Chapter Twelve
LOVE REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH
Rejoice …
to give joy, to feel joy or great delight
Truth …
1 a archaic: fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
(3) often capitalized: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true c: the body of true statements and propositions
3 a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
Luke 10:21 (Amplified)
In that same hour He rejoiced and gloried in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and understanding and learned, and revealed them to babes (the childish, unskilled, and untaught). Yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will and choice and good pleasure.
When we know the Truth there is nothing that should keep us from having joy! We can rest in the knowledge that God is here for us. He knows what we need and want before we even think it (Matthew 6:8). Just as He cares for the birds and the flowers how much more does He care for us(Luke 12)? He not only will take care of us in heaven but here on earth, during our life time here, helping us to live abundantly (2 Corinthians 8:9). These are the truths of the Word. Our lives should reflect that truth, which is what is going to make people want to come to Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified)
And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
There is going to be opposition from the enemy, but that is when we have to remember and rejoice in the Truth of what Christ did for us and what that means in our lives, here on earth and for our eternity.
John 8:32 (Amplified)
And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
We need to remember the enemy is out there searching for those to destroy. He will use the Truth of the Word and twist it to serve his purpose. We need to be in the Word continuously so that we know the Truth. Most Christians believe what they believe because that is what they have been taught since childhood. That is awesome when you can be brought up in the Word, but we need to dig into it and see for ourselves what the Word says to us.
Is there ever a reason to tell a lie instead of the truth? Maybe sometimes we feel we might need to say a “little white lie”. But the thing about that is, that it is still a lie. I struggle with this with my children in regards to the traditions and myths of our society. Now I am not going to say how you handle these situations, for myself I have asked people who I feel are true disciples who I have seen to be Godly examples, how they handled it and I pray that the Holy Spirit lead me in wisdom.
Proverbs 28:26 (Amplified)
He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.
We just need to make sure we are not saying things just to keep ourselves comfortable or out of trouble. The truth is always better than a lie. When we lie, eventually it always comes back and gets us. Keep the door closed to the lies of the enemy (John 8:44).
Chapter Thirteen
LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS
Protect …
1 a: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard b: defend
Numbers 6:24 (Amplified)
The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His (approving) countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden to protect them. Some of you may be asking how does that protect them; sending them out into the unknown to work and toil for everything (Genesis 3:17). If they had stayed in the garden they could and probably would have eaten from the tree of life (Genesis 3:22 & 24), giving them immortality which would have condemned them to an eternity full of sin without the possibility for redemption. That would have left all of us trapped for eternity in an evil state. And in that, Jesus could not have made the ultimate sacrifice.
God guarded Noah, the only man at that time to have His heart. He guarded Him by having Noah build an ark for protection from the coming flood (Genesis 7:1-6:8).
God sent Moses to free the Israelites from Pharaoh. He guarded them by day and night and crushed Pharaoh and his army (Book of Exodus).
He protected David from Saul (1 Samuel 23 & 24). He protected Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:16-21). He protected Lot from the sin around him (Genesis 19:15-23). He protected Jesus from Herod when He was a child (Matthew 2:13-15). Those are just a few examples of His Glory and His faithfulness to those who follow Him. These are not just children stories or stories from history. They are examples of what He does for all of those who believe Him now, just as He did then. He is our Father! Fathers are supposed to protect and love their children. They teach us how we should be, to make decisions that help us grow and learn. He gave us the law to protect the Israelites from falling into sin and He sent Jesus so save us from it.
John 3:17 (Amplified)
For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
Reread Psalm 91! That encompasses everything God does for us. Those who trust in Him and say “He is my Lord, my refuge and fortress, on Him I rely on and Trust”, God will deliver them from the snare of Satan and law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). We can find refuge in Him. We will be able to watch the destruction of the enemy and those who follow him. His angels guard us from harm; they guard us wherever we go. God says that if we will hold on to Him we will get the best of care. When we trust Him, He will answer when we call. He will be with us always and rescue us from evil and give us a long life and bring us salvation. (paraphrased by me). Hallelujah! How can we read the Psalms and doubt His love for us? How can we look at Jesus’ sacrifice and doubt His love for us?
Luke 4:10-11 (Amplified)
For it is written, He will give His angels charge over you to guard and watch over you closely and carefully;
And on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (Amplified)
Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].
1 Peter 1:5 (Amplified)
Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
No comments:
Post a Comment