Praying in God's Will

I started out this morning with a little present God gave to me while I was preparing this lesson to share. He often takes me on another avenue while I am studying. Psalms 27:4 - One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. We are His Temple of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in Us!! We have His temple with us all day long. He wants us to meditate on His word and prayer in His temple not made with man;s hands! So we can pray all the while we are doing things while we are awake! We do not need to always pray aloud. We can pray in silence. God can read our hearts and minds! Amazing ! Acts 7:48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: Write down these scriptures for meditation. Psalms 27:4 - One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. We are His Temple of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in Us!! We have His temple with us all day long. He wants us to meditate on His word and prayer in His temple not made with man;s hands! So we can pray all the while we are doing things while we are awake! We do not need to always pray aloud. We can pray in silence. God can read our hearts and minds! Amazing ! Psalm 34:15-19 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 86:5- For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. 1Corinth. 10:31- 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. This includes praying for the will of God. James 1:5- 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. In asking for wisdom, we must also trust that God is gracious and willing to answer our prayers: “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt” James1:6-6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Mark 11:24- Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. So, praying according to the will of God includes asking for wisdom (to know the will of God) and asking in faith (to trust the will of God). I am going to share with you 7 instructions on how to pray in the will of God: 1) Pray for the things for which the Bible commands prayer. Matt.5:44- But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Luke 10:2- Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Pray for God to send missionaries. The mission field also includes intercessory prayer. You may not be able to go out into the earthly mission fields or leave your home; but! You can certainly be in the spiritual mission fields with right in your prayer closet. Praying for those who are Lost and the things going on around us that are not God's Will. praying for divine intervention. When we get busy doing these things for the Glory of God, suddenly our own circumstances do not seem so bad, We know God is taking care of our every request! Keeps us from entering into temptation, we are in touch with Him daily. Matt.26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Colossians:4:32- Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, Pray for those who minister the word to others. 2Thess 3:1-Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 1Timothy 2:1-3- Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a] and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. James5:13-13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. Pray for the healing of fellow believers. we can pray and believe fro God to do His will for that person. Demanding that he is physically healed is ,not God's will ,it is ours , we must ask for healing for them according to God's will. He sometimes uses our physical infirmities to heal our spiritual infirmities. He is an Eternal God who's will it is for NO Man to Eternally Perish. God knows exactly what each of us needs. James 5:16-16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Where God commands prayer, we can pray with confidence that we are praying according to His will. 2) Follow the example of godly characters in Scripture. Romans 10:1-Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Psalm 51:1,2- Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. David prayed for mercy and forgiveness when he sinned. Acts4:29- 29 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, The First Century Church prayed for boldness to be witness as disciples for Christ! These prayers were according to the will of God, and similar prayers today can be as well. As with Paul and the early church, we should always be praying for the salvation of others. For ourselves, we should pray as David prayed, always aware of our sin and bringing it before God before it hinders our relationship with Him and thwarts our prayers. 3) Pray with the right motivation. Selfish motives will not be blessed by God. James 4:3-“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” Matt 6:5-7- “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b] 7 We should also pray, not so our lofty words can be heard and we may be seen by others as “spiritual,” but mostly in private and in secret, so that our heavenly Father will hear in private and reward us openly And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matt 5:23-24- 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Mark 11:25- 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trenspasses.” A spirit of bitterness, anger, revenge or hatred toward others will prevent our hearts from praying in total submission to God. Just as we are told not to give offerings to God while there is conflict between ourselves and another Christian, in the same way God does not want the offering of our prayers until we have reconciled with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Colossians 4:2-2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Phillipians4:6-7- 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Pray with Thanksgiving. We can always find something to be thankful for, no matter how burdened we are by our wants or needs. The greatest sufferer that lives in this world of redeeming love, and who has the offer of heaven before him, has reason to be grateful to God. 'Attitude is grattitude brothers and sisters. A thankful heart in any circumstance goes a long way with Our Heavenly Father! He loves a humble and contrite heart , but He also wants a thankful heart! remember the Israelites. God was leading them thru Moses out of the Egypt, they came upon many hardships. God never left them He turned the water of Mara into sweet. He gave them water from out of the rock! he even parted the red seas for their safety . Then He fed them Manna from Heaven and ,every time they came upon a problem they completely forgot that He always took care of them ! They complained and whined ,like He had never looked out for them and forgot that He was the one guiding them! Ungreatful hearts ,got them a death in the desert! Any of them! we need to remember , the things He HAS done for us when we pray and get thankful, he blesses everyday , some do not stop to listen and look!!! Stop making your self, and your problems an idol before God and get thankful ,because He is the Living God of Mercy and Grace and He doe snot want us to be unhappy ! We choose to be most of the time. I am not saying all of our circumstances are brought on by our own doing all the time, no! I am saying God is still God , get thankful and ask for HIS will! Isaiah103: 11-14- 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. That is Our Living and merciful God ,that is Love!!!!! 6) Pray with persistence Luke18:1-Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 1Thess 5:17- pray without ceasing, We should persevere in prayer and not quit or be dejected because we have not received an immediate answer. Part of praying in God’s will is believing that, whether His answer is “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” we accept His judgment, submit to His will, and continue to pray. 7) Rely on the Spirit of God in prayer. Romans 8:26-27- 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. We have the Spirit’s help in praying. At the times of our deepest depression or sorrow, those times when we feel that we “just cannot pray,” we have the comfort of knowing that the Holy Spirit is actually praying for us! What an amazing God we have! Roman's 8:28- And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. What assurance we have when we seek to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh! Then we can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will accomplish His work in presenting our prayers to the Father according to His perfect will and timing, and we can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things together for our good . Brothers and sisters, I pray that you all would benefit from this lesson on prayer. I pray for your ears and hearts to be open to what God is telling us. This is not from me, I am merely a facilitator of His word. God knows what we need in these perilous times! It is definitely a more solid prayer life, knowing that we are here to Glorify Him and share His love with others!! Come out of self and be separate! Shake off the lies that Adversary tells you, that your life will never be what is should be!!! Stop comparing yourself with other believers and get thankful. He made you, unique and special , His plans for you are unique to suit you and to serve Him and His good will and Purpose. You are NOT here to be Glorified , you are here to serve the one true Gracious, Mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He is Your God too and He wants for you to glorify Him through your life. How can we do that when all we do is moan, stay in self , having pity parties because life is not going the way We Want it. God's way is the Only way that works!! Serve Him , do His will , Pray without ceasing and OBEY!!!!!! It is with great humility that I thank my Lord God for allowing me the opportunity to share what He lays on my heart with My Family in Christ! Lets get busy and glorify Him in everything we do. Let's walk in Christ together, so that the world can see His light that shines down on us and that they might want it too!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets get busy with every breath we take and pray. May Bless You all in the Love of Christ Jesus our warrior and our Savior!!! LOVE, TRUTH PS. I would like to thanks all who attended and who were so blessed . Glorifying God together , now that is what it is all about!@!! TY to On-Fire and Treasure for their awesome inspiring testimonies!!! Ty to all of You . Love you. Ty to the Administration fro allowing me this opportunity ti share ! Ty to Eye for providing this place for us to grow together and Glorify God together!!!

The Many Sides of Being Christian

“The Many Sides of Being Christian” by Romans Before I begin, I would like to offer all of you something of an apology. Last week I presented the audio of what I remembered to be a good and enlightening sermon by John MacArthur. I had not heard this sermon in a many years, but I remember liking it because it brought out and corrected an important mistranslation of a term that directly impacts us in our relationship with God. However, after hearing that sermon again for the first time in so long, while I played it for all of you, and after encountering the valid and much-appreciated resistance to the main thrust of John MacArthur’s sermon, I realized that however well-meaning and/or educational the information in the sermon was, its fixated and one-dimensional focus on Christianity in slave-terms was ill-conceived at best. The term "slave" was used to the basic exclusion of all of the other valid nouns, adjectives and verbs that apply to us. Let me just say this much regarding the word “slave” as opposed to word “servant” which the translators used, as it applies to us. We read beginning in Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Where it says that Jesus willingly left His place of majesty in Heaven “and took upon him the form of a servant,” the word “servant” in this Verse is also “doulos” in the Greek, which means “slave.” Jesus took upon Him the form of a slave, but in what way? Let's see: We read in Luke 11:1 that “one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples,” Jesus provided His disciples, and us, what we commonly refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” This was a pattern prayer on which we should base our own prayers. Among the points that Jesus named that we should include in our prayer are the words, “Thy Will be done…” These words acknowledge the Father’s place of Supremacy in our lives, and a willingness on our parts to accept the Word of God, the priorities of God, and the Laws of God. These words are words of commitment that when our own desires and our own understanding opposed that of God, we are declaring our own willingness to yield to the Will of God. Jesus “took upon him the form of a slave” in that He heard and obeyed His Heavenly Father without hesitation, without deviation, and without exception. The Verse that follows the one that tells us that the word “slave” was also applied to Jesus in the New Testament tells us to what extent He obeyed the Will of His Father. Philippians 2:8: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” In His prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, we read Jesus’ words in Luke 22:42: “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus accepted His Father’s Will and went to the Cross willingly. In so doing, Jesus demonstrated the unconditional obedience and attitude of a slave to a master. In like manner, all of the apostles, including Paul, also “became obedient unto death.” They all used and understood, far better than we do today, the Greek word for “slave” in reference to Christians. They understood that being called to a life of being a Christian is a call to humility and obedience. The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 4 and Verse 15 that Jesus “… was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” The Will of the Father came first and foremost in His Life. As important as all of that is, it does not comprise the sum of our calling, our experiences, our potential or our future. Nor does the single facet of the word “slave” provide for us the other uplifting and edifying facets of a believer’s relationship with God. That relationship is a love relationship that God initiates. Far and above being merely mindful of our condition as amazing as that would be… far and above merely caring for us, hearing and answering our prayers… the Creator of all that we are and all that we see, namely the known Universe, Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, agreed with and yielded to the Will of the Father to make Salvation available to us. We read in Hebrews 2:10: “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” That is not a the kind of relationship that should ever be boxed into a unrealistically limited, and unavoidably demeaning Master/slave relationship, as if it defined all that there is. There is so incredibly much more to being a Christian! That is what I intend to illustrate this Evening. I have never read any of the surviving texts that detailed the worship of any of the pagan gods of the ancient world. But I would startled to read that the worshipers of any of these carved idols understood that their god loved them, sacrificed themselves for them, suffered or took for them the penalty for their sins and transgressions. From the very beginning, God explained to the children of Israel why they were the “chosen people.” We read beginning in Deuteronomy 7:6: “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; “ Is there any history of any other nation on earth, a nation which suffered under cruel bondage for centuries, who were miraculously rescued and delivered by their gods? Was it a love relationship between Baal or Molech or Chemosh and their worshipers that led them to include child sacrifice in their attempts to please and serve these gods? The relationship between God and His people is one in which the Laws and statutes that He gives them are for their good. We read in Deuteronomy 5:33: “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” Matthew Henry writes, “He desires the welfare and salvation of poor sinners. He has given abundant proof that he does so; he gives us time and space to repent. He has sent his Son to redeem us, promised his Spirit to those who pray for him, and has declared that he has no pleasure in the ruin of sinners. It would be well with many, if there were always such a heart in them, as there seems to be sometimes; when they are under conviction of sin, or the rebukes of providence, or when they come to look death in the face. The only way to be happy, is to be holy. Say to the righteous, It shall be well with them. Let believers make it more and more their study and delight, to do as the Lord God hath commanded.” Centuries later, and well into the history of the nation of Israel, we read in the pages of the Book of Jeremiah beginning in Jeremiah 31:3: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Of this Verse, Matthew Henry writes: “… the love of God … is an everlasting love, from everlasting in the counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Those whom God loves with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences of his Spirit upon their souls. When praising God for what he has done, we must call upon him for the favours his church needs and expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we cannot come; for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen us. The goodness of God shall lead them to repentance. And they shall weep for sin with more bitterness, and more tenderness, when delivered out of their captivity, than when groaning under it. If we take God for our Father, and join the church of the first-born, we shall want (or lack for) nothing that is good for us.” We read in 1 John 4:16: “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love…” Of this Matthew Henry writes, “The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession includes faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate! Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him…” Let me repeat and focus in on one sentence from Matthew Henry’s words, quoted above: He wrote, “Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate…” God is a Trinity. Each of the Members of the Godhead have had Their own individual part in our Salvation. Motivated by love for humanity, the Father sent the Son to die in our places. The Son willingly became the sacrificial Lamb of God. And the Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Comforter residing in us, and offering us the priceless and indispensable Divine Help in our Christian walk. In the next portion of this Discussion, I will utilize a list of who and what we are as Christians, as presented in “The World Bible Handbook” by Robert Boyd. This, I hope, will round out for you and define us as Christians in the fullest possible terms. But first, we should remember who we were: Ephesians 2:12: “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Then Verse 19: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” Now let’s look at all the things we are: We are forgiven: We read in Romans 4:7: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” That, my friends, is who we are, Blessed because we are forgiven. And, as a result of being forgiven, Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” But being forgiven is just the beginning... We are justified: Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith...” We are declared to be righteous: 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Sanctified (which means, set apart for Holy use): 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” We are children of God by adoption: Ephesians 1:5: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will...” We are a new creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” As children, we are heirs of God, as well as joint-heirs with Christ: Romans 8:16: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” But, as heirs, what do we inherit? Matthew 25:34: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” Revelation 21:7: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” We are members of the Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12:12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” And Ephesians 5:29: “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” We are the Temple of God: 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” We are kings and priests: Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” 1 Corinthians 4:8: “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. We are the people of God: 1 Peter 2:10: “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” “Peculiar” is not a word that is usually used as a compliment. But if you hear it in these two other Verses you might be less concerned about it being applied to us, as believers: We read in Psalms 135:4: “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.” We are crucified with Christ: Romans 6:6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” We are buried with Christ: Romans 6:4: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:” And then we are raised with Christ: Colossians 2:12: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” We are seated in the Heavenlies: Ephesians 2:5: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” We are delivered from this present evil world: Galatians 1:3: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” We are in Christ's Kingdom: Colossians 1:13: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” We are the children of Light: Ephesians 5:8: “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” We are servants of Righteousness: Romans 6:18: “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” We are God's Workmanship: Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are like Christ: 1 John 4:17: “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” We are at Peace with God: Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” We are Heaven's Ambassadors: 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” We are the light of the world: Matthew 5:14: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We are highly valued: Luke 12:6: “... ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Of more value than sparrows? Is that being highly valued? Well, it is when you consider what Jesus said immediately before that: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” Yes, we are highly valued. We are victorious: 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are more than conquerors: Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” We are Jesus' friends: John 15:14: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” We are glorified: Romans 8:30: “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Further, we read in Hebrews 3:14: “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end...” Besides being made “partakers of Christ,” we read in 2 Corinthians 2:15: “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ...” On another level we are told in Ephesians 4:25: “...for we are members one of another.” The list of positive themes that describe us can supply us with many, many hours of meditation and edification in our spiritual walk. I have never heard any of our detractors ever use any of the adjectives, descriptions and categories that I used, tonight, to describe who and what we are. The world dismisses us as fools believing in fairy tales. They don't have the remotest idea of the blessings poured out on us by God. But remember, Jesus told us to expect to be resisted and rejected: He said beginning in John 15:18: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.” But I also hasten to add these words of consolation that Jesus also spoke to us in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” As Christians, we are complete in Christ: That is such a reassuring and comforting thought: We read in Colossians 2:10: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Regarding our completeness, I will close with the thoughts of Matthew Henry: “To be complete, is to be furnished with all things necessary for salvation. By this one word "complete," is shown that we have in Christ whatever is required. "In him," not when we look to Christ, as though he were distant from us, but we are in him, when, by the power of the Spirit, we have faith wrought in our hearts by the Spirit, and we are united to our Head. The circumcision of the heart, the crucifixion of the flesh, the death and burial to sin and to the world, and the resurrection to newness of life, set forth in baptism, and by faith wrought in our hearts, prove that our sins are forgiven, and that we are fully delivered from the curse of the law. Through Christ, we, who were dead in sins, are quickened. Christ's death was the death of our sins; Christ's resurrection is the quickening of our souls.” Who are we? We are Christians. The term “slave” may have been used to try to convey our putting the Will of the Father before our own will, but the sermon last week focused, almost obsessively, on that one word, that one facet of the multifaceted diamond that Christianity is. Such a narrow-focused sermon did nothing for me but leave a bad taste in the mouths in all of its hearers, especially when there is incredibly so much more to what we are as Christians. The void that it left in its wake cried out for a widening of the definition of Christian, a widening that would inspire, edify and administer grace unto all its hearers. That was what I tried to accomplish this evening. I only hope that this expanded overview of who and what we are was as uplifting and motivating to all of you, as it was to me in its preparation. This concludes this Evening's Discussion, “The Many Sides of Being Christian.” Romans, originally delivered on August 16th, 2012

Prayer 2

This morning's bible study was a continuation of last week's introduction to prayer. I discussed a lot so I will leave the information I shared. I could not possibly share with you all the speaking I did. I wish I could for those who missed. The sharing and praising was all for God's Glory!!!! I pray that it touched many who were in need that day. we are facilitators, but God is the teacher and He knows just what He wants to say thru us! Isaiah 43:10 "You are My witnesses" says the Lord, and My servants whom I have chosen, that you may know Me and believe Me,and understand that I AM He. "Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. How do we know Him?? Through His word and through Prayer!. He speaks to us through His Word, and He answers us through prayer. It's constant communication with the Throne of Grace. Christ in us give us the freedom to enter the Holy of Holy's, also because we are washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God. The Isrealites did not have this available to them , they had to go through the high priest once a year for atonement,and they had corporate prayer. Even then , God was in the PROCESS of changing all of that to be closer to His children. He sent Ezekiel to profess the good news. While they were in exile, He told them through Ezekiel that there would be no more corporate prayer. Everyman was going to be held responsible for their own sins with God. No More blaming their Fore Fathers and ,they needed to come to Him personally. Wow what a plan He had for all of US! As I ponder all of this I cannot help but keep reverting back to this one thought in my heart. "What a mighty God we serve!" We can ask for anything according to His will, we did NOT have to earn it ! He is a Giver! Here are some who did however pray to God thru the grace and faith He gave them in order for them to complete the task He gave them. God never sends us on a job without supplying us with what we need , because all that we are chosen to do is to Glorify Him!!!! Also Jesus prayed as well . How do you think prayer differs from the OT. and the NT. These are some of the patriarchs and prophets and servants who prayed in the Old testament, just to give you a an idea of Prayer then and how important it was to them. Gen 24 Abraham's servant Success in his mission Gen 32 Jacob Protection against Esau Exd 32 Moses Forgiveness for idolatrous Israel Exd 33 Moses For the Divine presence Num 12 Moses For Miriam, when smitten with leprosy Deu 3 Moses To enter Canaan Jdg 16 Samson To be avenged on his enemies 1Sa 1 Hannah For a man-child 2Sa 7 David Prayer and thanksgiving after Nathan's message concerning his intention to build the temple Question: "What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name?" Answer: Prayer in Jesus’ name is taught in John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Some misapply this verse, thinking that saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer results in God’s always granting what is asked for. This is essentially treating the words “in Jesus’ name” as a magic formula. This is absolutely unbiblical. Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus. Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus' name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name. john commentary Matthew Henry 1john 5:14-15 I. A privilege belonging to faith in Christ, namely, audience in prayer: This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, v. 14. The Lord Christ emboldens us to come to God in all circumstances, with all our supplications and requests. Through him our petitions are admitted and accepted of God. The matter of our prayer must be agreeable to the declared will of God. It is not fit that we should ask what is contrary either to his majesty and glory or to our own good, who are his and dependent on him. And then we may have confidence that the prayer of faith shall be heard in heaven. II. The advantage accruing to us by such privilege: If we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him, v. 15. Great are the deliverances, mercies, and blessings, which the holy petitioner needs. To know that his petitions are heard or accepted is as good as to know that they are answered; and therefore that he is so pitied, pardoned, or counselled, sanctified, assisted, and saved (or shall be so) as he is allowed to ask of God. III. Direction in prayer in reference to the sins of others: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for those that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it, v. 16. Here we may observe, 1. We ought to pray for others as well as for ourselves; for our brethren of mankind, that they may be enlightened, converted, and saved; for our brethren in the Christian profession, that they may be sincere, that their sins may be pardoned, and that they may be delivered from evils and the chastisements of God, and preserved in Christ Jesus. I would like to end this study today with a few words about a time when I took a course thirty odd years ago. The course was named, "Change the World school of Prayer" Prayer changes things, but prayer does not change people who do not want to be changed. We can however pray for their hearts to be moved ,God can go to the inner courts of our being and have a huge affect on us. He can bring us to our knees!!!!! When I took this course they taught us about the outline of Prayer through the "OUR Father". When you are wanting to know how to pray as a new believer, look at this: A.C.T.S. "Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving,and Supplication." God is a God of order as it says in 1cor 14:40. "Let all things be done decently and in order." Therefore I would also like to point out that when we pray we need to follow God's request and pray in the outline of this prayer, it is what Jesus told the disciples and it is orderly. God should be glorified through all of our prayers!!! He is the MOST High, The Living God, Who Gave us our salvation!!! He made a way through Christ for us to be able to speak with Him 24/7. I may sound like I repeat myself , but brothers and sisters I am pressing in on the importance of successful prayer in these perilous times when we need to be praying more than ever for Christ will return and then it will be too late for so many!

Prayer

This is a rough draft of what I covered in Thursday's study. It was mor of an introduction, so you would know where I stood as a believer and also some verses we discussed and the Importance of prayer. I spoke more than I posted. We will have a more structured lesson next week. Thanks for you patience. 2cor 1:10-11 was posted. Then I presented this as an introduction:Paul is referring to the life threatening persecution he faced when he preached the Gospel of Christ. (Acts 14:19-29. Paul trusted the Lord as the Corinthians prayed. God delivered him (in His timing), which is always perfect. We should pray for each other so that thanks may be given unto Him. God is glorified in every answer He gives to Prayer, whether it be yes No or some other way we did not expect. This is why we should always pray for His perfect will in all things, not our own. we like to contaminate things we ask for by taking it back and trying to rush it up and do it ourselves. God, however teaches us to trust and wait on Him. He knows with that wonderful foreknowledge He has , what needs to be done ,and it serves His good purpose for Us! If many intercede, many will thank God when He answers. We must let others know whenever we face difficulties, so "God Can Be Praised." Once again this whole prayer thing is always about glorifying Him not ourselves. Answers to prayer should always receive public praise for our Deliverer who needs to be glorified. It also keeps us focused on Him when we pray for others as well. Shalom then posted for me Isaiah56:7- I presented this also. Isaiah 56:7here he is speaking of the Gentiles. Nations from the Hebrew word "AM" means congregated peoples,folk or flock.( Strongs#5971 Hebrew) I am pointing out these two verses to show how much the importance of prayer was in the OT and NT. God was not only setting up the stage for Our Salvation in the Ot and NT ,but He was also making it possible for us to be able to go to the Holy of Holy's Ourselves and have access to Him on a personal level through Prayer!!!! What a wonderful thing to have access to Our Father through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us the hope of glory!the church is the body of Christ just as the Nation was a congregated peoples. May I remind you Isaiah was speaking of a generation of Gentiles , serving the Lord. So there You have it we are warriors designed to pray!!!!!Pray pray!!!!we can congregate anywhere anytime!!! God knew we would need to be in constant touch wi9th Him in this fallen world and He would be glorified through all of this!!!! He could deliver!!!! we ask in His will , He delivers! What is BEST for ALL of us. Who knows us better than our Creator?? NO one. Who can see what lies ahead of us ,no one but God Himself! Prayer is also worship. I will move on next week and i will get better at this with God working through me.!! I pray that each of you will be with me as we glorify God in all of this for His Good will and Purpose. I hope this gives some idea of where are headed for the next few weeks. GBU all. In Christ Love Truth.

Philippians 2 Consider others...

Philippians 2 King James Version (KJV) Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Php 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. Php 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Php 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Php 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Php 2:23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. Php 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Php 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Php 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Php 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. The Example of Jesus: A Study of Philippians 2 Paul, in prison, is writing to thank and encourage Christians in Philippi. They face their own trials and have their own problems. They, like many churches today, had some petty disagreements and selfishness. Paul points them to a better approach to interpersonal relationships and gives them three examples they can imitate. Consideration Paul begins by reminding them of blessings they have been given by Christ: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion..." — he assumes that they have enjoyed all of these — "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil. 2:1-2). He is not just asking them to think like one another. As he will soon explain, he wants them to be like-minded with Christ — to be encouraging, comforting, sharing, tender and compassionate, as Christ is. He wants them to have the same kind of love as Christ has, being like him in attitude and goals. That is the only sure way to be united with one another. When the Philippians put this into practice, Paul’s joy among them will be complete, for his gospel will have produced its fruit. The bottom line, he says, is to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" (v. 3). Do not be motivated by selfishness or pride, for they destroy unity and are the essence of sin. Instead, "in humility consider others better than yourselves." Paul does not say that others are better — only that we should consider them better. Objectively, everyone cannot be better, yet Christian unity must be built on considering others ahead of self. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (v. 4). We may consider our own interests, but we must also look out for others. This is the way of Christ. He, the best of all humans, did not put himself first, but considered the needs of others. Humility "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (vv. 5-7). Scholars call this passage "the Philippian hymn," because its style and rhythm cause some to think that Paul is adopting words that Christians were already singing — words of praise for Christ Jesus. Paul is using these words to remind his readers of the example they are to follow: someone who was divine, having the greatest of honor, yet who did not cling to his rights and privileges. The 2011 edition of the NIV puts it this way: Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage." Though the Philippians had important rights as citizens of a Roman colony, they were to focus on others, not themselves. Jesus willingly set his rights aside, in humility becoming a human, serving our needs. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!" (v. 8). His humility, his desire to serve, was complete. He endured the most painful and most shameful form of death, just to serve our needs. The result? God resurrected him and "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (vv. 9-11). What is the name above all other names? The name of God. In Isaiah 45:23, God says, "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." Paul is saying that Jesus should be given the same honors as God. When we bow to Jesus, God gets the glory. Jesus is in the highest place, worthy of worship, worthy of the name "Lord." Because he was humble, he is now exalted. Humility is the praiseworthy way. Contentment How should we respond to Jesus’ humility and service? Paul pleads for action: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (v. 12). The Philippians have been a responsive church, eager to do what is good. Paul is asking them to take one more step, applying the humility of Christ to their interpersonal relationships. They are to work not in order to get into salvation (salvation is a gift that they already have), but to work out its implications — to diligently apply it in their lives by imitating their Savior. They are to work, and yet realize that they are not working alone: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (v. 13). We cannot make ourselves more like God — only he can, and he does it by changing our desires and our actions. He does not force us, but enables us. We work, trust him to do his work, and give him all the credit (see 1:3 and 1 Cor. 15:10). "Do everything without complaining or arguing," Paul writes, "so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" (vv. 14-16). In other words, as you share the gospel, be aware of the example you set (see 1:27). Be content, be peaceable, and you will be seen as points of light. Society doesn’t make it easy to be Christlike, but instead of viewing this as an obstacle, see it as an opportunity to make the gospel attractive. Paul then makes his appeal personal: "in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." This will complete his mission, he says, bringing the people toward maturity in Christ. Paul then elevates the significance of what they are doing — he is a sacrifice for God, and so are they. Their lives are given together as an offering to God. "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you" (v. 17). Although I am in jail, he says, I rejoice because of the way that you serve the Lord. "So you too should be glad and rejoice with me" (v. 18). Timothy "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you" (v. 19). Paul hopes to send a friend to them, who will (if we read between the lines) report on whether the Philippians put Paul’s exhortations into practice. Without directly saying so, Paul writes that Timothy is a good example, already doing what Paul is exhorting. Timothy "takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (vv. 20-21). Timothy does not act from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility he looks to the interests of others, of Jesus and the gospel. "But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (v. 22). Look to him, and hear what he says. "I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me" (v. 23). As soon as I find out whether I will get out of prison, I will send him, my son in the faith, to serve your needs. "And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon" (v. 24). Epaphroditus But Paul did not wait. He sent his letter with someone else: "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs" (v. 25). Epaphroditus, apparently one of the leaders in Philippi, had come to visit Paul in prison. Now Paul is sending him back with special commendation: "For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill" (v. 26). In other words, he is looking out for your interests. He is distressed not because he was sick, but because he doesn’t want you to be worried about him. "Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety" (vv. 27-28). I care for you, too, and I will be less anxious about you when he is there. "Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him" (v. 29). He is setting a great example, and if you honor people who serve, more people will serve. Epaphroditus put his life on the line: "he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me" (v. 30). Be willing to serve, Paul says, and you will be great. Humble yourself for him, and he will exalt you with Christ! ________________________________________ Questions for application • In my own experience, what role does self-interest play in squabbles? • When others consider me better, do I tend to agree with them? • Do I sometimes assume that other people want what I want? Do I "serve" them as a means of getting what I want? • What rights and privileges do I have? Am I willing to give them up to help others? • If I can’t complain (2:14), what can I say about things that are wrong? • Can I trust God to do his work within me? Does he sometimes seem to work too slowly? • What examples of humility do I know locally? Do I honor them? Matthew Henry Exhortations to a kind, humble spirit and behaviour. (1-4) The example of Christ. (5-11) Diligence in the affairs of salvation, and to be examples to the world. (12-18) The apostle's purpose of visiting Philippi. (19-30) Commentary on Philippians 2:1-4 Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind. Commentary on Philippians 2:5-11 The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, John 1:1, had not thought it a robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men. His human nature; herein he became like us in all things except sin. Thus low, of his own will, he stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the world was. Christ's two states, of humiliation and exaltation, are noticed. Christ not only took upon him the likeness and fashion, or form of a man, but of one in a low state; not appearing in splendour. His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, the death of a malefactor and a slave; exposed to public hatred and scorn. The exaltation was of Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus, all should pay solemn homage. It is to the glory of God the Father, to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will, that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father, John 5:23. Here we see such motives to self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we thus love and obey the Son of God? Commentary on Philippians 2:12-18 We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine. The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them. Commentary on Philippians 2:19-30 It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.