Two Different Types of People

Throughout Luke 6 Jesus is describing two different types of people. He describes legalistic people who are eager to follow the letter of the law while completely missing the heart behind the law comparing them to people who are living by God’s mercy.

For example, in Luke 6:1-10 we are given two stories that show people getting upset about Jesus doing things on the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples were gathering some food from the field and Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and since this was considered work to some they felt Jesus was not properly following the law.

Jesus makes the point, however, that following the law is not really about doing or not doing certain things. The law was given as a way of following God. If you are following the steps given in the law but not following Jesus personally in your life, you are not really following the law. In other words, there are two different measures you can use in life (Luke 6:38).

You can use the measure based on personal merit, or you can use the measure based on God’s mercy. Jesus said in Luke 6:32-38, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. . . . Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. . . . For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

So Luke’s point being made in Luke 6 is that there are two different types of people. There are those who live by God’s grace and there are also those who try to live by their own merit. In Luke 6:37-47, Jesus gives us some questions to ask ourselves so we can know which type of person we are.

Prayer: "Father, I understand Your Word says You will judge me with the same measure I use to judge others. I also know by Your Word that I will be condemned with the same measure that I use to condemn others (Luke 6:37-38; I Corinthians 5:12). I know it is correct to judge things as right and wrong according to Your Word, but only You know the motives and intent of another's heart (Hebrews 4:12). I have judged others and condemned them. This is sin, and I repent of this sin and ask You to separate this sin from me in Jesus' name and put it on the cross of Jesus Christ." Amen ~Joan Hunter 

Encourage One Another

It is an enormous blessing that God, who said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18), has designed his Church to be a family. Understanding the susceptibility that humans have to the lies and blows of the evil one in isolation (Prov 18:1), he sent his Son to reconcile us, not only with himself but also with one another (2 Cor 5:18). This is to the praise of his glory. The Thessalonians were, “in fact” encouraging one another and building each other up already, but Paul exhorts them to continue to do so.

To encourage one another is to give courage where it is needed. The life to which God has called the Christian to be in this world, but not of it, requires moral courage. Encouragement can be given through prayer for one another, through speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), and through blessing others with words and deeds. These encouragements are often the difference-maker for someone who is on the edge of falling away. Along with encouragement, building one another up is part of God’s plan to grow us in Christlikeness, holiness, and perfection. This, along with evangelism, is the main goal for participation in the local church.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Thessalonians 5:11

#1 “Therefore…”

After the exhortation to stay awake and prepared for the day of the Lord, which will come like a “thief in the night” (1 Thes 5:2), Paul calls on them to be “children of the day” who have received the salvation of Christ. The instruction in verse 11 concludes the section.

#2 “…encourage one another and build each other up,”

The primary encouragement Paul commanded by Paul is so that they can be prepared for the return of Christ, which very well may come when they least expect it. The encouragement should be to live as Christians who await his coming, rather than the “children of the night” (1 Thes 5:5), who get drunk and live in darkness. It seems there may have been some problems to this end with the congregation in Thessalonica. 

#3 “just as in fact you are doing.”

Paul acknowledges that he is telling them something they already know. His message seems to be, “I know you are doing this, but keep it up, even do it more.”  ~ Connect Us

Father, I know Your Word says to say things that edify, build up, correct in love, and confirm (1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2). Words of condemnations, slander, complaining, griping, and gossip or accusation are not of You. They are sin (James 5:9).

I have said words that did not edify, exhort, correct in love or confirm. I take responsibility for those words. They are sin. Take this sin from me, put it on the cross of Jesus, and on the day of judgment, hold no accusations against me. I renounce those words in Jesus' name. I ask you to bless those whom I have said bad words about."

People have said words about me that did not edify, exhort, correct in love or confirm. That is sin. Take the sin from them, put it on the cross of Jesus and on the day of judgment, hold no accusations against them. They are free. I choose to release them from this, and those words are no broken off me, in Jesus's name." ~Prayers Healing the Whole Man Handbook by Joan Hunter

A Heavenly Place | Enjoy the Journey

Enjoying the Journey by Lois Olmstead

A Heavenly Place

What do you know about heaven? Think about it. Give yourself some mental pictures. Your could make a list using concordance in the Bible.

Thoughts of heaven are a source of joy to me. No matter what life brings down here on earth, someday I will be in heaven. There are lots of mental pictures of heaven in my mind. I can almost feel the warmth of perfect love, the sunshine of our Saviors' glory and the marvelous happiness being in God's presence. Not to mention the peace that will come as we experience sin and being defeated forever. 

About the Author: Enjoy Time Out with international motivational speaker Lois Olmstead. Raised on a ranch in Montana, Lois entertains with her engaging sense of humor which strikes to the hearts of audiences everywhere. As a  speaker at over 3600 business conventions, retreats, medical events and Christian conferences, Lois shares how to live with joy and courage. Inspiriting others is part of her everyday life. 

Lois says finding an adventure isn't too hard to do...just look from where you are standing.  Lois has seven published books: "Breast  Cancer & Me", "The Dude, the Ducks" & Other Tales of Montana, "Denim & Lace" (co-authored with Phyllis Rowe), "Enjoying the Journey" - Time to Enjoy the Journey –  The Best of Time Out with Lois!,  and newly released "Wading Through Trouble".

She received the Hugh B. Anderson award which goes to one Montanan each year for outstanding courage and personal integrity while facing the challenge of cancer. Lois writes a  world-wide weekly blog and has authored 7 published books. ~Author Lois Olmstead

Today, let's just rejoice in some heavenly word pictures to increase our joy and hope in the future:

Revelation 14:13 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Then I heard a voice from the heavenly realm, saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead—the ones dying in the Lord[a] from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Holy Spirit,[b] “they will rest from their trouble,[c] for their deeds will live on!”[d]

Footnotes:

[a] 14:13 The Aramaic can be translated “Master Yahweh.”

[b] 14:13 The Holy Spirit speaks twelve times in Revelation (1:10; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 4:2; 14:13; 17:3; 21:10; 22:17).

[c] 14:13 Or “hard work.”

[d] 14:13 Or “Their good deeds will follow [accompany] them.”

Revelation 22:17  The Passion Translation (TPT)

17 “Come,”[a] says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water[b] come and drink it freely. “Come.”

Footnotes

[a] 22:17 Or “be continuously coming”; also in each instance of the word come in this verse and v. 20.

[b] 22:17 See John 7:37.

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

When sin entered the world by Adam and Eve’s disobedience, strife followed which led to conflict between Cain and Abel, and since then has plagued humanity. But Jesus came to earth to end the conflict, to restore unity between God and sinners. In Paul’s letters to first-century churches, he used the term reconciliation, which means “to bring back to a former state of harmony.” 

Reconciliation takes place when two parties that had been estranged or separated are brought back together; therefore, the ministry of reconciliation involves the proclamation of the gospel and its assurance that forgiveness of sin is available in Christ. 

Sin prevents us from having a relationship with God, but Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross made atonement for sin (Hebrews 2:17) and brought harmony to mankind’s relationship with Him. Jesus reconciled us to God, therefore, we now can proclaim that people can repent of their sin and be right with God again through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:20–21). 

As we see, once our relationship with God is restored, He uses us to tell the world that everyone can be reconciled to God through His Son. In this way, we become “Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (v. 20). And as we do this, we give people the wonderful opportunity to be reconciled with God through Jesus, because “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (verse 21). 

This ministry of reconciliation is a big responsibility (2 Corinthians 5:20); it is urgent and vital and truly a matter of life and death. Jesus paid the price for our reconciliation because God loves us (John 3:16), so we must share this message of reconciliation in love, and our life needs to reflect the calling we have received (Ephesians 4:1). Jesus is the One who saves, and the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), yet we have been given the privilege of being ambassadors for Christ. 

Every believer plays a part in this ministry of reconciliation. One plants; another waters, and God brings growth (1 Corinthians 3:7). As we proclaim the gospel, we act as peacemakers, and the Lord blesses us by calling us children of God (Matthew 5:9). When we teach and live out His message of reconciliation, lives are changed, and God gets the glory. 

Jesus satisfied God’s requirements for reconciliation, but each person must receive the terms of reconciliation and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10). 

Remember that reconciliation is a divine provision by which God’s wrath against man was appeased; and this is why reconciliation is the fundamental nature of the gospel. 

If you have never repented and trusted in Christ, listen to what Jesus says about your present condition; “whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18). Without repentance and believing in Christ, His shed blood cannot reconcile you to God and then you have only this to look forward to; “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). 

So please consider making today your day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), and realize that Jesus’ death and resurrection made reconciliation with the Father possible as Paul writes: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” (Romans 5:8-10).

~Mission Venture Ministries

RESURRECTION HEALING HAPPENS

A couple of years ago, I had a Mammogram done, which showed an abnormality, and with the results I was then scheduled to have a Biopsy done. I did a lot of praying before hand, and asked for my Church to be in prayer for me. During the reflection of talking to the Lord before the tests were to be done, I received a call from my daughter, and discovered we were having the same tests done, so we both lifted each other in prayer.

My biopsy was scheduled the day after Easter. When the Sonogram was done they could not find anything, after a long process of searching for the abnormality which showed up on the Mammogram. The Physician asked if I would let them do a Biopsy in the area the Mammogram had shown the abnormality, to be on the safe side, and I agreed. After the Biopsy was done, the Doctor left, and I was sent to another room and a nurse came in to speak with me. The Nurse began filling me in on what had happened, showing me the results of the Mammogram, and then the results on the Sonogram. After my mind absorbed what I was seeing, and heard, I paused, and said, "I have just experienced a Miracle! Praise the Lord, thank you, Jesus!" The Nurse then made the comment, "You know it was Resurrection Sunday, yesterday, and lots of healings happen around that time", we both smiled, and I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement!  I will never forget that glorious day! ~Debi Perry

The very purpose of this Resurrection Day reminds us - Jesus has made all things new. He breathes new life, so that we can live...free. One can try to bury Power, but it won't stay there. One can try to bury Truth, but it is not dead. One can try to bury Love, but it cannot be contained. God is not dead, we are not alone, He lives! May we allow that truth to soak deep today...He has risen!

Our bodies were not made to bear sickness. We were not created that way. Jesus took all of that so we don’t have to. Why would you even want to try to bear sickness? We are to “submit ourselves unto God, and resist the devil (sickness and disease) and he will flee!” (James 4:7)

Our job is to submit to (believe and receive) what God’s word says and what Jesus did, and to resist everything that tries to come against us that Jesus took on the cross. That’s our job. He took our sickness and disease, so we resist sickness and disease. Don’t just lay down and give in to it. Resist it!

So to live and walk daily in resurrection power, we believe, speak and act on healing. Build up your expectation of God’s power to work (quicken) your physical (mortal) body and know that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in your life. You can live healed, healthy and whole in Jesus Christ every day of your life!

After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter realized that a new kind of power was suddenly available to him. When he spoke in Jesus’ name, he had authority. Lives could be changed, and miracles could take place. 

When Peter saw a lame man at the temple gate, he said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” The result was instantaneous. Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him, and “immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:6-8).

All those who believe in Jesus have access to that same power through His name and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like the lame man, you may have a physical problem that seems incurable. You may be crippled by emotional trauma or stress or be constantly worried. You may feel confused or overwhelmed with problems.

No matter what you face, you have immediate access to God because of Jesus. His power is real and available for you, and He wants to release this power into your life. He is waiting for you to ask and believe. Today, ask God to release His resurrection power in your life to heal you, touch you, strengthen you, and meet your needs. Do not doubt, but place your faith in Him.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for the victory and power that is in your name. Thank you that you hold the keys over death. Thank you that by your might, Jesus was raised from the grave, paving the way for us to have new life with you. Thank you that you had a plan, thank you that you made a way.

We praise you for your great strength, we praise you for your lavish love. We praise you that you are Conqueror, Victor, Redeemer, and Friend. We praise you that you are Deliverer, Worthy One, Everlasting Father, Great and Awesome God. We confess our need for you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you renew our hearts, minds, and lives, for the days ahead. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, reminding us we are safe with you and that your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set your way before us. May all your plans succeed, that we may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. Thanks be to you God, for your indescribable gift! To you be glory and honor, on this Resurrection Day, and forever.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

~I Believe, ~Inspiration and ~Charis Bible College