Deceivers

2 John 7-11, KJV

7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This passage went inline with what I recently studied in John 10 pertaining to the many deceivers. This scripture basically instructs us to stand up for our faith in Christ. If there be any that comes to us preaching any OTHER doctrine, we are not to bid them well. To bid well to them or any encouragement, we are agreeing that what they’re saying is okay. It is not okay to worship other gods, regardless of what the world says. To be a friend to the world is to be an enemy of God—the true and living Holy God.

Additional Reading: 2 John 1-13

The Door

John 10:11-18, KJV

11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus is the door, the good Shepherd—all who ever came before Him are thieves and robbers; to steal, kill, and destroy, but the true sheep did not obey or listen to these liars. God came so that we many have life more abundantly. He lays down His life for the sheep (no man takes it from Him) and He has the power to take it up again. This commandment He received from the Father.

But he that is a hireling (hired servant who merely serves for wages) sees the wolf coming will leave the sheep, running away because he cares nothing for them. Some pastors only want money, only working for finances … a mere hireling, but a true teacher of the Gospel do it for more than just wages because they understand that the Father will supply all of their needs. And in knowing this, they minister from the pureness of their hearts. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus cares for us—God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. He is the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6). He is the door.

Recommended Reading: John 10:1-21

Sound in the Faith

Titus 1:10-16, KJV

10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The same still holds true today. Be careful not to become one of them. (Titus 1:16)

The Lord Hears Our Prayers

Psalm 34:1-9, KJV 

1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

The trials God allows to happen in our lives is not to hurt, it’s to help develop. The outpouring of God’s grace and mercy is a display of His love that He doesn’t want to lose any of us. The very fact that God provides, shows that He cares. He has not forgotten the promises He’s made for He is faithful to fulfill them. Stand on His word … He answers prayers.

The Lord is Good

Psalm 63, NKJV

1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Before Formed in the Womb

Jeremiah 1:5-12, AMP

5Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.(B)
6Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth.(C)
7But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8Be not afraid of them [their faces], for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
9Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
11Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a branch or shoot of an almond tree [the emblem of alertness and activity, blossoming in late winter].
12Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

 God's word will not return to Him void: Isaiah 55:11.

Teach us To Pray

Luke 11:1-13, KJV

1And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3Give us day by day our daily bread.
4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

We need to first make up in our minds to pray, and then God shows us how. We have to realize that we cannot do this on our own power, but in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is God who Gives Increase

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NKJV

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

On yesterday, I was blessed to share my faith with someone who says he does not accept God; the Lord ordered my steps because the conversation not only went smoothly, but uplifting. When asked what his reasons were, the man simply said that growing up he saw so many people going to church, but not practicing what they preach. He went on to state that in the midst of it all he decided to just do his own thing and stay to himself.

Basically, what he saw were hypocrites and this damaged his faith. The very people who were supposed to nurture and guide him discouraged him by their actions. It was an honest portrayal of what he had experienced and my heart went out to him. God ordered my words in how to respond and it was a peaceful exchange of words. I thanked the man for listening. Although this person did not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the seed had been planted.

In our Christian walk we must be careful in how we carry ourselves. In many instances, our lives may be the only Bible they’ll read.

How long?

Proverbs 1:22-33, AMP

22How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?
23If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [[a]Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you.(A)
24Because I have called and you have refused [to answer], have stretched out my hand and no man has heeded it,(B)
25And you treated as nothing all my counsel and would accept none of my reproof,
26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic--
27When your panic comes as a storm and desolation and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then will they call upon me [Wisdom] but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently but they will not find me.(C)
29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,(D)
30Would accept none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,
31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.
32For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them.(E)
33But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.

As I listened to a sermon this morning, I pondered exactly why it is that people go to church. It is good to go, but are the motives pure? Have many of us succumbed to the ritual or tradition of getting up on Sunday mornings to attend a service just because that’s what is expected? Do we yawn in the face of God? Do we seek Him only when we need something or continue to praise Him for who He is?

In spiritual maturity comes wisdom. In wisdom God will make His words known to us. In God making His word known to us we can rest easy without fear or dread of evil.

Meditate on These Things

Philippians 4:4-9, KJV 

4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Meditate on the true, honest, just, pure, and lovely things; and any things of good report, virtue, and praise [to God], think on. Why waste the precious time extended to us in this life on the negative, false, lies, and defamation of God? When we know better, we ought to do better. Do the things God tell us to do and His peace [that passes all understanding] shall be with us.

 

My Help Comes from the LORD

Psalm 121, NKJV

A Song of Ascents.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Our help comes from the Lord. The enemy wants to distract us so that we can take our eyes off of God. We must keep our eyes on God, standing firm on His promise. He is not a false god that needs awakening. God is alert, God is aware, and God is always there.

To Be Content

Philippians 4:10-13, NKJV

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Whatever the situation...I've learned to be content. I may not like it, but I rest easy in God's infinite wisdom.

Expresses contentment in every condition of life.

It is a good work to succor and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favorable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Worshipping in Flesh and in Lies

“The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:19-24, KJV

“The woman said to Him, Sir, I see and understand that You are a prophet. Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain, but you [Jews] say that Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary and proper to worship. Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely] in this mountain nor [merely] in Jerusalem. You [Samaritans] do not know what you are worshiping [you worship what you do not comprehend]. We do know what we are worshiping [we worship what we have knowledge of and understand], for [after all] salvation comes from [among] the Jews. A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality),” John 4:19-24, AMP

I’ve heard the story of the woman at the well many times, but it wasn’t until recently that I began meditating on the 24th verse of John 4. In the preceding verses, Jesus is having a conversation with this woman at the well explaining to her the living water (everlasting life) available that will cure all thirst—salvation. As He speaks to her, Jesus reveals the knowledge of the woman’s act of adultery. The woman immediately perceives Jesus as a prophet, but Jesus corrects and reveals to her that He is the Messiah.

In the passage mentioned above, I keyed in on verses 23 and 24—worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. This was because I felt very strongly in my spirit God saying, “They are trying to worship me in flesh and in lies.” It is not enough to say that one believes in God and then live a life contrary to His word. God knows the truth and He requires us to worship Him that way. We are to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh. And as hard as it is to write this, there are many in positions of leadership filled with carnality.

We cannot lie to God and we cannot worship Him in flesh. Many (and I have fallen into this category too in the past) have the audacity to ask God for all of the things we want, but unwilling to give Him the things that He requires. “23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” He seeks this, requests this, searches for this. I feel the Spirit saying that He doesn’t ask for much…that He gives much and He gives often, but when He makes a request He’s often shunned, ignored, or put on the back burner. Why is this? God wants only the best for us…His commands and rules are set in place to protect us because He knows the devil’s agenda is to steal, kill and destroy seeking whom he may devour. God is trying to protect us from the Father of Lies—the master deceiver. As many adopt the spirit of deception, they somehow think they can make this deception work on God. Be not deceived for God is not mocked.

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [a]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [b]that only is what he will reap,” Galatians 6:7, AMP.

Submission to God

Synonyms of Submission: Obedience, Compliance, Surrender

James 4:5-10, AMP

5Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?(A)

6But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).(B)

7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. (KJV: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”)

8Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. (KJV: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”)

9[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

10Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. (KJV: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”)

Key phrases: Submit yourselves therefore to God; Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you; Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  

If a person never admits that the sin they are doing is wrong, how can they ever ask God to forgive them? If they never submit unto God, how they expect the Lord to respond. 2 Chronicles 7:14 unfolds the basic instruction of how God answers prayers:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The World’s Friend

James 4:1-4, AMP  

“WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?

2You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.]

3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.

4You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.

Trust God, not the world. Be His friend, not His enemy. War not against the One who has given so much, but offer something back in return….your faith.

Walking Away with Clean Hands

Matthew 18:15-17, KJV 

15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

The removal of offences.

If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practiced every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Who are Blessed?

Scripture focus: Matthew 5: 3-12

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. 2. Those that mourn are happy. That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Heaven is the joy of our Lord; a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. Such mourners shall be comforted by their God. 3. The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submit to God; who can bear insult; are silent, or return a soft answer; who, in their patience, keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else. These meek ones are happy, even in this world. Meekness promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. 4. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy. Righteousness is here put for all spiritual blessings. These are purchased for us by the righteousness of Christ, confirmed by the faithfulness of God. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest. Though all desires for grace are not grace, yet such a desire as this, is a desire of God's own raising, and he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

5. The merciful are happy. We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery. We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning. 6. The pure in heart are happy; for they shall see God. Here holiness and happiness are fully described and put together. The heart must be purified by faith, and kept for God. Create in me such a clean heart, O God. None but the pure are capable of seeing God, nor would heaven be happiness to the impure. As God cannot endure to look upon their iniquity, so they cannot look upon his purity. 7. The peace-makers are happy. They love, and desire, and delight in peace; and study to be quiet. They keep the peace that it be not broken, and recover it when it is broken. If the peace-makers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers! 8. Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are happy. This saying is peculiar to Christianity; and it is more largely insisted upon than any of the rest. Yet there is nothing in our sufferings that can merit of God; but God will provide that those who lose for him, though life itself, shall not lose by him in the end. Blessed Jesus! how different are thy maxims from those of men of this world! They call the proud happy, and admire the gay, the rich, the powerful, and the victorious. May we find mercy from the Lord; may we be owned as his children, and inherit his kingdom. With these enjoyments and hopes, we may cheerfully welcome low or painful circumstances.

For Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

 Matthew 5: 10-12, KJV

10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

There is no law against godliness, only godlessness. When standing up for what is right, rejoice when others speak negatively against you or say nasty things to downgrade you, for your Just Judge is in heaven. Man can not put you in heaven or hell, so seek to please the One Being who can. Our service to others is done in the name of Jesus, not Joe, Jacob, Janet, or Jessica, just Jesus.

Serve God with a pure heart, seeking to be a peacemaker among the brethrens, displaying the love God has shown to us… praying for His will to be done, not our own.

Studying the Word of God

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness,” 2 Timothy 2:12-16, KJV.

Knowledge of the Holy Bible comes by reading it, not merely by owning a copy. As new people come to Christ there is a duty to educate and teach the unadulterated word of God. And most who come to Christ, the details of how to live a Christian life is foreign to them. This is why the Bible clearly states that one must study to show oneself approved. Also, this is why the Word must be our daily bread. I know there are many pastors, preachers, and teachers that encourage the daily reading of God’s word, but how many of us do it?

Tithing—this is not accepted by all, but it is clearly stated in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings,” Malachi 3:8, KJV. (Matthew 23:23) Also being mindful of the reason why we’re paying tithes. God does not need our money, He requires our faith. Yes, we have obligations here on earth such as paying light bills, car notes, house payments, but is that more important than God? Who provided the money to us in the first place to pay those other bills? And we can’t spare ten percent? “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts,” Malachi 3:10-11, KJV.

Idol worship—this is not abolished by all Christians either, but the Bible clearly states that you must not have any other god before Him (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7, Matthew 22:37-38). Similar to what is briefly mentioned above, there are cars, houses, jobs, organizations, even children and parents that are placed above the Almighty God. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,” Matthew 10:37, KJV.

It takes studying to know what the Word states. God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit and through His Holy Word. When we know the Word, in certain situations scriptures that we’ve meditated on comes to mind exactly when we need them. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” John 14:26, KJV. The key word here is remembrance. If we never study, how will we remember?

Overcoming Evil with Good

Romans 12:17-21, KJV 

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Exhortations to various duties.
About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill.

God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them.

Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified. (Ro 12:17-21)

The Importance of Prayer

Matthew 26:36-46, KJV

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Prayer is dialogue with God. No matter what may be going on in our lives, we must keep the lines of communication open with our Father. Although the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak which makes it ever more important. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).