BIBLE STUDYS

These are some of the things that that God showed US. 1 John 3:11-14. This is a check with the Word of God. I struggle with this a lot. John states again the message we have heard from the beginning: "We should love one another." Jesus gave this command to the disciples in John 13:34. Not only are we to love one another, but we are to love them as He loves us! John warns us not to be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one. When we are not loving, we are doing the devil's will. In the end of verse 12 and in verse 13, John looks into Cain's action. He killed Abel because Abel's action were righteous, while his own were evil. Then John solemnly tells us, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you." When we accept Christ, the natural fruit is righteous acts. As people of the Way, the world will despise us, just as it despised Christ. How important is it to love one another? In verse 14, John writes, "we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." We cannot love our brothers without having a personal relationship with Christ. On the other hand, we cannot truly know Jesus, and still hate our brothers. In John 5:24, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." Hearing the Word and believing in God goes hand in hand with loving our brothers. Where are you with this? Are you loving them? Are you loving them as Christ loves you? God loves you and wants you to love His people. it takes humility. We need to value the friendships and relationships we have. in them are love and joy and satisfaction. be blessed! ALSo: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5. Paul appeals to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. I am not sure why he is saying this, but verse 2 hints at a little tension. Apparently some of the Corinthians seem to think that as believers, "we live by the standards of this world." This is far from true! We need to be careful to not think this today. God has called us out of the world; called us to a holy life(John 15:19, 1 Thess 4:7). This is not the standards of the world. Paul points out in verse 3 that: "though we live IN the world, we do not wage war AS the world does." In the world, not of the world. Part of the standard God has called us to is the way we "wage war." In verses 4 and 5, Paul informs the Corinthians that our weapons are not of this world, but rather divinely powered to demolish strongholds, arguments, and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God; thus, taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ. What are these weapons? Well, prayer is one for sure(fo shoo!) We must be constantly praying for eyes and hearts to see the truth of Christ. We must also pray against strongholds that the rulers, powers, and authorities have in people's lives. According to 2 Corinthians 6:7, the weapons are "weapons of righteousness." In Christ, we are righteous, and in His Word a righteousness of God is revealed(Phil 3:9, Romans 1:17). So, we have prayers, Christ living in us, and His Word, the sword of the Spirit. These are weapons. We need His grace wisdom to know how to use them. Ephesians 6:14-18 tells us of our armor. Each and every moment there is spiritual warfare going on. Good vs. evil. With every thought, action, motive, attitude, word, etc. you are either fighting for good or evil. Be alert, be submitted to God. This is serious. Remember your weapons, remember your armor, remember you can only do it standing in His strength! There is a battle. When we sleep, we "rest" from it. The moment we awake, we are back in it. All is either for or against God. There is no middle ground. 2 Timothy 2:3 are my words of parting. "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Also: Revelation 3:14-22. Jesus is speaking to the church of Laodicea, a picture, some say, of the church before the rapture/tribulation...that would be us! Jesus addresses Himself as, the Amen, which shows He is the author and finisher of faith, and that in Chirst, all the promises of God are 'yes,' 'yes and amen.' *interesting thought: when we finish our prayers with, "in Jesus' name, Amen," are we saying amen as in so be it, or are we saying in Jesus' name, that name being Amen? He also calls Himself the faithful and true Witness, and Ruler of God's creation. By His death and resurrection, He conquered the enemy, satan, who controlled death. Christ is supreme over all! He came full of grace and truth(John 1:14), He is forever faithful. These are qualities of His unchanging(Hebrew 13:8) nature. Again, He is talking to Laodicea, who is neither hot nor cold. He wishes they were one or the other, but they are lukewarm, a disgust to Him, so much so that He is about to spit, literally vomit, them out of His mouth. Brothers and sister, God cannot stomach lukewarm faith! He desires for all to be saved and for them to be fruitful. In verse 17 we see the deceitful pride of the Laodicean church. They say they are rich, that they have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. What deceit! Without God, we have nothing! We cannot breathe on our own, so how will we acquire wealth or anything on our own? In reality, He says, they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked! Verses 18-20 show the patient grace of Christ. He wants to provide the wealth of faith, clothes to cover shaem, and salve so they can see. Another reminder that He rebukes and disciplines those He loves. If they are earnest and repent and listen to His calling, He will come and dine with them. What a gracious God?! Verse 21 has this amazing promise: "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. In times of hardship, we must press on. Christ Himself did, and as He said, sits with Abba! 2 Thessalonians 3:5 and Hebrews 12:1-3 remind us of His perseverance. We must see that Christ knows our deeds just as He knew the deeds of the Laodicean church. We need to press on and be real with Him, and be hot in our faith. Much of the church, especially in America, is complacent. We feel we don't need a thing. See the truth, we too are wretched, pitiful, blind, and naked. Heed His advice and be earnest, sincere, and repent. God doesn't want just a distant relationship with us, He wants a close, intimate friendship. If we see Him as a great Friend, rather than a Judge, which He is also, then we will see that sin is breaking His heart, not just a law. Make it personal, because it is personal to Him. His only Son died so we could be reconciled! Love us: Updated often

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