Building something starts with an idea, then the plans go on paper. Plans include details for every aspect of a building, including the materials to use. The inspector approves each step of the building and gives final approval at the end. Anything in time and space can be described by mathematical forms and descriptions down to the minute. The plan includes details that produce the desired results. If we’re digging for buried treasure, we have to follow the map that shows where it is. The Bible has the plan or design for mankind. For each person there are slight variations for that perfect person. We try to follow the plan. Sometimes we don’t get it quite right but we’re doing the best we know how. At times we haven’t been as patient as we could have been with some who were struggling to follow the plan they had. We need humility, longsuffering, and patience when we read the scripture to interpret the Lord’s plan. Far too many buildings have been too impatient, too proud, not longsuffering, and not patient. It has caused division among God’s people. Sometimes God’s plan isn’t so specific as the dimensions in a building plan. Sometimes we struggle to get it right. If two people are seeking to do the Lord’s will and understand some things slightly different, it doesn’t mean that one is false and teaching false doctrine while the other is true. We are all struggling to understand the Master’s plan.

Men studied to understand the mechanism of the transfer of a fallen nature from Adam to his offspring.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

In trying to understand the mechanism of transferring Adam’s nature, they questioned, where the soul comes from? There were three views that arose to answer that question.

1. Creationism: God creates each soul (the spiritual entity) at conception when mother and father come together.
2. Traucianism: The soul is created at conception by a mother and father. This makes the soul dependent on the human.
3. Generationalism (Pre-Existence): The soul were created before and are infused after conception of a baby.

We understand that Adam’s soul was breathed into a physical body when he was created. Adam was created in God’s image. We don’t know what the mechanism was for Eve’s soul to be created.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We believe each person has some of the essence of God because God breathed life in.

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When Seth was born, something had changed because Seth was created in the image of Adam.

Genesis 5:3 And Adam…begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

We all have a spirit that came from God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

There were different views of the mechanism of the transfer of Adam’s nature to mankind. People that are closer to what happened at a time and place have a closer view of history than those who are far away. What is close to people is typically more important to them than what happened far away. What was important 2000 years ago is different than today.

Pelagius was an Irish monk in 1300 AD who thought our free will was the reason for the nature of man’s soul. He said Cain decided on his own to kill Abel and his nature had nothing to do with it. Pelagius was seen as a heretic. Augustine in 354AD of Hippo North Africa said that Cain inherited a fallen nature from Adam. He called it “Original Sin” and said it was from a corrupt nature. Some people don’t think Genesis 5:3 says Cain inherited a fallen nature from Adam. Most people believe what Augustine taught – Wesley, Martin Luther, Calvin, D.S. Warner, and the Roman Catholic church today. Most people don’t believe Pelagius because too much about if you sin is in human control. We believe there’s something beyond human control that causes people to sin. How do those who believe Pelagius account for the scripture, “death passed on all men” (Romans 5:12)? They say when Adam was in the garden there was no sin, so death was outside of the garden. Some say it’s talking about a physical death because they chose to sin.

Look at what the Holy Ghost is doing in the book of Acts and other letters of Paul. He’s losing tongues of believers to witness of God’s saving power. We need to be saved from our committed sins before the Lord will move in. At that point our house is ready to occupy and be filled by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2 the people in the upper room were justified and had no sin, then God filled the house with the Holy Spirit. God wants to occupy the house of our body for a reason. If the only reason God gave the Holy Ghost was so we could be fully complete, we don’t need to read the book of Acts. Other reasons the Holy Ghost came were to give power, for healing, and miracles. There were four actors in the the garden – Adam, Eve, the Lord, and the serpent. The serpent who is Satan is still active in the world and we all need a Savior. If free will was the only reason people commit sin, why do we need a Savior? Rather than asking what is the mechanism of transferring Adam’s fallen nature or about the origin of the soul, people should be asking what is the Holy Spirit doing when he fills the believer? He’s losing tongues to tell of God’s saving power, people are healed, and miracles happen.

About 1899 there was a debate in the church about whether a person could be cleansed thoroughly not only from committed sin but also from inbred sin or the carnal nature. The Church of God has taught that a person needs two works of grace. The first work for justification is cleansing from all committed sins. The second work is a filling of the Holy Spirit, also called a second cleansing. The teaching was challenged again in the early 1970s. There was a debate about whether the Bible teaches a second cleansing. This study presumes we don’t know anything and we’re asking the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts to truth about a second cleansing. It’s important to understand why we believe what we do according to what the Bible teaches, not just from what we’ve been taught. If we only mimic what we’ve been taught, it can produce error. Someone could teach a little error from misunderstanding or human thinking, not from evil intent.

Romans 5:12 refers to Adam as the one man through whom sin entered into the world. What does the phrase mean, “until the law sin was in the world”? From Adam until Moses sin was in the world. Sin was not imputed (people weren’t held accountable) until the law was given. The nation of Israel was held accountable when the law was given to them. This doesn’t mean sin isn’t present but that a person isn’t accountable for it. (Paul also said people who weren’t Israelites were accountable to a law in their consciences. Romans 2:14-15). The similitude of Adam was that he sinned by disobeying God when he ate fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That commandment was only given to Adam and Eve. Others sinned after Adam did but it was for other reasons. Some presume this verse refers to the carnal nature but they add in other scripture to come to that conclusion. We say “the figure of him that was to come” refers to Jesus.

Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Some say the “free gift” is free will. Others say it refers to salvation that comes through Christ. The offence of one is Adam’s sin so many are dead through his sin. There’s also a dispute about “so many are dead” and whether it’s because of the nature that is transferred from Adam to his offspring. Then we would ask how does this occur? Somehow sin entered into the world through Adam’s sin. Now the scripture introduces a solution for death, “For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace…by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” The solution of the grace of God comes through Jesus. The grace of God abounds more to conquer sin. Verse 16 speaks of justification or being made right with God, “the free gift is of many offences unto justification.” The gift or grace leads us, not to condemnation, but to justification.

Romans 5:15-16 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

The grace of God given to us by Jesus allows us to reign over death in life. Reading the first 5 chapters of Romans, we see that Paul had a burden for his people, the Jews, to be saved through Jesus. The book of Romans speaks directly to the nation of Israel in defense of Paul for the gospel’s sake. It is to prove Jesus is the Messiah and is the solution for evil and sin for the Jews. God inspired Paul to write this and all scriptures were inspired for all mankind and for all time.

Romans 5:17-21 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus…

In the doctrine of two cleansings, it’s important that humanity has inherited something from Adam’s sin. If we haven’t inherited something, arguments can be made that we aren’t inherently sinful. What we believe has been influenced by what has been taught over the last 2,000 years. There’s a teaching called the doctrine of original sin. It is not Adam’s sin. The doctrine of original sin addresses what happened after Adam sinned. Original sin is the teaching that when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeyed God in the garden, they introduced a corrupted nature into humanity that was somehow passed from Adam to Cain. Cain killed his brother Abel so something was wrong with Cain. Adam and Eve had another son, Seth. Somehow Adam’s sin was passed on to their offspring. People ask how does it happen that we’re born with a sinful nature? The doctrine of original sin is disputed and not believed by some in the Church of God. Some teach that no corruption or depravity of the human nature followed Adam’s sin. In other words, they say Adam’s offspring were not corrupted by Adam’s decision to sin. They support that teaching by the scripture in Ezekiel that says the sins of the father are not passed on to the sons. This teaching changes how people understand Romans 5. The teaching we have grown up under is that we inherit original sin after the similitude of Adam’s fallen nature.

Iraneus was a man from Symna Turkey born 130AD. He ended up in France and was a bishop. He wrote to warn against heresies and wrote much about Gnostics. The Gnostics taught about a secret knowledge. Iraneus argued that there was no depravity of nature from Adam. He wrote that each of us has free will but that we’re destined to sin because of our fallen nature. If one is destined, then they really don’t have a choice or free will. Free will is important because it allows us to choose to be saved after we’ve sinned. People who try to proved the one cleansing doctrine start from a theory that there is only one cleansing, then they find scriptures to prove it by the same scriptures used that show two cleansing. Starting a study with a theory already in mind, where you try to prove an idea by human thinking, is a danger. When we start from the bottom up, we let the scripture prove itself. Different church fathers have been influential to all churches and theology in what they wrote. In the early church we read how Jude and Peter were in a fight for orthodoxy. There were competing interests trying to say what truth was as the early church was forming. Priscilla and Aquila told Apollos about receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 18:24-26). We read in the book of Acts about Paul, apparently trying to solve problems that had arisen from heresies. These things are important to consider as we’re guided by the Holy Spirit in our study.

January is the month of the year with the most depression because of the weather or other reasons. God has a remedy.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The devil wants to take our peace, joy, contentment – to steal, kill, and destroy. He does it through our mind. The feelings are depression, discouragement, agitation, anger, anxiety, emptiness, impatience, loneliness, sadness, trouble making decisions, trouble concentrating, nightmares; feeling isolated, helpless and in despair. The devil will try to work bitterness in your heart if you get discouraged long enough and people offend you, so you’re anxious and angry. God has a remedy for that. We have to be careful we don’t get angry and let bitterness work. A neighbor thought they were crazy or something was wrong with them because of feeling they couldn’t think straight. They were discouraged, angry, impatient, having a lot of anxiety and trouble making decisions, not feeling they could manage things, feeling like nothing was going right, and their mind was in a turmoil. They were suffering from grief from losing a loved one.

Grief and depression have a lot of symptoms. The enemy wants us to be discouraged so we won’t be what God wants us to. Our feelings may be totally contrary to how things really are. During Desert Storm a pilot was going to bomb a weapons plant in Iraq. He flew in total darkness and had to solely trust his instruments. He became disoriented when he did a maneuver to avoid the enemy. If he hadn’t made the right decision, he would have crashed into a mountain in seconds.

“His mind was telling him his plane was in a climbing right turn, but when he checked his instruments, they indicated he was in a 60 degree dive towards the ground!  He was sure he was in a climb instead of a dive, and his mind was screaming at him to lower the nose of his F-15 to halt the climb. While his mind commanded him to correct the plane in one direction, his instruments instructed him to do just the opposite. Because he was flying in total darkness, he had to decide quickly whether to trust his mind or his instruments.  His life depended on making the correct choice. Even though it took everything within him to overcome what his mind was telling him, he decided to trust his instruments. He rolled his wings level and pulled his F-15 upward, which drew seven times the force of gravity, pulling the aircraft out of its dive. It only took a few moments to realize he had made the right decision. If he had lowered the nose of his jet like his mind had been telling him, he would have crashed the plane. Trusting his instruments saved his life!” (Kent Crockett, The 911 Handbook)

When depression or feelings of hopelessness come, God wants us to go to his word for encouragement. All the people were grieved and wanted to retaliate against David at Ziklag in their grief. David wasn’t responsible for what happened. When people get bitterness in their heart, they want to strike out at anyone. David encouraged himself in the Lord.

I Samuel 30:1-6 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

David went to the priests for help and prayed about what to do. God gave him direction. God always has an answer for your problem. Sometimes we need to go to our pastor about our problems.

I Samuel 30:7-8 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

We’re all going to be offended at some time. Offenses are so we will learn longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness. God doesn’t want us to hold onto offenses or hurts from our past. On the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Sometimes people will hurt you without realizing what they did. Jesus was hurt on the cross but he forgave, even as he continued suffering the pain. He felt like God had forsaken him but he was still trusting God and had forgiven those who hurt him. We have a memory and will remember when we’ve been hurt, even when we have forgiven. It isn’t true that when you forgive, you will forget.

Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Jesus said Peter should forgive 490 times if someone sinned against him. Jesus meant we need complete forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

A servant owed what would be $16 million today. The king had compassion and forgave all of the debt. That servant would not forgive his fellowservant for $15. The king remembered how much debt he had forgiven the first servant when he didn’t forgive his fellowservant.  The servant who was forgiven had no compassion for his fellowservant.

Matthew 18:29-30 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Years ago a woman came to be saved and Sister Edith asked if she was willing to forsake all sin and forgive everyone who had wronged her. She said she’d never forgive her mother for what she did to her when she was a child. She left church and never came back. If we remember a wrong that was done to us, we need to make sure there’s no bitterness, revenge, desire to get even or for something bad to happen to them. We must be sure we’ve forgive everyone for wrongs.

Matthew 18:34-35 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

How do we take offenses? We have to be filled with the love of God to be able to forgive and cover a multitude of sins.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amplified Bible) Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

I Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Forgiveness is a choice you chose. Forgiveness is not excusing things. We excuse young children because they don’t know any better. It’s up to you if you forgive or not. Forgiveness is not rejecting justice. When a crime was committed, it needs to be reported and that doesn’t mean you haven’t forgiven them. Forgiveness is a matter of the heart and you need to make sure everything is on the altar. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you let someone walk all over you. We need to set boundaries. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you trust someone. If you caught someone stealing from you, you can forgive them but still not trust them. We must have an attitude of love and be willing to take wrong but still not have a bitter, unforgiving attitude. The enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy through depression, discouragement, distress, and grief. We all have to battle these things when the enemy comes. God wants us to fight a good fight, claim the promises, and know that the promises are true. God tells us to be strong and of good courage. If depression lasts more than a month, you may need medical help. We don’t find fault or criticize those who do so. God wants us to trust him, knowing he is with us to hold our hand.  Trust the word and not your feelings. God has victory in the battle over depression for us.

Do you ever wake up with your first thoughts being, the king is coming? Do you get excited when you hear those words? Christ was with his followers for 40 days after he was resurrected. He showed himself over and over, walking with them, talking with them. Sometimes they didn’t realize it was Jesus. They were with Jesus when the clouds received him. Don’t you think the disciples thought often of the two men in white and the words of the promise that he will return.

Acts 1:6-11 When they therefore were come together, they asked…Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen…

The King is coming! The chorus of the song “The King Is Coming” (by Bill & Gloria Gaither and Gaither Vocal Band) says,

O the King is coming, The King is coming, I just heard the trumpets sounding, And now His face I see,
O the King is coming, The King is coming, Praise God, He’s coming for me.

Our job is to let our light shine because the King is coming. If we have anxiety or fear, we need to remember the King is coming. The disciples knew the King was coming and that was their focus. They were keeping themselves righteous and godly because they knew the King was coming. They had a close connection with Jesus. He had washed their feet. They knew he was coming again. The followers expected Christ to return soon, as we see by the words of the apostles.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Peter was one of the most vocal disciples. Yet Jesus worked with him, led him, encouraged him, warned and forgave him. Peter knew about trials of faith. He spent a night in prison singing and praying. Some were in heaviness but rejoiced because they had victory and knew Jesus was going to appear again. They were keeping themselves ready. Peter wrote,

I Peter 1:6-8 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

The King is coming!

II Corinthians 5:20-21 (Amplified Bible) So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
II Corinthians 6:1-10 Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— we put no obstruction in anyone’s path, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hunger, in purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend], amid glory and dishonor; by evil report and good report; branded as deceivers and yet [vindicated as] truthful; as unknown [to the world], yet well-known [by God and His people]; as dying, yet we live; as punished, yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

God doesn’t keep track of time like we do. He sees the whole plan and wants souls to be saved. He wants us ready when he returns. When he comes back everything will be done and be dissolved. Don’t hold on too tight to the things here. We need to let our little light shine. The little things, like saying a kind word to someone, bring light to the world.

II Peter 3:8-12…be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works…therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Job lost hope when he was overcome by grief and pain (Job 7:6). Did he have promises of God to lean on? We have God’s promises in the Bible. Abraham held onto the promise of God that he was going to have a son, even when his age was against him (Romans 4:18-21). Abraham was strong in faith, believing God could do what he promised. In the book of Revelation, John didn’t know what the Lord meant by quickly but he held on and died in the faith. As we wait for the Lord, we can’t just sit on the couch and do nothing. We must be about the Father’s business of letting our little light shine. The King is coming!

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:12-14 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Welcome to flight 2023! To be prepared to take off into the new year, we need to be sure we have a positive attitude and be filled with gratitude. If we don’t have a positive attitude, we need to get on our knees and ask God to change us.

I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

All destructive self pity, feeling sorry for ourself, anger, selfishness, pride, resentment, negativity, hurt, and discouragement needs to be put away. God doesn’t want us to enter the new year with a negative attitude. We won’t glorify God if we have a negative attitude. A person who has a negative attitude always worries. God says to cast all your care on him and continually instructs us to lay all our cares on him. A person with a negative attitude complains, whines, nothing suits them, and they don’t find any joy. They’re often addicted to news that make them feel bad. God wants us filled with his good news. Negative people are easily offended and have lots of drama in their life. God doesn’t want us to complain or find fault.

Everyone will have suffering this new year. Suffering: anything that hurts or irritates, a trial or tribulation, distress, pain, harm, loss, or grief. The word says, all that live godly shall suffer persecution. The scripture says “after that ye have suffered a while.” There are benefits in suffering. It causes us to face things we have inside and might otherwise ignore so we can love and enjoy the Lord forever. Suffering helps us to be humble. Humility: to be lowly, being conscious of our defects and shortcomings, to feel unimportant, to make modest or lowly in condition. God lets us suffer to prove what’s in our heart, and to keep us humble so we rely on him and enjoy his benefits. God let the Israelites suffer so they would look to him.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3…remember all the way which the Lord…led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not…that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord…

Suffering brings a lot of pains. We’ve heard the expression “no pain, no gain.” In the 1980s, hospital beds were manually raised and lowered. It was more difficult if a patient was heavy. In nursing school, Sister Edith suffered injury in her should from work and couldn’t use one arm normally so she went to a physical therapist. He said she’d need surgery or he work on the stiff, damaged area to restore her normal movement. She let him work on the area and it was very painful. Afterward she was whining, complaining, and feeling sorry for herself. She thought about not going back but took a pain pill and felt much better. As she did the exercises the therapist gave she found her arm had more range of movement. She kept going to therapy and completely recovered the use of her arm. Spiritually there is pain in suffering but it results in us enjoying God’s benefits. We should ask God to help us learn from our suffering. Suffering helps us to help others and helps our attitude.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

We can count suffering as joy because we’re going to learn something. We learn patience and let it have it’s perfect work. Patience: capacity to accept and tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. The quality of being patient as we bear provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain without complaint, irritation, or loss of temper. Hebrews 10:36 says, “ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” God is telling us to let patience have her perfect work. We’re responsible. Stress is an opportunity rather than a hindrance. When we’re stressed or feelings out of whack from what God wants, do we let patience work? Anger is a symptom of impatience. When you’re feeling stressed, you usually have impatience over an issue. Impatient is a symptom of our eyes being turned inward to our self because we’re not getting what we want. If we let patience have her perfect work, it helps us control ourselves to have longsuffering, forbearance, and endurance. Paul was patient but had to learn to be content in every situation. Are we letting patience work so we learn to be content in every situation? We’re strengthened with might so we can have all patience. We want to display godly characteristics. God wants our lives completely submitted to him.

Colossians 1:10-11…walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work…increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

To forebear is to have patience, self control, restraint, and tolerance. God wants us to have longsuffering and tolerance because everyone won’t act just like we do. God wants us to forebear in love. Let patience have her perfect work – it will produce the love of God. Our actions will be longsuffering, patient, and kind. Everything God does is for a reason. He wants to teach us patience so there’s a perfect work in every suffering. We have a choice to trust God or lean on ourselves or our feelings. Having patience is not optional. We may pout, worry, cry, be angry, or get depressed but God still commands patience. We have feelings but God doesn’t want us to go by feelings. We endure by letting patience have it’s perfect work.

I Corinthians 13:4-5 (Amplified, Classic) Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way…not self-seeking…touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done…pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

Job was perfect, upright, avoided evil, and loved God with all of his heart. He was greatest of all the men of the East and very wealthy. We’re all going to be tried and tested to see if we love God with all of our heart.

Job 1:1-3 There was a man…whose name was Job…was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses…the greatest of all the men of the east.

When all Job’s things and his 10 children were taken, he tore his clothes, shaved his head, then fell down to worship God. Do we fall down and worship God if we face suffering? Do we murmur, complain or find fault? Job didn’t blame people.

Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

We don’t have a choice if we’re going to suffer or not. We have a choice whether we trust God to handle situations. All suffering is to prove our heart and see what’s in it. Job chose to not curse God or sin with his lips when he was afflicted.

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife…Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said…Thou speakest as…foolish women speaketh…shall we receive good at the hand of God, and…not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Job’s friends accused him of sinning and he lost hope that he’d ever be better. The scripture doesn’t say “without hope, you can’t please God.” It says, “without faith, you cannot please God…” When Sister Edith was in nursing school, there was a wound being treated with maggots. Maggots only eat dead flesh. Instead of the doctor removing dead tissue, maggots did the job. This is still practiced in areas of the United States, Mexico, and others. Maggots cleaned Job’s dead flesh in his boils.

Job 7:4-6 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning…My flesh is clothed with worms and…dust; my skin is…loathsome.  My days are…spent without hope.

Job had faith to trust in God through the whole situation when he felt hopeless. Job didn’t have one friend but was determined he was going to serve God no matter what anyone else did. Job kept his faith regardless of circumstances.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 19:10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

Job 19:13-19 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged…kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They…in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife …Yea, young children despised me…All my inward friends abhorred me…whom I loved are turned against me.

Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job couldn’t see God anywhere but was sure God knew where he was. He knew God was trying him and he was going to serve God. He had to forebear in patience and with forgiveness even when family and friends condemned him.

Job 23:8-12…I go forward, but he is not there; and backward…On the left hand…but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand…he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold…his way have I kept …Neither have I gone back from the commandment…esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

God turned Job’s captivity when he humbled himself and prayed for his friends. God blessed Job with twice as much as he had before. When you endure your suffering and trials, you’re going to be blessed with a great ending!

Job 42:10-12…Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends…gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and…they that had been of his acquaintance before…and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought…Lord blessed the latter end of Job more…

We’re in a season where many people’s lives revolve around buying and giving gifts. As God’s children, we need to focus on the gift from the heavenly Father. He planned a long time for his gift. There were about 350 prophecies about Jesus coming. God comforted king Ahaz with the promise of a Savior and said to fear not.

Isaiah 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted…

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

God also reminded Joseph of that promise as he struggled in his mind about Mary having a baby. He said, fear not.

Matthew 1:20-23 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

God with us – such a gift and treasure! Sometimes we over look this. That gift has come to many in the Bible. God told king Ahaz take heed, be quiet, and fear not. God told Joseph fear not. The angels told Mary and the shepherds fear not. Jesus said fear not, only believe to a grieving father. Jesus told us, fear not little flock. These words bring us comfort and we don’t have to fear, no matter how many questions we have or how bleak or unsettled things may seem. Jesus came because it was prophesied and God doesn’t make promises that he won’t fulfill. Jesus came because of God’s love for us.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years so they must have been weary. They had a great victory against king Arad and the Canaanites. They went on after their victory but they got weary and were discouraged.`

Numbers 21:1-3 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

The people spoke against Moses and were not satisfied with the bread God gave them every day. They didn’t like what they were given so they were unthankful. The Israelites complained about the light bread – the manna. People become discontent and unthankful, even right in the services, so nothing will make them happy. God sent serpents that killed many of the people. God had previously protected them from the serpents and scorpions. When the serpents began biting the people, they asked Moses to pray for them. Moses, as a type of the Son of God, forgave them and prayed for them. Jesus said, pray for those who despitefully use you. Moses prayed for them over and over again that were despitefully using him as he led them through the desert. God said to make a fiery serpent to put up on a pole. If the people would believe and look at that serpent, they would live. It was there for everyone to see. If they refused to look at the serpent through unbelief, they died. It wasn’t hard but was simple! If you tried any other way, you would die. It’s the same way today. Follow God and his leader and you will live.

Numbers 21:4-7 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Jesus reminded the people about the story they knew about the Israelites. It is the same today. We’ll live and have an abundant life if we believe what God has said and look to the Savior.

John 3:15-17 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God didn’t ask people to do miracles or anything but to believe on Jesus as the Son of God and the messiah, and to follow his words. To believe, we adhere to and stick to what God has promised. We trust him and rely on him.

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:28-29 (Amplified Bible) Then they asked Him, What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God? Jesus answered, This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.

Jesus came from heaven purposed that he wasn’t going to do his own will, not his own feelings. He’s the same today.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Jesus came for life and for health. Even though he had a determination of purpose, he struggled with his will in the garden before he was crucified. He was ready to do the will of God. We face struggles when hard circumstances come even though we’ve purposed to do the Father’s will. As a young boy, Jesus was doing the Father’s will (Luke 2:49). He stayed in Jerusalem at the temple. In Clark’s commentary, some think my Father’s business should be my Father’s house. It was as if he was saying, where should a child be except in his Father’s house? He was trying to reassure Mary and Joseph that he was the messiah as God had told them. Maybe they needed to be reminded of who he really was. In our busy lives, maybe we need to be reminded of who Jesus really is. Mary often pondered “how can these things be?” Jesus thought and prayed about the Father’s will. God was drawing people to Jesus Christ as our example to teach us. God draws people to the Savior. Unless men are drawn, people won’t feel or have knowledge of their need. Drawing is not dragging them but they see God’s goodness and their needs so they feel the need to come. People aren’t forced to pay an offering but they want to. They’re drawn to God so they want to give their offering. James said, draw near to God and he will draw near to you. When a person begins to follow the drawing, God draws them to him and meets them.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The prodigal (wastefully extravagant) was in the hog pit and came to himself. He started remembering where he came from –how things were provided for him at father’s house and maybe about his mom’s pancakes. He thought he could go back to be a servant and just live with the servants. He remembered how his dad loved him and treated him good, even when he was disciplined. The son was confident in his father’s love. We have that same confidence when we come back and abundantly more than we could imagine. The father was willing to come close so we could come to him.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

There are rich rewards in serving God. The enemy tries to put blinders on us so God’s way looks too hard.

Psalm 22:1-4 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

The enemy says no one loves us and gives a bleak picture but he’s the Father of lies. God is on our side and he will help us.

Psalm 118:5-14 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

When blinders are on, we’ll only see the mountains as blocking our way and being too high to climb. David felt like God wasn’t there. We’ve all experienced that feeling but know that God will help us. There’s a great band of angels to encourage us. God will never leave us or forsake us. He will help us! Brother Rick was encouraged by remembering the song, A Mountain Climber (author unknown). Some of the lyrics are:

“What’s that up ahead? It looks like another mountain I must climb. Just one more of many mountains.

And just like all the others, It won’t trouble my mind.

As I stand here gazing up at the mountain, I know it will soon be left behind.

I’m a mountain climber, but I never climb alone.

There is one who is always with me, the way he has always shown.

Together we will take that mountain, though it seems to reach the sky.

This mountain will be conquered by the mountain climber and I.”

We have a reward that we are reigning as kings and priests with God on his throne. We can overcome like Christ did!

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

How can we have the glorious experience to sit with the Lord on this throne? We can because greater is he that is in us so we are able to overcome. We overcome evil with good when God comes into our hearts!

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Christ gave us a royal priesthood through his death. We walk in newness of life. We’re dead to sin so it has no power over us.

Romans 6:3-10 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed[a] from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

God gives us discipline and endurance in our lives. We have endurance like the turtle that raced the hare. We aren’t sprinting like the hare who lost the race. We have to be steady and endure so we can win this race. There’s a remnant who will stay in the narrow way and follow Jesus to win the race at the end. Many start but few are willing to endure hardness, to be misunderstood, and to suffer persecution like a good soldier. We have to swim against the stream of the world. It’s not easy being different from the crowd. Christ chose us to be soldiers, to not be entangled with the world’s affairs.

II Timothy 2:1-4 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

When God changes us, we go from the kingdom of darkness to the the kingdom of light. We need to maintain our experience of good works in our life and to be faithful to God.

Titus 3:1-8 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Jesus gave himself for us and made reservations for us in heaven when we’re saved. He wrote our name in heaven.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The first step is to having the benefits of serving God is to repent and be saved.

I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus…according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We have to stay faithful and not let any man take our crown. It’s up to us to not walk away from salvation but to hold fast!

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

There’s a lot of ugliness in our world today. Sin is rampant and lives are being destroyed. Nations are in turmoil and people are affected globally. People are inventing things to give them hope and comfort, and to feel better that only last a short time. God wants to use the Church of God to help people who are searching for God.

Psalm 48:1-2 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

To some people, God is dead. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche saw society was moving away from God or killing God in their lives when he said,

“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”

You can never kill God because he is eternal and relevant for all periods of time. Relevant means to be current, right, and appropriate for the circumstances and what is being done or considered. God wants to use us at the Church of God in that relevancy. God is relevant for everything going on in the world because he created the world. He knows how we work and think. He created the people so he knows how the mental and emotional things in people function. He cares for us and created mankind specifically to have relationship with him. He wants the Church of God to be instrumental in helping people find that relationship and to see he is relevant to them. The Church of God is composed of those who are saved. God wants the Church of God to be highly visible so people can see him helping us and active in our life situations. How is the Church of God beautiful for situation? He is beautiful for situation in our words, our lives, and our works.

The Church of God is beautiful for situation through our words. God wants us to have wholesome words that convey hope, encouragement, truth, uplifting and not tearing, that are controlled or bridled to speak good, godly words at the right time.

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

God wants to us to use words that other people can understand. In the scripture he was talking about using another language but it also means the words we use.

I Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

There are a lot of slang words that are used by people in the world. We have to be careful when we use slang words. For example, Are you lit? To young people today, the slang “Are you lit?” means to be really crazy drunk. God wants us to put biblical terms into every day simple language for talking to people. The young people in the audience gave examples of simple language as follows: God – the creator of all things. I Am – the name God called himself shows his nature of always being. Sin – bad actions and feelings that are against God. Conviction – a personal belief or when you believe strongly in something. Jesus, the Son of God – he died for our sins and was sent by God as his Father to live for all man and show it’s possible to live through him and please God. Devil – the Greek name means slanderer. He was created by God and presents situations to separate us from God. Salvation – when you realize you are doing wrong, then you apologize and promise to do right with God’s help. Born again – starting over new. Sanctification – choosing to stop doing wrong because you want to love God all the way and fully devote yourself to God. Heaven and hell – life is a path that leads to 2 places. Heaven – your reward for living right and Hell – the punishment for not living right. Lukewarm – to not care, it’s like lukewarm food and you don’t want it. Holy Ghost – the angel on your shoulder telling you to do the right thing. Christian – to live like Christ. When we speak about God, we’re here to lift up Christ so people see and have hope through him. The philosphy of Nietzsche produces death. Our words about Christ lift up life.

I Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Church of God is beautiful for situation and it is relevant through the way we believe? We show God is real and show the church as a city set on a hill and set apart so it is visible for everyone to see. False Christianity talks a lot but doesn’t live like the Bible teaches. God speaks to people’s hearts but  he also talks to people by the way we live. God’s grace is unmerited favor and is shown in what he has done in our life and his favors to us.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

God wants us to be real, not putting on a cloak of religion that doesn’t really show who we are. If we’re only showing the happy – good side of our life, it can be discouraging and seem unattainable. Life is a series of ups and downs and it can be messy. It’s good for family and friends to see us going through messy situations in life and see that God helps us.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Church of God is beautiful for situation through our works. The Church of God has been beautiful for situation throughout time. The Israelites were traumatized by the Egyptians for hundreds of years but God delivered them. He brought them out and when the sea covered the soldiers that chased them, that was the end. God gave them societal structure through the law because it was appropriate for their time and they needed it after what they just came out of.  God brought the Messiah after God had not shown himself to them for 400 years. It was what the people needed at that time. Jesus brought healing and teaching about his love that was appropriate for that time. What are we doing now to be appropriate for our time and what is God telling us? Peter was prepared by God for an outreach to the Gentiles. There was a teaching about the Jews not mixing with the nations around them. They had taken the law a step further to not have any contact with those around them. God was asking Peter to change something he’d been doing that was like a personal conviction in his way of observing the Jewish law. God wanted him to change something about himself. Peter was astonished and thought God was asking him to go against God. When God shows us things, it might even be a little different than what we’re used to. Trust God to do what he shows you because he won’t lead you astray.

Acts 10:11-15 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And…a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake…What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Every one of us has had a bad day when things didn’t go right but God can help us have thanksgiving every day.

II Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

There are many things we don’t think about that God has blessed us with. If you aren’t grateful, you need a perspective change. You need to get your eyes off the bad situation and on the Lord. What are you allowing to steal your thanksgiving on a bad day? God doesn’t want us to be complaining and finding fault. When there’s a gap between expectations and reality, you’ll complain if you’re not using temperance so you have control of your tongue, your mind, and your actions. The devil wants you to murmur and complain when you have a bad day. Research shows that complaining will rewire your brain to be negative at a neurological level so you’ll be a negative person. Is complaining a sin? Paul said we should turn away from some things. We can’t take unthankfulness out of the list and normalized so it’s alright with God.

Philippians 2:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

We need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. To do so, we must have temperance. Temperance helps us control our feelings, minds, and tongues. To be blameless and harmless we need to work out our salvation so we’re not murmuring and complaining. We’ve all murmured and complained at some time. Were we blameless and harmless when we did that? When Jesus was praying in the garden, he didn’t want to go to cavalry but he said “not my will, but thine, be done.” The devil has access to our natural feelings. But God wants us to have control of our feelings and minds, not under control of the devil. Gratitude, thanksgiving, and contentment are perspectives of how we’re looking at things. It’s a mindset. Paul said he learned to be content in every thing and to give thanks. God wants us to have a thankful heart and not dwell on bad situations. We don’t give thanks for an accident we’re in or if the house burned down, but because we’re looking to God, know he has control, and are giving thanks in the circumstance.

I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

When we have a bad day, it’s good to think that God is holding our hand and will help us. You can hold onto your own scripture from God’s word for those times. First God says, fear not. He has control of every situation.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Unthankful people feel entitled, want things immediately, and don’t want to be told no. God says “no” sometimes. Often unthankful people haven’t worked for anything. Many times they consume too much media. They don’t give any time to help others. They never hold themselves accountable but blame everyone else (family, friends, government) for their wrong decisions. They have no mercy, compassion, forgiveness, or gratitude. In Matthew 18 a servant was forgiven by his master for a debt equivalent to $16,420,000 today, but then wouldn’t forgive another servant who owed him about $15 so he had him thrown in jail. We’ve all been forgiven a huge debt. We need to willingly forgive everyone. Unthankful people hold grudges but God wants us to forgive like he does. We aren’t born with a positive attitude and thanksgiving. We have to learn to practice being thankful every day. Unthankful people don’t practice emotional discipline but let negative thoughts and feeling take over their mind. It’s our responsibility to bring all our thoughts into captivity and give thanks to God.

II Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

When Job had everything taken away, he said “blessed be the name of the Lord.” We can’t normalize being ungrateful. It’s never ok to be unthankful. Science shows a grateful attitude reduces stress, anger, greed, and envy. It improves relationships, energy, sleep, and overall health. You aren’t stressed because you’re thankful. We have emotions but we have to come boldly to the throne of grace to help us control them in the right way. Unthankfulness will come out when you get angry. Feelings come but we have to come boldly to the throne of grace in prayer for God to help us have victory to face situations without exploding. God was angry with the Israelites when they complained. We need to take it to heart when God says do all things without murmuring and complaining. We won’t be shining as lights if we’re complaining.

Numbers 11:1-2 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.

The Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years as slaves most of the time. The men married Egyptian women during that time. They were asked to divorce them. The Israelites began complaining and lusting because the Egyptians were lusting.

Numbers 11:4-6 And the mixt multitude…among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing…beside this manna…

If people in the world are lusting, we shouldn’t be lusting for the things they want. The Israelites’ thinking got distorted about how it was in Egypt when they lusted. They said they could eat freely but they really had to serve with rigor or in hardship.

Exodus 1:11-14 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities…But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made…Israel to serve with rigour…made their lives bitter with hard bondage…

Pharaoh took away the straw to make bricks so the Israelites had to get it themselves. It took time to get the straw but they had to make the same amount of bricks or they were beaten. They forgot they were miserable in Egypt.

Exodus 5:7-9 Ye shall no more give the people straw…as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the…bricks, which they did make heretofore…ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men…and let them not regard vain words.

Lust is strong desire, craving or over desire. A person’s mind is distorted if they start lusting for the world after they’re saved.

James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

When Moses asked to let the people have a feast and sacrifice in the wilderness, Pharaoh said they were lazy.

Exodus 5:17-18 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord. Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

People forget how miserable it was in sin when their mind is distorted. Pharaoh gave an order to kill the baby boys when they were born. There was nothing helpful and without grief in Egypt. When the Israelites complained about manna and wanted flesh to eat, God sent a wind with enough quail for a month. They were 3 feet deep and 24 miles around the camp. Each person had 475 pounds to gather and prepare so they stood for 2 days. Lust makes you do things that aren’t ordinary.

Numbers 11:19-23 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the Lord …have wept…saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? And Moses said, The people…are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Jesus words were always encouraging, unless he was talking to the Sadducees and Pharisees who were making trouble. Today we’re considering how Jesus referred to himself, how he responded to people, how he had compassion on people, and how he corrected and advised people. Can we be more like Christ in our answers to people?

John 4:6-7 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Jesus said, I AM he in these scriptures which must have reminded and convicted the Jews of what God said.

John 4:25-26  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 18:3-5 Judas then, having received a band of men…from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come…went forth, and said…Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith…I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Jesus said, YES. Bartimaeus brought a specific request to Jesus and he said, yes.

Mark 10:46-52 And…as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus…sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus…he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal…And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying…Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered…him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

The man was born blind so God could be made known. Jesus is the light of the world and we can follow the light.

John 9:1-5 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus didn’t berate Martha. He just said there was one thing that was needful. Jesus dealt kindly with Martha.

Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving…said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered…Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Jesus told the young man that there was one thing he needed to do. He only asked one thing but the man chose wrong.

Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Jesus told the disciples to take heed to not be seduced from following him. Give serious attention to advice and warnings!

Matthew 24:3-13 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And…the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered…Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars…be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Jesus said be of good cheer, take heart, take courage, be happy, and in the words of James, “count it all joy.”

John 16:29-33 His disciples said…Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh…that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy;Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Jesus said be of good cheer because he was on the way to help them. Jesus will help us in the midst of our storm.

Matthew 14:24-27 But the ship was…tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea…the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake…saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Jesus said, Fear not. He paused to heal a woman as he was went to heal Jairus’ daughter. Jesus showed how we lose nothing when we wait for the Lord. We profit while we wait by learning more faith, patience, and longsuffering.

Luke 8:41-42…there came a man named Jairus…he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying…

Luke 8:49-50 While he yet spake, there cometh one…saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 8:54-55 And…took her by the hand…saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway…

We’re the little flock and Jesus will take care of us. We don’t have to fear.

Luke 12:22…Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

Luke 12:30-34 For all these things do the nations…seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all…shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…treasure in the heavens that faileth not…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Jesus said, I came not to judge. He gave this message to all people and didn’t hold them off because of their decisions. When we’re struggling with a decision, Jesus wants us to keep trying. He won’t be harsh with us.

John 12:46-47 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Jesus offered hope to the woman caught in adultery, not condemnation.

John 8:10-12 When Jesus…saw none but the woman, he said…Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus said not a word.

Mark 15:2-5 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

What did the disciples say? They rebuked those who brought little children to Jesus. They said of the hungry crowd, “Send then way.” They had today’s equivalent of $145 to buy food. Jesus wanted to feed them.

Mark 10:13-14 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Mark 6:35-37…his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go…into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered…Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

Peter didn’t know what he was saying when he wanted to build three tabernacles.

Luke 9:33-35…Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake…a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared…And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Peter asked what another man should do but Jesus didn’t want Peter worrying about what someone else was doing.

John 21:21-22 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, I f I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Thomas was full of doubt.

John 20:25-28 The other disciples therefore said…We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas…then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered…My Lord and my God.

We respond as the disciples when mothers respond to their children with harsh, unkind words; when we have an attitude that another person is not important enough for us; when we don’t care about the needs of the multitudes; when we cover our guilt by casting doubt about another; when controlled by our doubt we won’t be a part if things aren’t done like we want. We affect those we speak to and those who are listening. It affects souls and our testimony.

Be an encourager. Say, Be of good cheer, take heart, take courage, be happy, and say “Yes.”

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Christ chose us and will take care of us through everything he chooses for us to go through.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.