Embrace Holy Living - Reflecting God - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States from Wednesday, 7 June 2017 through Friday, 9 June 2017-------
Reflecting God - "Love for the Father" by Phil Pinckard for Friday, 9 June 2017 - 1 John 2:3-171 John 2:3 The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands. 4 Anyone who says, “I know him,” but isn’t obeying his commands is a liar — the truth is not in him. 5 But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him. 6 A person who claims to be continuing in union with him ought to conduct his life the way he did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command. On the contrary, it is an old command, which you have had from the beginning; the old command is the message which you have heard before. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command, and its reality is seen both in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in this light while hating his brother is still in the dark. 10 The person who keeps loving his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him that could make him trip. 11 But the person who hates his brother is in the dark — yes, he is walking in the dark, and he doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 You children, I am writing you
because your sins have been forgiven for his sake.
13 You fathers, I am writing you
because you have known him who has existed from the beginning.
You young people, I am writing you
because you have overcome the Evil One.
14 You children, I have written you
because you have known the Father.
You fathers, I have written you
because you have known him who has existed from the beginning.
You young people, I have written you
because you are strong —
the Word of God remains in you,
and you have overcome the Evil One.
15 Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; 16 because all the things of the world — the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life — are not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God’s will remains forever.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command. On the contrary, it is an old command, which you have had from the beginning; the old command is the message which you have heard before. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command, and its reality is seen both in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in this light while hating his brother is still in the dark. 10 The person who keeps loving his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him that could make him trip. 11 But the person who hates his brother is in the dark — yes, he is walking in the dark, and he doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 You children, I am writing you
because your sins have been forgiven for his sake.
13 You fathers, I am writing you
because you have known him who has existed from the beginning.
You young people, I am writing you
because you have overcome the Evil One.
14 You children, I have written you
because you have known the Father.
You fathers, I have written you
because you have known him who has existed from the beginning.
You young people, I have written you
because you are strong —
the Word of God remains in you,
and you have overcome the Evil One.
15 Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; 16 because all the things of the world — the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life — are not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God’s will remains forever.
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We know about IQs or Intelligence Quotients, but what of your LQ or Love Quotient? Jesus taught that the first and greatest command was to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). This is Christian Perfection. John Wesley writes: “By ‘Perfection’ I mean ‘perfect love,’ or the loving God with all our heart, so as to rejoice evermore, to pray without ceasing and [in] everything to give thanks. I am convinced every believer may attain this; yet I do not say he is in a state of damnation or under the curse of God till he does attain. No, he is in a state of grace and in favor with God as long as he believes” (Works, II, 227).*
Our love must be wholehearted, pure, constant and complete. Without rival from any other object or affection! How is your Love Quotient? *W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta [1999-2003]: Candler School of Theology, p 30-1."Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles wesley
We know about IQs or Intelligence Quotients, but what of your LQ or Love Quotient? Jesus taught that the first and greatest command was to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). This is Christian Perfection. John Wesley writes: “By ‘Perfection’ I mean ‘perfect love,’ or the loving God with all our heart, so as to rejoice evermore, to pray without ceasing and [in] everything to give thanks. I am convinced every believer may attain this; yet I do not say he is in a state of damnation or under the curse of God till he does attain. No, he is in a state of grace and in favor with God as long as he believes” (Works, II, 227).*
Our love must be wholehearted, pure, constant and complete. Without rival from any other object or affection! How is your Love Quotient? *W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta [1999-2003]: Candler School of Theology, p 30-1."Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles wesley
- Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart. - Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty. - Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love. - Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; [Colossians 3:14].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Cameroon.
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Reflecting God - "Do Not Slander One Another" by Phil Pinckard for Thursday, 8 June 2017 - James 4:1-12James 4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires.
4 You unfaithful wives! Don’t you know that loving the world is hating God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy! 5 Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a spirit in us which longs to envy? 6 But the grace he gives is greater, which is why it says,
“God opposes the arrogant,
but to the humble he gives grace.”[James 4:6 Proverbs 3:34]
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people! 9 Wail, mourn, sob! Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 Brothers, stop speaking against each other! Whoever speaks against a brother or judges a brother is speaking against Torah and judging Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of what Torah says, but a judge. 12 There is but one Giver of Torah; he is also the Judge, with the power to deliver and to destroy. Who do you think you are, judging your fellow human being?-------
Where I live, many raise chickens for commercial use. Chickens attack the weaker, wounded in the flock, often pecking them to death. To prevent this, chicken farmers have installed yellow lights in their coops. Why? Chickens have poor eyesight and under the yellow lights they cannot know which chickens are ill and/or diseased.James 4 says, “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”Sadly the church resembles the chicken coop. Others often attack brothers and sisters who have stumbled rather than encouraging and building them up. We slander one another with sarcasm, gossip and innuendo, not realizing that we are tearing down instead of building; that we are speaking against the law and judging against it. Isn’t it time to install some yellow lights in our sanctuaries, classrooms and fellowship areas?"Wonderful Words of Life!" by Philip P. Bliss
1. Sing them over again to me,
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty,
teach me faith and duty:
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
2. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the laving call,
wonderful words of life;
all so freely given,
wooing us to heaven:
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
3. Sweetly echo the gospel call,
wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all,
wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
sanctify forever,
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
“Because the poor are oppressed,because the needy are groaning,
I will now rise up,” says Adonai,
“and grant security to those whom they scorn.”[Psalm 12:6].
Please pray:
That many people in Caneroon will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
4 You unfaithful wives! Don’t you know that loving the world is hating God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy! 5 Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a spirit in us which longs to envy? 6 But the grace he gives is greater, which is why it says,
“God opposes the arrogant,
but to the humble he gives grace.”[James 4:6 Proverbs 3:34]
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people! 9 Wail, mourn, sob! Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into gloom! 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 Brothers, stop speaking against each other! Whoever speaks against a brother or judges a brother is speaking against Torah and judging Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of what Torah says, but a judge. 12 There is but one Giver of Torah; he is also the Judge, with the power to deliver and to destroy. Who do you think you are, judging your fellow human being?-------
Where I live, many raise chickens for commercial use. Chickens attack the weaker, wounded in the flock, often pecking them to death. To prevent this, chicken farmers have installed yellow lights in their coops. Why? Chickens have poor eyesight and under the yellow lights they cannot know which chickens are ill and/or diseased.James 4 says, “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”Sadly the church resembles the chicken coop. Others often attack brothers and sisters who have stumbled rather than encouraging and building them up. We slander one another with sarcasm, gossip and innuendo, not realizing that we are tearing down instead of building; that we are speaking against the law and judging against it. Isn’t it time to install some yellow lights in our sanctuaries, classrooms and fellowship areas?"Wonderful Words of Life!" by Philip P. Bliss
1. Sing them over again to me,
wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty,
teach me faith and duty:
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
2. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the laving call,
wonderful words of life;
all so freely given,
wooing us to heaven:
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
3. Sweetly echo the gospel call,
wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all,
wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
sanctify forever,
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
wonderful words of life.
“Because the poor are oppressed,because the needy are groaning,
I will now rise up,” says Adonai,
“and grant security to those whom they scorn.”[Psalm 12:6].
Please pray:
That many people in Caneroon will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
-------Reflecting God - "Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak" by Phil Pinckard for Wednesday, 7 June 2017 - James 1:19-27James 1:19 Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry; 20 for a person’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness!
21 So rid yourselves of all vulgarity and obvious evil, and receive meekly the Word implanted in you that can save your lives. 22 Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! 23 For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does.
26 Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing. 27 The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.
21 So rid yourselves of all vulgarity and obvious evil, and receive meekly the Word implanted in you that can save your lives. 22 Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! 23 For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does.
26 Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing. 27 The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.
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Over half of my ministry has been invested in listening to others—in emergency rooms, intensive care units, nursing stations, homes and community centers. I’ve learned the value of simply being present. When Jesus returned to Bethany to friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus, they seemed to understand the importance of presence, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
When attending a family in crisis, I became keenly aware that of utmost importance was my presence. Only Jesus can change outcomes as he did at Bethany; I may not effect change, but I can be faithfully present. Others seem to understand this power of presence. At the end of his summer internship Jeremy gave me a stethoscope saying “Because you listen to people’s hearts.”
Are you quick to listen and slow to speak?Open My Eyes, That I May See" by Clara H. Scott
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! 2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! 3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Listen and hear my voice;pay attention, and hear what I say:[Isaiah 28:23].
Please pray:
Over half of my ministry has been invested in listening to others—in emergency rooms, intensive care units, nursing stations, homes and community centers. I’ve learned the value of simply being present. When Jesus returned to Bethany to friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus, they seemed to understand the importance of presence, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
When attending a family in crisis, I became keenly aware that of utmost importance was my presence. Only Jesus can change outcomes as he did at Bethany; I may not effect change, but I can be faithfully present. Others seem to understand this power of presence. At the end of his summer internship Jeremy gave me a stethoscope saying “Because you listen to people’s hearts.”
Are you quick to listen and slow to speak?Open My Eyes, That I May See" by Clara H. Scott
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! 2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! 3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Listen and hear my voice;pay attention, and hear what I say:[Isaiah 28:23].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Burundi.
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