Showing posts with label ability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ability. Show all posts

Wednesday 17 May 2017

When having taken a new direction in life, having become a Christian

English: Folio 18 recto, beginning of the Epis...
English: Folio 18 recto, beginning of the Epistle to Thessalonians, decorated headpiece (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When the apostle Paul wrote to the churches at Colossa and Thessalonica he felt united with God the Father and the Lord Jeshua Christ.
He knew that in the presence of our God and Father, we never had to forget that our faith should be active, our love working hard, and our confidence in our the master teacher Jeshua enduring. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

He wants us to continually recall before God our Father the things we have done because of our faith and our work of/from faith. When under Christ, being in the faith, we should not only live in faith for ourselves, but share that faith and share the love of Christ with others. Therefore we should do the work because of our love and our continuing strength because of your hope orendurance of/from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

In the same way the Thessalonians their faith and way of living became an example to [model for] all the believers in Macedonia [the Roman province in which Thessalonica was located, present-day northern Greece] and Achaia [present-day southern Greece] (1 Thessalonians 1:7) we should become an example too.

Today, people around you have to be able to see how you stopped being of this world and stopped worshipping idols [turned to God from idols] to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, and the sent one from God who who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

To be on the safe site, we have chosen to belong to the body of Christ and work at ourselves, making us holy, i.e. being set apart from the world, having the right godly attitude.

Always we should be keeping alert, and always thanking and praying to God. (Colossians 4:2)

Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven.
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; (Colossians 4:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Therefore we should act wisely, behaving towards people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind [gracious] and pleasant [winsome; engaging; or wholesome; seasoned with salt] so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.
Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.
Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. (Colossians 4:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Since you were in a way raised from the dead, by choosing for Christ and his resurrection, you should also aim at [aspire to; seek after; focus on] what is in heaven [the things above], where the one who did not do his own will but preferred to do the Will of God, is sitting at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Having come under the grace of God, we should think only about [set our minds on; fix our thoughts on] the things in heaven [above], not the things on earth. Our aim should be to become like Christ, by his nailing at the stake, having nailed our old sinful self to the past and to death. As if we died, and our new life is kept [hidden] with Christ in God.
For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
We should know that now having come into a new world, the one of Christ, we have to do our best to put all evil [earthly; worldly] things out of your life [to death]: sexual sinning, doing evil [impurity; defilement], letting evil thoughts control you [lust; passion], wanting things that are evil [selfish desires], and greed, which is ·serving a false god [idolatry]Because of these things, God’s ·judgment [anger; wrath] is coming.

So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).
It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),(Colossians 3:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

It may not always be easy to put the many bad things of the world aside, and to get these things out of your life: anger, bad temper [rage], hatred [malice; evil], saying things to hurt others [slander; blasphemy], and using evil words [abusive/filthy/obscene language] when you talk [from your mouth].
Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
(Colossians 3:7-8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
 Let us be glad that we receive the ability to do away of our old self, our old sinful life [self; person; man] and the things we did before [its deeds/practices], now having begun to live the new life [put on the new person/man], in which we are being made new [renewed] in the true knowledge of God and are becoming like [according to the image of] the One who created us [Gen. 1:26–27]

Today we see lots of people who do not like strangers living around them, they forgetting that when they allow them to get themselves to be known, they should not be strangers any more. In our new life there should be no difference between Jews and other believers or unbelievers in God, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or between people who are foreigners [barbarians], or Scythians [from the northern coast of the Black Sea, considered uncivilized and violent]. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is all that is important and should be in all believers [all and in all], having those who believe in him sharing the love of Christ with all others.
10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect [a]knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.
11 [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There [b]is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [[c]who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [[d]everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].
(Colossians 3:10-11Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
In the knowledge that God loves us and has prepared a body for us, giving us salvation and liberation form slavery and death, we should not enslave others nor bring fear and death over  others. Now we received the ability to become God’s chosen, holy and beloved ones (Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9] we should present ourselves to others as "newly clothed" ones full of acceptance and openness, with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with or making allowances for; being patient with each other, and forgiving each other, always letting the peace of Christ control [rule; arbitrate] our thinking [hearts], because we were all called together in one body [the church as the body of Christ] to have peace.
12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].
15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
(Colossians 3:12-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Always be thankful and remember that everything you do or say should be done to obey [or as a representative of; in the name of] the Lord Jesus. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Colossians 3:15-17)

+

Please do find to read:

  1. Facing our existence every day
  2. Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket 
  3. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
  4. Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
  5. Showing by the scriptures that …
  6. Christian values, traditions, real or false stories, pure and upright belief
  7. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
  8. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more 
  9. Leading with Fear: Gathering or Scattering?
  10. Today’s thought “Ability to assemble” (May 14)
  11. Today’s thought “Death by being taken captive” (May 15)
  12. Today’s thought “Clothing yourselves with the right attitude” (May 16)
  13. Today’s thought “Let’s be examples of disciples who spread the word about their Master” (May 17)
  14. Today’s thought by the French elections and right-wing populism in the world 
  15. Human Nature: What does the Bible teach? 
  16. The business of this life 
  17. How to set your mind 
  18. Running away from the past
  19. Establish your hearts blameless in holines 
  20. A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
  21. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint   
  22. Unconditional love
  23. Be holy
  24. Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect 
  25. The works we have to do according to James 
 +++

Friday 12 May 2017

Ability (part 7) Thought about the ability to grow as a member of the Body of Christ

Having received the ability to live we also got some talents, which may be totally different from the talents one of our siblings got.

All having received the ability to think about life also got the ability to come to see Who God is and for what purpose we are on this world. The same when we have used the ability to come to know God we have the ability to choose of Him and to serve Him according to His Will.

That ability to serve God is not based on your past, but on your faithfulness today. A person may have been an adversary of God, a big criminal, a lover of fleshy sins, but when he had come to know Christ Jesus and his God, he might have changed. In his conversion to Christianity he not only received the ability to grow as a member of the Body of Christ, sharing with brethren and sisters the love of Christ and the hope to a coming Kingdom of God.

When having hear the call of God, and having answered it positively, one can come under the blessings of the Most High. Being able to feel those blessings one is eager to follow the commandments of God and the commandments of His sent one, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God. That son gave his followers tasks, which also still count for us today. Jesus asked his followers to go out into the world and to preach the Gospel, the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.

There are the tasks given by Christ Jesus and the ones given by his heavenly Father. If you are faithful with the tasks God's son and the heavenly Father entrusts to you, God will enable you to accomplish it.

Don’t distinguish between big and small assignments from God. Paul saw every one as a privilege he did not deserve. Whether God has asked you to pray for someone, to minister to a person in need, to lead a Bible study, or to care for those who are sick, strive to be faithful. You will experience His enabling as you serve Him.

If you are faithful in a little, God will entrust you with more. You will be able to join Paul in praising God for having counted you faithful, putting you into His service (Luke 16:10).
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with a lot. Whoever is dishonest with very little is dishonest with a lot.” (Luke 16:10 GWord)
Even when not experienced, like Timothy was, we can do the work of God and grow in our faith and in the community, like so many before had an opportunity to grow  in their ecclesia.

Paul urged Timothy not to allow his youthful insecurity to blunt his zeal and faithfulness in doing what God had told him. Rather than arguing with those who criticized Timothy, Paul urged him to live as an example of godliness. Paul advised Timothy to live a life that was so spotless in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity that his life could serve as a model for others in the church to follow. Timothy’s life was to be the evidence that God had called him. God looked beyond Timothy’s youth, timidity, and physical weakness and saw his sincere heart.

We too should take on the right attitude and show others how we are willing to give ourselves to the call we heard from God.

As you seek to follow God’s will, you may identify with Timothy.

Whatever your position at this moment, do know that by using your abilities you make it possible to grow and to develop as a Christian (a follower of Christ).
By allowing God to guide you and to enforce your abilities you shall be able to help not only yourself but also those around you who want to go with you on the same path, laid out in front of you by Jesus, the Way to God.

Just as a tender plant finds a way to grow in a hard and unreceptive environment, so the love of Jesus has the ability to emerge in a life that seems completely unresponsive to the call of the Divine Maker of all things. Giving in to God's call and doing His Will, you shall find that often you shall be able to do more than you would ever thought. This shall be possible when you allow God to demonstrate His call upon you by transforming your life into a model of godliness.

+

Preceding articles:
Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability
Ability (part 6) Thought about the ability of God’s Provision Bringing Glory

++

Additional reading

  1. Today’s thought “Ability to receive ableness from God” (May 11)
  2. Today’s thought “Ability to see that God is not dead” (May 12)
  3. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more
  4. Lost senses or a clear focus on the one at the stake
  5. Worthy partakers of the body of Christ
+++

Ability (part 6) Thought about the ability of God’s Provision Bringing Glory

God’s Provision

Brings Glory


Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15

    Did you know that you bring glory to God by calling upon Him when you are in distress?

God promised He would deliver you if you turned to Him. You deny the Lord honour that is rightfully His every time you find yourself in difficulty and you fail to call upon Him for help! There may be times when God allows you to reach a point of need so that you can call upon Him, and thus let Him demonstrate to a watching world the difference He makes in the lives of His children.

If God never allowed you to experience need, people around you might never have the opportunity to witness God’s provision in the life of a Christian. If you never faced a shortfall, you might be tempted to feel self-sufficient and without any need of God in your daily life.

    Pride will tempt you to think that you do not need to seek God’s assistance. Self-regard will seek to convince you that you can handle your dilemma through your own wisdom, resources, and hard work. Pride will also rob glory from God and seek to give it to you. Don’t allow your pride to take what rightfully belongs to the Lord. Call upon your Lord and wait exclusively upon Him to rescue you. Then give Him the glory that He deserves.

    Self-sufficiency can greatly hinder your ability to experience God and bring Him honour. The next time you are in distress, turn to Him!

From Experiencing God day by day

+
Preceding articles:
Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability
Ability (part 5) Thought about the abilities to be under God's Spirit
Be not afraid of those trials which God may see fit to send upon thee
A Living Faith #4 Effort
Remember there's a light in the next day
If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling
Your struggles develop your strengths
Even in tough times remembering the blessings
Frank risks taking
The soul has no rainbow if the eyes have no tears
Preaching to an unbelieving world

++

Additional reading

  1. Creation of the earth and man #23 Man in the image and likeness of the Elohim #7 Corporeal and spiritual change
  2. Dealing with worries in our lives
  3. Looking at three “I am” s
  4. Some one or something to fear #6 Faith in the Most High
  5. the Bible – God’s guide for life #5 What is God like
  6. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #15 Exposition before the Creator
  7. Is God behind all suffering here on earth
  8. Seeing or not seeing and willingness to find God
  9. God’s never-ending stream of much-needed mercies
  10. In Defense of the truth
  11. May we have doubts
  12. Fear in your own heart or outside of it
  13. Watch out
  14. Welcoming writing that can help to heal, to grow and to learn about ourself
  15. Philippians 4:4–7 – Do Not Be Anxious
  16. Ruth having reason to grief
  17. How can we prepare for the Kingdom of God
  18. He who knows himself, is kind to others
  19. To Live Gratitude
+++

Thursday 11 May 2017

Ability (part 5) Thought about the abilities to be under God's Spirit

Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage...
Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Poor in Spirit


“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3

    The Bible presents many paradoxes that challenge our human way of thinking. We think of the poor as possessing very little, yet Jesus said the riches of heaven belong to the poor in spirit.

Self-reliance robs us of God’s good gifts.

    Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him, we must deny self. As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. Jesus declared: “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). God has so much to give the one who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus!

    Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions so much that he could not give them up to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-24). Jesus later encountered Zacchaeus, a wealthy, notorious sinner (Luke 19:1-10). Despite Zacchaeus’s material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation. Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. Do not allow your resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent you from trusting the Person who can bring you abundant life.


From: Experiencing God Day by Day

+

Preceding articles:
Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability

++

Additional reading

  1. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
  2. Facing our existence every day
  3. Leading people astray!
  4. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) versus Christianity and end times
  5. Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
  6. January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
  7. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more
  8. Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
  9. Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel
  10. 100-Day Identity Makeover: Day 56
  11. Worthy partakers of the body of Christ
  12. Seeds, weeds and kingdoms
  13. The Mountain: Radical Obedience
+++

+++

Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability

God’s Abundance in Your Life


And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

    When you relate to God you always deal with abundance, for God does nothing in half measures! This is true regarding His grace.

The Lord is not miserly when it comes to providing grace to His servants. When you seek to perform a good work that God has asked you to do, you will always find an ample supply of God’s grace to sustain you.

If you begin to lose heart in the work you are doing, God’s grace upholds you and gives you the love for God and His people you require in order to continue.

When you face criticism and are misunderstood, God’s grace enables you to forgive your accusers and to sense God’s pleasure even when others do not understand what you are doing.
When you make mistakes in the work God has appointed you to do, God’s grace forgives you, sets you back on your feet, and gives you strength to continue the work.
When you complete the task God gave you and no one expresses thanks for what you have done, the Father’s grace surrounds you, and He reminds you that you have a heavenly reward where everything you have done in the Lord’s service will be remembered.

    God does not promise to provide all you need for your dreams and projects. He does assure you that, for every good work you attempt, you will never face a shortfall of His grace in order to successfully complete the task God has given you.

From: Experiencing God Day by Day

+

Preceding articles:
  1. Ability
  2. Ability (part 2)
  3. Ability (part 3) Thoughts around Ability
Next
  • Ability (part 5) Thought about the abilities to be under God's Spirit
 ++

Additional reading

  1. Not about personal salvation but about a bigger Plan
  2. Failing Man to make free choice
  3. Looking for a spiritual new life
  4. Challenging claim 2 Inspired by God 1 Simple words
  5. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
  6. Salvation, Baptism and Re-baptism
  7. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #13 Prayer #11 Name to be set apart
  8. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #15 Exposition before the Creator
  9. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #18 Fulfilment
  10. Omniscient God opposite a not knowing Jesus
  11. Lost senses or a clear focus on the one at the stake
+++