02/3/12

James 1:1-27 Holy Bible NIV

James speaks so succintly and with such fervor that his Words from The LORD stand out and touch the heart, mind, soul, and spirit.

We are all guilty of uttering things from our mouths that do not honor ourselves or others. Meditate on this Chapter for it tells us truths to follow.

Rev. Charlene

James 1

¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

¹²Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Footnotes:

James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

01/16/12

Psalm 53 David Expounded

Psalm 53

**For the director of music. According to mahalath.^[b] A maskil^[c] of David.**

¹ The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.

² God looks down from heaven
   on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
³ Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.

⁴Do all these evildoers know nothing?

   They devour my people as though eating bread;
   they never call on God.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
   where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
   you put them to shame, for God despised them.

⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Footnotes:

Psalm 53:1 In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7.
Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a musical term
Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

I find it so amazing that these words expressed by the Psalmist echo through time to our present age as a testimony of the nature of man. We read in Scripture that GOD does not change. Sadly, neither does mankind.

Yes, we do change in our outer lives–some prosper and accumulate wordly wealth. Others may prosper and accumulate spiritual wealth. In some cases both forms of wealth are realized–but mankind has this tendency to stick to a basic, selfish nature. “The fool says in his heart, “There is no GOD”. Verse 1a. This obviously happened long ago and is still happening today. That is the reason why we still need a Savior to intervene and stand in the gap for us. Jesus is our intercessor, and He is the one who declares the reality and righteousness of the Father. We have a warrior King on our side, and even within this historical timeframe; because of this historical timeframe; it is even more desperately important to see that the Kingdom of GOD is presented to the masses, and that the people are given opportunity for redemption and salvation.

David saw into the heart of man because of his own human experiences. He also saw into the heart of GOD because of his own spiritual encounters with GOD and personal deliverance. David speaks frankly and fervently here. He knows the mercy of GOD’s Spirit–the Comfort of His presence.

“God looks down from Heaven on all mankind, to see if there are any who understand, any who seek GOD” Verse 2. This statement was relevant tn David’s time–it is also relevant in our own time. Charlene

New International Version (NIV)

11/15/11

Psalm 8: A Psalm Of David

Republished January 2, 2012

Psalm 8

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b]

A Psalm of David.

1 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Footnotes:
a.Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
b.Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
c.Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
d.Psalm 8:5 Or him
e.Psalm 8:5 Or than God
f.Psalm 8:5 Or him
g.Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his

Psalm 8 is a Psalm of Inquiry. David is contemplating the nature and work of GOD.

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, and human beings that you visit them…” ?

David is asking “Why am I here, LORD, and what is the purpose in my relationship with you”?

Haven’t we all asked this question at many times in our lives? It is astonishing to us that, we, as mere sinful mortals, have the attention of the Triune GOD. We have a Father in Heaven who looks down upon his children and sees each one as the creation he ordained into being. We are all here for a specific purpose because GOD sees us as equals in His sight. We have all been preordained to perform a work in Him that will draw others unto Him. No one is more important than the other, and each of us has to seek out our personal place in His ministry.

I’m learning as time goes on to concentrate my energies into fewer projects. To spread my Godly gifts more discreetly. This does not mean that I turn my back on those things that have gone before–it means that I embrace new possibilities while gradually passing the baton to others to guide ministries in which I am presently engaged. The word ‘gradually’ is employed here because stewardship demands that we keep our responsibilities until others are fully able to assume them.

David said “You have made them a little lower than the angels, and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the work of your hands, you put everything under their feet… ” Why would GOD place us in such a position in Him?

There is a trust that exists between a committed believer and Christ. We engage in a covenant relationship with Him, God’s Holy Spirit, and GOD the Father. This relationship is what fuels our abilities, our heart committments, and our purpose here on earth. We knew GOD before we were “formed in the belly”, and our connection to Him is not severed at birth but diverted until we learn to conquer he of this world through Jesus our LORD. “You, dear children, are from GOD and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” ! John 4:4 NIV

God has made us to be His hands, His voice, His feet, and His heart here on earth. We have been given a ‘trust’ in Him to guard, keep, and distribute wisely. Everything that is GOD’s is ours–therefore we are to keep His WORD, His world, His work, His church, and His people from all harm and danger. Can we do this alone? No we cannot. We must work together through GOD’s Holy Spirit to perform the works of Christ in all humility and diligence, establishing His Kingdom here on earth, and seeking the reward of Heaven. Does that mean that we do, or give, to get? No–it means that we do to give and allow GOD to determine the reward. Keep in mind that GOD is justice–therefore when we turn our backs on His WORD, His world, His work, His church, and His people He will establish a just reward here also.

The Psalmist gives GOD praise. We should all praise the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS for it is He who gives us life, breath, and hope for this world and beyond. PRAISE YE THE LORD, HALLELUJAH!!

Rev. Charlene

All Scripture Quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible@ www.biblegateway.com

10/10/11

Psalm 38 A Miktam of David The King

Do you relate to this Psalm? I certainly do because it speaks to me as if David were here today and aware of the trials I go through. I am so grateful that God’s Holy Spirit inspired David to pen his prayers and petition. Man is unreliable and judgmental, and cannot be depended upon to treat you as a child of The King. There is too much pharisitical behavior, unneighborliness, and constant control exercised over God’s people.

The Psalmist sees affliction here as a result of sin, and God does allow us to go through trials when we make poor decisions–but we can always be assured that when we ask for forgiveness grace is granted to us. God is our deliverer and our shield. Man can only do to us what God allows, and as children of the Most High GOD, He is ever faithful to protect us.

Psalm 38

New International Version (NIV)

A Psalm of David. A petition.

¹ LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
   or discipline me in your wrath.
² Your arrows have pierced me,
   and your hand has come down on me.
³ Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
   there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
⁴ My guilt has overwhelmed me
   like a burden too heavy to bear.

⁵ My wounds fester and are loathsome
   because of my sinful folly.
⁶ I am bowed down and brought very low;
   all day long I go about mourning.
⁷ My back is filled with searing pain;
   there is no health in my body.
⁸ I am feeble and utterly crushed;
   I groan in anguish of heart.

⁹ All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
   my sighing is not hidden from you.
¹⁰ My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
   even the light has gone from my eyes.
¹¹ My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
   my neighbors stay far away.
¹² Those who want to kill me set their traps,
   those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
   all day long they scheme and lie.

¹³ I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,
   like the mute, who cannot speak;
¹⁴ I have become like one who does not hear,
   whose mouth can offer no reply.
¹⁵ LORD, I wait for you;
   you will answer, Lord my God.
¹⁶ For I said, “Do not let them gloat
   or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”

¹⁷ For I am about to fall,
   and my pain is ever with me.
¹⁸ I confess my iniquity;
   I am troubled by my sin.
¹⁹ Many have become my enemies without cause^[b];
   those who hate me without reason are numerous.
²⁰ Those who repay my good with evil
   lodge accusations against me,
   though I seek only to do what is good.

²¹ LORD, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God.
²² Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.

09/15/11

Psalm 92 Verses 12 through 15 King James Version

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our GOD.

They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him”.

09/7/11

The Two Jerusalems–The Book of Life

The LORD gave me Psalm 87 this morning. This is a Psalm that can be hard to decipher, so I looked for an inspired explanation of this Psalm. Isn’t it awesome how so much of GOD’s holiness can be found in so few words.

Be in Christ Jesus, Charlene

The Two Jerusalems

Psalm 87

An EasyEnglish Translation with Notes (about 1200 word vocabulary) on Psalm 87

www.easyenglish.info

Gordon Churchyard

Words in boxes are from the Bible.

A word list at the end explains words with a *star by them.

The translated Bible text has yet to go through Advanced Checking.

Jesus said, “You must be born again”. (John 3:7)

Psalm 87
(This is) a song with music, for the sons of *Korah.

v1 He built it on the mountains of *holiness.

v2 The *LORD loves the gates of Zion.
He loves them more than all the places where *Jacob lives.

v3 (People say) *wonderful things about you, city of God. *SELAH

v4 I will remember the people that I know, from Rahab and Babylon;
also from Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia.
I will remember that this man was born there.

v5 They will say in Zion, “A man … this man … was born there”.
So he … the *Most High … will build her up.

v6 The *LORD will write in his book (the name of) everyone that says,
“This man was born there”. *SELAH

v7 The singers and the *musicians (will say),
“All my *springs are in you”.

The Story of Psalm 87
This is an important psalm but we do not know who wrote it. It was for the sons of *Korah. This is probably the name of the *musicians in the *temple in Jerusalem. The *temple was the house of God that Solomon built. Solomon was the son of David. He was the third king of Israel.

The psalm is about Jerusalem. The psalm calls Jerusalem by the name Zion. Really, Zion was the name of the hill on which Solomon built the *temple. The *Jews thought that God lived on this hill. It was his home on earth. Because they thought that God was *holy (or very, very good) they thought that Zion was *holy also. So they called the hill of Zion a “mountain of *holiness”.

But the psalm is really the story of two Jerusalems! Verses 1-3 are about Jerusalem on earth, the capital city of the *Jews. Verses 4-6 are about another Jerusalem. We can see this very clearly in the translation from the *Greek Bible below. (The translation above is from the *Hebrew Bible.) 250 years before Jesus came to the earth, the *Jews translated their Bible into *Greek.

This meant that more people could understand it. In some places, the two Bibles are different. We do not know why. We do believe that both translations teach us what is true.

What Psalm 87 means
Verses 1-3 are about Jerusalem, the capital city of the *Jews. Verses 4-6 are about the *Church. The *Church is the City of God, the New Jerusalem. The person that wrote Psalm 87 did not know this. But God inspired them to write verses 4-6. “Inspired” means “gave them words to say”. The person that wrote the psalm thought that Jerusalem would become the most important city on earth. God knew that the NEW Jerusalem would be the most important city! But it would not be on earth, but in *heaven where God lives.

Verses 1 – 2: These verses are about the Jerusalem that is on earth. To give you help to understand this difficult psalm we have shown it like this:

He built it on the mountains of *holiness

the *LORD loves the gates of Zion

He loves them more than the places where *Jacob lives

To the left it is about the *LORD God; to the right it is about the Jerusalem on earth, the capital of Israel. The “mountains of *holiness” are the hills on which they built Jerusalem. They were *holy because they thought that God lived there. “The gates of Zion” means the whole city of Jerusalem. *Jacob is another name for Israel, and the land where the *Jews lived.

Verses 4 – 6: These verses are about the *Church. The person that wrote the psalm did not know about our *Church. He thought that people from all over the world were becoming *Jews. This was probably true. But the *New Testament of the Bible repeats Psalm 87:5 and says that it is about the *Church (Galatians 4:26). People come to it from all over the world: Rahab (Egypt), Babylon (Iraq), Philistia, Tyre (Lebanon) and Ethiopia (Sudan) were countries near Israel.

We think that God is speaking in verses 4-6. He says that everyone that is born in Jerusalem is in his book. What does “born in Jerusalem” mean? We believe that it means “born again”. This is another way of saying “becoming a Christian”. The name of every Christian is in God’s book. He will not forget any of them. They are all included in those that say, “this man was born there”. In verse 6, this means “I was born there”. Here is Psalm 87:5 in another translation. It is not from the *Hebrew Bible. It is from the *Greek Bible:

“A man will say, ‘Zion is my mother’. This man was born in her. So he … the *Most High … will build her up”.

It is the translation from the *Greek Bible that the *New Testament uses. In Galatians 4:26 Paul wrote, “the Jerusalem that is above … is our mother”. Remember, Jerusalem and Zion are the same place.

What does all this mean? It means that when we are born again (or become Christians) we are born in a place called Jerusalem. This is not the Jerusalem that is on earth. It is a Jerusalem that is in *heaven, where God lives. The people that live there are all the people that have become Christians. The Jerusalem that is in *heaven is made up of people, not buildings.

Verse 7: This verse is difficult to translate. It probably means one of:

· the singers and *musicians must use music that is called “All my *springs are in you”

· the singers and *musicians all say that their *springs are in Jerusalem (this means that Jerusalem gives them new life)

Something To Do
1. If you have a Bible, read Galatians 4:21-31, Hebrews 11:13-16, and Hebrews 12:22-24.

2. Ask God to put your name into his Book of Life!

Word List
Adonai ~ *Lord or master; (or better, my *Lord or my master) in *Hebrew.

church ~ all those people that believe all about Jesus.

covenant ~ two people have agreed what each should do (here, God and his people). Look after Psalm 25 in Book 1 of the Psalms of David for more about the covenant.

Greek ~ a language.

heaven ~ the home of God.

Hebrew ~ the language that the *Jews spoke when they wrote the Psalms of David.

holiness ~ something that is very good; in Psalm 87, a place where God is.

holy ~ very, very good; only God is really *holy, the land where he lives with his people is also *holy because he is there.

Jacob ~ another name for Israel, both the people and the land. (Jacob was Abraham’s grandson).

Jehovah ~ how some languages say *Yahweh, one of the names of God in *Hebrew.

Jew ~ someone who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.

Korah ~ look in the Introduction in Book 3 of the Psalms of David.

like ~ another word for “as”.

Lord ~ a name for God; it means he has authority, or “master”; *Adonai in *Hebrew. Look also at *LORD below.

LORD ~ a special name for God that his people use. It is the *covenant name of God. In *Hebrew it is *Yahweh or *Jehovah. Look after Psalm 25 in Book 1 of the Psalms of David for more about the names of God.

Most High ~ a name for God.

musical instrument ~ something that makes music when you hit it (cymbals, drum), blow in it (flute, trumpet, horn, shofar) or touch it in a quiet way (harp, lyre). Many of these are in Psalm 150 in Book 5 of The Psalms of David.

musicians ~ people that make music. They sing, or play *musical instruments.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus. It is about the things that Jesus did and taught and about the church [see church].

SELAH ~ a place to pray or think or make music.

springs ~ another word for “wells” (of water) in Psalm 87.

temple ~ a place where people meet to *worship God.

wonderful ~ great and surprising.

worship ~ tell someone that they are very great and that you love them.

Yahweh ~ the *covenant name for God. Most Bibles translate it *LORD with 4 capital letters. It means something *like “I am” or “always alive”.

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level A (1200 words).

January 2002

Visit our website: www.easyenglish.info

08/12/10

The Third Person of The Triune GOD Revisited

Scripture testifies of the person of GOD’s Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:2 GNB “The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of GOD was moving over the water”.

Isaiah 61:1-4 GNB “The Sovereign LORD has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the LORD will save His people and defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn; to give to those who mourn in Zion. Joy and gladness instead of grief; a song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees that The LORD Himself has planted. They will all do what is right, and GOD will be praised for what He has done…”.

Psalm 51:10-13 GNB “Create a pure heart in me O GOD, and put a new and loyal Spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you.”

The Great Commission is the work of GOD’s Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Comforter to us to guide us in the work of salvation. Therefore, there has been an unction put upon my heart to teach the concepts of the work of God’s Spirit.

I sometimes forget that there was once a time when I did not understand the Holy Spirit’s work for myself. It is the responsibility of God’s saints to impart teaching and wisdom to those who have not yet tasted of His Spirit. Therefore, GOD provided an opportunity for me through His servants to learn of Him.

I can remember the first time that I was exposed to the gifts of The Spirit. I was 24 years old and finally learning how to drive. My high school did not offer a full Drivers Ed program, so my Dad had tried to teach me and had failed. I had wrapped the fender of his car around a pole and that was the end of lessons. When it became imperative for me to learn to drive, I sought the help of a driving school. The instructor was Dan, a born-again charismatic Christian.

From the moment that we met Dan took it upon himself to educate me in the ways of God’s Spirit. I was a Christian, saved at five-years-old, but I did not understand the work of The Spirit. I did not even understand that Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit were the same person. As we drove here and there, in the midst of teaching me how to corner, etc, etc; Dan talked to me about the Scriptures. I could hold my own here because, after all, my Daddy was a preacher. There wasn’t much that this guy could teach me, right?

I was almost finished with my driving lessons. All that was left to do was night driving. Late in the evening Dan picked me up and had me drive to his friend’s house for Bible Study. This was his concept of training for night driving. I thought this was a bit unusual, but did what he asked. Upon arrival I was introduced to several nice Christians who proceeded to welcome me to study with them. I saw no problem here–so I joined them in a very interesting Bible Study in First Corinthians.

After the study they started to pray, and this is where things began to get weird. At least to me they were weird. Someone was speaking in an entirely different language, and not only was it unfamiliar to me but there seemed to be a change in the atmosphere of the room. It made my hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I was sitting in the back of the living room and could not escape so I was subjected to an hour of several people praying in what I now know to be tongues, and others giving interpretations.

After what seemed like an interminable time, Dan told me that we could go. Once in the car all was silence until he said, “Was that frightening to you”? My Protestant guns were ready to fire. Suffice it to say that he got both barrels. Dan suffered my fearful utterings, then said, ” I thought it time that you learned about the gifts of the Spirit. I have been listening to you talk about Jesus and God for two weeks–but you never mentioned The Holy Spirit. He went on to tell me about the Third Person of the Holy Trinity and about His work with mankind. I was totally blown away. It would not be until three years later that fruit would grow in such a heavenly, sovereign way that I could not deny the truth of God’s Spirit.

My older sister had invited me to another Bible Study. This time it was being held at a small, local church not far from home. I was reluctant to go because I had heard of the type of meetings they had. People were reportedly slain in the Spirit at every meeting, and lives were being changed. I did not want to be convicted because I knew that I was not living by God’s Word. I did not want my life overturned. My sister convinced me to attend.

The Bible Study was good, holy, and convicting. At the end of the evening there was an altar call and many people went forward for prayer. I did not want to be among them but something ( I now know someone) urged me forward. The line was long and I shook as I watched person after person hit the floor. I tried to turn back but the crowd was too thick behind me.

The Pastor was smiling at me as I arrived at the front of the altar. He asked me for my name and reached towards me, and that is all I can remember. When I came to myself, I was lying in the floor, and I could feel a Presence so strong that I was unable to rise to my feet.

I have never been the same. Nothing changed overnight except my understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work and a growing awareness of His presence inside of me. As time progressed, everything in my world fell apart and then GOD mended it. It took several years for me to fully understand and to receive the gift of tongues, with other subsequent gifts from God’s Spirit. Everything that has happened in my life since that time has been walked through, prayed through, and resolved through The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They have been my Comforters through two difficult pregnancies, breast cancer, removal of my gallbladder, debilitating back pain, and my husband experiencing a near-fatal heart attack. Miraculously, my husband and myself are in full recovery. God has been my deliverer and provider through all of these things. Now I face life changing events that promise a renewed future and dedication to The Trinity’s work and Persons, and I can only say ‘ “Thank You, Holy Spirit”.

All scripture retrieved from Good News Bible: Todays English Version. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc under license from the American Bible Society 1976.

08/23/09

Giving: Proverbs 11:25

Re-Featured for April 13, 2015

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25

Here is a great lesson, that to get we must give from our hearts; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful bring out our abilities for usefulness. We all have unrealized talents and inactive abilities which are brought to light through exercise of our spirit. Our strength for labor is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the LORD’s battles, or to climb the mountain of difficulty. We do not know what compassion we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, or soothe the orphan’s grief.

We often find that in attempting to teach others we gain instructions for ourselves. The lessons to be learned at the side of a sickbed! We go to teach the Scriptures, we come away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our conversation with those in need we are taught the way of GOD more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. Watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked, and how much more knowledge may reside in the poor. Our own comfort is increased through comforting others. We try to cheer them and we are cheered.

There were two men in the snow. One rubbed the other’s limbs to keep him alive, and in so doing kept his own circulation going, therefore saving his own life. The poor widow of Zeraphath gave of her scanty store to supply Elijah’s needs, and from that day forward knew poverty no more. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.

Charlene’s Source: Morning Devotionals–Quick Verse–Parsons Software

08/16/09

Ten Commandments

Reposted on July 4, 2013

This particular posting fell right in line with the Lesson taught on Prosperity as a deterent to growth in Chapter 9 of Learning To Trust. II Chronicles 26 talks about the reign and punishment of King Uzziah which came about from his succumbing to arrogance and pride. King Uzziah presumed that he had the right to usurp the position and work of GOD’s appointed Temple Priests.

Everyone has their own work to do for the Kingdom, and where some of us may overlap in this work, we are not appointed to the same identical tasks. Be humble before GOD and allow others to do their appointed work–do not try to do it for them or, worse, take it from them.

It is a good idea to review the Ten Commandments as well as Jesus’ teaching from The Sermon on the Mount. We must be mindful of the way that we treat one another. Do you talk about your brothers and sisters behind their backs? If so, is it to bless them or curse them? Do you honor the service that others do for you in Christ Jesus? It is so easy to assume on what a person is or does, it is so much harder to discern the truth.

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him: ” The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; The LORD our GOD is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thy soul, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

Following are the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 as given to the Children of Israel at Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are also found in Deuteronomy 5. The Ten Commandments here are presented in three different versions of the Bible.

King James
Version

New International Version

New Living
Translation

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Then God instructed the people as follows: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

You shall have no other gods before me.

Do not worship any other gods besides me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you

Thou shalt not kill.

You shall not murder.

Do not murder.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

You shall not commit adultery.

Do not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

You shall not steal.

Do not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.

10.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

10.

Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns.”

Loving your neighbor as yourself means allowing them to move, breathe, and have their being without harsh judgement from you. In our Chapter 7–page 78 0f Learning To Trust Book 4 it is stated: “Ironically, ministry capacities and past usefulness to GOD are potential stumbling blocks to teachability. If pride develops, a teachable spirit exits. In Chapter 9, page 104 are some approaches to achieving and keeping humility in your life. I found the reference to using a concordance to look up references to pride in the Book of Proverbs especially helpful. “Such a topical study requires keeping an eye out for terms such as arrogance, haughty, boasting and humble. Soaking up what scripture says about a proud spirit can keep your heart tender and less vulnerable to conceit. If the Proverbs project entices you, look for the causes of pride, the ways pride expresses itself in a person, its negative effect on relationships and how GOD feels about it.”

We each have our own calling in the LORD to produce fruitful work for the kingdom. We are not all given the same commission, therefore seek GOD to know your own personal calling in Him, and do not attempt to usurp and undermine the work of others.

Blessings, Charlene

07/27/09

Women Under His Wings Curriculum

During it’s eight year span Women United/nka Women Under His Wings has studied Rick Warren’s “Celebrate Recovery Series”, a twelve steps to wholeness program that was taught in conjunction with the “Extraordinary Women Series”; “Forgiveness”: written and taught by Charlene Kirst ; “Praying GOD’s Word” with Beth Moore; “Prayers That Avail Much” with Germaine Copeland, and presently “Learning To Trust”, Book 4 of “Daring Disciple Series” with Terry Powell and Bill Jones. We have studied “You Matter More Than You Think” with Dr. Leslie Parrott–‘What a Woman Needs To Know About The Difference She Makes’.

Women Under his Wings has also studied Joyce Meyer’s “The Confident Woman’, and is presently studying ‘Embrace Grace” with Liz Curtis Higgs, along with varied studies for women via Girlfriends in God.

Women Under His Wings

Empowering People Through The Word

Category Archives: Scripture Expounded