STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

3/22/2020 ~ Value

💰   ValueAM1.mp3 (32m 55s)   Value.pptx Darkness below black has no sense. Value is gauged by the price we pay to obtain. Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; ... ~ Isaiah 40:15 In the greater scheme of things God has a plan much higher than the triviality of earthlings desiring satisfaction. He offers the window to eternity. All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless. ... ~ Isaiah 40:17-18 Specks in time have little consequence in the eternal scheme. Of His call, for creatures given by His will to love, He commands service to one another. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; ... ~ Daniel 4:35 God has created a realm of redemption for those that have fallen away. Ask not what God can do for us, but what we can do for God. But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. ~ Psalms 115:3 God needs no excuse for the good that He is. ... weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. ~ Psalms 62:9 Loneliness is a touch upon the heart of isolation, depending on time, to reveal those questions of not knowing. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, ... ~ Galatians 6:3-5 If God reveres those upon the earth as quintessentially honest and obedient, rather than radical, liberal, criminal, to His cause, He surely will reward those who believe over deceptions given by man. ... can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him - For the redemption of their souls is costly, ... ~ Psalms 49:6-9 How one sees wealth reveals the cost of what no one can pay for. The whole earth cannot award one breath. No sister or brother can redeem what God alone looks for, a sole contrite heart that yearns for His forgiveness, thankfully pressed upon His love. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. ... ~ Proverbs 16:16-18 To travel the higher roads where truth shines without measure, one must surrender all before the One that saves and gives life. "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, ..." ~ Job 28:12-15 The value of life embraces the gift of God to humbly acknowledge He is supreme above all. Earth’s possessions are valued as last in comparison to eternal life where music never ends. "God understands its way, And He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, ..." ~ Job 28:23-28 Facts will never change where truth tells wisdom. God declares understanding will come to those who have awe under His creation. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, ... ~ Proverbs 8:10-11 Who can say the calm of understanding does not enrich the soul? ... My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. ... ~ Proverbs 8:18-22 The value of truth rises above the stars where God Himself knows. "... Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things." ~ Acts 17:24-25 God does not need temples or amusement parks built by man over true hearts in the vault of His service. "... that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" ~ Acts 17:26-27 Senses make clear our existence. Creation exists so we may know the plan of God to love Him as He loves us. "... we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising." ~ Acts 17:28-29 Life is not a material expression of an exact place, but now in the presence of God. "... ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. ..." ~ Acts 17:30-31 Judgment involves the character, and the ability, to become better than who we once were in those sins of selfish desire. ... if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; ... ~ Exodus 19:5 Treasures of God illuminate the strings of heart enhancing the aromas of heaven. God is the ultimate miner, searching the depths of life with heart. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver; For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God. ~ Job 22:25-26 No spin has greater value than to look up and see more than we are. Significance is found in the righteousness we value  ● God counts the nations as small on the scales  ● God is in heaven and does as He pleases  ● Thinking one is greater can be deceptive  ● Trusting in material wealth is worthless  ● Pride and a haughty spirit causes a soul to fall  ● True value rises past mere substance  ● The wise depart from evil in fear of God  ● Wisdom and understanding is incomparable  ● The richest among us fully embrace wisdom  ● The divine nature is about life over material wealth  ● Our righteous value will be found at His judgment  ● Those who hear & obey His word are special to Him    ● It is God Himself that holds the greatest value No faithful heart has the absence of His grace.   ValueAM2.mp3 (26m 26s) "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" ~ Matthew 16:26 In the case of value, is not life itself of the highest of all known? 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, ... ~ Philippians 3:7-8 Knowledge of life and why we are is a quality of importance. ... if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ~ Philippians 3:9-11 A rose is given its’ beauty because it is. A man becomes a king when belief extends beyond self and faith lifts life. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, ... ~ Romans 12:2-3 The end of this world is dust; as such we must rise to that which is greater than the earth. ... Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ... ~ Philippians 2:3-5 So few are able to find the perfection He calls out for in us all. True hearts care for the simplest of concerns opening doors for strangers and tolerating the selfish among us. Nobility of heart shines as a jewel in His sight. Shame comes upon all, when He is revealed, as we fall before Him. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ... ~ Romans 5:7-8 Sacrifice has no comprehensive expression for the love it gives. ... who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ~ 1st Timothy 2:4 God has no desire to see souls deceived without hope through knowledge. This is why He came to sacrifice His own life, so we can know how to come to Him, in spirit and truth. "... Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." ~ Matthew 10:29-31 God created dust, and all that forms around it, to test the desires of life freely given. Too often people are mired in self-pity, despising existence, on the cough of disgust. Laughing love is thin for those wingless thoughts of blue. He waits for each returning soul He holds. ... Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. ~ Psalms 40:5 Time is a spiral that wells up from deep inside memories coming from the outside. No number can express His timelessness where His sense for each of us embraces all moments. "... Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" ~ Matthew 6:25-26 Worry is a lack of trust that weighs on broken hearts. Valleys always have mountains above as we all endure the shadows that etch the silence of hope’s enchantment. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:6-8 To feast on heaven itself clears the senses to love. What would we do if the sun was not there; how important would those things we place the greatest importance on? We often dismiss those things of a higher nature where life itself has the greatest value. ... godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. ~ 1st Timothy 4:8 Nothing done by the self can lift a soul to heavens door; it is His heart that offers the hand to pull us through. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. ... ~ Hebrews 13:5-6 Loving God brings the right values into focus   Conduct:          ● Be without covetousness          ● Be content with as you have   A friend cuts to the bottom of a heart, open to all that comes forth. "... for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, ..." ~ Mark 12:41-44 Each of us needs to empty our desires in acceptance of His love. Acceptance brings contentment, by which only heaven can offer. It is about surrendering all of our life, to that which gives all. Bliss is an absolute unequalled. "... ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' ..." ~ Mark 12:30 Where should our greatest love be? Should it not be with that which gives life itself to the sweet chords of knowing? "... and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." ~ Matthew 13:44 True treasure can never be stolen. "... when he had found one pearl of great price, went out and sold all that he had and bought it." ~ Matthew 13:45-46 Genuine value is what we find the most uplifting. A prize awarded is sweetest when given in the open. He has given all in the open. Will we close the door or see the gift? I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. ~ Psalms 119:162 What wells up from a heart’s bottom lasts longest for the depth of true desire. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ..." ~ Matthew 6:19-21 The agony of a soul is found in unobtainable desires to possess. Freedom is detachment from desire with happy thankful content hearts. It is the moment that has the greatest value. With God the most of living is obtained ● No worldly item can pay for the life of a soul ● The excellence of knowledge of Christ has no equal ● It's not about us but God’s power over death ● Think soberly transformed by the renewing of mind ● Compassionate hearts for others is a mind of Christ ● God desires our salvation & knowledge of the truth ● The thoughts of God for each cannot be numbered ● Godliness with contentment is great gain ● The promise of life to come lights real value ● Be content with such things as you have ● Giving your all is where one places greatest value ● Worship is unyielding love for God’s wealth of Spirit ● Rejoice in the great treasure of His word In His light we find the treasure of Spirit.   ValueAM3.mp3 (31m 55s) There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. ~ Proverbs 20:15 Knowledge is priceless treasure. For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. ~ Proverbs 8:11 To understand is the blessing given to those employing wisdom. If 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. ~ James 1:5 Only humble hearts can reach what cannot be bought. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ... ~ Jeremiah 29:13 Seeking often brings epiphanies without notice. ... knowing that you were not redeemed with coruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:17-19 For heaven to welcome a soul, a heart must do what God calls out for, putting value on His commands. ... His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:3-4 To be with God one has to want it more than all   Given to us all:        → Things that pertain to life                                                ⮡  godliness        → Through the knowledge of Him                   ↓   Called us by glory and virtue   Given great and precious promises                                                ↑       may be partakers of the divine nature    escaped corruption that is through lust    What is most lovely is not hidden for those that know. ... having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 7:1 Value has limits rising from what is despicable. True value resides where noble values take precedence. ... For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. ~ 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 No greater value is found than coming to God’s nurturing light in prayer. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ~ 1st Corinthians 7:23 As possessions of His eternal love, let us not return to the lonely emptiness of man’s domination and petty desires. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men." ~ Acts 5:29 God’s truth can never be replaced or substituted through the angers of man. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ~ Galatians 5:1 Freedom is where bondage has no effect. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ... ~ John 8:32-33 Arrogance has one overriding quality, denial. "... if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." ~ John 8:34-36 Chains bind all who cannot find the freedom He offers. ... because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:14-15 One must tear back the lies of man to be set free to see what all long for; truth. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. ..." ~ Luke 6:45 Sharp slicing's of the mouth destroy the front of all that could be good. Searching for the best orders the soul. ... one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:16-18 Created in the image of God, we hold the power of destiny when we choose to pursue what has been given from above. ... I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship ... ~ Ephesians 3:8-9 To value the least is to find the greatest value. ... according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access ... ~ Ephesians 3:10-12 Confidence is of a high prize when united in the faith of His promise. Christ Jesus came to be with those that would want salvation from the oppression of wicked men. He is here with us through His life, death, and resurrection; first born from the dead to show us the way. ... Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ~ Hebrews 10:21-23 The astonishment of forgiveness by God Himself has an unutterable value. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, ... ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 For us to hold the same faith given by His truth adds value to the whole. Time tests how we respond to desires and purpose  ● Knowledge above all is a precious jewel  ● All the things one has cannot compare to wisdom  ● Wisdom is found when you seek her with your all  ● We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ  ● Call to escape lust through His precious promise  ● Each needs to put off the flesh perfecting holiness  ● Obeying God is care over following man’s sinfulness    ● Jesus sets us free when we allow Him to carry us  ● Treasure is found in what comes out of one’s heart  ● When we turn to the Lord His freedom brings clarity  ● Fellowship with God in Christ comes to the humble  ● His eternal purpose gives us access by faith in Him  ● Assemble and consider with care for one another Bearing with one another is a privilege of joining together. Darkness has no promise of light.