Category: Godliness

Steps In Rescuing Prodigals (Insights in Prophets)

4/24/2013

God is active in rescuing prodigals beginning with His sovereignty that spurs Him to action. God's holiness protects prodigals from wrath, His love destroys those who harm them, His righteousness leads to godly lifestyle, His truth purifies their lips to call on Him and His power rescues them so they can walk with God.

The proper response of those who desire to rescue prodigals from sin is to reject complacency and idolatry, seek God in humility and righteousness, receive His inheritance, avoid a carefree lifestyle, wait on Him in truth without fear, and take delight in mighty God who empowers prodigals to walk with Him.

God's Sovereignty Spurs Him to Action
God said to Zephaniah during Josiah's reign that He would sweep everything from the earth. He would stretch His hand against those in Judah and Jerusalem who worshiped Baal and Molech without seeking God. He would punish those who filled the temple of their gods with violence and deceit along with the complacent who thought God was inactive. He plundered their wealth and demolished their houses. They would build houses and not live in them and plant vineyards and not drink the wine (Zeph. 1:1-13). Know God hates complacency, idolatry, violence and deceit.

God's Holiness Protects You From Wrath
The day of the Lord brought wrath, distress, anguish, trouble, ruin and gloom. People would walk like blind men because of sin. Their money could not save them. God's jealousy consumed and ended the whole world. The humble who did what He commanded sought the Lord. They should seek righteousness and humility to gain shelter during the day of the Lord's anger (Zeph. 1:14-2:3). Seek God in humility and righteousness for protection from His wrath.

God's Love Destroys Those Who Harm You
God would destroy the Philistines so the remnant of Judah would dwell in the houses of Ashkelon. He cared and restored their fortunes. Moab and Ammon insulted and made threats against God's people who would inherit their land. After He destroyed all the gods of the land, every nation would worship Him (Zeph. 2:4-12). Receive His inheritance after He destroys every god that insults and threatens you.

God's Righteousness Leads to Godly Lifestyle
God would destroy Assyria and leave Nineveh desolate. This was a carefree city that lived in safety. Nineveh said that there was none besides her. Nineveh became a ruin with everyone scoffing at her (Zeph. 2:13-15). Avoid a carefree lifestyle that leads to ruin and scoffing.

God's Truth Purifies Your Lips
Zephaniah said Jerusalem was rebellious, accepted no correction and did not draw near to the Lord. Her officials were roaring lions, priests did violence to the law and prophets were angry. God was righteous, dispensed justice and never failed. He demolished strongholds and destroyed cities. People acted corrupted and did not accept correction from God. They waited on Him for purified lips to call on His name. He removed those who rejoiced in pride only leaving the humble who trusted in God's name. Israel's remnant spoke no lies or deceit and no one made them afraid (Zeph. 3:1-13). Wait on God in truth without fear so purified lips can call on His name.

God's Power Rescues Prodigals
God turned back the enemy so Jerusalem did not fear. He was mighty to save and took great delight in them. He quieted them with His love and rejoiced over them with singing. God dealt with all who oppressed them, rescued the lame, gathered the scattered and gave them praise and honor in every land. He brought them home and restored their fortunes before their eyes (Zeph. 3:14-20). Take delight in mighty God who rescues prodigals so they walk with Him.

Ask God to empower you in the following ways by rescuing prodigals from sin:
1. Reject complacency and idolatry
2. Seek God in humility and righteousness
3. Receive His inheritance
4. Avoid a carefree lifestyle
5. Wait on Him in truth without fear so you can call on Him
6. Delight in mighty God who rescues prodigals so they walk with Him

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Actions of An Effective Congregation (Insights in NT)

3/21/2013

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The actions of an effective congregation involve spiritual development, godly examples, family relationships, qualified leaders, respectful connections with the world and doing good deeds with generosity.

Train Yourself for Godliness Enjoying Every Created Thing
The Spirit said in later times that some abandoned the faith and followed deceiving spirits from hypocritical liars. They forbid people to marry and ordered them to abstain from certain foods that God created to be enjoyed by those who knew the truth. God created everything as good and nothing rejected if received with thanksgiving and consecrated by the word of God and prayer. A minister with good teaching pointed these things out. Have nothing to do with godless myths but train yourself to be godly. Physical training had some value but godliness held promise for both the present and future life. Put your hope in the living God and Savior of all men. Command and teach these things (1 Tim. 4:1-11). Train yourself for godliness enjoying every created thing while teaching and fixing your hope on the living God.

Be a Godly Example While Exercising Your Gifts
Do not let people look down on your youthfulness but set an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity. Be devoted to public reading of Scripture, preaching and teaching. Give yourself wholly to spiritual gifts, which were recognized by elders so people see progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere to save yourself and hearers (1 Tim. 4:12-16). Be a godly example while devoting yourself to preaching, teaching and exercising you spiritual gifts.

Treat Body of Christ Like Family
Exhort an older man like a father, treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers and younger women as sisters with all purity. Give proper recognition to widows in real need. Let families care for parents and grandparents to please God and not burden the church. Needy widows put their hope in God evidenced by prayer instead of seeking pleasure. Those who do not provide for their relatives and immediate family are worse than an unbeliever. A qualified widow must be over 60, faithful to her husband, well known for good deeds like bringing up children, showing hospitality, serving believers and helping those in trouble. Encourage younger widows to marry and have children so they do not become idle, gossip and turn away to follow Satan (1 Tim. 5:1-16). Treat brothers and sisters in Christ respectfully like family while financially supporting qualified widows.

Select and Support Qualified Elders
Financially support elders who preach and teach since workers deserve their wages. Do not accuse an elder unless two or three witnesses came forward. Rebuke sinning elders publicly so others take warning. Keep these instructions without partiality or favoritism. Be slow in appointing elders in order to stay pure. The sins of some men become obvious and others trail behind. Similarly, good deeds become obvious (1 Tim. 5:17-25). Select and support qualified elders financially and spiritually.

Respect Work Authorities With Contentment
Employees should consider their supervisors, especially believers, worthy of respect to not slander God's name. Those who taught false doctrines and did not agree with godly teaching of Jesus Christ were conceited, without understanding and had unhealthy interest in controversies. They were robbed of the truth thinking that godliness was a means to financial gain. Godliness with contentment over food and clothing bring great gain. People wanting to get rich fall into temptation, a trap, foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. The love of money was a root of all kinds of evil causing people to wander from the faith and piercing themselves with many griefs (1 Tim. 6:1-10). Respect work authorities with contentment over food and clothing to remain strong in the faith.

Pursue Righteousness Doing Good Deeds With Generosity
Men of God pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. They fought the good fight of faith taking hold of eternal life while making the good confession in the presence of many witnesses until Christ appeared. Honor God, blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords and immortal who lives in unapproachable light. Command the rich in this present world not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God who richly supplied everything for enjoyment. Command them to be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share. They laid up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and took hold of real life. Paul commanded Timothy to guard what was entrusted to his care, turn away from godless chatter and opposing ideas of false knowledge that caused people to wander from the faith (1 Tim. 6:11-21). Pursue righteousness doing good deeds with generosity to gain eternal reward and life.

Pray for your congregation in the following areas:
1. Spiritual development
2. Godly examples
3. Family relationships
4. Qualified leaders
5. Respectful connections with the world
6. Doing good deeds with generosity

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Characteristics of a Godly Wife (Insights in Psalms)

8/29/2012

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Too many women have too much leisure time for their own good. They have time for criticism, gossip, faultfinding, and complaining. They have time for idle games and lay too much attention to things of the flesh. There are other women who have too little time for the enduring things of life. They are too busy flitting about doing this and that. They have great activity and much doing, but they lack time for building Christian characters. Both kinds of women -- the too-idle and the too-busy need to take time for meditation and quiet repose in prayer to God. They need time to cultivate their souls that in turn they may cultivate their children's lives" (Billy Graham).
Proverbs 31 explains the characteristics of a godly wife in the home and community.

My son, do not spend your strength and vigor on women who ruin kings. If rulers drink wine and crave beer, they forget what the law says and deprive the oppressed of their rights. Speak up for those who are destitute, judge fairly and defend the rights of the poor and needy (Prov. 31:1-9). God-fearing leaders speak up and defend the rights of the poor and needy.

A wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her, lacking nothing of value. She brings him good everyday. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like merchant ships bringing her food from a distance. She gets up early and provides food for her family and servants (Prov. 31:10-15). Wives' good character save money on food and clothing as they prepare meals for their families.

She considers a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard out of her earnings. She works diligently on her tasks. She works late making sure her trading is profitable. She is generous and helps the needy. She clothes her household in scarlet so they are prepared in every season. She makes coverings for her bed and is clothed in fine linen and purple (Prov. 31:16-22). Wives' business sense and poise supply extra income for their families while helping the needy.

Her husband is respected in a city leadership position. She makes and sells linen garments while supplying sashes for merchants. She clothes herself with strength and dignity and can laugh about the future. She speaks with wisdom and provides faithful instruction. She watches and is never idle over the affairs of her household. Her children and husband praise and call her blessed (Prov. 31:23-28). Wives' creativity, strength, dignity, wisdom, instruction and diligence enhance their husbands' capabilities.

She surpasses all other women who do noble things. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring praise among city leadership (Prov. 31:29-31). Wives who fear God and do not rely on charm and beauty will be praised by others.

As a wife or someone who will be married in the future, evaluate yourself on the following checklist:
1. Save money on food and clothing as you prepare meals for your family
2. Business sense and poise supply extra income for your family while helping the needy
3. Creativity, strength, dignity, wisdom, instruction and diligence enhance your husband's capabilities
4. Fear God and do not rely on charm and beauty to be praised by others

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Aligning Yourself with God's Promises (insights in Prophets)

10/29/2010

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This week I went to the Toyota dealer to get a steering part replaced on a recall. They also gave me a free four-wheel alignment. It's amazing how the car drives straighter and smoother. In a similar way, each of us need spiritual alignment in our personal lives. When people don't accept divine guidance, they run wild (Prov. 29:18, NLT).

After 55 years and two judges, Israel did evil in the Lord's sight again. They served the Baals and Ashtaroh and forsook the Lord instead of serving Him. The Lord's anger burned against Israel. The Philistines and Ammon afflicted them for 18 years. When Ammon fought Israel, they were greatly distressed (Judges 10:1-9). When you forsake God, life situations become overwhelming. He designs these circumstances so you will turn back to God.

In their misery, Israel cried out to the Lord, “We have sinned against You, we have forsaken our God and served the Baals.” The Lord reminded them of His deliverance from Egyptian oppression and other nations after they cried out to Him. Because of their consistent disobedience, God threatened to discontinue future deliverances and let them rely on false gods. Israel woke up, confessed their sin, removed foreign gods and served the Lord. God could not bear Israel's misery any longer (Judges 10:10-16). In each event of life, remind yourself of God's past deliverances as motivation to repent of current sin so you can live out the Gospel in your present situation.

After Ammon camped in Gilead opposite Israel in Mizpah, the people and Gilead's leaders asked "who is the man who will begin to fight against Ammon? He shall be become head over all the inhabitants of Gilead" (Judges 10:17-18). Those who fight against sin will become spiritual leaders among God’s people.

For those who have placed their faith in Christ's death and resurrection, God's power grants life and godliness through promises revealed in Scripture. It enables you to partake fully in the new spirit received from God and escape the world's corruption and lust (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

Claim a particular promise from Scripture in a tough situation you are facing today. For example, if you feel anxious, claim 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

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Steps In Rescuing Prodigals (Insights in Prophets)

Actions of An Effective Congregation (Insights in NT)

Characteristics of a Godly Wife (Insights in Psalms)

Aligning Yourself with God's Promises (insights in Prophets)

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