Bible Study - Set Apart (3) - But Not Alone - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 - July 29, 2023

 

Bible Study – Set Apart (3) – But Not Alone – July 29, 2023

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Set Apart a Life Lived for GOD.”

When were you set apart? The answer is in the scripture. Can you find it?

Our scripture is 1 Corinthians 2:6-16:

The Holy Spirit helps us know how to live Holy lives.

The Apostle Paul is revealing to the Christians in Corinth how to live the completed, effective Christian life upon earth while they wait to go to Heaven. This is also true for all who have asked JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their lives.

When a person becomes a completed Spirit-born Christian, he/she is equipped with the Holy Spirit and equipped with special gifts to continue to live effectively for GOD upon earth.

Why do Spirit-born Christians need to be gifted with special Spiritual gifts? To serve GOD more effectively upon earth as they minister to others.

Ephesians 6:12 - ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

We know that Satan wars against all Holy Spirit Born people. Why and how? Satan knows when Spirit-born people become committed to GOD and JESUS, their desire is to listen and respond to GOD’S message. Satan does not want them to respond to GOD’S calling. So, Satan uses every distraction that he knows will lead a Spirit-born person astray or to delay.

Folks, the tide has turned and we are on GOD’S path for the second coming of JESUS. We will witness the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as we have never seen before. The working of the Holy Spirit will be discredited as some new manmade device. Satan has the leaders of our world distracted by amazing technology, “Smart devices.” These devices are useful and do amazing things but they are time and mind robbers.

I have observed in the last few months when I open my computer, I am inundated with eye catching news and word and pictures which I want to follow and read. After a period of time, I find that I have wasted time. Time is a gift from GOD to be used wisely. Satan is a time robber for people – put off, you can do this later or you can study scripture later because you have too much to do.

Satan’s desire is to keep people from reading, listening to or applying GOD’S Word to the issues they encounter in life.

As Spirit-born people, GOD’S desire is to teach and develop in them to trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and protecter.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:1-9:

2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery^[a] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. ² I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴ My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom^[b] but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.

Human wisdom can be explained but GOD’S wisdom and power, outside of GOD cannot be explained.

Spiritual Wisdom

⁶ We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

The best is yet to come as we, who have been Spirit-born will see.

In the last few months, I have seen a change in the working of the Holy Spirit in my life. GOD’S Word tells us to test the spirits to see if they are from GOD. GOD tells us to test spirits to determine whether or not they are from GOD. How does GOD do this in us? Read on ---

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts^[d] except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.^[e] 14 But the person without the Spirit^[f] does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he/she is not able to understand it since it is evaluated^[g] spiritually. ¹⁵ The spiritual person, however, can evaluate^[h] everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. ¹⁶ For

who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct him?^[i]

But we have the mind of Christ.

Satan’s desire is for you to call this nonsense. When that thought enters your mind, rebuke it and call upon the name of JESUS to show you the truth and to confirm that truth.

Keep in mind what we read in Ephesians 6:12 - ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

The rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, spiritual forces want to control your life and lead you to confusion and destruction. In the name of JESUS, I command them to be gone and for GOD to reveal truth to you and reveal to you the deception these forces use to deceive you. How do you escape.

Ask JESUS to come into your life and ask HIM forgive you for your sins and to become the LORD of your life and continue to reveal truth and dispel the false. Ask JESUS to equip you with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit so that you can separate truth froms error.

Folks, a new day has arrived. No longer will Satan disguise himself as truth but he will be exposed for that he is a deceiver and liar. If you are a Spirit-born Christian ask GOD to deliver you from Satan’s lies and deception and to fill you with GOD’S Holy Spirit and then thank HIM as HE reveals truth to you.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:10-13:

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts^[d] except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.^[e

Who knows your thoughts? You do! When a person has been Spirit-born, the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the Trinity, is GOD and lives within each Spirit-born person. How about that!!!

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:14-16:

 ¹⁴ But the person without the Spirit^[f] does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated^[g] spiritually. ¹⁵ The spiritual person, however, can evaluate^[h] everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. ¹⁶ For

who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct him?^[i]

But we have the mind of Christ.

Guess who does NOT want you to know that? Satan, who JESUS defeated upon the cross. The victory has been won by JESUS because of the resurrection of JESUS from the physically death to be eternally alive. Physical death was defeated by JESUS.

All who are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family have changed their permanent eternal address from Hell to Heaven. Eternal life is a gift from GOD. When was this decided? Let’s read Ephesians 1:3-23:

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him (set us apart), before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h] of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[i] not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he subjected everything under his feet^[j] and appointed him^[k] as head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Did you find the scripture revealing to you when GOD set you apart?

To GOD Be the Glory – Great Things HE has done!

A NEW DAY HAS COME – REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 5:9:

 

 

Isaiah 29:14:

Isaiah 65:17

Isaiah 66:22

Acts 3:17

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 65:17: “For I will create new heavens and a new earth;
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.

 

Isaiah 66:22: “For just as the new heavens and the new earth,
which I will make,
will remain before me”—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
“so your offspring and your name will remain.

 

Bible Study - Set Apart (1) - Set Apart: The Holiness of GOD - Psalm 99:1-9 - JULY 16, 2023

 

Bible Study – Set Apart (1) – Set Apart: The Holiness of GOD – July 16, 2023

Our focal scripture is Psalm 99:1-9.

GOD is Holy and set apart from everything else in HIS creation.

When GOD revealed Himself to Moses, He did so from a burning bush. Moses longed to see GOD’S face and GOD told Moses in Exodus 33:22-23: ²² and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

But once a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, what changes? He or she can approach GOD in confidence and call HIM Daddy. What has changed? The person has been redeemed by the sinless blood of JESUS and has been born-again in the person’s spirit. JESUS pointed this out to the Jewish religious leader, Nicodemus, in John Chapter 3.

Romans 8:15

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship/daughter ship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Let’s read Psalm 99:1-3:

The Lord reigns! Let the peoples tremble.
He is enthroned between the cherubim.

 

The LORD reigns, the psalmist used the personal name for GOD to distinguish the One and True GOD from other gods people at that time were worshipping.

 

The cherubim is a winged angel who serve at GOD’S Throne and whose images were on the ark of the covenant in the temple and GOD is enthroned between them. “The Lord” is a reference to “Yahweh”

Let the earth quake.
² The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted above all the peoples.
³ Let them praise your great
and awe-inspiring name.
He is holy.

 

The author of Psalm 99 reveals his utmost respect for GOD when he wrote “the Lord” for the name of GOD. Zion originally referred to the mountain upon which the Israelites worshipped. Then as time went on it referred to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a call to all people to worship the ONE TRUE GOD, Yahweh. JESUS was crucified in Jerusalem by the shedding of HIS sinless blood and all who place their faith in the fact that JESUS was:

Born by virgin Mary, lived a sinless life gave HIS life willingly to pay for the sin of every human who will place his or her faith in JESUS will be born-again in his or her spirit. The person will die one day but his or her born-again spirit will live eternally with GOD as HIS Son or Daughter.

 

When the psalmist penned these words, JESUS had not been born but the Holy Spirit led the Psalmist to pen these words looking forward to this GOD ordained event to save all from eternal death to live eternally with GOD and JESUS in Heaven. GOD gives each person redeemed by the shed blood of JESUS, the Holy Spirit to guarantee, assure that he or she has been redeemed from spending eternity in Hell but in Heaven with all of GOD’S redeemed.

 

 

Let’s read Romans 8:15:

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship/daughter ship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

 

This is the Good News that faith in JESUS brings to all who place his or her faith in JESUS. This is something each and every person must do to receive eternal life through faith in JESUS. Have you made this profession of faith? If not why not.

 

Let’s read what JESUS told Nicodemus when Nicodemus came to JESUS at night to learn more about JESUS. As we read in John 3:1-21:

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Let’s switch to the Old Testament ---

Let’s read Psalm 99:4-5:

 

⁴ The mighty King loves justice.
You have established fairness;
you have administered justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
⁵ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his footstool.
He is holy.

 

Examine the lives of the Old Testament founding followers of GOD. GOD was painting a picture of HIS love for them that would be fulfilled at the right moment in time. The Old Testament Patriarchs placed their faith in GOD and what was yet to come. They were looking forward to JESUS and we are looking back to the fulfillment of what has been fulfilled. We, who are alive, are looking forward to the second coming of JESUS, when all who have placed their faith in JESUS are fully redeemed by JESUS.

 

Let’s read Psalm 6-9:

 

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests;
Samuel also was among those calling on his name.
They called to the Lord and he answered them.
⁷ He spoke to them in a pillar of cloud;
they kept his decrees and the statutes he gave them.
⁸ Lord our God, you answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their sinful actions.

⁹ Exalt the Lord our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

 

GOD revealed Himself to the Israelites in very graphic ways. JESUS reveals Himself in many ways as well. One way is via the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, WHO calls you to accept JESUS as your Savior. Why not ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, now? Ask HIM to reveal Himself to you as you accept JESUS as your Savior and you build the right relationship with HIM.

 

What do we read in Revelation 3:20:

 

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

 

What door is JESUS knocking on? It is our hearts door. The most secret area within our body. It is the Holy Spirit Who knocks. As a Christian does that mean we will sin no more. Yes and No. What does a born-again believer do when they sin. Let’s read 1 John 1:9: ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

All born-again Christians must confess their sins in order to remain in fellowship with GOD through JESUS.

 

Step one for any person is to invite JESUS into his or her heart and ask HIM to help you build the right relationship with HIM. Ask JESUS to lead and guide you to those who can reveal truth to you. This may be a pastor or a Bible Teacher. If you do not have a Bible that you can read and understand. Get a copy of the Bible you can read and understand. Ask JESUS to reveal truth to you. One source to check is  Actsclass.blogspot.com. But also ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to a Bible teaching church, or fellowship or teacher where or who you can help you grow Spiritually. An important aspect of growing as a Christian is to put what you learn into action. Test what you are being taught against GOD’S Written Word. If for some reason you feel uneasy where the person is getting his or her information. If from the Bible ask for references to the scripture.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

Mentoring (6) – Paul and Timothy – July 9, 2023 but published July 15, 2023

 

Mentoring (6) – Paul and Timothy – July 9, 2023

This is last week’s study. Enjoy and be blessed. I believe you will be blessed! 

This is our final lesson in this series on Mentoring.

Our focus scripture is Acts 16:1-5, 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 3:10-12.

Focus your mentoring on growth in CHRIST and in HIS Word.

Our series has led us to consider several mentors. Being a mentor is a calling. When GOD calls and HE also equips. The mentor will learn as much or more than the person being mentored. When you, as a mentor, hit bumps in the road, it will result in you seeking GOD’S solution.

The person you are mentoring will experience the same. In fact, when you hit a bump, you can share with the person you are mentoring and you and your student can explore together the solution.

Keep in mind the indwelling Holy Spirit is teaching both you and the person you are mentoring.

Let’s read Acts 16:1-5:

Paul Selects Timothy

16 Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. ² The brothers and sisters (fellow Christians) at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him (Timothy). ³ Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so, he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

The Apostle Paul removed the obstacle that would be a stumbling block to the Jewish audience to whom Paul and his team would be ministering. Timothy’s father being a Greek had the right to refuse for Timothy NOT to be circumcised after his physical birth, which his father did.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:1-2:

2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace (Unmerited favor or GOD’s Grace) that is in Christ Jesus. ² What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men^[a] or women who will be able to teach others also. (Notice The Apostle Paul referred to Timothy as his son. Those to whom we mentor do become grafted in us. Those to whom GOD has allowed me and my precious wife mentor are like blood family. Our Spiritual bond is eternal.

Christians (Faithful men or women teach) other Christians the truth of CHRIST. The principle is “each Christian, teach a new Christian.” It is vital that truth is taught which is confirmed by the scripture.

Just as a new born human baby must be fed baby food for a time, those born of the Holy Spirit must be fed appropriate baby Spiritual food until they grow Spiritually to be able to process more weighty Spiritual food.

The Apostle Paul mentions this in 1 Corinthians 3:1 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, ³ because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife^[a] among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? What is your mindset? Toward the things the world offers or are your eyes and mind set focused on digging deeper into GOD’S Word and applying it as we journey through life? ⁴ For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans? Is JESUS our teacher via the Holy Spirit?

As a Christian have you grown Spiritually or are you still drinking milk and not yet eating solid Spiritual food? Those who are still drinking milk, it is time to grow up and start eating meat. We must ask our LORD JESUS to lead us to those who can teach us with the meat of the word and ween us from milk and pablum.

The Role of God’s Servants

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.

Many people listen to popular tele-evangelists. Many speak truth but others do not.  We must know GOD’S Word and listen to what they say and check what they say against the truth of GOD’S Word.

If you are listening to a presenter of GOD’S Word, listen carefully and if the hair on the back of your neck begins to rise or you feel uncomfortable, one of two things may be taking place. (1) The Holy Spirit is convicting you of your sin or (2) the Holy Spirit is warning that something being said is wrong. So, pay attention because something is either being said or about to be said that is contrary to GOD’S design and/or purpose. It is like when you feel uneasy being in an unsure situation. Ask JESUS to reveal truth to you, whatever it is. It may be that you are listening to a lie.

This has happened to me and my wife. We were listening to a pastor via TV while on vacation. We thought, wow, this person really knows truth, until he was finishing his message and that is when the hairs on our necks raised up and we both saw false claims. So sad but so glad not to be misled. As we get closer to end-times, many false preachers and teachers will rise up. So, beware and ask the Holy Spirit to separate truth from error. But keep in mind that there are those who speak truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to discern truth from error.

⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one,^[b] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[c] You are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to God’s grace (GOD’s unmerited favor) that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he/she has built survives, he/she will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. [Which of the foundation materials will burn and which will survive fire? How does a person obtain these fireproof foundational materials? First, A person must be Spirit-born by asking JESUS to forgive him or her for their sins and for JESUS to come into his or her heart. Why JESUS? JESUS freely gave HIS sinless human life by shedding HIS blood on the cross. JESUS willingly gave HIS life and died to pay the penalty for sin in full. The Good News is that GOD raised JESUS from the dead to be eternally alive. JESUS was and is the first fruit of all who will be resurrected from the physically dead. Salvation earns a person a silver reward. When a Spirit-born person leads others to JESUS, he or she earns a silver reward. Precious stones are earned as the Spirit-born person reads, studies and applies GOD’S Word. There are precious gems to be discovered and disclosed as we read GOD’S Word, The Bible. What about Gold? Gold is a Spirit-born person’s reflection of JESUS as he or she goes about life. When a Spirit-born person goes about obediently serving GOD by ministering to others and/or sharing the Gospel/JESUS that person receives a Gold reward and the Spirit-born person never knows it. Spirit-born people have many opportunities to build with fire-proof materials. Silver and gold melt? Oh YES! That makes it all the more exciting because the Master builder has the opportunity to take the remnants of life and build GODLY men and women. In GOD’S hands all of us have huge potential. Place your hands in the hands of GOD and ask HIM to make your life into a Masterpiece. When we get to heaven GOD will apply the fire to test our works. Our beautiful dwelling will be reduced to ashes. Oh, we may think oh such a loss, until we are led to filter through the ashes and discover the precious items that survived the fire. Oh, this looks like silver, this looks like gold, this looks like a ruby and a diamond and so many precious stones. Can you guess what GOD will do with these items? My precious wife reminded me of the answer – GOD will fashion the crown which we will place at the feet of JESUS, because without JESUS none of this would be possible. Oh My!!! Store up treasure in heaven where it will be waiting for that special day.]

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are. YES!!! Those who are Spirit-born belong to GOD and the Holy Spirit dwells within each person who has asked JESUS to forgive him or her for their sins and asked JESUS to come into his or her life.

The Folly of Human Wisdom

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness;^[f] 20 and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are futile.^[g] 21 So let no one boast in human leaders, for everything is yours— ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or the world or life or death or things present or things to come—everything is yours, ²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Those who teach or mentor others are accountable to GOD to teach and live the truth as expressed in GOD’S Book, the Bible. We are to study and teach truth as written in GOD’S Word.

You may say, “I don’t understand it all!” Neither do I but we are to ask GOD to reveal truth to us and over time HE does, as we grow Spiritually. The indwelling Holy Spirit is our teacher. Tell HIM what you do not understand and to give you understanding.

Our part is to seek and to ask and keep on asking. Why? We may need to grow mentally or Spiritually to be able to understand the answer. Wait.

There is much that goes on in the Spirit world. Let’s consider Daniel 10:10-20:

Angelic Conflict

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.^[f] Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

¹² “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.”

¹⁵ While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. ¹⁶ Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless. ¹⁷ How can someone like me, your servant,^[g] speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”

¹⁸ Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. ¹⁹ He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are^[h] treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” (Oh, my we who have been Spirit born are treasured by GOD!!! That is beyond exciting! Plus, we can call GOD, FATHER. WOW!

Salvation is a gift from GOD through faith in JESUS! That is the simple message of salvation.)

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

²⁰ He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. ²¹ However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael, your prince.

Did you know that all who are Spirit-born have a guardian Angel assigned to him or her? But keep in mind the Holy Spirit indwells you and the Holy Spirit is different than your Guardian Angel. All are accountable to GOD.

Let’s read 2 Timothy 3:10-12:

Struggles in the Christian Life

¹⁰ But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, ¹¹ along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. ¹² In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, ¹⁵ and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God^[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man/woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Amen!!!

Blessings!!!