2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Pleasing God

      The phrase “accepted” can also be translated as well pleasing. So, Paul is saying that he labors (performs works) in order to please God. This should be the desire of all Christians – to be pleasing to God. This will make a difference in where we go and what we do.

Help weaker Christians

      In Rom 15:1 Paul tells us that we are to be considerate of those weaker Christians. These may be young or even immature Christians, and we ought to conduct our self in such a manner that we deny our own self in some cases in order to accommodate the weaker believers (Rom 14:1-7; 1 Cor 9:20-22; 1 Thes 5:14). Paul says it in the negative – not pleasing our own self which can take in a wide range of things.

Faith

      We must walk by faith if we would please God. This is not an abstract idea, but refers to walking in obedience to the revealed life in His word (Eph 4:5)

Walking in the Spirit

      This is more than the idea of sanctification,

Perfect peace

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Perfect peace:

      The word for perfect peace in Hebrew is shalom, shalom and is similar to Jesus' verily, verily statements in the New Testament. When God speaks something twice or even when men do this, it is for added emphasis. So, perfect peace is emphasized by the shalom, shalom of the verse. God will keep His children in perfect peace or shalom, shalom when they keep their minds fixed upon Him. There are three places that peace is promised to the believers.

Peace with God:

      Paul says that believers have  "peace" with God through the merits of our faith in Christ (Ro 5:1). We were all sinner (Ro 3:23) and guilty before God. The judgment of God's court was hanging over us (Jn 3:36). We have no defense or defense attorney to plead or intercede for us. We have only the fearful waiting of judgment (Heb 10:31). But since we have put our faith in Christ we are justified –(not guilty) and can have a peaceful relationship with the judgment court of God. The sin question

Luke 2:6-7  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

      Christmas Day has arrived and I can almost hear the laughter, squeals of delight and expressions of thanks as children and adults alike open presents from one another. Too often we try to enjoy this day through sleepy eyes and worn out bodies – we have exhausted ourselves trying to get ready for this day and in a few minutes it is all over.

      God laid His gift to the world in a manger in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago and that Gift is still thrilling those who find Him today. Some advertisers say their gift is one that keeps on giving, but in reality, it is God’s Gift that keeps on giving. Jesus was a man born to die – die for our sins and those of the world so that “whosoever will” may come and receive the forgiveness of sins and know they are in God’s

Ezekiel 22:30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

People of purity:

      Purity is an aspect of Holiness and Holiness is the primary character of God. God purifies us when we consecrate and dedicate our lives to Him (Rom 12:1-2). But, the Bible also tells us to purify our own lives (1 Tim 5:22; 2 Cor 7:1). Scripture says various things about those that are pure (Isa 52:11;Psa 24:3-4; Matt 5:8). Keeping pure involves every area of our life – personal, interpersonal, business, verbal, thought life, and general living. Paul tells Timothy that there are certain things to purge from our life to be a vessel unto honor for God 2 Tim 2:21. Purity should be a way of life for Christians – it is not for a special class of Christians, all are to be holy, pure.

People of prayer:

      Hudson Taylor said, “Prayer is transacting business with God.” Jonathan Edwards said, “Prayer is storming heaven.” A. C. Dixon said, “When we depend on God, we get what God can

1 Corinthians 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Our works tried:

      While we journey thru this life we are to be fruitful and work for God (Jn 15:2-5, 7, 8, 16; Eph 2:10; 4:1). Our work is: business, employment; act, deed, thing done; so then our work can be not only our type of employment, but also the deeds that we do for Christ – toward others (Matt 10:42). In Matthew 25 Jesus tells of those who do good to others is equivalent to doing good to Him. The fruit we produce relates to seed, fruit of tree, ones fitted for the kingdom; thus it carries the idea of our sharing of the gospel to others and bringing them into the kingdom (1 Cor 3:6). Paul says that it is God that actually gives the increase or the bringing of souls to faith, but our job is to see to it that the word is sown (Matt 13:3-8; 28:19, 20; Mk 16:15; Lu 24:47, 48).

      Jesus told two parables that

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Many attributes

      Christ has many wonderful attributes and qualities, not the least of which is faithfulness. He is trustworthy and believable to do all that He has promised to do. He will keep us from the evil one and being overcome by evil (1 Cor 10:13) as we keep our self in His will and way.

      We have all gone astray and into sin and have ignored and forgotten Him, so why would He do this? Why does He care for us so?

He is our Creator

      He has created us and formed with a specific purpose in mind (Isa 43:7) and He does not desire that we live on a lower plain of life. He told Israel He had created and formed tem also (Isa 43:1). God has created man for His glory – and made man in His own image and gave him dominion over the rest of creation. It is sadness to God when any of His created beings goes away from Him and denies Him, so He loves us and because He is our loving Creator,

(1 Th 5:18)  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Paul’s postscript

      Paul has just finished his thanks to the Philippians for their gift and proclaimed his independence from situations controlling his life.  He explained that he learned how to be content in all and every situation by the experiences of his past.  Paul then makes the statement of our text, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me. It is a statement of triumph and also humility at the same time. It is one of those Christians paradoxical truths to rejoice, to make our boast and yet be humble and lowly. (Gal 6:14 and let every man glory in Christ). We are to boast only in the Lord.

      Paul is not saying that he can do all things by himself, but that he is enabled to do all things through the power of Christ. – I am strong in all things in Christ Who infuses strength into me.

      Paul said he came to the instruction of the previous verses through experience, logical reasoning of his Christian faith, and cultivating a personal and intimate knowledge of Christ. His final explanation is that he

Colossians 4:3-4   Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4  That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Paul’s prayer

      Paul asked the believers at Colossae to pray for him that God would open doors for him to give his testimony and share the gospel with many others. Paul knew from experience that it was the Lord Who opened doors for him (2 Cor 2:12). The purpose of an open door is to enable us to preach/testify of the gospel and to speak the mystery of God to those who do not know or have never heard. In the Revelation, John writes that it is the Lord who opens and closes doors (Rev 3:7). Paul indicates that door of opportunity are answers to prayer, not human devices.

Criteria for open doors

      Jesus told the church of Philadelphia that there were three criteria that brought about the open door by the Lord (Rev 3:8).

1) Thou hast a little strength – it is not through our great strength or ability that Jesus opens doors, but

Noah 

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Man of faith

      Noah is listed with the hall of famers who were noted for their faith. Noah faced a huge task in building the ark in a day of no electricity or power tools. He also had faith to believe God that it would rain when it had never rained before that time (Gen 2:5-6). He probably had to coin a new word that meant water coming down from the sky. Noah had faith in God to believe in something that God told him without being explained in detail.

      Noah accepted the program of God and the details of the great ship he was to build. We know little about Noah’s occupation. It may be assumed that he knew something about carpentry and working with wood. The task was very great, but there is no indication that he complained or questioned God over it.

Man of God

      Through various passages we know

John 3:1-2  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

The background

     This may have been the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He enters Jerusalem at the feast of Passover and enters the temple and thrusts out those who bought and sold (Jn 2:13-16). The Pharisees ask for a sign for His actions and He responsed about destroying His body and He will raise it up in three days. Upon His entry into Jerusalem a number made profession of belief in Him but Jesus would not make any commitment to them because they were only superficial. Among those who witnessed these events was probably Nicodemas.

Nicodemas

      The first two verses of chapter three tells us a few things about him.

1. He was a Pharisee. Today we have a bad view of them because of Jesus’ denouncing them and their ways. But they were the religious and respected class of people in that day. They were

Exodus 3:13-14  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Three primary names:

      There are multiple names for God but they are usually a combination of the three primary names for God. Those names are: Elohim, Jehovah and Adonai.

      Elohim -- means “Mighty One” and is a uni-plural name. It is plural in form but singular in meaning and verb usage, suggesting the uni-plural nature of the triune Godhead, appearing in most English translations as “God”. It is most often used when worldwide events or attributes are discussed, including creation, judgment, sovereignty, transcendence and salvation.

      Jehovah – means “the self-existing One”, and appears as LORD in English translations. It stresses God’s holiness, nearness, and concern for man, hatred of sin, love of sinners and His revelatory nature and communication.

Exodus 3:1-4  Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4  And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

A goodly child:

     When Moses was born his mother must’ve had a sense of God’s hand upon her because the word says, “she saw he was a goodly child”. Goodly means: pleasant, of a higher nature. In Heb 11:23 it says he was a proper child. Proper means: of the city; of polished manners. His parents hid him from Pharaoh for three months and then placed him in a basket

Philippians 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

What is moderation?

      When we say the word moderation we usually think of restraint in areas of living such as food, work, exercise and numerous other activities. But the word means more properly seeming suitable, equitable, fair mild and gentle. In 1 Tim 3:3 it is translated patient and in Titus 3:2 it is translated gentle. In James 3:17 it is given a broad sweeping definition of wisdom that is from above translating as gentle. All these give us the idea of fair and equitable.

      While restraint in our daily living is important and necessary for our physical well being, the moderation Paul speaks about is related to our character in our spiritual nature and important in our soul wellness.

Three aspects:

      Our moderation (gentleness, fairness and equitableness) are an important part of our spiritual make up or make over. Prior to salvation/sanctification we may not exhibit these qualities, but they are part of our spiritual nature subsequent to conversion. Many people are fair and equitable  and even gentle before conversion, but this quality is something God produces or we learn through

John 15:26-27  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Necessity of the Holy Spirit:

Some Christians over emphasize the work of the Spirit and others under emphasize His work and ministry. Scripturally speaking no one can be saved without the work of the Spirit (Jn 6:44; Jn 3:3, 5-8; Tit 3:5). He is constantly working in the lives of God’s children to bring them into the likeness of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He is in the world and also works in the lives and on the lives of the unconverted.

His ministry to the world:

            Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would act upon the world in a three-fold manner (Jn 16:8-11). Reprove means to convince, bring to light; the suggestion of bringing shame to one exposed; to expose a fault. He acts as God’s Agent to draw us into a personal consciousness of our sin, Christ’s righteousness and the absolute certainty of judgment to come. He exposes our sinfulness,

Harvey, Irma and more

Psalm 83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

            In the text verse the Psalmist asks God to punish the enemies of Israel and God with a mighty wind and storm. In light of the recent events in natural disasters, the question that many ask is: “Is this a punishment from God?” Different people will have a different opinion about these events. The “gloom and doom” people declare that this is some kind of punishment – whether from God or nature for man’s crimes on earth. To the environmentalists it is a sure indication that we have violated the earth and it is a direct result of climate change. The futurists say it is a definite sign of the soon return of Christ and to the atheists and others it is just a natural weather event in the life of earth.

            The word “storm” is used eleven times in the Old Testament and it carries varying meaning but always the idea of wind and floods. One time it carries the idea of “terror” that it instills in people.

            We must first recognize that God is ultimately in

1 Corinthians 2:16   For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The mind of man

      The Bible mentions several aspects of the mind – reprobate mind (Ro 1:28), carnal mind (Ro 8:7) and a defiled mind (Tit 1:15). It speaks of those who “walk in the vanity of their mind” and “blindness of the mind” (Eph 4:17-18).

      When a person is born again he/she becomes a new creature in Christ and begins the work and life of renewing their mind so that they might not follow the world’s way of living (Ro 12:1-2).

Knowing the mind of the Lord

      Paul echoed the same thing in Ro 11:34 probably quoting from Isa 40:13 when he wrote it. It is an interesting question very much different from us today who can literally know what another is thinking – husbands and wives.

      There are many aspects to God’s infinite mind, but the key is undoubtedly the attribute of sacrificial love (Phil 2:5-6, 8). So following His example we should be of a humble mind: not to think of our self beyond what we are (1 Cor

1 Timothy 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Man or woman of God:

      The expression “man of God” appears 78 times in the Bible with only two occurrences in the New Testament, both of these are by Paul to Timothy the other being in 2 Timothy 3:17.  In the Old Testament it is used often of prophets or those sent by God for His work. Sometimes they are named and other times they are simply called the man of God. The first occurrence is in reference to Moses (Deut. 33:1) and often throughout the Old Testament he is called man of God. David is called man of God in Neh 12:24. In Judges when an angel appears to Manoah and his wife about Samson, he is called a man of God.

Qualities of a man or woman of God:

            Moses being called a man of God was a great leader and the law giver to Israel. He was also said to be the meekest man (Num 12:3). David being called a man of God is said to be a man after God’s own heart (Acts

Man at the pool

John 5:1-5  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2  Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3  In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

Pool of healing:

     The pool was called Bethesda or House of Mercy, a place where sheep were probably kept and where the impotent gathered in hope of receiving a healing. None of those around this pool would be permitted to attend the worship at the temple because of their sickness, disease or whatever their physical impotency was with which they were afflicted. Some versions do not include this verse saying that certain manuscripts do not include it and feel that it was added