We Must Repent Then Submit To Be Blessed

Repentance, Submission, and Blessing

Book of Job Chapter 42

What we will see in this last chapter of the Book of Job is that although Job had not sinned, there were many things that he did not have the right understanding of about the Lord.

Job did not have the Bible that we have today to guide Him, Job only had those things of knowledge that had been passed down from his forefathers and what he could learn talking face to face with the Lord.

Job was not very many generations from Noah, so the fear and the power of God should have been near to Job's heart.

We should clearly understand that we are to take the Word of God He has given to us, to learn all we can about our God and fools not to do so!

We are only temporary residents of this place called earth.

My mom is 91 years old, but many of us will not live that many years, but we will live eternally with the Lord so this little time we live now, is nothing compared to eternal life.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The one thing every child of God knows is, that our Heavenly Father has a plan, and we are smack dab in the middle of it and we will not be left out of God's plan.

We serve a Great Big God of All Power and we are blessed that He is a Loving and Merciful God!

The greatest wrong we do today may be the fact that, we speak too much before we have the right understanding!

This becomes really serious when we are speaking of our Lord and Savior.

*****Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

What is awe? Awe is fear mingled with admiration or we could say, fear mingled with reverence.

Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

In the days of Job, the rainbow had much more significance than it does today for it reminded the people of the awesomeness of God.

Today most people do not give the rainbow a second thought, but we should!

If we do not have these same thoughts that Job had, then we are the sinners, not Job.

There is nothing that God cannot do except sin. God cannot sin and God cannot lie, and God cannot be unrighteous!

It can never be said that God will do foolish things and it be true!

God can hear the smallest whisper because God can hear the thought that is in our heart before it gets to our mind and causes some action good or bad!

Job admitted he had talked about things that he had not clearly understood.

*****Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

What is the one greatest thing that Job had learned in all this?

We have no right to question the ways of God!

We have no right to complain to God for the things we go through!

We have no right challenging God's wisdom!

We have no right challenging God justice!

We should think about these things as we have seen the results of the recent elections!

Did we vote according to the Word of God?

God does what God does anytime God wants to do so!

What did Job learn?

That he must bow in humble submission before His Creator and admit, it is God who is sovereign!

Isa 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

Isa 46:8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Isa 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

To be honest, we must accept all the things that God does as the right things to do, no matter how we feel about them!

Jehovah is a righteous God!

We may not ever understand all the Word of God, but the more we study ourselves, the more we listen to the Preacher, the more we attend Sunday School, the more we will understand how our Lord works in this world.

In fact God will never go against anything He has given to us in writing!

We do need to have an accurate Bible written, according to the Greek and Hebrew Manuscripts of the Received Text.

We will never understand the Bible unless the Holy Spirit lives within us and we will never have the Holy Spirit live within us, until we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

The world can never know the truth of the Scriptures unless a child of God, led by the Holy Spirit, teaches them and of course the Holy Spirit is the greatest of all teachers and He will always, "always" lead us to Jesus the Messiah.

God has every right to demand we live according to His Word!

*****Job 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

We must also understand that we must be willing to live without our questions being answered!

This is what "faith" provides!

Faith allows to go on with our life knowing that everything that God does is the right thing!

We serve a righteous God!

When our "faith" is strong our suffering will be short!

Satisfaction comes with the knowledge of the truth!

We must clearly understand, that because we have accepted the truth of God, the truth of the Lord Jesus, we are the children of God and the Lord knows best what we need in this life, and He has prepared us a place for us to live in our eternal life, where there will be no problems at all.

Another thing we must know is that we are not perfect, and we always have some sin to repent of.

Our thoughts are not always pure!

Our actions are not always right!

Our non-actions can be sin!

There are always some things that we have not done knowing we should have done!

You see, the closer we get to the Lord the better we will be in this life!

The more we know about the Lord the better we will be in this life!

When we pray, we should have a greater knowledge of the Lord's answer, if we are familiar in what the Lord has done in the past.

If we are God's child, then we can know that He will answer our prayer and we will get what we ask if we ask in faith.

The key to our relationship with the Lord and answered prayer is our "faith"!

As one man wrote "we should be crushed under the weight of God's "greatness", if we think about it!

*****Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

As God had said, Job was the most perfect man on the earth at that time, yet Job had never grasped the greatness of God.

I believe we all fall short in this category!

It is a true statement "that we need to get off self and get on the Lord".

We are nothing more than a sack of dirt, yet in the eyes of our Savior and our Creator, we are the most brightest shining jewel, upon this earth.

He is not going to harm us!

He is not going to allow this world to harm us until it is time for us to go home!

The Lord never said it was going to be easy being a Christian in fact, the Lord said just the opposite.

Joh_16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We need to be over-comers of all the things that happen to us in this world!

The Lord teaches us to hate evil.

Joh_7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

The works of this world are always evil in some way!

The world sees an act of goodness as the first step of domination.

We must see sin as something that needs to be eradicated from this world!

We cannot allow corruption to be victorious!

For the most part we tolerate sin, when we need to express that hatred for sin the Lord teaches us to have.

This does not mean that human being, but it does mean that sin!

If Jesus testified of the works of sin, then if we are "like Christ" (Christian) then we need to testify of the works of sin!

The world does not see that being a Christian is being like Christ Jesus!

The world does not see that being a Christian is to live according to the Word of God!

We must always repent of any sin that we have, and this does not mean to tolerate the sin of others!

We are not found sincere in these things unless we have submitted to the Lord!

Now God speaks to Eliphaz.

*****Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

You see it was right for Job to reject the error of these three so-called friends and Elihu.

The things they had said to condemn Job, were wrong!

It was Job who had said things that were right according to the truth of God!

Eliphaz had been a bad example for those other three who followed after him in accusing Job.

We see that Jehovah had chastised Job, but His wrath was against those three men.

God's own children will never see God's wrath upon them!

This is another type in the Book of Job.

God does chastise His children and will keep His children from His wrath to come.

Rom_5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, "we shall be saved from wrath through him".

But the children of disobedience will see the full force of the wrath of God.

Rom_1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness";

Rom_2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Job had remained true to God through the assault of these worldly men!

Eliphaz was a type of the world and those with him were his followers.

And the Lord does not ever change, He will reward those He has justified, and He will punish those who are disobedient sinners who refuse to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, and refuse to repent!

When we have been "justified" by the Lord it does not matter if we are wrongly judged by the world.

The world thinks we are all hypocrites, anyhow!

We are not of this world just pilgrims passing through this world!

The world that rejects the ways of God cannot then judge the godly!

1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Then God shows mercy to these men rather than "judgment" at this time.

*****Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

As I said at the beginning of our lessons in the Book of Job, we see Job was considered a Priest in his day.

This is also another proof of Job's innocence.

Here again we see that Job was told to do these things before the 613 laws were given to the Jews.

2Ch 29:21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

2Ch 29:22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.

That word "folly" means foolishness, but it also means wickedness.

Those who defend these three men should know that Jehovah said they were wicked!

Wicked people do wicked things, insisting they are only trying to help, just as corrupt people do corrupt things insisting that is was only for the good of our nation, and everyone to vote in our recent elections and they do not see the wrong in doing so to achieve their goal, a quest for power.

This is the same goal of the Antichrist, "power"!

These three men did exactly what the Lord told them to do, and we can be sure Elihu was watching and listening just as he had been doing all along, but was probably not near 30 years of age.

*****Job 42:9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Before Job could offer up a sacrifice for these three men, he would have first had to offer up a sacrifice for himself and God had accepted that sacrifice along with this sacrifice for these three men.

Remember these three men had been inspired and used by Satan, and God put a stop to it, and again placed that hedge of protection around His child Job.

What did Solomon teach after such things?

Ecc 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Ecc 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Ecc 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

We also see that the Lord also took Satan out of the picture for the rest of the days of the life of Job!

Once Job was healed and his grief ended, we see that Job was accepted again by his friends and family who had also been influenced by Satan.

*****Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Job had suffered for no wrong that He had done and when we suffer in this way God smiles! Why?

Because we are growing to be more like His Son.

Again we see Job as a type of Christ.

1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Job was humbled by his conversation with the Lord and he now knew much more about the ways of God.

These are the reasons that the Book of Job, and all the wisdom books are in the Bible.

This is why the Book of Job is considered a wisdom book, because we can learn the ways of our God and we are very wrong when we do not try to learn about Him.

We need to understand the way the Lord deals with sin and His children.

We say the patience of Job and Job was a great man of God, but I still do not understand why the Lord puts up with us.

I do not know how God could have sent His Son to pay for my sin and all our sin.

Notice how Job's friends and family return, still blaming God for bringing evil upon Job, still not claiming God to be a righteous God.

They do now show the signs of true comforters.

1) They came in respect. We must show respect to our brothers and sisters in their time of need.

2) They brought food. We should bring food because many will not fix for themselves.

3) They brought money. When possible or when needed we may have to provide for their necessities.

2Co_8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

4) They came with the intention to comfort. We must come as comforters and not accusers!

Yes, God allowed these things, but we should be thanking God for these valuable lessons we have learned and can learn for the Book of Job.

Notice how God will always make us pay for the harm we cause our brothers and sisters.

Their comfort was not in their money nor that gold, their comfort was in remembering that they should have supported Job from the beginning and not have abandoned him.

It is God who blessed Job!

*****Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

Notice how Job was now twice as rich as he had been before.

We do not know the time frame for all these things that happened to Job, but I do not think it was a long period of time.

We see that God knew exactly how many animals Job had before they had vanished.

God knows more about us than we know ourselves!

As the children of God there are some things we need to understand!

1) All our earthly troubles will sooner or later have a blessed ending.

2) Our success in this life is not what we have in the beginning but what we have at the ending.

3) Our afflictions are not penalties but for correction and sanctification.

4) At the end of this day if it ends in peace, we should be devoutly thankful and press onward till we reach that ending that sums up our lifetime upon this earth, remembering that we need to cling to our integrity as a "Born Again" child of God.

5) All true blessings come from our Heavenly Father!

Jas_1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The Lord also blessed Job again with seven sons and three daughters and this time we know their names.

*****Job 42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Job 42:14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.

The greatest treasure that God allowed to be restored was children.

Job again had seven sons and three daughters.

Some would say why not 20 as with the animals.

Job had the knowledge that those first ten were in Heaven!

As head of the family, it was still Job's job to try to make sure that these ten would live righteously and when Job got to Heaven and when their time on earth ended there would be twenty of Job's children in Heaven.

Jemima a beautiful child meaning "as beautiful as the day" some also say it has the meaning of "dove".

Jezia (Cassia) meaning, "sweet-scented".

Psa 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

Kerenhappuch (Kehren Happook) meaning "horn of cosmetics" taken from the Hebrew words meaning "ivory" or a ray of light added to "glowing" as in "glowing eyes".

No doubt Job's three daughters were the fairest in all the lands in their day!

*****Job 42:15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

In the day of Job it was the men who were left an inheritance and the women were expected to marry and that husband provide for his wife but Job decided to go against the grain and he equally left all ten of his children an inheritance and Job was rich, that inheritance was great.

So many say that the Bible does not treat men and women equally but we see God always treats everyone equal but he also insist in the order of the family with the man the head of the family in a Christian home led by the Lord.

There will be order in the Church the Lord the Head of the Church and that Christ called man of God to be the shepherd of the Church.

But God was not through blessing Job.

*****Job 42:16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.

Job 42:17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

Job lived to see his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, and his great-great grandchildren and Job's life was full.

Full meaning, abounding in love and grace and peace for a hundred and forty more years.

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

The Lord Jesus was very compassionate and merciful also, but today He has patience greater than Job as that old accuser is constantly in His ear accusing those Jesus died for.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

The Lord's patience has an ending and according to many scriptures the Lord could return at any time and redeem His children!

Amen!

Complete Submission to the Lord Jesus Christ

Joy in Complete Submission to Christ

Book of Philippians 1:18-30

My pastor recently preached a sermon on "Doing My Little Part". Some examples were:

1) The brick walls. A wall of bricks of any size begins with just one brick. If I do what the Lord has called me today then I can be one of those bricks in the salvation plan of God. That would be my ministry!

2) The Bible. The Bible is the most important Book on the face of this earth but the Bible consist of 66 books and each one of those books has in it the Word of God and the same message from start to finish. We need all 66 books to have the complete message of God. Not bits and pieces.

3) The United States is a great nation. Within the United States there are 50 states. Without every state doing its part how can we say we are united but being united is what makes us a great nation. America is more divided now than at any other time in its history. Most people know what truly caused that division (not slavery), yet those lessons are forgotten. It is a fact that a handful of people cannot dictate the actions of the many without division and then failure. Which is the goal of those who finance this division!

Even the Christian Church is divided because some handful of so-called Christian leaders have chosen to say God has become a liberal and abandoned His truth, when God is neither liberal nor conservative, God is just God and He never changes nor will He ever change from the completed Words He has given us. If God changed every season, how could we trust Him. Which again is the goal of those who push this agenda.

As Christians, all have our little part to do in the salvation plan of God!

It is also a fact that no one can face the wiles of the Devil on their own!

As we ended last week’s lesson the Apostle Paul gave us these words:

Php 1:17 But the other of love, "knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel".

Paul joined the other 11 Apostles and said, we must defend the "Gospel", the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the "Gospel"?

1) The Gospel is in fact all 66 Books of the Bible.

2) The "Gospels" are in fact the first 4 Books of the New Testament. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

3) The "Gospel" is the history of the birth, the life, the works, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, and the doctrines of Jesus Christ!

4) The "Gospel" is the revelation of the "Grace of God"!

5) The "Gospel" is the salvation plan of God, presented from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21

It is called the Gospel of God. Rom 1:1 (all 66 books)

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, "separated unto the gospel of God".

It is called the Gospel of Christ. Rom 1:16 (the four Gospels)

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of "the gospel of Christ": for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

It is called the Gospel of salvation. Eph 1:13 (The works of Jesus Christ and the promises of God)

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, "the gospel of your salvation" in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The truth is we must never allow the circumstances of this world to come into our lives and prevent us from serving the Lord!

Let's begin:

*****Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul was in bondage in Rome and he would remain that way for at least two years.

Much of that time was spent chained to a Roman soldier, so Paul could only witness to one man at a time.

We can just imagine that not many Roman guards were easily impressed by anyone such as Paul.

They had one duty and that was to make sure Paul did not escape or it would cause their own death.

We can just imagine how Paul took advantage of this truth because death is a reality for every soldier!

Later Paul was placed under house arrest in his own hired house with no freedom to leave.

Yet even in all these circumstances the "Gospel" was spreading in Rome.

In fact, the talk of the town was the Lord Jesus Christ.

John Bunyan, also in bondage for preaching the "Gospel" said: "I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the Word of God as now. Those Scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place and state to shine upon me. I have seen that here which I am persuaded I shall never in this world be able to express"

In Paul's case, we know that many who had stayed behind closed doors became bold enough to preach the truth of the "Gospel" more openly.

Paul also expressed a great desire to study all the Scriptures again even after all his years as a missionary.

2Ti_4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

We also know that there were many who were envious of Paul and used this same boldness for evil saying that Paul was locked up for things other than the "Gospel".

And of course, just as today, there were also many who rose up in dispute of the "Gospel"!

Paul said whether in pretense or the truth, Jesus Christ was the talk of Rome and Paul could rejoice knowing that even under these circumstances he had continued to do the best he could to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ, allowing Paul great joy under dire circumstances!

One of the greatest acts of God is to take something that was intended for evil and make something good come out of it.

While in Jerusalem, and many other nations, including Rome, there were many trying to stop the spread of the Gospel, God had a better plan!

The only thing that can stop the "Gospel" is when we quit being witnesses for the Lord, when we rebel against the "Great Commission"!

This brings to mind the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis.

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

God has His way of doing these things!

We also know that Paul, by the Holy Spirit gave us most of his epistles while in bondage in Rome.

It is always our job to speak out the "Grace" of God no matter our circumstances.

We must always rely on the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" because it is the only truth that will lead to salvation, which is reconciling ourselves with our Holy God!

We must refuse to be envious of anyone else, as we all have our own part and God rewards according to how we do our own part and God never compares our work with what others do.

The Lord does not require big ministries but they are ok.

The Lord does not require big names.

The Lord does not require a great following or large numbers.

The Lord only requires faithfulness and effort, effort being the greatest key to rewards and not any other thing!

As our world deviates from the Gospel we need to remember the words of the Apostle John:

2Jn 1:7 For 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.

2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever 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.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

None of these things are open for dispute nor even discussion. The Word of God is just the truth!

Another thing that happened was that the more the Christians heard of Paul in bondage, the more the prayers for his release.

*****Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Paul had great joy in knowing, that the Lord Jesus Christ was the talk of all Rome.

Paul had great joy in knowing, if deliverance did not come while he was in bondage, it would certainly come when the Lord called him home!

Paul had great joy in knowing, that salvation had come to Rome. It was time for those who heard the Gospel to make that choice that we all must make.

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

What is the truth of Paul that should also be true to every "Born Again" child of God?

2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If we cannot love the lost, we will never try hard enough for their salvation! We cannot save them but we can lead them to the One who can!

We always seem to concentrate on those who speak the loudest against the Word of God, when we need to concentrate on those who have never heard the Word of God and those who need another opportunity.

We can also realize what Paul realized, God will save us and deliver us even from criticism and opposition.

1) Because of the prayers of those who support the truth of God. (This Philippian Church would begin to pray just as soon as they received this epistle)

2) Because it is the job of the Holy Spirit to delivers us from all evil or supply all our needs as we go through such things!

Mat_6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Luk_11:4 And 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.

We seem to forget these things.

By the way for those nay-sayers, the Spirit of Jesus Christ is the same Holy Spirit, who is the Same Holy Ghost, who is the Spirit of God!

Many of God's children shudder in fright at the Holy Ghost but He has the same love of God, because He is God!

It is the Holy Ghost who was given to us "to share with us the deep things of God"

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

We seem to forget these things.

What should be the goal of every believer? To be like Christ! "This is being a Christian"

To be saved is one thing.

To be Christian is to be saved with Jesus Christ magnified in our own bodies!

*****Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

To be Christian is to allow Jesus Christ to be magnified in our own bodies!

When will the rapture take place and we join our Savior while we live?

Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature "waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God".

When will we join our Savior if we die before the rapture of the Church?

2Co_5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2Co_5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

We can only be bold in Christ when we are filled the Holy Spirit!

Joh_14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Once saved we are endowed with the Holy Spirit who will never leave us for any reason.

BUT: 1) We can grieve the Holy Spirit. (We can offend the Holy Spirit)

Eph_4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2) We can "Quench" the Holy Spirit. (Put out His flame for the work of the Lord)

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

3) We can resist the Holy Spirit. (Stand against, or oppose Him and the ways of the Lord)(Normally before salvation)

Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Just as a gas tank that needs a refill, though the Holy Spirit will never leave us, we need to pray for a refilling of the Holy Spirit at least every day but maybe before each and every decision we make!

The 12 Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ (includes Paul) all had great powers but none of those powers could be used on themselves.

They had great knowledge of many, many things of God, but they did not know all things, especially things concerning themselves!

They had to rely on the Holy Spirit and so it is with each and every Christian! (this will not ever change)

We would be fools to ever be ashamed of the "Gospel"!

We are fools if we do not follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in our lives and be available to the Lord always!

Paul had to exercise his "faith" and patience just as much as any of us do!

What is hope? The desire of some good with a great expectation of obtaining it!

We can have hope in the promises of God because we have God's guarantee that we will obtain all His promises!

Paul was a natural born leader trained to rule in Judaism and the Supreme Court of Israel, yet the Lord made Paul a humble servant of the Word of God to the people of God.

Paul was nothing until the Lord Jesus Christ was magnified in his body and guess what neither are we!

We are nothings until the Lord makes a something out of a nothing! It’s called the act of "Creation". The Lord Jesus said we must be "Born Again" to be able to see the New Heaven!

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We must live Christ and when this is true, then death brings eternal riches beyond our imagination! (this does not mean money)

*****Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

The Apostle lived and breathed the Lord Jesus Christ. (a great example for us all)

When we can travel in peace on this earth, we can cross over to the other side realizing things will actually be much, much better! (Joy)

When we can experience never ending life today and recognize that we actually have no clue of just how wonderful life with the Lord can be, we can certainly have that desire to be with the Lord. (Joy)

Death to the Christian is just saying good bye cruel world and hello to the never-ending day of glory! (Joy)

When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, the Lord will present each Christian to His Father as a new husband would present his perfect wife to his own farther. (Joy)

When we yield our bodies, it means all our bodies.

Jesus said:

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

We must give our whole body.

We must give all our mind.

We must give all our heart.

We must give all our soul.

Our Christian life can be good but our Heavenly life will be much more better!

Jesus Christ is our source of existence and our source of life!

Whatever death brings to the Christian we still know that Jesus Christ will be the Lord of it!

1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Jesus Christ gave every breathing moment of His life to the Church surely, we can give Him all we have of our own bodies!

We cannot base our life on the things of this earth that are aging and will one day pass away, as if they had never existed!

It is only though our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ that we can be a part of that world where nothing can ever age and nothing can ever pass away.

It would be easy to say well Lord just take me on home and He would have done that when He saved us but there still some things that need to be done before we go home to Heaven.

*****Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Life in the glory world with the Lord Jesus Christ will be so much better that it is certainly hard to concentrate on this world but if we are part of the army of God and have lost family and friends and neighbors it could be much better for them if we stay here on this earth for a while longer!

We cannot save any of them but we certainly be available to tell them about the Lord when that opportunity presents itself!

Remember Stephen, that even while he was being stoned to death and realizing that he would die, he was still bold to deliver the message of God because he knew his death "would really be life".

Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

We should also notice, his flesh was not dead when his breath left his body, "his flesh was dead when his spirit left his body". (this why people can be revived)

Paul's desire to be a soul winner was greater than his desire to die so that he could be with the Lord but only because we need to always leave death in the hands of the Lord!

Personally, I am so glad that Paul chose to give more time to the Church and the "Gospel".

Paul was very confident that this was the right choice! This must be the choice that we make!

*****Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Php 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Confidence comes from our "Faith"!

The chosen Apostles of God were given many powers to use in their ministry but they could not use them on themselves!

The Apostles could not see their own future no better than we can ourselves!

Act 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

As Christians if we are involved in a ministry that God has called us into, we can be sure that we are safe in the arms of God until our part of that ministry is complete. God may take us home after that. God may give us another ministry after that. God may use us in some other way. Only we can put ourselves on a shelf!

We should never desire to be put on a shelf awaiting the outcome of things that we know are coming, according to the Word of God!

Paul had a desire to be with the Lord, I do too and I am sure that would include most of us that know the Lord but we have a purpose and now is the time for that purpose!

It is all our job to take the "Gospel" as far as we can!

There is no greater joy than being involved in the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can depart this world and be with Christ. This is His promise!

We can remain in this world and be with Christ which is not as good but, Christ will still be with us always!

We must love the Lord and desire to be with Him, absolutely.

We must also love the Lord enough to do what He has ask us to do, not out of duty but out of love! (holding forth the Word of God)

Christ was willing to lay all things aside in Heaven, including His Majesty to put of the flesh of a human to die in place of our sin.

Surely, we can be willing enough to lay things aside long enough to take His message to the world beginning in our own home and our own family.

We can tell that Paul loved to see and be around other Christians.

When you are around a bunch of Christians, you may hear about families, you may hear about this evil world but the one thing that is always consistent you will hear that the answer to every problem is Jesus Christ!

*****Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

The best way to start a conversation with another Christian is the way we lead our lives.

Are we living like we are a citizen of Heaven? We are just pilgrims passing through this world but while we are here we are to be "ambassadors" for Jesus Christ!

While we remain in this earth we will remain in the view of the public, especially those who have never heard of Christ Jesus and even those who have rejected Him.

We owe it to our Lord to be noticed as a Christian. To be a Christian is never to be a secret lifestyle!

We must remain in a group and stand fast in the Lord! Our King is coming soon to put things in the right place instead of this upside-down world we live in now!

What is wrong with the Church today? There are so many unethical doctrines that have been substituted for the Word of God, people no longer know the truth.

Our young people are enticed into the place of worship but they are then never given the truth and they soon believe the "Gospel" is just a lie.

Until foolish people begin to consider the Word of God themselves, they will always allow those who would twist the truth into some false thing!

We need to hear of the affairs of every house of worship to see if they follow the ways of Christ Jesus.

Today the name Jesus Christ is not mentioned in some places of so-called worship because it may offend someone. (You got to be kidding me)

Those that are offended by Jesus Christ in this "Day of "Grace" have already rejected the only means of salvation!

Sad but also true!

When we live according to the Word of God (rightly divided) we will easily stand out in this evil world!

When we strive to make this world a better place, we will meet with opposition from every side but that means we try harder and never give up.

After all who can stop the Lord when He refuses to be stopped!

As far as the laws of this land, we are to serve the Lord and the laws of Heaven. If the laws of this land survive the test of the Word of God, then we must abide, if they do not, we must adhere to the law of God!

We must do everything we can to remain at peace with this world that will never know true peace.

Our job is to grow in "Grace" in our daily walk with the Lord.

This is the job of the individual but also the entire congregation of the Church.

We must remain in oneness in the love and the service of Jesus Christ.

People may see us to be strange and that is great because we are never to resemble this world!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

When we do this, we will:

1) talk right

2) dress right

3) live and conduct ourselves right

4) we will proudly declare to be a Christian

5) we will carry out the affairs of Heaven without hesitation

6) we will separate ourselves from those who call this world their true home

And we must never be terrified by the evil things we see or hear in this world!

*****Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

We must never be ashamed of the "Gospel"!

To be honest to be timid in the work of the Lord shows a lack of "faith"!

It means we may not trust the Lord enough.

When we do not trust the Lord, we will become the prey of those in this world!

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 3:17 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.

We must remember if we are reproached for the work of the Lord then we are doing something right!

1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

When we have the fear of the Lord, there is nothing upon this earth that can bring a greater fear.

When we honor the "Gospel" and the one who holds the "Gospel" then we will strive to worthy of the "Gospel"!

When we are timid it is possible we are dishonoring the "Gospel"!

When we are timid we find it hard to stand firm in the "Gospel"!

When we are timid, the only safe place is within a body of believers who are not timid!

It is only as a team that we can overcome the evil of this world and we simply cannot quit and walk off the field!

Courage and fearlessness should be the traits of the Christian.

Many display Christ as a wimp. Jesus Christ was the adopted son of a carpenter and if you noticed the homes of that day, not many were not made from wood. Jesus Christ was a real man!

The truth of all those who persecute Christians is that they are sealing their own doom!

Christian persecution is a sign that the Christian way is real and true!

Christian persecution is to be a privilege and not a terror!

It should be a privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ!

We are never to deny our Lord under any circumstance!

We are to face the same conflict as Paul.

We know it would be far better to be with the Lord but for those in our own family and those we love it may be better if we remain here a while longer.

*****Php 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

We must remember Paul is teaching the Church by the Holy Spirit.

The Power of the Church lies in the Holy Spirit and the strength of the Church lies in the unity of the actions of the Church.

Satan has been at his job for a long time and no one has ever come up with a plan to defeat him except Jesus Christ, who got this plan from His Father in Heaven.

There is nothing that anyone can do that can add to the destruction of Satan beyond the Word of God.

We must surely contend for the faith!

Jud_1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

To contend is to fight, to strive, to use great effort in defense of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

We can take this to mean a lot of things but it is best to accept it as it is written!

The Apostle Paul never backed down from his defense of the "Gospel" and he suffered greatly for it because in many cases he stood alone.

No matter what the rest of the world is doing to stop their own persecution and giving in to the terror and the government, the safe side is still the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

After all, the only one I have ever known to rise from the dead and enter the glory land is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is best to see what He did and follow Him all the way to "Glory"!

Remember our strength is not in numbers, our strength is in unity, one mind for Christ Jesus!

Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

To submit is to yield to the power and the authority of our Savior and our Redeemer!

Amen