Peace & Rest

 November 19th, 2018 Morning Musing:

How do you have peace & rest in your soul when you feel the weight

of many burdens, many cares of this life?

Burdens that bind you in stress & anxiety & fear & doubts, in haste:

Keep Christ as your first love, look to Him, talk with Him, acknowledge Him in all your ways, keep His WORD in your thoughts, let His words protect you, correct you, direct you, break you, heal you, comfort you. Surrender your understanding,

your sense of control, your will, your fears, your doubts, your stress,

your anxiety, your haste,


let go & let God give you rest.


When He matters more than any earthly matter, when being near to Him means


more to you than anything else; when it means more than what you may lose to


gain him---what you lose doesn't really matter if you have His peace &


rest in your soul.


He is all we really need.


The only control you have is over your own thoughts and actions.


STOP everything...


And seek His face & His grace...


To cultivate His peace & rest...to walk in it, even when all around you demands your


care & your


concern.


Stay focused on the Big Picture...God's plan for your life isn't to let you die under the cares & burdens of this life. But He will let


those cares


& burdens bring us to our knees, He will give us the opportunity to turn to Him, to


surrender to Him, to have hope in His mercy, to pray & see His power to intervene.


These struggles we face are meant to perfect that which is lacking in us, to mold


us into the image of Christ.


Are we seeing The Big Picture?


Are we allowing life's difficulties to mold us into the nature of Christ?


Or are we responding in the flesh: Fearful, doubtful, anxious, stressed out?


Lay it ALL DOWN.


PICK UP THE CROSS. DIE TO SELF AND REJOICE IN THE SPIRIT & GRACE


OF CHRIST.


We don't have to respond in the flesh...if we watch and pray & hold fast to the


peace He offers we can be as Him in this present evil world!


John 14:27
"[27]Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

La paz os dejo, mi paz os doy; yo no os la doy como el mundo la da. No se turbe

vuestro corazón, ni tenga miedo.

Train up a Child

Proverbs 22:6  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Dear friends, please seriously consider the above verse...this society is defiling and spoiling the youth, making them lazy, entitled, effeminate, selfish, cry babies and that is what much of the grown-up society is now made up of. Children do not need to be entertained,  they do not need constant excitement and pleasure....when you run yourself weary trying to provide such things for your children you ruin yourself and them...they grow up not knowing what it means to be a responsible, self-capable adult....they think they need "adult" entertainment and "adult" pleasure and many think the government should give them free housing and groceries and medical....They don't want to work for their own food, shelter, or basic needs....they want mommy and daddy to continue to support their leisurely lifestyle. And if not their parents then they will find boyfriends or girlfriends to work & provide for them or the government.

Back in the day, a family unit was a team that worked together to put the daily bread on the table, everyone had their part, the young helped care for the animals and weeded in the field, hand-washed the dishes, and helped cook and clean...they were not taught to be idle, lazy or self-pleasing....a hard-working society was produced when they came of age....then something happened...modern conveniences made less physical labor, which gave birth to fullness of bread and idleness and as it was in Sodom so it is now....an idle, full-bellied effeminate society on the rise....seeking new ways to entertain themselves, seeking pleasure in perversion, so bored out of their minds sitting in cities stuck behind 4 walls without a care in the world, pampered and spoiled by parents who are deceived to believe it is cruel to have a 5-year-old wash dishes by hand or have a 10 year old wash their own clothes or mow the lawn....I could go on & on....My concern is many claiming Christ have yet to realize that children prosper when they are taught that life is work, not play....and children (before they get spoiled) want to help do the things they see mama do like dishes, cleaning, etc and the things dad does, yard work, car work etc, CHILDREN DON'T NEED TABLETS, FIDGET TOYS THAT REINFORCE IDLENESS....they need parents that invest in them and teach them how to care for themselves and others how to get food on the table.... give them a taste of the reality that life is work....they will love and respect you so much more than if you buy them entertainment sit them in a room alone while you do your own thing. You work against the will of God and the well-being of your children when you teach them money is well spent on amusement parks and vain useless hobbies....how about cultivating the God-given gifts in your children to raise money for orphans or reach out to the thousands of children in foster care, show them money is well spent when it is spent on the NEEDS OF THE NEEDY.....I could say more....God work in your hearts and wash away the American ideal...may God's will be plainly seen that Christians are on earth for one purpose, to glorify God in all they do....teach your children the will of God that when they are of age they will walk in it...Hypocrisy hardens the heart of the young....

Romans 15:2-4  "Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

One with the Father

June 19, 2022 Musing

Mat 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

As Christians who walk in obedience, we all have the same Father. 

And what a Faithful Father He is!

 Jesus said, 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Jesus manifested the character and heart of God our Father.

Joh 15:23  He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

We are called to be one with the Father. to be as Christ in the world, reflecting the character and image of our Father.

Joh 17:21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

In the natural, we hear saying like, "A chip off the old block" meaning a child is a piece of their Father, there is a resemblance. 

How can we be like our Father; clearly by being like Christ.

The Father was pleased by Christ choosing to live His life as a sacrifice for others; He would have us do the same, because true love is sacrificial, and God is love, to reflect Him we lay down our lives for His name's sake.

Joh 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Our Father in heaven watches over us to guide us, protect us and lead us and sometimes that means chastening...

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

But look, those who faithfully bear the Father's image get to sit in His lap at the end and rest our head in His bosom.

 Anyone that's ever had a good relationship with their father knows the joy of sitting on Daddy's lap.

And look at this revelation: 

 Luke 11:11  If 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?

Luk 11:12  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Luk 11:13  If 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?

Some people see God as one who is out to punish them at every wrong move...but if we, as His creation, are capable of evil, yet we know how to love our children how much more does He?

God wants to be our Father whereby we learn to trust Him for our every need and He loves to hear us cry "Abba Father" Because His nature is to nurture us, to raise us up in His image, and fill us with His Holy Spirit.

Galatians 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

As we spend the day giving honor to fathers, let us not forget the Father of All, who is worthy of honor and praise!

Remember how Christ taught us to pray...

"Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed (sanctified, holy) be Your name..."

Meekness

This is a study I recently felt very blessed to throw together. Meekness is a characteristic of Jesus that God calls us to have as well.

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

I believe these are all the verses in the Bible that specifically use the word meekness.

Psa 45:4  And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

Zep 2:3  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

1Co 4:21  What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

2Co 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Bear One Another's Burdens

Gal 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Unity in the Body of Christ

Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

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

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Put On the New Self

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

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

“Flee these things” What things?

1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,

charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2Ti 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Be Ready for Every Good Work

Tit 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Tit 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Tit 3:9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

People get confused because of the theologies of men and when they read certain verses their minds hear something other than what the Scriptures actually say. It is true that God saved us “according to His mercy” and not because of any righteousness in us, there is nothing you, as an individual has done that is exceptional above others that caused Him to save you; but that does not mean we don’t have to do anything or that nothing we can do will affect our salvation.

And being “justified by His grace” does not mean there is nothing we can do that will affect our salvation as if we can remain practicing known sin. The Scriptures also tell us that *grace is a teacher:

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

So if we are justified by His grace I would say it’s because His grace worked in our lives to perfect that which concerned us. Because we learn through Grace we are given the knowledge we need so that we can use our free will to make choices that glorify God. And notice again how the Scriptures are saying that Christ gave himself to “redeem us from all iniquity to purify unto Himself a peculiar people (why are they peculiar, because they have grace as in power over sin and why do they have power over sin? Because the knowledge grace gives them strengthens them to choose wisely and not only that but His sacrifice has caused a deep revelation of His love inspiring His followers to love Him in return by behaving in a way that is well-pleasing to Him even if that requires sacrificing that which is dear to them.

Notice the last verse here that we are to speak these things and give rebukes to help others be sound in the faith and if we do this all in meekness we can have confidence and hopefully avoid some offence in those who hear, but offense can not always be avoided and if we be despised for speaking the Truth in love we can’t let it hinder us.

Speaking of offense: God through His followers whose words were recorded and are now called Scriptures exhorts us to avoid offending people. But He also tells us that the Christ (the annointed One, the Messiah) will be an offense a rock of offense, something that men will stumble over. Who are these people that stumble over Christ =the disobedient who stumble at His words. You see, many unknowingly separate Christ from His Words, and they create for themselves a false Christ. One that loves them and smiles at them no matter what they do. Then when they are presented with His words they stumble over them because His words expose their sin and cause a sense of rejection in them, and they can not and will not believe that God will reject them for something, therefore they justify themselves continuing in sin… and this is where condemnation comes in and the hearts of people are clearly manifested to love darkness/sin more than light/righteousness (righteousness can only be defined by God who alone is righteous) The Word of God seeks to separate people from their sins so He can receive them into life everlasting because the separation from sin purifies us. But those who resist being separated from their sin show forth a loving of darkness/sin and because they hold fast to their sin they can not enter into eternity with a Holy God.

Let’s look at what the Word says in regards to

Christ the offense and loving sin

more than light bringing condemnation:

A Living Stone and a Holy People

1Pe 2:1  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1Pe 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1Pe 2:3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1Pe 2:4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1Pe 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

It is important to know and understand these basic Truths so when we are faced with deception we can have a shield and a sword to protect ourselves and others from deceit…

The word used in the books of James and Peter describe meekness as this:

Strongs G4240 Πραΰ́της  prautēs  prah-oo'-tace 

From G4239; mildness, that is, (by implication) humility: - meekness.

This word is used 3 times in the NT in the following passages:

                       Hearing and Doing the Word

Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Jas 1:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Jas 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

                               Wisdom from Above

Jas 3:13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1Pe 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1Pe 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

Πραΰ́της  prautēs  prah-oo'-tace  

Comes from the word G4239; πραΰ́ς  praus prah-ooce'

Apparently a primary word; mild, that is, (by implication) humble: - meek. See also G4235.

Meekness does not equate weakness. It takes much more strength to be humble and mild than it does to be proud and loud.

Πραΰ́ς   is also used 3 times in the NT in the following verses:

Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

                                  Jesus was meek but mighty!

Mat 21:5  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1Pe 3:5  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

1Pe 3:6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Meekness is of great worth to God, it is something He desires to see in us.

G4236 Πρᾳότης praotēs prah-ot'-ace

From G4235; gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness

This Greek form is used 9 times in these verses:

1 Cor. 4:21

2 Cor. 10:1

Gal. 5:23

GAl. 6:1

Eph. 4:2

Col. 3:12

1 Tim. 6:11

2 Tim. 2:25

Titus 3:2

G4235; Πρᾴος  praos prah'-os

A form of G4239, used in certain parts; gentle, that is, humble: - meek. This form is found in one verse:

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I believe this study shows well the importance of meekness. It is something we can pray for and remind ourselves of when we are tempted to be otherwise.

Meekness is a characteristic of God and one that He wants us also to have as representatives of Him so we can enter into His rest.

*Grace is more than a teacher. Teaching us Truth is only one aspect of grace.

I do encourage you to study on your own to see if what I shared here with you

is accurate. 

ESword is a good study tool online that can be used on a computer or phone.

It includes what is called the Strongs Concordance that enables users

to search words in the Bible and see every verse that word is in along with

its original Greek or Hebrew word along with a definition.