Wisdom From Paul

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Marietta

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake “(1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Wisdom from Paul

1 Thessalonians 2:4-13

1) Question: According to the fourth verse, why have we been approved  by God to be entrusted with the gospel?

                        Answer: To speak to please God not men (v.4).

 2) Question: Who examines our hearts?

                        Answer: God (v.4).

 3) Question: How should we not speak?

                        Answer: Not with flattering speech (v.5).

 4) Question: How should we live our lives?

                        Answer: Not for earthly gain (v.5).

                                       Not seeking glory from men (v.6).

 5) Question: How do we prove ourselves?

                        Answer: By being gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children (v.7).

 6) Question: What should we be willing to do?

                        Answer: Impart our lives for them (v.8).

7) Question: What are we suppose to have?

                        Answer: Life reflected beliefs (v.10).

  8) Question: What is our job?

                        Answer: We are to exhort, encourage, and implore (v.11).

9) Question: How do walk in a manner worthy of God?

                        Answer:  We stay focused on God (v.12).

10) Question: What are we looking for?

                        Answer: Their response (v.13). 

Review 1 Thessalonians 2:4-13.

  • Approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel (v.4).
  • People’s response (v. Speak to please God not men (v.4).
  • Not using flattering speech (v.5).
  • Not for earthly gain (v.5).
  • Not seeking glory from men (v.6).
  • Gentle among them as a nursing mother (v.7).
  • Willing to impart their lives for them (v.8).
  • Life reflected beliefs (v.10).
  • Exhorted, encouraged, and implored (v.11).
  • Focus (v.12).
  • People’s response (v.13)

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

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Attitude of a Bond-servant

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:24).

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The Role of Hardship

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

God uses hardship as a tool in our lives to teach us discipline. Hardship is a tool to help us become more like Christ.  God uses hardships to turn our focus on Him, and not ourselves. God allows the hardship to see our true nature. God’s sovereign plan of hardship humbles us. When we adhere to the lessons taught by the hardship that God allows it should make us better, not bitter.

God has a perfect plan for our life. He may lead us through a time of difficult discipline, but He never leaves us during the hard times.  Sometimes life seems unfair, but if we obey God, His perfect plan will unfold in our lives.

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Obedience

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

Obedience usually guarantees success and prosperity. In Deuteronomy, the blessings and curses mentioned are part of the covenant between God and Israel. If Israel obeyed and kept God’s laws, God would bless them with success and prosperity. In Deuteronomy 1:32, Moses reminded the Israelites of their refusal to believe God. The Israelites were punished, because they refused to trust in God. When we refuse to trust God, we will not be successful.

Believing in God has its rewards. Suffering may come to those who are righteous. But, if we are faithful in our obedience to Him, His way is always better. Obedience to God guarantees spiritual success and prosperity, but does not always guarantee absence of physical problems.

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What a God-honoring Marriage Should Possess

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

Summary of Ephesians 5

Marriage can be the most fulfilling spiritual friendships in life. Husbands and wives must submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Couples value and serve each other out of their devotion to Christ. They support each other so they can become all that God created them to be.

It is important that God is the model for the entire marriage relationship. Couples should follow Jesus’ model and lay down their lives for each other. When they find their security in Christ, they will also find freedom to risk living sacrificially.

The goal of a married couple should be to have a relationship that is without sin. The ongoing experience of confession of sin, grace, and forgiveness is a must.

The goal of a marriage relationship is spiritual growth. Spiritual growth brings a sense of wonder at the unsearchable riches of life in Christ.

Summary of I Corinthians 7

Marriage is the place for sexual expression and fulfillment. Our bodies are not ours; but they belong to God and our spouse. If we seek sexual fulfillment outside of marriage we find ourselves trapped of selfish pleasure seeking. Sexuality in the bounds of marriage brings fulfilling joy in God and our spouses.

Whether single or married, there are difficulties that we must deal with. It is wise to seek ways to improve the situation we are in.

God wants us to live in harmony with one another. When we are not living in harmony, we need to examine our lives to see if there is anything we can do to change it.

Instead of seeking new situations, we should seek a new relationship with God in our current situations. In Christ, we have a new power at work in us – regardless of our outward circumstances.

Three Most Important Things That Make a God-Honoring Marriage

Submission with reverence to God brings peace and joy in a marriage. A marriage without sin brings an unconditional love between each other and God. Godly love brings spiritual growth.

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Definition of Martial Love

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

God is love. God showed His love to us, by offering His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins. The love between a man and woman is a sacrificial love towards one another.

Love between a husband and wife is a celebration of Christ in their hearts and relationship. A couple shows each other love by reflecting Christ and His love.

When having difficulties in a marriage, a husband and wife first considers where they have been wrong. They encourage each other to repent from their sins. By seeing each others spiritual growth as their responsibility and privilege, they demonstrate love to each other.

A husband and wife show love to each other by building and growing their relationship. They are loyal and faithful to each other. They demonstrate love to each other, by seeing each other’s spiritual growth as their responsibility and privilege.

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Romans 6

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

Father,

I come before You and from my heart I am truly confess all my sins. I ask that You forgive me for the many times I have sinned against You. As Your child, I thank You that I am dead to sin, but alive to You, Oh God! Thank You, Christ Jesus for dying on the cross for me, so my body of sin might be done away with, and that I am no longer a slave to sin. I can now walk in newness of life! I am alive to You, Oh God in Christ Jesus. May I present myself to You as alive from the dead, and my body as a instrument of righteousness to You. Father, I ask that You not allow sin to rule over my life. Thank You, God for making me obedient from my heart.  May I present my body as a slave to righteousness. Praise You, God for the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus!

 Amen.

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The Meaning of Mark 5:1-20

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

Mark, the writer, wants his readers to know that Jesus has power over satan and his demons. This is made clear by the response of the demon when he saw Jesus in Mark 5:7. Demons quake at God. Other verses will be used below to show that Jesus possessed power over satan and his demons.

Mark tells a story of a demon-possessed man. The man was possessed by more than one demon, but only one demon spoke who is the authoritative figure in the story. The demon tells Jesus in 5:9 that his name is Legion; for we are many. This term suggests that the man was possessed by numerous demons. In 5:7, the demon was speaking using the voice of the possessed man. He said to Jesus,” What business do we have with each other…?” Similar expressions are found in the O.T. where they mean, “Mind your own business!”  The demon sensed he was to be punished and used the strongest basis for an oath he knew, “I implore You by God, do not torment me!” The demons were fearful of being sent into eternal judgment. Jesus consented to the demon’s request, and the pigs carried the demons into the sea. After Jesus healed the demonic man, witnesses were frightened by Jesus’ power.

The meaning of this verse is that Jesus is the Son of God who possesses power over satan and his demons. Within the biblical narrative, the reader sees how much power Jesus has by the great number of swine that are destroyed. Jesus’ exorcism results in awe and astonishment.

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Temptation

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

Christ experienced human temptation. He is ready to give us sympathetic help when we are tempted. Hebrews 4:16 says. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Whenever we are in need, we can draw near to Christ. Christ gives us grace and mercy in time of need.

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Identity in Christ

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Marietta

What a blessing to learn our true identity in Christ. In the Word of God, John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Colossian 2:10 makes it clear that those who know the Lord are complete in Christ. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengths me.” Relying on God we can do all things. You may be listening to the lies of the enemy telling you can not do certain things. What a deceiving lie the enemy plays on us. Praise God, Christians have the power to discern when the enemy tries to trick us.

 

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