Answers to Life Ministries

"Whom the Son Sets Free is Free Indeed"

Love | Hate Relationship

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LOVE /HATE is not a Christ-like relationship
• We may have grown up in homes where love-hate existed

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
• Sweet water and bitter water cannot come out of the same fountain.
• Our words and actions matter in a relationship
1 Peter 3:9: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• Can we sometimes just not say anything back and just pray
• Tough exercise: WE NEED TO MASTER
• The LORD WILL GROW US
When we feel rejected in a relationship is when the enemy attacks (rejection-rejects back)
• Spirits will start to activate the flesh (anger, bitterness, rejection, hate, anger, murder just to name a few)
• These spirits attack our mind and flesh
• Causes us to spew out vengeful and hateful words
• Maybe deep down we don’t mean them
John 6:63-70 Jesus said: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
• Some words cut
• Then some words heal
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
When we speak these words: Are we sorry for them?
• Do we just leave them in the air
• For the enemy to use them.
• Do we feel justified
• They spiritually hurt the speak and the hearer
• WORDS MATTER

WE CAN TELL WHAT IS IN OUR HEART BY WHAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTHS
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh.
• Essential to put that BIBLE in your heart
• When we have no control over the words (Could be spiritual matter)
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Restoring Relationships

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The family may be defined as two or more persons who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption and who live together as one household.

  • A father, mother, and children, together they make a happy and flourishing family.
  • People with feelings: sometimes shown and sometimes keep inside

WE NEED TO CHERISH OUR EXISTING FAMILY MEMBERS FROM NOW ON! BUILD FAMILY TRUST OVER THE YEARS!

  • The foundation of trust is vital throughout the years of family life
  • Once violated, trust is hard to regain

Proverbs 11:29: He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

MISTRUSTS BRINGS DIVISION WITHIN A HOUSEHOLD

Psalm 133: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

  • We have to sometimes fight for unity
  • The enemy is seeking to devour the family unit

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • If there are a husband and wife within a family
  • There should be a strong trust bond

WE SHOULD SEEK TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER IN OUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AND RELATIVES

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

James 5:16 – Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  • We all have faults
  • Be the first one to say, “I am sorry.”
  • Say comforting words: Call them pet names: Baby, darling, honey, sweets

Self-Deception –One of the saddest forms of deceit is self-deception. People who don’t want to face reality can sometimes convince themselves to believe things that they really know are not true.
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
• Lies are destructive

LIES EAT AWAY TRUST IN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

• Lies will eventually destroy trust
• Lies can make a relationship unliveable for parties involved
Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Matthew 12:34,35 -For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A goodman out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brethren, whatever things are true …think on these things.
Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
TO BE SPEAKERS OF TRUTH, WE MUST FILL OUR HEARTS WITH TRUTH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WORD OF GOD

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Cleanse Your Cup

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JESUS LOOKS UPON THE THOUGHTS AND INTENT OF OUR HEARTS

Matthew 15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

  • Jesus doesn’t care about the traditions of men
  • He is looking at our hearts
  • We can say one thing with our mouths
  • But the Lord looks at our hearts

WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS WILL COME OUT OF OUR MOUTHS AND IN OUR ACTIONS

  • Repentance and Change is important
  • WE CAN’T FOOL GOD
  • Not only repenting but allowing the Lord to change us
  • Allow the Holy Spirit

Are we prepared to allow the Holy Spirit to strip away the grunge and coated on the mess in our hearts?

Are you tired of comparing yourself with others of the faith because they seem to have it all together, and you’re just pretending?

  • Jesus still looking at the same heart we gave HIM
  • Give Him our full affections

PREPARE TO MEET THE LORD

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. 1 John 2:15

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:58

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

WE ARE CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND: JESUS IS THE POTTER WE ARE THE CLAY

 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

  • The Bible shows God took the dust of the earth and breath life
  • He breathes His life in  when we became born again
  • Its Jesus in us. He shines through us (AS WE ALLOW HIM)
  • His Light should shine through us

OUR TREASURES SHOULD BE STORED IN HEAVEN SCRIPTURES

  • Treasures are not necessarily evil in themselves.
  • What Jesus was warning against is the improper value that we place on the treasures.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING HAS BECOME A TREASURE?

  • If you don’t think you can live without it, it might be a treasure!
  • If it brings you great pleasure and satisfaction, above everything else, it might be a treasure!
  • You might give up other things, but not on that thing that you treasure

IF IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IT IS A TREASURE!

Matthew 6:19 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Psalms 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Our Earthly House

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Our Earthly House

Read Mark 5:1-6 The Gadarene Demonic shows the power of the Human Will

  • The Will that was given to him by God
  • Nothing could keep Him from coming to Jesus Christ
  • “He ran and worshiped Jesus”
  • Possessed with a Legion of Demons

But Bible says we can be taken captive at HIS Will

2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

WE HAVE THE INWARD STRUGGLE OF THE SINFUL DESIRES OF THE FLESH (THAT OLD PERSON IN SIDE: BIBLE CALLS IT THE OLD MAN IN ROMANS 6)

 

THE FLESH WANTS TO DO WHAT IT WANTS TO DO

Paul said in Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Vs 18 He says : For I know that in me (that is in my flesh, ) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me: But how to perform that which is good I find not.

Vs 19 For the good that I would  I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Vs 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me

He further describes in VS 23: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members

  • That Fleshy or Bible sometime called “Carnal Nature” must be brought under the subjection to that NEW CREATURE.

Paul is in a miserable state:

Vs 24 : He says O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death:

WHEN WE ALLOW THE FLESH TO RULE, WE GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL TO WORK IN OUR LIVES

Eph 4:27: Neither give place to the Devil

James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the DEVILS (plural) also believe, and tremble.

THE CHRISTIAN HAS TO CRUCIFY THAT FLESH

Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Galatians 5:24: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

  • Some listening to this may know what deliverance is some may not
  • STOP depending of people to keep you free in the SPIRIT
  • We must submit ourselves to the Lord in order to Crucify the Flesh
  • Flesh cannot be cast out.

Our Bodies are a house or tabernacle for Jesus or for Satan

 

Matthew 12: 43-45: When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Vs 4 of  2 Corinthians 5:4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

1 Corinthians 6:19: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Peril Of The Flesh

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“The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore put off the works of darkness,” Rom. 13:12.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ.”2 Cor 10:4-5.

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The Old Nature

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THE BIBLE SHOWS THE OLD MAN (PERSON) AND NEW MAN
Verses that will give you a better understanding of:
The Flesh or Old Nature and New Creature or New Nature
Ephesians
The Flesh or Old Nature
In Ephesians chapter 4: 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
New Creature of New Nature
Ephesians 4:23-24: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Romans
The Flesh or Old Nature
Romans 7:23-24: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
New Creature of New Nature
Romans 7: 22, 25 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: vs 25 is an answer to Paul’s question in vs 24: 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans
The Flesh or Old Nature
Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
New Creature of New Nature
2 Peter 1:4: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
THE BIBLE SHOWS WE CAN WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
• We should not sin so that grace may be abundant or abound
• Says God forbid
• We should seek to walk in newness of life.

Also Read Romans Chapter 6

When we are born into this world, we receive the old nature or old man which is also called the flesh.
• We receive the new nature when we believe in Christ and are born again.
• Our “Spirit Man” comes alive to Jesus Christ and the things of God
• Our Quest is have the spirit man take dominion over the flesh.
• This was made possible and can be done according to the Word of God
1 John 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
• So we don’t have to live in the bondage of sin
• We have the flesh to contend with but we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is
THE BIBLE CALLS US NEW CREATURES (CONCENTRATE OF THIS PART) MAKE THIS PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• You have a part in the Body of Christ
• God has given you talents and gifts
John 3:6 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
• We were born with a body of flesh and bones
• But flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven
1 Corinthians 15:50 :50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
• This flesh we live in cannot go into heaven
• We have a part of us that is Supernatural
• A part of us that will never die
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THE FLESH IS REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE:
• Our old self or sinful nature that all human beings have as descendants of Adam
1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven
• By accepting Jesus Christ, we are born of the Spirit
• Jesus Christ came to redeem us from that sinful nature
• Jesus has won the war that is between the flesh and the spirit
• Our bodies won’t be redeemed until the Rapture

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Mourning Sin

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Matthew 5:4: Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted
Just as “poverty of spirit” has nothing to do with our finances,
• “mourning” has nothing to do with the natural life
• but, rather…like poverty of spirit…refers to our spiritual condition.
One definition of Mourning or to mourn
• To Mourn: is to feel regret or sadness about
o Like we would after the death of someone we love
o Unless they are a Christian
o We will miss them
• But we like to say that have received “THEIR CORONATION DAY” (THEIR CROWNING DAY) WITH JESUS CHRIST
JESUS IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT A MOURNING OF THE SPIRIT
• TO Mourn over sin

Luke 18:9-14: Jesus addresses the Religious Hypocrite and Ones that had no religion. Vs 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

IN VERSE 11 OF LUKE CHAPTER 18 THE PHARISEE WAS COMPARING HIMSELF TO PEOPLE AND NOT GOD
• He was self-righteous
o said in vs 11 God I thank you that I am not like other man are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican
• A hypocrite will always find someone that they feel they are better than
• A Christian is not better than anyone else
• We are not the judges of the World Jesus is

Romans 3:10: As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23-24: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God 24 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 4:24-25 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

THE PUBLICAN KNEW HIS SINFUL STATE
• He saw himself in the Light of Jesus
• A sinner, he mourned his sin
Vs 13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Psalm 51:17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
James 4:8-9 Tells Christians to mourn, grieve and howl over their sins
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, (grieved) and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
• Sin is deceitful
• A person that is deceived doesn’t know they are deceived
• Sin change our thinking we will not even realize we are deceived when we sin!
Heb 3: 12-14: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Proud Heart

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God controls the “heart.” Because of his natural “heart,” man’s only hope is in the promise of God:
•Ezek. 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you, … and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh”
• So the sinner prays: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” Ps. 51:10;
• and “… unite my heart [give me an undivided heart] to fear thy name” Ps. 86:11. Also, as David says, “I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness” 1 Chron. 29:17.
• Hence God’s people seek His approval: “… try my reins and my heart” Ps. 26:2.
The “heart” stands for the inner being of man, the man himself.
• As such, it is the fountain of all he does Proverbs 4:4: He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
• All his thoughts, desires, words, and actions flow from deep within him. Yet a man cannot understand his own “heart” Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
• As a person goes on in their own way, their “heart” becomes harder and harder. But God will circumcise (cut away the uncleanness of) the “heart” of His people, so that they will love and obey Him with their whole being
Deut. 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

HOW TO DEVELOP HUMILITY OR THE STATE OF BEING HUMBLE
James 4:7-10 : Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
• Humility means being honest about who we are and what we need.
• Humility opens wide the door to the skeletons in our closets.
• If we make the dark places within us known, the devil cannot use what is hidden to blackmail us.
Psa. 9:12 Cry of the humble.
Prov. 29:23 Honour shall uphold the humble.
2 Chron. 7:14 Humble – pray – seek – turn.
Isa. 57:15 Contrite and humble spirit.
James 4:6 Giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5-6 Be clothed with humility.
Don’t ask God to Humble you: 1 Peter 5:6: Says to Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
THE CLASHING WORLDLY OPPOSITE HUMILITY IS PRIDE AND PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE
We must ask the Lord to reveal pride in our lives
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THE TERM IS USED “PUFFED UP”
1 Cor. 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1 Cor. 4: 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
1 Cor 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Jas. 4:16: 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Isa 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Isa. 10:33: Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
Isaiah 2:12: For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
Prov: 29:23: A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit
FRUITS OF PRIDE
• An Independent Spirit. Pride promotes rebellion against authority.
• Unforgiving Attitude. Pride is unable to truly forgive.
• Fear Of Man. Pride forces us to dwell on and cultivate the praise of men, not the praise of God.
• Self-Pity. The answer to self-analysis and pity is humility.
• The “I’m Better Than You” attitude. Competition and comparison are generated by pride. To exist, pride must attach itself to something concrete like race, upbringing, theology, etc. It seeks to establish unity in something other than the cross.
• Island Mentality. Pride says it doesn’t need anyone or anything else. Humility longs for others in an attitude of servanthood.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Your First Love

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Jesus examines and evaluates Churches different than people

• The church we think is rich may be poor in God’s sight
Like the Church of Laodicea in Rev 3:17: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
While the poor church is actually rich The Church of Smyrna in Rev 2:9: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

ONLY THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH JESUS CHRIST CAN KNOW THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE

• Jesus alone sees the inside and outside
Rev 2:23: ….and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
JESUS GIVES EACH OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR A LOOK FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE
• But Jesus intended for all “churches” to benefit from His messages
Rev 2:7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
Rev 2:11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (The judgment of unbelievers) Rev 20:12-15

So, Jesus showed His approval for the Church at Ephesus’ work in Rev 2: 1-3 and vs 6

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. VS 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
• They were an active church
• They were a discerning church: could discern false ministers and prophets
• They were a sacrificing hard-working church the point of exhaustion
• They were a steadfast assembly: Had been tried by False ministers, the occult and demonic oppression and had not become weary
• Kept going when the going was tough
• They seemed to have everything going for them and had it all together

BUT IN VERSE 4 AND 5 CAME THE HEART ISSUE:

Rev 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• They left their “first love”
• They sacrificed a relationship with Jesus Christ with “working for the Lord”
• They fell into a habit
• The light shines in the World as the light shines through His people
• THE ONLY POWER WE HAVE IS THROUGH THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

TRUST IN THE LORD.  TRUST AND OBEY THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

Obedience:

Rev 1:3: 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2: 25-26  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Trust in the Lord (Don’t Worry)

Jeremiah 17:7, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”
Psalms 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”
Psalms 5:11: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12