Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
Religion Today run by Southern Baptists Evangelicals on December 28, 1998 revealed that some of the top religious stories in 1998 were all about lusts and not love:
Henry Lyons, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, pleaded innocent to charges of using his position to steal millions of dollars from large corporations; charges include theft, fraud, and conspiracy. Lyons confessed having an improper relationship with a female aide with whom he has been criminally charged, and was forgiven by his church board and his wife.
Admission of adultery and accusations of lying under oath and obstruction of justice against President Clinton led the U.S. House of Representatives to make him the first president in 130 years to be impeached. Clinton sought pastoral counseling after news of the scandal with Monica Lewinsky became public, and the developing story prompted a year of national soul-searching and partisan debate on its moral and religious implications.
United Methodist, Anglican, Lutheran, Reform Jewish, Christian Reformed Church, United Church of Christ, Canadian Presbyterian, and Southern Baptist leaders were among those who wrestled with the issues of homosexual clergy or same-sex unions.
...Led by Third World traditionalists, the worldwide body of Anglican bishops rejected ordination and "marriage" for homosexuals, saying homosexuality is "incompatible" with Scripture. American Episcopalians criticized the action.
...Christian groups who consider homosexual activity sinful supported ex-gay ministries, which strive to transform homosexuals into heterosexuals. Liberals argued for the acceptance of gays and lesbians as they are. The debate intensified after the Oct. 12 death of Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming homosexual who was murdered. Critics accused religious conservatives of laying the philosophical and theological basis for Shepard's murder.
Adulterous pastors and president and homosexual clergy are not to be our examples but Jesus Christ alone. For when God’s word talked about walking in love and being imitators of God it did not say that we were to walk in lust and behave as these evil and wicked men. On the contrary God’s word has instructed us that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
And we are to let no one including pastors and priests and presidents deceive us with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. As God’s word is true:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:1-21
We, who were once in darkness, but now are in the light which is the Lord, are to walk as children of light finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we are to expose them. As it is shameful even of those things which are done by them in secret. However all things that are exposed, even by the secular media, are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. For God through His Spirit gives light and truth to all.
We are to awake from our sleep, arise from the dead and Christ will give us light. We are to walk wisely and not as redeeming the time, because the days are evil. We are commanded not to be unwise, but to understand what the will of the Lord is. We are not to be drunk with wine, even the wine of self importance and arrogance and pride, but are to be filled with the same Spirit which was on David, Jesus and His true disciples. As God’s word is true:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 1:1-5
We are to have resting on us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. We are to delight is in the fear of the LORD and are not judge by the sight of our eyes, nor to decide by the hearing of our ears. But by the Spirit of the Lord, with righteousness, we are to judge for the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. We are to strike the earth with the rod of our mouth, and with the breath of our we shall slay the wicked. For righteousness shall be the belt of our loins and faithfulness the belt of His waist
Now faithfulness is not dependent upon feelings but upon a constant steadfast desire to serve and trust no matter the consequences. Straying and questioning is not forsaking God, it is growing and strengthening and maturing. Anger plays its part but leaves in the face of understanding because she explains herself and dispels the reasons for anger. She finds no place in the face of truth or reason or trust. She dissipates like an unwanted fog that clouds the true path.
God allows all things for His purposes and callings. He will not change in His pursuit of His true children and He will find each one, no matter where they are because He loves them too much. He is healing them and changing their environment. He will not cease in His insatiable desire for their love and their praises. For He desires all of their beings directed to Him with all of their heart.
Hence, we are to be strong and of God courage and are not to be afraid of no one or anything save God, Himself. For He us with us and not against us. As He was with Moses, Joshua and Jesus so He is with us. The mountains may be removed and cast into the sea, yet God will be with us always. He will forsake nor abandon us but will walk with us and now talk with us. For He has promised to love and sustain and protect us. For the answers for all our needs and internal peace only comes from God, for He alone is our provider. Men may propose but it is God who disposes and who provides for His own.
God’s people must also keep the finer points of loving others, forgiving others and carrying for others become more a part of their lives rather than walking in continual judgment and criticism. The latter can destroy their peace of mind and relationships. They are to walk in fear with God and He will deal with all of His and their enemies. No one will escape. His word is true:
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:14-17
We must continue walking and trusting God for the future is bright with His promises and provision. We are not to be anxious for tomorrow because tomorrow is another day and will care for itself. After all we really only have today. We are to cherish it as a magnificent radiant rose We must never work against each other but with each other in love. Criticism is to have only a constructive part in our lives. We must watch their words with each other and consider the feelings of others. For after all is said and done we must be imitators of God, not men, as His dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.
We must not look at God’ s gifts. Don’t look at His Glory. Don’t look at His Wisdom or Power. We must look only into His Eyes directly. Love Him truly, and surrender our desires on the altar before Him. For it is us He desires.
Yes, He loves our gifts and our love offerings. He does appreciate them, but more does He desires us—just as we are. And He and we will look upon each other face to face and the universe will come into line with the purity of that moment, As His children. For He will never abandon His true children. But we must come and surrender before Him and see Him as He truly is! For God’s word is true:
"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
"Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; "and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Luke 12:29-37
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
Religion Today run by Southern Baptists Evangelicals on December 28, 1998 revealed that some of the top religious stories in 1998 were all about lusts and not love:
Henry Lyons, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, pleaded innocent to charges of using his position to steal millions of dollars from large corporations; charges include theft, fraud, and conspiracy. Lyons confessed having an improper relationship with a female aide with whom he has been criminally charged, and was forgiven by his church board and his wife.
Admission of adultery and accusations of lying under oath and obstruction of justice against President Clinton led the U.S. House of Representatives to make him the first president in 130 years to be impeached. Clinton sought pastoral counseling after news of the scandal with Monica Lewinsky became public, and the developing story prompted a year of national soul-searching and partisan debate on its moral and religious implications.
United Methodist, Anglican, Lutheran, Reform Jewish, Christian Reformed Church, United Church of Christ, Canadian Presbyterian, and Southern Baptist leaders were among those who wrestled with the issues of homosexual clergy or same-sex unions.
...Led by Third World traditionalists, the worldwide body of Anglican bishops rejected ordination and "marriage" for homosexuals, saying homosexuality is "incompatible" with Scripture. American Episcopalians criticized the action.
...Christian groups who consider homosexual activity sinful supported ex-gay ministries, which strive to transform homosexuals into heterosexuals. Liberals argued for the acceptance of gays and lesbians as they are. The debate intensified after the Oct. 12 death of Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming homosexual who was murdered. Critics accused religious conservatives of laying the philosophical and theological basis for Shepard's murder.
Adulterous pastors and president and homosexual clergy are not to be our examples but Jesus Christ alone. For when God’s word talked about walking in love and being imitators of God it did not say that we were to walk in lust and behave as these evil and wicked men. On the contrary God’s word has instructed us that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
And we are to let no one including pastors and priests and presidents deceive us with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. As God’s word is true:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:1-21
We, who were once in darkness, but now are in the light which is the Lord, are to walk as children of light finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we are to expose them. As it is shameful even of those things which are done by them in secret. However all things that are exposed, even by the secular media, are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. For God through His Spirit gives light and truth to all.
We are to awake from our sleep, arise from the dead and Christ will give us light. We are to walk wisely and not as redeeming the time, because the days are evil. We are commanded not to be unwise, but to understand what the will of the Lord is. We are not to be drunk with wine, even the wine of self importance and arrogance and pride, but are to be filled with the same Spirit which was on David, Jesus and His true disciples. As God’s word is true:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 1:1-5
We are to have resting on us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. We are to delight is in the fear of the LORD and are not judge by the sight of our eyes, nor to decide by the hearing of our ears. But by the Spirit of the Lord, with righteousness, we are to judge for the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. We are to strike the earth with the rod of our mouth, and with the breath of our we shall slay the wicked. For righteousness shall be the belt of our loins and faithfulness the belt of His waist
Now faithfulness is not dependent upon feelings but upon a constant steadfast desire to serve and trust no matter the consequences. Straying and questioning is not forsaking God, it is growing and strengthening and maturing. Anger plays its part but leaves in the face of understanding because she explains herself and dispels the reasons for anger. She finds no place in the face of truth or reason or trust. She dissipates like an unwanted fog that clouds the true path.
God allows all things for His purposes and callings. He will not change in His pursuit of His true children and He will find each one, no matter where they are because He loves them too much. He is healing them and changing their environment. He will not cease in His insatiable desire for their love and their praises. For He desires all of their beings directed to Him with all of their heart.
Hence, we are to be strong and of God courage and are not to be afraid of no one or anything save God, Himself. For He us with us and not against us. As He was with Moses, Joshua and Jesus so He is with us. The mountains may be removed and cast into the sea, yet God will be with us always. He will forsake nor abandon us but will walk with us and now talk with us. For He has promised to love and sustain and protect us. For the answers for all our needs and internal peace only comes from God, for He alone is our provider. Men may propose but it is God who disposes and who provides for His own.
God’s people must also keep the finer points of loving others, forgiving others and carrying for others become more a part of their lives rather than walking in continual judgment and criticism. The latter can destroy their peace of mind and relationships. They are to walk in fear with God and He will deal with all of His and their enemies. No one will escape. His word is true:
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:14-17
We must continue walking and trusting God for the future is bright with His promises and provision. We are not to be anxious for tomorrow because tomorrow is another day and will care for itself. After all we really only have today. We are to cherish it as a magnificent radiant rose We must never work against each other but with each other in love. Criticism is to have only a constructive part in our lives. We must watch their words with each other and consider the feelings of others. For after all is said and done we must be imitators of God, not men, as His dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.
We must not look at God’ s gifts. Don’t look at His Glory. Don’t look at His Wisdom or Power. We must look only into His Eyes directly. Love Him truly, and surrender our desires on the altar before Him. For it is us He desires.
Yes, He loves our gifts and our love offerings. He does appreciate them, but more does He desires us—just as we are. And He and we will look upon each other face to face and the universe will come into line with the purity of that moment, As His children. For He will never abandon His true children. But we must come and surrender before Him and see Him as He truly is! For God’s word is true:
"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
"Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; "and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Luke 12:29-37
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