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1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (KJV)
1 Peter 4:19 [Suffer according to the will of God] A man suffers according to the will of God who suffers for righteousness sake; and who, being reviled, reviles not again. [Commit the keeping of their souls] Place their lives confidently in his hand, who, being their Creator, will also be their preserver, and keep that safely which is committed to his trust. God is here represented as faithful, because he will always fulfil his promises, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. But they had no reason to hope that he would care for their lives and souls unless they continued in well-doing. He who is employed in God's work will have God's protection. The path of duty ever was, and ever will be, the only way of safety. 1. The apostle recommends fervent charity-unfeigned love both to God and man. It is well said of this grace that it is a universal virtue which ought to precede, accompany, and follow, all others. A charity which has God for its principle, and Jesus Christ for its pattern, never faileth. If our charity be extensive enough to cover all the defects of our neighbour in bearing with them; that of God is sufficient to cover all the sins of a sincere penitent by blotting them out. If we ought to be charitable to all, it is after the example of our heavenly Father, who is loving to every man, and hateth nothing that he has made. 2. The difficulty of escaping the corruption that is in the world is great; and, consequently, the danger of losing our souls. In this great work, watchfulness, prayer, faith, and obedience, are indispensably necessary. He who does not walk with God here cannot see nor enjoy him hereafter. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 Peter 4:19 It is the duty of Christians, in all their distresses, to look more to the keeping of their souls than to the preserving of their bodies. The soul is of greatest value, and yet in most danger. The only way to keep the soul well is to commit it to God, in well-doing. Commit your souls to God by solemn dedication, prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing, (from Matthew Henry's Commentary) Thayers definition for ‘commit’: 2. Middle voice: to place down (from oneself or for oneself) with anyone, to deposit; to entrust, commit to one's charge Luke 12:48 Don’t be as the many that are unable to commit to anything but their lower nature which slowly destroys their soul. Who continue to deposit their soul in unhealthy behavior and relationships that have them on the broad path to destruction. Instead, lay down your life and entrust it to God, for straight is the gate and narrow is the way, and few be there that find it. Be as the few that continue to commit themselves unto God in well doing; who knowing that, it is He who is able to save them from death. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)
Why should we keep (which means to guard or protect) our heart with all diligence? Because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, whether it be life or death. Our words have power (Proverbs 18:21) and we will eat the fruit thereof. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (KJV) It is not that which goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth. Our words that come forth will either condemn us or set us free; they will either bind Satan from working against us, or loose him, giving him an open door to come in and steal from us; they will either loose the blessing of God in our lives or bind Him from working on our behalf; so as you see it’s our choice as to what we allow into our heart and out of our mouth. So how does one keep their heart with all diligence? With the shield of faith which protects the heart. It will keep those fiery darts from the wicked one from entering in and defiling the heart. Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (KJV) How do we protect our soul? With the helmet of salvation which is the mind of Christ. Keeping the mind renewed in the things of God aids in protecting our soul. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ blocks those contrary thoughts from entering into the heart. So don’t allow the cares of this life to enter in and choke out or cause you to forget those things which the eyes of your understanding have been enlightened to in the Spirit lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Today set your affection on things above, not on earthly things. Arm yourselves likewise with the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation so that you are able to keep your heart and soul diligently this day. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Jude 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. (KJV)
Jude 1:3 [When I gave all diligence] This phrase, pasan (NT:3956) spoudeen (NT:4710) poioumenos (NT:4160), is a Grecism for being exceedingly intent upon a subject; taking it up seriously with determination to bring it to good effect. The meaning of the apostle seems to be this: "Beloved brethren, when I saw it necessary to write to you concerning the common salvation, my mind being deeply affected with the dangers to which the church is exposed from the false teachers that are gone out into the world, I found it extremely necessary to write and exhort you to hold fast the truth which you had received, and strenuously to contend for that only faith which, by our Lord and his apostles, has been delivered to the Christians." (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Strong’s definition for ‘contend’: NT 1864 epagonizomai (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee); from NT:1909 and NT:75; to struggle for: KJV - earnestly contend foreign Hebrews 12:3-4 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (KJV) Consider our Lord Jesus Christ and all that He did to earnestly contend for the faith and lay hold on eternal life. He did not let it go but He fought the good fight of faith and received His crown of glory and is seated at the right hand of God our Father. He is the forerunner who made the way, by giving us the truth that sets us free and keeps us free, giving us life and life more abundantly. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (KJV) So dearly loved follow the example that our Lord Jesus Christ has given us, and fight the good fight of faith; earnestly contend to keep the faith and to lay hold on eternal life and let it not go and you too shall receive a crown of righteousness when you have finished your course and kept the faith. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 12:1-2 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. (KJV)
Not only is our Lord requiring His people to confess Him, but as we see in verse 2 He requires us to prove it. The best way to do that is by letting Him increase, which takes place when we decrease. Haven’t you wasted enough time trying to do things your own way? Matthew 12:47-50 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (KJV) As you can see our Lord has a totally different viewpoint when it comes to who His real family is. Which one has the most influence on you today; is it people on the outside, or are you more familiar with those on the inside? It may not seem like a big deal to you, but if you are hanging onto old dead things, you eventually will end up dead as well. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (KJV) The Lord wouldn’t have me do that, it sounds so foolish! For those that are in the flesh the things of God and the cross of Christ is foolishness; but notice it’s only foolish to those that are perishing. For those that take up their own cross and die to the things of this life, they find it opens up a new life where we are now able to unleash the power of God within. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) Given the fact that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, our Lord requires His people go beyond the realm of the natural into the spiritual. How many times has the Lord tried to get through to you only to find your response was foolish? You have access to the mind of Christ, but only when you are willing to let go of yours. Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV) Do your truly desire to be used by God so that He can work in and through you? Then get the enmity out of the way so that you can present yourselves a living sacrifice; someone holy and acceptable to God. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Romans 12:1-2 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. (KJV)
Our Lord shows us what it takes to get from this life to the eternal one. We see our Lord dying on a cross which symbolizes what we have to do to make it home. It will take suffering on our part, however, the reward for those that are willing to endure their own cross is eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (KJV) Being a living sacrifice means that you die to the outward, so that you can see within. What you find is that everything you thought you knew about our Lord was based on your limited carnal mind and not the mind of Christ. We talked yesterday about relationships and how we have been taught to handle them especially with people we were closest to. What you see now is that when you look to the inward man, Christ within you, you see what is really going on and how He would have you handle them. As we see above, it was our Lord that died for all mankind so that all mankind would live unto Him. Sometimes we still try to influence those we are close to by what we think needs to be changed in them; most of the time we do more harm than good by enabling them because we are too emotionally attached to them and the situation. Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV) Notice when Christ makes Himself known and apparent in one’s life? It’s when you die to the flesh and become a living sacrifice. When you make Him your first priority then He makes you His. If you don’t sense your prayers are being answered or your life seems a bit stale, you will find the issue is not on our Lord’s end. Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) The only work or labor of love that is left for us is, to get out of the way so that Christ can have His way. Salvation works when you are willing and obedient to what our Lord is asking, and not man. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 12:1-2 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 transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
Today let’s discuss a new way of looking at personal relationships through the eyes of the Lord and see how to handle them more effectively. I have seen and experienced for myself firsthand what it is like to be too emotionally attached to people without rightly dividing the word of truth on how to handle them. You will find that if you become too attached to someone it can pull you under like someone drowning. Matthew 10:34-36 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. (KJV) Our Lord wasn’t always a crowd favorite, even though one week they said hail to the King, the next they demanded His crucifixion. Matthew 10:37-38 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. (KJV) I want to address this from the point of a parent, so that you can learn to be more effective when dealing with your children, because believe it or not our Lord’s way and mans’ way are like night and day. Many times we end up interfering instead of edifying when dealing with those that are closest to us in the flesh. We still hang onto old ways and emotions instead of learning to walk in the Spirit. We see a cross is mentioned above; like it or not we all have our own to bear. However, by learning how to die to the outward it will show you how the inward man would have you handle these areas. Romans 14:7-9 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (KJV) Having been a parent I realized that when a child comes to the age of accountability I have to let go and give them over to the Lord. I realize that they are really not my child so much as the Lord’s; and when I can separate the flesh and spirit I can offer them more encouragement spiritually instead of caving into the emotions of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it: but if thou may be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (KJV) The reality is that I am not the one that died on the cross and provided salvation for those closest to me or anyone else. The truth is no matter who they are or how close I have been to them in the past; they are the Lord’s, not mine. The more I realized that the better I was able to handle the situations that would arise with them. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 12:1-2 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. (KJV)
It’s amazing how much our Lord can do, and what He can accomplish through His people if only we, the Church, would let Him have His way. We have been so influenced by the outward carnal man and his way of thinking that for many anything outside the box is just too hard to comprehend. However, you have to present yourself to the Lord as a living being, alive in the Spirit because you have chosen to die to self. Not an easy task, yet it is the only way that will work if you are going to walk in any depth spiritually. Matthew 16:16-19 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV) The majority of the world will tell you a church is a building, a place where people congregate on Sundays. However, in our Lord’s realm the Church is the people, and the foundation they build upon is spiritual. Having said that, many still spend the majority of their lives being influenced by what they have learned from man and not by what they are hearing first hand from God. Thus the reason why even though many are called, only a few are chosen. Only a few are really willing to look beyond the flesh into the Spirit to see where our Lord is operating today. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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. (KJV) What if the Lord really desired to do something different in your life, would you let Him? Each and every day that we are here on this earth should be one of dying to the outward way of thinking so that Christ within can come to life. So are you dying to hear what the Lord has for you today? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 12:1-2 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. (KJV)
A living sacrifice almost sounds like an oxymoron; two things combined which are complete opposites. When you accept salvation and decide to walk with the Lord, you find that His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours; at least they are when we allow it. A living sacrifice means we show up before our Lord, willing to live in the Spirit today because we have denied the desires of the flesh. You can’t have it both ways, you are either with Him or you are against Him; in between just doesn’t cut it. Leviticus 17:11-12 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. 12 Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourns among you eat blood. (KJV) In the Old Testament we see that God required sacrifices in order to cover up the sin of the people. When the animal was killed, it released the spirit by the shedding of the blood which drained the life out of it. Today the same principle still holds true; when you die to an area of the flesh our Lord says is a hindrance, it releases the Spirit so that it can take over and He can have His way in you. This is what presenting ourselves daily is when it comes to being a living sacrifice, willing to die to self so that we can live unto the Lord. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (KJV) In your life before Christ you were taught to look out for number one which was self. Today that no longer floats with our Lord because He doesn’t desire to see us wresting with flesh and blood any more. Those that are truly going to bear the fruit of the Spirit are the ones that are willing to lay down their lives for others so that the life of Christ can manifest in them. So today when going before our Lord, are you giving Him someone to work with and through, or have you already made up your mind on how you think salvation works? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Genesis 3:22-23 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (KJV)
Despite the first man Adam falling away by partaking of the forbidden fruit, we as born again believers have access to the tree of life. Basically there is nothing new under the sun, but all things have become new under God’s Son. Proverbs 15:3-4 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. (KJV) When you decide to partake of the tree of life, then the words you speak will be spirit and life. Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her. (KJV) Why are so many of God’s people chasing the things of this life instead of partaking of the tree of life? The Bible says this wisdom is more precious than silver and gold, yet most of what I hear coming from pulpits today is just the opposite. Colossians 3:2-4 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (KJV) What are you really rooted and grounded in today, the things above or things that will keep you in bondage? 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (KJV) Ask yourself honestly, what gets most of your undivided attention, the things above or are you wrapped up with the nonsense of this realm? John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV) If you stay attached to the tree of life, which is Christ, you will not get lit up and torched by the enemy anymore. John 14:5-6 Thomas says unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goes; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV) God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 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. 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. (KJV)
As a child of God our Lord knows what you need before you even ask. With that said, why is mankind going out in the deep murky cesspools of this world, drowning in destruction? The enemy is pulling a fast one on mankind just like he did in the beginning with Eve, same forbidden fruit, different disguise. Genesis 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (KJV) As soon as the enemy was able to point the woman away from the tree of life it was game over. In looking at verse 6 we see the imagination being presented to the woman, something too good to be true. Many in the Church today think along the same lines, if they just had all this money these so called preachers have been promising them, they too could live the good life. Luke 4:5-8 And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve. (KJV) The enemy took a shot at the second Adam and found out He wasn’t going to bite. Our Lord had His senses exercised to know the difference between what was good and what was the root cause of evil. As you see He was able to cast the imagination down immediately so that His mind didn’t wander off onto the things of this world. Wow, what could your life be like if you followed suit? I John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever. (KJV) This world and all its empty promises is passing away and so are all those who are holding to its way of thinking. Unfortunately this includes many of God’s people who begin so well in the Spirit, but are duped into thinking something in this world will perfect their walk. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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