Let go and let GOD by Gary Rose

Today, I heard that a friend of mine was in the hospital and very sick. Her request on Facebook for prayers was one that I just couldn’t ignore. Her name is Nancy Womack and I would ask that you pray for her. She is a faithful Christian, so if God chooses to taker her then she will be blessed. If not she will continue doing her best to follow God as she always has.

I saw the above picture among my collection today and it just seemed to to fit right in with my thoughts and prayers for Nancy. While I was praying for her, I remembered something that the dean of Northeast School of Biblical Studies used to say… “Let go and Let GOD”! The Apostle Paul puts it this way…

Philippians 3 ( World English Bible )

[2] Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision. [3] For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; [4] though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: [5] circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; [6] concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

[7] However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; [10] that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; [11] if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

[12] Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.

Face it, Paul is a tough act to follow. He was a well educated, well connected and a very intelligent man who was devoted to following God through the Jewish religion. He even went as far as persecuting Christians, whether near or far. God confronted him on the Damascus road and later he became one of the greatest followers of Jesus that has ever lived.

There was a price: He had to leave everything behind. He did, and became the greatest proponent of Christianity that ever lived. How? He looked to Christ and followed his will for his life. He “let go and let God”.

If there is something holding you back from doing the same, get rid of it. If there is sin in your life, eradicate it. If you lack enthusiasm, I refer you to verses 13 and 14 above. Now, take another look at that picture and have a wonderful day with Jesus at your side!

Bible Reading October 4-6 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading October 4 - 6

World  English  Bible

Oct. 4

Psalms 131-134

Psa 131:1 Yahweh, my heart isn't haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

Psa 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psa 131:3 Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forth and forevermore.

Psa 132:1 Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction,

Psa 132:2 how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Psa 132:3 "Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

Psa 132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids;

Psa 132:5 until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Psa 132:6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:

Psa 132:7 "We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.

Psa 132:8 Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place; you, and the ark of your strength.

Psa 132:9 Let your priest be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!"

Psa 132:10 For your servant David's sake, don't turn away the face of your anointed one.

Psa 132:11 Yahweh has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: "I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

Psa 132:12 If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forevermore."

Psa 132:13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

Psa 132:14 "This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it.

Psa 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Psa 132:16 Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.

Psa 132:17 There I will make the horn of David to bud. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

Psa 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent."

Psa 133:1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

Psa 133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard; that came down on the edge of his robes;

Psa 133:3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forevermore.

Psa 134:1 Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh's house!

Psa 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!

Psa 134:3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.

Oct. 5

Psalms 135-137

Psa 135:1 Praise Yah! Praise the name of Yahweh! Praise him, you servants of Yahweh,

Psa 135:2 you who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of our God's house.

Psa 135:3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.

Psa 135:4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself; Israel for his own possession.

Psa 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, that our Lord is above all gods.

Psa 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

Psa 135:7 who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries;

Psa 135:8 Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal;

Psa 135:9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants;

Psa 135:10 who struck many nations, and killed mighty kings,

Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

Psa 135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

Psa 135:13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

Psa 135:14 For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Psa 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Psa 135:16 They have mouths, but they can't speak. They have eyes, but they can't see.

Psa 135:17 They have ears, but they can't hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Psa 135:18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.

Psa 135:19 House of Israel, praise Yahweh! House of Aaron, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:20 House of Levi, praise Yahweh! You who fear Yahweh, praise Yahweh!

Psa 135:21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, Who dwells at Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

Psa 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:4 To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:5 To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:7 To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:8 The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:16 To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:17 To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:18 And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:20 Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:21 And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Psa 136:24 And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Psa 136:25 Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 136:26 Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psa 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Psa 137:2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps.

Psa 137:3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

Psa 137:4 How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?

Psa 137:5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

Psa 137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you; if I don't prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Psa 137:7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!"

Psa 137:8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

Psa 137:9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Oct. 6

Psalms 138-140

Psa 138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

Psa 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

Psa 138:3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

Psa 138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

Psa 138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh; for great is Yahweh's glory.

Psa 138:6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.

Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.

Psa 138:8 Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don't forsake the works of your own hands.

Psa 139:1 Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.

Psa 139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.

Psa 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Psa 139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

Psa 139:5 You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

Psa 139:6 This knowledge is beyond me. It's lofty. I can't attain it.

Psa 139:7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?

Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!

Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Psa 139:10 Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

Psa 139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night;"

Psa 139:12 even the darkness doesn't hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

Psa 139:13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb.

Psa 139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

Psa 139:15 My frame wasn't hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Psa 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psa 139:18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Psa 139:19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

Psa 139:20 For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

Psa 139:21 Yahweh, don't I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

Psa 139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

Psa 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.

Psa 139:24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Psa 140:1 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man;

Psa 140:2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

Psa 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah.

Psa 140:4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

Psa 140:5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

Psa 140:6 I said to Yahweh, "You are my God." Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

Psa 140:7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Psa 140:8 Yahweh, don't grant the desires of the wicked. Don't let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

Psa 140:9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

Psa 140:10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

Psa 140:11 An evil speaker won't be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

Psa 140:12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

Psa 140:13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Oct. 4

Galatians 1

Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

Gal 1:2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

Gal 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Gal 1:4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father--

Gal 1:5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news";

Gal 1:7 and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.

Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ.

Gal 1:11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

Gal 1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.

Gal 1:14 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Gal 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,

Gal 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Gal 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.

Gal 1:19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.

Gal 1:20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying.

Gal 1:21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Gal 1:22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

Gal 1:23 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."

Gal 1:24 And they glorified God in me.

Oct. 5

Galatians 2

Gal 2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

Gal 2:2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Gal 2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Gal 2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

Gal 2:5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

Gal 2:6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

Gal 2:7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision

Gal 2:8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);

Gal 2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

Gal 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--which very thing I was also zealous to do.

Gal 2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Gal 2:12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

Gal 2:15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,

Gal 2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

Gal 2:17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

Gal 2:18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

Gal 2:19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Gal 2:21 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Oct. 6

Galatians 3

Gal 3:1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?

Gal 3:2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?

Gal 3:4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?

Gal 3:5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness."

Gal 3:7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.

Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed."

Gal 3:9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them."

Gal 3:11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith."

Gal 3:12 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them."

Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"

Gal 3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gal 3:15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.

Gal 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ.

Gal 3:17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

Gal 3:19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.

Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.

Gal 3:22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Gal 3:24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 3:26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.

“Love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12 by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/050-AsILovedYou.html

“Love one another as I have loved you”
John 15:12

Christ is the source of love among Christians.
Jesus told His followers: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34, 35).
This command was new because it tapped a source of love far superior to any love the world had known before. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).
Love among Christians is exceptional because it is the very love of Christ Himself. How can I not love a brother for whom Christ died, as He also died for me? Together we are engulfed by the love of Christ. Our hearts are “knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2).
This bond of love exists only among faithful followers of Christ. “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). At baptism we receive the gift of the Spirit: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). This depth of love is found only among those who have been born again, born by water and the Spirit (John 3:5, 7).
God’s love is in our hearts by the power of the Spirit. This enables us to love others in a way that would be impossible otherwise. Christians are able to love even their enemies! (Luke 6:27, 35).
We must cultivate this love to bring it to fruition. “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected [τετελείωται] in him” (1 John 2:5). The banner of God’s love must be unfurled in our hearts by obedience.

Christians learn to love by following Christ.
Only by following Him can we love one another as He loved us. We follow Christ by obeying Him and abiding in His love. “These things I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:17). “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:9, 10).
His commands define love and teach us how to love: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments” (1 John 5:2).
“Speaking the truth in love,” we are to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15, 16).
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Christians radiate the love of Christ.
When we love one another as Christ loves us, others can see His love in us and recognize its Source. When we extend His love to others, they can feel the love of Christ. His love spreads forth through us to them.
Jesus tells His followers: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). “He who loves his brother abides in the light” (1 John 2:10).
One purpose of the assembly is to “stir up love” (Hebrews 10:24). In the church of Christ there is a chain reaction of love. Activated by Christ, Christians love each other and radiate His love to all the world.

Christian love is self-sacrificing.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:12-14).
Of Himself Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

Christian love is abundant.
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10).
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
Learning to love as Christ loves us is a life-long assignment. His love is so immense that our love for one another never measures up to His love for us. Thus we are admonished to increase our love, to become more like Christ.

Christian love is genuine and benevolent.
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17, 18).

Christian love is fervent and pure.
“And above all things have fervent love for one another” (1 Peter 4:8). “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

Christian love is humble and affectionate.
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:9, 10).

Christian love is patient and compassionate.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).

Love is the greatest good on earth.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Paul gives an overview of love’s greatness by listing various attributes: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
The love of Christ has transforming power.

The love of Christ transformed James and John.
James and John were called “sons of thunder” when they first came to Jesus (Mark 3:17). They wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village that refused to provide lodging for Jesus (Luke 9:54). Jesus chided them: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:55, 56).
James and John wanted to be exalted above the other apostles: “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory” (Mark 10:37). “And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John” (Mark 10:41).
But James and John learned to love their fellow disciples as Jesus loved them.
James was the first of the twelve to give his life for Christ. Herod “killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2).
When John wrote his Gospel he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20). He had learned that Christ’s love for us is the example to be followed.
In his letters he emphasizes love among Christians. “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11). “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

The love of Christ transformed Peter.
Before Peter learned the lesson of love, he thought he was more faithful than anyone else: “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be” (Mark 14:29). Before morning light, he denied Jesus three times.
After the resurrection, however, when Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love Me more than these?” he no longer exalted himself, but said simply: “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:15).
Peter emphasizes love among Christians in his letters. “Love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). “Love the brotherhood” (1 Peter 2:17). “Love as brothers” (1 Peter 3:8). “Above all things have fervent love for one another” (1 Peter 4:8). Add “to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:7).
Through the centuries countless people have been transformed by the love of Christ.

The love of Christ transformed Murray and Joe.
In Toronto, Canada, two boys were skipping stones through the front door and down the aisle of the meeting place of a church of Christ during services. The door was open because of the summer heat. An older brother went out the back, circled around behind the boys and gave them a choice: “Do you want to come in and sit quietly beside me for the rest of the service, or do you want me to call the police?” They decided to go in and sit beside him! After services he told them they were always welcome.
On a subsequent Sunday, before services, one of the boys was standing shyly up the street. The same brother motioned for him to come and he came. The two boys started attending Sunday school. Although they were unruly and disruptive because of their background, Christians patiently showed them the love of Christ. They also attended Omagh Bible Camp (and almost burned the main building down).
Touched by the love of Christ, both became gospel preachers and dedicated their lives to sharing God’s love with others. Murray Hammond preached in Ontario. Joe Cannon became a missionary to Japan and Papua New Guinea, and in later years (before his passing in 2012) to Ukraine.

Let us cherish and nourish this blessing of love we share in Christ.
Christ is the source of love among Christians. We learn to love by following His example and obeying His commands. He enables us to radiate His love. Christian love is self-sacrificing, abundant, genuine, benevolent, fervent, pure, humble, affectionate, patient and compassionate.
Let us obey the words of Christ: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Amen.
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

GOD'S COMPLETE REVELATION! BY STEVE FINNELL

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/05/gods-complete-revelation-by-steve_15.html

GOD'S COMPLETE REVELATION! 

BY STEVE FINNELL

We have God's complete revelation to all mankind, it is called the Bible. There are sixty six books. There are no more books. God's direct revelation to mankind was finished, completed with the death of the last apostle. The church of Christ had all the information it needed to preach the gospel, teach the church about faith in Jesus Christ, and to instruct men to obey God's commands.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity  to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Jude wrote in his letter, in about 65 A.D., that Christians already had a common salvation. He said contend for the faith which had been handed down once for all. The faith was not being added to nor were parts of the faith being deleted by new revelation. Jude knew nothing of so-called new revelations being written in books of catechisms nor were there any  extra-Biblical books of so-called new revelations from God.

There is no 21st century  new revelation, new prophecy, nor new knowledge. We already have the completed Scriptures, the BIBLE.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

Direct prophecy and special knowledge from God have ceased. There is no more prophecy or knowledge that is equal to Scripture. The Bible was completed long ago.

1 Corinthians 13:10 But when what is complete comes , then what is incomplete will no longer be used. (God's Word Translation (1995).

We have a completed Bible. We do not need new revelation. We do not need modern-day apostles nor prophets.

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

The apostle Peter said, in about 66 A.D., that Christians already  had true knowledge. What kind of knowledge are the modern writers of catechisms, or other of the so-called modern-day apostles, and prophets disseminating? A question that is worth pondering.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God  that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

The apostle Paul said their word was God's word. For men today to claim that the catechisms they write, and, or, the so-called new books of revelation, are directly from God; is at best, a case of self-delusion. The worst case scenario is willful deception or purposeful ignorance.

Acts 20:27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

The apostle Paul declared the whole purpose of God to the Ephesians. How could Paul have declared the whole purpose of God in the first century if modern day prophets and apostles are still being given new purposes from God today? There are no new, direct revelations, from God that are equal to Scripture.

John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative , but whatever He hears, He will speak; and will disclose to you what is to come.

Jesus said, to the twelve apostles, that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. The apostle heard all the truth. THERE IS NO NEW TRUTH TO BE ADDED! The Bible is completed, it is finished.

Ephesians 3:3-5 that by revelation there was made know to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

The mystery of Christ was revealed to the apostle Paul as well as the other apostles and prophets. It is not continually being revealed, it was revealed. We have that revelation, it is in the Bible.

We have God's completed word. We have the BIBLE!

HOW MUCH PRIDE WOULD IT TAKE FOR MEN, TODAY, TO CLAIM THAT THEIR WORDS ARE, IN FACT, EQUAL TO SCRIPTURE?

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Does the meaning of  God's word evolve over time? The apostle John wrote the book Revelation about 95 AD. Do men have the authority to add to or take away from God's word? NO, they do not.