Encouraging Words

Friday, February 28, 2014, 7:09 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “What the Lord Says” in mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 49 (quoting vv. 1-4 in the NIV).

Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
    from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
    and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” Vv. 1-3

I believe that, to some extent, this is referring to Isaiah, and to Israel at that time, and that, to some degree, it also applies to Christ’s followers today, yet its ultimate fulfillment was realized in Jesus Christ. I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God, that he has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives, and that he had this plan in mind for each one of us from even before we were born. In other words, I believe each one of us was created for a purpose, not just the general purpose for which we have all been born, which is that we worship, love and serve our creator, but that God has a specific mission in mind for each one of our lives (See Ps. 139), which is why he made us who we are. I don’t believe any of us are here by accident, for God is our creator, and he does not make mistakes.

The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, he died for the sins of the entire world, not just for a select few. The Bible also says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but should have life everlasting. So, although God calls us, and he chooses us to be his very own people and to live holy lives pleasing to him, and he commissions us to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, the gospel of Jesus Christ is open to “whoever” will accept Jesus Christ by faith in allowing the Spirit of God to turn their hearts away from lives given over to the control of sin, self and Satan, to lives yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every way (See Ac. 26:16-18; Eph. 4:17-24; Ro. 6; Gal. 2:20; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Jn. 1-5, et al).

But I said, “I have labored in vain;
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
    and my reward is with my God.” V. 4

Yet, although God calls us, he fills us with his Spirit, he regenerates us, giving us new hearts and minds, and he empowers, strengthens, guides and helps us, still we are in flesh bodies. We get tired. We can get discouraged. We may have health issues. And, as we age, our bodies, minds, eyes, etc. don’t work as well as what they did when we were younger. My eyes, for instance, are not cooperating very well this morning. Sometimes we may even feel forgotten by God or we may not feel his presence with us. We may go through difficult trials in this life, which test our faith. And, sometimes we may even begin to question God or to feel as though our service for the Lord has all been in vain, because we may not see immediate results. Even Jesus expressed how he longed to gather the children of Israel, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they were not willing (See Matt. 23:37).

Yet, the servant committed himself to his Lord God, and to his sovereignty over his life, trusting in the Lord to reward him in due time, being willing to wait on God’s perfect timing. As well, the Lord had many encouraging words for the servant in this passage of scripture, most of which we can apply to our lives, as well. The Lord will watch over us. He will give us all we need to serve him and to do what he has called us to do. He will use us in the lives of others, if we are willing and available, to be used to bring the message of hope, saying to the captives “Come out!” and to those in darkness “Be free!” And, he promises that people from all nations will come to him, if not now, in the last days before his return. Our labor for the Lord, in the power of the Spirit within us, will not be in vain. Amen! God will not forget us, he will not leave us and he will never forsake us! Many who have gone astray will return to their Lord. Hallelujah! Although we may go through many difficulties in this life, he will see us through them all, and he will one day take us home to be with him forever. Amen!

What the Lord Says / An Original Work

February 24, 2014 / Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5

This is what the Lord says to you:

Fear not, for I have chosen you.

I have summoned you by your name.

You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,

I will be with you; you will not sink.

You are so precious always to me.

Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who gave salvation to you;

Who delivered you from your sin;

Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.

Give of your heart not now up to strife.

See all the new things I have for you.

Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who made you; who will help you:

Do not fear what humans may do.

Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.

Trust in my mercy, for I love you.

I have a plan for all of your life.

Follow my ways. Do what is right.

http://originalworks.info/what-the-lord-says/

http://youtu.be/UaLjKI7Bksw

What the Lord Says

The Lord Jesus gave me this song today to encourage my heart. We have so many different voices speaking to us at various times – our own inner voice, Satan, the world, friends, family, church, our pasts, etc., in addition to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes it takes much spiritual discernment through prayer to sort out what voice is speaking, especially when it is something that is not obviously against God and his word. Other times we may find ourselves listening to other voices, including our own, without even realizing we are doing that, and we may even begin to believe those other voices inside our heads without even being consciously aware we are doing so. So, when these other voices speak their messages into our hearts, we need to discern their source, reject the lies, put on the truth, and hear what the Lord says, because what he says is true.

What the Lord Says / An Original Work

February 24, 2014 / Based off Isaiah 43:1-44:5

This is what the Lord says to you:

Fear not, for I have chosen you.

I have summoned you by your name.

You are mine. I died, you to save.

When you go through your trials, so deep,

I will be with you; you will not sink.

You are so precious always to me.

Trust in your Lord, Savior and King.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who gave salvation to you;

Who delivered you from your sin;

Takes your burdens now upon Him:

Forget the former things of your life.

Give of your heart not now up to strife.

See all the new things I have for you.

Walk in vict’ry. Trust in what’s true.

This is what the Lord says to you:

He who made you; who will help you:

Do not fear what humans may do.

Walk in freedom. Follow what’s true.

Drink of my Spirit given for you.

Trust in my mercy, for I love you.

I have a plan for all of your life.

Follow my ways. Do what is right.

http://originalworks.info/what-the-lord-says/

http://youtu.be/UaLjKI7Bksw

Unyielding

Monday, February 24, 2014, 1:19 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Only In Him” in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 42 (NIV). http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+42&version=NIV

To Free Captives

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

    my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him…

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

    he will not falter or be discouraged

till he establishes justice on earth.

    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

…“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;

    I will take hold of your hand.

I will keep you and will make you

    to be a covenant for the people

    and a light for the Gentiles,

to open eyes that are blind,

    to free captives from prison

    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

The servant is Jesus Christ. He is supported by the Father in heaven. The Father takes great delight in his Son. He put his Spirit on him. In faithfulness Jesus Christ, God the Son, came to earth, took on human flesh and then died for the sins of the people of the world. He died so we could go free from the penalty of sin (eternal punishment in hell), so we could be free from the control of Satan and sin over our lives on a daily basis, and so we could be free to walk in his righteousness and holiness in his power and strength within us. He did not leave this earth until he had accomplished our salvation for us via his death and resurrection.

He did not die merely so we could go to heaven one day, as wonderful as that will be. The Bible says that he died for all, “that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (See 2 Co. 5:15). Thus, when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, our flesh is crucified with Christ, and we die to the sin (and self) which once bound (ruled) us. We are then raised with Christ to newness of life so that we may walk holy lives pleasing to him (See Ro. 6; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:3; & 1 Jn. 1-5). Jesus died to turn us away from the darkness of living in sin to the light of Christ - to his gospel of salvation and to living and walking in his love, righteousness and holiness. His grace teaches us to say “NO!” to all ungodliness and worldly passions and desires, “and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (See Tit. 2:11-14).

No Trusting in Idols

“I am the Lord; that is my name!

    I will not yield my glory to another

    or my praise to idols.

See, the former things have taken place,

    and new things I declare;

before they spring into being

    I announce them to you.”

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, we enter into a covenant relationship with Christ provided for us through his death and resurrection. We have been given new lives in Christ Jesus, free from the control of sin and flesh, and free to walk daily in his righteousness and holiness. Yet, many have added on to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to our salvation in him, what is rooted in humankind (flesh) and is not of God; what is not of his original, only, and intended purposes in saving us from the decay of and bondage to sin. They have changed the grace of God into a license for immorality (sin). They have added to the gospel that which is U-shaped (You-shaped), i.e. that which is of human origin and fleshliness. And, in many cases, they have made humanistic philosophies and teachings and human value-systems the basis of one’s faith and practice rather than the word of God (of truth).

The Lord Jesus showed me two primary and core add-ons of humankind to this new relationship we have been given in Christ Jesus, which are at the top (head) of the church. In the U.S., the first one is the U.S. government (via the 501c3), and the other is man’s humanistic teachings and business marketing schemes targeted at appealing to the flesh of mankind, particularly focused toward attracting the people of this world to their man-made organizations, which they call “church.” These human add-ons have been driven through the gospel and through our relationships with Jesus Christ, much like if we were to drive the nails through Jesus Christ on the cross all over again – i.e. they kill our relationships with him and they dilute the gospel of Jesus Christ to something barely resembling the gospel of truth. These false gods of government and man, too, have a grip on the church and on the gospel. And, this grip often times result in the persecution, rejection and even murdering of Christ’s true servants and witnesses who hold to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Battle Cry

…I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,

    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

    and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do;

    I will not forsake them.

But those who trust in idols,

    who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’

    will be turned back in utter shame.

“Hear, you deaf;

    look, you blind, and see!

Who is blind but my servant,

    and deaf like the messenger I send?

Who is blind like the one in covenant with me,

    blind like the servant of the Lord?

You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;

    your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

…Which of you will listen to this

    or pay close attention in time to come?

I believe the Lord Jesus has measured the spiritual temperature of his church (whether hot or cold) by his original standard as taught by Jesus Christ and the apostles concerning our salvation, and by his Spirit who indwells the lives of his followers. The Holy Spirit and the standard of scripture has revealed, I believe, just how messed up the church is inside due to the grip (control) of human government plus man (U-shaped) philosophies, teachings and marketing schemes inserted inside the church, inside the hearts of believers, inside their relationships with Jesus Christ, and inside the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe, as well, that the Lord Jesus has raised a battle cry on the behalf of his adulterous and idolatrous church, which has followed after the “gods” of mankind, and has thus forsaken their pure devotion to Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior. I believe very much so that he is sending his messengers throughout the earth with this battle cry, in presenting the case he has against his wayward people, in calling his rebellious people to repentance and renewed faith, and with warnings of divine correction, discipline (judgment) if they do not repent (See Rev. 2-3). Yet, many are not paying attention to his “battle cry,” and are continuing to go their own way of following after the ways of humans and the “gods” of this world. So, divine discipline is in order for the purpose of bringing God’s wayward church back into pure, unadulterated and undivided loyalty to him.

When the Holy Spirit makes us aware of just how messed up we are, and how messed up the church is because of us inserting U-shaped philosophies into the gospel, I believe many will be consciously aware that they must repent (apologize to their husband) for making a mess of the new covenant relationship with him he had purchased for us on the cross of Christ. The church will have to go back to repentance over sin again, and to be re-released from bondage in revival – being brought back to a right relationship with God. I believe, at that time, his revived church will sing a new song of renewed freedom in Christ - a great victory over the enemies of God. I went through that in 2002 and more deeply in 2004 – ten years ago – but daily I must come to the cross, and allow the Spirit within me to reveal things in my life which are not right, so that I can walk in his truth and in his righteousness.  

ONLY IN HIM / An Original Work / February 19, 2014

Based off Isaiah 30

Woe to those who look to man’s help;

Who turn away from Jesus Christ;

Forming an alliance not in step with God;

Making their own plans, and praying not.

Willing not to listen to truth,

They close their ears to what is right.

Pleasing words are all that they’ll hear;

Feel good messages that bring cheer.

Trust in your Lord; turn from your sin.

Put your faith now ONLY IN HIM.

Do not turn to idols. They’ll not satisfy.

Jesus will save you. That’s why He died.

Your Lord will be gracious to you.

He cares all about you, ‘tis true.

He forgives you all of your sin

When you give your life up to Him.

Oh, how truly gracious He’ll be

When you bow to Him on your knees;

Turning now from your sin; walking in his ways.

He’ll lead and guide you all of your days.

Now you will sing praises to Him.

He delivered you from your sin.

You’ll tell others now of His grace,

So they may see Christ face-to-face.

http://originalworks.info/only-in-him/

http://youtu.be/CUQfD0Ordgk

No Fear!

Sunday, February 23, 2014, 8:26 am. – The Lord Jesus put the song “I Do Not Seal My Lips” in my mind when I awoke this morning. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 41:8-20 (NIV).

The Lord’s Servant

“But you, Israel, my servant,

    Jacob, whom I have chosen,

    you descendants of Abraham my friend,

I took you from the ends of the earth,

    from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Vv. 8-10

One of Satan’s greatest tools against those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ is to get us to be afraid. Fear is the opposite of trust. When we succumb to fear, we cease to trust Christ entirely with our lives and with our circumstances, and then Satan has us right where he wants us, in the palm of his hands, where he can work on our hearts and our minds in trying to convince us that God is not able to handle what we are going through, and/or that he is powerless to do anything about our life situations. And, then fear begins to feed on our minds until we are consumed with worry instead of placing our absolute faith and trust in our sovereign God who created us, and who knows us, and who has a plan for our lives.

I can’t tell you the number of times such words as what we read here in vv. 8-10 have encouraged my heart. They have comforted me so many times when Satan was trying to sift me as wheat in this area of fear. I (and all those who trust Christ Jesus) am chosen by God. I am his servant. I am the Lord’s friend. I love that part! He called me to himself, and to his service, to be free from slavery to sin (and fear), and to walk holy in his love and in his righteousness, in faith. Although humans may reject me, he has not rejected me. Amen! Because he loves me, and he made me, and he chose and called me, and he saved me, he is with me always, so I never have cause to be afraid of anything or anyone! He will strengthen me, help me, and he will support me always with his mighty righteousness.

Enemy Defeated

“All who rage against you

    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

    will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,

    you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

    will be as nothing at all.

For I am the Lord your God

    who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

    I will help you.

Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,

    little Israel, do not fear,

for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,

    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

“See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,

    new and sharp, with many teeth.

You will thresh the mountains and crush them,

    and reduce the hills to chaff.

You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,

    and a gale will blow them away.

But you will rejoice in the Lord

    and glory in the Holy One of Israel. Vv. 11-16

This is an awesome promise when we consider this in light of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross in defeating Satan and sin, thus giving us the victory over both Satan and sin. We are more than conquerors through him who loves us! Amen! We are no longer under the control of Satan. We do not have to give in to him! Hallelujah! Jesus has given us the victory! We can daily put on the armor of God which God has supplied to us (See Eph. 6:10-20), and we can stand strong against our enemy and defeat him in Christ’s power within us. When Satan throws his lies at us, we get out the sword of the Spirit, the word of truth, and we answer his lies and his accusations with the truth of God’s word. We are ready and prepared at all times to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We remain strong in our faith through our trust in the Lord Jesus and through bathing our minds and hearts with his word daily, both in knowledge and in practice. And, we guard our hearts and minds against taking in or dwelling upon what is spiritually unhealthy, immoral, fearful and/or evil.

Springs in the Valleys

“The poor and needy search for water,

    but there is none;

    their tongues are parched with thirst.

But I the Lord will answer them;

    I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,

    and springs within the valleys.

I will turn the desert into pools of water,

    and the parched ground into springs.

I will put in the desert

    the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.

I will set junipers in the wasteland,

    the fir and the cypress together,

so that people may see and know,

    may consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

    that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Vv. 17-20

A valley is a depression, sunken area, and/or a low point, usually formed by erosion, i.e. by the gradual breakdown and weakening of something. It is often a term used to describe difficult times in our lives, such as trials, tribulations, loss and grief. These difficulties can sometimes wear us down, and we can even begin to feel depressed, low emotionally, and/or even at the point of breakdown and/or experiencing a feeling of despair or wanting to give up. Yet, our God is right there always to encourage us to keep trusting him. He is faithful. He will provide all that we need to endure to the end. We just have to trust him. He will give us his joy, peace, a song, rest, confidence and assurance even in the midst of some of the toughest things we have ever had to face. We can always depend upon him. Amen!

I Do Not Seal My Lips / An Original Work / January 13, 2014

Based off Psalms 37, 40

Do not fear when evil man

Has success in all their plans,

For like grass they’ll wither soon.

They’ll be cut off from the land.

Trust in the Lord and He’ll give you peace.

Find your delight in Him through all stress.

All of your ways commit unto Him.

All your desires from Him He’ll fulfill.

Wait for the Lord; keep His way.

Delight in His Word always.

He’ll be with you to the end;

Life eternal found in Him.

I waited patiently for my Lord.

He turned to me, and He heard my cry.

He set my feet on the Solid Rock.

He gave to me a firm place to stand.

Blessed are we, who trust the Lord,

Who do not turn to false gods.

Our desire’s to do God’s will.

His word is within our hearts.

I will proclaim salvation to man.

You put a new song now in my mouth.

I’ll not withhold your love and your grace.

I’ll speak forevermore of your truth.

http://originalworks.info/i-do-not-seal-my-lips/

http://youtu.be/PCNEeY8ZSbQ

Shout for Joy!

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 8:06 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Only In Him” in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 35 (NIV).

Transformation

The desert and the parched land will be glad;

    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;

    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the Lord,

    the splendor of our God.

When we, as individuals or even as groups of people, turn our hearts over to Jesus Christ, either in salvation, sanctification (our daily walks) or in revival (coming back to Christ), it is much like when nature goes from winter to spring. I love that time of year when all that is dead (or looks dead) comes back to life. The flowers bloom, green returns to the ground, and to the trees, and everything comes alive again. Awesome! What a wonderful picture of our salvation and even of those times along the road when we hit bumps and we fall down, but we get back up, and we keep going in the power and strength of the Spirit within us.

It is much like life and health are breathed back into us again. And, so we rejoice in our newfound or our renewed freedom in the Spirit of God! Amen! We are joyful for all that God has done in our lives in delivering us from the hand of Satan and from the grip of sin, and in setting us free to walk in his ways and in his righteousness all our days! Our countenances will change, too, from that of ones bound by sin or by fear to ones who live in victory.

No Fear!

Strengthen the feeble hands,

    steady the knees that give way;

say to those with fearful hearts,

    “Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come,

    he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

    he will come to save you.”

One of Satan’s greatest weapons against us is to try to get us to be fearful, and to get us back under the slavery of fear. We should fear God in a respectful and honoring way, but we should not be afraid of him if we are truly walking in his truth and in his righteousness. Jesus delivered us from fear, and it should no longer have dominion over us. Amen! We may feel fear sometimes, but we don’t have to yield to its control over our lives. In the power of the Spirit within us, we can put on the armor of God (See Eph. 6:10-20) and dispel all lies of Satan against us that would have the potential to bring us back under the bondage of fear once again. Satan loves to get us to be afraid, because fear cripples us, and it keeps us from being effective in our Christian lives, and in our walks with Christ in living holy lives, pleasing to him, and in being his effective ministers of his grace to the world around us. Yet, when we turn our fears over to the Lord, trusting in his many promises to us, the fears begin to dissipate, and his peace begins to fill our hearts once more. Amen!

Bubbling Springs

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer,

    and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

    and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool,

    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,

    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

What comes to mind immediately here is Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. He told her that everyone who drinks physical water from a well will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the living water that Jesus gives them will never thirst. The water he gives becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life within us. Amen! The living water is the Spirit of God living within those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. It also represents the working of the Spirit in our salvation and in the transformation of our hearts from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ’s righteousness. Instead of having hearts and lives under the control and weight of sin and rebellion against God, we now have gone from winter to spring, i.e. Jesus has given us new lives in Christ Jesus, he has filled us to overflowing with his Spirit and his love and his grace, and he has given us his perfect peace which is there always no matter what we are going through.

The Way of Holiness

And a highway will be there;

    it will be called the Way of Holiness;

    it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

    wicked fools will not go about on it.

No lion will be there,

    nor any ravenous beast;

    they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

    and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

    everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this is how the early church, and/or the believers’ faith in Christ, in the book of Acts, was referred to as “the Way” (See Ac. 9:2). Also, Jesus had said that he was the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him (See Jn. 14:6). So, the highway spoken of here is Jesus Christ, and it is the way of the Christian faith and practice.

Then, in the epistles we read about “the way of peace,” “the way of righteousness,” “a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord,” “the way of love,” “a way that is holy and honorable,” “a new and living way opened for us through” (Christ’s body), “the way of truth,” and “the straight way” (cf. Jn. 1:23; Heb. 12:13). These Biblical phrases all describe for us “the Way of Holiness” spoken of here in Isaiah. It is the way of peace, love, truth, holiness, righteousness and undivided devotion to the Lord; a way that is holy and honorable; the straight way provided for us through the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us on the cross for our sins. It is not a way that is crooked, warped, dishonest or twisted.

We come into this way by God’s grace, through faith – a faith which submits to and surrenders to the cross of Christ in our lives, allowing the Spirit of God to transform our hearts away from the darkness of sin to the light of walking in the way of his righteousness and holiness. It is the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we agree to, commit to, surrender to, yield to and cooperate with the Spirit’s work of transformation in our lives. There is no other way to peace with God and to the hope of heaven for eternity. The spiritually unclean, i.e. those who continue to walk in darkness (sin), will not travel on this road. So, make sure today that you have entered the way of holiness by the way of the cross, for there is no other way.

ONLY IN HIM / An Original Work / February 19, 2014

Based off Isaiah 30

Woe to those who look to man’s help;

Who turn away from Jesus Christ;

Forming an alliance not in step with God;

Making their own plans, and praying not.

Willing not to listen to truth,

They close their ears to what is right.

Pleasing words are all that they’ll hear;

Feel good messages that bring cheer.

Trust in your Lord; turn from your sin.

Put your faith now ONLY IN HIM.

Do not turn to idols. They’ll not satisfy.

Jesus will save you. That’s why He died.

Your Lord will be gracious to you.

He cares all about you, ‘tis true.

He forgives you all of your sin

When you give your life up to Him.

Oh, how truly gracious He’ll be

When you bow to Him on your knees;

Turning now from your sin; walking in his ways.

He’ll lead and guide you all of your days.

Now you will sing praises to Him.

He delivered you from your sin.

You’ll tell others now of His grace,

So they may see Christ face-to-face.

http://originalworks.info/only-in-him/

http://youtu.be/CUQfD0Ordgk

Understand and Know

Thursday, February 20, 2014, 9:31 p.m. – I fell asleep at around 6:30 p.m. and woke up at approximately 9:30 p.m. The Lord Jesus put the song “He Lifted Our Burdens” in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Isaiah 32:1-8 (ESV).

Behold, a King

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,

    and princes will rule in justice.

Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,

    a shelter from the storm,

like streams of water in a dry place,

    like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.

Jesus Christ is our righteous king. He is our God, and he is our creator. He reigns supreme over all things, all things are under his feet, and he is completely sovereign over all things. He holds all things together. He rules with justice, virtue, uprightness, honesty, and integrity. His kingdom, the kingdom of heaven (or of God), began with his first coming and will ultimately be fulfilled (realized) in his second coming when he comes back to judge, to gather his saints to him, and then to rule and to reign on the earth for a predetermined period of time known as the millennium – his saints reigning and ruling along with him.

The kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ – his deity, his life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, his second coming, his millennial kingdom reign and rule on the earth, and him as forever King. In other words, he is the embodiment of the kingdom. The kingdom is also his salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the saints of God (the body of Christ) - heavenly Jerusalem, the City of God, and Mount Zion (the church), and eternity with God in glory! Amen! So, his kingdom is not just something future, but it existed in him and with him when he lived on the earth, it now lives in and out through his church, and one day soon he will rule and reign on this earth in place of the evil which now reigns.

So, when the prophets of old spoke of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and of his kingdom, and of his kingly rule and reign, what they spoke of was not just concerning the time of the millennium, but of that which also encompassed all of Jesus’ life and ministry, including in how he is presently lived in and out through his church, i.e. through his true followers. So, not only is Jesus Christ our shelter (refuge; protection) in, through or from the storms (troubles; trials) of life, offering us his comfort, guidance, counsel, love, grace, strength and support (encouragement), but we, as his body, should also be sources of his love and grace to others who are also going through difficult times (see 2 Co. 1). As well, just as Jesus Christ is the giver of the living water (his Spirit; our salvation) welling up within us to eternal life to all who would come to him, we, as his body, are to be ministers of this living water, as well, through the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ and through being ministers of his grace, love, mercy, and kindness to the people of this world around us.

Eyes Opened

Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,

    and the ears of those who hear will give attention.

The heart of the hasty will understand and know,

    and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly.

When the Apostle Paul (then called Saul) received his calling from Jesus Christ to be a minister of the New Covenant of grace, he was told that he was being sent by God to open blinded eyes, to turn people from the darkness of sin to the light of truth, i.e. to Jesus Christ, and away from the power and control of Satan and sin over their lives to faith in Jesus Christ (to God), so that they could receive forgiveness of sin and a place among those who were being sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (See Ac. 26:16-18). This is why Jesus Christ came to earth, and it is why he died. He died, not just so we could go to heaven one day, but so we could be set free from the control of sin and Satan over our lives now, and so we could live and walk in his righteousness in his power and strength within us.

The people of Isaiah’s day were hard of hearing when it came to the truth of God’s word, they were dull in listening, and they closed both their ears and their eyes to the light of truth which shines in the darkness. Many today are in this same condition. Some are truly still walking in darkness and have never truly entered into the light of the gospel. Among those still walking in darkness are those who make professions of faith in Jesus Christ, but their faith is surface (or shallow and superficial) only. It never really took root. Yet, there are also those who are genuinely saved but have since wandered off to follow after other gods and have thus closed their ears and their eyes to what they know is the truth, in order to sear their own consciences and to alleviate their own guilt because they know they are choosing to willfully walk in disobedience to their Lord and to his word.

The encouragement here is two-fold, I believe. First of all, when we come to Jesus Christ, by God’s grace, through faith, and we allow the Spirit of God to transform our hearts and minds away from a life of sin to a life given over to Christ, and indwelt and empowered by his Spirit to walk in his righteousness and holiness, our spiritual eyes are opened to the light of Christ, his truth and his gospel. Ears that were once deaf to hear the truth, are also opened so that we now listen to what God’s word teaches us, and we desire to and are active in putting his word into practice in our daily lives, by God’s grace. As well, we now have spiritual insight, wisdom and understanding into the truths of scripture and how they are to be applied to and lived out in our daily lives. Yet, this also speaks of the time of the end when Jesus Christ returns for his bride and he sets up his earthly kingdom reign. Then we will see clearly and will have complete knowledge and understanding (See 1 Co. 13).

Ungodliness Practiced

The fool will no more be called noble,

    nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.

For the fool speaks folly,

    and his heart is busy with iniquity,

to practice ungodliness,

    to utter error concerning the Lord,

to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,

    and to deprive the thirsty of drink.

As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil;

    he plans wicked schemes

to ruin the poor with lying words,

    even when the plea of the needy is right.

When Jesus Christ comes again to judge and to rule and to reign on the earth, all things that are now hidden will be exposed. Those who presently are living lifestyles of wickedness, but who may now be honored among humans - perhaps because they have been able to fool people into believing that they are righteous when in fact they are liars, deceivers, and those who plan wicked schemes - will have the light of Christ shined on all their wicked and evil deeds so that humankind will no longer give them honor and praise. Though presently they may get away with hiding their wickedness, though not from God, one day all will be revealed and the wicked will no longer be able to do their evil deeds. Amen!

Among these who practice ungodliness are those who purport to be ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they spread error concerning the Lord. There is much error being spread today here in America from the lips of those who call themselves pastors, teachers and preachers of the word. So many of them have become followers of mankind – of big business, marketing schemes, and diluted gospel presentations designed to appeal to the flesh of mankind and to tickle their ears with feel good messages which they long to hear, but which are filled with lies, deception and false hope.

They give people the idea that faith in Jesus Christ is a religious preference, joining a social club, some kind of euphoric feeling or experience, or some type of intellectual or emotional assent to what Jesus Christ did for us in dying on the cross for our sins, and a realization of our need of him as Savior so we can go to heaven one day. And, yet they do not teach that faith in Jesus Christ involves surrender and submission to the cross of Christ in allowing the Spirit of God to transform our lives away from bondage to sin and self, to a lifestyle given over to walking in Christ’s righteousness and holiness, by his grace, through faith (See Eph. 4:17-24; Tit. 2:11-14; Ro. 6; 1 Jn. 1-5; Gal. 2:20). Thus, they are guilty of leaving the spiritually hungry empty, and of withholding the living water from the spiritually thirsty.

Noble Plans

But he who is noble plans noble things,

    and on noble things he stands.

To be noble or to do what is noble means to be and to do what is honorable, moral, decent, upright, gracious and righteous. So, a noble person is one who walks in the Spirit of God and in his righteousness, and who does not live to gratify the desires of the flesh. They are those who follow Christ, who listen to what he says, and who put the word of Christ into practice in their daily lives. What they do in the power, strength and wisdom of the Spirit within them will stand for eternity, and on what is right, true, honorable, just, pure and godly they take their stand. They are able to walk in freedom, for sin no longer has dominion over their lives. Amen! They will reign with Christ for eternity. His love and joy will overflow in their hearts and lives, because Jesus lifted their burden of sin and set them free!

He Lifted Our Burdens / An Original Work / February 15, 2014

Based off Isaiah 9:2-7

People walk in darkness.

They abide in their sin.

It has power o’er them.

True belief escapes them.

Jesus Christ came to save them.

He gave His life up for them;

Crucified; died for our sin,

So we might be forgiven,

And have life up in heaven.

Many come to know Him.

God’s love now o’erflows them.

They rejoice in vict’ry.

Their sin is but hist’ry.

We were once bound in slav’ry.

Jesus lifted our burdens;

Set us now free from Satan,

So we now walk in freedom.

Sin has no more dominion.

Praise be to our Savior!

He showed us His favor.

He took all our burdens;

Cast them all upon Him.

He is our mediator;

The Light which shines in darkness.

Counselor in our troubles;

He gives peace now in our hearts;

Joy which is everlasting.

http://originalworks.info/he-lifted-our-burdens/

http://youtu.be/GbK7mmWabMg

Self-Reliance

Thursday, February 20, 2014, 6:30 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Only In Him” in mind this morning. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 31 (NIV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+31&version=NIV

Relying on the Flesh

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

    who rely on horses,

who trust in the multitude of their chariots

    and in the great strength of their horsemen,

but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

    or seek help from the Lord.

Is it wrong to seek the help of others, or to seek godly counsel from those whom we believe to have a close relationship with Jesus Christ? I don’t believe this passage and its New Testament counterparts are a prohibition against allowing others to help us when we are in need, or that it is speaking against seeking godly counsel, wisdom and advice. God gives us the body of Christ, the true church, to help encourage, strengthen, build up, exhort, teach, instruct and counsel one another (with gifts of wisdom and knowledge). Yet, what I do believe this is teaching is that we are not to put our reliance upon (dependence in; trust in; confidence in) human and/or ungodly counsel or wisdom, and/or in human strength and help, and most especially not in place of the wisdom and counsel of God and his strength, help, love, joy, peace, and protection (shelter). We should not look to self or to others to meet needs within us only to be met by God, or that only God can truly meet.

The Apostle Paul addressed this issue of putting our confidence in human flesh in several of his God-breathed writings. In Philippians 3 he addressed the situation of believers being influenced by those who would try to convince them that they had to be circumcised physically as part of their salvation. Paul made it clear that believers in Christ are circumcised already of the Spirit of God, where it counts, and that is in the heart in the putting away of fleshly and worldly desires. He made it quite clear that no matter what we have gained in our flesh or in worldly accomplishments, they mean nothing for eternity.  

He also taught that our troubles, sufferings and hardships in this life are for a purpose, actually many purposes, one of which is so we learn to not rely on ourselves (on our own human flesh) but on God. When we go through difficulties in this life we quickly learn just how limited our own resources are, how truly frail we can be at times, how emotionally we are just not strong enough to handle some things that come into our lives, and how much we really need God. As well, Paul taught us not to rely on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace which “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (See 2 Co. 1:9, 12; Tit. 2:11-14).

Mere Mortals

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;

    their horses are flesh and not spirit…

There are many reasons we should not place our confidence and trust in human flesh, especially not over and above or in place of sincere and unadulterated trust in Almighty God. The main reason is that, as humans, we are mere flesh (mortals) and we are not spirit, i.e. we are not God. And, God, who made us, has commanded us that we not put any other “gods” before him, but that he is to be our only God in whom we place our trust.

Another aspect of us not being God is that we are not all-knowing and all-powerful nor are we infallible. We can make no guarantees. Our wisdom is imperfect, as is our knowledge. Humans make mistakes. They fail us. They may even try to lead us astray. They don’t always keep their promises. Sometimes they just forget. Other times it is because they never intended to from the beginning, i.e. they can be liars, deceivers, and manipulators, as well as they may betray us, turn on us, and/or forsake us, even in our time of deepest need. Even among the godliest of humanity we should never put our absolute faith and trust in humans, because they are still not God. We should always examine everything we hear against the word of God to make sure the truth of scripture is what is being taught.

Yet, many are putting much faith and confidence in mere mortals, and they do so in place of trust in God, or over and above their faith in God. Either way, God is being replaced in their hearts by the flesh of mankind. Paul addressed this issue when he told the Corinthian church that he was jealous for the church with a godly jealousy. He had promised them to one husband only, namely Jesus Christ, so that he might present the church to Christ as a pure (unadulterated) virgin (spiritually speaking). Yet, he was deeply concerned that the Corinthian believers were being led astray, by humankind, from their sincere and pure devotion to Jesus Christ, for they were putting up with those who taught “another Jesus” and another gospel other than what they received from the apostles (See 2 Co. 11:1-4). James also warned against becoming spiritually adulterous in our relationship with Jesus Christ via us “making nice” with this sinful world. Jesus jealously longs for us to be in pure (unspoiled) fellowship with him at all times, because he loves us (See Jas. 4:4-6).

Paul talked about this with his brother in Christ; his fellow minister in the gospel, Timothy, in his letter to him. He exhorted him strongly to preach the word and to be prepared at any time to correct, rebuke and to encourage with great patience and careful instruction (See 2 Tim. 4:1-4). And, then he warned him that a time would come when people would not put up with sound doctrine, but that they would, instead, gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their “itching ears” want to hear. I believe that time has come! We have so many so-called preachers and evangelists right now, especially here in America, who are saying just what people want to hear. They have forsaken the truths of scripture and of the gospel in favor of a false grace teaching which gives people a free license to continue in sin while making claim to their “ticket” into heaven. May that never be!

Return and Reject

Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.

“In that day” refers to a time of judgment God was going to bring on his people due to their stubborn rebellion, their adulterous ways, and their idolatry, and because they refused to listen to God but went their own way and chose to put their trust in humans in place of God. These Old Testament books are filled with such prophecies of judgment against God’s own covenant people because they strayed from their pure relationships with him, they went after other gods, got caught up in the passions of their sinful desires, and they closed their eyes and ears so as not to hear God and to obey him. Yet, such prophecies are not peculiar only to the Old Testament, and, in fact, many of these OT prophecies are speaking against those who are God’s people (the church) in these last days. There are New Testament passages, as well, that warn us against falling away, and which call for repentance and obedience, and which also warn of judgment if we do not repent and obey (See Rev 2-3, for instance). I believe very much that God is presently warning his adulterous church in America to turn from her sin and to make him her only God or she will face judgment.

Coming to Christ means that we die to sin and to self daily, and we follow Christ in obedience and surrender to his will for our lives – not I but Christ living in me. We can’t walk in the light of Christ in fellowship with him and still walk in darkness (See 1 John 1). Jesus doesn’t want part-time or casual or occasional followers. He gave his life as a ransom for us, buying us back for him. I wish we could all get this! Christ doesn’t want just a little bit of us that we are willing to give to him when we decide to give it. He wants it all! He wants us as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, no longer living by the pattern of this world’s system, but transformed in heart and mind by the Spirit of God in order to live our lives completely in his will and under his command. Will you give him your all today?

ONLY IN HIM / An Original Work / February 19, 2014

Based off Isaiah 30

Woe to those who look to man’s help;

Who turn away from Jesus Christ;

Forming an alliance not in step with God;

Making their own plans, and praying not.

Willing not to listen to truth,

They close their ears to what is right.

Pleasing words are all that they’ll hear;

Feel good messages that bring cheer.

Trust in your Lord; turn from your sin.

Put your faith now ONLY IN HIM.

Do not turn to idols. They’ll not satisfy.

Jesus will save you. That’s why He died.

Your Lord will be gracious to you.

He cares all about you, ‘tis true.

He forgives you all of your sin

When you give your life up to Him.

Oh, how truly gracious He’ll be

When you bow to Him on your knees;

Turning now from your sin; walking in his ways.

He’ll lead and guide you all of your days.

Now you will sing praises to Him.

He delivered you from your sin.

You’ll tell others now of His grace,

So they may see Christ face-to-face.

http://originalworks.info/only-in-him/

http://youtu.be/CUQfD0Ordgk

Only In Him

As Christ’s followers, we are not to be followers of humans, but followers of God. We are not supposed to turn to human beings for help, guidance, counsel and direction in place of Jesus Christ, especially while ignoring the counsel of scripture, making humans our gods. And, we are not to form alliances (yokes; partnerships) with this sinful world, or with the people of this sinful world, because there is no fellowship between light and darkness, and because God has commanded us to come out from the ways, philosophies, teachings, culture, thinking and behaviors of this sinful world, and to be separate, holy unto God and to his service. And, we are to put our trust in Christ, not in our own human reasoning and understanding. In all our ways we are to acknowledge God, and he will direct our paths.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Rom. 8:12-13

ONLY IN HIM / An Original Work / February 19, 2014

Based off Isaiah 30

Woe to those who look to man’s help;

Who turn away from Jesus Christ;

Forming an alliance not in step with God;

Making their own plans, and praying not.

Willing not to listen to truth,

They close their ears to what is right.

Pleasing words are all that they’ll hear;

Feel good messages that bring cheer.

Trust in your Lord; turn from your sin.

Put your faith now ONLY IN HIM.

Do not turn to idols. They’ll not satisfy.

Jesus will save you. That’s why He died.

Your Lord will be gracious to you.

He cares all about you, ‘tis true.

He forgives you all of your sin

When you give your life up to Him.

Oh, how truly gracious He’ll be

When you bow to Him on your knees;

Turning now from your sin; walking in his ways.

He’ll lead and guide you all of your days.

Now you will sing praises to Him.

He delivered you from your sin.

You’ll tell others now of His grace,

So they may see Christ face-to-face.

http://originalworks.info/only-in-him/

http://youtu.be/CUQfD0Ordgk

Never Lack in Zeal

Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 5:10 a.m. – The Lord Jesus woke me with the song “Love Must Be Genuine” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Isaiah 29 (NIV). http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+29&version=NIV

An Altar Hearth

Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel,

    the city where David settled!

Add year to year

    and let your cycle of festivals go on.

Yet I will besiege Ariel;

    she will mourn and lament,

    she will be to me like an altar hearth.

“Ariel” means “the lion of God.” It is a “symbolic name for Jerusalem ( Isaiah 29:1 Isaiah 29:2 Isaiah 29:7 ) as "victorious under God," and in Ezekiel 43:15 Ezekiel 43:16 , for the altar (marg., Heb. 'ariel) of burnt offerings, the secret of Israel's lion-like strength” - Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

Today “Ariel” – the altar - symbolizes the body of Christ, the church. Thus, translated into Messianic terms, “Ariel” - the altar - is symbolically a spiritual (not physical) place of prayer, repentance, worship, spiritual sacrifice, praise, commitment, surrender, obedience, and submission, etc., such as is spoken of in Romans 12:1-2 where we are strongly urged to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him, no longer conformed to the ways of this world, but transformed of the Spirit of God in the renewing of heart and mind away from sin and towards humble obedience to God – this is our reasonable act of spiritual worship of God. So, the altar speaks of that intimate fellowship with and worship of and relationship with God Almighty via faith in Jesus Christ, who gave himself up for us so we could be free from sin and so we could walk daily in his righteousness. Yet, there is also the imagery here of warmth, comfort, passion, spiritual fire (zeal), home and family.

Empty Worship

“These people come near to me with their mouth

    and honor me with their lips,

    but their hearts are far from me.

Their worship of me

    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

This passage of scripture, nonetheless, addresses the problem of hypocritical, false, superficial, empty and/or ritualistic worship of and sacrifice to God absent of true heart transformation, true spiritual passion and commitment, and devoid of true repentance, submission and surrender to Almighty God. This could be speaking of those who are “Christian” in form only, but have never truly been born of the Spirit of God. As well, this could be a reference to those who are God’s children, but who have slipped back into sinful attitudes and behavior reminiscent of their days prior to their salvation, resulting in complacency, idolatry, spiritual adultery, hypocrisy and forms of worship, but absent of true worship of God in spirit and in truth. Many who have slipped away from their pure devotion to God have, instead, become followers of humankind and of the ways of mankind over and above the ways of God, and thus they are in great need of revival and spiritual renewal.

Divine Discipline

The Lord says:

Therefore once more I will astound these people

    with wonder upon wonder;

the wisdom of the wise will perish,

    the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Woe to those who go to great depths

    to hide their plans from the Lord,

who do their work in darkness and think,

    “Who sees us? Who will know?”

You turn things upside down,

    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!

Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,

    “You did not make me”?

Can the pot say to the potter,

    “You know nothing”?

The Bible teaches that God disciplines (rebukes or chastens) those he loves (See Rev. 3:19), and that hardship is one of the ways in which he disciplines us (See Heb. 12:4-12). God’s discipline is or may be unpleasant and painful, yet its intended purpose is to produce within us patience, godly character, perseverance, and “a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it;” and so that we may share in his holiness. It is for our good that we are disciplined by God. Yet, he also sends judgment, at times, on his wayward children, which is a term that is often closely associated with discipline (See 1 Co. 11:27-32), and this may also come in forms of physical ailments, sickness or even death.

As well, the Bible teaches both in OT prophecies regarding the last days, and in the NT, particularly in Rev. 2-3, that God is deeply concerned when his children are not walking in his ways and when they are chasing after other gods, and that he takes their sin seriously. So, he warns them to return to him, to make him their only God, and for them to walk in his ways and not in the ways of this world. But if they do not repent (turn from) their wicked ways, and if they do not obey him, he will send divine discipline and/or judgment upon them in various forms, depending upon their particular sins and waywardness.

Hope and Healing

In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,

    and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord;

    the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel…

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;

    no longer will their faces grow pale.

When they see among them their children,

    the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy;

    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,

    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

The book of Isaiah, which has a strong Messianic message to it, as well as many prophecies regarding the final days on earth prior to Christ’s return, touches on this theme, throughout the book, of the rebellion of God’s people, calls to return, and then of divine discipline, repentance and spiritual renewal. God’s warnings against idolatry and spiritual adultery, his threats of divine discipline (judgment), and his calls for repentance are most always coupled with promises of restoration, revival, and spiritual renewal, which is his purpose in disciplining his wayward children. So, there is always hope, healing, and the promise of new beginnings (renewal) with God available to all who will turn from their wickedness, by God’s gift of grace, and who will surrender their hearts to Jesus Christ in full assurance of faith.

When the people, both those who had been Christian in name only and those who were God’s wayward children, turn to or return to the Lord, suddenly what they were unable to understand or spiritually see (perceive) previously of the teachings and instructions in God’s holy word for godly living, they can now see and they rejoice in the Lord. Amen! They will humble themselves before God, he will renew them in faith, their feelings of guilt will disappear, and they will once again, or for the first time ever honor their God as the holy God that he is. They will walk in his ways in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit of God within them. And, they will no longer lack in spiritual fervor for their Lord, but they will serve him the rest of their days with godly diligence. Amen!

Love Must be Genuine / An Original Work

October 22, 2013 / Based off Romans 12:9-21

Love must be genuine.

Hate what’s evil; cling to good.

Love each other with affection.

Show respect for ev’ryone.

Never lack in your zeal.

Serve the Lord with diligence.

Rejoice in steadfast hope.

In affliction, patient be.

Keep on praying; share with others.

Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute.

Feel with others sympathy.

Be not filled with conceit.

Daily sit at Jesus’ feet.

Live in harmony with others.

Live at peace with ev’ryone.

Repay not to someone

With the evil he begot.

Do not take your revenge;

Leave it to the wrath of God.

If your enemy is thirsty,

Give to him something to drink.

Do what’s right for mankind.

Evil: overcome with good.

http://originalworks.info/love-must-be-genuine/