Tabitha, arise.
And she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up." Ephesians
2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Emmanuel unto good
works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." 1Timothy
6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate." Titus
2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might.(no
might about it; word 'might' not in the original).redeem
us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works." Titus 3:8 "This is a
faithful saying and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that
they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good and profitable unto men.".How
is is profitable?
Proverbs
3:1-7 "My son, forget not my law, but let your heart keep my commandments.(what
commandments?). For length of days
and long life and peace, shall they add to you. Let not mercy and truth
forsake you. Bind them about thy neck. Write them upon the table of your
heart. So shall you find favour and good understanding in the sight of
God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your
own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct
your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from
evil."
Faith works by love:.Galatians
5:6 "For in Emmanuel the Christ neither circumcision
avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love.".(showing
the contrast between the importance of spiritual as compared to physical
things)
Avoid using variant
doctrines.(teachings).as
a basis for contention
and
ostracizing
people who may still espouse
them. Believe that this is true for others also:.Romans
8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who
can be against us?".Note
Paul's
psychology.
Think about:.Mark
9:40 "For he that is not against us is on our part."
Think about:.Luke
9:49,50 "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out
devils in your name and we forbad him, because he follows not with us.
And Emmanuel said unto him, Forbid him not, for he that is not against
us is for us."
Think about:.Philippians
1:18 "What then? notwithstanding,
every way, whether in pretense
or in truth, Christ is preached and I therein do rejoice, yea and will
rejoice."
There are loving individuals
throughout
all religions:.1John
4:8,16 "He that loves not knows not God. For God is love...And we have
known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love and he that
dwells
in love dwells in God and God in him."
Who is to say one with a
heart of love is not 'Christian'?
Creator knows them that are His:.2Timothy
2:19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal,
The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name
of Christ depart from iniquity.(original
is 'unrighteousness'; to understand what unrighteousness really.is,
understand righteousness)."
Many are concerned with all
the daily things they have to do; concerned because all these things can
hinder a relationship
with their Creator if they get out of hand. They often deal with what
daily physical concerns occur, leaving off for later, relationship with
the
True Reality, that of Creator's presence right there with them, right
there in them.
Lack of acts of compassion
by us, that are effective enough to make a difference in another's life
should cause us to wonder if we really do believe the love the Creator
has for us. If we did, we would be making a difference as good
works are important. True greatness means that we give priority
to spiritual concerns, yet many want to be great
in the eyes of others.
Emmanuel had an example
of those too busy to learn what He really was about, which was important
for their lives:.Luke
9:59-62 "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer
me first to go and bury my father. Emmanuel said unto him, Let the dead
bury their dead, but go you and preach the kingdom of God. And another
also said, Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go bid them farewell
which are at home at my house. And Emmanuel said unto him, No man, having
put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."
It was not that this man's
father was dead and needed to be buried. He was waiting until his father
died until he would follow Emmanuel. Emmanuel lets him know that following
Emmanuel is something you do now! One could be dead tomorrow! The man's
priority showed Emmanuel just where his heart was. What do your priorities
show you? True greatness means that we follow wholeheartedly, without delay.
Emmanuel lived this. He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem:.Luke
9:51 "And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be
received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem."
