Being God's Friend | Lesson 30

 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. -John 15:14

[Lesson 30 PDF available for print CLICK HERE]

Have you ever known someone for a while and realized later that what you thought was a friendship only turned out to be a one sided relationship?  You may have been the one doing all the calling, texting, arranging coffee time, etc.,. only to find out that that person really didn't have your best interest at heart. Maybe they had other motives and interests, or maybe you discovered that you just didn't have the same ideals or beliefs.  Whether you've been a 'victim' or 'perpetrator', we all can relate to this type of relationship.

The Scriptures tell us that "Happy is the man that feareth alway." (Proverbs 28:14a)  It is happiness when we have a true friend.  The best of happiness is found only in God and the blessedness of the this relationship is that God wants to be our friend and best confidant.

The difference of this perfect friendship from a friendship with another person is that it is God who sets up the standard.  He allows us to be His friend if we follow his ways.  It doesn't work any other way.  We can desire a relationship with the Almighty God through Jesus Christ his only begotten son, but desiring and obtaining are two entirely different things.

Making a declaration, affirmation, or joining in the chorus of "I'm a friend of God" doesn't make it so.  There is only one way to the Father, there is only one mediator between God and man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

We will find much encouragement in this lesson of our study of A Treatise of the Fear of God.

On page 65, Bunyan writes, I come now to a use of encouragement to those that are blessed with this grace of fear... It is sent to thee from God, not only to join thy heart unto him, but to keep thee from final apostasy -- "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me" (Jeremiah 32:40) That thou mayest never forsake God, is his design, and therefore, to keep thee from that wicked thing, he hath put his fear in thy heart. 

Many are the temptations, difficulties, snares, traps, trials, and troubles that the people of God pass through in the world, but how shall they be kept, how shall they be delivered, and escape? Why, the answer is, the fear of God will keep them -- "He that feareth God shall come forth of them all." (Ecclesiastes 7:18)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:   And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. -Romans 5:15

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. - Psalm 37:17

Let's look up the following words and verses first and then we'll finish up with the five things in this grace of fear that have direct tendency in them to keep us from that final apostasy/deception.

DEFINE:

• FRIEND
• JUSTIFY
• ACQUAINT
• APOSTASY
• REPROBATE
• ENCOURAGEMENT
• ENMITY
• SAVE
• SANCTIFY

LOOK UP:

• Philippians 2:14
• John 17:17
• I Thessalonians 5:23
• Romans 6:12-16
• John 15:14-15
• James 4:4
• II Thessalonians 2:1-17
• Romans 5:1-5

Back to page 66 of our text:  these five things to keep us -- that is to say that God uses the fear of him and who is he is as a safeguard for his children:

1.  It is seated in the heart.  The fear of God is not placed in the head, as knowledge is; nor the mouth, as utterance is, but in the heart, the seat of all.  " I will put my fear in their hearts."  When the heart, this principal fort, is possessed with the fear of God, then he is safe.  

2.  As the heart in general, so the will specifically.  Fearing of God is a voluntary acct of the will, and that being so, the soul is kept from rebellion against the commandment, because by the will where this fear of God is placed, and which it governeth is led all the rest of the powers of the soul.

3.  It is God's well-wisher.  "I will put my fear in their hearts." These words, his and my, they are intimate and familiar expressions, bespeaking not only great favour to man, but a very great trust put in him.  If a soul should be possessed with all things possible, yet if this fear of God be wanting, all other things will give place in time of rebellion, and the soul shall be found in, and under the conduct of hell, when it should stand up for God and his truth in the world.  This fear of God, it is God's special friend, and therefore it has given unto it the chief seat of the heart, the will, that the whole man may now be, and also be kept hereafter, in the subjection and obedience of the gospel.  

4.  This grace of fear is the softest and most tender of God's honour of any other grace.  It is that tender, sensible, and trembling grace, that keepeth the soul upon its continual watch.  A man cannot watch as he should, if he be destitute of fear: let him be confident.

5.  This grace of fear is that which first affects the hearts of saints with judgments, after we have sinned, and so is as a beginning grace to bring again that to rights that by sin is put out of frame.  O it is a precious grace of God!  I know what I say in this matter, and also where I had been long ago, through the power of my lusts, and the wiles of the devil, had it not been for the fear of God.  

This grace of the Fear of God produces the best results!  With the end thereof being that God will be able to call us his friend.  The Scriptures record for us that very intimate account of how God had chosen Abraham out of all the people on the earth to be friends with, to make a covenant with, to be Abraham's God, and to bring the Saviour of the world through Abraham's lineage.  God chose Abraham because Abraham feared God.  He obeyed God's every direction without wavering.  And then the LORD graciously reinforced his kindness and mercy by Jesus' reminder found in John chapters 15 and 17.  

Take time to read those two chapters and write a a few sentences about how YOU can be God's friend.  

Set a Guard | Lesson 26

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 
 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 
                                                             -II Peter 3:3-4

[PDF available here for your study binder]

With each passing day, I find this Scripture coming to a very visual reality.  More evil, at every turn, that has become an 'in-your-face' problem.

The devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  WOW how true!  Roaring! With evil eyes, looking in the face of Christians, mocking, scoffing, saying 'HA! whatcha gonnna do 'bout that!?'

Jesus told us these days would come.  Yet so many don't realize the affects on Christians.  Jesus also told us that it will be so evil, so blatant, so deceptive that unless God the Father intervenes, even the elect could be deceived. (Mark 13:20)

So what do WE DO??  It is absolutely amazing how the LORD is leading us through this study of the Fear of God in his perfect timing!  That is how God works, you know...HIS timing.  When we seek him first, when we are humble and give him place in our life, he shows HIS path to life.  With that, we find the answer in this week's lesson: Set a Guard.  Beginning on page 63 of  Bunyan's 'A Treatise of the Fear of God', we find urgent instruction to take heed not to hinder the growth of the fear of God.

We'll look at the first : TAKE HEED OF A HARD HEART

There are three things that progress the hardness of the heart.  First, we must take heed to the beginnings of sin.  We talked about that in lesson 25 Backdoor Christians.  If we don't or won't heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit in God's word, we will be deceived.  If we don't resist the devil, he won't leave.  If you trust in yourself, you will die.

The beginnings of sin are a trap, a snare, enticing the eyes, good to the taste, and pleasant for a season. Mice love peanut butter so much, they don't consider the cost when they approach the trap. People love the taste bitterness, of hurt, of emotions, that they won't consider the cost.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.   Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 
  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 
  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.    -Proverbs 3:1-7

The trap is even more enticing when we forget the law of God, when we lean on our own understanding.

How do we avoid the enticing trap of sin?  We fear God!  and by fearing God, we read about HIS WAY of living in HIS written word: the Holy Scriptures and then obey God.  If we won't read it, we cannot know what HIS WAY is.

Next, if we have given way to the enticement and fallen into sin, we repent!  God, in his great mercy has provided a way of escape, a way to keep from being entangled by the sin.  This is called REPENTANCE.  And Bunyan exhorts us: DON'T go to bed without repentance!

Remember Jesus' words about 'beware of the leaven of the Pharasees'? It only takes one look, a crack in your armour, for the devil to come in to ruin your marriage, your family, your life.  Let's look at what happened when King David just had a 'little look' at Bathsheba.

READ II Samuel 11
Please don't raise up an arrogant head and say that you aren't into adultery, and therefore, you don't have to pay attention.  All sin begins with 'the look', the mind and eyes considering the doing of the something against God.  Because all sin is against God.

Whenever there is an attitude of  'this doesn't apply to me' we have just begun the hardness of heart process.  Scripture is full of TAKE HEED, BEWARE: therefore, we better PAY ATTENTION!

There is more in a little sin to harden (the heart) than in a great deal of grace to soften.

When we let our guard down, the devil walks right in.  With our guard up, the devil still sends his fiery darts, but! they are quenched.  Guard down = hardness of heart developing  Guard up = sin averted.  (Ephesians 6)

A soft, tender, and broken heart, is a fit place for the grace of fear.

Let's look at some Scriptures:

• Deuteronomy 4:9
• Proverbs 4:23
• Galatians 5:9
• Matthew 16:1-17
• Acts 28:27
• Jeremiah 17:9
• Hebrews 4:12
• I Peter 3:1-2

DEFINE:

• Leaven
• Devote
• Balance
• Priority
• Conversation
• Chaste
• Heed

WRITE: 4 synonyms and 4 antonyms of HARD in reference to the heart

If thou would be rid of a hard heart, that great enemy to the growth of the grace of fear, be much with Christ upon the cross in thy meditations; for that is an excellent remedy against hardness of heart;  a right sight of him, as he hanged there for thy sins, will dissolve thy heart into tears and make it soft and tender.

An extra question:  Explain the difference between balance and priority.

2 Peter 3 :: Today

The LORD is gracious and merciful to warn BEFORE judgement and wrath.  We should have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church...us

More | Lesson 22

[ PDF of Lesson 22 available here.  Is your study binder filling up? did you miss a lesson? Check out the RESOURCE tab where you'll find all the lessons ready for you.  You are welcome to print and distribute as you wish.]

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     O fear the LORD, ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear him." Not but that every saint doth fear God, but as the apostle saith in another case, "I beseech you, do it more and more." The fear of the LORD, as I have showed you, is a grace of the new covenant, as other saving graces are, and so is capable of being stronger or weaker, as other graces are.  Wherefore, I beseech you, FEAR HIM MORE AND MORE. -John Bunyan, pg. 54 Treatise of the Fear of God

We've come so far in learning about the fear of God that we must stop and consider this word MORE. 

If you've been in some churches today, they are keen on emphasizing the use of this word in speaking about POWER, HEALTH, WEALTH, JOB, etc.  But is it true that the LORD, in his written word, puts such an emphasis on material things, aka prosperity?   

As you know, this study has clarified much of this selfish, self-centered gospel that has infiltrated the Christian church.  

What is it that we "should give the more earnest heed to"? What "have we heard"? If we are God's sheep, and his sheep hear his voice, and a stranger's voice we follow not (John 10:1-29)  -- then what is God's voice? 

I remember asking 'how do I hear God's voice?'.  I remember hearing many preachers and teachers attempting to explain this.  I seemed to always walk away more confused and wondering if I would ever 'hear' the voice of God.  Many would explain about God's audible voice in the Old Testament and why we don't really HEAR this audible voice anymore.  Then there would be a handful of accounts of people who told of their experience.  But still... how would this help ME to hear God??  

There is a joyous simple answer!  It is so easy and yet so many people miss it.  

READ THE BIBLE.

Yep, it's really that simple.  There are countless books, teaching tapes, seminars, and workshops that tend to only sell more product and keep the Christian asking questions.  

LOOK UP: 

• John 1:1-5
• II Timothy 3:15-16
• Psalm 119:11
• Proverbs 4
• Joshua 1:8

What did you discover?

Now let's go over to John 15 and get back to the word MORE.  Read verses 1-11 

1. What does God do to branches in order for them to bear MORE fruit?

2. Would this be a good process for the Christian and why?

Honestly, the rest of this will be a lot of LOOK UP.  You must understand that the only way to hear God on any given subject is to search the Scriptures.  The LORD is pleased and desires that we seek his face.  When we run to him FIRST for with our questions and our need for answers.  When we hide ourselves under his shadow.  When we not only realize but have the activity to show that we trust the Almighty God to take care of us -- in every single area of our life. In this, we find the pearl of great price -- the Fear of God.   There is no separation of that proverbial church and state within the life of a child of the Most High God.  We see that we can't even take our breath without acknowledging that 'God is my GOD ALONE! And that He is our blessed Saviour! Redeemer! Lord!' 

DEFINE: MORE

LOOK UP the following verses and write out what they say about MORE

• James 4:6
• I Peter 1:7
• Hebrews 2:1
• Philemon 1:21
• I Thessalonians 4:1 & 10
• II Timothy 3:4
• Philippians 1:9
• John 12:43
• Matthew 13:12
• Matthew 10:31 & 37
• Daniel 2:30
• II Corinthians 12:15
• II Corinthians 7:13
• II Corinthians 4:17
• Proverbs 4:18
• Proverbs 3:15 (who is 'she' ?.. read previous verses)
• Psalms 130:6
• Psalm 119:99
• Psalm 71:14
• Genesis 3:1

I'll leave you with this to think about:  (last paragraph from pg54) 

FIRST, Let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear him greatly.  He hath put his fear in thy hear, and hath not given that blessing to thy neighbour; perhaps not to thy husband, thy wife, thy child, or thy parent.  O what an obligation should this consideration lay upon thy heart greatly to fear the Lord!  

    Remember also, as I have showed in the first part of this book, that this fear of the Lord is his treasure, a choice jewel, given only to favourites, and to those that are greatly beloved.  

    Great gifts naturally tend to oblige, and will do so, I trust, with thee, when thou shalt ingeniously consider it.   It is a sign of a very bad nature when the contrary shows itself; could God have done more for thee than to put his fear in thy heart?  

    This is better than to have given thee a place even in heaven without it.  Yea,  had he given thee all faith, all knowledge, and the tongue of men and angels, and a place in heaven to boot, they had all been short of thisgift, of the fear of God in thy heart.

   Therefore love it, nourish it, exercise it,use all means to cause it to increase and grow in thy heart that it may appear it is is set by at they hand, poor sinner.

DAY 4 | End Times Boot Camp

DAY 4 | Thyatira and the Armour of God

[PDF download of this lesson here]

How are your studies going?  Are you having good conversations with the LORD?  Are you checking your own heart?  Remember this boot camp is first to get our own heart ready for the coming of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of the Father.  

One of the things that is standing out from Revelation 2 and 3 is that the LORD says this over and over:  "I know thy works"  Note to self:  the LORD is watching us...for some of us our works are pleasing to him, and for some of us he says the the words "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee..."  

If we love the LORD and endeavour to walk in his ways, this statement should really prick our ears.  "What? Lord...I'm listening...I want to do things your way...I want to have a heart to obey you"  Right? Remember back in lesson #13 we talked about humility of mind?  When Jesus is speaking to the churches in these 2 chapters of Revelation...he says each time.. "He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches" and "he that overcometh will I .."

We must be humble to hear what the LORD is saying and obedient to the correction

• So what did the LORD have against the church at Thyatira?  Read Revelation 2:20
• Who was Jezebel? Read I Kings 18 and 21 
• Why did the LORD bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? Exodus 7:16 - 10:3

DEFINE : 

• Jealous
• Seduce
• Fornication
• Idol
• Adultery
• Deeds
• Works
• 
  

LOOK UP:

Exodus 34:14

Deuteronomy 4:24

Joshua 24:17-24

I Corinthians 6:18

Colossians 3:5

Of the 36 times that "fornication" is used in the Bible -- only 4 verses are in the Old Testament.  Which means this is a problem in the New Testament church and it MUST BE dealt with and root out!!  

Now let's go over to Ephesians chapter 6 beginning with verse 10 and read through the end of the chapter.

• Why do we need the Armour of God? Eph. 6:11, 13, 16

Pieces of the Armour of God:

Loins girt with truth:  who/what is truth?  

   John 17:17

   John 14:6

Breastplate of righteousness

    Romans 4:3  what did Abraham believe of God?

    I John 2:1

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace:  who's peace?

    John 14:27

Shield of faith

    Hebrews 12:2-5

Helmet of salvation

    Romans 12:2

Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

    John 1:1-3

    I John 5:7

Prayer

   for whom are we to pray always?

   how?

Go to  Jude 20-25 

• After our own heart check before the Father...what is our purpose in these last days?

Back to Revelation 2:18-29 

• After the correction about fornication and idols what was Jesus admonition?

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

Does this mean we are just to be good listeners????  See James 1:22

Boot Camp | Lesson 17

Lesson 17 | Boot Camp

(this lesson PDF copy ready here | Treatise of the Fear of God PDF here)

Are you interested in the future?  How about prophesy?  There is quite a stir in the air right now and it's not just prophesy teachers talking.  News sites, both main stream and alternative, are a buzz with all the WEIRD things going on around the world on a daily basis.  Do the events and happenings around have any bearing on our own little life?  

Last lesson, I asked you "Why do you call yourself a Christian?".  The point of the lesson was to get you to dig deep in your heart to find the answer.  Do you want a better life here and now?  Do you want power to get what you want? Are you a Christian to have a type of guilt-free selfishness? 

OR do you want to know the God of all creation?  Do you realize that you are wicked, selfish and need a saviour to get you out of the muck that looks like you are stuck in with no hope of escape? Sometimes I think we need to ponder these questions even in our 'mature' Christian life.  It keeps us in humility of mind...not thinking more of ourselves than we ought.  

This lesson is titled:  END TIMES BOOT CAMP | watching, praying, and ready because we're here -- at the end -- and as one ministry puts it : Now The End Begins. It is imperative that we heed Jesus admonition of Luke 21 -- when you see these things come to pass LOOK UP your redemption draweth nigh!  Can I get a Hallelujah!  

Which brings us to page 47 and 48 of our text (did you download your free copy of A Treatise of the Fear of God?)  Here Bunyan answers the question about I John 4:18 -- perfect love casteth out fear.  If you've been following with us, you know that the fear that is cast out is:

1. fear of devils
2. fear of men
3. fear of bondage

Now the fear that perfect love casts out cannot be that son-like, gracious fear of God; because that fear that love casts out has torment. 

Let's pause here and write some things down..

Let's read more specifically on page 47 - second column and then look up the following Scriptures:

• Proverbs 28:14
• Ecclesiastes 8:12
• Ecclesiastes 12:13
• I Peter 2:17
• Revelation 14:7

Because of sin that entered into the world at the beginning, all those born after Adam and Eve were born into sin.  We are not naturally born with the fear of God.  There is no fear of God, none of this grace of fear before us, we don't know what it is.  The fear of God flows from a new heart, faith and repentance: salvation by Jesus Christ.  We must have a mighty change of heart and life, or else we are strangers to this fear of God.  

• Psalm 55:19
• Romans 3:18
• Romans 11:20

Here we see that a high mind and the fear of God are set in direct opposition the one to the other.  Can a man at the same time be a proud man and fear God too? 

What does God say?

• Psalm 138:6
• James 4:6
• I Peter 5:5
• Malachi 4:1

Why End Times Boot Camp?  First a little story:  

As a youth,  I hated PE class.  From seventh grade to my senior year, I dreaded that class!  I attended a small school and nearly everyone was involved in the sports program..but not me.  I couldn't keep up: I was always winded, slow, and discouraged.  Because of all that, I came to think that I wasn't athletic.  Albeit, I loved walks, riding my bicycle, and riding horses.  Then I got married and we began a family.  I needed to be able to stay strong to take care of our babies, the house, and my hubby..so I searched for an exercise program that would suit my situation -- mind you, I still thought I was not athletic nor sportsy, so it had to be easy for me to grasp and accomplish.  

In the meantime, I would always take the children for long walks to the park or walk to my parents house...it was about 1-2 miles a couple of times a week.  I tried all sorts of fitness videos.  Then I discovered T-Tapp.  (you'll have to go check it out)  This program is awesome!  And it is very educational (this really helped me understand how my muscles should work) and met me at my fitness level (couch potato to pro athlete)

That was 10 years ago! Much has happened in these past ten years and I took for granted the strength and agility that helped me get so much done in my very full days as wife and mama of 6 little ones.  I've had many talks with the Lord about my muscles, blubber and all.  And I kept coming back to it didn't seem worth the effort of devoting time every day to physical exercise.  Boy! how wrong I was!!  

I started having increased back pain, sluggishness, and lack of strength in general.  And I'm not old -- yet :)  I looked at my diet -- I pretty much have eaten the same foods and the same amounts all these years.  I am not one who thinks that starving oneself is wise.  Except for a godly fast, the Bible is full of  'it's good and definitely okay to eat'.  So, what gives?  Ahh.. lack of exercise.. wow...really, Lord? 

As of Tuesday, I have begun my own T-Tapp boot camp to kick this ole flesh into the strength that the LORD requires of me to care for the things of my household.  And let me tell you -- it's been hard!  I really, REALLY, do not want to do this!  As a kick start --one hour a day for the next week!  Yikes! I'd rather be doing something else.  But, seriously, I'm already more energetic, no back pain, even standing up straighter...And then it hit me...

How many Christians have that same slacker story when it comes to being strong in the LORD and it the power of his might? We are deceived into thinking that there is nothing we must do.  (Well, maybe just 'claim' the strength of the LORD)  And here is where the fear of God and End Times Boot Camp tie together.  We must be diligent, steadfast, and consistent in the ways of the LORD in order to keep watch for the LORD and to keep our heart from falling away.

Pride, O that ugly pride - keeps us thinking that we're okay right where we are. Just like my blubbery self, I was making it okay... I still got my stuff done even if it was slowly, I don't have to sleep on my stomac...I can sit in different chairs...I can make excuses all over the place .. I still was a bit haughty.

With that in mind let's look at I Timothy 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

Oh! Thank you LORD!  If I can see an immediate change for the better in my physical body -- HOW MUCH MORE the increased strength of the LORD when we are diligent to heed and DO the word of God and to fear God in all that we do everyday. 

In  Luke 18,  Jesus said that men ought always to pray;  and in Mark 13 to watch and pray...so join me in our 7 Days End Times BOOT CAMP:

Let's see what the LORD is asking us to do in these last days and we'll take the next few lessons to break it down .. 

DAY 1 | End Times BOOT CAMP | watch . pray . ready!

• Commit to spending 1 hour each morning to spend with the LORD -- a morning quiet time -- Read your Bible, pray for others, study the Scriptures
• Start a daily journal - write the Scripture verse that jumped out to you, write down those you are praying for, write praise reports/answer to prayers, (have you written your Psalm of praise? see lesson 15)
• Read Revelation chapters 2 and 3.  
• Read Ephesians 6
• Read Psalm 51

DEFINE: 

• READY
• SLACKER
• SLOTHFUL
• ATTEND
• EXERCISE
• BOOT CAMP
• DILIGENT
• COMMITMENT
• REDEEM

Please check back tomorrow for DAY 2 | End Times BOOT CAMP | watch . pray . ready!

Praise the LORD! He is merciful, full of compassion, and able to keep that which you have committed to him.

until next time,

Why? | Lesson 16

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  Rom 1:21-22  

[ download your own PDF copy of this lesson here]

You will need to sit down for this lesson.  Are you a Christian?  Why do you say you are a Christian?  Have you asked yourself that?  Is it because you grew up talking in those terms? Because you were promised a ticket out of hell? Maybe you were told you'd have a better life, power to make things happen or change in your situation, or maybe simply because you realized that you are nothing and you need a saviour....

It's time to ask yourself these very specific questions.  It matters.  The Lord looks at our heart, he knows our motives, and desires that we make the right choices for the right reasons.

I hesitate to continue on our journey through this Treatise of the Fear of God because we've come to the section in which Bunyan details the "privileges" of those who fear God.

My husband and I have learned an arduous lesson about the "blessings" and "privileges" of the Lord.

Let me explain: (we need clarity -- there is so much garbage out there)

We always want to be doing what the Bible says.  And we wanted to be good little Christians with a happy home, picket fence, and fun times... if there was some extra money to dream and plan for the future..well that was pretty great, too  Was that too much to expect?  After all, "the promises of God are yea and amen."  Those are Bible words.. let's grab hold to that! We can have our cake, and eat it with cherries on top.

We were swept away, like many others, by focusing on the promises found within the Bible and believed the teaching that all these "good" promises were for anyone who had enough faith to believe in them.  The teaching indoctrinates us in the illusive ways of the world -- candy coated in Bible language -- It says that all we had to do was associate ourselves with "good" thoughts from the Bible (aka promises), be "givers" to the local church (sow into good ground), and be generally "good" people.  We would then "access" the blessings of heaven stored up for those who "believe".  All of this seemingly right teaching wrapped up in a pretty name of "faith" with a little bit of Jesus sprinkled on top.  According to SO MANY preacher and teachers, the subtle reason to be a Christian is to get access to better "stuff" -- without works, mind you...'cause that's under the "law" and we are under "grace" (I'll call that the lazy man's walk)

Oh! But they teach integrity, morals, being diligent in your job, and being a "good" spouse and parent.  That must make what they teach right -- or does it?  How is that line of thinking different than the Mormons.  They are nice, hard working, family first - kind of people, they even use the name of Jesus in their conversation and on their places of worship.  Or how is it different from the out-doorsie people who love nature, want to improve the environment, advocate for people groups who have been wronged or are "under-privileged" ? Doesn't the Bible teach to do good, be kind, stand up for those in need, be a good "steward"?

What about those financial - wise teachers like Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki -- using your "talents" wisely, budget, plan for the future, leave an inheritance and a legacy for your children? Isn't the book of Proverbs full of "wisdom" for sound business practices?

Are the blessings of God found within the written Scriptures available to everyone who believes that they like the promises and would like to have them for their own??  That is what is being taught from every platform across America in particular.

Then to whom do the blessing and privileges of the written word of God belong?
We need to ask the LORD God himself -- in so doing we SEARCH the Scriptures and have ears to hear -- what God hath said.  

DEFINE:

• Consider
• Contemn
• Scorn
• Despise
• Christian
• Redemption
• Disciple
• Follower
• Servant

LOOK UP and Fill in the blanks: (we're looking at pages 40-46 of A Treatise of the Fear of God)

Scripture                          Blessing                  For Whom?

• Psalm 34:9-10
• Psalm 25:12
• Psalm 33:18-19
• Psalm 34:7
• Jeremiah 26:19
• Psalm 85:9
• Psalm 103:17
• Psalm 103:13
• Psalm 145:19
• Psalm 147:11
• Psalm 115:13
• Psalm 128

Let's take a closer look at: Write out the verse and the truth of that verse (what do you see in the verse?)

• Exodus 7:16
• Romans 8:8
• Philippians 4:11-13
• II Corinthians 4:7-18
• Deuteronomy 28:1-14
• Deuteronomy 28:15-58
• Proverbs 10:22
• Revelation 16:15

I ask the question again, according to the Bible, to whom do the privileges of God/the blessings of God belong?  

According to the Bible, what makes a Christian different from all the rest? This is a 2 part answer.  

1. A true Christian believes--  Jesus Redeems us out of sin UNTO the Father by His obedience at the Cross and we then believe in that wonderful work that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, did and repent of our ways -- he saves us.   Not by works of righteousness that we have done but by his mercy he saves us...(Titus 3:5)

2.  A true Christian Fears God.

But WHO does GOD SAVE??  Who does God deliver?  Those who FEAR HIM!  

How can you be saved by a merciful God whom you do not fear? to whom you refuse to yield?  whom you contemn? 

How can you expect, even demand blessings of God just because you found a promise written down. God is not mocked.  He knows the motivation of our hearts.  You may have good things going on in your life right now -- out of debt, own multiple homes, have a good job, people like you -- what good will that do you when you life is REQUIRED of you?

You can't have Jesus' redemptive salvation without knowing the only true God.  You can't KNOW God if you don't fear him.  Many many want Jesus without God the Father, and still others hold onto God while refusing Jesus.  You cannot have one without the other. (John 1)   If you think you can -- you believe another jesus, a false way...(Galatians 1:6-7)  

Seriously consider WHY you call yourself a Christian. If you want eternal life, if you want to go to heaven ... you better fear God... you better seek HIS FACE .. because according to John 17:3 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

Now go over to Matthew 7:13-29

Why so hard hitting?  Because time is running out!  Time is running out!  Did you hear me?  I implore you by the mercies of God, turn to the LORD -- fear him -- surrender to him. Stop fooling yourself into thinking you are OK.    Are you ready for what is coming? Are you ready to meet your maker?  it's time!

Society has made God, righteousness, salvation, redemption, the Bible all sorts of dull, boring, and muted - messed up vague half-truths.  God is still God and He still set forth His way -- JESUS CHRIST

DIG DEEPER : Read

John 14:6 & 7

I Corinthians 3:4

Luke 12:20
I, II, II John

We Need to Talk | Lesson 15

 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. --Psalm 50:23 

"We need to talk " | Lesson 15  (download your PDF copy)

 Those words bring anxiety to the hearer nearly every time.  Across the board, young and old, rich and poor, whomever you are, you have probably heard those words and probably have thought in your heart -- Oh no! What now?  What have I done? What's wrong?

Don't fret, this is good news!  This is going to uplift you, put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.  You may even need to dust off your dancing shoes :)

There's a lot of teaching (let's call it propaganda) about getting your thoughts right so that you can say right things --  out with the negative and have only a positive attitude.  Just speak out the good that you want and see it show up in your life.   No one likes a pessimistic attitude any way, right?

As I was having my quiet time, I asked the Lord about this lesson.  And he spoke to me of the Psalms.  Have you read Psalms lately?  I would say that the book of Psalms is my most favorite book of the entire Bible.  Whatever my own personal need, large or small, or if I'm praying for some one specifically, I go to Psalms.  So, the Lord reminded me of something important to him .. very important for us who are true Christians to remember, to consider, and to do often...it is to PRAISE God

Praise is different than worship.  In the churchy society today, it's all been polluted, exploited for monetary gain, perverted by self-serving people, and just plain ruined.  We can't know what praising the Lord is by what goes on on Sundays or "worship" concerts.  We talked in the previous lesson about checking everything out with the written word of God, the Bible, and making sure that what we are doing is in accordance to the standards set forth by God -- not man.

Let's go ahead and jump right into some research:

DEFINE:

• Praise
• Worship
• Talk
• Idol
• Propaganda
• Conversation
• Positive
• Negative

LOOK UP:

• Deuteronomy 6:7
• Psalm 77:12
• Psalm 105:2
• Psalm 119:27
• Philippians 1:27
• Philemon 1:6
• Ephesians 4:29 

Did you know that the words positive and negative are not found in the Bible?

According to God's word, what should we be talking about?

God is not about positive and negative conversation.  He is a holy God -- not positive.  He is a just God -- not negative.

The subtlety of this deception is that it has brought with it the eastern pagan practice of yin and yang, feng-shui, Buddism and Daoism/Taoism.  God is GOD - not the force of good verses evil.  Here again, we find the church falling into the practices of the pagans, and a host of false prophets and false teachers twisting the Holy Scriptures to cause people to stumble and fall away from God.  

Remember the Exodus? The Lord God delivered the children of Israel out of the hand and land of the Egyptians to keep his covenant with Abraham -- that God would be their God and they would be his people.  God couldn't have them following the ways of the Egyptians anymore.  The children of Israel had been in bondage to the Egyptians for over 400 years because of their hardness of heart and rebellion; and this bondage was the punishment for that rebellion. (Exodus 12:40-41)  After  Joseph had died (Abraham's great-grandson) the king of Egypt didn't know the God of Abraham and this pharoah grew more afraid of the Hebrews because the Lord had kept them and increased them even in their bondage. 

Yet, the generations had lived and died and gotten so engrossed in the Egyptian's way of living that the children of Israel (aka the Hebrews)  no longer knew HOW to walk with God.  So as we read through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, we learn how God got that ungodly, pagan, heathen way of life out of his people and showed them the right way to live before Him.  This section of scripture is not about a bunch of rules and regulations as much as it is about uprooting the evil out of their day to day living and learning HOW to walk with God with their whole heart.  

You see, the scriptures are written for our learning -- for today.  Can you see how the church looks like the children of Israel during the time of Moses?  They were engrossed in pagan practices, enticed by the lure of their ceremonies and culture, and not even thinking that there was anything wrong with what they were doing.  

I know, I know, that's Old Testament and we are New Testament Christians.  What does this have to do with us?  Remember II Timothy 3:16-17?  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

I believe that we are again in a time like that of the Exodus.  God is about to mightily deliver his children out of the hand of the fouler, out of the evil of Egypt, out of the corruption of this world to a place that Jesus is preparing for us.

The difference is that an entire people won't be delivered, only those who are watching and praying for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the precious Lamb of God will be caught away in a twinkling of an eye.   

For that reason, the Lord brings our attention to himself.  (that's where we should be looking always, anyway)  And as we read in Psalms, we must remember and TALK about the mighty works of God all the day long.  This is our upright conversation.  Look at what God hath done!!

In Psalm 107, we find recounted the mighty deliverance of the children of Israel out of the hand of Egypt.  Line by line, it is written.

For the conclusion of this lesson, let us follow that example of PRAISING God for his mighty deliverance in our own life.  

Write your own Psalm of Praise unto the Lord God using Psalm 107 as a template.  Set aside time to really put thought into your Psalm of Praise -- Giving God ALL the glory -- great things he hath done!  

• What was your life before you met Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
• What happened that time you did that stupid and rebellious thing and called upon the Lord to save you?
• What happened when you repented and sought the face of God?
• How are you learning to fear God and not man?
• How did the Lord comfort you?
• How did he heal you?
• Recount how he restored your soul, and strengthened you

Present your Psalm of Praise unto the LORD -- a sacrifice of joy because He is your God and you are his people -- grafted in by the redemptive work of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  AMEN!! and HALLELUJAH.

*** Do you know God like this? ***  If you died tonight, where would you go? (hell is the most horrible place created for the devil and his angels.)  And so, anyone who does not fear God, and know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will go to hell.

 Would you like to know the God of ALL comfort as your God?  In the time of Exodus, the Lord made a provision for any one who was not Hebrew to be delivered out of evil Egypt. (Because he is merciful like that)  They just had to go to a home of the Hebrews where the blood of the lamb had been placed on the doorposts. And they would be saved out of Egypt and out of the hand of the angel of death.

The things of the Old Testament are shadows and examples for today.  Jesus is the only way to the Father God in heaven.  Jesus Christ is the precious Lamb of God who shed his own blood to pay the price for our sin and reconciled us back to the Father.  You, too, can be saved out of the wickedness of this world and the bondage of sin by turning away from your own way of doing things and giving your life to God -- to follow him and obey him.  

This is a life changing decision!  Now you, too, have a Psalm of Praise unto the LORD!

I'd love to pray for you and help you anyway I can.  Leave me a comment or email me.