Saturday, 29 July 2017

Holiness.

What is it? A strong desire to be clean before God, to be free from sin.
Is Holiness an option?  It is God's command for the believer -1 Peter 1;15. Holiness usually frightens 
believers as something impossible. If God commands us to be holy, we can do it. 
Why is it so necessary? Heb. 12:14 - Without it we cannot know God, Sin will hinder us (unholiness). God called His people Israel and also His Church to holiness-Deut.14:12. Holiness is an absolute must if we are to know God's presence in our midst. Deut 23:12-14.The Mercy Seat was in the Holy of Holies, where God dwelled-Ex.25:22.
To live a holy life is not to have a saintly look, like an icon, it is to have no earthly or worldly character, but to have God's character. He demands this from us-John 17;16-18. HOLINESS separates
us from the world and its Sin.
What is the effect of God's Holiness upon our lives? Is.6:1-5. Like Isaiah, God calls holy people to serve Him. Peter, the Apostle confirms this in 2 Pet. 1:21.


Saturday, 22 July 2017

Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
The sisters of Bethany, together with their brother Lazarus they speak of a family of God.We can liken them to two types of believers, DOERS and LISTENERS.What is the main thing in the House of God? To be busy for God or to be Involved with God? God has many servants (Marthas) but not many friends (Marys)
Jesus was often entertained in this home. It speaks of our heart-Revelation 3:20. He wants to come in but finds us too busy, No fellowship with Him
Martha wanted to please Him with service but Mary wanted to express her love and gratitude. He cast seven demons from her, she also anointed His hair and washed His feet-John 11;1-2. We cannot
minimize the importance of Service but we must get our priorities right-Service and Hospitality or
Relationship: what comes first? Jesus did not show disrespect for Martha, He loved them all- John 11:5.
What is God really asking from us? Deut.10:12. 
It is so easy to be sidetracked with Service and works for God, a pitfall for many workers of the Gospel. (1 Cor. 9:26-27)
 The Church in Ephesus was a model of a perfect Church, yet Jesus found fault with them and warned them-Rev.2:14.  Their First love was more important to Him, than their works. Remember the unwise virgins of the parable? They neglected their relationship with the Lord because of neglect of the Word: the oil. (Mt. 25:1-13)
Martha felt neglected. Her mind was distracted feeling her service was not appreciated, she even accused the Lord of not caring......but in the end Mary was commended.


Saturday, 15 July 2017

Spirit filled Life (Luke4:18).
The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me The ministry and work 
of the Lord Jesus Christ while on this earth. The Holy Spirit was resting upon Him without measure.   
It is the same Holy Spirit that wants to indwell us so that God maybe glorified in our lives. For ministry and service the Holy Spirit is indispensable and without Him our ministry will be powerless and unproductive. The Holy Spirit is called the 'Spirit of the Lord', the One that proceeds from God the Father-John 14:16.-Acts1:4. 
What God promises is a) good, and b) Necessary.
Many believers are Baptized in the Holy Spirit but their lives lack the Power simply because they focus on the works of the H.S. and not on Christ Himself. 
Jesus said,  'Upon Me'. For the H.S. to rest upon someone He must find suitable ground. Remember Noah and the dove? Do we want the H.S. to rest upon us? Make sure your heart is a suitable place for the H.S. to rest and have control of your life.
Was the work and ministry of the Lord Jesus something not to be imitated or to look upon? He
said on one occasion, 'The works that I do you will do and greater......' John 14:12, HOW? They were accomplished by the power of the H.S. filling ordinary fishermen and simple believers after Pentecost, but remember what preceded their ministry. . . . the teaching of the Master and 10 days of prayer in one accord.  

Saturday, 8 July 2017

 Worldliness  

 What is it?

To belong to the world inwardly or outwardly or both. We may do so consciously or unconsciously. Both cases are unacceptable to God and to the christian life. It is not always easy to draw clear lines
on this issue but God demands separation from the world-1 John 2 :15-17.

Why does God demand this?  Because it is Satan's world and his system, his life, behaviour, etc. If a
believer lives and behaves according to the world's ways and life, he or she identifies with this Satanic system.
Believers are  in the world but do not belong to this world-John 17:14-17.
When a person is saved, God gives him or her a new nature that wants to grow and be like Christ. At the same time the Old Nature (the Old Man) that belongs to the world will always desire the things of
the world. We need to crucify that character and deny its desires daily. Believers may be sincere in wanting to live this New Life but do not always manage to overcome the desires of the Old life and its ways.

How do we recognize the ways of the world in a person? 
Outwardly- Appearance, places we go to, things we do, e.g. provocative appearance. etc.-Gen.3:21.
Inwardly-Desires, thoughts, pride,arrogance, double mindedness, vanity, and many more-Eph.4:17.

Paul the Apostle tells us how we should talk/ behave in Col.4:6.

What is it?

To belong to the world inwardly or outwardly or both. We may do so consciously or unconsciously. Both cases are unacceptable to God and to the christian life. It is not always easy to draw clear lines
on this issue but God demands separation from the world-1John 2 :15-17.
Why does God demand this?  Because it is Satan's world and his system, his life, behaviour, etc. If a
believer lives and behaves according to the world's ways and life, he or she identifies with this Satanic system.
Believers are  in the world but do not belong to this world-John 17:14-17.
When a person is saved, God gives him or her a new nature that wants to grow and be like Christ. At the same time the Old Nature (the Old Man) that belongs to the world will always desire the things of
the world. We need to crucify that character and deny its desires daily. Believers may be sincere in wanting to live this New Life but do not always manage to overcome the desires of the Old life and its ways.
How do we recognize the ways of the world in a person? Outwardly- Appearance, places we go  things we do, ex., provocative appearance. etc.-Gen.3:21.
Inwardly-Desires, thoughts,pride,arrogance, double mindedness, vanity, and many more-Eph.4:17.
Paul the Apostle tells us in Col.4:6.