THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

(Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

(1Jn 4:16) We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

(Rom 5:5) and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(1Jn 4:19) We love, because He first loved us.

(2Co 5:14-15) For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

(1Th 4:9) Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

(Joh 15:12) "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

(1Pe 4:8) Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins,

(Eph 5:2) and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

HAVE YOU LOVED YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

(Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

(1Jn 4:16) We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

(Rom 5:5) and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(1Jn 4:19) We love, because He first loved us.

(2Co 5:14-15) For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

(1Th 4:9) Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

(Joh 15:12) "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

(1Pe 4:8) Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins,

(Eph 5:2) and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

HAVE YOU LOVED YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Thanksgiving

What will be in your thankful prayer?

(Psa 69:30) I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Or perhaps..

(Psa 95:2) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Maybe the following psalm to express your gratitude..

(Psa 100:4) Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

What about raising your voices in song, I'm sure there are several good hymns that would satisfy..

(Psa 147:7) Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre.

Certainly the Lord would appreciate your thanks for the function of prayer..

(Php 4:6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

After all, prayer is our direct line of communication to our Father and King..

(Col 4:2) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Thank Him for your breath of life, for the roof over your head, for the money in your pocket, clothes in the closet, for the loved ones and friends sharing the Thanksgiving Feast, or better yet, for granting you the Salvation to Eternal Life in Christ..

(Rev 7:12) saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HAVE YOU GIVEN THANKS?

Thanksgiving

What will be in your thankful prayer?

(Psa 69:30) I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Or perhaps..

(Psa 95:2) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Maybe the following psalm to express your gratitude..

(Psa 100:4) Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

What about raising your voices in song, I'm sure there are several good hymns that would satisfy..

(Psa 147:7) Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre.

Certainly the Lord would appreciate your thanks for the function of prayer..

(Php 4:6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

After all, prayer is our direct line of communication to our Father and King..

(Col 4:2) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Thank Him for your breath of life, for the roof over your head, for the money in your pocket, clothes in the closet, for the loved ones and friends sharing the Thanksgiving Feast, or better yet, for granting you the Salvation to Eternal Life in Christ..

(Rev 7:12) saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HAVE YOU GIVEN THANKS?

The True Church

Summary:

The true church, composed of the whole number of regenerate persons from Pentecost to the first resurrection united together and to Christ by the baptism with the Holy Spirit is the body of Christ of which He is the Head. As such, it is a holy temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit is "one flesh" with Christ and espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband. [Scofield]

O' Lord God, thank you for Your Christ. O' Lord Jesus, thank-you for being willing to suffer so much to release us from our death sentence, passing us through the cross to the eternal salvation on the other side. O' Holy Spirit, we thirst to know HIS word, we hunger to know HIM more. The more we know, the more we know we don't know; help us Lord to fill this void, Amen.

Let us now take Brother Scofield's marvelous summary of the True Church and further amplify its contents through the validating truth of scripture--

--The true church, composed of the whole number of regenerate persons from Pentecost to the first resurrection...

(1Co 15:52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

...united together and to Christ by the baptism with the Holy Spirit...

(1Co 12:12-13) For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

...is the body of Christ of which He is the Head.

(Eph 1:22-23) And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

As such, it is a holy temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit...

(Eph 2:21-22) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

...is "one flesh" with Christ...

(Eph 5:30-31) because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

...and espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband.

(2Co 11:2-4) For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

Simplicity, purity, truth. Thus my dear friends is the summary of The True Church.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

The True Church

Summary:

The true church, composed of the whole number of regenerate persons from Pentecost to the first resurrection united together and to Christ by the baptism with the Holy Spirit is the body of Christ of which He is the Head. As such, it is a holy temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit is "one flesh" with Christ and espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband. [Scofield]

O' Lord God, thank you for Your Christ. O' Lord Jesus, thank-you for being willing to suffer so much to release us from our death sentence, passing us through the cross to the eternal salvation on the other side. O' Holy Spirit, we thirst to know HIS word, we hunger to know HIM more. The more we know, the more we know we don't know; help us Lord to fill this void, Amen.

Let us now take Brother Scofield's marvelous summary of the True Church and further amplify its contents through the validating truth of scripture--

--The true church, composed of the whole number of regenerate persons from Pentecost to the first resurrection...

(1Co 15:52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

...united together and to Christ by the baptism with the Holy Spirit...

(1Co 12:12-13) For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

...is the body of Christ of which He is the Head.

(Eph 1:22-23) And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

As such, it is a holy temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit...

(Eph 2:21-22) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

...is "one flesh" with Christ...

(Eph 5:30-31) because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

...and espoused to Him as a chaste virgin to one husband.

(2Co 11:2-4) For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

Simplicity, purity, truth. Thus my dear friends is the summary of The True Church.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1Co 1:9)

I truly believe that our Creator desires that everyone be called. From our birth we know, deep down inside, that there is something greater, something more powerful and wise that attempts to guide our steps. Our conscience, that little voice from deep inside, is evidence that God really did write on our hearts the knowledge of right and wrong, [Heb 8:10]. We sometimes listen to this inner advice, but more often, we ignore it. We ignore the voice and satisfy the US in us!

God's call to us is constant. It begins at birth, and through the years we hear that small voice inviting us to fellowship with His Son, The Christ. The majority ignore that call, that invitation. They ignore the call and follow the path to their own eternal destruction. This is and was the message from the Apostles to all who would hear, --Answer the Call--, the call of the Lord. Jesus is calling you my friend.

(1Jn 1:3) What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

How do you answer the call? God made it simple. Where ever you are, what ever you are doing, take a pause. With all sincerity of heart, open your mouth and confess your belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Believe with your whole being that Jesus died, was buried, and by the hand of God Almighty, He was raised from the dead. Say LORD, come into me, save me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit... Jesus is the only door.

(1Jn 4:15) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

(1Jn 3:24) The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

If you truly, truly believe the words that you uttered, a change will take place in you. As the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your body, you will see life and circumstances through a whole new lens. You will see righteousness in the full light of day, and watch the darkness run and attempt to hide. You will develop a unquenchable thirst to know Him, to know His word and His ways. The Bible will begin to speak to you through its words in scripture. You will see sin in it's true and horrible form. Gravitation to those who are well versed in the word will be a constant desire. You will see His works in everything, and as the breeze moves the limbs of the tree, you will feel His presence in the wind against your skin, and you will smell the very breath of God. It is the change in you that will confirm your salvation in Christ.

(Heb 10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

(2Co 6:16) ….just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1Co 1:9)

I truly believe that our Creator desires that everyone be called. From our birth we know, deep down inside, that there is something greater, something more powerful and wise that attempts to guide our steps. Our conscience, that little voice from deep inside, is evidence that God really did write on our hearts the knowledge of right and wrong, [Heb 8:10]. We sometimes listen to this inner advice, but more often, we ignore it. We ignore the voice and satisfy the US in us!

God's call to us is constant. It begins at birth, and through the years we hear that small voice inviting us to fellowship with His Son, The Christ. The majority ignore that call, that invitation. They ignore the call and follow the path to their own eternal destruction. This is and was the message from the Apostles to all who would hear, --Answer the Call--, the call of the Lord. Jesus is calling you my friend.

(1Jn 1:3) What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

How do you answer the call? God made it simple. Where ever you are, what ever you are doing, take a pause. With all sincerity of heart, open your mouth and confess your belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Believe with your whole being that Jesus died, was buried, and by the hand of God Almighty, He was raised from the dead. Say LORD, come into me, save me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit... Jesus is the only door.

(1Jn 4:15) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

(1Jn 3:24) The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

If you truly, truly believe the words that you uttered, a change will take place in you. As the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your body, you will see life and circumstances through a whole new lens. You will see righteousness in the full light of day, and watch the darkness run and attempt to hide. You will develop a unquenchable thirst to know Him, to know His word and His ways. The Bible will begin to speak to you through its words in scripture. You will see sin in it's true and horrible form. Gravitation to those who are well versed in the word will be a constant desire. You will see His works in everything, and as the breeze moves the limbs of the tree, you will feel His presence in the wind against your skin, and you will smell the very breath of God. It is the change in you that will confirm your salvation in Christ.

(Heb 10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

(2Co 6:16) ….just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

(Gen 41:52)

(2Co 1:3, 5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Have ever heard the George Carlin expression, -Life is tough and then you die-? We are all exposed to a plethora of hard times in the course of our lives. God never promised that we would have life easy. He never said that we would not be confronted with temptation, torment, pain, grief, persecution or loss. What our Lord did promise is that He would be with us, never forsaking us during our times of testing.

(1Pe 1:6-7) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Our King, our Christ, our Lord took on the very likeness of man and was born of a woman. Having lived as we have lived, He was faced with all the temptations, trials, tribulations as we. The difference is that He did so without a single sin. It is through this powerful propitiation that Jesus willingly gave up His life so that we, who believe on Him, might live with freedom from the sentence of eternal death. He bought us with His blood.

(2Ti 4:17) ...The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.

As a World-Class sinner, God's light and mercy brought me to my knees. Since that moment, late in my years, I have not looked back but have been constantly filled with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving even through some very tough days, and long nights. The Holy Spirit is always there, always ready to guide and counsel and gird me and show the way.

(1Pe 4:19) Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

O' Lord, Let your righteousness be our righteousness, let Your Holy Spirit be our constant companion, to forever lead us in faith in Your ways, and in Your Light. May we never lose site of Your great mercy and unending Love, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

(Gen 41:52)

(2Co 1:3, 5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Have ever heard the George Carlin expression, -Life is tough and then you die-? We are all exposed to a plethora of hard times in the course of our lives. God never promised that we would have life easy. He never said that we would not be confronted with temptation, torment, pain, grief, persecution or loss. What our Lord did promise is that He would be with us, never forsaking us during our times of testing.

(1Pe 1:6-7) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Our King, our Christ, our Lord took on the very likeness of man and was born of a woman. Having lived as we have lived, He was faced with all the temptations, trials, tribulations as we. The difference is that He did so without a single sin. It is through this powerful propitiation that Jesus willingly gave up His life so that we, who believe on Him, might live with freedom from the sentence of eternal death. He bought us with His blood.

(2Ti 4:17) ...The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.

As a World-Class sinner, God's light and mercy brought me to my knees. Since that moment, late in my years, I have not looked back but have been constantly filled with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving even through some very tough days, and long nights. The Holy Spirit is always there, always ready to guide and counsel and gird me and show the way.

(1Pe 4:19) Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

O' Lord, Let your righteousness be our righteousness, let Your Holy Spirit be our constant companion, to forever lead us in faith in Your ways, and in Your Light. May we never lose site of Your great mercy and unending Love, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

...FOR THE FORM OF THIS WORLD IS PASSING AWAY

(1Co 7:31)

(Gen 5:27) So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.

Can you even begin to imagine what life would be like if you were over nine-hundred years old? My guess is that you might be a bit cranky in disposition. Perhaps you would carry a distinctive odor. [Ya Think?] Both of my grand fathers were in their 70's when they died. I recall from early childhood the peculiar scent both carried. I don't mean to be crude, but they smelled fermented. One can only guess how aromatic Adam or Noah were in their final years.

After the great flood, God began to reduce the length of man's life. Man continued to be very troubling and consumed in himself. By the time that Moses led the Israelites by the hand out of Egypt, Our Father reduced our years on earth to about 120, then further reduced them; (Gen 6:3)

(Psa 90:10) As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.

Our piddly little 70 or 80 years wearing this flesh is nothing when compared to eternity. It is a blink, a flash of lightning. Yet, we whine and complain and grumble and fret and connive, viewing this short life through the lens called “What About Me?” We seem to think that we are God's gift to OURSELVES. How laughable. How sad.

(Jas 1:9-11) But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

(Jas 4:14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

(1Jn 2:17) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

So much of my life was wasted, chasing the lusts of Satan, and the vices of this corrupt world. What about you?  Your END-OF-LIFE alarm is sounding. Do you hear it?

(Psa 39:4) "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

(1Th 5:3-6) While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

Last night I sat with and watched the very last earthly breath of a Brother-in-Arms and he died. He gave up his earthly tent to immediately be carried to the presence of He who made him, Almighty God, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

If this night becomes your very last night on this earth, in body that you wear, where will you be carried? Time is short. Make a decision. Say YES to the LORD, YES to Christ, Amen and Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ARE YOU SAVED?

...FOR THE FORM OF THIS WORLD IS PASSING AWAY

(1Co 7:31)

(Gen 5:27) So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.

Can you even begin to imagine what life would be like if you were over nine-hundred years old? My guess is that you might be a bit cranky in disposition. Perhaps you would carry a distinctive odor. [Ya Think?] Both of my grand fathers were in their 70's when they died. I recall from early childhood the peculiar scent both carried. I don't mean to be crude, but they smelled fermented. One can only guess how aromatic Adam or Noah were in their final years.

After the great flood, God began to reduce the length of man's life. Man continued to be very troubling and consumed in himself. By the time that Moses led the Israelites by the hand out of Egypt, Our Father reduced our years on earth to about 120, then further reduced them; (Gen 6:3)

(Psa 90:10) As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.

Our piddly little 70 or 80 years wearing this flesh is nothing when compared to eternity. It is a blink, a flash of lightning. Yet, we whine and complain and grumble and fret and connive, viewing this short life through the lens called “What About Me?” We seem to think that we are God's gift to OURSELVES. How laughable. How sad.

(Jas 1:9-11) But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

(Jas 4:14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

(1Jn 2:17) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

So much of my life was wasted, chasing the lusts of Satan, and the vices of this corrupt world. What about you?  Your END-OF-LIFE alarm is sounding. Do you hear it?

(Psa 39:4) "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

(1Th 5:3-6) While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

Last night I sat with and watched the very last earthly breath of a Brother-in-Arms and he died. He gave up his earthly tent to immediately be carried to the presence of He who made him, Almighty God, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

If this night becomes your very last night on this earth, in body that you wear, where will you be carried? Time is short. Make a decision. Say YES to the LORD, YES to Christ, Amen and Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ARE YOU SAVED?