Greetings sisters!
How are you? Another quiet day for me with various things to do. Wherever we are we have much we can do and it's all good pure and true things. We don't have to fill our time with idle time wasting entertainment and things and neither do we want to or should we. We can refresh in God's creation whenever we can all the while giving Him glory and doing pure things can't we. And however we can we give time to the edification and communication of the brethren. What a blessing to give and receive encouragement and spend time together even if it is long distance. And then this blog is an addition to the rest and I get to daily share something at least to edify and encourage anyone who might be reading. Our lives are all about God and serving Him and He is the centre isn't He. He's not just a little addition on the side or anything as He IS our life!
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
I was thinking about that, about knowing the scriptures from a child...at least having them all around me. But it does take the Spirit to open eyes and ears if we are truly seeking. We know we have to be born into God's family don't we.
I was thinking it's when we allow the outside world and the culture we live in to influence us because if we read the scriptures and not the works of men or allow ourselves to be influenced by the culture (which it's almost impossible to not be at least in some way for sure) then we wouldn't be believing many of the things we once did. If we just read scripture we wouldn't have been practicing Christmass at all for one example. It's certainly not commanded or even modeled to be done. It came from man's made up traditions and pagan ways as we know. As new creations in Christ we are commanded to test all thing and avoid all that is evil which means we throw this holiday away. Christ is worthy!
Really one only needs to see for a start that it was not part of the doctrines of the apostles who declared unto us how God wanted things done. We have no right to add to His Word and ways do we. But in addition to that it's origins and current practices are certainly not godly and holy either.
I'm sure if you asked people who claim Christ why they won't give up Christmass...it would be because they love it and have good times and have just always done it. But our flesh is never a justification for clinging to something sinful and false is it. As we sisters examined things we had to see they were wrong, admit they were wrong, humble ourselves and repent of them. Christ is worthy to do all of this for!
And we know the denominations, where these things came from, are not keeping all of God's ways. It can be a shock for sure seeing all the things we once did that were not right. So we want to flee them like we would a burning building or a sinking ship and get in the Word of God ourselves. But of course we're talking greater spiritual eternal destruction if we don't forsake false ways and sins. But we know we have such a great and merciful God ready to forgive when we repent. I remember the joy in heaven over one sinner that repents:-)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13-14
A peculiar people...how are we that sisters if we do everything like the world and culture around us? But praise God we have His ways and we strive to follow them! How blessed we are to know the way through Christ!
A sister added that scripture to a picture I sent her of some fixing I had to do because of a water leak.
And I share some more scriptures which use the term 'little ones'...
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:10-11
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Mark 9:42
And it reminds me of this too...
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40
That's an interesting one to remember sisters. Praise God for giving us His Word. There's so much depth and treasures in there isn't there. We live by it all.
Alright that's my sisterly edification for the day. You keep marching on my sisters! I hope to be back tomorrow.
Love in Christ,
Sister Michaela
Find the gospel explained here.