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FAVOR OF GOD: How can we find favor with the Lord? What does the Bible say?
The Favor of God:
CAN WE OBTAIN GOD’S FAVOR?
HOW CAN WE DO IT?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
“And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.”
—Exodus 12:36
A few observations on the subject of the favor of God and what one must do to obtain it.
Once upon a time not long ago, a discussion ensued over the many miracles and blessings that God showers upon His people.
“God has blessed me exceedingly abundantly above.”
“Me too.”
“But why? Why did he do it? He’s blessed me my entire life!”
The following observation was made and it stuck in this writer’s mind.
“You must have had the favor of the Lord. When someone has the Lord’s favor, even a man’s enemies will give him their treasure.”
Searching the Scriptures, it was decided that this must have come from Exodus 12:36. The LORD gave the children of Israel favour in the sight of the Egyptians and the Egyptians gave them jewelry, gold, silver and fine clothing.
But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
—Exodus 3:22
And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
—Exodus 3:22
So what exactly is the favor of God–and how can we get it?
The best definition of the word favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” When we favor someone, we want to be with him or her. We delight in him. We connect with her in a way we don’t connect with everyone. We usually favor people who also favor us. In the same way, God shows favor to the ones who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.
Okay, so what does the Bible say about the favor of God and obtaining it?
God favors those who are humble and contrite in spirit and tremble at His Word – (Isaiah 66:2)
Whoever finds wisdom finds favor with the LORD (Proverbs 8:35).
Who the LORD finds righteous, he covers them with His favor (Psalm 5:12).
The LORD bestows favor and honor on those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
Psalm 30:5 says that God’s anger is for a moment, but His favor is for life.
Proverbs 3:1-4 says that those who keep the commandments of the Lord “find favor and good success in the eyes of the Lord and man.”
The humble will find favor with the Lord (Proverbs 3:33-35).
The first list is what the Bible says specifically about favor. The second list are five people the Bible says found favor in God’s eyes.
God granted Job favor (Job 10:12).
Joseph found favor with God and He prospered everything Joseph set his hand to. (Genesis 39:3–4)
David asked the LORD for His favor several times in the Psalms (119, etc). David was assured of the Lord’s favor.
Mary, the mother of Jesus was called “the highly favored one” by the angel of God (Luke 1:28)
Noah found favor with God (Genesis 6:8)
Do you have the favor of the Lord? Do you want it? The first list tells the reader how he may obtain such favor.
Now, there are a great many Bible verses that touch on “grace.” The meaning of grace is “unmerited favor.” That’s favor that God grants out of His infinite mercy to those who call upon His Name.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
—Romans 10:12
Again, the entire New Testament is filled with verses about the grace of God and the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If the reader is intrigued, here’s a couple links to learn more.
Hebrews chapter 11 is called the hall of faith for in it those who trusted Jesus Christ and demonstrated their trust in Him through their works are honored for their faith. In Hebrews 11:4 we read about the faith of Abel; By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Here we have contrasted the righteousness of Abel through His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the self-righteousness of Cain through the offering of his own works. This rivalry between these two opposing ways of righteousness has continued through the ages, setting one against the other. The self-righteous persecute those who are righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and protest that they are the genuine followers of God, but their works belie their profession. The Jews rejected Christ and murdered Him and they persecuted and murdered those who believed in Jesus Christ. They followed the example set by self-righteous Cain who murdered his righteous brother Abel. Paul speaks to the self-righteousness that the Jews pursued and contrasts that with the righteousness of faith in Romans 9:31-33 and Romans 10:3-11, but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” and For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” From these verses we understand that the works of the law make no one righteous. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to be righteous in our Holy God’s sight. This faith is devoid of any works and rests fully in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. In the book of Galatians Paul addresses those who try to add works to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and the righteousness that comes alone from God through faith in Jesus Christ. Read what he says about those who try to pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ in Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Certain men from Judea tried to add circumcision to salvation and Paul vigorously refuted and opposed them, revealing that they were accursed. From this attack by false brethren the apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to reassure the Gentiles that their faith was sufficient for salvation. We need to be aware that there are those who also desire to pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ by asserting that something else is needed for our salvation. They are false brethren and should be avoided. Some of the works that these false brethren try to add to faith are baptism, keeping the Sabbath day, and keeping the law. Nowhere in the New Testament are these works required for salvation. To the contrary, read what Paul says about each of these “works” under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,; Colossians 2:16-17 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. and Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.; Philippians 3:3-9 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; respectively. Notice Paul says nothing about the necessity of baptism, the need to keep the Sabbath or keep the law for salvation. Those who insist we must add our work to the work of Christ, who suffered and died on our behalf, are trying just like Cain to establish their own righteousness based on what they do. Self-righteousness is always a work of the flesh as described by Paul in the verses quoted from Philippians and in no way establishes our salvation or righteousness, and we know from Scripture that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Does it seem like time is racing? June 2014 has already come and gone. Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today–especially a commitment to Jesus Christ. Who knows? Tomorrow may never come?!?
THE ONLY THING DUMBER THAN SPEAKER BOEHNER SUING PRESIDENT OBAMA IS A REPUBLICAN WHO THINKS IT IS A GOOD IDEA. This foolish political stunt undermines Republican political philosophy, convolutes Constitutional principles, and hands Obama and the Democrats a public relations victory…on a silver platter.
Actually, Speaker Boehner should SUE HIMSELF, which is logically more consistent as it is HE who is the solution to the intent of his assinine lawsuit. All Boehner and the spineless majority Republicans in the House of Representatives have to do is SHUT THE **** MONEY FAUCET OFF TO OBAMA!
This is all part of the classic “Create the problem and then offer a solution.” As the letter writer is in the business of asking for money to exchange for power, one suspects that he knows this.
These “Christian” czars are producing fruit that is ripe for the anti-Christ and his kingdom of deception and perdition. They preach a false way that leads to the end time apostate harlot church and these workers of iniquity will be rewarded for their wicked work. They cleverly use the truth of the Word of God as wedge within the hearts of those who listen so they can then push in their false teaching, contradicting God’s truth. God’s elect, who have received the love of the truth, will not be deceived because Jesus ever works on their behalf, but they can lose their reward by following these minions of the enemy of our souls.
Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
One would have thought that the natural entry for a “Christian” would have been “to pray while driving.” So many do that. Maybe a tape of Scripture! But, of course, that was left unsaid–as a great many things do these days.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
– Romans 1:16
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – (h/t:B)
LIBERTARIANS – When this writer was a heathen, he characterized himself as a hypenated libertarian. There was little chance he would become a full-blown libertarian. As a guest on a libertarian talk show one time, the question was posed “Do you believe in a military draft?”
The response was along the lines of “Well, if the country was in a state of emergency, a draft might be necessary.”
“Then you sir are not a principled libertarian.”
Over the next few years, it became clear that “principled libertarian” meant “being relieved of having to evaluate, judge or make decisions about any scenario. If one was “principled,” one acted on those principles no matter how absurd.
Taken to its logical conclusion, principled libertarian will argue against any civilized restraint, whether it is doing away with age of consent laws altogether or yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.
Principled libertarians are anarchists who haven’t lit the Molotov cocktail yet.
I believe we are meant to feel out of place here. I believe we are meant to feel off kilter and like we don’t quite belong no matter where we might be on earth, because this is a temporary respite on our way to eternity. We are passing through on our way home, and if we’ve grown comfortable here, if we’ve come to the point of feeling as though we belong, then I think something is amiss.
I didn’t grow up with what one might call permanence to begin with, but each morning I wake up I seem to recognize this world and relate to it less and less. I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t belong here. I have to keep reminding myself that I am a traveler, a stranger in a strange land, passing through, trying to make my way to the other side and doing my utmost to point the way to the One toward which we ought all to endeavor to draw near.
The most necessary prerequisite to avoiding error is being born again by faith in Jesus Christ through God’s glorious grace and belief in the gospel of our salvation. Apart from salvation any person is operating under the deceit and delusion of the devil, the flesh and this fallen world system. As unredeemed sinners we have a heart that is primed for the lies of our sinful flesh and the deception of Satan.
If Good People Go to Heaven, then Who Needs Jesus? – When this writer was a heathen, this was actually one of the questions that he had. Although, due to the rebellious lifestyle and attitude, it was a question more of the rhetorical type. Plus, the question seemed to have already been answered. Perhaps the only saving grace was that there was no question in his mind that Romans 3:12 applied to him.
“So I’m a sinner? Who isn’t? Tell me something I don’t know.”
We serve a God whose mercies are new every day.
“It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:22-23
Report: Militarized Police Treating Citizens as “Wartime Enemies” – This has been an interesting storyline from the beginning. The DHS and the military funnel “surplus” military equipment into the arms of police departments–who, let’s face it, probably wouldn’t turn down free equipment, right? Police officials then use DHS money to train police to use the equipment.
Then, the Corporate Media writes about said equipment in an effort to alienate citizens from their local police departments. Throw some dirty cops into the mix who just seem to be committing the most outrageous acts when a camera is near-by (and who, coincidentally, usually seem to work for police departments where such actions merit little or no consequences), and voila!–instant alienation!
This isn’t to say that ungodly men haven’t committed ungodly actions while wearing a uniform; of course they have. But there’s a broad brush which is painting every police officer the same color as these ungodly men.
It’s all about rebelliousness, creating mistrust against authorities and compounding the coming chaos. Unless one thinks that the actions of men are always good and holy and everything that takes place is merely a string of coincidences. In which case, never mind.
“How can the reader know when the Corporate Media is lying to him (never mind the fact that the media is Satan’s Mouthpiece Satan is the father of lies)? One easy way to tell is the use of “Why” and “How” in the headlines of an article. When the reader sees “Why?” or “How?” in the headline–occasionally “What” is used–that which follows will be a fairy tale, a narrative, a bedtime story spun by the media for the benefit of the media’s master.” “Why” usually denotes an on-going narrative; “How” signifies a story line which explains past events.
Legal Pot in the USA is crippling Mexican drug cartels – Sure it is. Marijuana is legal in a couple of states and that is putting threatening the entire cartel scheme. Gee, let’s legalize pot everywhere and crime will disappear!
The testimony that John the Baptist bore witness to regarding Jesus Christ is recorded for us in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. This testimony he gave bore witness to the Word of God promising the Savior and the Savior Himself speaking about His glorious work on behalf of sinners.
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30”This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31”I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34“And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” 35Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:29-36
John was specifically chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, by baptizing the people of Israel with the baptism of repentance. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, in order to fulfill all righteousness, the Spirit of God descended as a dove and remained upon Jesus Christ. God had told John that the Man upon whom the Spirit descended and rested would baptize with the Holy Spirit, being the Son of God. John testified to his witness of this event by saying that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
He also testified that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, is also the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Son of God who fulfilled all righteousness, who received the Holy Spirit without measure, is the Lamb of God.
Jesus is the propitiation for our sins; He bore the just wrath of God in our place when He died on the cross bearing the punishment that we deserve because of our willful relentless rebellion against Holy God. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, appeased the just demands of God’s perfect holiness and secured for us redemption from our sins and reconciliation with God because of His obedient submission to God’s holy will to die in our place that we might be forgiven through repentant faith in Him and trust in His perfect work done for us. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
Isaiah prophesied about Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God in Isaiah chapter fifty-three. Here he tells us why it pleased God to bruise and chastise the Messiah.
1Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions for My people He was stricken. 9And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because he had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall proper in His hand. 11He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:1-12
God the Father visited His just wrath against willful wicked sinners upon His Son that He should bear the iniquities of many. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was stricken by God for the transgressions of sinners that all who repent and believe in Him will be saved. Jesus Christ was numbered with the transgressors, God made His soul was made an offering for sin and He poured out His soul unto death bearing the sin of many and making intercession for the transgressors. Jesus Christ quoted this verse to His disciples right before His arrest. Jesus Christ came to Earth to be the Lamb of God.
“For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” Luke 22:37
Christ came to fulfill His promises that He gave throughout the Bible. He came as the spotless Lamb of God, sacrificed by God, to take away the sins of the world! What amazing love and grace. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, isn’t a Savior remote and distant, but He is close to us, near to us in all that we endure because He too, as God’s Lamb, experienced what we experience. Jesus Christ, having the same nature as us, can identify with us, and yet He was without sin because He is God the Son of God.
14Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, 15and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but he does give aid to the seed of Abraham.17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus Christ, the precious Lamb of God, knows our frame for He walked as a Man, and when He died, He died as a Man bearing our sins in His body on the tree. He set us free from bondage to the power of death held over us by the devil, because He destroyed the enemy of our souls. Being fully God and yet fully identified with us He was able to take the punishment that we deserve; He died in our stead making propitiation for our sins. He rose again from the dead because death had no power over Him and He is our merciful and faithful High priest in the things of God for us. He set us free from the eternal damnation in hell that our sins deserve, He delivered us from that terrible death, and He intercedes for us before the throne of God. Jesus Christ because He was tempted during His earthly ministry understands the hardships we endure for His name’s sake. He intercedes for us before the throne of God and gives us help in our time of need. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, gives us aid in all of our trials because He always lives to make intercession for us.
25Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26For such a High priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens: Hebrews 7:25-26
6And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Revelation 5:6
Behold the Lamb of God! God bless youJ
For an excellent study on the propitiation of our Lord Jesus Christ (despite the title) please click the following link:
AVOIDING ERROR: Are you born again? Is your calling and election sure?
The most necessary prerequisite to avoiding error is being born again by faith in Jesus Christ through God’s glorious grace and belief in the gospel of our salvation. Apart from salvation any person is operating under the deceit and delusion of the devil, the flesh and this fallen world system. As unredeemed sinners we have a heart that is primed for the lies of our sinful flesh and the deception of Satan.
1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44
Added to this is the necessity of believing that the Bible is the Word of God and judging everything by what God says in His Word. Still, however, even as God’s beloved children we are capable of being led into error through ignorance of the wiles of the enemy and lack of the knowledge of God’s Word.
Sanctify them by the truth, Your word is truth. John 17:17
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13
Since we can be easily led astray we must make it our aim to know the Word of God intimately and thoroughly. Greater knowledge of God’s Word must result in a deeper love and reliance upon our Savior Jesus Christ, since the purpose of the Scriptures is to reveal Christ to us. As we rely upon Him, He will lead us and guide us into all truth, His Word, by the Spirit of Truth. Here are a number of verses that God has given to us in His Word that we can know to help us stay away from error.
“The most necessary prerequisite to avoiding error is being born again by faith in Jesus Christ through God’s glorious grace and belief in the gospel of our salvation.”
First, what are the characteristics of a false teacher? What type of behavior should we watch out for so that we can avoid the deception of the enemy through his chosen vessels of deceit? Let’s look at the blatant signals that someone is a false teacher and must be avoided.
3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5
False teachers contradict God’s Word for monetary gain. They reject godliness and instead insist on centering on beliefs that have nothing to do with the Bible. Instead of having a humble attitude they are arrogant and reactive, operating in the flesh and espousing the doctrines of the flesh. Avoid those who are flashy, prideful, ready to argue, and always asking for money. Avoid those who appeal to the greedy sinful nature in order to steal your money and wreak havoc on your finances. These are evil workers who do not know Jesus Christ or His truth the Bible, but they will use the Scriptures to manipulate people for their own selfish ends. There are numerous false teachers just like this throughout the US. Think of those preachers who promote the Name it and Claim it false doctrine, or the Health and Wealth False Gospel like Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen.
1But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but deny it power. And from such people turn away! 6For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7
These false teachers are preaching to the choir, so their behavior doesn’t seem aberrant because it blends in so well with the lives of all around them. God’s power does not reside in their lives nor can it because they are not saved. They have turned from God of the Scriptures to a false god after their own making. They take advantage of those around them who are also bereft of the truth and use them for their own pleasures and purposes. We must turn away from “churches” that are characterized by the flesh and led by men, who bereft of the Holy Spirit, regularly blaspheme God and His Son, and teach all manner of impiety from the dais. Many leaders of religious institutions fit this description especially within the liberal false mainline denominations.
10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1:10-11
1But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1-3
Many, many “teachers” exist who make things up in order to exploit others. Their lies destructively lead others astray and bring reproach upon the way of truth so that the gospel of Jesus Christ is blasphemed. They can do this by their godless behavior of cynical exploitation or they can do this by rejecting the truth of the Scriptures and teaching lies about Jesus Christ. One such enterprise is the Jesus Seminar which attempts to deconstruct the Bible in order to find the “true, historical Jesus”. Unfortunately, because of their so-called religious and educational credentials, many are willing to listen to them and so are deceived by Satan’s lies. Their destruction is assured and we must turn away from these evil workers. Notice the emphasis upon those who do this in order to line their pockets. What makes these wicked workers think that they will get away with it? Oh, they are deluded and deceived thinking that God does not notice and will not hold them accountable. They are in for a rude awakening! Not all false teachers are in it for the money, however.
14Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:14-16
There are those who mishandle the Word of God. Their number is legion. Attend most any “church” any Sunday and you will find preachers, elders, etc., who are not able to rightly divide the Word of God but are promoting some doctrine that has its origins in the hearts and minds of men who are led awry by the devil. They teach incorrect doctrine about Christ, about salvation, about the Word of God, about God the Father, about the Holy Spirit, about end times, about many different themes from the Word of God. God’s Word commands that we also turn away from those who pervert the Word of truth.
17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Their false teaching is evil and promotes divisions and offenses, think Calvinism and Arminianism. Neither doctrine is faithful to the Word of God; they both have led to untold abuses, divisions and offenses. Notice again that greed is a motivation for the dissemination of false doctrine. Think of how many untold numbers of books have been sold which promote one or the other of these false doctrines. Those who support error lead the simple astray by their fair speeches and smooth tongues.
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
There are some false teachers who craftily appear so good, so righteous, so well meaning that the only way to uncover their deceit is to compare their behavior and teaching with the Word of God. Ultimately, all false teachers contradict God’s Word about Jesus Christ and His gospel of salvation, but these sly men will say the right thing most of the time, but do it to gain an audience, and then they slip in their error. Think Billy Graham, who loves to “preach the gospel” all the while denying the gospel by joining forces with those who are enemies of the gospel and turning salvation inquirers over to wolves. He seems to teach what is true, but he denies the necessity of the new birth through conscious faith in Jesus Christ and has taught this false doctrine since the 1960’s. Many, many false teachers are just like Billy Graham, having an appearance of acceptability all the while proffering what is deadly and damnable.
Finally there are those who promote irreligious claptrap that spreads abroad blasphemous ideas about our God, His Son and the truth. The book The Shack is just such an empty worthless work that increases ignorance about God and His love for us rather than enlightening hearts and minds to God’s gracious goodness. William Paul Young did not rightly divide the Word of truth, he instead obscured it through his irreverent foolishness.
15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:15-18
Another author who comes to mind is Peter Kreeft, who being influenced by the ecumenical false teachings of C. S. Lewis, left his Protestant denomination for the Catholic Church and wrote the book Ecumenical Jihad. In his book he states that many are in heaven who never believed in Jesus Christ such as Confucius, Buddha and Muhammad. This false teaching lines up perfectly with what Lewis also believed that Buddhists who followed certain teachings of Christianity and belong to Christ even though they don’t know it. This ecumenical false teaching is spreading like cancer and will bring in the end time apostate church. We must turn away from these false teachers for our spiritual health and the spiritual well-being of others!
“There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it. For example, a Buddhist of good will may be led to concentrate more and more on the Buddhist teaching about mercy and to leave in the background (though he might still say he believed) the Buddhist teaching on certain other points. Many of the good Pagans long before Christ’s birth may have been in this position.” (page 209, Mere Christianity)
False teachers can have an appearance of “righteousness” but they will deny the truth of the Scriptures in their false teaching. They will do this for monetary gain, for personal aggrandizement, for acclaim, for respectability, for many sinful and selfish reasons. False teachers are in it for themselves, and despise Jesus Christ, His gospel and His sheep. Believers are merely there for their own sinful uses and benefit. Let us be as noble and wise as the Bereans and study the Scriptures to make sure that the ones we listen to and what they are saying are in line with the truth of the Word of God. If they don’t measure up, then we must obey God’s command and turn away from these evil workers. God bless you:)
These were ore fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
FINDING FELLOWSHIP: 1 John, 2 John and finding a church home.
FINDING A CHURCH HOME
In John’s second and third epistles we are given sound criteria for discerning whether or not the church we are visiting can become our church home. These two epistles give the doctrinal and behavioral characteristics of a sound body, and the aberrations that attend a church that isn’t serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to consider each epistle one at a time and then sum up what is revealed about faithful and unfaithful churches at the end of this post.
1The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ. 8Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11for he who greets him share in his evil deeds. 12Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
“Again, this brings us back to the elders of the church being devoted preachers and teachers of God’s Word so that His commandments, and especially the commandment to repent of our sin and place our faith in Jesus Christ, are taught during every opportunity. This means the Bible is opened and taught from rather than books written under human inspiration.”
Churches eligible to become our church home are characterized by truth and love. The two must go together hand in hand. The church must be built upon the truth that is found only in God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word, the Bible. God’s truth endures to all generations, as He has promised in His Word, and so churches throughout time that are His have always been built upon the Bible. The truth of God gives us the gospel of Jesus Christ which establishes us in the grace, mercy and peace of God that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
We are established in truth and love through faith in Jesus Christ, and so any church walking with Christ through faith in Him will hold fast to the truth and bear the fruit of love. Love for one another is a natural result of walking in the commandments of God. Again, this brings us back to the elders of the church being devoted preachers and teachers of God’s Word so that His commandments, and especially the commandment to repent of our sin and place our faith in Jesus Christ, are taught during every opportunity. This means the Bible is opened and taught from rather than books written under human inspiration.
This also means the New Testament epistles are given special consideration since they clarify the doctrine of our faith and the behavior God commands from those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. Teaching exclusively from the Scriptures will not only edify believers but will also protect the flock of God from deceivers that are rampant throughout the visible church. Churches that are safe havens for believers will teach and warn God’s children about the false teachers who are ready to pounce on them and bring them into bondage.
They will warn their beloved brethren to beware of those who make a show of declaring that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh while at the same time opposing what He has clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Such evil workers are anti-Christ. The elders of a faithful church will embrace the whole of the doctrine of Christ taught throughout the Scriptures, and warn against those who attack and contradict what the Bible teaches about God’s beloved Son, and will not refrain from naming names. These loyal shepherds will be respecters of God, fearing Him, and will not be those who respect men, being ensnared in the trap of fearing man. Elders of a God-fearing church will reject the profane person, no matter his/her reputation within the visible church and will warn against supporting that person in their sin against God and His Son Jesus Christ.
They will preach and teach the Word of God with a fervent desire to glorify God and edify His people because they love Jesus Christ, love His Word the Bible, and love His body, His called out ones. The conduct of the eldership and the church is also as important as what they teach.
1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6who have born witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. 9I wrote the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and love His people, always desire the best for them. Genuine godly leaders rejoice over the well-being of their flock and are especially joyous when Christ’s disciples are walking in the truth of the Word of God. They have heart-felt gratitude and delight when the people of their pasture are serving one another in love and faithfully ministering to other believers, even those whom they do not know.
The church that is serving the Lord will be busy promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ and supporting those who are doing the work of sharing His gospel anywhere in the world. The leadership of such a church will have a good reputation for serving the Lord Jesus Christ and being under His authority through obedience to His Word handed down through His servants the apostles and prophets, preserved for us in the Bible by God’s special providential care.
They will believe and teach that the Bible we have today, handed down through the Majority Text, is the extant inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God. The elders will not join in with those who love to promote their own opinions and intellectual attainments, claiming they are authorities, they will instead humbly and faithfully follow the Scriptures as they are led by the Holy Spirit. These men of God will not promote division by preaching and teaching the doctrines of fallen man, but will rightly divide the Word of truth, relying upon the Holy Spirit to teach them and lead them in their study of the Word of God.
Therefore, they won’t open the Bible to promote some man-made doctrine but will instead expound upon what God has said in His Word, clarifying and elucidating the great treasures of truth, wisdom, the godly doctrine all centered upon our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A church that can become home to us will encourage us in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, pointing us to Him and will support our desire to love one another. The leaders of such a church will be a wonderful example of those with faith in Jesus Christ who are walking in truth and love. They will encourage believers in their love for Jesus Christ, trust in the Bible and love for one another.
7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8
There will be churches that we consider that are promoting the works of man through what they teach and what they do. They will not be comfortable with declaring that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God. The leadership will not be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, and they will fear man rather than God. The work of the flesh will be evident because genuine love will be absent and there will not be a consensus on the repository of the truth.
The church will be characterized by those who are following one teacher or another and want their brand of Christianity taught from the pulpit. There will be disharmony and disunity and every work of the flesh. The eldership will not encourage faith in Jesus Christ and will try to manipulate the members of the fellowship often times straight from the pulpit. They will be deceitful workers in it for the money, glory or some other nefarious reason. This is definitely a church to run away from.
1But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
“What they are in effect saying is that they don’t believe we have the Bible extant today and therefore they can play fast and loose with its interpretations. Beware of such churches!”
A church that we can call home will be characterized by love for the truth, love for the Savior Jesus Christ, love for His people and love for the sinner that motivates them to share the gospel and be gracious givers. They will love their leader, but will not so highly esteem him that he becomes their focal point rather than the Lord Jesus Christ. Their elders will exhort and teach them from the Word of God the Bible and they will not use the modern versions but will instead use the versions that are translated from the Majority Text. The believers of the church will believe that God works in their lives through His Holy Spirit, and the Spirit uses His Word to encourage His children in their faith and walk with the Lord and love for one another.
Before you even decide to attend a church, you can check out its website and see what it has to say about the Bible, and whether or not it has any of the catch phrases that are popular with many of the churches that are following the examples of either the post-modern, contemplative or church growth trends. One clear indication that they might not be a church worth visiting is the statement that they believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God in the original manuscripts. What they are in effect saying is that they don’t believe we have the Bible extant today and therefore they can play fast and loose with its interpretations. Beware of such churches!
Another item to be wary of is if they promote certain man-made doctrines which cause division and turn away those who want to put their faith in Jesus Christ because of their unbiblical over-emphasis on God’s sovereign election without emphasizing God’s gracious call to sinners to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ and His glorious work for us upon the cross when He died for our sins and then rose again from the dead for our salvation. By knowing the Bible and being led by the Holy Spirit we can find fellowship with other believers for our mutual edification and progress in our faith. May God graciously grant us godly fellowship with one another.
FOREVER THE SAME: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. Hebrews 13:7-9
“Our relationship with God and the building up of our faith are completely dependent upon the grace given to us through God’s Son Jesus Christ and His glorious work on our behalf. “
Sandwiched between verses seven and eight we are told that Jesus Christ is always the same, He never changes, therefore His Word to us and the faith that we possess never changes. Additionally, those who lead His church follow the same doctrine and practice that has been handed down to us through God’s preservation of His Word, the Bible. Those leaders who teach various and strange doctrines must be admonished with God’s Word and then abandoned if they refuse to repent and return to the truth of the Scriptures.
Our relationship with God and the building up of our faith are completely dependent upon the grace given to us through God’s Son Jesus Christ and His glorious work on our behalf. It is because God does not change that we can rely upon His grace towards us in His Son Jesus Christ.
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” Malachi 3:6
At the beginning and the end of Hebrews we are taught about Jesus Christ’s immutability. Since He doesn’t change we can count on Him to interact with us the way He has with His people throughout the ages. Praise God for His love for us!
10And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; 12Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” Hebrews 1:10-12
This should give us, His children, great comfort as we make our way through our pilgrimage. He is with us to comfort us, counsel us, provide for us, and lead us in the way that we should go. We can trust that the way God interacted with His children as documented in the Scriptures is the same way that He will deal with us. Ours is a living faith in the Living God and we experience Him in our lives just as His children through all time have also experienced Him. This should also serve as a warning against sin and error in our lives, because we see throughout the pages of Scripture that God the Father has punished His children after repeated warnings to turn from sin and lies.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work…16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 & 3:16-18
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8
The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:1-6
5If 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. 6But 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. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8
17Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. 18Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like the river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18-18
27”My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30
1Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea, 3all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10nor complain, as some of the also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
I have barely scratched the surface of the verses that teach us that our God is with us for our good and His glory. I wanted to share with you an instance of God intervening in a real practical way by answering a prayer for wisdom about a problem that anyone could have. It seems silly, but this experience just shows that God cares about us and takes care of us. Our kitchen sink was clogged on one side. I thought my husband would have to unclog it by taking it apart. He already has so much to do. I asked the Lord to help us with this problem and He immediately brought to my mind a simple technique that I had read about for unclogging a sink. I used that technique (baking soda, followed by vinegar, followed immediately by boiling hot water from a tea kettle) and the clog was busted. I shared the Lord’s provision with my husband and Jesus Christ got the glory for what He did for us.
God is with us for our good and His glory.
There are so many instances of the Lord hearing and answering prayer about many different situations in my life. A more serious instance is His guidance and answers to prayer regarding the rescuing of our daughter from doom and destruction. Praise God for His deliverance! I am sure there are numerous examples in your own life, because we know and serve the Living God Who works on our behalf for His glory.
Please feel free to share, in the comment section of this post, verses that the Lord has used in your life to encourage you with His watch care over you, and also share those times when the Lord has intervened in your life to help you with difficulties and trials you have encountered. The Bible was written for our encouragement, edification, and warning so that we can know the Lord God Almighty and His wondrous grace, mercy and love given to us through His Son Jesus Christ. To God be the glory! Amen!
End Times Prophecy Report 