Honor GOD 2 Moral Issues

Honor God 2 Moral Issues

Note: all images pixabay.com unless noted otherwise

‘”The Law of GOD” is archaic, unrealistic, inhibits my freedom and is childish.’ If this is what you think you are not a Christian. You cannot claim Christ and shun GOD at the same time. While Jesus Christ fulfilled the penalty for all sin (even ours) His sacrifice did not abolish The Law. Cultural and language distortions have confused people (especially modern people) but GOD has not changed: The Holy Character of GOD remains intact.

You honor GOD by living by the moral standard that is revealed in the Bible.

Do not disregard a clean life and responsible stewardship in all things for these things please and honor GOD.

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Jesus)

GOD is Holy and the standard by which holiness is judged.

1 Peter 1:16 ESV

Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Understanding our position with respect to GOD

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Therefore we honor GOD when we conform to what GOD requires; it is not for our own pleasure that we exist.

SONG: When I Look Into Your Holiness

Song: Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty – Hymn (Lyrics) – LATRIA worship songs

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Honor GOD 1 The First Commandments

Happy Fourth of July

Honor GOD 1 The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:36-38 ESV

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

NOTE: Various religious traditions list the ten commandments in different order; if that is important to you visit this link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments

The first four are about the relationship GOD has with humans (us) and we with GOD (summed up in The Greatest Commandment above):

Ten Commandments – images from pixabay.com

Exodus 20:1-17 ESV

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (edits by me)

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. . . .
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. . . . .

You will note that these four edicts are directly coming from GOD.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. **“Moses receiving the Ten Commandments”** New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/b0d728c0-e148-0132-1904-58d385a7bbd0

Most examples of attempted human interaction with a god is people trying to get the attention of a god or gods. The one true GOD came to us because we are unable to approach a holy GOD and there is nothing in and of our selves that can please GOD without GOD assisting us: The guidance found in The Word of GOD is our guide.

Matthew 15:8-9 ESV

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Do not worship falsely or with an empty heart.

Accept Jesus in your heart

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

When we obey GOD, follow The Word of GOD we HONOR GOD: This does not erase our sin nature (accepting Jesus can only do that); works cannot save us – but it honors GOD when we do good; Worship and Praise Honors GOD but does not save us. When we please GOD we honor GOD. As a Christian Honoring GOD gathers rewards in heaven.

SONG: For The Honor | Live | Elevation Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiI0xHAonxY

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Prayer

Let us Pray

Our local church is a praying church: we meet to pray, alert one another to new prayer requests and keep an extensive prayer list updated weekly. Prayer is a vital part of who we are.

Jesus prayed and taught others to pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

From QUORA.com

“The word “prayer” is mentioned 132 times in the Bible (KJV) in the following verses: 2 Samuel 7:27. 1 Kings 8:28 (twice)Nov 30, 2018”

PRAYERS OF JESUS:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayers_of_Jesus

SONG:”When We Pray” – Tauren Wells (Lyrics)

https://youtu.be/GlGuh-zT84Q

Another reference about praying: https://jesusalive.cc/ques204.htm

Coming in July: Honoring GOD

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Repetition can Yield Something New

Repetition yields something new or reinforces what we know

Why attend Bible studies all your life? Why read through the Bible again and again? Why go to Sunday School even when you are in your “Golden Years”? BECAUSE IN LIFE WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW IS ALWAYS CHANGING. Rereading scripture yields truths that apply to “THE NOW” many times – we may have missed the message when we first read that part of scripture. We may believe we have learned all we will ever need to know about GOD and our Christian Faith but have we? Can we?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Our minds will be filled with something.

The cliche about computers, “Garbage in; garbage out”, applies to our brains as well. Renewing GODS Word will diminish our weaknesses with regard to temptations; help us avoid sining; enable us to be a better example to others.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

We also learn how to minister to others better.

As we mature In Christ we will discover younger (in Christ and perhaps age) Christians will look to us for guidance, leadership and as an example. Knowing more allows us to be better mentors, teachers and ministers. Being a Christian is a dynamic undertaking.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

SONG: Michael W Smith The Heart of Worship Video with Lyrics

https://youtu.be/HeAwBmb_x28

Coming in July: Honoring GOD

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Dreams, Visions and Voices

Holy Spirit as a Dove – image pixabay.com

SONG: Twila Paris – I Will Listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUnk1td2sQU

General revelation (creation) suggests to most people GOD as the creator. The Bible Christians use is a special form of revelation:

1) Holy Spirit inspired writings,

2) GOD generated visions and dreams,

3) Angelic visitation and,

4) GOD’s spoken voice.

Let us look at an example of each:

1) Holy Spirit

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

2) GOD generated visions and dreams

Genesis 37:5-8 ESV

Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Full-page miniature with four scenes” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-e9b4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Small miniature of John and full-page miniature of the First Vision” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-eca0-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

⁵Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. ⁶He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: ⁷Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” ⁸His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

Acts 16:9 ESV

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

3) Angelic visitation

Luke 1:19 ESV

And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

4) GOD’s spoken voice

1 Samuel 3:10 ESV

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

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Evil Redux

Yes I wrote about evil before however, I thought it worthwhile to reiterate aspects of this seemingly ubiquitous aspect of life. If we just focus on The Ten Commandments and select those that instill an immediate threat to humans we should gain a bit more insight concerning evil. So, if I avoid debating social or cultural dilemmas head on cool heads may allow why sin is the source of evil. When GOD created the Heavenly Hosts they misused their Free Will as humans eventually had done later on when they were created. Satan and his demonic supporters fell from grace and influenced, and still influence, humanity: tempting us to give in to our sin nature thus perpetuating the influences of evil upon our world.

Isaiah 5:20 ESV

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Self defense, defending good, defending your family may lead to killing because there is little choice; possibly self sacrifice if it can do good is possible, but:

Ten Commandments – images from pixabay.com

Exodus 20:13 ESV

“You shall not murder.

Rather than go through every possibility in a short blog I will point out how two more sins cause evil to linger on the Earth.

1. Untruth: lies, omission, deception, manipulation . . . These cause the innocent harm; rob the innocent of what is theirs; encourages and enables a perpetrator to continue in these sinful ways. 2. Greed: How much does a person really need of anything? If a selfish person acts greedily innocent people loose out: food, clothing, healthcare, . . . . . employment doing honorable work.

Left Out of Prosperity – image pixabay.com

There is no such thing as a victimless crime according to the Laws of GOD. Jesus paid for sin and fulfilled the penalty for sinning but He did not do away with GOD’s standards and definition for sin.

Accept Jesus’ sacrifice and gain eternal life.

SONG: I WILL FEAR NO EVIL / Worship Song by Pastor Daryl K Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ChhXg8E-k

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Christ has Risen and Lives in Heaven – images from pixabay.com

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Free Will

Is Free Will an Illusion?

We go about our lives thinking we are deciding what to do, where and when to go; what to eat; who to marry; what job to take. Yet when any of these decisions turn out negative our minds may go into overdrive attempting to figure out what happened (a consequence of free will?). Philosophers have wrestled with this question for a long time and I myself confronted baffling outcomes to my choices. First, GOD blessed us with free will and had also blessed the angles with free will resulting in some rebelling introducing evil to creation.

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

God does not allow Satan (a fallen angel) free reign:

Job 2:3 ESV

Satan
Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library. “Then Los & Enitharmon knew that Satan: is Urizen.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 26, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47db-b5e1-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

If you read Job you will see a great struggle because with permission Satan tormented Job and still he held up to the onslaught.

Job:
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Job Conversing with His Friends” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 26, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c26b7a20-64a3-0133-111b-00505686a51c

I Surrender – Hillsong Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7jXASBWwwI

Job 42:16 ESV

And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations.

Bottom line: GOD gave free will because when we choose GOD it is on our own accord not a forced choice.

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Why Character Matters

In some places in the world trust is a rare commodity. It is difficult to trust leaders, police, military, neighbors or even friends. When you need something people in these palaces are never sure they are getting what they are paying for or, they expect that in order to receive the correct goods or services they often must be prepared to bribe someone.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Our Society Honors Success Often Above All Else

We often value people with more material success more than others. This can lead to tolerance of sin, evil and abuse of less privileged people.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

As Christians we know our salvation does not depend on earthly things so we should focus on our future in heaven

Luke 12:33 ESV

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

Song: My Reward video by Ronald Nard feat vocalist, the awesome Jermia Cannon. This video put’s a visual perspective to the song. “My Reward” is in Heaven. Lead by Jermia Cannon and background vocals by Kacy Harvey & Sound Of Praise.

https://youtu.be/i6I2m-Djn0s

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Palm Sunday

Hosanna on the Highest

The Hebrews welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday because they thought He was about to become a conquer and a king in a way that would throw off the rule of Rome. The people hoped for this although Jesus arrived as a Prince of Peace.

John 12:12-19 ESV

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. …

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) – Paul Baloche (Best Worship Song with Lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAaQ5EEXidc

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Always Do Not Grow Weary Doing Good

The Bible in Your Language: https://www.twr360.org/

Support Christians under persecution: https://www.persecution.com/

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Ravaged Places – images from pixabay.com

You may grow very tired saving people, feeding people or attending to those who are ill but this “weary” is not about our need to get physical rest. This “weariness” a mental (or even spiritual) tiring that may lead one to abandon the “good work”. No we are not collecting points to enter heaven we have eternity with GOD by what Jesus has accomplished when he shed His blood and paid for sin by dying on The Cross.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The good works demonstrate the love of god and our gratitude for our salvation.

James 2:14-17 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

SONG:He who began a good work in you – Steve Green (With Lyrics) Philippians 1:6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNjZlHARnEk

Go now and show the Love of GOD minister to those in need and when the ask why say,”Because God Loved Me When I was Yet Lost.”

Romans 5:8 ESV

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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Honor God 2 Moral Issues

Do not disregard a clean life and responsible stewardship in all things for these things please and honor GOD.

Matthew 5:17 ESV

GOD is Holy and the standard by which holiness is judged.

1 Peter 1:16 ESV

Understanding our position with respect to GOD

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Therefore we honor GOD when we conform to what GOD requires; it is not for our own pleasure that we exist.

SONG: When I Look Into Your Holiness

Song: Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty – Hymn (Lyrics) – LATRIA worship songs

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Happy Fourth of July

Honor GOD 1 The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:36-38 ESV

The first four are about the relationship GOD has with humans (us) and we with GOD (summed up in The Greatest Commandment above):

You will note that these four edicts are directly coming from GOD.

Matthew 15:8-9 ESV

Do not worship falsely or with an empty heart.

Accept Jesus in your heart

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

SONG: For The Honor | Live | Elevation Worship

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Let us Pray

Jesus prayed and taught others to pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

SONG:”When We Pray” – Tauren Wells (Lyrics)

Coming in July: Honoring GOD

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Repetition yields something new or reinforces what we know

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Our minds will be filled with something.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

We also learn how to minister to others better.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

SONG: Michael W Smith The Heart of Worship Video with Lyrics

Coming in July: Honoring GOD

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Dreams, Visions and Voices

SONG: Twila Paris – I Will Listen

General revelation (creation) suggests to most people GOD as the creator. The Bible Christians use is a special form of revelation:

1) Holy Spirit inspired writings,

2) GOD generated visions and dreams,

3) Angelic visitation and,

4) GOD’s spoken voice.

Let us look at an example of each:

1) Holy Spirit

John 14:26 ESV

2) GOD generated visions and dreams

Genesis 37:5-8 ESV

Acts 16:9 ESV

3) Angelic visitation

Luke 1:19 ESV

4) GOD’s spoken voice

1 Samuel 3:10 ESV

Share this blog with someone you know.

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Evil Redux

Isaiah 5:20 ESV

Exodus 20:13 ESV

Rather than go through every possibility in a short blog I will point out how two more sins cause evil to linger on the Earth.

There is no such thing as a victimless crime according to the Laws of GOD. Jesus paid for sin and fulfilled the penalty for sinning but He did not do away with GOD’s standards and definition for sin.