Author: © Christian National Church of Christ

Since God’s forgiveness of our sins is so thorough, why do we need cleansing? Although God’s forgiveness abolished our record of sin and freed us from the penalty of sins, the stains of sin remained with us.

Before we were saved, we were filthy before God in our speech, our actions, and the thoughts of our heart. Our mouth was unclean with utterances like cursing, lies, obscenities, slander, and hateful expressions. We spoke this way because our heart was unclean, for Matthew 12:34 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our deeds were filthy, and Paul states in Romans 6:19 that we presented the members of our body “as slaves to uncleanness.” Not only so, in God’s eyes even our good works were filthy, for Isaiah 64:6 tells us “All of us became like him who is unclean, and all our righteousness’s are like a soiled garment.”
“The washing of renewal purges away all the things of the old nature of our old man, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit imparts something new—the divine essence of the new man—into our being. In this is a passing from our old state into a wholly new one, from the old creation into the status of a new creation. Hence, both the washing of the renewing of the Holy Spirit are working in us continually throughout our life until the completion of the new creation.” Sin left its ugly stain on us. We desperately needed God’s cleansing!
God cleanses, by the blood of Jesus—to cleanse us of our behavior and deeds Hebrews 1:3, tells us Jesus, “having made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Jesus accomplished this purification by shedding His blood on the cross.
It reads in Ezekiel 36:25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
So stand firm by Gods strength and power. As it reads in Proverbs 11:8: God rescues good men from danger.
Your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against the wiles of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies. The evil kings of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. But to this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan, And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Read Ephesians 6:10-17
As great as the world is, so full is it of signs of God’s mercies toward his faithful when he has removed their sins. In Hebrews 10:11-14 it reads: Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest {Jesus} offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time.
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the family unit, which was ordained by You, from the beginning. Let me to be a good parent and to instruct those in my care wisely. Let me also to be child-like in my relationship with others, and to respect and honor them, as unto the Lord. Father God, I am believing for all those adult sons and adult daughters, that You will guide, direct and send others in their lives to encourage them to walk right with You. Bless all today. You are a good and gracious Father, long-suffering and tender-hearted towards all Your children. I thank You and praise You for Your faithfulness towards Israel, Your chosen nation. Your never-failing promises to all Your people is such a reassurance, for it demonstrates that Your gracious compassion, patience and loving-kindness towards all Church-aged believers is equally sure and secure. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I thank You and praise You that I am apart of the body of Christ and that You have told us the end from the beginning, and I thank You and praise You that all Your promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ Jesus my Savior. Teach me Your ways and keep me from straying from the path of holiness. I thank You and praise You that in Christ, I have a cleansed heart, and that by Your amazing grace I have the indwelling Holy Spirit of life, to guide me into all truth, all the way through to eternity. Bless and open the eyes of those still searching for You and guide them in Your direction. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12

Deuteronomy plays a crucial role for understanding much of what happens in “Joshua: Joshua portrays the Lord as their general, the One who would lead His people in victorious battle if they would trust and obey. Joshua recounted a story of contradictions. On the one hand, God gave the land that He had promised to the nation. On the other hand, the people failed to possess the land completely, allowing some inhabitants to remain.” & “2 Kings continues the story of the nations of Israel and Judah. It is a history book, from the Old Testament of the Bible. In these history books, the Bible contains many important lessons for us today (2 Timothy 3:16 it reads: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ). 2 Kings describes how the kings of these nations refused to obey God’s law.” Throughout the book, Moses recounts much of the law he first introduced to the people at Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 provides the Israelites with the unmistakable call to commit themselves to the LORD and His law with their whole being.
The ten commandments, in order, are:
1 — “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.“
2 — “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.“
3 — “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.“
4 — “Honor thy father and mother.“
5 — “Thou shalt not kill.“
6 — “Thou shalt not commit adultery.“
7 — “Thou shalt not steal.“
8 — “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.“
9 — “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.“
10 — “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.“
You’ll find the Ten Commandments in the Bible’s 2 books: Exodus and Deuteronomy. They are supposedly provided by God as guidance to all people. They center around ethics and worship.
“Moses’ obeyed God and did this that God asked Mose’s to do.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there and I will give thee tablets of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. …and Moses went up into the mount of God.“
— Exodus 24:12–13
The message of Deuteronomy is focused on the book’s strong emphasis of covenant renewal to which Moses led the new generation as they were poised on the Plains of Moab to enter the Land of Promise {See, for example, In Deuteronomy 26:15-19 it reads: Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swears unto our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey. This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. } {It also reads in Deuteronomy 29:1-3: These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: }
After the victory at Ai, Joshua wanted to do everything he could to walk in obedience, so he led the nation in obedience to this command in Deuteronomy 27: In this, Joshua was showing himself to be a man of the Book, and Israel a people of the Book; they would order their lives after God’s Word.
Deuteronomy chapter 29 summary starts with Moses once again. The spokesperson for the nation proclaimed the words of the covenant of God to the children of Israel. This was a separate covenant than the one made in Horeb. This one was made in the land of Moab. Moses reminded them of God’s great works in Egypt.
The Greatest Commandment
Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
The miracle of the coin found in the fish’s mouth (In Matthew 17:24-27 it reads: After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes-from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours. “This may of been among the least dramatic of Christ’s miracles, but it is certainly instructive. The context involves the paying of the Temple tax, and not surprisingly, only Matthew, the former tax collector for Rome, reports it.
I know I have told this before. I can see why Jesus just ended the life of the fig tree. When I run out of figs in the refrigerator. I am like really! Who ate the rest of the figs? God being Jesus. He can do amazingly anything He creates He can change the path. Another way of showing sin is death. We need to die to self. By showing righteousness gives us promise of eternity. May of killed the tree, but obviously didn’t kill the seed. We still have figs and their trees.
It reads in Matthew 21:18-22: Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.}”The fig tree withered from the roots.” Mark does not make it entirely clear why Jesus felt the need to kill the fig tree, but he does record this odd miracle.
In chapter 4 of Exodus this Continues and concludes God’s discourse with Moses at the bush concerning this great affair of bringing Israel out of Egypt. Moses objects the people’s unbelief in verse 1, and God answers that objection by giving him a power to work miracles,
Exodus 4:6-12
Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous, it had become as white as snow. “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I really didn’t understand this chapter. I lost my voice and I remember crying and begging God for my voice back. One of the hardest things I ever had to face was listening to my voice on the inside and nothing coming out on the outside. I looked like a crazy person at times and You was the only one that understood and answered me. I thank You and praise You for Your faithfulness to me. I begin to understand that disregarding my limitations and of how limited my ability was or how boundless my breathing, unless I am led of God and speak the words God instructs, I will be ineffective in my work for Him. I will never forget that You are the one who made me as I am, and to trust You to fulfil the work that You have prepared for me to do. I believe now more than ever that I will follow in Christ’s footsteps and learn to speak only those things that I hear from You. Guide me in Your will and ways. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and may Your will and not mine be done. I thank You and praise You that You never leave us in the bad times or good times. Thank You for Your blessings and miracles that come in Your timing. Assist me in using any means to teach Your word, Your very lifestyle and Your principles to those I come in contact with. Assist me to guard the truth, stand for what is right and and proudly proclaim You as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Let me be Your light and bless all those I come in contact with today. Let them see You. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Exodus 4:11

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Chapter 5 of First Peter contains charges to the elders of the church and their respective flocks who were being commanded by Peter to shepherd the God’s flock among them and serve as overseers. In the first five verses of 1 Peter chapter 5, Peter assigned the elders duties as shepherds and the young ones as the flock. Gives specific instructions to elders about how to lead the flock of God willingly, eagerly, and by their own example. Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning to be clear-minded and alert. Peter counts himself as one of the elders. Elders are important to the church because, first and foremost, they are the leaders that Christ has appointed to oversee His church. This is not mere suggestion – it is the biblical mandate. Every church not only needs elders, but they need the right kind of elders. Every church needs men who meet the qualifications (It reads in Titus 1:5:The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.)Also: ( It reads in Titus 16: 1:“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”) (Also reads in: Timothy 3:1-7: Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own immediate living in the same household family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.) Who are willing to do the work. Elders are the shepherds of the flock (It reads in Acts 20:28:Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.) and as such, they have a very important role: Not surprisingly, the New Testament views elders as shepherds as well! Message: The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastors and churches. It was the peculiar honor of Peter and a few more, to be witnesses of Christ’s sufferings; but it is the privilege of all true Christians to partake of the glory that shall be revealed. As it reads in 1 Peter 5:1-4: The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.) The elders’ mission is to lead, teach, protect and love their church members the way shepherds care for the sheep in a flock, so that the church members will grow up into spiritual maturity ( It reads in Ephesians 4:11-13: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ). 2. Elders are pastors. But a pastor is an elder, and an elder is a pastor. Elders should do those things in a local church that they assume a pastor would do, even if they spend fewer hours per week than the paid pastor. Elders should do those things in a local church that they assume a pastor would do, even if they spend fewer hours per week than the paid pastor. Elders are not only the congregation’s shepherds, they are each other’s shepherds as well. They mentor each other, hold each other accountable, teach each other, and confess their sins and struggles to each other. At least that’s the way it should be. Each and every one of us needs to be led. I am stressing this on the elders of the church, because they may be singled out by individuals. But this is not the case of the church. Our church hold or elders dear to our heart. All people in the church is held dear to our hearts. If a individual does not recognize a elder as a important part of the church and that elder wants to leave the church. I say elder think a 2nd time. It is not the church but the individual that is still learning.
1 Peter 5:1-10
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
{Ley’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for these instructions to church elders, to feed the flock of God with sound, biblical doctrine, and to take responsibility for the nurturing and encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help each one of us to grow in grace and in a knowledge of You, and may all Your children live humbly and walk circumspectly before You, throughout our Christian life. I thank You and praise You for limitations that gives us patients, wisdom and compassionate heart. Heavenly Father God ,I believe that You are no respecter of persons and are ready to use any one of us who is willing to be used, and looking to Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith, even me. Give me opportunities to shepherd, nurture and bless those that are weaker in the faith than I, and excite in me a desire to learn from elders and officials in the church, who are fulfilling their God-given role within the body of Christ. Give me a spirit of humility and grace to finish the race that is set before me, and may I do all to Your glory and honor. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
O God You have helped me from my earliest childhood, I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things You do.

Psalm 71:17

Do you know any “People of the light”? People of the light spread light, joy and stand for truth. They give, care and are there for you when all seems loss. Truth may seem hard but truth gives a open door to God. People of the light are like walking in a garden with beautiful flowers, butterflys and hummingbirds. Staying stuck in sin is like walking through quicksand, dead trees and dead bushes with spiders and flies everywhere hitting you in the face. People of the light will guide you in assisting the sinner to grow in the restoration of fellowship into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate {Holy Spirit} with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He Himself is the propitiation ( atonement, especially that of Jesus Christ.) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. These verses encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 John 2:1-6
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I believe I will continue to learn and I believe I will keep Your word in my heart and let the love of God flow out from me to others, how wonderful to know that Christ’s example is one that we can all follow. I long to walk as He walked, in dependence on You… just saying and doing those things that are pleasing in Your sight and to be the light of Jesus in all lives I come in contact with. I need to abide in Christ so that His life may empower me and others to bring forth much fruit, compassion and hope to those who are hurting or just need to know You. Jesus brought the light into this dark world. I want to be a person of the light to the next generation with Your guidance. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
Turn me away from wanting any other plan but Yours. Psalm 119:37

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, give me the words to speak and let this message touch someone’s heart today. I thank You and praise You in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
“Pressing On Toward The Goal”
In Philippians 3:12-21 takes up where Paul left off in verse 11. Our text has two main paragraphs, verses 12-16 and verses 17-21. In general terms, verses 12-16 explain Paul’s perspective on the past, the present, and the future. The Christian does not live in the past, but with an eye to the future. Verses 17-21 contrast Paul’s perspective on the past, the present, and the future with that of the enemies of the cross. They pride themselves in their past accomplishments and live for the present, ignoring the future. Paul does not take the saints who erred in verse 15 nearly as seriously as he does these unbelievers in verses 18-19. Together, these two paragraphs sharpen our focus on the goal toward which every Christian should be striving. Let us carefully listen and learn from these divinely inspired words, which are as applicable to us today as they were to the Philippians centuries ago. Let’s consider the things of our pre-Christian past. When Paul came to faith in Jesus Christ, he realized that all the things in which he had boasted were really “dung.” He also realized that in persecuting the saints he had been opposing his Lord. Paul would certainly not wish to cling to the past in terms of these “accomplishments,” because they were not accomplishments at all, spiritually speaking. But he also needed to accept the fact that when he came to faith in Christ, he became “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and that the guilt of his past had been washed away by the blood of Christ. There was no great profit to his agonizing over his past. Paul was deeply committed to the doctrine of sovereignty, and thus he must trust that God had used even his wicked deeds against the saints for their good, and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28).
We get so down on ourselves from past sufferings, hurts, hang-ups, divorced of a spouse, disappointed your children, or rebelled against God’s Word. I could go into many more but choose not to. It is easy to beat yourself up over issues, shame, or guilt from your past and assume that God can’t possibly use you. This is a lie from Satan which only results in discouragement. You need to know that all of your past is forgiven, forgotten, forever. If the Apostle Paul has not arrived spiritually, then certainly no one else has either. The consequence of this fact is that no one is free to sit back, resting upon their laurels, as though all they must do is to wait for our Lord’s return. (“To rest on one’s laurels means to be satisfied with one’s past accomplishments and not put forth any further efforts. In ancient Greece, the laurel was a plant that was sacred to the god Apollo , which grew into a {Laurel Tree is a Bay-leaf tree}. Laurel wreaths were awarded to the winning athletes in the Pythian games, held in honor of the god Apollo every four years. Commonsense: If someone does not rest on their laurels, they continue working hard to make sure that they continue to be successful rather than relying on the success they have already had.”)The Christian is not to be content with the status quo but must press on toward the goal that has been set before him. And that is precisely what Paul does, while challenging us to follow his example. The goal is two-fold; it is both general and specific. The general goal toward which every Christian is to strive is that of the “upward call “either the day of our death, or the day when our Lord returns for His saints, to snatch them up from this world to be with Him forever. In one sense, this is an event in the future, which draws nearer by the passing of time. In another sense, it is a future event which we are to pursue, and to seek to hasten. I can tell you that I am not perfect, and I have to keep learning for in learning, as God fills in the past of my mistakes, whether it be teaching my children what I failed to teach them, restoring what I destroyed, rebuilding what I have torn down or others have torn down in me, restoring a broken heart or body back to new, redeeming what was stolen.
Hence forth, it’s never too late to press on in Christ and be who He wants you to be. God can make a great finish out of a slow start. Ultimately, there is no past defeat so devastating as to exclude us from going forward in the present; there is no past success so great as to exempt us from going forward to more victory. So, we must consciously refuse to dwell on the things which lie behind us. Past failures will keep you depressed, discouraged, and leave you going nowhere. To learn from your past and move on to bigger and better plans God has for you. Where I see myself as a disappointment, God sees me and you as a winner, His unique child. God don’t see us as a loser, He sees us as His children that are uniquely gifted with something of use as His kingdom work. At least when we look for the Lord Jesus, He is right here with us. Amen! It reads in 2 Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! What a difference there is between the sinner and the saint. It is especially evident in our attitude and actions regarding the past, the present, and the future. The Christian does not live in the past; he does not dwell on the things of the past but presses on toward the “upward call” of our Lord. The certainty of His return, of our resurrection and transformation, and of out eternal bliss is such that it motivates us to “take up our cross” in this life, knowing that our eternal rewards await us in the next. The sinner sees things in exactly the opposite way. They tend to dwell on the past and their perceived accomplishments. They ignore or deny the future, the coming of our Lord, and particularly His judgment. Instead of living for tomorrow, they live only for today, indulging themselves in every conceivable pleasure. Paul is deeply aware of the incredible transformation that Christ has brought about in his life, as he came to faith in Jesus as his Savior. But he is also deeply aware that he was called for a purpose. He knows very well that he has not arrived, and that the road of sanctification lies before him, requiring discipline and endurance and sacrifice. Paul calls upon you and me to follow him in the path of discipleship, pressing on until the time of our “upward call.” He warns us to watch out for those who live for today, and who are enemies of the cross of Christ, living in self-indulgence an shame.
Philippians – Chapter 3:12-21
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also, I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that You have established the path that You want me to take. I believe that in the power of the Holy Spirit I may press on to the goal of my calling and lay hold of all that You have purposed for me to do. I thank You and praise You for Your many precious promises of God, and that one day, all who believe on Christ, will have our lowly bodies changed into the image and likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You have promised to transform the bodies of Your blood-bought children, into a body that will be like His resurrected, body in glory. I believe for all those who don’t know You will see Your goodness today and want to know more about You Lord Jesus, I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Your Precious Name Amen.

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Jesus came according to prophecy, He became the fulfillment of the law. Paul wrote, “For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God” (1 Corinthians 7:19 reads: For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. ). Circumcision remained a controversy for the very early church, though the apostles clearly taught that such rituals were not necessary for Christians (Acts 11:1–18 reads: The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” ). Here, Paul notes that what circumcision does, physically, faith in Christ does, spiritually. In other words, what matters is knowing Christ, not physical circumcision.
Colossians 2:11, NLT it reads: “When you came to Christ, you were ‘circumcised,’ but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision–the cutting away of your sinful nature.”
We will read in Colossians 2:6-15. Paul agonizes over the danger of believers being deluded or led away from God’s truth. He issues a “watch out” here so we will take notice. The danger is very real.

Colossians 2:6–15 describes Christ’s superiority in defeating sin. :Colossians 2:6-15 reads: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that in Christ we have all that we need for life and godliness. I believe that together with other members of Your body we may earnestly contend for the truth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and stand together.. united in Him, in love, for Jesus is the Anchor of our soul and the Rock upon Whom our faith is built. I thank You and praise You for the wise warnings of Paul to the Church of Jesus Christ. Guide us in being increasingly aware of the dangers of allowing the enemy of our soul to be deception of our heavenly rewards, by falling for foolish flattery, deceptive practices, worldly philosophies and other empty deceit of religious fakes. Keep me low at the cross and broken before You and safeguard me from developing any false humility or from becoming self-centered. Give us the determination to overcome all obstacles in our way. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

Example: Three friends a skunk, Coyote and a Rabie. The skunk has fear sprays and runs. The Coyote can be wild but also can be tamed with love. The Rabie can destroy both the coyote and the skunk with no care in the world.
Interesting facts about skunks. Skunks are mammals, usually black with a white stripe on their back and a fluffy tail. The skunk family includes 10 species of skunks found in North and South America and 2 species of stink badgers found in southeast Asia. Skunks live in forest edges, woodlands, grasslands and deserts. Skunks will spray for a variety of reasons. When a skunk sprays, this is the skunk’s defense to protect itself from predators such as coyotes. Similar to bobcats, a coyote that attacks a human is most often found to be suffering from rabies. Like most wildlife, a coyote will typically exit the area upon detecting human presence. However, they do become habituated(Be accustom to people) to humans and may be attracted by food. A coyote on the other hand is willing to unite and get along. Most people hate the smell of a skunk and want to keep them away. My friend (shhh) may be the only person who doesn’t mind the smell of skunk. It reminds her of sleeping, not really sure why? She said she would like to bottle it and wear it for perfume. Never knew if she was joking with me or not. Skunks and Rabies: Skunks are the primary carriers of rabies in the Midwest. Rabies is usually fatal to humans and pets unless treated immediately. If you suspect that a skunk may have rabies, do not approach it – call animal control immediately for assistance. There are two forms of rabies in skunks: the “furious” form, where skunks become aggressive, and the “dumb” form where they become unfazed by human presence. Some other signs of rabies in skunks to look out for include activity during the daytime, an unsteady or disoriented gait, drooling, and or foaming at the mouth. Isn’t this what gossip does it causes unsteady disoriented conflict between others. The Rabie’s reminds me of a gossiper who can’t hold their tongue and cause all kinds of dumb stuff to happen. {Rabies def: a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals that causes madness and convulsions, transmissible through the saliva to humans.} We all stumble: James included himself among those who stumble. Yet he did not excuse his or our stumbling. We know that we all stumble, but we should all press on to a better walk with the Lord, marked by less stumbling. This is another of the several statements in the Bible which tell us that all men sin (also including 1 Kings 8:46: “When they sin against you-for there is no one who does not sin-and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near.” “Job 14:4; Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” “Proverbs 20:9: Who can say, I have made my heart clean — No man.” “Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinned not.” and 1 John 1:8- 10:If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. Gossip is unconstrained and often disrespectful attitude or conversation about other people, and can involve betraying a confidence and spreading sensitive information or hurtful judgments. Research shows that people who gossip the most have very high levels of anxiety. They are generally not particularly popular because they cannot be trusted. But like it reads in 1 John 1:9 : “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
We read in James 3:2-6:.

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
We read in: James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I believe that I may reflect the Lord Jesus in all wisdom and understanding and that genuine humility and gentleness of heart may become the hallmark of my life. I think of the skunk which actually protects it self, the Coyote that can either run or become a unity of community kind of pet and the Rabie that destroys what it comes in contact with. I thank You and praise You for warning us of the devastation that unguarded words can have. Guide me to keep my tongue under control, and let the words that I speak and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable to You. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

John insists that this new life in Christ, that we now have in union with Him, is reality and affects real change. It is not possible for followers of Christ to go on living as before because that is to live a lie, to live in an unreality. We already talked about the passage on hating your brother so I won’t go back to that one now. John insists that this new life in Christ, that we now have in union with Him, is reality and affects real change. It is not possible for followers of Christ to go on living as before because that is to live a lie, to live in an unreality. Why is it that we cannot love the world and have the love of the Father in us? Well, to have the love of the Father in us is to know ourselves as His children–really, truly His sons and daughters. That is not just a new label to add to all the rest, it is the reality that all roles, labels, even thoughts about ourselves must conform to. We are His sons and daughters and God is making this reality more and more manifest, someday there will be no doubt as to our true selves. God is our life, not just the origin of our biological life but the only source of true life in every dimension. The particular Greek word often used for eternal life is zoe. It is not just bios, biological life going on forever and ever. It is life from God, God-life, living in righteousness the only source of real true life. It goes beyond the biological and yet of course includes it, God is the author of all life at all levels. The life God gives us in Christ is a life that involves removing and destroying all the brokenness, evil and mentally disturbed sin in us. It is the life that comes from the very heart of the trinity God, full of love, joy, peace, hope and faith. To love the world is to still be seeking for something out there, apart from God, that is going to give us our meaning, purpose, security, identity, life. John is not speaking here of enjoying the earth and the beauty of God’s creation. He is not speaking against music and art that can be enjoyed and reflected upon. In verse 16 we see lusting after illusions is Idolatry that harms the mind and what God is giving is truly enough. We cannot receive God’s life when we are looking for life somewhere else. We can’t live in His love, peace and embrace His joy. In fact, what the world offers is, as John puts it, darkness.
1 John Chapter 2:14-17
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that no one is beyond Your ability and desire to be saved by grace through faith in Christ, and thank You that You are ready and willing to use anyone whose heart is open towards You. Increase my longing and love for You and help me to live by faith and not by sight. I thank You and praise You that Your Word is altogether true and trustworthy and prevent me from being influenced by the circumstances that surround me rather than looking to Jesus and trusting Your Word. I thank You and praise You that I have been born anew and placed into Your eternal family. Look down in compassion and grace on lost souls and bring many more out of darkness as “John spoke” into Your kingdom so they can experience Your truly enough light of life. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

Six Aspects of Faith
I would like to speak to you today about one of the most important areas in our walk with the Lord and that is our Faith, Trust and Confidence in God.
Hebrews 11:6 it reads: And without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Romans 10:17 it reads; So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Luke 22:31-32 it reads: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you / that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Luke 18:8 – JESUS said: “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” The theme of the message today is – “Living A Faith Life”
What is the Definition of Faith?
It means – Belief in / Devotion to / Trust in somebody -or something / Allegiance or loyalty to somebody -or something. For the Christian Believer, Faith is putting our total trust and confidence in God.
{F-A-I-T-H:

• Feeling
• Afraid
• I
• Trust
• Him}
  In Psalm 56:3 – 4 it reads: The Psalmist said: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in YOU.” “In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? “ That is what Faith is about. When we are afraid, we put our wholehearted, or total trust in Him.
  In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that without faith it is impossible to please Him.
  What is the Definition “To Please”? It means to:
• To satisfy, to give pleasure to, to thrill, to make happy, to delight
  Jesus desire and purpose while on this earth was to please His Father – in doing His will .
• Also to finish the work that His Father assigned to Him.
  John 4:34 it reads:
  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
  John 6:38- 40 it reads:
  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
  John 17:4 it reads: I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
  John 19:30 it reads: So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
  John 5:30 it reads: I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me.
  The Bible is very clear that it is impossible to please GOD unless we have one thing… and that is faith.
  What does it take to please God? It is our faith, our confidence, our trust in Him, our obedience to His word, our pleasing Him rather than please people, knowing that if we please people, we cause offense to God.
  In today’s context: Offend God means – being “Politically Right” Nonspeaking the Word of God boldly But playing it down to keep people happy or diluting the Word of God. [Remembering – We are called to speak the Word of God in Love].
  Then to please God: We have to finish His work. It is not how well we start that matters to Him – But how well and strong we finish. It is very important our relationship with Him. How do we “Live A Life Of Faith.”?

1. Faith Is BELIEVING When I Don’t SEE It. Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance [or Essence or Reality] of things hoped for, the evidence [or evidence] of things not seen. ”Faith means : We cannot see the outcome but we know for certain that we will eventually triumph because we placed our TRUST in GOD. Mark 11:24 – Jesus said: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it [past tense] and you will be given what you ask for [present tense].” How many of us have ever said… “I’ll believe ONLY when I see it?” FAITH is believing before I see it
2. Faith Is OBEYING When I Don’t UNDERSTAND It. Hebrews 11:7 reads: “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Two important Words stand out. Lead “BY Faith” and “REVERENT FEAR” “Reverent fear” is the word for “obedience.” It reads in Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Matthew 17:20 it reads: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3. Faith Is GIVING When I Don’t HAVE all of it. Giving and faith go together. God sometimes uses finances to test our faith. Have you ever had to decide between tithing and paying a bill? This is a test! GOD is saying, “Who are you going to trust? My promise is to take care of you if you put ME first or yourself?” Matthew 6:33 it reads: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
   In Hebrews 11, amongst the Heroes the first person listed is a man named Abel. Abel gets listed not because he did something great. He had no great accomplishment or Achievement to his name. The only thing he did was he gave a sacrifice that was More acceptable to GOD than his brother Cain. And God listed Abel in the Hall of Fame and Faith. Why? It wasn’t how much he gave, it wasn’t what he gave, but it was the attitude in which he gave God that mattered. Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” The Bible here is talking about giving a more acceptable sacrifice in faith, God commending this act of giving and it still speaks even though Abel died 1000’s of years ago! It wasn’t what Abel gave that pleased God but how he gave it. It wasn’t the amount but the attitude of his heart. God doesn’t care about the amount. He cares about the attitude in which we give. Whenever we give in faith, God always shows up at the right time! Amen! 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 it reads: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
4. Faith Is PERSISTING When I Don’t FEEL Like It. Persevering, Continuing, Keeping At It, Sticking It Out, Carrying On to the finish. Be it a Job, Ministry, Marriage, studies or even our devotion time – God expects us to persist even when we don’t feel like it. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 it reads: And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. Persistence brought the bible to completion, financed, translated, distributed to over 90 Nations! Don’t Give up / Don’t give in!
   Another Example: Galatians 6:9 it reads: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
   Faith is being persistent.

• Faith is refusing to give up.
• Faith is doing the right thing,
• Even when we are tired,
• Even when we are moody,
• Even when we go through disappointments and discouragements.
  Keep your eyes firmly fixed on the Lord.
  “Look back and thank GOD,
  Look forward and trust GOD,
  Look around and serve GOD,
  Look within and find GOD.”
  Hebrews 10:35-38 it reads: So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
• 5. Faith Is THANKING GOD Before I RECEIVE It. Look at JESUS’ Prayer before calling Lazarus out of the grave: It reads in John 11:41-46 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
  It also reads in 2 Chronicles 20:18-23: Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise / the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
  I believe God gave us this heart to thank Him from. He gave us our moth to Thank Him from. God also gave us His powerful mind to learn to do right and Thank Him in the good and the bad. God brings blessings out of our mess’s. Our Mind can heal our body, but our body cannot heal our mind. But when we straightly pray to our creator God He hears us and goes into action on our behalf. Faith is thanking GOD in advance.
• 6. Faith Is TRUSTING If I Don’t GET It. Paul said ~ in Philippians 4:11-13: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.
  God is more interested in my character than He is in my comfort or my wealth.
  God is more interested in making me HOLY than in making me happy.
  {Lets Pray}
  Father God, I can be so established in my own thinking that sometimes I doubt Your Word and questioned Your promises, often wishing I had some concrete ‘proof’ of Your love for me, and yet Your Word gives me all the affirmation of this absolute reality I need, for Your Word and Promises are sure and Your faithfulness stretches beyond the limits of time and space. During the hard times and sufferings. I thank You and praise You for letting me know You and that I needed faith of a mustard seed. I thank You and praise You for the gift of faith, and I believe that day by day my loving trust in You and the reality of Your Word will become increasingly established within my heart, for I long to be where You are at, or if You come back to get me. I will be ready. I thank You and praise You for transformation. I am believing if there is anyone out there who don’t know You that You will guide Your angels in their life to let them know of the freedom they have in Christ if they just believe. Bless them this day Father God. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter and intended for believing Jews and Gentiles of North Asia Minor. About this time was the Great Fire of Rome (64 A. D.), which Nero persecuted Christians for and the official persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.) Having witnessed the suffering and death of Jesus, Peter saw Christ as the model and means to endure the persecutions Christians were facing. Because of Christ’s resurrection and victory over death, faith in this knowledge can empower a Believer to live a life “holy and blameless” as a redeemed sinner.1 Peter was written to encourage Believers to remain steadfast in their faith and live as a testimony of Christ, in spite of trials and sufferings, because of their assurance of salvation and glory that awaits them with Christ.
“The Roman Catholic Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1570) understood the passage to mean that the Spirit of Christ went to release the souls of Old Testament believers who repented before the Flood. Instead of hell, these believers were kept in Limbo, which was a place between heaven and hell. Rome, Italy, (CNA) – St. Robert Bellarmine, whose feast is celebrated Sept. 17 on the General Roman Calendar, was a Jesuit and a cardinal who used his incredible intellect to defend Catholic teaching, largely through responses to the Church’s opponents in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation.” All who believe in Jesus Christ we can research history’ Getting back to Peter: They will find true enjoyment in life as they turn away from insincere speech and hurtful actions, and concentrate instead on doing good and promoting peace. They will also find that such a life is assured of God’s constant help. Peter addresses all believers, commanding Christians to be unified and to refuse to seek revenge when wronged. Peter quotes from both David and Isaiah to show that God’s people have always been called to reject evil and to do good. This is true even when we are suffering. Suffering for Christ is only temporary, but the suffering for evil is eternal! That is, we are continually under God’s notice and his care; God continually watches for us and watches over us, and we are under his constant protection. God never sleeps. “Psalm 134:1-3: A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.” A reason of the hope that is in me, Jesus Christ is the reason, His perfect love, His teachings, His sacrifice on the cross. To know Jesus Christ is to know how deeply loved I am, to truly live. He didn’t just die to get me into heaven, he died to get a little bit of heaven into me and you. Set the Lord upon the throne of your heart, to make Him the Lord and Ruler of your life. In Hebrews 13:5–6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hope is a source of energy. It helps us to see something better up ahead and to put one foot in front of the other to move forward. When we feel hopeful for the future, we wake up in the morning ready to embrace the day. We are more prepared to work hard, to strive, to be willing to tackle and overcome the obstacles that we face. Suffering for evil is what will happen if we are not willing to stand up for Jesus. Amen!

1 Peter Chapter 3:13-18
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that there is nothing in earth or heaven, visible or invisible, that can separate us from Your love and for all those that are in Christ Jesus. I believe that I may be eager to live as You have instructed and to earnestly seek after that which is good. I thank You and praise You that I have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and my desire is to be fully sanctified unto Him. Also to offer my body as a living sacrifice – holy and acceptable unto God. Guide my heart and guide my speech. Give me wisdom to be able to give an answer for the hope that is in me. Also to give a defense for my trust in Jesus Christ and the blessed hope that I have in Him. I thank You and praise You for Your will and gentleness. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.