James 3:13-18

This is my entire guideline in life and in politics. I am tired of the name calling, the lies and the hypocrisy. My wisdom will be based on the truth of God's word which says to provide for the good of everyone and will not serve corporations but the work of God's hands. God commanded us to love one another and to seek the good of others above ourselves. If we devour one another we will be devoured. Show me your works and let me see how you have used your power for the good of those who have no power!

Evil produces confusion. On the other hand, God brings harmony and wisdom . Anyone who is involved in envy and strife is confused. This confusion corrupts human relationships. James wanted his readers to set aside their petty attitudes and seek reconciliation. Bitterness, envy, and selfish behavior thoroughly corrupt a person.

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Matthew 5:43-48

The message that God wanted to make sure that we understood, even to the point of offering His only Son to come to this earth and die for us, is the message of 'Love'. On first look it would seem to be the easiest of the commands to accomplish but in truth it is the hardest thing we will ever do. Just thing of the consequences of it, no more war, poverty, coveting or murder……perfect, just as our God is perfect! If we could only think more of others and less of ourselves what a different world it would be.

To be a "son of" was to be like someone or something. That you may be sons of your Father in heaven means "that you may be like the Heavenly Father who displays His love without discrimination." God does not lower the standard to accommodate our sinfulness. He gives us the power to keep His righteous standard.

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Philippians 2:3-4

We are our brother's keeper! We
need to evaluate our actions and the actions of others on their merit and let the determining factor be how the action benefits not only them but others who cannot help themselves.

The honest self-examination that Paul was calling for leads to true humility.

2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

James 2:8-9

God loves everyone, rich or poor, black or white, female or male. He loves those who believe in Him and those who do not. He created man in His image and He cares for each and every individual person. We must do the same. We do not have the right to pick and choose those we love and those we do not if we want to be authentic Christians. We cannot fulfill God's command to love if we have prejudice in our heart.

The royal law is the law of love, (see 1:25; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39), a law superior to all other laws.

2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Galatians 5:13-15

The way that we treat others will determine how we are treated by others. If we need to tear others down in order to make ourselves look good we are destined for destruction. The world's dog eat dog mentality destroys lives and promotes wars and hatred. Christ called us to live freely by following Him in truth and righteousness. What does He ask of us….to love one another!

Liberty presents an opposite temptation from legalism. A person can be tempted to view freedom in Christ as a selfish opportunity for the flesh, in other words, an opportunity to do whatever one wants to do. Living in Christ empowers us to love others, which is the fulfillment of the law. Those who criticize and attack usually end up being consumed in worthless struggles.

5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.

Luke 10:25-28

The simplicity of the Gospel is man's undoing. Everyone has the resources to fulfill God's command but few of us can get past our emotional baggage and social thinking to actually do it. Love fulfills the law. How can any command be as easy to understand or harder to accomplish. And who are we to love? Everyone, it is as short and sweet as that!

The question posed by the lawyer is really a challenge, since the verse speaks of the testing of Jesus. This is a similar, though probably distinct, event from Matt. 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34. To inherit something is to receive it. This text summarized the central ethical standard of the Law.

How to Inherit Eternal Life

10:25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"

27 So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"

28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."

Mark 12:28-34

Love is the only thing that matters in this life and it is the only thing that we can carry with us into eternal life. Why does it seem to be so hard for us to love God and put Him first in our life and to love all people and care for their well being as much as we care about ourselves and our well being? If Christians have any hope of attaining what Christ called for us to do we must change our positions about helping people, all people, for what difference does it make if we only care for those who we like and who like us, doesn't everyone do that? Sometimes I wonder if God uses our tax system to make sure that those with greater income are forced to provide for the weak and poor of our society knowing that they would not do it out of the command to do so because of God's love for them.

The first commandment summarizes the first four of the Ten Commandments. The second is the essence of commandments five through ten, which relate to the treatment of other people.

Jesus' comparison of the percentages contributed by the rich and the poor reminds us that God measures not how much we give, but how much we retain. Those with greater income have an obligation to return a larger percentage of it to God's work.

Question of the Greatest Commandment

12:28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 3This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

But after that no one dared question Him.

35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'

37 Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?"

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Jesus Condemns the Leaders

38 Then He said to them in His teaching,  "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

Matthew 22:34-40

I woke up at 5AM once again trying to make some sense of the meaning of my life…..I have been married 4 times, the first lasted 24 years. The next two lasted 8 months each with 10 years between them, all three were alcoholics. I had been sexually molested at the age of 8 and it had left me to badly scarred to believe I was worthy to be loved and unable to make boundaries to protect myself. I am now married to a normal, non violent, home body that I am equally yoked with. We have been married 3 and a half years and it took awhile for me to see that all men were not the same. I now understand marital love in the way that God intended but I am saddened by the truth that I did not understand the men I married behind the pain of their demons and addiction. Through it all my only hope and my only rock was God……without Him I would not be here today!

Satan takes our weaknesses and uses them to destroy us. My Father has taken what Satan meant to destroy me and turned it to my good…..Praise be to the One who loves us most!! I love You Daddy!!

The Ten Commandments can be divided into two categories: those dealing with love for God (the first four Commandments) and those dealing with responsibilities toward other people (the last six Commandments). The same may be said for all the Law and the Prophets.

The Greatest Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

37 Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Jonah 4

God, full of mercy and kindness, does not want man to suffer. He does not want man to perish without hope of eternal life. Help me Father to have your heart for people, all people, and to do all that I can to alleviate the suffering of others and to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Help us Father, help us!

Jonah's irritation belied the good news that the city would be spared. Jonah himself had just been spared God's fair judgment, but he was unable to appreciate the parallel. In his continuing stubbornness and lack of compassion, Jonah held out hope that God would judge Nineveh. The reach of God's mercy to the undeserving is a theme that continued to elude Jonah even as he experienced it. If Jonah could take pity on a plant, which is even less important than an animal, it only made sense that God would take pity on human beings, who are made in God's image. The Book of Jonah ends on this note of contrast between Jonah's ungracious heart and the kind heart of the Lord.

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, "Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!"

4 Then the Lord said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"

5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, "It is better for me to die than to live."

9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?"

And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!"

10 But the Lord said, "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?

1 Corinthians 9

The NKJV says this: Paul had the right to eat and drink whatever he wanted, to have a wife, and to receive wages for his ministry.
But he did not exercise these rights. God requires that ministers should be paid for their work just as He requires beasts of burden to be compensated for theirs. To support ministers of the gospel is commanded by God.

Paul put his ministry of the gospel above his personal desires. He was willing to conform to the customs of other people, whether Jew or Gentile, in order to bring them to Christ. For example, in order to relate to the Jews in Jerusalem he made a Nazirite vow in the temple (Acts 21:23, 24). Around those who were under the Law—the Jews—Paul obeyed the Law. Around those who were outside the Law—the Gentiles—Paul did not observe Jewish custom. Paul clarified this, however, lest anyone misunderstand his actions. He obeyed God's law through obedience toward Christ . This was a broader law than the Mosaic legislation; this was the fulfillment of Christ's will.

The Greek word for disqualified means "disapproved after testing." Although some have cited this verse as evidence that Christians can lose their salvation, this clause most likely does not refer to salvation. A careful distinction should be made between the prize and the gift. The free gift of justification cannot be the result of good works (see Rom. 4:1–8). However the prize or crown is the reward for endurance and suffering for the cause of Christ.

9
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.
I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Zechariah 14:1-9

God's patience with man will come to an end. In that day all the plans that He laid in place will come to fruition and all the plans of men will evaporate. At the end of it all stands Jesus, the One who stands in the gap where God meets man. God Himself created a way for man to be saved. In Jesus alone is hope, in Jesus alone is peace, in Jesus alone is eternal salvation….Come Lord Jesus come!

Zechariah anticipates the glorious day when the Lord will reestablish His reign on this earth, where it was first challenged by Satan. This will be the answer to the prayers of all those who pray Jesus' words, "Your kingdom come".

14
Behold, the day of the Lord is coming,

And your spoil will be divided in your midst.

2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;

The city shall be taken,

The houses rifled,

And the women ravished.

Half of the city shall go into captivity,

But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3 Then the Lord will go forth

And fight against those nations,

As He fights in the day of battle.

4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,

From east to west,

Making a very large valley;

Half of the mountain shall move toward the north

And half of it toward the south.

5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,

For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.

Yes, you shall flee

As you fled from the earthquake

In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.

Thus the Lord my God will come,

And all the saints with You.

6 It shall come to pass in that day

That there will be no light;

The lights will diminish.

7 It shall be one day

Which is known to the Lord

Neither day nor night.

But at evening time it shall happen

That it will be light.

8 And in that day it shall be—

That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem,

Half of them toward the eastern sea

And half of them toward the western sea;

In both summer and winter it shall occur.

9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.

In that day it shall be

"The Lord is one,"

And His name one.

Matthew 5:1-14

The way of the world and the way of God are so vastly different we need to take heed and be doers of the Word made man, Jesus Christ, and not just hearers. He is the way, the truth and the only way to the Father. He gave up His life in exchange for ours so that we could have life and that abundantly! It is never to late to consider our ways and make a decision to follow His way.

The believer does not have inherent light; rather we have reflective light. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we reflect it. Therefore, we need to make sure that nothing comes between us and the Lord's light. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was essentially external adherence to rules. God demands more than this. Jesus' words must have shaken His disciples, since the meticulously righteous deeds of the scribes and Pharisees were regarded as being far above those of the average person. Hate your enemy is not found in Moses' writings. This was a principle drawn by the scribes and Pharisees from Lev. 19:18. However the only righteousness that satisfies God's standard is faith in Jesus Christ.

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jeremiah 2:8-17

The lesser gods that we have made for ourselves in money and power offer a false sense of security. God, in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, controls all. Man in his quest and in all his bravado can do nothing without Him. We need to open our eyes and make the decision to place our trust in God alone. We are to be His sons and daughters here on earth to accomplish His will for ourselves and those He places in our path.

Some might consider Jeremiah the model of faithfulness, while others might think of him as an example of failure and futility. He served as God's prophet for over 40 years, yet the rulers and the people of Judah did not listen to his warnings. Jeremiah was put in prison, thrown into a well, and taken to Egypt against his will. He was not allowed to marry. He was rejected by his friends, neighbors, family, false priests and prophets, and kings. Jeremiah stood alone in his call for the people to repent and turn to God. He warned them time and time again of their impending punishment. And even though much of what he prophesied came true during his ministry, the people and the leaders continued to ignore him.

Yet through all the hardship and humiliation he was forced to endure, Jeremiah remained obedient and faithful to God. Although at first he questioned God's calling, once he accepted his position he became a model of perseverance and devotion. After enduring decades of abuse, threats, and outright indifference, Jeremiah could easily have turned his back and walked away. But he knew that was exactly the problem God had told him to warn the people about. The people had turned away from God's will, and Jeremiah was not about to do the same. Some may look back at his ministry and consider it a failure because the people did not respond to his call. In reality, his life was a glorious success because Jeremiah remained faithful to his God. He may not have seen immediate results, but his struggle to obey God in a world that had turned wholesale away from its Creator has inspired generations of believers.

Jeremiah 2:8

The priests did not say, 'Where is the Lord?'

And those who handle the law did not know Me;

The rulers also transgressed against Me;

The prophets prophesied by Baal,

And walked after things that do not profit.

9 "Therefore I will yet bring charges against you," says the Lord,

"And against your children's children I will bring charges.

10 For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see,

Send to Kedar and consider diligently,

And see if there has been such a thing.

11 Has a nation changed its gods,

Which are not gods?

But My people have changed their Glory

For what does not profit.

12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this,

And be horribly afraid;

Be very desolate," says the Lord.

13 "For My people have committed two evils:

They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,

And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

14 "Is Israel a servant?

Is he a homeborn slave?

Why is he plundered?

15 The young lions roared at him, and growled;

They made his land waste;

His cities are burned, without inhabitant.

16 Also the people of Noph and Tahpanhes

Have broken the crown of your head.

17 Have you not brought this on yourself,

In that you have forsaken the Lord your God

When He led you in the way?

Jeremiah 52:31-34

God knows all and controls all. He knows the time we will accept His gift of salvation. He washes us clean and we become one of His own. We will never be able to fully comprehend His mercy and the kindness He bestows on man. He takes what Satan means to kill, steal and destroy us and transforms it into good to benefit us and those around us. May our lives reflect His love and His goodness? Through His love we will be changed precept upon precept into the image of His Son, the Body of Christ.

Jehoiachin was pardoned by the king of Babylon. Jehoiachin was provided food and given a seat of honor in Babylon. This restoration was symbolic of the future restoration of Israel and Judah to their homeland.

31 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. 32 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. 34 And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

The Ten Commandments

About 1,400 years later, the 10 Commandments were summed up in the New Testament at Matthew 22, when Jesus was confronted by the religious "experts" of the day:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).

Daniel 3

"And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

Man will always have his gods whether it is money, power or control. Man's quest for these leads him to exploit others to attain his goals. Drugs, alcohol, prostitution, sex slaves, gambling, pornography are some of the traps they use to make money and to control others. Even more harmful and addicting is the quest for the right body image, sport car, 6 figure job and the perfect house. Don't allow others to dictate your gods for there is only one God and all things in this life and in the next are under His power alone. It is past time for the children of God to be doers and not just hearers of His word. We need to take a stand for others and not base our decision on the almighty dollar but on His holy word. "For
God
so
loved
the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God wants that no one perish, no not one!!

3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried aloud: "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."

7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel's Friends Disobey the King

8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up."

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Saved in Fiery Trial

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king's command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?"

They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."

25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the 6mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the pMost High God, come out, and come here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this."

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.

 

1 Chronicles 22

We need to use the abundance of blessings that the Lord provides us to build up the Body of Christ. We accomplish this by being His hands of love to a world filled with violence and injustice. We need to provide a place of peace and acceptance where others can accept God's gift of salvation. We need to cultivate an attitude of giving in our family and pass it down from one generation to the next. David was not able to build the temple because he had committed acts of violence but he was able to provide the funds necessary to support those doing the work. Always remember God is in control!

The reason that God did not allow David to build the temple comes to light—David was a man of war. David's son Solomon would be a man of rest; that is, a king whose reign would be free from constant warfare. At that time of peace, God had resolved that a temple would be built. Therefore, only when God Himself brought the land into subjection would He authorize construction of a temple.

22 Then David said, "This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." 2 So David commanded to gather the aliens who were in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God. 3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails of the doors of the gates and for the joints, and bronze in abundance beyond measure, and cedar trees in abundance; for the Sidonians and those from Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

5 Now David said, "Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it." So David made abundant preparations before his death.

6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. 7 And David said to Solomon: "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; 8 but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.' 11 Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. 12 Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. 14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them. 15 Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. 16 Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you."

17 David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18 "Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord."

 

Romans 7

Man is a tripartite being, consisting of mind, body and spirit. The mind of man is incapable of understanding the spiritual and he will always struggle with good and evil within himself. The body only seeks to take care of its own physical needs. In Jesus Christ, in the spirit, we can be transformed, precept upon precept, bearing the fruits of the Spirit to the glory of God. Thank you Father that during this process You see Your Son and not the sinful self of man.

Without standards of right and wrong, there can be no judgment of what is sin and what is not. So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Being fleshly, sold over to sin, involves a conflict that mystifies Paul and other believers. Paul feels he does not understand himself. He finds himself defeated, not doing what he wants to do, and doing what he hates to do. The conflict indicates that there is battle between two identities in the believer. First there is something that acknowledges that the law … is good. Second there is something within, called sin, which produces evil. The wretched, or "distressed, miserable," man is the believer whenever he or she is defeated by sin. This defeat occurs whenever the believer fails to live in the power supplied by the Spirit. Paul breaks forth in jubilant praise to God that there is victory through Jesus Christ, who delivers believers from the body of death, the flesh.

Freed from the Law

7 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Sin's Advantage in the Law

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Law Cannot Save from Sin

13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But sI see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.