of Christ, and not actually follow Him in obedience to His word. People keep using that word “follower” without doing anything He says. I constantly hear folks living in sin claiming also to be a follower of Jesus. Paul warned; “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11). If these cannot inherit the kingdom of God, how can we say at the same time that we are followers of Christ while continuing in them?

Therefore, all true followers of Jesus are obedient to His voice.

This next point is vital to understand. Some also claim that Jesus will speak to us personally, miraculously, and separately from the Inspired word. Jesus never made this claim.

In His prayer in the garden, while praying for His Apostles, He then prayed for folks that would believe in Him after His death. He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me THROUGH THEIR WORD; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). We who come to Jesus after His death will believe based on the words of the Apostles. The Apostles were given the promise of divine Holy Spirit Inspiration (John 16:13; cf, 14:26; 15:26), not us.

We hear the voice of the Chief Shepherd in as much as we read His inspired word delivered through the Inspired writers. Paul wrote through inspiration; “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” (1Cor 14:37). He also wrote; “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph 3:3-4; cf 2Tim 3:15-17).

The Apostle John wrote, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). He also wrote, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13; emph mine seb).

Therefore, all true followers of Jesus hear His VOICE through the reading, studying, and memorizing His written inspired word.

Next week we’ll look at a few more points regarding the VOICE of Jesus. To recap; we Voluntarily hear His voice. We who hear it will Obey His voice. Those that hear, and obey are Informed of His will through the reading, study, and memorizing of His Inspired word.

–Spencer

Who is Jesus pt2

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“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)

We live in a time where there are many Christs being preached.

“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” (2Cor 11:4).

We need to know the Real Jesus of the Bible. Last week we made just a few observations about the True Christ. It is impossible for a few articles to say all that could be said about Him. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

This article will look at a few more things we learn from scripture about Jesus.

Here are the observations from last week:

Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14).

Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18).

Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).

Who is Jesus? Part 2.

Jesus is the Express Image of the Godhead. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col 1:18-19). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).

While much could be said about this, I want to focus on the fact that Jesus is Divine, He is Deity, He is God. Some religions do not see Jesus as God, but as a created being. This simply is not true. Jesus is God.

The Scriptures teach “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In this passage Jesus is called “the Word.” Note the Scriptures said Jesus “the Word” was “God.” Some will use their rewritten bibles to argue about “definite articles” and misquote passages in attempt to make Jesus not God, but “a God.” We know better.

The Scriptures affirm the deity and godhood of Jesus. Jesus calls Himself the name “I AM” which is the name used for God (John 8:58; Exo 3:14). Jesus said God is “My Father” which made “Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus accepted the identification “My Lord and my God!” from Thomas (John 20:28). Jesus’ agreement with Thomas in verse 29 is a shattering deathblow to the false doctrine that Jesus is only “a god.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (20:29). Jesus affirmed what Thomas “believed” was in fact the truth; Jesus is “Lord” and “God.”

There are other Scriptures that confirm the deity of Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 20:28; Matt 1:23; Heb 1:8).

Jesus is the final Judge of the world. While living on earth He did not come to bring judgment at that time. Now that He has Died, was Buried, and is Resurrected, He sits on His Judgment seat and everyone will appear before Him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2Cor 5:10-11a).

It will be a terrifying thing to appear before Him if we’re found to be disobedient. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). But, how can we appear before His throne with confidence? “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). We can know when we know His word.

Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Jesus has given us His Divine word to guide us. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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” (2Tim 3:15-17). “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

These are comforting words. We can know the Real, Living, & True Jesus.

Do you remember the list from that social media post last week? Could you verify the validity of them? Did you look them up? Here’s what I found.

  • Joy Giver, John 17:13.
  • Eternal life Giver, John 10:28.
  • Strength Giver, 2Cor 12:9.
  • Unconditional Lover, Rom 5:8. (this one is often misleading)
  • Sins forgiver. Mark 2:10.

–Spencer

Who is Jesus

The Preacher 1 Comment

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”    (John 14:6).

Years ago, we were driving home from worship. We had a young relative with us and he asked, “Who is Jesus?”

His question broke our hearts. While he was not under our care, we felt a responsibility toward him and our other relatives.

I’m not surprised anymore if a person has this question. In reality, most of the people who claim to believe in Jesus do not know the Jesus of the Bible. They only know a different Jesus.

“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” (2Cor 11:4).

Who is Jesus?

One person posted to social media that Jesus is…

  • Joy Giver,
  • Eternal life Giver,
  • Strength Giver,
  • Unconditional Lover,
  • Sins forgiver.

They posted this without any scripture references, which is typical. Here’s a little homework: is the above true? If so, how would we know?

This got me to thinking about our own study about Jesus. The scriptures say, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25). While one bulletin article is insufficient to fully answer the question, I’ll give just a sampling about who is Jesus.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14). I was talking to someone and they asked if one could be saved in a religion that doesn’t believe in Jesus. I asked what this verse meant; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). He said that Jesus is the only way to God. Only Jesus is the Savior of the world.

Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16).

This is a hugely comforting quality. It points to the fact that Jesus walked this earth and experienced the pain and suffering common to all. He hungered, He wept, He thirsted, He was alone. He knows what we’re going through, and He Understands.

Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).

The demon world acknowledged this truth, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time (Matt 8:29; Mark 3:11)?

This understanding is essential. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Jesus, as the Son of God, is God. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

There are two more qualities of Jesus I’d like to share next week.

The Jesus of the Bible, the Savior, The Understanding Son of God is amazing. He’s more than we can even imagine, but He is not a figment of our imagination. We need to be careful to make Him into something He’s not by overlooking the whole council of God. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2Cor 9:15)

–Spencer

Do you love your enemies?

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you LOVE your ENEMY?

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”    (Luke 6:27-36).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

Love His Appearing week 3:

We Look for His return. (Luke 12:37)

We Obey Him. (Luke 6:46)

We add Virtue, etc. (2Pet 1:5-11)

We Endure this life. (Matt 10:24)

This week we’ll look at the Lord’s command to Love our Enemy.

It’s unambiguous that we are to love our enemies. Who our enemies are varies. As much as it lies within us, we try to live at peace with all men (Rom 12:18), but there are some that just don’t like us, are rude, mean, or antagonistic to the church. It matters not why; Jesus taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES.

How are we to LOVE an ENEMY?

First, with EMPATHY. We need to have empathy for we were once enemies to the Lord.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11).

No matter what a person may say to provoke us, we must remain NICE. The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jas 1:20)

“And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same” (Luke 6:33).

This teaching doesn’t mean we put ourselves in harm’s way. Paul avoided many attacks on his life by the Jews, but he still desired they be saved.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1).

This next one is difficult, but we need to have a heart to EVANGELIZE.

Some will, some wont, but you’ll never know until you try. We seldom think about, nor even desire to teach an enemy the truth of the gospel.

I ask myself this question whenever interacting with an “enemy;” Could I invite them to worship despite our conflict? Look at this example:

Jesus sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus to teach him the gospel. “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:10-16).

Within the command to love our enemy is to be Merciful.

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Merciful means… compassionate, experiencing deep pity (lamentation) as God has for people who look to Him for help in their difficult situations. Consider the example of the stolen servant girl who told Naaman of a cure for leprosy. (2Kings 5:1-3). “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”

Finally, and very importantly, YOUR forgiveness depends on it. Let’s read from our passage in Luke:

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:32-35). To love only those that love us is no better than the enemies themselves. Look at what Jesus taught:

“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”

(Matt 6:14-15; Mt 18:35; Mr 11:25-26; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).

People mistake these concepts as having to take abuse, pain, etc. That’s a mistake. We have authority to avoid our enemies attacks, if we do it without sin, and without denying the Lord.

Think about the Apostle Paul in Acts 23:12-31. Some of the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel had sworn to lie in wait for him so they would have occasion to ambush and kill him. He loved those in Judaism who were persecuting him (Rom 10:1-3), but that didn’t mean he had to be killed if it could be avoided (see, Acts 9:25; 2Cor 11:33).

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

(Rom 12:19-21).

–Spencer

Will you LOVE His APPEARING?

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“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”                  (2Timothy 4:8).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

This week we ask, do we Love the Victory in Christ at His Appearing?

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:57).

Are you looking forward to the return of Christ, so much so that you will actually LOVE His appearing? I heard about a man that had just enough religion that kept him from being happy at the bar, but not enough to be happy in the worship. That man may not Love His Appearing.

Will we LOVE His Appearing? When we speak about these things we need to be reminded that we can be sure about our salvation, and also beware of the possibility of falling. Here are 4 things that those that love His appearing can do today.

Those that love His Appearing are LOOKING, watching, and expecting His return any day. We wake with the expectation that He may return today, and keep watch over ourselves to be ready for that possibility.

“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12:37)

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt 24:42).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2Peter 3:10).

Those that love His Appearing are OBEYING His commandments. He will ask us on the judgement day, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? Therefore, those that love His appearing are obeying His word.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods” (Matt 24:45-47).

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Rev 2:19).

Those that love His Appearing are adding VIRTUE, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love (2 Peter 1:5-11). Just as a mother looks to see growth in her child, so too our Lord. Therefore, the child of God is growing and maturing.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb 5:12).

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2).

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:15).

Those that love His Appearing ENDURE Suffering & Temptation. While no suffering is joyful at the moment, we know that the world hated Christ before it hated us. Are we any better than the Master? (Matt 10:24)

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2Peter 3:17).

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 5:15)

Friends, my plea as that we live in such a way that we shall Love His Appearing.

–Spencer

If you live in the Borger area and Would you like to know more about how to look forward to His return, let us know.

Who do you LOVE?

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Who do you LOVE?

“But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love”

(1Cor 13:13; ASV).

“And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”

(Matt 22:37).

Here’s a recap of last week:

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

This week we’ll continue to look at LOVE.

Why we should Love.

Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment. “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

In continuation of our study on LOVE, let’s look at the second part of the great command, to love your neighbor as yourself.

Our love for OTHERS.

There are a few categories of people, the first are our brethren. We are to treat them LIKE KINGS & QUEENS because that’s what they are. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Rev 5-6).

We are to love the brethren like Christ showed, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).

The Apostles Peter, John, and Paul repeated this command, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1Peter 1:22; 2:17).

“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1John 2:10, 3:11, 14, 23; 4:11, 12).

“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” (1Thess 4:9).

We are to love the brethren. Next, we are to love OTHERS.

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you” (1Thess 3:12).

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law: (Rom 13:8). “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Gal 5:14).

We are to love others. We are also to love in deed.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). To “visit” is to render aid to someone in need. This is an individual responsibility we have toward those in our own house, or toward our neighbors as we have opportunity and is separate from the local church funds. “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed” (1Tim 5:8-16).

The local church collectively has a responsibility for limited benevolence for the needy saints. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1Cor 16:1-2; Acts 11:29). “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jas 14:15-17).

We are to love in deed by visiting the needy. Finally, we are to love our Enemies.

This last one separates us from everyone else in the world. As the Lord commanded, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36).

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1John 3:18).

–Spencer is an evangelist in Borger Texas working with the church of Christ on Franklin & Juniper.

Loving the LORD pt4 DELIVERANCE

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4 Things about Loving the LORD

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The LORD DELIVERS those that Love Him.

Psalm 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Psalm 18:1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,>> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2Cor 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

about Loving the LORD pt3 Receive a Crown

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4 Things about Loving the LORD

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Those that love Him shall RECEIVE a crown.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2Timothy 4:8 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.

1Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

links to prior parts.

Love the Lord pt 2, OBEY Him.

We ought to Love the LORD pt 1.

Love the LORD pt2 OBEY Him

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4 Things about Loving the LORD

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Click her for Part one.

We are to OBEY him out of love.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God,

Da 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

De 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

Ne 1:5; Deut 30:16,20; De 13:3; 11:1,13,22; 10:12; 6:5; 7:9.

Jos 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

God Loves us as seen in sending His Son.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We demonstrate our Love for Him when we keep His commandments.

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

If you live in Borger and would like some help in learning how to Love the LORD, contact us.

Link to Part 1.

We ought to Love the LORD pt 1.

Why We Ought to LOVE the LORD. pt1

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Why we should Love the LORD.

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Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Part 1; why we ought to LOVE the LORD.

1 John 4:8 KJV

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God Loves.

1 John 4:9 KJV

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

God Loved us first.

1 John 4:19 KJV

We love him, because he first loved us.

We know Love because God died for us.

1 John 3:16 KJV

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

We Love Him when we keep His commandments.

1 John 5:3 KJV

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

We Love Him when we Love each other.

1 John 4:8,11 KJV

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

We know we Love each other when we keep His commandments.

1 John 5:2 KJV

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

We should LOVE the LORD.