WOULD YOU CARRY SOMEONES ARMOR

ARMOR BEARER WANNABES

 

I have heard recently of people who name themselves as armor bearers for others.

They may not know what it is they are committing to.

An armor bearer is one who is bound to a warrior, who is being trained up by the warrior to do battle in the same fashion as the warrior himself has been trained in.

The armor bearer has the responsibility of studying the use of, and carrying about a portion of the weapons of war.

An armor bearer will learn the trade of war just by being around the weapons and by seeing them used.

An armor bearer gets none of the glory when battles are won, he must wait his turn.

Armor in the sense of a shield, a helmet, a sword, or a word, can be used for either defense or most surely for offense.

The greatest warrior will use the shield as a fortress and as an object of brute force.

The helmet can be used to deflect misdirected blows, it can be decorated in a way to draw attention to it and away from the one who wears it, and it can be used as an object of weight on the end of the arm of the warrior to crush and bruise the opponent.

The javelin or spear can be used to strike from a distance or it can be used as a prod to keep an opponent beyond arms length.

The sword is the weapon that separates and divides, if used with skill.

It opens a path, it causes a flow.

The armor bearer will set the armaments before the warrior in the field of battle and then take whatever weapon he has learned to use and will position himself as rear guard for the warrior, watching out for foul attacks from the back.

This battle, this apprenticeship, has become a matter of life and death.

The armor bearer understands that if the warrior falls, then he too will suffer whatever the enemy desires.

In the book of 1 Samuel 14:12-13 we see the relationship of a warrior and an armor bearer.

You can be certain that Jonathan chose his armor bearer carefully.

And so should we.

A LETTER FROM A FRIEND

Dear Friend:

I hope this letter finds you doing well both in health and in your spiritual growth.

In this blog we will examine a matter that I really had hoped would never be brought up, as there are several streams of thought on this topic.

Is 3 John 2 a promise intended for all of us to financially prosper?

3 John 2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’

Those who adhere to the “health and prosperity gospel,” misinterpret this verse to read as a scriptural promise that he (Gaius) will be financially prosperous.

This was a standard form of greeting in their day, much like peace be unto you.

The Greek word for “prosper”--- (euodoo) -- here does not refer specifically to financial prosperity but simply means that it would “go well with someone.”

Even if it did mean to financially prosper it is not a promise to everyone but to “The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth,” it is Gaius that is being addressed here.

A specific person, and a specific greeting.

Gaius was growing in the knowledge of the truth and his soul was prospering.

It was John’s earnest desire for his life, in that his relationships were to be as abundant as his soul was, (in a moral sense).

“above all things”-(peri)- if we take the interpretation that the prosperity teachers do then this verse would mean that John valued physical health and outward prosperity more than he did the health of his soul, this would go against what John taught elsewhere that we are to first desire spiritual health.

The word (euodoo) is also found in: Rom 1:10, it is rendered “have a prosperous journey;”

The wish is for “things to go well” along with the wish for “good health;” therefore financial prosperity--is not the actual intent of this greeting.

I admit that I do not know all that is to be known about the Word, nor do I personally know anyone who would make that claim concerning themselves, but I assure each of you that I will continue to search the scripture as to its meaning and perhaps through that research be able to help you and me also, to lead a significant life.

Please use the following scripture references as a guide to understanding.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001 Crossway Bibles

NASB - 3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

New American Standard Bible © 1995 Lockman Foundation

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

King James Version 1611, 1769

NKJV - 3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson

NLT - 3Jo 1:2 - Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.

New Living Translation © 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust

NIV - 3Jo 1:2 -

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society

ESV - 3Jo 1:2 -

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001 Crossway Bibles

New American Standard Bible © 1995 Lockman Foundation

RSV - 3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul.

Revised Standard Version © 1947, 1952.

ASV - 3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

American Standard Version 1901 Info

Young - 3Jo 1:2 - beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper,

Robert Young Literal Translation 1862, 1887, 1898 Info

Darby -3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

J.N.Darby Translation 1890 Info

Webster - 3Jo 1:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

TO LIVE HOLY

TO LIVE HOLY

When we were first saved we were taught several doctrines which are no longer widely taught in evangelical and charismatic churches today. We were taught that we would be tempted to go back to our old life of sin unless we began practicing these doctrines. They would protect us from evil, guard our faith, and keep our walk holy. These doctrines stemmed from a proper understanding of the believer’s place in the world.

Here are some examples:

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Rom 6:11-12)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Col 3: 1-3)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. (I Peter 1: 14-15)

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (II Cor 7:14-18)

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. (Rom 13:12-14)

These Scriptures have to do with separation and non-conformity.

A believer is to be separated from unbelievers and idolators, and be consecrated holy unto the Lord.

A believer is not to conform to this world, with all of its lusts, but is to conform to the perfect will of God.

These two principals kept many a baby Christian from returning to their former friends, former lusts, spiritual errors and previous manner of sinful life.

Please note the last Scriptural reference above.

Here is a clear example of spiritual warfare. These verses do not call for a believer to cast down high powers and principalities, or to set up governments and kings, but to cast off the works of darkness (sin) and put on holiness, which is an armour against the lusts of the flesh.

How does one put on holiness?

It is time to return to a simple faith and trust in your first Love, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross, and was risen to life again in three days, so that your sins might be forgiven.

Read the Bible every day employing traditional methods of Bible study.

Faithfully take each verse and ask the Lord to show you in your heart where you need to apply it to your life.

What is God plainly saying?

Are you convicted?

Do you need to ask the Lord for forgiveness?

Do you need to make some changes in your life?

Are you willing to look “peculiar” in the eyes of a worldly church?

Are you willing to walk the narrow way, even if you are very alone on that path?

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps. 119:105)

Thank you Lord God; for your Word, that is revealed in our Savior, Christ Jesus.

DONT BELIEVE A WORD OF IT

 

DON’T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT

There has been an announcement that a tomb containing ten ossuary boxes has been found in Jerusalem.

The story being told is that there is some confidence that in one of the boxes are (were) the bone fragments of a man who likely was Jesus the Christ.

In another box was the remains of one named Judah son of Jesus, and two more boxes were inscribed with the name of Mary.

The boxes were found in the 1980s and the bones were buried according to Jewish antiquity laws and the boxes were identified and stored until the appropriate time.

No matter what story the world tells, the fact is that Jesus Christ the Son of God, was dead, buried, and resurrected to life after three days, He was seen of many for 40 days and then in full view of many witness ascended to the Throne of the Father.

 Luke 24:50-53

Jesus told us in

Matthew 24: 25-26 “Behold I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold he is in the secret chamber; believe it not.”

The word for secret chambers in Hebrew is (naqah) and in Greek it is (tameion) they both can be read as chamber or storehouse.

Common understanding of a tomb.

Jesus knew it and warned us.

Don’t believe a lie, He is risen indeed. Matthew 28:6-7

 

 

SELF DISTINGUISHMENT OR GODLY EXTINGUISHMENT

Have you ever abhorred yourself? Then you will sympathize with the man in our text.

This mans self-abhorrence, however is astonishing, because of who he was.

He was “perfect and upright.” He “feared God.” He “eschewed evil.” He was the “greatest of all men of the East.” He “offered burnt offering continually.” And to top it all off, there was “none like him in all the earth.” (Job 1:1,3, 5, 8)

It is difficult to think of any higher testimony that could be borne to a man.

The most that the majority dare hope for is to be distinguished among a few, but to be distinguished above all the dwellers of the earth, as Job was, is beyond any mans wildest dreams.

And to think that this testimony was not given, by man, it was God who testified of Job!

In the presence of the most baffling enigma, he held fast his confidence and sincerely maintained his integrity.

Amid his desolating calamities he was able with clear conscience to rebut the charge of hypocrisy.

When the first wave of destruction swept away all of the possessions and even his family, he “fell down upon the ground and worshipped.” (Job 1:20)

His God, Jehovah had given and Jehovah had taken away. “Blessed be the name of Jehovah.” (Job 1:21)

When his wife demanded that Job renounce his God.

Job replied, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

And this is the man who exclaims, “I abhor myself in dust and ashes”!

We might well have expected self-congratulation rather than such utter self-abhorrence.

If any man ever had a right to use the Pharisees words, Job had- “God I thank thee than I am not as other men are”; ( Luke 18:11) yet instead there is the groan, “ I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes”!

Why? It was because Job had seen God in a new way; and when he did so, he saw himself in a new way. “I had heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)

 

That is always what happens when we see ourselves in the sight of God.

We can talk no more of our supposed goodness.

The loathsome leprosy of our innate sinfulness stands out stark and ugly, we see that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)

Job was by no means a hypocrite. He had sincerely lived the best he knew how.

But he had been self-righteous. He now was able to see his true condition, and his need for redemption, not only in the sense of atonement and forgiveness, but of inward cleansing.

Do you know anything of self-abhorrence? Do you ever feel a need for cleansing?

Or do you meet those questions with just a shrug of unconcern or perhaps the flush of indignation?

Perhaps then you may be better even than Job?

If we repent of self-righteousness as Job did, we can know this:

The blood of Jesus Christ, Gods Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7)

AN EXTRA THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Here is wisdom::::

I saw a road sign yesterday,

It read this, and I quote “Save your money, and one day it will return the favor.”

The word tells us that there is only one name that has been given the power to save and that name is not wealth or money, the name that saves is Jesus. Acts 4:11-12

How far have we wandered from truth when we believe that wealth, is associated with Godliness?

Search it out for yourselves. 1 Timothy ch 6: 5-10

Not the words of man, but of the Holy spirit.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND THE MEEK HAVE IT

Whenever a desert stallion is captured, he must be broken to learn to yield to the masters touch and will.

The word used in Greek is ”PRAOS” it can mean submitted strength.

Meekness is not weakness or cowardice.

It is not being unconcerned or un-learned.

Meekness is strength under control.

And the meek will inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5