Good day. Today's video Equal One is on the topic of "Are you equal (meaning in agreement) with God? Jesus Christ thought it not robbery to be equal (in agreement) with God, and we too should also be of the same mind set. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Change is on the topic of change being inevitable; embrace it. Change is inevitable as we move through this life on earth. There are seasons that we go through in life that bring about change in our lives. Seasons reflect our walk with the Lord, spring is a time of planting seed, summer is a time of growth, fall represents the harvest, and winter is a time of dying off, until the process begins again (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). In our spiritual walk, change that comes is in the form of a transformation within us which began when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We were transformed into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; and now learning to walk in the newness of life; not according to the our old nature, but according to the Spirit of the living God. Our old life is now dead, having been buried with Christ in baptism; and that of the Holy Spirit. We now have a new life to grow into and new seasons to look forward to. A life that can be more abundant in love, joy, and peace. The Lord said he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly; will you die to self to receive the more abundant life he has for you on a daily basis? James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (KJV) We have today; enjoy the moment for you know not what is to come. Life is ever changing and as we press forward into the new growth and maturity that our Father is leading us into we have the opportunity to become more grounded and settled within, that the changes that come our way, whether from without or within (even when it is in the form of correction from God our Father), we will be able to withstand the change or transformation that is happening in our life. Sometimes it may not be what we wanted, but may be just what we needed. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV) Are you persuaded in holding fast the profession of faith without wavering no matter the circumstances or season you are in? Dear brethren, embrace change even when it appears to be the worst case scenario; and humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him and let him do the caring for you; because you cannot add one cubit to your stature so why care for it. God bless. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning, today's encouragement is to wait on the Lord having your strength renewed, and cast all your care unto God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Will you patiently wait? If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Wait On Me
Will you wait on me when you are weary, saith the Lord, that I may renew your strength? Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) If you wait, my strength is made perfect in weakness; Please wait on me. Will you wait on and seek me when you are hungry and thirsty, saith the Lord, that I may fulfill your need? Psalms 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (KJV) Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (KJV) If you wait, my storehouse will be full of meat that I will pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it; and your cup will run over with good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and you shall not lack. Please wait on me. Will you wait on me and humble yourself, saith the Lord, that I may do the caring for you? 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) If you wait, I will care for you, and you shall know that I am the Lord. I am with you and you shall have my strength, and not be afraid, and I will be your help to watch steadfastly in the faith able to resist the devil that he will flee; and you shall not be ashamed or confounded because you set your face like a flint and have received my testimony and set to your seal that God is true. Please wait on me. Will you wait on me, saith the Lord, after you have suffered a while, that I may glorify you unto the God of all grace? 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (KJV) If you wait, I will humble thee, and try thee, and prove thee whether you will hold fast unto the God of all grace who has called you unto his eternal glory by me; and after you have suffered a while, I will have made you perfect, established in the faith, strengthened with all might, grounded and settled, abiding in me, as I in you, and you in Him; the Father glorified in and through us. Please wait on me. Proverbs 3:19-26 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (KJV) Proverbs 4:11-12 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (be narrow, be in distress or vexed); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. (KJV) Will you wait on me, saith the Lord, that I may exalt you in due time? If you wait, taking my yoke upon you and learn of me (for I am meek and lowly in heart), you shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light; so please wait on me, saith the Lord Christ Jesus, that I may exalt you in due time. God bless dear Church, and have a wonderful day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Good afternoon. Today's video Care Less is on the topic of what gives your Father in Heaven good pleasure. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning, today's encouragement, being that you are a son/daughter of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, is to humble yourselves before God our Father and cast all your care for your life unto Him for He cares for you. If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Humble Yourselves
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (KJV) Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (KJV) Hebrews 4:11-12 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV) We are encouraged in Matthew 6 and Luke 12 to not take thought for our life since our Father in heaven already knows what we have need of. In Hebrews 4:11 above it also encourages us to labour to enter in to that same rest as God did after He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, including mankind; and cease from our own works which in God’s sight can be utter foolishness. Thinking we can add one cubit (or measure) unto our stature (maturity) by taking thought or being anxious about what we need, or what may or may not happen today, or tomorrow is foolishness unto God. If you read Ecclesiastes you will notice how many times Solomon writes about how the things of this life are vanity; here today and could be gone tomorrow. He said vanity, vanity, all is vanity; which means empty. All that mankind seeks after, if it is not the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, it is vanity. It will come to nothing; it will decay and perish with this world; including mankind in their own thoughts, wisdom, and righteousness (which is as filthy rags in the sight of God). Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV) In other words, put away your thoughts and ways which will lead to vanity. Humble yourselves by casting all your care unto God and let Him do the caring for you. And be ready to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought in to captivity to the obedience of Christ so that you can have an abundant life of peace that leads to eternal life, knowing that God’s got you covered. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) Isaiah 55:1-2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (KJV) God gave us life and purpose in Christ Jesus, His free gift to us, to become the sons of God by grace through faith, and not of works lest any man should boast that it was of his own doing, whether spiritually or physically. He has given us all that we need to live an abundant life and yet man thinks they know what is best for their life here on earth. Remember, our life is but a vapor, here today, could be gone in a moment. Life is fragile, so who better than our Father in heaven leading and guiding our life so that it does not end up shattered; and in the end when we stand before His throne we can give a good account of our life, and then our advocate Jesus Christ will stand up on our behalf and justify our life unto God as well, sealing us for eternity in Him. So instead of being anxious for the things of this life, we should be keeping our hearts and minds set on things above; those things that are everlasting, an eternal weight of glory, the hope that does not make us ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given unto us by Jesus Christ, our only hope of glory. Then all else that we have need of in this life will be added unto us by our Father in heaven for He cares for us. In conclusion dear brethren… Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV) God bless dear Church; humble yourselves and come to God as a child and let Him do the caring for your life; enter into His rest and be ready always in faith and obedience with patience to hear, receive, and do those things that are pleasing to our Father in Heaven through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Good morning. Today's video Slow Me Down Lord is a poem of prayer asking the Lord to slow us down so that we can run this race of faith and not be weary, or stumble and fall, nor faint before the finish line of eternal life. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Low Life Part-2 , is the second video of a two part series. Part-2 is continuing on the topic of humbling yourself, through the aspect of "in due time". You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Low Life Part-1 , is the first video of a two part series. Part-1 is on the topic of humbling yourself. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘careful’: 3309 merimnao- 1) to be anxious, to be troubled with cares 2) to care for, to look out for (a thing) a) to seek to promote one's interests b) caring or providing for Why should we not be careful? Which by the way, many people tell others to take care thus endorsing the behavior of doing just that. Yes we should take care, take it to the throne of God and leave it there; then let His peace rule in your situation and not what the outward is trying to dictate or distort. This peace of God goes beyond our own understanding, similar to when our Lord was actually sleeping in the bow of a boat while a storm was brewing all around Him. Rather than panic and abandon ship as many do, He calmly spoke the word of God and the winds stilled, and on He went to His destination. Wouldn’t that be a neat way to live? Well practice makes perfect, so learning to be faithful in small things will allow you to grow and be faithful in bigger areas of your walk. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) You know we hear about humility, being humble before our Lord, which as we see in the above verses is a good thing and one our Lord blesses. What is true humility? Well simply put it is casting all your care upon the Lord and then actually leaving it with Him, trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning back to your own understanding. After all isn’t that the reason you sought the Lord in the first place, because you were looking for something better in your life, something complete that would supply all your need? What you found out was that the need was spiritual, something totally opposite to what you have been taught all your life, a life in the past that could only seek temporal things that only provided part of your answer but could never bring peace. God resists the proud because they are resisting Him thinking they know better. Anytime we cast something before our Lord only to take it back and try to fix things on our own we enter the realm of the proud, the haughty; you know, that pride that comes just before the fall? Sometimes the enemy gets people weighed down with cares and concerns, and then instead of being still and waiting upon the Lord they end up taking things to extremes thinking they can work themselves out of a situation, chasing a blessing or what they think is one and not letting the blessing overtake them. The reason many people miss out on a blessing and an answer to their prayers is because instead of being still they are off and running, like in football running out of bounds and not moving forward. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV) Which category are you under today? Are you one cumbered, which means to be distracted or overly occupied with, or are you one that seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all that is needed is provided? Did you make it a priority to hear the word of God and make Him welcome into your house, which you just happen to be the temple our Lord dwells in, or were you trying to impress Him with your works? Mary chose that one thing that would not be taken from her, that being the peace of God; while we see Martha running herself ragged and not at peace. Are you chasing blessings thinking you will impress God with your works, or have you found that just weight and balance of hearing the Lord first and foremost for yourself then following the path He has set for you? Some people are just lazy and sit around waiting for others to do things for them, while others are high strung and ready to snap because the enemy has them running in circles. I have seen people involved in so called church organizations who are so caught up with projects they think will be beneficial to the congregation, when in reality the simple truth is for them to hear the word of the Lord and then present the truth that will set them free from any bondage the enemy is trying to keep them in. When one humbles themselves before the Lord then they are exalted and lifted up to His standards and able to get the results He intended, instead of running to and fro being blown around with every wind of doctrine. Some people get themselves in financial trouble and then think they can work their way out of it, sometimes racking up many hours of overtime that takes away from their time with the Lord. It is of utmost importance to find the just weight and balance the Lord is asking so that you are not too cumbered with the things of this life and missing out on the things of the eternal realm. Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (KJV) You have access to the throne of God today so that you can boldly enter into His realm and sit with our Lord at His feet, hearing the message He has for you this day. It is our Lord’s good pleasure to give us of His kingdom, a plan of salvation that is based on grace and not on our works so that none are able to boast. Have you truly cast your burden upon the Lord so that you can stay seated with Him in heavenly places, or have you taken it back and are running around this fallen realm thinking you can handle it? Give it to the Lord and leave it there so that you don’t have to be careful; how about peaceful instead? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
It is beneficial to the Church when one can accurately share their experiences with the Lord for the benefit of the body and not just a testimony to make themselves look special. A true man of God will point the people to the Lord and His work, and not toward mankind and what they claim they are doing for God. Paul was able to accurately describe his own personal experiences and insights with the people because it was done in humility and love, and not to build up his own following. Some think just because they have had a personal experience with the Lord that they are something special, and what was based on grace is now of works, or so they think. Some people hear the Lord through other people that God chose to speak through and thus base their salvation on the person, or denomination they belong to, rather than realizing it is God that was personally reaching out to them. And then we have those that think just because they spoke a word that brought life to someone, or even led to their conversion, it was their doing; thus causing them to think that in order to hear the Lord they have to listen to them. It’s the grace of God that allowed you to have access to His kingdom in the first place; and only His grace that will keep you there. So the more you realize this, the better relationship you will establish with the Father. Galatians 1:13-16 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (14) And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (15) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (KJV) Paul realized for himself that when he tried to establish a relationship with the Father based on his own works and zeal, what he thought was profitable, was actually a hindrance to the Lord’s plan of salvation. Once he realized that his calling was of grace and not of works then he was able to allow the Lord to make the changes necessary in order to walk with Him. Is your walk today based in Spirit and in truth or are you still holding to traditions that actually draw one away from the Lord rather than closer? Is it God’s plan of salvation still, or have you come up with an alternate plan or route that you think will draw you closer? Acts 9:3-6 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (KJV) Acts 9:5 [It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.]. This is a proverbial expression, which exists, not only in substance, but even in so many words, both in the Greek and Latin writers. Kentron (grk 2759), signifies an ox goad, a piece of pointed iron stuck in the end of a stick, with which the ox is urged on when drawing the plow. The origin of the proverb seems to have been this: sometimes it happens that a restive or stubborn ox kicks back against the goad, and thus wounds himself more deeply: hence, it has become a proverb to signify the fruitlessness and absurdity of rebelling against lawful authority, and the getting into greater difficulties by endeavouring to avoid trifling sufferings. (from Adam Clarke Commentary) Maybe that thorn in your flesh, the thing or area in your own walk that keeps you from drawing closer to the Lord, is just your own stubbornness and ideas; things you think will be pleasing to God. You know, if you left the ox on their own they wouldn’t plow a very straight path but rather end up doing more harm than good, thus why they need someone to keep them in line. You may not always like the path the Lord is leading you on, but rather than fuss and rebel it is simple obedience that is pleasing in His sight. Sometimes one becomes unequally yoked with unbelievers and the world’s way of thinking, and rather than working in the field they end up off course and confused. Is it the grace of God through faith that is guiding you, or are you zealous and set in your own ways on how things should be done and end up kicking against the goad yourself; the more frustrated you become the harder you kick? I know for myself when I truly look honestly at some of the things I have done or ways I thought would be pleasing to the Lord, I cringe at how foolish my thinking was at the time and yet humbled that I am still a part of His inheritance despite myself. Actually sometimes when I have thought back on some things I am actually embarrassed to think that my right standing with God had anything to do with my own strength or abilities, which can at times prick the heart and be a healthy reminder of our own weaknesses. So I can understand that when Paul looked back on some of the things he did, and then was willing to share those experiences, it could have easily been described as a thorn in the flesh and yet a reminder of how weak one is when left to their own devices. Not that we spend our time in the past, but sometimes it can be a healthy reminder, or like the Lord described humility, coming to Him as a child. Titus 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (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. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (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; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (KJV) Today can be described as a bit of a reminder of where we came from and how we got to this point in our walk. It is good to keep in mind what your source of strength truly is, and that your salvation has never been nor ever will be based on your works, but according to a plan that was developed for you by a loving merciful God of grace that allowed us to be partakers of His divine nature by the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ our savior. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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