Lessons for such a time as this:

Praise the LORD!!!
   A little twist in the normal posting of "Lessons for such a time as this." Bringing it here to reach an extended audience(I guess, just doing as led :{))) ) "Reftagger" is functional here, so it's possible that you can mouse-over to expand references!?!
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Lessons for such a time as this:

Christian Activity(Application of scriptures)

Many statements in Scripture indicate that the Bible is given to us for more than satisfying our curiosity about what God is like, what He has done in the past, or what He will do in the future. Its intended impact on lives is seen in that the Bible convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), regenerates (2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23), nurtures (2:2), cleanses (Ps. 119:9; John 15:3; 17:17; Eph. 5:25–26), counsels and guides (Ps. 119:24, 105), prevents sin (v. 11), renews (vv. 50, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156), strengthens (v. 28), sustains (vv. 116, 175), gives wisdom (vv. 98, 130, 169), and delivers (v. 170).

The Scriptures are called a fire, to consume false teaching (Jer. 23:29); a hammer, to shatter people’s hard hearts (v. 29); food, to sustain one’s soul (Ps. 119:103; Jer. 15:16; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:13–14; 1 Peter 2:2); a light, to guide our paths (Ps. 119:105); and a sword, for offense against Satan (Eph. 6:17; cf. Luke 4:4, 8, 12). In Psalm 119 the psalmist used many verbs to speak of his response to God’s Word: walk according to, keep, obey, follow, trust in, seek out, delight in, meditate on, consider, rejoice in, see, understand, hope in, teach, speak of, remember, not forget, not forsake, not depart from, not stray from, not turn from, believe in, consider, long for, love, stand in awe of, tremble at, sing of, and choose.

Having been born again by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), believers are to grow in the Lord by the same means—God’s Word (2:2). In application, then, we are concerned about relating the Bible to life today. This involves seeing how the Bible, written to initial audiences thousands of years ago, relates to audiences today—and how we should respond to it. Do the Scriptures have relevance for today, and if so how is that relevance determined? What is the significance of the Bible to us? How do we determine how we should respond?

- from: Campbell, D. K. (1991). Foreword. In C. Bubeck Sr. (Ed.), Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth (pp. 280–281). Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook.
- via Logos 6

#lessonsforsuchatimeasthis #christjesus #theword #studyscripture #god #biblestudy #bible #jesus #faith #dailydevotions #devotional   #holyspirit  #bookexcerpts  #vineofchristministries



Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!! Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org GOD bless and good day, Rev. Marshall Barth Vine of CHRIST Ministries Vine Ministerial Network International

4.10.10_Phil. 1:14-18c_Broadcasting

   Praise the LORD!!!

    Phil. 1:14-18c

    14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.  15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.  16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.b  18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true,

   What are your reasons for preaching CHRIST?  Are they one of the reason listed here in these verses that Paul is talking about during his time of imprisonment? For it was during this time that a greater number of people began to reach out and spread the GOSPEL. Though for some their reasons weren't truly that honorable.

   We have those that have seemingly been emboldened by Paul's imprisonment, to reach out to others in the name of JESUS. Those that have become zealous due to his tribulations. Seeking to over come the enemies of the GOSPEL in shear numbers, instead of allowing the jailing of a single man to bring it's spread to a halt. This is something we may need to see happening in times to come, if there is no pre-tribulation rapture! For when the saints begin to be persecuted for the faith(which we're beginning to see even today), we will need to stand up in mass and overwhelm the enemies of the faith. The Christian church in China has grown tremendously during it's persecution. From meer  thousands in the public churches, to several million in the underground church. I've heard firsthand reports from ministers of these churches and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT is moving among them as HE did on the day of Pentecost! Yes, with signs and wonders, unlike anything we see in the majority of churches in the free world.

   Are you preaching the GOSPEL out of envy or rivalry? Just because someone else is doing it and they're having GOD move within their life unlike anything you've every seen. You may wonder why anyone would do this, but there are those out there that have gone into ministry, not because they're called of GOD to do so, but because they're covetous of that which others have been blessed with. Look at all the multi-million dollar ministries out there and mega churches, that seem to be growing larger and larger everyday. Yet, in these the quality of discipleship has gone down, if you even see it, and it all has become about the numbers. We're not told to go out and spread the GOSPEL to see how many we can enlist into our church. But we're told to make disciples out of those that we have introduced to JESUS! How many people get lost in the masses of people within the multiple services of these mega churches? Never growing to much more then a babe in CHRIST, let alone becoming mature enough to go out and bring others into the fold.

   What should be the primary reason for spreading the GOSPEL? Plain and simply the fact that JESUS told us to do so. Yes, it is great to be zealous in doing so, but we each should be willing to go out and tell others about JESUS all the time. Not just when trouble begins to pound at our doors(more on this later.) Our calling is to fulfill the "Great Commission" in every way possible. Not because we want to be famous or add 'notches' to our Bibles, because we've added another convert. We must be willing to not only convert these people, but able to raise them up to maturity or at least, have those around us that can do so. It is best to be able to do this yourself though, for in this it means that you yourself are mature enough to be solid in your faith. It is kind of strange that we're more likely to be so zealous when we're new converts, that we can't wait to tell others about the LORD, then we are when we've matured(this may be another devotionals topic!)

   There seems to be a little something missing here doesn't there? Yes there is! It is the next part of the last verse. for this is what else makes our preaching or witnessing worth while. I've used this verse in several other areas of these devotionals, for other reasons, but maybe none are as important as this one here.
                      18(d,e) "Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

   The major reason for spreading the GOSPEL is because we're telling others about the wonderful and free actions that GOD preformed for us. Simply because HE loves us so much that HE was willing to go to the extremes to save us from an eternity of suffering. Who have you told today about the grace JESUS has lavished on you?




Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
For more written by me, visit: "Blogs from the Vine"

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International