Adorn the doctrine of God

...showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect (Titus 2:10c NASB)

This is a really interesting verse. It is addressed to servants - of which each of us are to Christ. Servants are to adorn the doctrine of God. The word translated "adorn" is Strongs 2885 meaning "to put in order, embellish, decorate. Metaphorically equivalent to to embellish with honor, gain honor." (Strongs, Thayer) 

We are to wear the doctrine of Christ and by doing so, embellish Christ with honor. Paul writes:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (1 Corinthians 5:20 NASB )

The job of an ambassador is to represent his country well. He acts in a way that brings honor to his homeland - not shame. 

Abraham was aware of his heavenly homeland and his temporary time on earth.

Hebrews says, By faith he (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign [land], dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10 NASB)

We too are living in a foreign land. We are residents of heaven, dwelling on earth for a short time - only a human lifetime.

Peter writes: Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. (1 Peter 2:11)

Brothers and sisters, let us stand strong against things that would war against our soul, against things that would bring shame to our homeland and our Creator, and let us adorn the doctrine of God.

Apparent Age of the Earth...Thoughts from Sundays Sermon

The earth was created with the appearance of age - plants and trees were seed bearing - which implies age. Adam and Eve were created as adults not babies. It makes sense that while we have a young earth, it has the appearance of being much older. This fact from Scripture offers one way we can reconcile what Scripture teaches us with science. When they conflict, remember, science continually changes depending on new evidence. Genesis is complete.

 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”  And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.  And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so.  God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,  and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.  And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.  And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”  So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.  And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:2-25 ESV)

Viruses

Recently, we found a virus on one of our family computers and it got me thinking. Viruses get "injected" onto our computers often going under the radar of our virus protection software which is supposed to protect and guard our computer. Once there, these viruses cause damage without us even knowing they are there. If we are lucky we catch it before the damage is too great, but sometimes the damage is irreversible.

It's the same with thoughts and behaviors we have in our life that don't please God. They often fly in under our radar. Events, thoughts or behaviors come into our lives and sometimes slip in under our "guard". If we don't recognize these for what they are, they can cause much damage before we even realize it.

Moral? Make sure your virus protection is up to date and running both on your computer and especially  in your life. Search your mind and actions for things that may not be pleasing to the LORD.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13 NASB)

In the beginning...Thoughts from Sunday's Sermon

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

(NASB)

In the beginning GOD. 

The creation event was historical and not mythological. We must believe that before we can believe the gospel.

In the beginning GOD. 

Scripture itself bears witness to the Genesis 1:1 account and so should we. 

In the beginning GOD.

Creation exists for the pleasure of the Creator. Why? 

In part, the answer is:

In the beginning GOD.

Everything had a beginning except God. He is the creator of everything. Everything begins with creation and history is His Story about everything.

In the beginning GOD.
This is the beginning of worship.

Sin will find you out

David probably thought his sin with Bathsheba was hidden forever, but generation upon generation has knowledge of his murderous affair.

Judas probably thought that no one would know it was he who betrayed Christ, but it is recorded in holy writ for all eternity.

Scripture says:
Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:3 HCSB

and

"I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. Jeremiah 17:10 NASB

We have a holy walk before the Lord because of our love for Him and because of His commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(1 John 5:3 KJV)

And, if this love fails you for a brief moment Christian, have a holy walk for fear of the Lord because he searches our hearts and your sin will find you out.

Coming In, Going Out

Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. (Deuteronomy 28:6)

The blessings of the law are not canceled. Jesus confirmed the promise when He bore the penalty. If I keep the commands of my Lord, I may appropriate this promise without question.

This day I will come in to my house without fear of evil tidings, and I will come in to my closet expecting to hear good news from my Lord. I will not be afraid to come in unto myself by self-examination, nor to come in to my affairs by a diligent inspection of my business. I have a good deal of work to do indoors, within my own soul; oh, for a blessing upon it all, the blessing of the Lord Jesus, who has promised to abide with me.

I must also go out. Timidity makes me wish that I could stay within doors and never go into the sinful world again. But I must go out in my calling, and I must go out that I may be helpful to my brethren and useful to the ungodly. I must be a defender of the faith and an assailant of evil. Oh, for a blessing upon my going out this day! Lord, let me go where Thou leadest, on Thy errands, under Thy command, and in the power of Thy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, turn in with me and be my guest; and then walk out with me and cause my heart to burn while You speak with me by the way.

-

C. H. Spurgeon

When it doesn't make sense

Sometimes where God leads us does not make sense. 

He will never lead us to sin and will ALWAYS lead us in accordance with Scripture and in all righteousness, but honestly, sometimes where He leads doesn't make sense to us until we look back in hindsight. Here are just a few instances where what God said, or did didn't make sense.

• Abraham - told he would have a child when he and his wife were passed child bearing age. Not medically possible, yet he did.

• That Peter could walk on water to Jesus. This defies the law of gravity. Yet, while Peter had faith, he did.

• That King David's descendants would rule on the throne FOREVER. No one family rules forever. Yet, Christ descended from David and does rule forever.

• That through the work of 12 men, the gospel message would be spread throughout the whole earth. A dozen men would change the world forever?? Yet, by the Spirit working through them they did.

• Some of the New Testament's most powerful epistles were written by Paul from a prison cell. This would have thrown many for a loop, thinking, "God, how can I witness for you NOW that I am incarcerated?? I thought you called me to do great things for you. What now?" 

 Yet Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were written from a cell and have reached far more people than if Paul had given personal testimony just to those he saw and not written these letters.

          

So, next time God leads you to take a step that doesn't make sense, just remember, it makes perfect sense to Him that created all things!

~~~

Col 1:16-17  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (KJV)

Ecc 8:4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?" (NASB)

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (NASB)

Hide the Word in Your Heart

Scripture memorization is good, but takes discipline. Here are some reasons to memorize and some tools to help you.

Reasons:

-Not sin against God (Psalm 119:11)
-To meditate on God's word (Psalm 119:148)
-So we don't let things of God slip (Hebrews 2:1)
-So OUR steps don't slip (Psalm 37:31)
-So we will delight to do God's will (Psalm 40:8)
-To help keep our mind on God which gives perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)


Psalm 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:148  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 

Heb 2:1  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip (NASB)

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart. (NASB)

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee

Tools for you:

• Website: memverse.com

This website is free, will keep track of your verses for you as well as when you need to review! More review for the more recent ones...less review for the old familiar ones. More as well. Galilee has a group there. If you go to Galilee,you can join our group when you sign up for memverse.

• Scripture Songs (You know how you always remember word to songs? Well....)

1. Free memory songs (varied translations I think): http://www.scripturesongs.net/
2. Pop Scripture Songs  http://www.forevergratefulmusic.com/ (pop and contemporary Christian kind of music style. Professionally done. Not free.  First 2 cd's are NIV. Last 6 or 7 are ESV )
3. Folk Style Scripture Songs:  http://www.scripturesongs.com/Scripture_Songs/SCRIPTURE_SONGS_-_KJV_BIBLE.html (These are the KJV sung in a Peter, Paul and Mary style. Professional. Cost associated)

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