The discipline of patience

James 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

Patience and endurance:

      The word patience means steadfastness, endurance; the characteristic of one who will not swerve from his deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith and piety even by the greatest trails and suffering. It is part of the experience that produces experience that brings hope and assurance to us (Ro 5:3-5). Patience is a discipline, a work that is necessary for our growth. The work of producing patience is not often pleasant, but it is administered by our Father who desires to produce spiritual maturity in us.

      The context of James chapter one has several aspects that promise victory through the process of learning patience. Wisdom is granted upon asking when we are going through the disciplines that produce the “perfect work” of patience. As those who love the Lord endure the testings that will come, the patience (endurance) that comes will produce a “crown of life” (James 1:12)

 

Principles of gaining patience (Psa 37):

  1. Trust in the Lord (Psa 37:3). Follow His leading in everything we do
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The devil fights

1 John 5:4   For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

Our enemy hates faith:

            The devil hates the faith that we place in God and so he attempted to destroy Job because Job put his faith in God (Job 9). When his first attempt failed he tried another route to destroy Job’s faith in God. The devil is not omniscient so he cannot know our faith as God knows it, and the only way he can see it is by our faith and works together (Jam 2:17-20). The devil rejoices in the many who claim to have faith (be saved) and do not express it in works and actions.

 

The enemy attacks believers:

            The enemy is an expert at getting us to give up, weaken or leave the faith. When Peter walked on the water he took his eyes off Jesus and immediately sank in the water. When a man’s son was possessed of a demon he asked Jesus for help and expressed his need of increased faith (Mk 9:24); the disciples also asked for

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Christmas

Luke 2:6-7 (KJV)
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 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 Christmas 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

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The Christian calling

Ephesians 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

 

The call:

     The word “call” is: to invite, to call to bear a name and is used of our invitation by God to all. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, therefore He calls people to Him through His Son to receive forgiveness of their sins and become a part of His family – to bear His name. Jesus issued the invitation to “come unto Him” and said that as “many as receive Him are given authority to become the sons and daughters of God. Our call as Christians then, is God’s invitation be part of His blood washed family, the redeemed of all earth. Paul tells us to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, so it behooves us to examine our call lest our lifestyle bring reproach to the One Who has called us.

 

The calling is “of God”:

      There can come no higher calling than that of the Sovereign God of the universe, the One Who created all things and sustains

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The Truth About Progressiveism

What is the “Progressivism” in the church today and where did it come from? Many proudly claim, “I am a progressive” or “Our church is a progressive church”, not understanding what has happened through the years and where the ideals of progressivism comes from.  Most would be shocked if they knew how the progressive ideals came about; some would bristle and vehemently deny the truth.

It began years ago -- during World War II when America was allied with Russia in defeating Hitler and his desires to conquer the world and eliminate "undesirables" from the human race. Communism was the political mainstay of Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution and the dominant power during the war with Germany (and years after as well). They, too desired world domination but their methods were more secretive and subtle than that of Hitler. Even while allied with America in defeating Germany, there were Russian spies actively working in the U.S. trying to steal military and any other secret they could in order to aid the "Motherland" in their world conquest. Those old enough remember Khrushchev declaring, "We will take over America without firing a shot." They had a plan and they were very patient

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Global Warming/Climate Change

Leaked emails

The following article from the Institute of Creation Research shows some interesting facts about what we’re being told about global warming.

Over a thousand sensitive emails and documents from Britain’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia were published online in late November without CRU’s permission. Some of their content suggests that the data used to support the theory of human -caused global warming have not been accurately represented.1

The leaked emails have surfaced in time for the United Nations summit on climate, set to commence in December. Most of the emails are mundane, but some contain dialogue between scientists about adjusting climate data to support the man-made global warming hypothesis. The university is currently investigating the information leak, but if these communications prove to be legitimate, what other areas of research have also been subject to data tampering?

One email in particular that has raised questions appears to have been sent from CRU Director Phil Jones and uses the words “trick” and “hide” in relation to the presentation of climate data. “I’ve just completed Mike’s Nature trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie from

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The blindness of Israel

Romans 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

 

Israel is blinded:

      The majority of Israel today is spiritually blinded to the facts of their Messiah. This blindness has come from three main sources. First they refuse to believe Scripture and undeniable facts -- their Scriptures declare that the scepter will not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes (Gen 49:10), and truly the scepter has departed from Judah at the present. Ancient Jewish commentators agree that Shiloh refers to the Messiah, but the fact that the scepter (symbol of leadership) has departed from Judah (and shortly after the crucifixion) should be evidence to them that their Messiah has come.

      David was the first from the tribe of Judah to attain the scepter of leadership among Israel’s tribes. God’s promises were clear that Messiah would be in David’s lineage. The record of Joseph and Mary’s lineage in Matthew and Luke show that Jesus was the Messiah. Even the Pharisees did not question the records of His family stored in the temple when they accused Jesus of blasphemy. In 70 A.D. however,

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The blessed man and woman

Psalm 1:1-6  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

Different ways:

          The Psalmist tells of two different ways in this first psalm. Robert Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by; and that has made all the difference. Jesus gave us the illustration of two ways – straight gate and wide gate; narrow way and broad way; two trees; two

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Thanks be to God

1 Corinthians 15:57   But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

There are many things we can thank God for and should thank Him for – as the song writer says, It will surprise what the Lord has done. We are told to give thanks when we make requests in prayer (Phil 4:6) and also to render thanks in and for all things (Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18). But there are three notable gifts mentioned by Paul in his letters to the Corinthians in which he was led to use the particular phrase, “Thanks be unto God”.

 

Victory:

      The first one is in the text which says that God has given us the victory thru Jesus Christ. There are many victories we could attach to this verse, but since it uses the definite article: “the” victory, he is probably thinking of one thing in particular. The context of the verse also tells us that Paul is referring to the victory that we have thru Christ over death and the grave. This victory is one of two victories. From verses 51-53 he is speaking of

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The abounding life

2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

 

Life more abundant:

      Jesus said that He came so that we can have life more abundant, which some have misinterpreted to mean materialism -- prosperity, popularity, wealth, health and happiness. The word abundantly and abounding come from the same root word and can mean abundant, but it is in the area of spiritual abundance not materialism. The word can also be applied to sorrow as well.

 

Good works:

      Christians are to abound in good works – every good work, not just those we choose to perform. God has before determined we should do them after being saved (Eph 2:10). Paul says the reason we should abound is that God has made all grace to abound toward us first. Jesus said that without Him we are not able to perform good works; it is only as we abide in Him we are able to perform good works (bear fruit) – Jesus is full of grace and truth. When we are established in the faith by

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Test of false prophets

Deuteronomy 13:1-4  If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2  And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3  Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

 

False prophets:

     There were false prophets in Israel’s day and they have continued throughout history into our day. One test that God gave about the validity of a prophet is found in Deut 18:22. The penalty for being a false prophet was death Deut 13:6-10. Knowing if a prophet was true or not did not primarily lay in the performance of miracles or even in the test of accuracy, but with his/her

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Take heed

Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

 

Fourfold warning:

            In Mark’s gospel of Christ’s prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, Jesus warns us no less than four times to “take heed” and since it comes from Jesus we should pay attention to it. Take heed is one word in the Greek and carries the idea of looking at with our eyes, discerning with our eyes and mind what we see; carefully examine and weigh.

 

Deception:

      First, Jesus warns us not to be deceived by those that try to keep us from Him and also prophetic signs. In Matt 24:4-5 Jesus told of those who would come either posing as Christ or His representative and deceive people into going away from God and His Word. Paul warns of some of the things that deceivers will try to beguile us to accept (Eph 5:3-7; Col 2:8). John warns of deceivers as well as Peter and Jude (1 Jn 4:1-2; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Jude 4).

 

Persecutions:

      Jesus warns us to be prepared for probable persecutions. We live in a time of very

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Wilderness thinking

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. 2 And the LORD spake unto me, saying, 3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

 

The children of Israel escaped from Egypt and saw God’s judgment upon the Egyptians as they were drowned in the Red Sea. Now after they had rejoiced and praised God for His deliverance they were instructed to move forward – He said they have gone around that mountain long enough. We have a similar saying, “We’ve gone around this matter too long”, meaning we have discussed or mulled over an issue too long, now we need to get beyond it.

      God wanted Israel to go into the Promised Land that He had promised to Abraham years before this incident. He wanted them to go in and enjoy the blessings of that land “flowing with milk and honey”, so He instructed them to move on. God had delivered them from the threat from Egypt and now they were safely on the other side of the Red Sea and they had

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Three tabernacles

Exodus 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

 

The first tabernacle:

      The first mention of tabernacle is in our text verse. The religious life of Israel was centered on the tabernacle God told them to make while in their wilderness wanderings. The details and construction and service occupy thirteen chapters in Exodus – more than for any other single item in the Bible. The description and details provide us with a wealth of typology concerning Christ, His sacrifice, service and our relation to God.

      His tabernacle’s design and construction was based upon the pattern of that which God constructed (Heb 8:2). The earthly tabernacle that Moses built in the wilderness and which was carried through the time of Israel in the Promised Land is the place of meeting. God met with Israel there in this tabernacle. God said He would be among His people (Deut 23:14). God’s presence was above the Ark of the Covenant and between the cherubim (Ex 25:20-22). All the pieces of this tabernacle were representations

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Studying and applying Scripture

 Timothy 2:15   Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Studying the word:

     Paul tells us the main purpose of studying God’s word is to show our self approved unto God (dokimos, certified, approved, genuine). In Bible times coins were all metal and soft. They were molded from molten gold or silver and many people would shave the coins and keep the shavings to eventually make new coin. Those who were men of integrity would accept only full weight coins and these coins were called dokimos – approved.

      Paul says we are to study in order to be full weight before God – acceptable to Him. We are to study all of God’s word, not just parts of it we like. All Scripture is from God (2 Tim 3:16) and is true and accurate. Not every word is God’s speaking, but it is a record of what God and others said and it is true and accurate. It is not a science book but when it speaks of science it is true and accurate. It is not a complete history

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Stir up

2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

 

In our society today we use numerous methods and means to get people stirred up. In sporting events music, cheerleaders and bands move the emotions of people to get involved in and cheer for their team to win or perform better. In times of war people are stirred up by reports of either victory or great need, which brings people to action. In times of battle leaders have stirred their men to alter their course of action to win the encounter – i.e. Grant turns a rout into victory telling his men the enemy is trying to get away.

          Today those in the news media desire to change history and engender false and liberal ideas by their false reporting and false facts that bring great emotions to the populace. Scare tactics cause people to be moved to action all in order to gain political advantage and power.

Stir up memories:

          Peter desires those he is writing to that they stir up their memories about the things that have brought them to this

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Stir up

2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

In our society today we use numerous methods and means to get people stirred up. In sporting events music, cheerleaders and bands move the emotions of people to get involved in and cheer for their team to win or perform better. In times of war people are stirred up by reports of either victory or great need, which brings people to action. In times of battle leaders have stirred their men to alter their course of action to win the encounter – i.e. Grant turns a rout into victory telling his men the enemy is trying to get away.
Today those in the news media desire to change history and engender false and liberal ideas by their false reporting and false facts that bring great emotions to the populace. Scare tactics cause people to be moved to action all in order to gain political advantage and power.
Stir up memories:
Peter desires those he is writing to that they stir up their memories about the things that have brought them to this point in their

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Spotless church

Ephesians 5:26-27   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.

 

Bride of Christ:

            The church is pictured as the Bride of Christ and Christ as the Husband (2 Cor 11:2). Paul speaks of husbands and wives and compares their relationship to that of the believers to Christ. Christ died for the church, intercedes for the church and here Paul tells us that Christ will present His church to Himself as a spotless bride. The church is all the redeemed and blood bought; any and all who are forgiven of their sin and walking in the light of God’s word. The bride that will be with Christ in heaven is going to be without spot, wrinkle or blemish – a holy church/bride.

 

How Christ accomplishes this cleansing:

      Paul is clear that it is through the agency of God’s word that the church is cleansed from all defilements (Eph 5:26); Jesus says the same ( Jn 15:3

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Spiritual life and influence

Spiritual life and influence

 

Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Indwelling:

     At conversion the believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God (2 Pet 1:4; Jan 14:16, 17). We are made alive spiritually by the Spirit (Eph 2:1). The Spirit gives us understanding (1 Jn 2:20). The Spirit within speaks to us through our spirit (Jn 8:9; 1 Tim 1:5; Ro 9:1). The Spirit will guide using various methods – our conscience being one of the methods to guide us.

 

David and the Spirit:

      Four evidences that he was influenced by the Spirit:

  1. His conscience was smitten (1 Sam 24:6,7)
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Spiritual Discernment

John 16:12-15  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 

13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 

God’s Spirit:

      To have spiritual discernment first requires a close relationship to God’s Spirit – being saved. Paul tells us that there is a specific gift of discernment (1 Cor 12:10; 14:29), which is given to some for the purpose to helping the church to know spiritual error from truth. John tells us to “try” the spirits (1 Jn 4:1) in order to understand the source of their teaching. We can only have true spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26), Who will not only teach us but guide us in perceiving

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