This year Passover begins sundown April 8th and ends sundown April 16th.
As the entire globe is experiencing a unique and uncertain set of circumstances during this Passover season, I would like to share these key truths found in God’s Word to meditate upon. Keep your eyes on Him believer.
He upholds all things. All things.
He is faithful to do His part. No question.
Will you do yours?
In this fifth episode of the podcast, we will take a closer look into the invitation of Jesus to “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me..” found in Matthew 11:28-30
Are you weary? Are you heavy-laden? In Him, you will find rest for your soul.
In this fourth episode of the podcast, we will be discussing certain key Scriptures which clearly illustrate that Jesus was not a victim of circumstance. But rather, how He had full knowledge and complete control of the events leading to His death, burial, and resurrection.
Are you aware that wealth does not exclusively involve money or possessions?
The truest forms of wealth are those things which money could never buy. Things like contentment, joy, love, spiritual health and well-being.
Do you realize how valuable peace of mind is? Or the ability to sleep sweetly at night?
Simple pleasures that are so easily overlooked or taken for granted.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)
This is how someone may outwardly own many possessions, expensive clothing, and a large bank account, but inwardly be destitute.
“For you say, ‘I am rich, I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ Not realizing that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)
Or how another could seemingly be lowly and in poverty, but truthfully be rich.
“I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich” (Revelation 2:9)
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says,
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalm 37:16)
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it. (Proverbs 15:16-17)
King Solomon writes,
Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
Notice how it is God who not only provides the wealth and possessions, but also supplies the ability to be able to enjoy them.
This is why Paul writes in his letter to Timothy,
“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6)
According to Christ, we are to have a kingdom first mindset.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
So where is your wealth?
In this episode of the podcast, we will discuss three different examples of civil disobedience found in scripture. As believers and followers of Christ, sometimes obedience to God will mean disobedience to men. No compromise. Where is your allegiance?
In this second episode, I give a basic introduction to the podcast, and also discuss my original motivation for creating the website and podcast, as well as some ideas about where I’d like to take it.
In this very first episode of the podcast, we will be studying the Miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana, as recorded in the Gospel of John Chapter 2 verses 1-11.
Godly Counsel vs Worldly Counsel
Discerning the Difference
coun•sel
noun
1. advice; or instruction given upon request, for directing the judgment or conduct of another.
synonyms: advice, guidance, counseling, direction, information
2. the lawyer or lawyers conducting a case.
synonyms: lawyer, advocate, attorney, counselor
Throughout the course of our daily living, we are continually faced with the process of decision-making. Some of these decisions seem minor and trivial, while others may have a broader range of consequences. The decisions we make, however big or small, will have an effect on ourselves, the people around us, and ultimately, the course of our lives.
I think we’ve all been in that situation where we’ve deliberated about a certain decision, and we pretty much have our minds made up as to the course we’re going to take, but then we run it by a few friends or family members in order to see if their opinions will agree with our own. We’re looking for the advice we want to hear.
As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to use discernment about what kinds of counsel we are receiving. About who we are sharing intimate details with and who we are allowing to speak into our lives.
-Proverbs 12:26
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to him who understands. Leave the presence of a fool, for you will gain no knowledge from his speech.
-Proverbs 14:6-7
-Psalm 1:1-2
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
-1 Corinthians 15:33
-James 4:4
“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.”
-Isaiah 30:1
The word of God explains that there are two types of wisdom- godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is any counsel, teaching, philosophy, or attitude that does not line up with the truth of God’s word. It is instead carnal, prideful, selfish, and deceitful. It is a mindset which places our own will ahead of God’s will. This type of advice appeals to our flesh, rather than to our spirit.
In the letter of James we see the contrasting nature of these two types of wisdom:
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior and deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy.
-James 3:13-17
The apostle Paul writes of how the so-called wisdom of the world is actually foolishness to God:
-1 Corinthians 3:18-20
For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
-1 Corinthians 1:19-20
When seeking guidance and direction for our lives, we do not need worldly wisdom, or the opinions of man, we need true biblically based wisdom. Therefore, the first step in decision making for the believer, should be bringing it before the Lord in humble submission. Seeking the Father’s counsel on the issue, through prayer and time in His word.
-Proverbs 2:6
Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
-Proverbs 3:7
-Psalm 32:8
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4
-Isaiah 28:29
We are told that we should delight in the counsel of God’s word, and that it is to be the guide which illuminates the path of our lives.
Your testimonies are my delight and my counselors.
-Psalm 119:24
-Psalm 119:105
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus reveals what is to be the believer’s number one priority amongst the cares and needs of our daily lives:
-Psalm 37:30
Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety
-Proverbs 11:14
Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
-Proverbs 15:21-23
-1 Timothy 6:20-21
-2 Corinthians 1:12
-Hebrews 10:24-25
In closing, I’d also like to take the time to draw attention to the definition of the word ‘counsel’ found at the beginning of this article. Notice how one of the meanings is that of a legal representative, an ‘advocate’ or ‘counselor’. What is fascinating about this, is found in the descriptive title Jesus gives regarding the Holy Spirit.
-John 14:26
-John 15:26
-John 16:7
b) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, an advocate, legal assistant, defense counselor, an intercessor
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go, so that He may send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, our Advocate and Counselor. As Jesus spoke these words to encourage His disciples, so may we too be encouraged by this amazing revelation.
In this study, we will take a look at several passages of Scripture to see what the Bible has to say about money, true wealth, and our giving. For the purpose of clarity, I read from the NIV and NKJV. Thanks for taking the time to watch this video- my hope is that it will be a blessing to you as well.
He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.
Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
-Mark 2:1-5
When the scribes heard Jesus forgiving the man’s sins, they asked, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” (Mark 2:7)
Jesus then asked which would be easier to say to a paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk”?
According to The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:
‘This is an unanswerable question. The statements are equally simple to pronounce; but to say either, with accompanying performance, requires divine power. An imposter, of course, in seeking to avoid detection, would find the former easier.
Jesus proceeded to heal the illness so that men might know that he had the authority to deal with its cause.’
“None on earth has either the authority or the right to forgive sin. None could forgive sin save the One against whom all have sinned. When Christ forgave sin, as He certainly did, He was not exercising a human prerogative. Since none but God can forgive sins, it is conclusively demonstrated that Christ, since He forgave sins, is God.”
-Lewis Sperry Chafer, Founder & President of Dallas Theological Seminary
The paralytic had not sinned against the man Jesus; the two men had never even seen each other before. The paralytic had sinned against God. Then along comes Jesus, who under His own authority says, “Your sins are forgiven.” We may forgive sins committed against us personally, but in no way can anyone forgive sins committed against God except God Himself. Yet this is exactly what Jesus claimed to do. It is no wonder therefore, why the Jewish leaders reacted so violently at these claims Christ made.
Steadfast Disciple 