513 – When did the Shepherds and the Wise Men Meet?
The More Abundant Life
God 513 – When did the Shepherds and the Wise Men Meet? God is perfect. Jesus Christ is perfect. So God's Word must be perfect. God cannot contradict himself. When reading the Bible, we need to use all the keys required to let the word of God interpret itself. We need to be like detectives following the clues. Two things, amongst others, that I watch for are tradition versus truth, and I never trust pictures. We need to look at the words closely. The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1 – 21 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world...
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512 – The Grace of God Declared
The More Abundant Life
God 512 – The Grace of God Declared Paul of The Bible, part 3 Continuing with the series I'm doing on "Paul of the Bible," this is part 3, "The grace of God declared." We're going to look at the first 17 years of Paul's life, after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:22 – 31 “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25...
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511 – Paul's Prize in Literature
The More Abundant Life
God 511 – Paul's Prize in Literature How do we know anything about the Apostle Paul? It's through the God-breathed Scriptures—the Believer's Prize in Literature. The Church Epistles are the most fantastic literature ever written because they teach all the truth we need to live more abundantly, be successful, and experience personal victories. KJV Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed...
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510 – Paul of The Bible
The More Abundant Life
God 510 – Paul of The Bible This is the start of a series I'm doing on Paul of the Bible. The second most important person written about in the Bible is the Apostle Paul. Second only to Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. Like any historical figure, he has different parts of his life. He had an early influence, learning and changing throughout his life. We are going to look at Paul's life in the Bible. The Bible is the only accurate recording of Paul's life. In Acts, Chapters 6 and 7, Stephen delivers a comprehensive Old Testament history lesson. It ends up in Chapter 7:51-60. Acts 7:51...
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509 – How We Got The Bible
The More Abundant Life
God 509 – How We Got The Bible 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” All scripture is for profit; This must be something of immense value. We want to profit from the “all scripture.” “given by inspiration of God” is one word in Greek: Theopneustos – Theo, meaning God, and Pneustos, meaning breathed, or God Breathed—a figure of speech. John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is Spirit. 2...
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508 - The opening of the Class Part Two, The Reverence of God
The More Abundant Life
God 508 – The Reverence of God This is a reposting of The class on How to Read the Bible for Understanding and Power The opening of the Class Part Two, The Reverence of God We need the Scriptures to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We also want to learn and have respect for God, His Word, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Proverbs 1:7: Two types of fear – one is afraid, the other is reverence, awe, and respect of the Lord. Proverbs 2:1-6: We can find God's knowledge with prayer and the Bible. Proverbs 3:13-19: Break the bondage – set at liberty – The deliverance of God Luke 4:16-21, 1 -9...
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507 – The Greatest Work
The More Abundant Life
God 507 – The Greatest Work Have you ever thought about what the greatest work you can do is? What is the most crucial task that you have to do in knowing God's will, which is the greatest work you can do? It is to study and search the scriptures to see what they say, then you can live that way Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” We need to know what the Scriptures say and know the power of God to live extraordinary lives today. John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I...
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506 - Trust God and Believe
The More Abundant Life
God 506 - Trust God and Believe 3 John:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Luke 4:1 – 11 “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in...
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505 – Thinking and The Renewed Mind, You Renew Your Mind
The More Abundant Life
God 505 – Thinking and The Renewed Mind, You Renew Your Mind In this session of the series on Thinking and the Renewed Mind, we will examine this as an appendix or a wrapping up of loose ends, with the emphasis now being on 'You Renew Your Mind.' 2 Corinthians 10:1 “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:” Paul is saying here plainly that whether I am meek, bass, or if I am bold, it's all to help you. You'll see this as the context as we read this together. 2 Corinthians 10:2 “But I...
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504 – Thinking and The Renewed Mind, Keeping your Mind on God's Word
The More Abundant Life
God 504 – Thinking and The Renewed Mind, Keeping your Mind on God's Word The start and the Finish of the renewed mind is to watch what you're thinking. To develop good habits by continually thinking about them from The Word. Eliminate negative and unproductive habits, and reconsider your perspective on the concepts and precepts of God's Word. A simple way to do this is to establish a daily regimen of reading God's Word and praying for the things you would like to see happen in your life and in the lives of others. I want to point out some keys, but it goes without saying that there are many...
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God
497 – Thinking and The Renewed Mind
Righteousness is part of our renewed mind thinking. Life is lived in our minds. What we think, what we feel, all our emotions, all our aspirations, all our thoughts are all in our minds.
That's how we live in our minds, everybody, man, woman, and child, no matter how old. We need to work on our thoughts. That's the reason for this teaching series on thinking and the renewed mind.
Romans 12:1 – 3 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
The first thing I want to get into is 'by the mercies of God.' Let's look at a man who was so human that there are lessons for us to learn here.
Genesis 19:15 & 16 “And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.”
Lot's thinking wasn't so good. You might be able to say he was not in his right mind. In these verses, we see the word mercy used, and this is the first time that the word is used in Scripture, making it a good example of mercy.
2 Peter 2:6 – 8 “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”
The Scripture here tells us that Lot was righteous. God took his sin away as far as the East is from the West, even into the deepest sea. Even being righteous, he could not keep his mind right; it was vexed.
Genesis 19:17 – 22 “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.”
Lot was a man with half a brain. He couldn't think. God, at times, is willing to change His mind to help people, but when He does, the best you can get is only second best. This is an example of God's mercy to a man with an unrenewed mind.
Genesis 19:37 & 38 “And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.”
God gave both the Moabites and the Amorites an inheritance, but later they wanted to kill the Israelites. God had to save the Israelites.
Give thanks for his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 136:1 – 25 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
In our thinking, in our minds, when things get challenging and uncomfortable, we usually revert to our habits. In the renewed mind, we need to train our minds, our thinking, to think things from the written Word.
How deserving was Israel? What about our thinking do we deserve anything from God? But by God's grace and mercy and because of what Jesus Christ and God accomplished for us, and because God says so, we deserve it.
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Our reasonable service means we make ourselves available to God so that God can direct our path. It is not our job to fix anybody. Our job is to be available, listen to God's Word, and share what it says with others. God doesn't make us responsible to believe for others, but to simply give them God's Word and give them a chance to believe for themselves. That's it.
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Now we need to renew our minds to The Word. Everything happens in our brains, our minds. Once again, life is lived in our minds, in what we think. We need to watch what we think and maintain what we think according to The Word of God.
Until we meet again, may God bless you abundantly.
Agape,
The Teacher: Rev. Steve Jaynes
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