MEETING REAL LIFE ISSUES

An Imitation of Love!


Little children, we must stop expressing love merely by our words
and manner of speech; we must love also in action and in truth. 
(1 John 3:18)

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There is a movie titled: “The Imitation of Life”, that could have easily been named the Imitation of Love. The two main actors are a single black mother and her fair-skinned daughter, who conveniently passed as white. The daughter had struggles loving her mother because she wanted to “fit in” with white America during the 1950’s. The mother pursued the daughter with unconditional love. The daughter (suffering her own struggles with her skin color) rejected her mother’s love. She finally realized the depths of her love for her mother at the time of her mother’s death — which was too late. (This was a tragic story!) The movie should be seen by all people who have issues loving anyone because of internal and external pressures.

In many ways there are struggles we face with those who are considered different than who we have defined ourselves as. Many only want those type of people in their world. The church also struggles with loving certain members who are in the body. We all know that love can be expressed by words, but “I love you” means nothing if there are no actions that back up mere words. Take a moment and ask yourself how would you define love? What does it look like? Is it a nice feeling you have for someone and they, in-turn, have for you? How would you define it? Let’s go back to I Corinthians, chapter 13 and revisit the “love” chapter and see what love really is. Here is a good biblical definition of love, as well: For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE his only begotten son. The verse clearly suggests that love is a sacrifice. Forms of intense giving are expressions of love. Love means little to others if our flowery words are simply poured out on them. We must be careful because there is an imitation of love. It looks like love, and it often masquerades as love, but it can have its root in selfishness and indifference. True love cannot be imitated with just words of expressions.

God — help us to love — not just with words, but also in deeds! Amen!

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“Sincerity: Our Great Weapon” (Ephesians 6:14)


ICEA – “Church At Study”

“SUBJECTIVE TRUTH (Ps. 51:6)…MEANING SINCERITY,
INTEGRITY,  UPRIGHTNESS, HONESTY AND SIMILAR WORDS…
ARE GREAT WEAPONS AGAINST THE DEVIL’S WILES!
UNDERSTANDING THIS WILL KEEP YOU FROM
MANY AVENUES OF DECEIT THE ENEMY
WANTS TO TAKE YOU DOWN!”

SINCERITY: OUR GREAT WEAPON (Eph. 6:14)

SINCERITY is one of the greatest weapons we have against our enemy — Satan! Not only does the word TRUTH, in Ephesians 6:14 refer to having knowledge of the word of God, but (a little known fact is) the GREATER MEANING refers to the Christians’ SINCERITY and moral conduct.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
TRUTH and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
(Eph. 6:14)

The biblical meaning of SINCERITY is…real; not feigned; pure; honest; without blame; truthfulness and integrity…having lack of deceit and trickery. This is not mainstream teaching on this verse, but it appears that this is what the Apostle Paul intended. Here are some different translations to try to prove this point:

AMPLIFIED BIBLE:
So stand firm and hold your ground, having
tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage)
around your waist and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness (an upright heart).

The Amplified Bible uses the actual words “personal integrity” and “moral courage” as phrases similar to the word TRUTH.

WYCLIFFE BIBLE:
Therefore stand ye, and be girded about your loins
in soothfastness [Therefore stand ye, girded about your loins in
soothfastness], and clothed with the habergeon of rightwiseness.

The Wycliffe Bible has translated the word “truth” as “soothfastness.” The origin of “soothfastness” is Old English. It means truthful, trustworthy, honest, righteous, sincere, genuine, and just.

The study above seems to shed more light on the meaning of “truth” found in Ephesians 6:14. The author of this article suggests verse 14 declares not so much a working knowledge and execution of the word of God, but readers are to be clothed or “girded” with the qualities aforementioned!

A BIBLE FOOTNOTE ON EPHESIANS 6:14

The footnote in the Ryrie Bible referring to Ephesians 6:14 reads:
Truth holds everything together and refers to the believer’s integrity.
Breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness practiced by the believer to protect the chest and heart from Satan.

OTHER BIBLICAL REFERENCES REFERRING TO
SUBJECTIVE TRUTH

Well-known teacher and author, John MacArthur refers to our verse and chapter of “truth” under consideration (Eph. 6:14) as an “attitude of truthfulness.” He distinguishes this truth from other definitions of truth (found in the Bible) which refer to one having an understanding of biblical knowledge. You may read his article by clicking on the following text:  http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-qna/BQ040612/how-do-believers-gird-themselves-with-truthfulness  or visit “Grace to You” website at: http://www.gty.org.

Henry Alford: Truth — not truth objective, which is rather the “word of God” below, ver. 17, but: ‘truthfulness,’ subjective truth: to be understood however as based upon the faith and standing of a Christian. (The New Testament for English Readers Online).
(The New Testament for English Readers: Containing the Authorized Version. By Henry Alford.)

THE SINCERITY OF NATHANAEL

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him,
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
(John 1:47)

We understand the type of man Nathanael had matured into, by studying Jesus’ statement, that Nathanael was “…a man without deceit.” Nathanael had somehow become uncontaminated by the evils of his day. He did not allow his surroundings to negatively shape his being and his character. He was not a conformist. He had a heart of gold. His eye was single and he was full of light (Matt. 6:22-23). Thank God the psalmist said…IN HIS HASTE…that all men are liars (Ps. 116:11). There are men, like Nathanael, who are not liars, neither practice deceit and craft. Nathanael was an honest and sincere man when it came to his relationships with others.

THE SINCERITY OF PAUL

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that in simplicity and godly SINCERITY, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God,  we have had
our conversation in the world, and
more abundantly to you-ward.
(II Cor. 1:12)

This verse seems clear. It appears straight-forward. Paul used the words “our” rejoicing. While writing…Paul reflected on the history of his life and the life of those leaders who ministered to the Corinthians. They could rejoice because they had clear conscience. Their record among the Corinthians was sincerity. Their record among unbelievers and unsaved was sincerity, as well. What a testimony! What moral conduct! Not much for Satan to work with!

TRUTH – AS THE WORD OF GOD

If we are looking in context of Ephesian 6:10-18 for an objective and offensive working knowledge of TRUTH (the Word of God)…against Satan; you will find it in verse 17. It reads:

And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Our Lord Jesus used “the Sword” to confront and defeat Satan early in His ministry by proclaiming to him…”It is written…!” This is the definition of TRUTH that many are familiar with today, which is fighting Satan with the Word of God.

It is true that Christians need to know the word of God while engaging with satanic attacks! The author is not attempting to minimize this great offensive weapon of truth. Nevertheless, the focus of this article defines truth (from Eph. 6:14) as the Christians’ sincerity and moral character. Moral character is such an integral part of the Christians amour that almost the entirety of this article is devoted to extracting the meaning from this one verse.

FINAL THOUGHT

Anything other than biblical sincerity will leave the child of God vulnerable. The belt that is supposed to be girded is loose. The enemy knows that this part of our armor is lacking and he will attack this vulnerability. We must not allow ourselves to yield to compromising situations or the demons who do Satan’s bidding will seek to overthrow and eventually defeat us with fatal blows.

PRAYER

“Lord, may we come to see the importance of sincerity and moral character as weapons, tightly fastened…used in our struggle against the powers of darkness. Help us…also…to strive lawfully, that in the end, we may be victorious, having withstood every opponent. In Jesus name. Amen!”

HOMEWORK

Do a Bible search on the words “sincere” and “sincerity”.

 

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Teaching on Anxiety and Depression


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– Teaching On Anxiety –

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not
lean on your own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5)

3 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect
peace, Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3)

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow
will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:34)

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common
to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide
the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
(I Corinthians 10:13)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)

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.
(I Peter 5:6-7)

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Living In The Moment!


ICEA – “Church at Study”

At the heart of this article are the words: “Living In The Moment.” The author defines this statement as: “God…who suddenly makes Himself real in a moment…despite what conditions consume our thoughts — whether it concerns our past, or our uncertain future.” Nothing else matters at that time but the MOMENT when we are experiencing the “realness” of God!

Many of us have experienced times when God has been so real.  These are brief moments when we are impressed through revelation, meditation, prayer, or some other means when the Spirit of God overwhelms our spirit. During these times God has helped us to regain confidence and renew our faith in Him. We need moments with God —  times to reflect on what He has done for us in the past and to be assured of a successful future in Him.

In Genesis 32, Jacob experienced “a moment” with God that forever changed his life. But…before his life-changing experience, he had lived many years as a deceiver and con. It’s hard to understand how, even as an infant at birth, Jacob seemed to want to position himself for mastery (Gen. 25:22) over his twin brother Esau:

Gen. 25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, [there were] twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them.

Jacob was named after this experience. His name means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” Supplanter means “one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another.”

Then…there is the account were Jacob and Esau were young men in the field. Jacob, with his cunning ways, tricked Esau out of his birthright:

29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he [was] faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage]; for I [am] faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [his] birthright.

There are other biblical accounts when Jacob tricked his uncle Laban, even though God was orchestrating these events to Jacob’s advantage.

Prior to his experience with his uncle Laban, Jacob (with his mother’s help) tricked his father, Isaac (Gen. 27). They fooled the old and dim-sighted father into thinking Jacob was Esau, thereby stealing the blessing Isaac would have given to Esau:

21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not.
22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice [is] Jacob’s voice, but the hands [are] the hands of Esau.
23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

This experience made Esau furious and he sought to kill Jacob. Jacob’s past had finally caught up with him, so he escaped and ran for his life some 400 miles away, residing with his uncle Laban. He lived with Laban over 14 years, until Laban also sought to do him harm. Even though God told Jacob to return to his homeland, he felt Esau would certainly be waiting to take his life. Nevertheless, Jacob took all his belongings and fled from Laban to returned to meet his fate. Jacob was now on the run with no established past and his future seemed uncertain. Somewhere between where he had left and where he was going, he met “a man”. This man was shrouded in mystery, but it’s safe to say from the scriptures, the “man” had power with God! Maybe he was an angel, veiled in the form of a man. Or…maybe…this was a rare occasion when God was in the person of Jesus Christ! Without any further speculation — the real thrust of this article is JACOB EXPERIENCED THE PRESENCE OF GOD SUDDENLY, or IN A MOMENT. He knew this experience would change his life forever! Similar to Jacob’s experience…there are times we have to live in the moment: without regret for our past and no regard for an uncertain future. THIS IS THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU SENSE THE REALNESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE. This is the moment, despite conditions, God thunders in our spirit that everything will be alright! With this assurance, we get up from where we are to go forward in faith to meet a destiny led by God. And if God is for you, no one has the power to stand against you? Also…times will change our circumstances and conditions, but God will always be waiting for us to find His comforting presence and assurance when we truly reach Him “in the moment!”

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Delight!


Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will
give you the desire of your heart.
(Ps. 37:4)

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The heart — being the depths of our mind and thoughts — can be a unique and personally emotional place. The bible tells us that the heart has its issues and who really knows it (Jer. 17:9).  Proverbs 14:10 reads: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.” Many of us have attempted to share our past experiences with others. We sensed they were not fully able to grasp our account of the moment we were trying to convey. No one can really share in the feelings of another’s deep and personal experiences. The word vicarious is no doubt a word that comes close to experiencing what others have experienced, but very few know the seat and aspirations of the hearts of others. It is true that some have the skill to probe human hearts, but only do so — not really knowing exactly what will surface (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25).

Only God fully knows the heart — this personal and secluded place! He knows what we long for and what really is our heart’s desire! What each person longs for is just as unique as who we are and as complicated as our hearts. God has the option and ability to answer the desire (or longings) of the heart. He has given us two clear methods of receiving from Him. One method we are familiar with and that is simply asking Him. He will give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11). The second method seems not as well travelled. That method is to DELIGHT one’s self in what God has an interest in. If we delight ourselves in Him, we can see our families begin to come together. If we give time for personal and systematic Bible study, He will turn His favor toward us and begin to work on our behalf. If we make time for Him, He will bless our endeavors. If we will give to the community and volunteer (as unto the Lord – Col. 3:23), we will look around and realize God has answered our prayers and given us the desires of our hearts! Mountains will be moved, relationships will be mended, business matters will materialize, and we will rejoice that God has done all things well!

God’s watching to see what you and I will do. What we take an interest in will determine the outcome of the blessings from God! Will you accept the challenge to delight yourself in the Lord so that He may give you the desires of your heart? Do it and watch God move!

 

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