Conforming our thoughts & actions to the Spirit’s inner testimony of Christ within us is the goal of every true believer.
In Paul’s letter to the believer’s in Rome, he offered so practical ways this can be achieved in us.
Continue readingThe Strong’s dictionary of New Testament words defines grace in this way…
“of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the Divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)”
God’s grace manifests itself in many ways – kindness, graciousness, benevolence…etc. It is always free and undeserved. Even if man were to be good enough to merit His grace, merit is NOT God’s motive for offering it to us.
At the end of the day though, virtually all expressions of grace can be summed up as, “God’s influence upon our hearts and its expression in our lives resulting especially in gratitude.”
Thru the Bible: The Intertestamental Period
Tonight we embark on a brief overview of “the years of silence” between Malachi to Messiah. The world we see in the time of Malachi is vastly different than what we find in Matthew.
This is the time period which Amos foretold of a “famine for hearing the word of the Lord”.
Tonight we are introducing the natural and governmental world of the Jews in this time period.
Continue readingThru the Bible: Malachi 3:13-4:6
Malachi wraps up with a rebuke from God over Israel’s unfaithfulness and selfish disrespect. He also convey’s God’s promise to remember and make a distinction between the unfaithful and the reverent.
Then God begins “troublesome times” maked by a famine for hearing the word of the Lord. The long 400 years of silence predicted by Daniel & Amos. The silence to Israel as a nation would not be broken until three angel sighting occurred, The first to Zacharias, father of John the Baptist. The second to Mary Jesus’ earthly mother. The third to Shepherds in a field outside Jerusalem at the birth of Messiah Jesus!
God Bless!
Continue readingThru the Bible: Malachi 2:17-3:12
This week God uses Malachi to offer Israel a sign of Messiah’s coming by describing His forerunner which Isaiah also did.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all identify John the Baptist as the fulfillment of those prophecies.
Also, God addresses Israel’s third and final major sin – that of failing to support and give into the lives of thier spiritual leaders and the curse that brings.
Paul, draws a direct line between this and giving to ministirial support in 1 Corinthains 9 by saying, “(13) Do you not know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?
(14) IN THE SAME WAY, the Lord has COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.” – 1Corinthians 9:12-14.
Spirit please give us all ears to hear and eyes to see.
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