Monday, April 29, 2024

Born of Water and of the Spirit

‘Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto Born of Water and of the Spirit John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.' 
(Matthew 3:13-4:1 KJV)

'Then the devil leaveth him (after he had resisted the tempter), and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.' (Matthew 4:11 KJV)

'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." '(Matthew 4:17 KJV)

'There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." ' 
(John 3:1-6 KJV)

Recognize, receive and rejoice to know the hope of His calling.

Monday, April 22, 2024

In Many Things We Offend All

‘For in MANY things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.'
(James 3:2 KJV)

'Even so the tongue is a little member, and BOASTETH great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.' (James 3:5-8 KJV)

'Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about MUCH serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about MANY things: But ONE thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.' (Luke 10:38-42 KJV)

Sitting before Him, hearing His word, is the ONE THING that shall tame the tongue that offends.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Continue in the Confession

‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou SHALT confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou SHALT be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' (Romans 10:9,10 KJV)

Shalt, or shall, indicates simple futurity: expressing the future tense. Although this passage has been taught primarily as a place of entrance into God's salvation, confessing the lordship of Jesus Christ and his victory over all flesh, especially in questionable circumstances, brings light for your devotion to God through Him, keeping and refining you in it. The victory in confession of the Lord Jesus will be found in the doing of it, speaking wisely, because wisdom understands that we must proceed.

Monday, April 8, 2024

Forasmuch then, and Inasmuch

‘FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.'
(1 Peter 4:1-5 KJV)

'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, INASMUCH as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.' 
(1 Peter 4:12,13 KJV)

Forasmuch and inasmuch (insofar) that we may be GLAD also, rather than not-as-much and out-as-much as one may desire to position themselves.