Family Life

 Family Life:

Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” When GOD created Adam He made him one flesh. Then GOD saw that Adam needed a partner so He took one of Adam’s ribs and made Eve. Then He joined them together and made them one flesh again. This is the foundation of family.

Single:

Matthew 19:10-12 “His disciples said to Him, ‘If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But He said to them, ‘All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: for there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for The Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.’”

1 Corinthians 7:7-9 “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from GOD, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they remain as I am; but if they cannot exercise self control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

Marriage:

Proverbs 18:22 “He that finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from The LORD.”

Proverbs 5:18-20 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?”

Matthew 19:4-6 “And JESUS answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He Who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what GOd has joined together, let not man separate.’”

1 Corinthians 7:1-6 “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me; it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife,and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband…Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession not as a command.”

Husband:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as CHRIST also Loved the Church and gave Himself for her. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as The LORD does the Church. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.’” Ephesians 5:25, 28-29, 31, 33

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” Colossians 3:19

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and of being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (Very Important!)

Wife:

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness to his bones.” Proverbs 12:4

“And the contentions of a wife are a continual irritation…But a prudent wife is from The LORD.” Proverbs 19:13b-14b

“Who can find a virtuous wife, her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so she will have no lack of gain.She does him good not evil all the days of her life…She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.’”  Proverbs 31:10-12, 27-29

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to The LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also CHRIST is the Head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the Church is subject to CHRIST, so let the wives br to their own husbands in everything…and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-24, 33

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in The LORD.” Colossians 3:18

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the Word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe their chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of GOD. 1 Peter 3:1-4

Children:

Study the examples of Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-15, both grew up in the same family at the same time, yet one was rebellious and one was obedient. This is both a parenting issue and a personal life choice issue.

Obey-

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which The LORD your GOD is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 (The 5th Commandment - the first with a promise.) 

“Children, obey your parents in The LORD, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and  mother,’ which is the first commandment with a promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’” Ephesians 6:1-3

“Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; for I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law. Proverbs 4:1-2

“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to The LORD.” Colossians 3:20

“Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.” Proverbs 20:20

“Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.” Proverbs 5:7

“There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother.” Proverbs 30:11

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.” Proverbs 8:32-33

“Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” Proverbs 17:6

“A foolish son is the ruin of his father…” Proverbs 19:13a

“The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will pluck it out, and the young eagles will eat it.” Proverbs 30:17

Parents carry a lot of responsibility-

“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Proverbs 13:22 Good parents store up for their children.

“Now for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” 2 Corinthians 12:14

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” Proverbs 13:24 (Study in 2 Samuel the results of David’s bad parenting.)

“Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers.” Proverbs 19:14a

“A righteous man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.Proverbs 20:7 

“Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.” (This is discipline not brutality) Proverbs 23:13-14

“And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of The LORD.” Ephesians 6:4

“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.” Proverbs 23:24-25

“Father’s do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Proverbs 29:15

“Whoever receives one little child like this in My Name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:5-6

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. “ 1 Corinthians 7:14

“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in Truth, as we received commandment from The Father.” 2 John vs.4

Divorce:

“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she find no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man’s wife, if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife, then her former husband must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for this is a detestable thing before The LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which The LORD your GOD in giving you as an inheritance.” Deuteronomy 24:1-4

“Furthermore, it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ but I say to you whoever divorces his wife for any reason except for sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32

“Now it came to pass…great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them. The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, saying to HIm, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?’ And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He Who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father  and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then they are no longer two but one flesh.Therefore what GOD has joined together let no man separate.’ They said then, ‘Why did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” Matthew 19:1-9 (Notice how here JESUS expands Matthew 5:31-32 to include the divorced man who remarries as an adulterer.) Also see Mark 10:1-12.

“Now to the married I command, yet not I but The LORD: a wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled with her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. But to the rest I, not The LORD, say; If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let them depart; a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases. But GOD has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

What Do We Call GOD

 What Do We Call GOD?

The Name of GOD is unknown! We have many names that we call Him by: GOD, YHWH (Yahwah), El, Elohim, Elyon, El Shaddai, Jehovah, Adonai, LORD, Emmanuel, Yeshua, Jesus, Christ, Messiah, Savior, Ruach ha-Kodesh, Holy Spirit, Spirit of GOD, Heavenly Father, Son of GOD, Son of Man, etc. But none of these are His Name!

Revelation 19:12 says that no one knows JESUS’ Name.

The closest we have is YHWH, GOD’s Hebrew Name without any vowels, maybe also some consonants (who knows). I believe GOD’s Name, The One He told to Adam was known until the time of Moses, because of the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) the Hebrew people; maybe the last group of people who knew GOD’s Name; stopped using it. When Moses asked Him, “Who should I say sent me?” GOD answered “I AM WHO I AM…say I AM sent me”. It is not really His Name, it is a statement of Who He Is, like all the names we use to call Him. I AM, is His statement that He Is The One Who has always been and will always be. All the names listed above and all the ones not listed are just descriptions of Who GOD Is.

Here is an example: President Trump; is his title and name by which we call him, we also call him Mister (Mr.) President. President is his title, mister is because he is a man and Trump because that is his name, his full name is Donald J. Trump, but his title is Mr. President. Donald is the name his parents gave him, he could (as many have) changed his name, but he didn’t. Yet, Donald J Trump is not the name that GOD has given him, Revelation 2:17 says that those who overcome will receive a new name from GOD that no one knows.

So what do we call GOD? Any of the descriptive names that He has revealed to us in The Bible. He is GOD, The One Who has always existed and will always exist. He is The One Who created everything that exists (Genesis 1; Psalm 89:11-12; Proverbs 8; John 1:1-5; Romans 11:33-36; Revelation 4:11, 21:1-2).

Judge Not Lest You Be Judged

 Judge Not Lest You Be Judged!

I recently spoke with a sister who is in ministry and she was asking about 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 14:26-40 (34-35) and 1 Timothy 2:8-1 where Paul seems to put women in their place. She was asking because she has received some criticism for her appearance and her public speaking based on these three passages of Scripture. Apparently they have forgotten about JESUS’ command not to judge; Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not lest you be judged! For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and that with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” This is not a suggestion! (JESUS never gave us any suggestions, but He did give us many commands.)

There has always been this judging other people, both in the world and in the Church, by our own standard, no matter the source of our standard. But JESUS made it clear that it will not be tolerated in The Kingdom of GOD, on earth or in Heaven. Study Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 18:1-8; John 7:16-24; Romans 2:1-16, 14:1-13; James 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:1-3.

JESUS did not come to judge: Luke 12:13-15; John 8:13-20, 12:44-50.

Final judgment: John 5:24-30; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Revelation 20:11-15.

Now that we have established that it is sin to judge others and a blessing to judge ourself let’s move on to the subject of these three passages.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

1 Corinthians 11 is about head coverings and The LORD’s Supper; verses 1-16 are about head coverings for men and women, verse 16, “But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the Churches of GOD.” This is the key to this passage, the cross reference is 1 Timothy 6:3-5 about those who prefer disputes and arguments. Shaving the head is only referenced under The Law for cleansing purposes, though priests were not allowed to shave their heads. Women taken by Israelite men as bounty after a battle and the man wanted her for a wife,she had to shave her head, Deuteronomy 21:12. At that time in History and today Jewish men and women cover their heads when praying and reading The Bible. The key to these passages is, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is CHRIST, the head of the woman is man, and the Head of CHRIST is GOD.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

In one verse Paul is saying a woman should cover her head when praying (5), in another he says her long hair is her covering (15), in another he says judge this for yourself (13) and he concludes with, the Church has no such custom (16)

This passage of Scripture is purely a cultural custom for the Corinthians.

I Corinthians 14 is about Gifts of The SPIRIT and proper order in the Church; Paul is teaching about order in the gathering of the Believers (26-40). Verse 26 ends with the statement, “Let all things be done for edification.” and verse 40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” In the middle verses 34-35 Paul says, “Let your women keep silent in the Churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak at Church.” (I checked several versions and the only references I found are for Genesis 3:16 GOD’s judgment on Eve for her sin which includes obedience to her husband; Paul’s teaching to Timothy that mirrors this passage in 1 Timothy 2:8-14, and 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter’s version of the same teaching.) This is based on the judgment of Eve, “...your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16. But there is no teaching in the Law that a woman cannot speak in public or must be silent at Synagogue or Church; this is based on cultural custom not law. It was common under Judaism for the men and women to sit separately at Synagogue, some pagan religions may have had the same requirements, this would cause women to ask their husbands what was being said or meant during the service. Remember Paul was a lifelong bachelor so his opinion was biased on this subject (1 Corinthians 7:1-9 “...For I wish that all men were even as myself…But I say to the unmarried and to the widows; it is good for them to remain even as I am...”.

In 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Paul speaks about women’s appearance in public. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” verses 9-10.

Peter also spoke on this issue, “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey The Word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of GOD. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in GOD also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Saah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with terror.” 1 Peter 3:1-6

So the problem is twofold; there are Christian women and men who dress to be seen and there are those who set standards that they expect others to keep. Either way the sin is in judging others; reference the opening statement of this message; or by giving yourself to the accepted standards of society for personal grooming. Both are wrong and will be judged by GOD.

Everyone is allowed to highlight their natural appearance and no one should make themself more noticeable by their appearance.

We should be seeking GOD’s Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34) and not worrying about what we will wear. While we should recognise the fruit of people’s lives (Matthew 7:15-20) we are not to judge them!

JESUS honored women:

John 2:1-8, He honors His mother by doing what she asked.

John 19:25-27, He honors His mother by providing for her security at His death.

John 8:1-12, He honors a woman and forgives her who was condemned by others.

John 4:1-42, He honors a divorced, fornicating Samaritan woman using her to save her town.

Luke 10:38-42, He honors Mary whom He delivered of demons for choosing to hear His Teaching rather than working with her sister.

John 12:1-8, He honors Mary for anointing Him for burial.

Luke 7:11-17, He honors a widow by raising her only son.

Matthew 15:21-28, He honors a non Jewish woman for her faith by delivering her daughter from demons.

Mark 5:25-34, He honors a woman’s faith in just touching His robe to be healed.

Careful how you think about and treat women, especially women of Faith.

Tony's Top Ten 09-06-2023

TONY’S TOP TEN

Some of my favorite scriptures.

Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

1. Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

2. If you want answers from God, don’t just go with requests only; but go to God with a hearing heart.

3. Listen for God with expectation and anticipation.

4. Jeremiah 33:3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. NLT

5. Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

6. It is the greatest blessing of all eternity—that God chooses to reveal Himself to us.

7. Because God is a giving God; his people must be giving people.

8. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

9. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

10. Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

By Pastor Tony Kim

Zealous For GOD!

 Zealous For GOD!

Why was Paul converted and not most of the Pharisees and Sadusees?

Because Paul did not hate the Followers of JESUS, Paul was zealous for GOD and they were breaking GOD’s Law as he understood it so he tried to convince them they were wrong; until JESUS confronted him. When he knew the Truth he repented and then served GOD with renewed vigor and knowledge of the Truth.

Most of the religious leaders hated JESUS and His Followers because they were a threat to their power and riches. They could not accept the Truth because it meant giving up their life which they loved more than the Truth.

Persecution!

 Persecution

Persecution is an avoided subject in the Western Church!

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 This is the last of the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.

JESUS said throughout His Ministry that we would be persecuted, He said our enemies would come from our family, friends and the government. “Remember The Word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they keep My Word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 (study The Gospels).

Paul said, “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. And out of them all The LORD delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in CHRIST JESUS will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Not everyone is called to live the good life (actually no one is called to live the good life that is taught in the Church today) Paul was called of GOD and shown what he had to suffer in his service to GOD, “But The LORD said to him (Ananias) ‘Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My NAME before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My NAME’s sake.’” Acts 9:15-16 (Paul had a lot to say about persecution, study his letters).

“The worse things that happen are the best things that can happen.” Eric Metaxas said this during an interview with Mike Thompson, talking about coming persecution and increased evangelism by the Church. Persecution will increase as evangelism increases because the adversary hates salvation. As the Light of The Gospel increases so will the darkness of the anti-christ! “All that is dark is anti-christ!”, said Mike Thompson.

There is already much persecution of The Church in the earth today; countries like China and North Korea persecute all religions, especially Christianity. In most Muslim countries and in India Christians are persecuted. There are other countries where serious persecution of Christians takes place.

In the Western Church, especially in America the Church faces little persecution. But, this is coming to an end, as GOD is calling the Church to repentance and a return to evangelism, persecution will increase, as the dark gets darker the Light gets brighter.

The call for all Christians is to be ready to proclaim the Gospel and expel the darkness. We are commanded to “Be of Good Cheer”, “to Stand Strong”, to “Be Encouraged”, to “Gird ourself up, to “Be bold”. When the going gets tough the Saints turn to JESUS. We listen to His SPIRIT and study His Word and “Stand fast in the Liberty where CHRIST has made us Free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 Because, “I am crucified with CHRIST, nevertheless I live, yet not I but CHRIST lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by Faith in The Son of GOD, Who Loves me and Gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

No one says persecution is easy or desirable, but it is inevitable!

When persecution comes to our life what are we going to do?

Endure to the end like Paul? 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Kill ourself like Judas? Matthew 27:3-10

Quit like Demas? 2 Timothy 4:9-10

Get prideful like Diotrephes? 2 John vs.9

Matthew 10:27-31: “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s Will.But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Romans 8:27-28, 35-37: “Now He Who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the SPIRIT is, because He makes intercession for the Saints according to The Will of GOD. And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love GOD, to those who are The Called according to His Purpose.” “Who shall separate us from The Love of CHRIST? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or perl, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who Loved us.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-11: “But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellence of the Power may be of GOD and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the Dying of The LORD JESUS, that the Life of JESUS also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for JESUS’ sake, that the Life of JESUS also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

Revelation 12:10-12: “Then I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, ‘Now Salvation, and Strength, and The Kingdom of our GOD, and the Power of His CHRIST have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our GOD day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the Blood of The Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O Heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

“To this very hour we are both hungry and thirsty, dressed in rags and mistreated and homeless. We toil, working with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. When we are slandered, we speak kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the dregs of all things - even to this moment. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to warn you as my dearly loved children.” 1 Corinthians 4:11-14.

The Way!

https://youtu.be/K5xuKZGFb8g?si=yapkCE6Dn03Xt2pB 

The Way!

The song “The Long And Winding Road” was a hit by the Beatles but like all worldly things it leads to a dead end or just goes in circles.

The long and winding road

That leads to your door

Will never disappear

I've seen that road before

It always leads me here

Lead me to your door

The wild and windy night

That the rain washed away

Has left full of tears

Crying for the day

Why leave me standing here

Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone

And many times I've cried

Anyway you'll never know

The many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back

To the long winding road

You left me standing here

A long-long time ago

Don't leave me waiting here

Lead me to your door

But still they lead me back

To the long winding road

You left me standing here

A long-long time ago

Don't keep me waiting here

Lead me to your door

Songwriters: Paul Mccartney, John Lennon. For non-commercial use only.

There is a road that leads to eternal life, it is called The Way:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare The Way of The LORD; make His Paths straight.’” Isaiah 40:3

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the Gate and difficult is The Way which leads to Life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

“JESUS said to him, ‘I Am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

“Therefore He is also able to save completely those who come to GOD through Him, since He always Lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

As Christians - Servants of GOD, if you are Born Again you are a Servant of GOD. JESUS did not save us so we could live a good, clean life and die and go to Heaven. JESUS saved us so that we can do the work of GOD’s Kingdom in the earth! JESUS made it clear that there is One Way to Heaven and it is not the “good life” that many are preaching. We are not called to the “good life”, we are Called to the life of obedience and sacrifice, not the easy way but the difficult way.

Because The Way is difficult JESUS gives us everything we need as obedient servants:

His SPIRIT - John 16:5-11; Acts 2:1-4; ! Corinthians 3:16-17

His Word - John 1:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Life - John 10:10; Romans 6:23

Daily provision - Matthew 6:11, 31-33

Armor - 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-20

Righteousness - Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Victory - 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 John 5:4-5

Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:8

Fruit - John 15:5 ; Galatians 5:22-26

Love - John 3:15-17; 1 John 4:16

Home - John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:1-4

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” “Teach me Your Way. O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.” “Trust in The LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall make straight your paths.” “Open to me the Gates of Righteousness; I will go through them and I will praise The LORD. This is the Gate of The LORD, through which the Righteous shall enter.” Proverbs 14:12; Psalm 27:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 119:19-20

It’s a choice of serving GOD or serving self, we can look to live the easy, good life of a spoiled child and GOD will still love us and we may get to Heaven. Or, we can do as JESUS said and give up our life for His, seek Him and His Call for our life and endure to the end!