If anyone teaches a different doctrine (another Gospel) and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Cheist and the teaching that accords with godliness,
he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
and constant friction among people who are depraved in kind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
http://bible.com/59/php.2.3-4.ESV
Several verses in the Bible are very near and dear to my heart...either because of the time in my life when a particular message spoke to my heart or someone encouraged me with a particular verse. Tonight as I was driving home from Meg's, I recalled a favorite verse o'mine. I recall it from my college chapel days. Pastor Schettler had preached a message using this verse. My roomies and I had then made it a point to quote it to one another for days on end. What verse was it? Proverbs 6:6. What does it say? It says, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, and consider her ways."
15 A soft answer turneth
away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise
useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a
tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his
father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the
righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise
disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 8 The sacrifice of the
wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the
upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is
an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that
followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous
unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are
before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of
men? 12 A scorner loveth not one
that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a
cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that
hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on
foolishness. 15 All the days of the
afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. 16 Better is little with
the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs
where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth
up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19 The way of the slothful
man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 20 A wise son maketh a glad
father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him that
is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. 22 Without counsel purposes
are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a
word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above
to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 25 The Lord will destroy the house
of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the
wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the
pure are pleasant words. 27 He that is greedy of
gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. 28 The heart of the
righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil
things. 29 The Lord is far from the wicked:
but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a
good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the
reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth
instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth
understanding. 33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of
wisdom; and before honour is humility.
I was actually looking for another verse in Psalms, but I paused when I read and then re-read and then re-re-read verse 19. Daily. What a beautiful, beautiful reminder........He daily gives us blessings.
God has a "bubble" of grace that He graciously envelopes you in. It's the grace you need to go through His will. Grace for trials and heartache. Grace for blessings. Grace for enduring hardships and prickly friendship moments. His "bubble" is just enough. It's not too much grace and it's certainly not lacking.
When I stop trying to do this thing called "life" on my own...and acknowledge that His grace is there (and it's been there), I find I am able to rejoice in hope, as Paul penned in Romans 5:2. I find the first 5 verses of Romans 5 comforting... At Salvation - we have peace with God...by whom (GOD!) we have access into His grace wherein we stand... We have to stand IN His grace. What a beautiful reminder...Wherein we stand...and rejoice in hope...and glory in tribulations realizing these work patience...and patience gives us experience...and experience brings us hope. Hope...hope in that Christ will not leave us without His grace to endure whatever tribulation He has for us. And we know that it will work patience.
1 Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so,
but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience,
experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh
not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us.
Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though
I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not
charity, I am nothing.And though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in
iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there
be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.For now we see through a glass, darkly; but
then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.And now abideth faith, hope,
charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
We've not been the best of friends. Infact -- barely acquaintances is how I would sum up our relationship. I mean, if while getting groceries, I happened to meet up with this person, I would say, "Hi." Maybe even inquire on their day. But friends, we are not.
Last week, this individual and yours truly ventured on an researchful (pretty sure that should be a word) outing. I learned more in those few hours than I had learned in years of working together. Sad, I know.
I have shied-away from anything more than the acquaintance status completely out of fear. Writing the word "fear" made me recall the Bible verse that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of a sound mind. II Timothy 2:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." How is it that all this time, I have read this verse but overlooked the "and of love" part. My brain got so wrapped around the fear and power and sound mind that I, Angie Good, missed out on the "and of love" part.
The verse before (which would be verse 6) talks about stirring up the gifts of God and the verse following (verse 8), it talks about not being ashamed of our testimony. Wow! I'm talking jumps-off-the-page-WOW!!!
Today my day ended with a series of computer-generated smiley faces and an encouraging comment.
I must digress for a moment - last weekend I was given the opportunity to talk to my former boss. Not my most former-former boss. But my former-former-former boss. His wife inquired about my current employment and I was sharing how God had opened up the doors. She said something to the effect, "Angie, where you are is where you are supposed to be. It's your mission field."
As I considered her words, the song This Little Light of Mine came to mind. Not so much the first verse or even the second -- but around the 3rd or maybe it's the 4th verse - the one that talks about hiding your light under a bushel (basket). It wouldn't be a good idea to hide your light under a bushel basket.... A) They are usually made of wood. Lit candle near wood - POOF! Fire!!!! Danger-danger! B) Some baskets are made of plastic. Plastic + a flame = a melted mess of goo.
Tonight I shared a snippet of the story with my pastor's wife who eloquently replied, "It's a mended fence." This got me thinking about how long it must've taken farmers, in the olden days, to mend a fence. When I say, "olden days" I do mean back in the day FOR REAL...not my usual circa 5 years ago when I was young and crazy. No, I mean OLD-EN DAYS. Plows with oxen. Think Little House on the Prairie. Would you like a confession about Little House on the Prairie? I thought so! :) I was in my 20's (TWEN-TIES!) before I realized Little House on the Prairie was filmed in the 80's. I don't know when I thought it was filmed/recorded but I did NOT think it was the 80's. Logically - HELLOOOO! It was playing on a t.v. and it was in color. Those two facts should've been Clues 1 and 2 respectively. I've always wanted to type "respectively" and use it properly.
Mending fences isn't something that can be done in 10 to 15 minutes. I was thinking about why you would have to mend a fence...animal stampede, inclement weather, etc. Both of those seem to be BIG things which would cause BIG damage needing BIG mending. Our relationships are like that...we can stampede over someone's feelings - this leaves a hole in need of repair. We can say something mean and hurtful - the equivalent of the herd of cattle charging the fence. And occasionally we can do damage to a fence and not even realize we are damaging it.
In the Old Testament account of Jacob, every time the enemy came upon their freshly dug well, Jacob would tell his men to pick up their tools and they were going to dig another well. Pastor Schettler preached from this passage. And even though college was a lifetime ago, I still remember him giving us circumstance after circumstance and after each hurtful thing, he would say, "Dig another well!"
Whether it's fences to be mended or wells to be dug, we've got work to do!!! Happy mending and/or digging!!! :)
Ephesians 3:14-21: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or thing, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all the ages, world without end. Amen.
Now, technically, that is not the closing of the entire Epistle -- it's the closing of Chapter 3. I love how Paul reminds them of what they have in Christ. And it's for us too -- what WE have in Christ.
This Sunday we are singing the most beautiful song about Heaven. It's called Home at Last by Ron Hamilton and Cheryl Reid.
Jesus said (in John 14), "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also."
When at last my life has ended and I enter heaven's rest,
I will live in God's eternal peace in the dwelling of the blest.
All my pain will then be over;
Earthly cares will all fade away.
Golden light will glisten from the throne of God -
No more night, just perfect day.
Going home, going home,
I will enter there by grace alone.
O what joys my heart has never known -
Going home.
There are times when day is ending and my work is almost done,
When I scan the far horizon and I watch the setting sun.
I am dreaming of that city with its gates of pearl and crystal sea.
I see Jesus reaching out His nail-scarred hands, waiting there to welcome me.
Going home, going home.
I will enter there by grace alone.
O what joys my heart has never known - Going home.
...read a Bible verse and had it stick with you for 2 or 3 days?
On April 1st, I started a journey through Proverbs and Psalms...and I intend to read through Proverbs thrice while I journey through Psalms.
On Thursday, I got confused and thought it was the 19th...and I read Proverbs 19 and Psalm 19. The last verse of Psalm 19 has been on my heart and mind since then...
Verse 14 ~ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Underneath this verse, I have a note. Be faithful in word and action!
Last week (and if I am going to be completely honest, the week before, too) was kind of rough for yours truly. To my untrained, receptionist eye, it seems that we may have bitten off more than we can effectively chew.
"Type this before lunch." (Handing it to me at 11:30)
"Do you know any info about __________________?"
"Where's the file?"
"CC: so-and-so."
"Set up this appointment on the calendar..."
All the while, I was slowly feeling more and more overwhelmed. It didn't just happen in 2 seconds. Nooooo! This overwhelmed state happened slowly...like a drip - drip - drip of the kitchen faucet. You think the dripping will magically stop. It doesn't. And if you leave it untreated, pretty soon - you have a serious issue on your hands.
With the demands and pulls on my time, I didn't stop to ask for help. Instead I attempted to muddle through it...which left me in a puddle of tears by Thursday's morning sweet inquiry, "And how's Miss Angie this morning?" I wasn't good and to say it outloud made me realize what a fragile state I was in. Weary and worn-out... Looking back on last week, I'm so thankful that I said, "No" to two potential commitments. The Lord gave me grace and wisdom to discern before the week(s) of nonsensical nonsense -- He gave me grace to say, "No." He knew I would need a quiet weekend. He knew my soul needed to be cared for...extra time reading, praying, meditating, listening to a CD of hymns. (I love how hymns are refreshing. "When peace like a river attendeth my way...")
This month I am reading through Proverbs. Today I could not get over/go passed/get around verse 1.
A soft answer turneth
away wrath, but
grievous words stir up anger.
I needed to meditate on this verse ALL day.
When the phone rang...A soft answer...
When my co-worker interrupted my break...A soft answer...
When someone didn't listen and I wanted to clap my hands and/or shout!...A soft answer...
How thankful I am for His Word...and His grace to help me see...A soft answer... :)
I've been thinking about the Gospel of Matthew...particularly chapter 5. Read it. It won't take long...
And
seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his
disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall
be comforted.Blessed are the meek: for
they shall inherit the earth.Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
filled.Blessed are the merciful: for
they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the
pure in heart: for they shall see God.Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,
and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake.Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.Ye are the salt of the
earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it
is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under
foot of men.Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in
the house.Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.Think not that I am come to
destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all
be fulfilled.Whosoever therefore shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be
called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say unto you, That except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye
shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.Ye have heard that it was said of them of old
time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without
a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his
brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.Therefore
if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother
hath ought against thee;Leave there thy
gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and
then come and offer thy gift.Agree with
thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time
the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the
officer, and thou be cast into prison.Verily
I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the
uttermost farthing.Ye have heard that
it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto
you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart.And
if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.And
if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable
for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body
should be cast into hell.It hath been
said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of
divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving
for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever
shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.Again, ye have heard that it hath been said
by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto
the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven;
for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by
Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black.But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is
more than these cometh of evil.Ye have
heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I
say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also.And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him
have thy cloak also.And whosoever shall
compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee
turn not thou away.Ye have heard that
it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.For if ye love them which love you, what
reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?And if ye salute your brethren only, what do
ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.
...I want Psalm 27:1, 4, 8 to be the constant meditation of my heart.
The Lord is my light
and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength
of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid?
One thing I have
desired of the Lord
that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty
of the Lord, and to
enquire in His temple.
When thou saidst,
Seek ye my face;
my heart said unto
thee, Thy face,
Lord, will I seek.
And these verses are not the only ones...obviously we have the Gospel accounts of Christ's birth...but the real meaning of the season (and there are buttons and coffeemugs and various other items that remind us "Jesus is the reason for the season") is God's amazing love and grace to send forth His Son in the form of a little babe. A babe born in a manger to a virgin.
even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart
and my flesh
crieth out for the living God.
Yea, the
sparrow hath found an house, and the
swallow a nest for herself, where she may
lay
her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and
my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they
will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose
strength is in thee; in whose heart are the
ways of
them. Who passing through the valley of Baca
make it a well; the rain also
filleth the pools. They go
from strength
to strength, every one of them in
Zion
appeareth before God. O Lord God of
hosts,
hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.
Selah. Behold, O God our shield, and look
upon the
face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is
better than a thousand. I had
rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the
Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give
grace and
glory: no good thing will he withhold
from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the man that
trusteth in thee.
In my devotions this morning, I was directed to verse 11 (bold above). The Lord brought to mind Jeremiah 17:9 ~ "The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Then I began pondering the lesson (the 2nd in our book) I am preparing for LC - the topic is a trusting heart.
In the first lesson of our book, Refresh My Heart by Claudia Barber, our heart is defined as our emotions, thoughts, etc. My heart - my emotions and thoughts are above all things AND desperately wicked... Who can know it? I know Who knows my heart...He created my heart. He knows me.
I love that Psalm 84 concludes with the statement, "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." :) I love to read. I love getting wrapped-up in the characters and the plot. I love a good ending. This Psalm has a great ending -- it reminds us where our trust needs to be!
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore 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.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Not normally a book that I flip to read for comfort...I find myself drawn
to Psalms, but this morning I was compelled read this short letter...and I was
greatly blessed!!!!
Philemon 4-7:
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy
love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of
every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and
consolation in thy love, because the bowels (emotions,
heart, compassion) of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
