Psalm 103:2 - Do Not Forget His Benefits

Praise Jehovah, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. -- Psalm 103:2, RLIV.

05-17 - John 16:2 - Persecution for Christ's Sake

DAILY HEAVENLY MANNA for MAY 17

(Holy Name Edition)

They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time will come that any who kills you will think that he is doing a service to God. -- John 16:2, RLIV.

05-16 -- Isaiah 62:2,3 - The Nations Will See Your Righteousness

DAILY HEAVENLY MANNA - May 16

(Holy Name Edition)

The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name. You will also be a crown of glory in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. -- Isaiah 62:2,3, RLIV.

Habakkuk 3:17,18 - Rejoicing in Jehovah Amidst Adversity

04-04 - Romans 13:13 - Let Us Walk Honestly

Romans 13:13 - Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. -- King James Version.

Romans 13: 13 - Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. -- American Standard Version.

The Greek word translated as "honestly" in the King James version is transliterated as euschēmonōs. This is Strong's Greek #2156. Some translations render this word as "becomingly", "decorously", or "decently", or somthing similar.  According to HELPS Word-Studies, this word is from Strong's #2158, "eusxēmōn, which is literally 'having good form'... i.e. what is respectable, honorable (modest, noble). The precise nuance of having 'good form' is only determined by the context". 

Paul is obviously referring to the Christian's conduct, which would certainly include honesty. But it includes more than just honesty, as reflected by the context. We are to walk as in the day. The "day" could be referring to the coming day, the age to come, as spoken of in Hebrews 6:4,5. The new creature in Christ is counted as already in that time of the new heavens and new earth, as though the present heavens and earth had already passed away. (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5) Thus, the righteousness of that age should be seen in the conduct of the child of God in this age. 

2 Timothy 2:3 - Enduring as a Soldier of Christ

2 Timothy 2:3 - You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. -- World English

Every Christian as a soldier of Jesus is in a war. His warfare is, however, spiritual, not with physical weapons often associated with being a soldier. A good soldier obeys his commanding officer. Unlike the hatred that often prevails with soldiers fighting carnal battles, Jesus tells his soldiers to love their human enemies in this world, and to do good to those who hate them.

The Christian has several things he must battle: 1) sin and evil in his own flesh, 2) allurements of the world to sin and evil, and (3) the deceptive attacks of Satan and his demons that would lead us away from what is right to what is sinful and evil in God's sight. The common element in all three is sin and evil. What the world considers to be good, may, in fact, be evil from God's standpoint, so the good soldier of Christ should endeavor to come to know what is evil according to God's standards, not by the world's standards.

As a soldier in an army of the world must believe and have faith in the cause for which he is fighting, so the soldier of Jesus must be convinced in his own heart of the righteousness of his cause. This involves the heart loyalty of the Christian soldier in submission to Jesus and his God. 

One of the commands of our commanding officer is to let our light shine in the world and to preach the Gospel, the Good News, to others. To let our light shine does not mean to flaunt what we might deem to our own righteous acts before others, or to condemn others, but rather to simply and humble be obedient to Jesus' commands as we are able, so that others may see our faith and love for what is right in Christ. The goal is let Christ be seen in us, not that others may see our own righteousness. To preach the Good News is to present the truth from the Bible about Christ to the best of our ability and knowledge.

We are assured, however, that obedience to Christ will bring persecution. Thus, the need for endurance while facing the opposition of a world that does not love or care for God's righteousness. -- Ronald R. Day

Some Related scriptures: Isaiah 5:20; Mathew 5:44; Matthew 26:4; Luke 6:27; Luke 6:35; John 12:25; John 15:19;  Romans 7:14-25; Romans 8:12,13; Romans 12:17; Romans 13:14; Ephesians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9; James 4:7, and many more. List other scriptures or present comments below.

Alternate:

Being a soldier of Christ means have heart loyalty to Jesus, but if our heart is actually in submission to someone else other than Jesus and his God, we fall short of true obedience to the one whom we profess as our "commanding officer." There have been and still are many who would seek to bind us to themselves, or to some man, or group of man, other than Jesus and his apostles, so as to claim all must be obedient to and/or in agreement with what such men may say. Some even make such an agreement as a basis for salvation. I do not believe that our Lord Jesus approves of such a bondage to leaders.

Related:

Soldiers of Jesus Christ

Psalm 37:4 - Delight in Jehovah

Psalms 37:4 - And delight yourself in Jehovah, that He may give you your heart's desire.

-- Green's Literal.

Psalms 40:8 - I delight to do Your will, O My God; and Your Law is within My inmost soul.

John 5:30 - I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don't seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

John 6:40 - This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

To delight in Jehovah means to have a will of heart that conforms to His will in our life. Thus our heart's desire, our ambitions, is to do His will. His eternal law written in our hearts is not an outward obedience to the letter of the written Law given to Israel; it is having a geniuine love for the righteousness that is expressed in the Law Covenant, but even more importantly, as given to us in the example of Jesus, the one whom Jehovah anointed and sent. (Isaiah 61:1; John 17:1,3) Due to Adam's sin (Romans 5:12-19), we need to realize that by nature (Ephesians 2:2,3), in our sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), we can never be fully in harmony with God's righteous standard; and thus we need to realize that Jesus is the only means by which we may be reconciled with God. -- John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:24; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 5:18-20; Galatians 2:16,17; 5:4.

John 6:58 - Bread From Heaven

John 6:58 - This is the bread which came down out of heaven -- not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever."

Jesus said his flesh figuratively came down from heaven, as did the manna that fed Israel actually came down from heaven. (John 6:31) It was the Heavenly Father who prepared the body of flesh and blood for Jesus. (Hebrews 10:5) Thus, Jesus' flesh was without the condemnation that is upon mankind through Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) His flesh was therefore sinless, as was Adam's before Adam sinned. If Jesus remained faithful while in the days of his flesh (Hebrews 5:7), he could offer his body of flesh with its blood for all who are dying in Adam, and that is what he did. The condemnation upon Adam would have been eternal had not Jesus paid the price to bring mankind out of that condemnation. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22; 1 Timothy 2:5,6) Jesus thus eternally sacrificed his body of flesh with its blood for our sins. (Luke 22:19; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24) Consequently, anyone who figuratively eats of the figurative bread through faith in Christ, will live forever in the age to come. -- John 17:3; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Romans 3:25,26; 5:1,21; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 5:13.

Romans 8:17

{Romans 8:17} and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ if indeed we Jointly suffer with him, that we may also be jointly glorified with him. -- Restoration Light Improved Version.

It appears that Paul is referring to two levels of relationship in this verse. The first is that of sonship, which makes one a general heir of God, but the second is that of being joint-heirs with Christ, which calls for more than that which is required to be a son. To be joint-heirs with Christ means one receives the highest reward, receiving a glory that is even greater than that of the angels. Such a high reward, however, requires suffering that is of the same level that Jesus himself suffered. Indeed, very, very few of God's children actually obtain this highest reward.

Titus 3:5 - Saved Through Mercy

Not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. -- Titus 3:5

The term, “works of righteousness” in our text, appears to reflect works under the Law Covenant, or possibly by works of conscience by which some would seek to justify themselves. Jewish believers in Christ, before they became believers, were seeking justification according to Law. Paul reported of the Gentiles, although without the Law, have a law to themselves, by which many sought justification by their works. (Romans 2:13-15) Paul later says, however, that neither the Jew or the Gentile was justified by their works. (Romans 3:9) No one was actually justified, made straight, declared righteous, by means trying to keep the Law Covenant. (Ecclesiastes 1:15; 7:13; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20,28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11,24; 5:4) The Law, being, weak due to sinful flesh, never, of itself, effected justification for anyone. (Romans 8:3) It is only as one is justified, regenerated, renewed by the Holy Spirit, that one, as a new creature in Christ, is made sinless, straight, just. For such, it is reckoned, or counted, that the old creation has passed away, and all things have been made new; by partaking of the powers of the age to come, it is as though the present age has already passed away. –  2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 6:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5.

Related:

The Right Foundation of Faith

Psalm 149:5 -- Let the Godly Rejoice

 {Psalm 149:5} Let the godly rejoice in glory. Let them sing for joy on their beds. -- RLIV.

"The godly" above in the Hebrew signifies ones with piety, having devotion to God. It is these that the Psalmist addresses with a call to rejoice in being honored to have the privilege of such devotion, as well as any special rewards that may eventually come those with such devotion.

A bed signifies a place to rest. The rest of those who belong to Christ is, of course, his faith in God and in the Lord Jesus. It is not, however, a passive rest but the Psalmist tells us to "sing" while upon our beds; this, we believe, refers to actively telling others about God and His Son, what they have done and will do for us and the whole world of mankind.

Psalm 18:3 -- I will call upon Jehovah

1 Timothy 3:13; Isaiah 2:3 - Evil Grows Worse But Soon to Be Removed

2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. -- World English.

Isaiah 2:3 - And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. -- American Standard Version.

It is often observed how the prevalence of sin continues to increase, and sin is often presented as being good. The tendency of this course of man into greater darkness confirms the teaching of the Bible that the tendency of sin is downward toward deeper degradation and departure from the ways of Jehovah. Ever since the sin of Adam, mankind has been living in what the Bible calls "the present evil age." (Galatians 1:4) The Bible speaks of the world before the flood of Noah's day, how it had become corrupted, and how that world was destroyed. (Genesis 6:11,12;  2 Peter 3:6) The same has been true of the long dispensation since the flood -- the dispensation in which we are now living, which is also to pass away. (2 Peter 3:7,10) Jehovah, however, foreknew the predominance of evil. Jehovah, therefore in His Word has foretold the prosperity of sin for a time, and that "evil doers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Timothy 3:13) until the due time should come when a third dispensation set in the Divine Plan for Messiah's Kingdom shall be inaugurated. Only the powers of the age (dispensation) to come will be sufficient to grapple with and suppress the powers of evil so long entrenched in the earth. And thus it is written, the Messiah shall rule the nations "with a rod of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27) and then his kingdom will become "the desire of all nations." (Haggai 2:7) At that time, all nations shall learn the ways of Jehovah. -- Isaiah 2:2-4. 

Psalm 121:8 - Jehovah Will Keep Your Way

Psalms 121:8 - Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore. -- American Standard Version.

As applied to those who belong to Christ in this age, we should understand the application of the above to be to the new creature, not to the sinful flesh. Jehovah will keep the way of His sons throughout the time in this present evil age, as well as throughout eternity, whether at home, outside of the home, on land or on sea, indeed, even while in the oblivious condition of sheol. God, through His spirit, is ever with His people, and thus the new creature, as long as he earnestly seeks Jehovah through Jesus, will always be under Jehovah's protection, in this life, while in the death condition, and after being rescued in last day from death into all eternity.

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1 Corinthians 9:24 - Run That You May Win

{1 Corinthians 9:24} Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run even so, that you may win. -- American Standard Improved Version.

Paul is using the races of his day as an example of the effort needed for a Christian to win the prize of joint-heirship with Christ. He is not speaking of obtaining life through Jesus, or of justification through faith by means of faith in Jesus, etc. He is not speaking of becoming a child of God. Through faith, we become reckoned as justified and become begotten (of the spirit) again as new creatures in Christ. (John 3:3; Romans 3:28; 5:1; 8:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Having become a child of God, we are later given a place (Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5 - adoption in many translations) in the kingdom, receiving rewards based on what we have done while in the present body. (2 Corinthians 5:10) The goal set before us is to become, not just heirs of God as sons, but also joint-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) Sadly, I believe that, while many consecrate themselves to God, very few actually attain the prize of their high calling. (Philippians 3:14) Paul likens the effort needed to obtain that prize to a runner in a race, in which many run, but only one wins. The same kind of vigilance and resolution is needed to attain the prize of joint heirship.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that any will actually be allowed to live for eternity who do not prove themselves fully in harmony with God and Jesus. Thus, I believe that the Bible shows that even if one does not attain the prize of joint-heirship with Christ, such will still eventually need to attain the same kind of integrity towards God and Jesus as demonstrated by those who do attain the prize of joint-heirship. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

See also:

Daily Heavenly Manna for April 9

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Isaiah 58:1 - Awake, Zion

Isaiah 52:1 - Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.  -- World English Bible version.

Isaiah 52 is variously applied. Some apply this to Israel returning from the Babylonian exile; some to the Millennial age, and some to the church in this age or to the resurrection and glorification of the church.

I believe it is basically referring to the full restoration of Israel in the age to come. The prophetic call for the Holy City to awake does provide a picture of the Kingdom Age when the Holy City will be loosed from the shackles that now hold Jerusalem in blindness to their Messiah and the time when "all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:25) I believe that eventually, through Jesus' ruling over Jerusalem all nations of the earth will be blessed with the knowledge of Jehovah and will learn Jehovah's ways, and then there will be healing for all nations and peace all over the earth. This is all part of the Gospel, the Good News concerning our Lord Jesus and what he is yet to do. -- Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Revelation 22:2.

Nevertheless, the command to awake is similar to the command given to Christians in Romans 13:11 and Ephesians 5:14. An application could also be seen to the eventual glorification of the church. --  Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Psalm 62:5 - My Expectation

03-24 - Hebrews 13:5 -- God Never Leaves His People

{Hebrews 13:5} Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you." -- American Standard Improved Version.

At times we may feel that we should not have a share in the common aches, pains and suffering of mankind under the curse. If we have consecrated our life to our Heavenly Father and His Son, we should seek to be content in whatever our Heavenly Father may provide for us. Paul himself had to learn to be content, and he tells us that he had come to know how to have an abundance and also how to be lacking. He tells us he could do all this through Christ, who gave him strength. (Philippians 4:12,13) We who are sons of God also need to have this faith in God through Christ, for our Heavenly Father has assured us that He will not forsake us. This does not mean that he will forever spare of from the death of our bodies that we presently serve in, but it does mean that he will be with us to give us strength through Christ through all our phases of life. Our part is to put faith in his promises.

Related:

Daily Heaven Manna for March 3

Precious Promises to Help in Trials -- Tom Gilbert

The Conquest of Fear

Covetous Conversaton

Be Content With Such Things as Ye Have

God Will Be With Use -- Dawn Magazine

Some Related Scriptures: Genesis 28:15, Exodus 2:21, Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, 1 Samuel 12:22, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalms 37:25, Psalms 37:28, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:17, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:34, Luke 3:14, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:6-8. 

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1 Kings 18:21 - Baal Vs. Jehovah

How long halt ye between two opinions? If Jehovah be God, follow Him: but if Baal, follow him. -- 1 Kings 18:21 

 Comments by Ronald R. Day, Sr.: 

In the world's day of judgment, every individual will need to decide whether they want to serve Jehovah or Satan. In this sense, Baal spoken of in our text would represent Satan. After the 1,000 years of judgment have ended, it will be made apparent as to who wishes to serve Jehovah and those who wish to serve Satan. In Elijah's day, the Baal worshipers were put to death. While we believe that those Baal worshipers died the death in Adam (not the second death), in the final judgment of the world, those who side with Satan will not die the death in Adam, but they will die the second death. Then it will be true that "the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there." -- Psalm 37:10, World English. 

 However, the members of the church enrolled in heaven have decided in this age that they will serve Jehovah through Jesus. Along the way are many temptations to serve Satan, and many times the servant of Jehovah may fall short due to temptations. If, however, the child of God, after having acquired the accurate knowledge of the truth, and then willfully sins, he has, in effect, chosen to serve Satan rather than the God and Father of Jesus. Such have become like those Israelites who chose to worship Baal, but they cannot again come under the condemnation in Adam, so they thus come under a new condemnation, the second death for which there will never be any sacrifice offered. 

 We should, therefore, be diligent throughout each day so as to be determined to serve our God, Jehovah, rather than to serve Satan. Putting our full trust in Jehovah, we have his assurance that He will sustain us. Thus, we can firmly trust Him, come what may.

Related:
Daily Heavenly Manna for December 16

1 John 1:5 - God is Light

 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. -- 1 John 1:5, World English.

Obviously the word "light" is being used figuratively, representing, in this instance, righteousness. God is the highest epitome of every true virtue and everything that is righteousness. He has nothing in him at all that is unrighteous, wicked. As new creatures, the child of God is righteous, and in this sense the child of God is also light. The new creature, however, in this age, has to perform righteousness by means of his sinful flesh, and thus the light of righteousness may not be fully seen in the flesh, since it often falls short of the glory of God. All such sin is covered by the ransom sacrifice of Jesus.

If we stay in fellowship with God as His children, we are assured that His Spirit will guide us in the path of righteousness through what he has revealed in the Bible. Thus, the child of God cannot walk in darkness as long as he is following what is revealed.

1 Thessalonians 5:5,6 - You Are Sons of Light

John 8:31,32 - If You Remain in My Word

John 8:31-32 -  Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32]  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." -- World English.

The word "disciple"  refers to being a pupil, a student, of a person or a certain philosophy. In the broad sense of the world, one can be a student of the Bible without actually becoming a student, a disciple, of Jesus. Only if one -- as a student of the Bible -- has an active goal of making the words of Jesus their own philosophy as actually applied in life can it that the Bible student is also a disciple or student of the Lord Jesus. And then, it is not a matter of simply vocalizing an acceptance of those words, but to be a disciple of Jesus means to continue in those words, giving application of the words of the Lord Jesus in all affairs of life, and even beyond this life. It is a resolved commitment for eternity.

Having remained in his Word, our Lord promises that then we will know the truth, and the truth would set us free. In stating this, Jesus was referring to specific truth. He was not referring to knowing the truth about everything in the entire universe, although for those who become join-heirs with Christ, it is possible that when they are exalted along with Jesus to such a high position of glory, they will be enabled to understand almost everything about the universe. In the present age, however, we can only hope to understand certain truths as revealed in the Bible, and that understanding is relative to our growth in such understanding. (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18) Sadly, it appears that many of the consecrated may remain as "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1) all their lives in the present age, making very little progress in the way of the truth. May we always seek to grow in knowledge, and as understand truths as revealed in the Bible, we will be correspondingly be set free from errors related to that truth.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 20

Bible Standard (comments and other aids)

Video

Expanded Comments

The Truth Shall Make You Free

How to Know the Truth

The Four Freedoms

Freedom in Christ

Prisoners of the Mind

Being Set Free

1 Peter 1:14,15 - As Children of Obedience

1 Peter 1:14,15 -  As children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior. -- World English.

These words are not spoken to the world, but the regenerated child of God. As children of God, we must be fully, wholly obedient to our Heavenly Father. It is in our sinful flesh corrupted by Adam's sin that we fall short in full obedience. (Romans 5:12-19; 8:3,20-22) Otherwise, if the regenerated child of God sins, it is fully willful sin, and for such there will never be another sacrifice given. (Hebrews 10:26) Nevertheless, the new creature in  Christ is called upon to bring the body into subjection to the new mind in Christ (Romans 6:18,19; 1 Corinthians 9:27), and thus our behavior should be holy, in harmony with our consecration to the Heavenly Father. Thus, we should seek to know God's will regarding anything that we do, say or even think, and bring ourselves into harmony with His will in every way possible.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 19 * BSM Aids * Expanded Comments * Video

Perfecting of the Saints

Fashioning Ourselves as Obedient Children

1 Peter 1:13 - Prepare Your Minds for Action

1 Peter 1:13 -  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -- World English.

The Greek word rendered "prepare" above literally refers to binding one's garment around the waist. The expression came to be used figuratively to denote being prepared for a work that needed to be accomplished. It is similar to the English expression "buckle down", referring to setting one's minds to tackle a task with determination.

In application, Peter is referring to having a sober (alert) mind constantly aware of putting away the works of the flesh and the attractions of the world, and being holy -- consecrated -- in mind and conduct.  We should renew such determination each day and throughout each day. This calls for us to throw aside any unnecessary cares of this world, and increase our zeal in doing what is right in the sight of our Heavenly Father. 

Due to our sinful flesh, we will have many set-backs along the way; these should not deter us. We should quickly come to the Heavenly Father through Christ regarding any form of sin (Romans 8:34; 1 John 1:9; 2:1), and we have the assurance that He is able, if our hearts are in the right place, to make us stand. -- Romans 14:4; Jude 1:24.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 18 * BSM Aids * Video

Hope to the End

The Christian Hope

Called to be Holy

A Call to Holy Living

Running the Christian Race to Win the Prize

 

Matthew 25:28-29 - To Everyone Who Has Will be Given

 Matthew 25:28-29 -  Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.   For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away.  -- World English.

The child of God is held responsible to make use of whatever abilities and circumstances God has granted. Jesus points out that being given these "talents" does not necessarily mean that one will use such "talents" properly. If we succumb to fleshly desires, we may use these talents for self-gain rather than for the praise of our Heavenly Father and the blessing of others. The more we have been given, the more we are expected to use what we have been given in the service of the Heavenly Father. Failure to properly use what God has granted could result in losing what we have.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 17 * BSM Aids * Video

Stewardship of the Pounds and the Talents

Use It or Lose It

Renewing Our Vows

What is a Talent?

1 John 3:14,16 - We Love the Brothers

1 John 3:14 -  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death. 

1 John 3:16 -  By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  -- World English.

Here we have the basis for knowing that we have been justified and no longer under the condemnation of death through Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) Do we have love for our brothers who also love God and the Lord Jesus? Are we willing to lay down our lives for our brothers in Christ, irrespective of color of skin, nationality, or even sectarian ties? While we may have love for our brothers in Christ, we may fall short in this love due to various inclinations of the flesh to restrict such love along carnal lines of thinking. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Galatians 3:28) We should certainly pray for our Heavenly Father to grant us strength and understanding so as to overcome such restrictions.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 16 * BSM Aids * Video

Because We Love the Brethren

Loving the Brethren

In Consideration of Love

Hebrews 10:38 - Righteous Live By Faith

Hebrews 10:38 -  But the righteous will live by faith. -- World English.

The word, in effect, seeks to walk by sight, which is not the faith spoken in our text. The one who belongs to Christ should seek to walk by the things not seen, putting faith in the invisible heavenly Father through Jesus. Those who have been reckoned righteous through faith in Jesus should not consider the act of being justified to be the end of the matter. That faith should become the force behind everything the child of God does. Through faith, we study what God has revealed to us in the Bible, that we may produce righteous fruit to the glory of our Heavenly Father and His Son. -- Matthew 7:19; Galatians 5:22,23; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 15 * BSM Aids * Video

The Just Shall Live

God's Work of Faith

Have Faith In God (Part 1)

Have Faith in God (Part 2)

Proverbs 16:32 - He Who Rules His Spirit

Proverbs 16:32 -  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.  -- American Standard Version.

Self-control is needed both to resist the works of the flesh as well as to develop the other fruits of the spirit.

Solomon observes that it is more important to be slow to anger than to be mighty. Of course, due to our sinful nature, anger is very hard to suppress. Thus it should be our goal to have control of all our inclinations, affections and passions so that they are brought subjection to God's will. Our chief battle in developing Christ-likeness is within ourselves. Through prayer, faith in the Heavenly Father, study of his truths in the Bible and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we may eventually have rule of our spirit. Due to our flesh, however, we will, however, at times, fail and need to come to the Heavenly through the throne of grace. -- Hebrews 4:16.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 14 * BSM Aids * Video

A Perfect Hatred

The Psychological Moment

The Necessity of Self-Control

Philippians 3:15-17 - Think This Way

Philippians 3:15-17 -  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect [mature, full-grown], think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, this God will also reveal that to you. Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. -- World English.

All who truly belong to Christ should be of one spirit in faith, hope and love. Such will move ahead in service of their Lord in accomplishing his purposes. All have their mind on this same goal, and should be seeking to develop themselves to perfection in the spirit of faith, hope and love. This does not mean that in the flesh we will no longer make mistakes, but it does signify a level of perfection in the spirit of love, faith and hope that can no longer be corrupted.

While it may be that at some point in this present evil age we will have perfected our faith and love, this should not in any way give cause to think that we have made it and thus that we no longer need to think as the apostle spoke of in the verses preceding. Indeed, if we think we have become so perfect, we may even become lax in our diligence toward our faith as well in love, which would demonstrate that we had not actually reached the goal Paul wrote about. Such should refocus their minds and seek by prayer and Biblical study and by the earnest endeavor to purify their hearts to progress into the unity of the spirit. -- Ephesians 4:3. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Hebrews 12:1 - Surrounded By Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 -  Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. -- World English.

The apostle is telling us to look back at those faithful ones of old spoken of in the preceding chapter. We should note their sufferings and yet how they maintained their faith in God regardless. Surely they are fine examples that should provide a stimulus for our faith and zeal. Who of us in our service to God and Jesus have not experienced similar experiences, or have not seen similar experiences in others who are fellow servants of the Lord Jesus?

The apostle tells those who belong to Christ to lay aside all things of this world that may hinder us in our calling. This does not mean that absolutely everything we might consider to be weights and hindrances is to be cast aside. For instance, a man who is married and has children should not cast these aside, but at the same time, they should not become of greater importance so as to replace our service to God and Jesus.

The race set before us, however, is not the same as that set before those faithful servants of old. We have been called to become joint-heirs with Christ, to become kings jointly with Christ in the Kingdom. To obtain this goal calls for us to have even greater zeal and willingness to suffer for Christ and His God. We believe, however, that most of the Lord's servants will fall short of obtaining this grand prize, although most of them will attain a lower reward than that of being joint-heirs with Christ. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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