KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS
Tuesday – December 31, 2019, Tevet 3, 5780
Greetings most precious friends, and partners of this Ministry and blog ordained of God and welcome back to the enlightening and empowering (if we choose) Bible Study of the Book of John. It is New Years Eve. The end of the year is upon us seemingly all too soon but did we falter in redeeming our time (making the most of it) according to Scripture?
Ephesians 5:15-17 (KJV)
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Let’s take just a moment and look at another translation.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (TLB)
15 So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise:
16 make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to.
Now, these Scriptures are not telling us to fill our days to overflowing and run about like wild men or women. They are telling us to live our lives in concert (harmony) with the will of God. For example, how many of us asked the Lord what His plan was for us today? Let us take a moment to determine in our own hearts that we will walk with Him every day and thereby maximize our positive effect on the Kingdom of God. The picture today of the solidary light on a Christmas tree is provided courtesy of Little Moments Photography (visit her page on Facebook). I chose this picture for today, the last day of 2019 to remind each of us to focus on the light (anointed Word of God) and not the darkness that surrounds us and relentlessly tries to invade our space, even our inner most being. The darkness is deception. If you are reading this on Facebook please take just a moment and hit the “love” and “share” buttons to encourage us and increase the reach of these teachings. If these teachings are of value to you, they will likely be of value to others. Now let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text in the Book of John reading it aloud.
John 14:21-23 (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
As we have gone over and over this, are we becoming more and more aware of the need to have and keep the commandments of God? This must be foremost in our thinking constantly. We have the ability to examine our thoughts every six seconds. We examine them as to if what we are thinking on is the Truth or is it darkness. Are we under spiritual attack by our spiritual adversaries who want us to be ineffective in the Kingdom and if possible, turn us away from God altogether? I recently heard a minister say that we must constantly be asking ourselves three questions. 1. Is it true (Truth)? 2. How do we know it is true (Truth)? And 3. What else is true (Truth)? We are to do nothing the adversary suggests even if it is Scripture. Notice the following which is an example this. This occurs during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.
Luke 4:9-13 (KJV)
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
The “he” in verse nine is the devil and notice he is quoting Scripture to Jesus. If Jesus had jumped would the angels have delivered Jesus? No! This was not the will of God, not at the direction of the Holy Spirit, but the will of the devil. How many of you know we are not to be about the will of the devil(s)? Notice that Jesus answered with Scripture and so must we day in and day out. Lord willing, I will pick up with our study of obedience being love and bringing the supernatural manifestation of God into our lives to show His goodness next year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS!!
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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