STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

7/25/2021 ~ Honoring Servants of God

🎖   HonoringAM.mp3 (24m 04s)           Honoring2AM.mp3 (25m 20s)      Honoring.pptx Darkness unveils all that is retched. Honoring those exposing truth upholds all that is good. ... Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." ~ Matthew 13:57 Contempt and acts of arrogance have stolen truth for the sake of evil selfish intents. What thoughts we honor declares who we are, despicable or magnanimous. Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. ~ Psalms 115:1 All glory, when given to God, frees a heart to stand on skies high. ... but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, ... ~ Ephesians 4:29-30 In His grace blessings have poured out. Without applying His truths calamity ensues for all festering hearts. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, ... ~ Ephesians 4:31-32 All desire to be at peace from the tortures of living    → Be:            Tenderhearted            Kind to one another            Forgiving one another    We’ve all heard 'to be or not to be'. God has announced His BE's. God’s will is for us to lift one another. The bottom is no higher than the top. ... recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:11-13 The Lord is the supporting beam. Let those that praise Him, and diligently seek His truths, be honored in love. Love is over all, and what flavors life. This spirit of salt rises from Jesus and the truth He delivers. "Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." ~ Mark 9:50 The salt of life is the message of Christ. Our passion is what gives us that spice of truth. ... continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ... ~ Hebrews 13:15-16 In His truth and light of life we are to employ goodness in our hearts. Obey those who rule over you, ... Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ~ Hebrews 13:17 Tears bring with them reasons not always understood. For unsettled souls attacking what they lack tortures all who surround them. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ~ 1st Timothy 5:17 Labors toward clearer truth should be rewarded for the sake of the effort itself. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ~ 1st Peter 2:17 Do not push the will of God aside    → Honor all people    → Love the brotherhood       → Fear God    → Honor the king Is there anyone who does not want to be saved? Only a seared conscience without hope bent on evil is furthest away. Hope is a fundamental and foundational quality of life. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ~ Philippians 2:3 All would hope for an umbrella of security where want is satisfied, and love nurtures the pure child we all once had in innocence. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ~ 1st Peter 4:10 Each of us has a light from within. God wills we find and use what He has given, no matter how small or large, to give it our all. While we are on the earth, He calls us out to use these given gifts for the edification of all. God is One and looks to His people to be the same. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ~ John 1:17 Without the coming of Jesus, how now could we know truth or grace that God has delivered to us? "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon." ~ Luke 18:32 Jesus went to His knees for each one of us. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:14-15 Many individual evils deny the joy we all seek Sprit of Glory God rests Upon You Shame on all those cursing what is noble in all efforts to improve living for all. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? ~ Galatians 4:16 When someone accuses another, it often is a shortcoming they themselves possess; four fingers pointing back at the stick thrower. The old Biblical adage of removing the log from your own eye before you condemn your brother applies here. ... not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ~ Romans 12:3 Arrogance cripples spirituality and deludes souls   Think highly of self ≠ Sober faith   The Bible declares arrogance is a sin that destroys peace and damages faith. ... individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: ... ~ Romans 12:4-6 God spreads the candy of life plentifully. A store full of fruits is instore for all the faithful who endure alone, in fellowship with all. Different stages are upon all as fingerprints lay uniquely upon each. To be alive is to know verse dead in a speechless loneliness, without the supporting efforts of others. Everyone needs help, and denying this is what creates arrogant isolated contemptuous hearts. ... Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:7-9 Talent resides in each to find our part                      Ministry ↔ Ministering             Who teaches ↔ In teaching             Who exhorts ↔ In exhortation                 Who gives ↔ With liberality                 Who leads ↔ With diligence   Who shows mercy ↔ With cheerfulness When one compares oneself to another or others a stance of elevation occurs. If we become the standard, then all else falls short. It is only when we see the gifts given by God, with humble thankful hearts, that spiritual freedom arrives, and the anchors from others fade. One must kick away judgments that lead to nowhere, and it is God who is the only judge. It takes discipline to place calm over the crazy in each of us. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, ... ~ Romans 12:10-13 Purpose drives one in what they believe   Be kindly affectionate in honor          ⮡  Giving preference to one another                        ● Not lagging in diligence                      ● Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord                      ● Rejoicing in hope                      ● Patient in tribulation                      ● Continuing steadfastly in prayer                      ● Distributing to saints needs                      ● Given to hospitality Many principles that guide the goodness of a soul are instructed in the Bible. It is filled with challenges to overcome and apply character traits that are not always easy to do. Knowing truth is the first step on the upward path. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ... ~ Romans 12:14-16 There are unhappy people who will blame you for their grief. This does not rise to the principles the Bible teaches and generally these complainers are found emanating from spiritually immature arrogant souls. ... If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ~ Romans 12:17-18 Time will expose us to atrocities from friends, family, country, and earth. It can eat one alive without standing on the shoulders of God. Having purpose, and peace with this, helps all those we encounter. It is disgruntled souls that rock the calm as bulls in glass houses. Their venom will always strike as long as they see self over God’s grace. Ignorance obscures unity for those who deny God ● A prophet has no honor in his own house ● Do not grieve the Holy Spirit with a bitter heart ● Recognize those who labor in works & esteem them ● Passion for the word is what spices the heart ● It is unprofitable to cause grief to one’s leaders ● Let elders rule well with double honor ● Care for and put others above yourself ● Grace and truth came through Jesus ● Jesus, the greatest servant, was spit upon ● Being criticized for Christ condemns accusers ● The truth can be offensive to those holding shame ● Do not think higher about oneself but seek soberly ● Each has use differing given gifts according to grace Can we rise from the tears of discord? How many across the ages have been unable to help the ones they love? Division has never gained the hope all cry for. Hardship lies on the path for all that pursue truth. Darkness cannot see itself where nothing is seen.