February 2018 - GraceAndWorks

What Does God Expect?

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There are over 1000 commands in over 600 passages from God in the new Testament. I had no idea there were this many commands when I started to research this subject. Most times when we think of commands, we tend to just think of the 10 Commandments. However, in the New Testament, God lines out exactly what he wants and expects from us as Christians. This has changed the way I study. I have shared these passages from Galatians and Ephesians.

Galatians 5:1 STAND FAST therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only USE NOT LIBERTY for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; THOU SHALT LOVE HIS NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, TAKE HEED that ye be not consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, WALK IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:26 Let us not be DESIROUS of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

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

Galatians 6:2 BEAR ye one another’s burdens, and so FULFILL the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:4 But let every man PROVE his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that TEACHETH in all good things.

Galatians 6:7 BE NOT DECEIVED; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:9 And let us NOT BE WEARY in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us DO GOOD unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 2:11-12 Wherefore REMEMBER, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and TESTIFY in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye PUT OFF concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be RENEWED in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye PUT ON the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore PUTTING AWAY lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and SIN NOT: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:28 LET HIM that stole steal no more: but rather LET HIM labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ephesians 4:29 LET NO corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 4:30 And GRIEVE NOT the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:31 LET all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:32 And BE YE KIND one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore FOLLOWERS of God as dear children: (2) And WALK in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.

Ephesians 5:3-4 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, LET it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; (4) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather GIVING of thanks.

Ephesians 5:6-7 LET no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) BE NOT ye therefore partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:8-10 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: WALK as children of light: (9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (10) PROVING what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:11 And HAVE NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE them.

Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, AWAKE thou that sleepest, and ARISE from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye WALK circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 REDEEMING the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore BE YE NOT unwise, but UNDERSTANDING what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:18 And BE NOT drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but BE FILLED with the Spirit;

Ephesians 5:18-20 And BE NOT drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but BE FILLED with the Spirit; (19) SPEAKING to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) GIVING THANKS always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:21 SUBMITTING yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, SUBMIT yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Ephesians 5:25-28 Husbands, LOVE your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (28) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so LOVE his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, OBEY your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) HONOR thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, PROVOKE NOT your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be OBEDIENT to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, DO the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:11-18 PUT ON the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore TAKE unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) STAND therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, TAKING the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And TAKE the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) PRAYING ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and WATCHING thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God tells us to obey His commands and He will prepare for us a place (Heaven). Obviously, this goes much farther than just the 10 Commandments. 2nd Timothy 2:15 and following–Study to show yourselves approved. Make yourself a better Christian and the child God will approve of.

Have a good day all!!
SMILE God loves YOU.

Understanding Politics vs Understanding Religion

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I find it very difficult to understand politics. We have politicians that have their own agenda and will vote accordingly. They will make agreements with others so that both get their way. How can we ever come to an understanding of that? We have a government that is run by imperfect people. We vote them in and try to do the best we can to get qualified candidates, but sometimes it doesn’t turn out for the best. We think we have things figured out and then someone changes the rules. The constitution isn’t perfect so we have amendments to try to make it better. How can we come to an understanding of that? We have a group of people that are ultra conservative, a group that is ultra liberal, and then there are those in the middle that keep trying to figure out what is what. Confused by what is going on? So am I. Imperfect laws, imperfect rules, and imperfect people leading, leaves most of us with no understanding what is going on.

Religion, on the other hand is laid out in perfectness. God laid out a plan and it doesn’t change and neither does He. The basics of religion and salvation is very simple and easy to understand because there are no amendments, no rule changes, and is run by a perfect person with no flaws, GOD!! God says, “Those who have ears, let them hear.” God’s word will speak to you, if you will listen. Sometimes we need help to understand. Even the Eunich needed help from Philip. However, once he heard the words spoken, he obeyed the Gospel and asked Philip to baptize him. So the basics are this: 1) Hear the Word, 2) Believe the Word, 3) Repent from your sin, 4) Confess that you believe Christ is the Son of God, 5) Be baptized, 6) Live a righteous life thereafter. The confusion and misunderstanding of religion is that man’s opinion tries to change God’s plan and there is no room for that to happen. God is perfect, God’s Word is perfect, and Christ is perfect. In the book of Revelation we are told to not add nor take anything away from God’s Word. No rule changes, no amendments, and no opinions!!

My conclusion is this: Politics are not understandable because of the imperfect things that occur. Religion is very understandable because it is perfect.

Have a good day all and SMILE God loves YOU!!

If Only I Had Some Kind Of Signal

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As I was driving down the road today, I was looking at all the signals my car has and was thinking about how nice it would be to have those for everyday life.

POWER BRAKES: Gives me that extra boost to put a stop to things I shouldn’t be doing.
POWER STEERING: Gives me the ease and quickness to get out of harms way.
TURNING SIGNALS: So those around me would know when I’ve changed direction or changed my mind.
BRIGHT LIGHTS: So that I might always walk in the light and never be in darkness.
SPEEDOMETER: To let me know when things are going too fast or too slow.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: So when there are changes in my life, there would always be a smooth shift to another chapter.
CUSHIONED SEATS: To always provide that smooth ride that I desire as my life goes on.
WIPERS: Giving me a clear look at what is happening so I can make better judgement calls.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: So I would have a warning signal when things are about to go sideways.
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE: That I would always know my blood pressure and if I’m under undo stress.
HEAT GAUGE: To let me know if my temper is out of control and I need to stop and let things cool down.
AIR CONDITIONING: So I can maintain a level nature about myself–Never too cool and never too hot.

And what about the engine that makes everything go? That’s what reminds me of God. He and the written word He gave me is the engine that pulls me through life. Without the engine all the other signals that a car has would be of no value. Without God life would have no meaning. There would be no road to travel down and no need for anything or anyone to give any signals for danger.

SMILE God loves YOU!!
Have a blessed day all.

 

Building A Good Relationship

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Building a good relationship takes work. It doesn’t just happen. I think many times we take a relationship with others for granted and that is why they fail. The Apostle Paul lays out the groundwork for a successful relationship in the book of Romans.

Romans 12:9-21:
Love without hypocrisy
Cling to what is good
Be kind to each other
Be patient
Be of the same mind toward one another
DO NOT be wise in your own opinion
If it is possible, as much as depends on YOU, live peaceably with everyone.

Romans 14:1-23:
Accept others differences
Don’t be judgemental
Do what leads to peace

Romans 15:1-13:
ACCEPT EACH OTHER!!

Every one has their own little quirks. We all have different personalities. We have different likes and dislikes. Let’s respect that!!

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.