Who Are We To Judge?

Have you ever misjudged the behavior or character of someone only to discover later that you were wrong? Or have others misjudge you? 

Whether we are the victim or the perpetrator of such an action the result is the same; an injury to the soul.

Human beings, by our very nature, are incapable of judging others fairly.

We are not omniscient.

We do not have the ability to see all fragments of a person’s life and actions. There could be another side to most things and people which we usually are unable to see, or refuse to because of our own prejudices.

The Pharisees judged JESUS for His fellowship with publicans and sinners and others they considered outcasts and a lesser class of people. While JESUS’ intention was to that he might bring these “unworthy” citizen hope and save them.

We have no way of knowing the true motive or reason for people’s actions.

Only GOD is omniscient and knows all things so GOD alone has the authority to judge all fairly.

We are not without fault.

We have our own imperfections and the very thing we condemn in others often exist in ourselves, and to an even greater measure. 

While we are busy looking at the fault in other people we are neglecting to care for own souls an leaving ourselves vulnerable to the work of the enemy.

“We have few excuses for others, many for ourselves; evils that seem monstrous in others are trifles in us. When looking at others, we use a microscope; at ourselves, we either shut our eyes or put on a veil. This dishonest dealing is very pernicious; this ‘covering of sin’ is destructive both of peace and progress.” Horatius Bonar (1808 – 1889)

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1

The Bible has much to impart to us about judging others and we ought to pay close attention – for our own sake as much as for that of our fellow man:

• “…with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?....First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
• “…condemn not, and you will not be condemned…”Luke 6:37
• You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. Romans 14:10
• You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1-3
• If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Galatians 6:1-6
• If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. James 4:11-12

“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.” – John Wesley (1703-1791)

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and our Father in Heaven. We thank YOU our LORD that though YOUR eyes are too pure to look on evil and cannot tolerate wrongdoing, yet YOU forgive us for our sin and arrogance in judging others. We thank and praise YOU that in YOUR omniscience by which YOU know EVERYTHING about us, YOU choose to be long-suffering and patient with our many shortcomings; YOU do not judge us as we ourselves deserve but instead extend abundant grace and mercy to us. Teach us, O LORD, to do onto others as we desire for ourselves; to see the gravity of our flaws and the magnitude of YOUR mercy so we understand grace for others. Thank you that your faithfulness remains great and YOUR mercy is new every morning. We praise YOU, and give honor to YOUR SON, our Redeemer whom YOU sent to save us, not to judge and condemn us! In HIS NAME we pray.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Our Good Shepherd, Our Defense

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT)

In his best-known hymn of praise, Psalm 23, Israel’s King David refers to the LORD as a Shepherd (Verse 1), which term symbolically makes David a sheep.

David knew sheep.

Before David became Israel’s King, He was his father’s lead shepherd for the family flock – he lived ate and slept with sheep and knew every aspect of their character.

By nature, sheep cannot survive on their own. They have limited survival instinct and must be supervised 24 hours a day. Every aspect of their care must be provided for by a shepherd.

Sheep need direction and protection.

Sheep must be herded to safe grazing pastures and watering holes and watched over while they eat and drink to forestall predator attacks; rescued from thickets and fences where they are inclined to get themselves caught; and taken into shelters from harsh weather. 

Without the shepherd’s help, sheep are unable to right themselves if they fall over onto their backs – they would remain kicking and struggling in that position until they either starve to death, or are killed by wild animals.

Sheep are the most defenseless of animals.

Sheep do not recognize their own helplessness and vulnerability making them easy targets for predators of all types. Sheep are inclined to stray from and sheep will blindly follow other sheep. 

This animal is a magnet for those with ill intent – their many weaknesses make them their own worst enemies. Sheep are always subject to danger and so must always be under the watchful eye of the shepherd.

GOD’s children are very much like sheep.

GOD, the Father knows all about His children’s sheep-like tendencies and has provided us with full protection under, JESUS CHRIST, without whom our spiritual survival would be in serious jeopardy!

• All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53: 6
• I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

In both the Old and New Testament, those for whom JESUS cares are symbolically “sheep.”  For these He has accepted the sacrificial responsibility of Shepherd, even unto death.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers states: He is the Shepherd who is ideally good, fulfilling every thought of guidance, support, self-sacrifice that had ever gathered round the shepherd’s name.

In CHRIST the Good Shepherd the children of GOD have total protection from spiritual ruin and earthly lack. He is our shelter from the storms of life, our protection from the fiery darts of the evil one, and our righteousness unto eternal life with the Father. 

Because we have the Good Shepherd to watch over us, we are no longer defenseless but able to do all things through His strength, and to the glory of the Father who loves us.  

                         

Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls 1 Peter 2:25

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father in Heaven. We thank and praise YOU for YOUR perfect and eternal love by which YOU have provided all that we need for life and godliness. Thank you, for the GOOD SHEPHERD who leads us to luscious meadows and quiet pools that satisfy and refresh us in the natural and the spiritual. Thank YOU for your WORD that promises peace and the assurance that YOU will keep us from straying off the path of righteousness. Thank YOU for protecting us from the attacks of the evil one and giving us a way of escape from temptation. Thank YOU that we are no longer lost and wandering defenseless sheep but have been rescued by the power of TRUTH and protected unto life everlasting. We praise YOU, and honor YOUR SON, our SHEPHERD and the GUARDIAN of our souls. In HIS NAME we pray.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Bless the LORD for His Benefits: Meditation on Psalm 103 – Conclusion

Psalm 103 outlines some of the benefits we enjoy from the LORD and tells us seven times to praise the LORD for His goodness.

Part one of our meditation covered verses 1-5. We see GOD as the Fountain of good things – GOD as Savior, Healer, Redeemer, and Provider.

GOD is also our Advocate and Judge who works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed" – verse 6

Often when innocent individuals suffer an injustice, the victim and others ask with bitterness and anger, “Where was GOD, when…?” At such times it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make the case that GOD was right there when we can’t explain satisfactorily why He didn’t intervene to stop the suffering.

But GOD is always there, and in His WORD He vows that the wicked will not go unpunished (Proverbs 21:11, Isaiah 13:11.) GOD always avenges wrongdoing against the innocent (Romans 12:10), and it is far beyond what the world can apply. Scripture tells us that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31. GOD’s justice might be slow by the world’s standards but it is sure.

GOD’s justice is also an eternal justice but in the here and now He works through the Body of CHRIST to provide aid and relief to the oppressed and victimized.

He reminds believers to continue to seek truth from his WORD – to not be dismayed by the wickedness and injustice we see everywhere but believe that He is Sovereign. What we don’t understand in this life we will in the next and we can trust GOD to fulfill His promises. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12.

The children of GOD ought to remain steadfast, not grow weary, and persevere in service with the compassion of CHRIST on the Father’s behalf. And like CHRIST, we forgive those who hurt us.

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" – verse 8

Our GOD in His Sovereignty, does exactly what pleases Him and so He is often gracious and merciful to those we may not think deserve it. To think about it, all of mankind, believers included, deserve GOD’s divine wrath to the fullest extent. Yet, He gives us time to repent and become new creatures through CHRIST’s atoning work on the cross.

However, there will be a day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly (2 Peter 3:7) but because patience and mercy are among GOD’s attributes, He withholds wrath, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). GOD’s preference is to extend grace, abundant love, and forgiveness.

GOD is prepared to forgive repeatedly since, "He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" – verse 14

Paul, the chosen Apostle of JESUS CHRIST and the author of two-thirds of the New Testament Bible, had this to say about his own struggle with sin, “I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15.

We are innately evil creatures – Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. We don’t know the extent of our own capacity for depravity, but our Creator does. GOD knows us better than we do ourselves and He has taken control.

GOD knows the exact number of years, days, hours and seconds that we will occupy on Earth and the exact moment we will die. For our journey here on earth GOD infuses us with His strength, righteousness through CHRIST, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Without these supernatural gifts, we could not fulfill our potential as children of GOD.

The Apostle Paul knew this about his own journey. He confessed to being a wretched man incapable of doing right on his own and expressed heartfelt gratitude for GOD’s continuing deliverance and daily intervention in his life: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25.

Psalm 103 does not come close to covering all GOD’s benefits to His children and creation as a whole – they are too numerous to list in any one place.

What this Psalm does is remind us that there are benefits to being loved by GOD and loving Him in return; that we ought always to remember this fact and praise GOD from the depths of our souls for it. 

All that we receive from the Father come with a measure of satisfaction that far outstrips what the world could ever offer – there is no earthly thing by which we could compare GOD’s care for us.

The Psalmist became so enthused and enraptured by it all that at the end he invites all of GOD’s creation to join him in praise – angels, the heavenly hosts, and all His works, in all places of his dominion. Verses 20-22

Bless the LORD, O my soul!!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our LORD and our GOD. YOU are the perfect Father whose care for YOUR own is without equal. We are so very grateful that although YOU are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, yet YOU are patient and longsuffering and continue to hold back the wrath we deserve and wait for us to accept YOUR offer of salvation and fully enjoy all of its wonderful benefits. We know Father that a day of judgement will come and we pray, in the NAME of JESUS that any who are still holding to the world’s deceptions will turn away and heed JESUS’ call to the weary and thirsty to come to HIM and be satisfied for all eternity. YOU have made the way, the work is finished at the cross, we have but to believe and receive, walk in the newness of life and know fully the width and length and height and depth of YOUR love so that we will always praise YOU, and honor YOUR SON, in whose NAME we pray.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Bless the LORD for His Benefits: Meditation on Psalm 103 – Pt. 1

The gospel message of CHRIST’s death on the cross and its significance to those who believe are beyond the ability of unregenerate people to comprehend. Scripture says that it as “foolishness to the perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the very power of GOD.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Yet, over time, as believers become at ease with our salvation, we ought to be careful not to allow the stresses of daily life to so consume our time and thoughts that we either cease to actively think about and meditate on the surpassing benefits of the message of the cross, or we sink into a haze of complacency and take them for granted.

Believers are the sole beneficiaries of life enrichment blessings that Almighty GOD has set aside solely for His children. These go far beyond anything this world has to offer and we ought not to take them lightly.

Psalm 103 describes some of the benefits that the children of GOD enjoy.             

The psalmist starts off by reminding us of our duty to praise GOD for what He does for us and not forget His goodness. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (Verses 1-2)

To actively think of the selfless ways in which our Father cares for us should prompt us to give GOD continuous and exuberant praise from the very depths of our souls. 

Verse 3 reminds us that GOD alone has the authority to and does forgive our iniquities and heal our diseases.

Our innate nature is sinful. Even post-salvation, our lives are sprinkled with sin. But God is faithful and just to forgive our sin again and again and to gift us with His righteousness. GOD also gave us the power of the Holy Spirit Who encourages us towards faithful confession and repentance for sin, to yield less to temptation, and choose paths of righteousness more often.

One of GOD’s NAMES is Yahweh Rophe, The Lord Who Heals. Healer is who GOD is and healing is what He does.  Even though we go to doctors and take prescribed medication, ultimately GOD decides on and performs the healing in our bodies. Our minds and emotions can also be sickened. We could fall prey to spiritual warfare that threaten our peace and steal our joy. Here too, our Father has healing authority to restore, and miraculously heal us

.

GOD heals both our physical pain and the spiritual forces of wickedness that threaten to keep our souls in bondage.

Verse 4 shows us how complete the Father’s healing is – He redeems our lives from the pit AND He crowns us with steadfast love and mercy.

Christians have been rescued from “pit” experiences – selfishness, pride, greed, idolatry, covetousness, sexual sin, addiction, darkness of the mind, etc. Whatever our personal “pit,” when we give our hearts to CHRIST JESUS and allow Him to be LORD of our lives, He lifts us out and presents us to the Father washed in His blood. Now we are spotless and pure, new creatures and children of GOD.

In addition, we can forever avail ourselves of the Father’s loving kindness, affection and compassionate care. He never leaves us, never abandons us, and is attendant to our every need. His mercy is “new every morning” to cover our every human weakness and failure.

GOD knows our thoughts from afar. Before we can stray off the path He has laid aside for us and begin to focus on our own agendas, He comes alongside us and carefully and gently redirects our focus to His plan and His truth. Our steps are ordered by the Father to give our lives purpose and value.

As our loving Father and caregiver, GOD satisfies us with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – verse 5.

Christians who live in first world regions have no real experience with or concept of hunger. For instance, the poorest in America can eat, even if it’s out of someone else’s dumpster and fewer than three times a day. We have grocery stores in our neighborhoods the size of several football fields and most have closets overflowing with clothing and shoes, a roof over our heads with soft beds to lie in at night, central air, two or more cars in our drive-ways, and money in the bank for annual vacations.

Additionally, we do not have to worry about bombs falling out of the skies and incinerating our children in their beds and no one tells us who to worship and how to worship.

These are all blessings from GOD and we sometimes take these good things for granted. We forget that it is by GOD’s grace and mercy that we have them and that He waits for us to bless Him for them, and to trust Him when we become vulnerable to losing any of them. We also bless Him and show that we trust Him when we share our resources generously with the less fortunate, and with no fear of not having enough if we give.

His NAME is Jehovah-Jireh, GOD our Provider.

To be continued…

 Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our LORD and our GOD. YOU are our loving and good, good Father by whose grace we are saved and whose mercy is new for us every morning. Thank you for YOUR loving kindness that is better than life and never runs out. Thank YOU for redeeming us from the pit of hell that is our past and giving us new life in CHRIST with special benefits YOU set apart for us, who are now YOUR children. Thank you for being our Provider and our Healer. Fill us, Father, with gratitude and let our praise never cease for the greatest gift of love that started it all.  Remind us by YOUR Holy Spirit of the width and length and height and depth of that love so that we will always bless YOU, our LORD, with all that is within us! 

We ask all things in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Children of GOD Go to Church – Conclusion

One who claims to be a Christian but consistently and deliberately disregard the authority of GOD’s WORD that the Family of GOD not neglect meeting together so as to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25), must pause and examine the sincerity of that claim.

There are no “Lone Ranger” Christians

A Christian is one who has accepted JESUS CHRIST for salvation – this means we heard the gospel, confessed our sins, and placed our faith and trust in JESUS CHRIST. At the moment we do this we are born into GOD’s Kingdom as His children.  

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1

While JESUS CHRIST is referred to as the only begotten SON of GOD, believers are referred to as children born into GOD’s family. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

In addition to becoming the Family of GOD through salvation, we also become members of the body of CHRIST – All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27.

To adequately function as both the Family of GOD and the body of CHRIST, we must grow and mature in our faith. We do this best when we are in relationship with other children of GOD, by becoming part of a local church.

Church life as the Body of CHRIST – the Church Universal

The body of CHRIST can only function properly if all of its “parts” are working together (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).

Our church attendance then must include “work” – active involvement in a ministry, one where we are using the spiritual gifts for which GOD has especially designed each of us (Ephesians 4:11–13.) Using our spiritual gifts is how the Family of GOD contributes to the health of the body of CHRIST and become more like CHRIST. It is also how we, individually, grow and mature spiritually:

• Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14
• Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15
• As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16

It is clear then that regular church attendance and active ministry involvement are key to fully experiencing the Christian life, to enjoying the abundant life that the Father designed for His children. Without the assistance and encouragement of other believers the Christian life will be a pale imitation of what GOD designed it to be – like chalk is to cheese. No comparison!

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 

Gifts to the body of CHRIST – 1 Corinthians 12

As the Body of CHRIST, we are the physical representation of Christ in this world. Since His ascension back to the Father, CHRIST's work in the world continues through those He has redeemed. The role of the Church is to demonstrate the love of GOD to the world in concrete ways.  

To this end, the Holy Spirit has imparted to us a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions (It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12:11.)

These spiritual gifts as seen in Scripture allow us to function as: apostles, prophets, teachers, those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages (or tongues.)

Most of us have a very good idea of what we are innately good at – and whatever that skill is it will translate into one of these functions. If we are uncertain of where we function best, we ask the LORD to lead us in how to best participate in our local congregation and bless others with our gift. He will reveal His specific purpose for us. We also seek the counsel of other believers and ask them to pray with and for us.

We can only feel completely fulfilled and grow spiritually when we function in our specific gift, and that gift, through us, will be the most useful to the Body of CHRIST.

“So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:31

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5

Weekly church attendance will not get us into heaven, neither will non-attendance keep us out of heaven. 

However, unless we are physically incapable because of disability, illness, geography – working or living in an isolated area where no church exists, etc., if we profess salvation, that we love GOD and His SON, we ought to be practical in our profession by being an active part of the Body and GOD’s Family. We find a church home and attend regularly.

If we are staying away from the church because of recent or past hurt feelings, we are doing ourselves and the Family a disservice. We are missing out on giving and receiving valuable spiritual nourishment – taking advantage of teaching/learning the WORD and its application to our lives, for instance.

Our brothers and sisters in the Family are saved but none of us are perfect. We make mistakes, we hurt people and people hurt us. The church is the place where we Christians take our emotional and spiritual maladies so we can be healed or be an instrument of healing. 

We are not of this world, and the world’s way of handling issues do not apply to, or work for us but leave us feeling dissatisfied and frustrated, and do not bring us any peace.

The children of GOD forgive one another!

We pray for each other so that we all can be whole.

We come together regularly to support, encourage and care for each other, like our Father has taught us to do!

“God has put the body together. . . .If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-26.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our LORD and our GOD, in YOUR great wisdom YOU choose to bring people together, not because of who we are but because YOU are Sovereign. YOUR authority, Father, is absolute. None can question what you are doing or why. YOU choose whomever YOU wish to save and place in YOUR Family with YOUR SON as our HEAD, the firstborn among the many. Fill us, Father, with wisdom and power and a desire to truly understand, as YOUR people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love YOU have for us to bestow such a favor on us. May we always strive also to better comprehend CHRIST’s love and His sacrifice on our behalf. Father it is so much more than our minds have the ability to take in fully, but may or love for YOU motivate us to keep trying and drive us towards fully accepting our role in the Family and the Body. Thank YOU for reminding us that we are the redeemed, that we represent CHRIST’s love to the lost and dying world, that we must never cease to care for and support each other, no matter the cost. Now all glory to GOD, who is able, through HIS mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to HIM in the church and in CHRIST JESUS through all generations forever and ever.

We ask all things in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Children of GOD Go To Church – Part 1

The first and chief need of our Christian life is fellowship with God; the second is fellowship with each other, and the church is the place where we the children of GOD are able to satisfy these needs together. At church we can fully enjoy and experiences being the family of GOD and the body of CHRIST.

What is the church?

The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, the English translation is “an assembly” –describing people, not a building. In the Bible, the word “church” describes the body of CHRIST. All people everywhere who have placed their faith in JESUS CHRIST for salvation make up the universal church body, of which CHRIST is the Head.

The local church as we know it today is a gathering of members of the universal church. We, the universal church, meet in a specific location (the church building) to worship GOD, pray and fellowship together.

Why does the church go to church?

We read about the first church in the Bible Book of Acts (2:42-47.) These believers had no designated church building but met in each other’s homes where they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42.) These new Christian believers met wherever they could at that time to pray, and for teaching and fellowship – what we now consider “going to church.” 

It is GOD’s will that His children assemble together regularly, both to fellowship and to do the work of the Kingdom.

The local church is the place where the children of GOD can actually live out being the family of GOD and the body of CHRIST simultaneously.

“…motivate one another to acts of love and good works…not neglect our meeting together,…encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Church life as the Family of GOD 

Scripture teaches us life-affirming ways to relate to each other as children of GOD. We can only learn about and practice these spiritual skills by regularly spending time together – it is how we can nurture and strengthen the spiritual bond and be effective members of GOD’s Family:

Worshiping our Father together with songs of praise –

• “…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” Ephesians 5:19. Like any parent would, GOD takes great delight in seeing and hearing His children demonstrate how much we love and appreciate Him. GOD is probably the only Parent who does not object to all His children talking to Him at the same time – it is His joy to have us worship and praise Him together and enjoy doing so with each other, as much as we are enjoying Him. 

Loving one another as our Father loves us –

• “..if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:12; Love each other with genuine affection… Romans 12:10. Healthy families love each another, regardless. The children of GOD ought to be the healthiest of families – genuinely loving even the most difficult members of our spiritual Family. No one who is in CHRIST stops being a part of GOD’s Family. He loves us all and we must choose to love as He does, doing all that we can, with His help, to encourage all in the Family to thrive and be an asset to our community and the Kingdom.

Sharing burdens and being a support in others’ suffering –

• “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality…Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:13 & 15. When one of GOD’s children is in trouble, all of GOD’s other children must rally around in support and provide any and all aid necessary for restoration - money, accommodation, advice, correction, sympathy etc. All that we need is in the Family – our Father is well able to and does provide.

Providing encouragement to sustain holy living and faithfulness to the Father –

• “You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 3:13. We are saved by CHRIST’s atoning blood but we are yet and always will be vulnerable to temptation to sin. As the Family of GOD, we are accountable one to the other – we remain alert to others’ spiritual weariness and other signals of a spiritual malaise. We come alongside with prayer and encouragement and reminders of the Father’s love and faithfulness. We do not lessen our efforts until the danger has passed. We cannot be shy about calling out or warning against back-sliding behavior. We are our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers.  

Serving and honoring one another –

• “…serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13. “…and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10. Families do for each other sacrificially, putting another relations needs above our own. In the Family of GOD, we give to our own hurt – time talent and resources. We tell our earthly children “don’t be selfish, “share” and “be nice” – our heavenly Father wants His children to do have the same care and concern for each other.

Instructing and receiving instructions from GOD’s WORD –

• “…teach each other.” Romans 15:14. We come together to study and learn GOD’s WORD which the Bible tells us is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Tim. 3:16). By knowing His WORD, we know the Father and what He expects of us – GOD Himself speaking to His Family. Individual Bible study is essential, but in Family study all have an opportunity to share different perspectives and insights – this sharing helps to ensure that everyone’s knowledge and understanding is based on Truth, and is especially vital for newer members of the Family.

Showing kindness and compassion to one another –

• “…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. If we are honest, we must admit that there are times when we are not liking a family member very much. Human beings, even Christians, get on each other’s nerves. But as Christians, we keep back bitterness and find a way to come together, for the sake of the relationship and peace. We seek to understand each other’s’ weaknesses, acknowledging that we too are flawed. We forgive, reconcile and continue to love. If our earthly fathers and mothers, who are themselves broken, know and expect this – how much more does the Holy GOD desire this for us.

Receiving and giving the blessing of corporate prayer –

• “… pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.  Yes, we can pray at home, but something miraculous happens “where two or more are gathered together” in JESUS’ NAME, JESUS says, “I am there among them" (Mat. 18:30).  When the Family of believers come together to pray for the needs and concerns of each other, our community and the church universal, the SON joins the prayer group so the entire Family of GOD is unified with one purpose – intercession, aid and thanksgiving. And because we are agree as one JESUS says what we ask for “will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Mat. 18:29). That is deserving of a Hallelujah!

Believers in CHRIST are the Family of GOD – a family by nature is an inter-dependent entity. To be a part of a local church means to be inter-dependent with other people in the church.

The Family of GOD is one of only two things that will last for all eternity, the other being the WORD of GOD, which affirms clearly our Interdependence with each other is necessity for all the reasons given above, and more.

As Believers we must trust GOD’s promise that JESUS CHRIST will return for His Church. When He does, one thousand or however many years from now that will be, we, the Family of GOD, are the people who will occupy the New Jerusalem, for all eternity.Until then the Father wants us to get used to being together as His Family.

And as we learn how to live out being GOD’s Family together in the church setting, we learn how to be the Body of Christ.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, our LORD and our GOD whose love never ends. We thank you that in YOUR great wisdom YOU knew YOUR people in advance, and chose them to become like YOUR SON, who is the firstborn among us, HIS brothers and sisters. Thank YOU for making us who were the lost and damned YOUR Family. Thank YOU for teaching us that we are interdependent on  each other – that we must come together for love and support and above all Family worship and praise to our Father. Open our hearts to understand that if we truly belong to GOD’s Family we will be passionate about meeting together regularly. Forgive us for any neglect of our coming together and continue to draw us with YOUR love.  Remind us that obedience is far better than any sacrifice we bring to YOU and we will reward us according to YOUR WORD – YOU have given us right standing and YOUR glory. To YOU, we give all praise, all honor and all glory, may we do only what is pleasing in YOUR sight. We ask all things in JESUS’ Holy NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Fourth of July: America’s Independence Day

Fourth of July is the day Americans celebrate Independence Day – a remembrance of the appropriation of the declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776 of the thirteen American states as a Country - The United States of America.

On this 241st year of independence, my prayer is that the children of GOD, at least, take pause to acknowledge and consider the ONE by whose goodness and mercy America became “a great Nation” – GOD Almighty, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth; that we become reacquainted with and meditate on GOD’s own DECLARATIONS of Sovereign Rule over America and all Nations:

• The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 4:1
• “…It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. Jeremiah 10:12
• “…the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes.” Daniel 4:32
• “…all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth…” Daniel 4:35
• The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1
• “…it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.” Psalm 75:7
• “…power belongs to God.” Psalm 62:11
• Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5

May we humbly concede that GOD alone is great and capable of truth in greatness.

May the FATHER of mercies not treat us as we deserve for our sins or pay us back for our wrongs.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. Proverbs 14:34

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Let us PRAY!

LORD, we stand today as our forefathers have stood before YOU in times gone by.

Celebrating our history and reveling in all the great things that our country has achieved.

On this day we rejoice in the favor YOU have graciously given us.

We thank YOU for the blessings of liberty, for this generation and for the generations to come.

We thank YOU for our independence, peace and for all those who have bravely given their lives in the defense of freedom and justice.

We thank YOU that YOUR gracious and provident hand has given us so much.

Yet as a nation and people we have not always chosen the right way.

We ask YOU to forgive us for these times.

On this day we commit ourselves to wholeheartedly honoring and serving YOU.

With everything that we are, we lay our lives before YOU.

Make us a generous people, a holy nation, a people set aside to love YOU forever – for the sake of the land of the brave and free and the peoples and nations of this world.

Today, we do not presume YOUR grace for our country.

Our land is in need of YOU, our people are in need of YOU, our industry and business are in need of YOU.

May we look only to YOU this Independence Day; dependent on YOU.

Please come now by YOUR glorious HOLY SPIRIT; breathe new life into the sinews of this nation.

May justice flow like rivers and righteousness like a never failing stream, until the whole of our country is covered with YOUR glory as the waters cover the sea.

We ask all this in the wonderful name of JESUS, WHO lives and reigns with YOU and the HOLY SPIRIT.

One GOD, now and for all eternity.

Amen.

This Independence Day prayer is provided by www.lords-prayer-words.com