Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. For this I toil, striving with all the energy which He mightily inspires within me.
Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 49 of 60
Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will eat its way like gangrene.
But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine. Bid the older men be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, and so train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be discredited. Likewise urge the younger men to control themselves. Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.
But if you who call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God and know His will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
It seems like every time we turn around something happens that upsets us. We get angry, disgusted, despondent and at times depressed. And here goes the, “OH Woe Is Me.” It’s been said that if you look around, there is someone close by that is worse off that we are.
I CRY BECAUSE:
My child is not perfect–Then I see where someone lost their child.
My house/apartment is too small–Then I see a homeless person
I have no shoes–Then I see a person with no feet/legs
I am not perfect–Then I see someone is in prison
I have aches and pains–Then I see where someone died
There are times when things get bad enough that we think that not even God cares. The adversity in our lives overwhelms us. If you get to the point where you think God doesn’t care, look at the story of Job. Even though he had lost everything and was covered from head to toe in sores, he never turned on God or his faith. God eventually returned Job to his health and his wealth. God cared about Job just as he cares for you and me. The scriptures tell us that God will comfort us in our afflictions, if we will only draw close with confidence.
It doesn’t matter how bad things seem. if we stay close to Him, nothing can separate us from God’s love. Cast your burdens and anxieties on the Lord. He will NOT forsake you. Blessed is the man who endures his trials and tribulations and stays steadfast in the Lord. TRULY HE IS HAPPY!!
We need to be thankful for what we are given by God, not discouraged by what God has not given us. SMILE God loves YOU!!
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (This is the first commandment with a promise), “That it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intersessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.
But those that desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil; it is through this craving that some have wondered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue–a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
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