STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

6/28/2020 ~ Neglecting Diligent Effort                     Diminishes Glory to God

👷   NeglectAM.mp3 (38m 21s)   Neglect.pptx Darkness stings by the shock of nothing. Work is what completes a soul to rise. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ... ~ Ephesians 4:1-3 The Bible is not just words. It is a book of instructions and warnings to live a better life. Many do not have that passion for the Lord to do their best in His light. Life certainly can be challenging in favorable opportunities, and social issues with never-ending plagues of self-seeking, distances the soul from obtaining peace of heart. We all struggle to acquire those qualities the Bible calls us out to be. Mt. Zion is calling. Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus ... ~ Philippians 1:1-2 Bondservants rise to the occasion and reach the mountain top for His cause. One must carry the cross each has been given to obtain the heights of clarity. Does one consider that we are able to hold the sacred chalice of truth? ... unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ... ~ Ephesians 4:11-13 We all play a part in building a better life for ourselves and the family of man. To begin, one must come to the life of Christ, and understand His love, and sacrifice. As fingerprints are exclusive and unique, so too are the abilities given to each to find. ... not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ... ~ Ephesians 6:6 It is the bottom of a heart that either finds itself in God’s grace, or remains lost in the miseries of loss. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ... ~ Colossians 3:23 A higher sense of truth is had by all who dedicate their works to the glory of God. Inspiration rejoices when victory hears the music of His call. No mountain can hinder the advance of a passionate soul. Do we choose or reach out to do things for that higher glory of all that is greater, or are we more limited in seeking narrowly focused selfish pursuits? And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ... ~ Hebrews 5:9 It is Jesus Christ that leads us to the gates of heaven, and the door to eternity. ... no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning ... ~ Ephesians 4:14 All wounded spirits search for an eternal shore   Children         ⮡ Tossed to and fro ⮧                       with every wind of doctrine    → By the trickery of men              ⮡  In the cunning craftiness                        ⮡  of deceitful plotting God commands that we rise above the mundane to find the truth no man can deliver; the heart emanations of each soul in His light. This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. ... ~ 1st Timothy 3:1-3 Ignorance has never delivered stability   ● Temperate, gentle → self control     ● Sober-minded   ● Not given to wine → addiction   ● Of good behavior   ● Hospitable   ● Able to teach → knowledgeable   ● Not violent   ● Not quarrelsome   ● Not greedy for money   ● Not covetous → self-seeking Desiring to do good work is a basic Christian principle, and what God looks for in each of us. God wants us to be planted firmly in His word, specifically, His actions for being. These qualities of nobleness are essential if we are to have good leadership in any and all pursuits. ... take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ~ 1st Timothy 3:4-6 When one believes to be better than others, understanding of why we are has evaporated. The top of faith is found through a humble bottom. Pride is the great condemning force where peace is stolen and His nurturing sanctuary is absent. Obstinate pride disqualifies one from being in the church of God. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:3 To not apply the light of God’s own truth makes a church less than what God intended it to be, His house of sanctuary of true worshippers. ... destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ~ 1st Timothy 6:4-6 Stirring evil holds contempt for all others   Men of corrupt minds                   ⮡  Obsessed with disputes                                             ⮡  Arguments   ● Envy   ● Strife                                Defensive   ● Reviling                             Attitude   ● Evil suspicions   ● Useless wranglings   ● Destitute of the truth   ● Suppose godliness is a means of gain   Those who craftily seek positions of authority, without doing the first for called out noble works, are the most despicable of despicable. What makes Christianity ineffective is men whose hypocritical qualities expose duplicity. Works exclusively for the self miss their service to humanity. ... a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, ... ~ Titus 1:7-9 A wasted life knows not the fruits of God   Steward of God:             ● Not self-willed             ● Not quick-tempered, Not violent               ● Not greedy for money             ● Not given to wine     but …             ● Hospitable, just, holy             ● A lover of what is good             ● Sober-minded, self-controlled             ● Holding fast the faithful word Christian qualities are well defined. Applying them is the challenge for all. ... teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. ~ Titus 1:10-11 Many are just plainly dishonest, and purposely choose to be, to gain unjust advantage. Liars hide in the shadows of their scheming. Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. ~ Proverbs 13:11 Labor is well earned when reaping the seeds of peace. Honest labor increases satisfaction, contentment, and peace of work when well done. Dishonesty produces guilt, confusion, and anguish. The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. ~ Proverbs 13:4 For people that lack purpose, it can be a dreadful downward spiral. These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. ... ~ Jude 1:16-19 Desperation leads to opinions rooted in self    Ungodly mockers in the last time:            ● Grumblers         ● Complainers         ● Walking in their own lusts         ● Flattering people to gain advantage           ● Who cause divisions         ● Not having the Spirit How does God see those who plot only for their own benefit? Many kiss rear ends holding a baseball bat behind their back. Without Godly fear and regard for accountability, merciless souls ravage the land. Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. ... ~ Isaiah 56:11 There are those that live to steal. Looters are akin to mad dogs looking to gain at the expense of others; extreme selfish narcissism. There is no unity where only division guides the greedy. Those who lack understanding are rather driven by impulse. "Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, ..." ~ Habakkuk 2:9 Evil gain to obtain material riches has caused many wicked to prosper. These are the drug dealers to professional assassins that have plagued all ages. We should be familiar with scripture that asks, what would a man exchange for his eternal soul; to gain the world and lose life in God is the worst of all imaginable. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. ~ Proverbs 15:27 Greed is the cancer of peace where turmoil in dissatisfaction devours the soul. Greed is often associated with dishonest gain, possibly cheating and stealing could be involved. What is stolen may be either tangible or non-tangible, or both. Wickedness has no definite path as it randomly seeks out injustice. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ~ James 3:16 Focusing exclusively on the self is a time bomb of inner turmoil. When one cannot see beyond oneself, the magic of true love and its’ accompanying pleasures go missed. ... serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ... ~ 1st Peter 5:2-3 God wills that we achieve noble hearts in the light of His truth. He calls for us to help one another, rather than cutting organs from the backs of those we know. God wants us to be in His service, not seeing it as a burden, but a blessing for the opportunities presented. Just a job, is not a passion. God wants us to feed His flock, and not feast upon it. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God ... ~ Acts 20:28 One cannot serve God if not carefully watchful. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:2-3 God instructs us to endure through the studies of His word, especially in the face of false doctrine promoted by charlatans. One must be careful not to believe the lies promoted by man. ... will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:4-5 Those who practice deception do not want to hear the truths God has put forth. ... Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. ... ~ Hebrews 13:17 What many neglect to observe is that each of us is made to give account for all that we are. When we go out of our way to cause grief in others, it is wholly unprofitable for all involved. Turmoil acquired through oppression is like a mountain that sinks into a whirlpool of troubles. Don’t’ give grief to those who would help you. "... serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; ... ~ Acts 20:19-20 Everything we need, to understand God’s will, is given in His word. All that is helpful has been disclosed. ... note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, ... ~ Romans 16:17-18 Unfortunately, many deceive the simple minded to gain unjust advantage and steal what is meant to be holy. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." ~ Matthew 10:16 It is a dangerous world, and without keen understanding, the ocean of life may submerge one in a perpetual sinful nature. ... Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ~ 1st Peter 4:7-9 Compulsive complainers lack thankfulness for what is    → The end of all things is at hand              ● Be serious           ● Watchful in your prayers           ● Fervent love for one another           ● Be hospitable to one another                       ⮡  Without grumbling All are called to pray with love in heart without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:10-11 The range of life’s expression has no end Each one has received a gift Of the manifold grace of God As good stewards Do it as with the ability Which God supplies That in all things God may be     Glorified through Jesus Christ     Whom belong the glory Blessed, if one is able to put all those spoken by the holy word conflicts away. What curses the good of the mind, and steals the peace of spirit, is when we abandon God’s given truths. By pursuing understanding and practicing His word, it is then that we can be; freedom of purpose to achieve the joy of living. The key to peace is always giving your best ● Prisoners of the Lord find peace through endurance ● Perfection is a measure in the fullness of Christ ● Do all to the Lord heartily, and not to men ● Avoid trickery, cunning, & deceitful plotting of men ● Many religious leaders will seek dishonest gain ● The soul of the diligent shall be made rich ● Remember last time warnings given by the word ● Greed, envy, and self-seeking only brings troubles ● Lead eagerly, willingly, not by need / dishonest gain ● Preach the word to convince, rebuke, and exhort ● Avoid who pursue false doctrine serving themselves ● Love; be watchful in all things without grumbling ● Each needs to use the gifts God gives to the fullest Belief in God has no value without acting on His given truths. Darkness perhaps is the greatest emptiness.