Thursday, November 30, 2023

1 John 4:7-21

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:7-21 ESV 

LOVE Upheld

 God is love.

I do not declare this because I say so, but I declare it because God said so through John.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

John wrote this book, and it states that God is love.

So, Let's declare Love that is from and is God.

God, I pray that the stronghold of what love has become come down in Jesus' Name

I pray the love of God to be upheld today

I pray that evil, the devil, and negative, demons cannot touch love 

I pray that acceptance and love no longer be linked together

I pray that the love of God reigns today

I pray Love conquers all

I pray love wins

I pray love for to be supreme over all things today in the mighty Name of Jesus

In the Mighty Name of Jesus

Amen

Today dwell on the love of God and that love is from God!!!

Let's take back God's love today!!!!

Let us love as Christ loved us!!!

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Show love!!!

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

God is love!!!

Love and acceptance are not the same thing we will talk about that tomorrow.



Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Psalm 147:7

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Psalm 147:7 KJV

LOVE

 What is love is the question asked in the song by Haddaway. 

This is a secular song asking one of the greatest questions of all time.

The word love has taken a beating.

It no longer means what it once did, it has lost its meaning.

Love in the Bible is one of the greatest commandments.

God is love.

So what is love?

Love is everything from why we were made to that we are to love others to love God.

Love is the basis for all existence.

A song in Frozen says, love is an open door.

A song by Steven Curtis Chapman says, Love Take Me Over.

Johnny Diaz's song title says, Love I'm Living For.

Love Is the Answer according to the title song by Rob Attaway.

Leeland Learn to Love.

Planetshakers All for Love.

The list could go on for miles that love is the most talked about thing in songs and the reason because it is the most important thing in life.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 ESV

Since God made love, we are to love.

God is love.

Love Always Wins is the title of a song by Micheal W Smith.

Let Love win today!!!!

Tomorrow we are going to take back what has been lost Love. 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

John 4:12

 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? John 4:12 NASB

LOVE Type: Agape

Today's type of love that we will be looking at is agape.

This kind of love is the highest kind because it comes from God towards humans/peoples.

Agape love is pure, sacrificial, perfect, and undefiled, no type of measurement can measure this type of love, and nothing can compare to this type of love, given without repayment.

This is the love God has for us.

This love is freely given.

There is nothing we need to do to receive this kind of love.

This love is freely given.

This is God's love, Amen!!!!

Bible verses about agape:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 ASV

15 So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I [f]love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, [i]Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.John 21:15-19 ASV

8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 ESV

27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:27 ESV

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 ESV

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 ESV

These are just a few verses that deal with philia kind of love.

Learn Religion was used to assist in writing this post as well as other things.</

Monday, November 27, 2023

1 Peter 4

 4 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: 4 wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. 15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. 17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4

LOVE Type: Philia

Today's type of love that we will be looking at is philia.

This type of love is the kind of love that we who believe in Jesus practice towards fellow believers. 

This type of love deals with deep emotional bonds of friendship.

The word comes from the word in Greek philos which means beloved, prized in an intimate way.

The Bible's most general type of love is this kind of love.

This kind of love deals with personal affection towards others.

This kind of love is an expression-based kind of love.

Bible verses about philia:

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35 ASV

19 We love, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 ASV

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22 ASV

19 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 ESV

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 ESV

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 ESV

These are just a few verses that deal with philia kind of love.

Learn Religion was used to assist in writing this post as well as other things.

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Romans 12

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. 4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; 11 in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, [m]Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12 ASV

LOVE Type: Storge

Today's type of love that we will be looking at is storge. 

This kind of love is Greek in nature meaning it comes from a word in Greek.

This kind of love is the love we have for our family, the bond between parents/kids, and the bond between sisters and brothers.

From what I have read this kind of love happens naturally.

And then there's...

The church and its members are part of one big family in Christ. 

We are all part of God's great big family.

We are bound together by the flesh but by Jesus Christ.

Bible verses about storge:

12 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12 ASV

10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; Romans 12:10 ASV

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

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Psalm 86:15 ASV

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; Romans 12:9-10 ASV

50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers 1 John 3:16 ESV

These are just a few verses that deal with storge kind of love.

Learn Religion was used to assist in writing this post as well as other things.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Song of Solomon 2

 2 I am a rose of Sharon,

A lily of the valleys.

2 As a lily among thorns,

So is my love among the daughters.

3 As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood,

So is my beloved among the sons.

I sat down under his shadow with great delight,

And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

4 He brought me to the banqueting-house,

And his banner over me was love.

5 Stay ye me with raisins, refresh me with apples;

For I am sick from love.

6 His left hand is under my head,

And his right hand doth embrace me.

7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the roes, or by the hinds of the field,

That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,

Until he please.

8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh,

Leaping upon the mountains,

Skipping upon the hills.

9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart:

Behold, he standeth behind our wall;

He looketh in at the windows;

He glanceth through the lattice.

10 My beloved spake, and said unto me,

Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, lo, the winter is past;

The rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of the singing of birds is come,

And the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;

13 The fig-tree ripeneth her green figs,

And the vines are in blossom;

They give forth their fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,

In the covert of the steep place,

Let me see thy countenance,

Let me hear thy voice;

For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes,

That spoil the vineyards;

For our vineyards are in blossom.

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his:

He feedeth his flock among the lilies.

17 Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away,

Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart

Upon the mountains of Bether. Song of Solomon 2 ASV

LOVE Type: Eros

The first kind of love we will talk about is the Greek word Eros which means sensual or romantic love.

This kind of love is physical in attraction and in love.

The word comes from Greek mythology which deals with love. 

This kind of love is not giving or outward.

This kind of love is inward and seeks its own pleasure.

This kind of love according to God was supposed to be for marriage only.

Just like the time of the Bible, this kind of love gets us in trouble all the time. Do you agree?

Bible verses about Eros:

18 Let thy fountain be blessed;

And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.

19 As a loving hind and a pleasant doe,

Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;

And be thou ravished always with her love. Proverbs 5:18-19 ASV

4 Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 4 ASV

2 As a lily among thorns,

So is my love among the daughters. Song of Solomon 2:2 ASV

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24 ASV

9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;

Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes,

With one chain of thy neck.

10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride!

How much better is thy love than wine!

And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices! Song of Songs 4:9-10 ASV

These are just a few verses that deal with eros kind of love.

Learn Religion was used to assist in writing this post as well as other things.

Friday, November 24, 2023

Mark 12:13-39

Jesus Answers the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes

13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God in truth. Is it permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Are we to pay, or not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16 And they brought one. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17 And Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at Him.

18 Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the wife and raise up [m]children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21 The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22 and so the seven together left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, which one’s wife will she be? For each of the seven had her as his wife.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But regarding the fact that the dead rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

28 One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the [r]foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no other besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And then, no one dared any longer to question Him.

35 And Jesus responded and began saying, as He taught in the temple area, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

Until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’

37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

38 And in His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like personal greetings in the marketplaces, 39 and seats of honor in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.” Mark 12:13-39 NASB

LOVE Type

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 ASV

and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Mark 12:30 ASV

These two verses are probably the Bible's most quoted and known verses.

In the Fruit of the Spirit series, love came up for every one of the fruits.

The basis for our faith is love.

Love according to dictionary.com it says, a strong feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, such as for a parent, child, friend, or pet, or a profound tender, passionate affection, often mingled with sexual desire, for another person.

In this next series, we will look at the four types of love in the bible. That is what I got from my research meaning that is what most of them say there is in the Bible about the number of types of love. Others say more but most say 4 types of love. (So, I'm going with most say)

So, we will look at a different type of love each day and end with a post of love.

This verse is talking about agape love- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 ASV. 

This verse is talking about agape love- and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Mark 12:30 ASV

So, get ready to learn all about the different types of love in the Bible.

God, I pray for love and this series

I pray that you show what you have concerning the different types of love

I pray for protection surround this series

In Jesus Name

Amen

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving/Being Thankful Verses

 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ASV

4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.Colossians 4:2 ESV

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. Philippians 4:6 AMP

9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Jonah 2:9 ESV

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 ASV

11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Ezra 3:11 ESV

11 The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord. Jeremiah 33:11 ESV

And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 2 Chronicles 5:13 ESV

Thanksgiving Thankful

Today as it is Thanksgiving what do you need to be thankful for?

 I got this idea of what do we need to be thankful for not what we are thankful for.

What is the area, circumstance, person, or thing you need to be thankful for? 

We can be thankful for our life, wife, kids, food, money, or things like that.

But what about the things we don't think about to be thankful for or don't thank God for.

These are the things I am talking about.

Do we think to be thankful for clothing, breath, syrup, the roof over our heads, pizza, a Bible, worship, the fact we can stand at a corner to preach the gospel in public, or anything you can think of?

The things I am talking about are the things that we take for granted.

Think about the things you don't realize you're not being thankful for or thanking God for?

Make a list and be thankful for those things today.


Wednesday, November 22, 2023

John 13:1-20

 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet,[a] but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” John 13:1-20 ESV

Sinner than Saints closing

So, with all that has been presented, would you rather laugh with the sinners or cry with the saints?

Sinners' traits- Joyful, willing to listen, recognized Jesus, recognized they were sinners, were not double-minded, did not point fingers. These are just some of the traits of a sinner.

Saint's traits- double-mined, dried-up old prune, finger-pointing, clean on the outside but dirty inside, loved honor, wanted what they did to be known by all, they only cared about their outward appearance, they liked to mourn, did not recognize they were sinners, did not recognize Jesus. These are just some of the traits of Saint.

So, would it be like someone called Billy Joel to want to sing about being with a sinner rather than a saint?

I know so not because I have the answer, but because the Bible tells us we are to be if we are striving to be like Jesus.

And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Mark 2:15 NASB

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 NASB

Jesus had encounters with the saints but always managed to be with the sinners in some way. 

Jesus came for the sick (sinners) not to those who were righteous (saints).

We are to be and live like Jesus (at least strive to).

I'll ask it a different way would strive to be like Jesus or not strive to like Jesus?

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:15 ESV

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6 ESV

So again, I ask which you would rather be with sinners or saints? Answer and go and be that group you chose?

but be careful there is a wrong answer, do you agree or disagree?

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

John 13:31-38

31 Therefore when he had left, Jesus *said, “Now [n]is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I am still with you a little longer. You will look for Me; and just as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

36 Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” 37 Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” 38 Jesus *replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times. John 13:31-38 NASB


Sinner than Saints: Us

So, we have talked about sinners, and we have talked about saints but what about us and where do we fit in, I touched on it yesterday. We are saints set apart of from the others because of what we recognize our sin, that we are not perfect, we are not better than anyone else, have joy, and repent of our sins.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 NASB

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3 NASB

Those religious people who are saints thought they were not doing wrong they missed the point, Jesus then all the other stuff.

We are a different kind of religious person and that we are called Christians, and we are not to be religious. We are to follow the laws but not be the laws. We are to be just like Jesus and what he did.

16 “This is the covenant which I will make with them After those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws upon their hearts, And write them on their mind,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will no longer remember.” Hebrews 10:16-17 NASB

God will write on our hearts the way we are to do the laws and what we are to with them. God does not say we are the law or have to be stuck up when doing them as the saints.

We need to be like Jesus and what he did on the earth. He knew what to do, to not be religious and to not be like the saints but be a saint.

Everything in the Bible about Jesus we are to strive to be and strive to live out.

We are called to do this.

By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NASB

Love is used here but this can be applied to everything that Jesus was and did.

We are to be like Jesus!!!!

How can you be more like Jesus?

How can you be less like the saints?

Are you religious? Should we be?

Does religion stand in the way of true faith?

Which is better love /Jesus or religion?

Think about these questions today!!! 

For tomorrow we will end this series...

Monday, November 20, 2023

Matthew 26:1-5, John 11:47-57

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

3 At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. 5 But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.” Matthew 26:1-5 NASB

Conspiracy to Kill Jesus

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council meeting, and they were saying, “What are we [o]doing in regard to the fact that this man is performing many [signs? 

48 If we let Him go on like this, all the people will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take over both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 

50 nor are you taking into account that it is in your best interest that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish instead.” 51 Now he did not say this ]on his own, but as he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation;

52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country prior to the Passover, in order to [s]purify themselves. 56 So they were looking for Jesus, and saying to one another as they stood in the temple area, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might arrest Him. John 11:47-57 NASB

Sinner than Saints: Jesus

 Just like we should be doing Jesus was with the sinners because he knew the hearts of the saints. Jesus knew they were hardened of hearts, had holy (better) than you mentality, and were unclean on the inside.

Jesu knew that He would not be able to change the hearts and the minds and ways of the saints. He knew anger and sorrow would be that of the saints and laughter and joy of the sinners.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 NASB

We are all saints called by God for His purpose but there is one thing (that has things that go with) that set apart from the saints that we have been talking and that is we recognize that we are sinners, that we are not perfect and are not better than others and we still have joy, and we repent for sins. 

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NASB

The only perfect one who walked this earth was Jesus.

Jesus was with sinners because they were receptive to His message and His teachings. They wanted to laugh and be joyous, they wanted to be forgiven and not be treated differently or look down upon.

Jesus wanted to be with people (sinners) who would listen and not the ones (saints) who were waste of time. I could picture Jesus every time He had an encounter with the saints wanting to pull His hair out.

They saints wanted to kill Jesus for His message, His teaching, and His way of life.

and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. Matthew 26:4 NASB

The saints could not be changed but the sinner could be changed that is why Jesus wanted to be sinner rather than that of the saints.

But the sinners did not want to kill Jesus.

The sinners wanted to change.

Was Jesus right to be the sinner than the saints?

Should Jesus have tried to save them (saints)?

Do you agree with today's teaching?

Tomorrow we continue this...


Sunday, November 19, 2023

Mark 2:14-22

 Levi (Matthew) Called

14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

18 John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “While the groom is with them, the attendants of the groom cannot fast, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast, on that day.

21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” Mark 2:14-22 NASB

Sinner than Saints: Turning Verse

So, we been looking at the saints and how they act. We look at saints of the day in the Bible and learned the saint of today are the same and have the same charge as those of the Bible. We learned how they do one thing on the outside and are another way on the inside and more. In all the movies where there are saints, I never see them happy or laughing, instead they are angry or bitter or mourning.

So, a few days ago, I asked this question:

What verse is the turning point for this idea we are talking about?

The answer is found in Matthew and also in Mark:

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and began dining with Jesus and His disciples. Matthew 9:10 NASB

And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Mark 2:15 NASB

To go further:

And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 NASB

31 And Jesus answered and said to them, It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” Luke 4:23-32 NASB

Both these verses are the turning point for the idea we have been talking about?

Before I move on, I want to share the response of the saints of the day.

The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling to His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:30 NASB

And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2 NASB

Why would Jesus want to be with sinners?

Why not be with saints of the day?

What do these verse that were shared today tell us about what Jesus was doing?

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Matthew 23 13-33

 Eight Woes

13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so. 14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]

15 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert to Judaism), and when he becomes a convert, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’ 17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold? 18 And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’ 19 You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? 20 Therefore, whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, swears both by it and by everything [offered] on it. 21 And whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it. 22 And whoever swears [an oath] by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

23 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others. 24 You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!

25 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). 26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.

27 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the [allotted] measure of the guilt of your fathers’ sins. 33 You serpents, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell? Matthew 23 13-33 AMP

Sinner than Saints: Today

Do you think the saints are the same today as they were back in the days of the New Testament?

I hate them that are of a double mind; But thy law do I love. Psalm 119:113 ASV

Most Definitely they are they are double-minded just like back in Jesus' day. I am not saying all are that way but there is a lot that I can think of and will not mention as I do not want to bash anything or anyone. 

Those things that were written back in the day are just as it was for the saints of that time as to the saints that are today.

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ASV

The Bible is living, which means the things that are written in it are still active today.

The message for the saints of the day is the same as the message for the saints of today. God's word is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

God's word is timeless so is what it has to say so the word for the saints will be the same in twenty years as it was back then and today.

So, all the things we have talked about as for the saints of back then are for the saints and what they look like today (a lot not all).

So, take time and look over the last few day's posts and apply them to today's saints.

Don’t Be Like the Pharisees

12 Many thousands of people came together. There were so many people that they were stepping on each other. Before Jesus spoke to the people, he said to his followers, “Be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees. I mean that they are hypocrites. Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known. What you say in the dark will be told in the light. And what you whisper in a private room will be shouted from the top of the house.” Luke 12:1-3 ERV


Friday, November 17, 2023

Matthew 23:1-36

23 Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to his disciples, 2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat: 3 all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not. 4 Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.

16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the [h]temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. 17 Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor. 19 Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous, 30 and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell? 34 Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: 35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:1-36 ASV

Sinners than Saints: 7

What did you think of for your definition of a saint?

Yesterday I shared the 7 woes with the people who were saints.

1. What they preach they did not practice. 

so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice. Matthew 23:3 

2. They shove the gospel and God in people's faces.

 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. Matthew 23:13

3. They did not have to tell the truth or live up to the oath they took if by the temple. But by the gold, it means you have to keep your oath.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath Matthew 23:16 

4. They did not do all of the things of the law only the minor ones.

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. Matthew 23:23

5. They looked like they were clean but, on the inside, they were dirty with greed and such. 

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25

6. Their appearance on the outside was beautiful but, on the inside, it was full of dead things and dirty things.

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness Matthew 23:27

7. They would not have killed Prophets.

30 saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 

There are more that the saints were like as we talked about yesterday, but these are the main 7 Jesus tells us to whoa to. This is a picture of what the saints were like back in the day.

Does this resemble the saints of today?

Tomorrow we will fast forward to today and see what God has for us concerning these saints!!!


Thursday, November 16, 2023

Matthew 23:1-36

 Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Matthew 23:1-36 ESV

Sinners than Saints

 When I think of saints, I think of dried-up old prunes, sour faces, finger-pointing, and no no no.

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Mathew 6:16 ESV

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:33 ESV

Pharisees preached the law but did not follow it themselves.

When they did anything, they wanted it to be public so people would notice them and what they were doing. 

Wait but that's not all there's more...

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25 ESV

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Matthew 23:13 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27 ESV

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues. Matthew 23:5-6 ESV

The Pharisees looked clean but on the inside they were unclean. 

They only cared about their outward appearance. 

They wanted their deeds to be seen by all and not in secret.  

They loved a place of honor.

What do you think of when you think of a saint? 

What verse is the turning point for this idea we are talking about?

Think about these to questions today as we will continue this tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Mark 3:1-12

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

3 Again Jesus went into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2 The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him [in the Jewish high court]. 3 He said to the man whose hand was withered, “Get up and come forward!” 4 He asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness and arrogance of their hearts, He told the man, “Hold out your hand.” And he held it out, and his hand was [completely] restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians [to plot] against Him, as to how they might [fabricate some legal grounds to] put Him to death.

7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a large crowd from Galilee followed Him; and also people from Judea, 8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and [from the region] beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon; a vast number of people came to Him because they were hearing about all [the things] that He was doing. 9 And He told His disciples to have a small boat stand ready for Him because of the many people, so that they would not crowd Him; 10 for He had healed many, and as a result all who had diseases pressed around Him to touch Him. 11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and screamed out, “You are the Son of God!” 12 Jesus sternly warned them [again and again] not to tell who He was. Mark 3: 1-12 AMP

Sinners than Saints

Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel says, I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.

Sinners by Carol Blaze says, Id rather be with the sinner.

Godart by Candy Warpop says I'll be laughing with the sinners While you're crying with the saints

A song called Rebels by Influence Music & Micheal Ketterer says, you can find me with the sinners.

Make Me Holy a song by Cross & Anchor Worship says, I'm destined to be with you with all of the sinners.

A song by Brothers Osborne says If I was a church, I'd be hanging with the sinners.

These are the backdrops to our next series called Sinners Than Saint. These are just a few of the worldly and Christian songs I found in my research all talking about being with the sinner rather than the saint.

I want to point that out as I start this series, I am not saying go hang out and be a sinner.

One question to think about and mediate on today is this:

Where in the Bible Does it say Jesus would rather be with the saints than sinners?

Take time today and ponder this question!!!


Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

What you read after this is up to you!!!

End of the Fruits of the Spirit.

 As this series ends, I wanted to share how I came about talking about the subject of the fruits of the spirit. one night I got this lyric to a song in my head from the song Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel which says, I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. That night I believe came upon a song called Rebels by Influence Music & Micheal Ketterer which says, You can find me with the sinners. That very same thing I was thinking about that night worldly became faith, God spoke to me. (I hear God through songs a lot.)

The next morning, I was ready to talk about this and then I started to look up joy and the fruits of the spirit came up and I got in my spirit to talk about this. So, I started down the journey of going through the fruits of the spirit that morning.

I have learned a lot going through each of the fruits of the spirit. I have read that verse before and never really looked at each one individually to see what it actually meant. I hope you have learned something in the process of going through the fruits of the spirit with me.

The biggest takeaway for me was.

Love is the basis for everything in our walk and faith. 

Love + one fruit = What we are to be as Christians

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

I leave with the verse that was the foundation for the entire series. This is the only verse that is shared today not so I can finish quick or be a one Bible verse sharing (which is wrong) But so that you go back and look at this verse with all the other verses that I have shared.

Have a fruit of the spirit kind of day!!!!

Tomorrow sinners than saints!!!!

Monday, November 13, 2023

2 Peter 1

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1 KJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is Temperance.

But the fruit of the Spirit is temperance.

To me when I look at this word it sounds like it deals with one's temper or something to do your emotions of that nature.

But let's dig in and see what temperance is all about.

From what I have read this has nothing to do with anger but with virginity and drink and the other thing that was mentioned was self-control.

further reading it talks about drinking and the use of meat and using animals for enjoyment.

I like how Reporter-Times simplifies this fruit to say the Bible says, temperance is emotional restraint or self-control.

The word anger came up as well in this article.

So maybe it is not directly about just anger but emotions in general.

The idea of temperance is to have self-control and or restraint of oneself and emotions.

I Like the example Cambridge Bible School for Schools and Colleges gave the example of ancient athletes.

Athletes have to have self-control and restraint to be the best they can be. If they are not they will not succeed in their sport.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 2 Peter 1:6 KJV

There are few verses about temperance but we know what it means now and can live it out in our lives.

Love never came up today but we would need or have love to be temperance.

What does the word temperance mean to you?

What do you need temperance in?

Is temperance something that is or deals with love?


Sunday, November 12, 2023

Ephesians 4

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4 KJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is Meekness.

But the fruit of the Spirit is meekness.

There is not much that talks about meekness but according to the Cambridge Bible for school and college it says, a grace of the soul which consists in habitual submission to the dealing of God. 

It goes further to say, arising from a sense of His greatness, and the man's own littleness and sin.

From all that I read and gathered I still didn't understand so I kept digging and found an answer for us on Patheos which says, being humble and gentle towards others and willing to submissive and obedient to God.

So, to be meekness according to the Bible we need to be humble and gentle towards others and be submissive and obey God.

This idea of meekness is starting to make sense to me, and I hope it makes sense to you.

We are learning about this together.

What do you desire? That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness? 1 Corinthians 4:21 NASB 

Some versions say meekness instead of kindness.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12 KJV

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Ephesians 4:2 KJV.

Again we see love with meekness.

Love is and then the other fruits come into play as I have seen so far that is true.

What is meekness to you?

Do you show and are meekness in your Christian walk?

Is meekness dealing with love?

I pray for meekness to wash over us today

I pray for meekness to be who we are

In Jesus Name

Amen