LOVE ONE ANOTHER

LOVE ONE ANOTHER 

The Bible tells us "God is love". Of course we know that Jesus is God so we can say "Jesus is love". Jesus came to earth with His main purpose of becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, to shed His pure, innocent blood to pay the penalty for our sins so that the New Testament (new promise or covenant) of mercy would finish the Law (Old Testament). In place of judgement we now have the opportunity to repent and find mercy because of Jesus blood shed at Calvary. That was Jesus' main purpose in coming in flesh to this earth. But He had a second purpose also. That was to live a pure life before mankind in order to set an example for us to pattern our lives by. 

Study the life of Christ in the four Gospels. Everything Jesus did was for the purpose of setting an example for us to follow. His every act was executed, His every word was spoken in pure love. When we really look closely at the individual acts and teachings of Jesus we don't see a God, (tho God He was and is), but we see an humble, selfless Servant to all. Even when He performed great miracles, we find Him saying,  "now, go and tell no man..."  His agenda was not to make a reputation for Himself, but to serve those He loved, mankind.

(Philippians  2:5-7) "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"

I truly believe that is the key to loving, humbling ourselves and doing our very best (as God has gifted us individually) to simply serve Him, by serving others. We should study the entire chapter of Philippians 2. It is a beautiful lesson on true love one to another. Our acts of service, or even obedience are not love in themselves. But our 'intention' to put others before ourselves, to put our own human desires away and instead seek God's will, then live in obedience to it. This is love manifest. I guess the whole thing can be said in one word, MOTIVE. If you do not fully understand the meaning of that word (motive) look it up. It's about WHY we do what we do. Do we "do" this or that in order to have praise of others? Is it to feel holier than others or just to "feel" holy within ourselves (which is a nice way of defining 'self-righteousness')? Is it because we're trying to be good enough to earn God's favor? The only thing these acts will accomplish is to exhaust us mentally and physically, but will not bring us God's favor. 

David writes his prayer in Psalm 26:2

"Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart."

The meaning of the word "reins" in this scripture is simply "motive". David was praying for God to purify his motives. He speaks to God in this chapter about how he (David) has served God faithfully, obediently...but then he realizes that real, pure LOVE goes beyond the visible acts of service. Real love is found deep within a hidden corner of our hearts that no one sees but God Himself; that is where "motive" lives. We can become so absorbed in "being good" that we forget to look at WHY we're being good. David knew this and prayed fervently for God to continually search and purify his motives, (those hidden reasons or agendas buried in our human subconsciousness). 

Here's the bottom line: 

What I do for my brother or sister

What I do to win the lost

What I do to appear holy (inwardly or outwardly)

All my self-sacrifice humanly possible

.......though these are certainly all acts of Christianity, and will most assuredly be prevalent in the life of a true Christian, in themselves they will not and cannot save us. 

Paul says it so well in I Corinthians 13:3 (Message)

"If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake and be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."

Study the entire chapter of I Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "The Chapter of LOVE" and we'll find "love" has very little to do with "self" other than the dying out thereof. 

I don't have all the answers, but I do know this, love is not an act. Love is a state of one's heart in intimate relationship with God. Only when this bond of relationship is formed in the ultimate, unconditional (Agape) love for God, can the real selfless (Phileo) brotherly love be manifested and result in selfless, Christ-driven, effective service to others. 

Jesus taught in Matthew 25:40, "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

May The Lord bless you,

Sheila Ashcraft.

PRAYER - "Trouble with Prayer" 

Prayer will get you into trouble, but prayer will get you out of trouble again. I have often prayed for a thing only to create the exact opposite effect. Jesus rebuked the devil in a deaf and dumb child, but the devil "cried, and rent him sore." The people said, "He is dead!" But Jesus took his hand and raised him up. Don't be immobilized if Satan fights back. Pray on! 

Acts 16:16 - "...it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us"

PRINCIPALS - "Adam's Rib"

God put Adam to sleep and performed surgery. He removed one of Adam's ribs and made a woman from it. From the bone marrow came Adam's DNA, making her the first clone - a female version of Adam. An identical twin. Same eyes, same hair, same size. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them," Genesis 1:27. Two people. One image.

Genesis 2:22 - "And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman."

PRINCIPLES - "God is a Blesser"

Look at God's track record! He blessed Adam with a garden paradise. He blessed Noah with an escape route from the flood. He blessed Lot, sending angels to deliver him from Sodom. He blessed Joseph with dominion over Egypt. He blessed fleeing Israel with sensational miracles. He sent miraculous food, miraculous water, even miraculous shoes! There is no need God cannot provide. Stop thinking God cannot or will not bless you, too!

Psalms 84:11 - "...the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

PROPHECIES - "As the Days of Lot"

Everyone who is born again will escape the wrath of God when it comes to earth. But the same day, the judgment begins on those who remain. Justice will conclude at Armageddon.

Luke 17:28-30 - "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

You Can Open That Door

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

– Matthew 7:7

How long has it been since you were backed into a corner, hemmed in by a seemingly insurmountable problem? If you're anything like most folks, it hasn't been very long. Some of us spend years trying to work our way out of financial binds only to end up more bound by debt than ever. Others work fanatically on marriages that, despite their best efforts, deteriorate from year to year. Still others fight battles against fear or depression, drug addiction or disease.

Deep within our hearts, each of us knows there must be an answer to the problem we face. But often it seems to be out of reach, hidden behind a door that's locked tightly against us.

What I want you to know today, however, is this: we can open that door! Jesus Himself has given us the keys.

Right now you may be facing a situation that looks utterly hopeless, but God has a key ring full of keys that will unlock any situation. He has the keys that open the doors for you spiritually and physically, financially and emotionally. No matter how hard the devil tries to trap you, if you'll get hold of the right key, you can find your way out.

God's Word is full of keys of kingdom principles—keys to bind the devil's operations and keys to loose yourself from his snares. God has a key that will unravel any knot that the devil can tie. He also has a key that will lock up the devil's operation so tightly that he won't be able to move.

Remember this: There's no situation so dark and so cleverly designed by the forces of darkness that there is not a kingdom key that will unlock it with kingdom power.

There is an answer to your situation. So keep digging for it. If you've been digging in the Word of God in one spot and haven't found your answer, then look at another chapter, a different verse. Keep digging until you find the key. Keep knocking at every door until you find the one that opens.

GO WHEN YOUR READY

ARE YOU LISTENING?

We’ve all heard the phrase, "God is always speaking", and it’s true. He speaks to us in prayer, when reading His Word, through preaching... But we’re not always praying, we’re not always reading our Bible, not always listening to scriptural teaching or preaching... So what about the in-between times? How do we hear His voice when we’re going about our day meeting our obligations and living life? The easy answer is, we walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is simply living with an ear continually tuned to God’s voice. Living in spiritual sensitivity makes us aware of things around us that we might normally not even notice. The bird’s song, the breathtaking sunset, children laughing. These are the manifestation of God’s voice speaking peace, comfort and love. We stand at the checkout and literally feel the sadness or anger of the person in front of us and instead of judging them harshly, we hear the Lord’s voice saying, "Let Me love them through you". It may only be a smile you offer, maybe just a kind word of understanding. Many times I’ve reached out and offered just a light touch on their arm or shoulder, and eye contact that said "It’s gonna be ok. I understand" can make all the difference in the world to that lonely, hurting soul. That may not seem like much, but God’s love is extravagant in itself. Our part is to listen and let Him flow through us, listen and let Him reveal His love to us and to this world around us. Turn and tune your ear toward Him and you’ll be amazed at how talkative He is! You’ll be amazed at the doors of opportunity He opens for you to share Him and the words He wants to speak to those that don’t know Him. Do it through me, Lord! I’m listening!

Go When You're Ready

With long life will I satisfy [you], and show [you] my salvation. – Psalm 91:16

Did you know that it's not God's will for you or anyone to die young? His will for you is to live the full number of your days. You ought to live 70 or 80 years, and if you are not satisfied, live awhile longer! The Bible says that when Abraham died, he died at a good old age, full of years. That's the way it ought to be with all of us. Some believers don't realize that and they've gotten themselves in a mess. When they get sick, instead of just believing for healing, they start wondering if it's God's will for them to die. Maybe He's ready to call me home, they think. Don't ever entertain thoughts like that. If God has His way, He won't call you home until you're good and ready to come. The Apostle Paul understood that. In 2 Timothy 4:6-7, he said, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Paul didn't die until he and Jesus were ready for him to go. Regardless of your age, if the devil is telling you God isn't going to heal you because it's time for you to go home, he is lying to you. God promises in Psalm 91:16 that if you are living under the shadow of the Most High, He will satisfy you with long life. (That means that you are abiding in Him as Jesus taught in John 15.) If you're not satisfied that you have finished your course yet on this earth, it's not time for you to die. So ignore the devil and keep right on living. Resist sickness and disease in the Name of Jesus. Stand on God's promise! Then, when you're ready to go on to heaven, go! But go satisfied, healed and ready! Go in victory shouting the words of that old joy-filled song--"Heaven is near and I can't stay here. Goodbye world, goodbye." PRAYER - "Pretentious Prayers"  God has the highest regard for you when you approach Him in honest prayer. Conversations between a true seeker and the Lord are holy to Him. God is especially unhappy when someone feigns prayer. Insincere prayers border on sacrilege. Jesus scorned hypocrites who sought to impress and made public shows of their prayers in synagogues or in the streets. This should encourage us to know that He genuinely respects our earnest, expectant prayers. And He will answer! Matthew 23:14 - "Woe unto you..., for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." PRINCIPALS - "The Garden of Eden" Adam was created before the garden of Eden was planted. God put Adam in it afterward. Ezekiel 28:13 depicts Lucifer in the garden, too - before he sinned! Satan did not arrive from a failed pre-Adamite society of evil angels. He came sinless. All the sins of men and angels began in the garden. Utopias do not prevent sin. Your health, success and prosperity could be your greatest temptation. Beware!  Genesis 2:8 - "...the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." PRINCIPLES - "The Risks of Wrath" Anyone might have congratulated Cain for the beautiful offering of the fruit of his harvest that he presented to the Lord that day. But who could predict that God would ignore it and select instead the sacrificial lamb presented by Cain's brother, Abel. God arrested Cain for getting angry, and admonished him to try again. But anger got the best of Cain, and he killed his brother. God cursed him. Can you control your anger? If not, sin lies at the door. Genesis 4:6 - "And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth?" PROPHECIES - "Enoch's Prophecy" Enoch was the fellow who walked with God, and God suddenly took him without ever having to taste of death. Enoch was only seven generations from Adam, but he foresaw the final battle of Armageddon coming. What a fantastic revelation to have been received over 5,000 years ago! In the spirit, Enoch saw Jesus conquering the world!  Jude 1:14-15 - "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed."

Go When You're Ready 

With long life will I satisfy [you], and show [you] my salvation.

– Psalm 91:16

Did you know that it's not God's will for you or anyone to die young? His will for you is to live the full number of your days. You ought to live 70 or 80 years, and if you are not satisfied, live awhile longer! The Bible says that when Abraham died, he died at a good old age, full of years. That's the way it ought to be with all of us.
Some believers don't realize that and they've gotten themselves in a mess. When they get sick, instead of just believing for healing, they start wondering if it's God's will for them to die. Maybe He's ready to call me home, they think.
Don't ever entertain thoughts like that. If God has His way, He won't call you home until you're good and ready to come. The Apostle Paul understood that. In 2 Timothy 4:6-7, he said, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Paul didn't die until he and Jesus were ready for him to go.
Regardless of your age, if the devil is telling you God isn't going to heal you because it's time for you to go home, he is lying to you. God promises in Psalm 91:16 that if you are living under the shadow of the Most High, He will satisfy you with long life. (That means that you are abiding in Him as Jesus taught in John 15.)
If you're not satisfied that you have finished your course yet on this earth, it's not time for you to die. So ignore the devil and keep right on living. Resist sickness and disease in the Name of Jesus. Stand on God's promise!
Then, when you're ready to go on to heaven, go! But go satisfied, healed and ready! Go in victory shouting the words of that old joy-filled song--"Heaven is near and I can't stay here. Goodbye world, goodbye."

PRAYER - "Pretentious Prayers" 

God has the highest regard for you when you approach Him in honest prayer. Conversations between a true seeker and the Lord are holy to Him. God is especially unhappy when someone feigns prayer. Insincere prayers border on sacrilege. Jesus scorned hypocrites who sought to impress and made public shows of their prayers in synagogues or in the streets. This should encourage us to know that He genuinely respects our earnest, expectant prayers. And He will answer!

Matthew 23:14 - "Woe unto you..., for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."

PRINCIPALS - "The Garden of Eden"

Adam was created before the garden of Eden was planted. God put Adam in it afterward. Ezekiel 28:13 depicts Lucifer in the garden, too - before he sinned! Satan did not arrive from a failed pre-Adamite society of evil angels. He came sinless. All the sins of men and angels began in the garden. Utopias do not prevent sin. Your health, success and prosperity could be your greatest temptation. Beware! 

Genesis 2:8 - "...the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed."

PRINCIPLES - "The Risks of Wrath"

Anyone might have congratulated Cain for the beautiful offering of the fruit of his harvest that he presented to the Lord that day. But who could predict that God would ignore it and select instead the sacrificial lamb presented by Cain's brother, Abel. God arrested Cain for getting angry, and admonished him to try again. But anger got the best of Cain, and he killed his brother. God cursed him. Can you control your anger? If not, sin lies at the door.

Genesis 4:6 - "And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth?"

PROPHECIES - "Enoch's Prophecy"

Enoch was the fellow who walked with God, and God suddenly took him without ever having to taste of death. Enoch was only seven generations from Adam, but he foresaw the final battle of Armageddon coming. What a fantastic revelation to have been received over 5,000 years ago! In the spirit, Enoch saw Jesus conquering the world! 

Jude 1:14-15 - "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed."

“💕I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." - ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

INTRODUCTION TO BOOK 
AUTHOR
PASTOR MARK RILEY

Self-pity will get you into a lot of trouble

PRAYER - "Prayers Of The Righteous Can Be Hindered"

Job's friend, Bildad, asserted his misguided opinion. To paraphrase, he said, "If your kids had not sinned, they would not be dead." "If your heart was pure, your prayers would be answered." WRONG. Paul spoke of a great open door for ministry, "but there are many adversaries." This is not the Garden of Eden. The thief steals, kills and destroys indiscriminately. Consequently, righteous men often suffer great losses.

Job 8:5,6 - "If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee."

PRINCIPALS - "The Devil"

George Barna's 2006 survey showed that 68% of Catholics, 45% of Evangelicals, and 55% of Americans deny Satan's existence. But don't kid yourself. Unless you are prepared to burn your Bible, you'd better believe there is a devil. The Bible mentions "the devil" 61 times, "devils" 55 times, and "Satan" 55 times. Jesus said, "I beheld Satan."

Audio Sermon “FAITH IN JESUS”

Job 1:7 - "And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”

PRINCIPLES - "The Unadvisable Propensity For Self-Pity". 

We act too much like Job. We get weary of life. We want to know why things do not go better than they do. We are tempted to complain that God is not giving us a fair treatment. But we must learn from Job's mistakes. Job said a lot of things that should not have been said, and God eventually rebuked him for them. Self-pity will get you into a lot of trouble. Practice keeping your mouth shut.

Job 10:1 - "I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul."

PROPHECIES - "The Daysman"

Job responded to Bildad by arguing that God is Sovereign, and does as He pleases. But cynicism was

in his voice. Job could not understand why God allowed him to suffer. He felt powerless to persuade God to change his circumstance. He yearned for a "daysman" - an intercessor between him and God. Job would have rejoiced to meet our daysman - Jesus Christ.

Job 9:32 - "He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

Always look at the characters of people who are attacking you!

DON’T PLACE A FOOT ON GOD’S PRAYING PEOPLE👏🏼

THERE WILL COME A DAY

PRAYER - "What Kind Of Friend Tells You Not To Pray?"

Job's "friend," Eliphaz, believed Job's problems were simple to explain. Job was reaping what he sowed. Job

was evil, and God was punishing him for it. His analysis was wearisome. Be careful not to get lost in Eliphaz' criticisms. He was dead wrong. It is lethal to mix wisdom with foolish conjecture. He even went so far as to suggest that Job need not pray any more, because nobody would hear him. What a lie.

Job 5:1 - "Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?"

PRINCIPALS - "Satan Used Job's Friends"

Job was a son of Issachar and grandson of Jacob (Genesis 46:13). He lived in the days of Joseph, his young uncle. Joseph suffered in Egypt. Job suffered in the land of Uz. Job had three friends who came to comfort him - Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Both Joseph and Job were tormented by family and friends. Remember, Satan designs your trial to destroy you. He will even use your friends against you.

Job 4:1,8 - "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ...Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."

PRINCIPLES - "What Does Your Arguing Reprove?"

I do not know how Job kept his sanity after listening to Eliphaz harangue. His reply certainly indicated that Eliphaz

had done no good for him. Job bemoaned his situation again, and begged God, "that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort." Then he scathed his friend.

Job 6:14,15,25 - "To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; ...My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, ...How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?"

PROPHECIES - "The Appointment"

Job's skin was broken and loathsome. His flesh was "clothed with worms and clods of dust." His friend smothered him with criticism. He wanted to die. "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? ...as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work." Yes. It is appointed unto man once to die, and afterward the judgment.
1.  Have you ever been just sick of the cares of life? Seldom does anyone come under such attacks as Job’s physical body, why you say?  Our attacks are in a higher order, the mind as a  man thinks Jesus said so is he.

Job 7:11,16 - "I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. ...I loathe it; I would not live alway."

F

Pastor Riley's new book is here 

Read Introduction 

THE GIVING OF GREAT SACRIFICE

Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. .

We are to be destroyed

Haman of a new generation Obama

PRAYER - "Esther Intercedes
 For The Jews".   

Haman despised Mordecai, and was mortified as he escorted him through the city streets on the king's horse. His wife and friends warned him that if Mordecai was a Jew, he would never prevail - he would surely fall before him. Haman attended a banquet with the king and queen. Esther bravely announced, "We are to be destroyed, to be slain," and begged the king for the lives of her and her people. "Who presumes to do this to you?" the king asked. Esther indicted Haman. 

Esther 7:6 - "And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman."
50 WRONGFULLY DEEDS DONE AS 44 President 

PRINCIPALS - "God Turns The Table On Haman"

King Ahasuerus asked Haman what he thought should be done for "the man whom the king delighteth to honour." Haman vainly expected the king wanted to honor him, and spelled out a lavish public ceremony. Ahasuerus then shocked Haman. "Do even so to Mordecai the Jew."

Esther 6:11,12 - "Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. ...But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered."

PRINCIPLES - "You Will Pay Dearly If You Persecute God's People"

When Esther revealed Haman's plot to exterminate the Jews to her husband, King Ahasuerus, Haman was terrified. Ahasuerus was so angry, he stood up and walked outside. While he was out, Haman fell on a bed where Esther was, and pleaded with her for his life. Then the king accused him of attempting to force his wife. One of the chamberlains informed the king that Haman had built gallows 100 feet high to hang Mordecai on. 

Esther 7:10 - "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified."

PROPHECIES - "The Enemies of God's People Are God's Enemies"

God promised "I will be an enemy unto thine enemies," (Exodus 23:22). God put down Haman. Ahasuerus removed Haman's ring and gave it, and his entire estate, to Mordecai. Then Esther asked the king to reverse Haman's decree to exterminate the Jews. The king gave the task to Mordecai.

Esther 8:8 - "Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."

Obama uses USA veto not to help Israel! God protection arises elsewhere.

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Netanyahu, relaxed and beaming, welcomed the new American president Donald Trump to the “united capital of the Jewish state,” the second stop on Trump's overseas tour.