Thursday, June 30, 2005

Luke-that fox

Luke 13:31  The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.  

Jesus was not afraid of Herod. He would not run as did Elijah, from the threats of queen Jezebel. Elijah was a man, the Spirit departed and he ran in fear. Jesus was man and God, with the fulness of the Holy Spirit. He would give his life up, at the appointed time.  

 John 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.


Luke 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.  

He called Herod a fox. A fox is a small animal, clever and skillful. Sometimes satan comes as a sly fox, speaking half truths trying to bring fear and failure to our lives. No one would fear a fox, but a clever and evil spirit can be as dangerous as a roaring lion.   Go tell that fox about the power of the kingdom that is within me, Jesus. Tell the devil that he casts out devils and he heals...today and tomorrow, he takes our infirmities upon himself. Every drop of blood that he shed, was for our healing.  

to day and to morrow,  

 Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  

and the third day I shall be perfected...  

perfected,teleioo, to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end. To the cross andon the third day, risen from the grave. On the cross he spoke "it is finished," teleo,  to perform, execute, complete, fulfill, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.) He had finished the Father's will in shedding blood for our sins. On the third day, the gospel of salvation was complete. He proved that he was the way of life, he conquered, satan, death and the grave. He overcame the flesh by the Spirit of God, proving that he is able to save completely those who trust in him.  

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Luke-Last shall be first


Luke 13:30  And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Let's look at birth order. Cain was before Able.   Gen 4:1  And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

Gen 4:2  And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  

Gen 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Gen 4:9  And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

The Lord honored Able above Cain. Cain was a murderer and a liar.   Two more brothers born of Isaac, Esau and Jacob. Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright. Esau despised his birthright, selling it for a bowl of stew.   In spiritual terms, there is a natural birth and a spiritual birth. Jesus explains this.  

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Paul, under the inspiration of God explains this in regard to flesh body and spiritual body. The natural body of flesh is first, the spiritual body is last.  

1 Cor 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
 

 Two Adams  

1 Cor 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Cor 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1 Cor 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1 Cor 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  

Consider John the baptist.  

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

How can this be? Those in the kingdom of heaven are spiritual, John had not yet seen the salvation of the cross which had not yet occurred.  

In conclusion, the flesh man comes first, but the spiritual man is greater in the kingdom of God. In context, not everyone who does religious things shall be first, even if they are high up in their organization. The least who is redeemed by Jesus is first. Although they may be despised by other religions.

Luke-the door is shut

  Luke 13:25  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:  

When God shuts the door, then it is too late to accept salvation, it is over. When the people of Noah's day mocked him and his message, when God shut the door of the ark, it was over for them.  

 Gen 7:16  And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.
 

Jesus is the door to God. When death comes to you and if you have not received Jesus by faith, the door is shut for you. When the rapture comes, his church will go up, if you have not received Jesus, the door is shut for you. When antichrist comes and people are required to receive the mark of the beast, if you do so, the door is shut for you.

Luke 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luke 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
 

You may have been a church attendee, you may have given to the poor, but you only did it to be seen by others. You never knew Jesus, and he never knew you as his friend. At the judgment he will not know you. The door is shut.  

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Luke 13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.  

If you were not included and ended up in hell, the door was shut.  

Luke 13:29  And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:30  And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

 

It is the time of his second coming. You who have trusted in him, the angels will gather you to be with him. Decide now to be one who will be with Jesus in the kingdom and forever more. Be close to him, receive him as your Lord, your savior and your friend.  

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
 

We who have trusted Jesus are his sheep and he is our shepherd. We may enter through his door.  

John 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

We are his beloved children. All good things are open to us, only believe.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Esther 1

Esther 1  <<click on the link

Friday, June 24, 2005

James 3

James 3 < click to go to web page

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Bible studies

Eaglewings Bible Studies    

Thursday at 5pm pacific - 8pm eastern time James 3 - life- Eaglewings Bible (open room)  

Friday at 8pm pacific - 11pm eastern Esther 1  Grace 4U2 (private)

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Passion, what is it?

Are we letting Christ live His life in us or are we just living our own lives?  

 I was thinking of the word passion, to me it meant doing something where heart and body are involved, but perhaps that is more like being passionate, a display of affection.  The word passion, as in the passion of Christ is about his suffering; the events leading up to the cross and his death.  

What is it to allow Christ complete control of our life?  Is it passionate service? Or is it suffering passion?  I see the need for the flesh to die so that we are connected to Jesus and new life by his Spirit. How do we know when we are living a complete and total life submitted to Christ Jesus? One thing is that the passions and lusts of the flesh must not be our focus, but if need be we are to have passion, yes even suffering as his life is poured out to others. It is not a life of public praise and applause. Not a life of being praised by men. It is a life following his ways, doing his will, even if we bless those who curse us. It is more blessed to give than to receive. He knows and sees all, he showed us be example.

Luke-The strait way

Luke 13:22  And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  

Jesus was headed towards Jerusalem, his final days and then the cross. He is our example of the urgency to be about His Father's business while the day is here. We are to be busy doing the work of the Lord, sharing his word and witnessing to the lost, with signs following until our time in this life is up.

Luke 13:23  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
 

Many thought that by being a Jew, a child of Abraham, that they would be in heaven. Some of these opposed Jesus.  

 John 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Luke 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.  

 Strive, agonizomai, strive, labor with passion, the word agonize comes from this word. We are to seek to enter the strait and narrow gate with all of our heart. Jesus is the gate. It requires more than a casual knowledge of him. More than attending  (or not attending) a synagogue or church out of religious duty to rituals and types and shadows of the kingdom of God. We must be born again of God's Holy Spirit through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The kingdom is a Spiritual kingdom and few enter because of obstacles to overcome.  

2 Tim 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,...  

The love of this world, the pride of life and the lusts of the flesh keep us from going spiritually through the narrow gate that is Jesus. False worship will keep you out. Many claim to worship God, but do not go through the gate that is Jesus. We must overcome the obstacles of the world, the devil, flesh and false worship. Jesus is the narrow way.  

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Luke-Corrupted kingdom

  Luke 13:18  Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  

The Spiritual kingdom of God is where God is with His Spirit. Remember what Jesus said earlier:  

Luke 11:20  But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.  

Jesus was being accused by the religious leaders of doing miracles by the power of the devil and also healing on the sabbath. These were the rulers of the Jewish houses of worship. With this in mind Jesus gives these parables about the earthly places that claimed to represent the kingdom of God.

Luke 13:19  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.  

First, a man planted a seed and it grew. Mustard is a bush, not a tree, but this mustard grew abnormally large. It had become something abnormal, perhaps in reference to huge churches. And, the fowls of the air lodged in it. The parable of the sower, described fowls as eating up the word, this was the devil or his demonic presence from the air in these earthly places representing God's kingdom.  The devil has been described of the prince of the power of the air. False teaching and false doctrine in these big religious places.  

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Luke 13:20  And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Luke 13:21  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
 

Again in reference to that which represents the kingdom on earth, the synagoge or church that is full of leaven. Leaven is the representation of sin.  

Mat 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.  

Three measures of grain, was the grain offering. This was an offering as worship. Their worship, our worship,  is corrupted by sin.  

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Father

My father was strong and hard working. He was a family man who enjoyed his home and family. He was home at regular times after a hard day of labor. Usually he would talk about his day at the dinner table and fall asleep reading the evening paper. When I think of my dad I think of hard work and faithfulness. He was quiet around me. When I was stricken with cancer, he came to my bed, getting the blessings from his Jewish boss to be with me. I asked him why he never said he loved me. He loved me but didn't know how to show it. I had been touched by the Lord and told him I loved him. He returned the words to me. I saw in the days following the tender side of my dads heart. This strong man with hands calloused from hard labor, became soft in heart. He told me that Jesus held me in his arms. I made it through the illness, God healed me and he healed my dads heart. He became a church going man, dressed in a fine suit, a deacon who served communion each Sunday and loved to visit folks to encourage them. After retirement he moved to a ranch and I saw that he was a gifted rancher. He left his mothers ranch in the depression, from Arkansas to California. A hard time he had. I was born in California. He loved the ranch, grew a large garden had a herd of cattle and was very fruitful in his old age, yes still a deacon at the new church. He grew old and lost his memory of us all. He remembered the past, but not the present. When mom died we had to put him in a nursing home. He was too big to lift but we brought him to church and he had tears listening to the praise music. He died but not really. For he went to Jesus, that big strong man with calloused hands, in the hands of the nail scared man. Our Lord Jesus embraced dad and welcomed him home. Be with you soon dad.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Luke-Spirit of infirmity

Luke 13:10  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

   Jesus himself was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. The sabbath begins at sundown Friday until sundown Saturday.

Luke 13:11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.  

Note that she had a spirit. A spirit of infirmity. Not every illness is a spirit, but this woman was afflicted by a bad spirit, causing her to be bent over and twisted.

Luke 13:12  And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.  

Seeing her condition and knowing it was caused by a bad spirit, Jesus had compassion on her. He did not heal everyone. He healed everyone who came to him. This was a divine healing directed from the Father. In a church service it is appropriate to pray for healing. Usually people come forward, sometimes the Spirit of God will lead you to someone who needs healing. Healing is from God. We do not lay hands on people if we are not directed to do so by God.

Luke 13:13  And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

The laying on of hands brought healing, the bad spirit was gone and she glorified God. Isn't this a reason for meeting together as believers? The religious leaders were jealous and angry. They pretended to be more religious than Jesus.  

Luke 13:14  And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.  

 Jesus is Lord of the sabbath, but they did not know Jesusas who he is. How religious they were. They cared not that this person was healed. They moved in the shadows when the light of God stood in their midst. Praise God for his glorious light given through His Son Jesus.

Luke 13:15  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?  

Yes, they all did this. We are to do good every day.

Luke 13:16  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?  

Think about this? This woman, being a daughter of Abraham under his covenant promises had been bound eighteen years by a spirit from satan, should she not be loosed? Of all days, should not the sabbath be a day of healing and glory to God where he moves in miracles, signs and wonders? This was the fulfillment of prophecy.  

Isa 61:1  The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Luke 13:17  And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
 

The woman was bound by satan having not yet received the Lord Jesus as her savior. He had not yet gone to the cross for our sins. A Christian filled by God's Holy Spirit belongs to God. Demons may cause problems by lies given and believed, but the person is the possession of God. The Holy Spirit within is the gatekeeper, the porter, the one who keeps out the bad spirits.  

 John 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

We must learn who we are as God's children. He is our loving Lord and master. He is our healer who provides for us.  

Friday, June 17, 2005

Testing your milk

I think I understand about the not jumping ahead of the game when it comes to God.. .  1 Corinthians 3:2, 3   . . . I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to recieve it.... 
Yes and you will be tested on what you know. Learning is a change of behavior, we are what we believe. Pretty powerful thought? Yes, also we watch our words, for they are who we are; we are judged by our words. What does God say we are? Isn't that of the highest importance? If we know what he says of us, then we will be as he says. Do we try to please and react to a world that is chasing it's own tail, with no clue about eternity? God gives us a view of our eternal character and destiny. It would be wise to become like he says, that is His...Character. Then when you meet someone of like character, you will have God's strength and blessings.

What a day that will be

You cannot divorce God. If he owns you you are his. If we fall out of love, we were never his. He keeps us through the Spirit within. If we leave...it was never a marriage but an emotional experience or something else. Something easy or convenient, but not from a heart that has received his fulness.

Shallow Christianity, if you can fool the people into believe in YOU, then you can do as you wish and call it the Holy Ghost. It reminds me of the song "Yankee Doodle went to town...stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni"  Much of what I see is feathers instead of the dove of God's Spirit. Call it name it and claim it or pleasing the masses, it is not seeking God until we hear from and receive from him. As Pastor Arlon taught last Wednesday, we must not follow the shadow but the real Christ with the Holy Spirit. The shadow is a list of rules from mens ideas about God. We need to follow the real subject of our faith with all of our heart. 

The closest to unity and one heart that I have found is our Thursday prayer group. Always a good sermon. After the sermon , we all together in one accord began singing "what a day that will be." That's worship in one accord, coming from His Spirit within. We receive what we are willing to wait for. I want more of God, I want all I can have from God, but, we will not have it all until we see him face to face...What a day that will be...

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Luke-God wants fruit

  Luke 13:6  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  

This is a parable about bearing fruit. A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard;  

 Luke 13:7  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  

In John fifteen, God the Father is the husbandman or the vinedresser.  

John 15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Luke 13:8  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luke 13:9  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
 

2 Pet 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 

 He will move on the heart of a person, and give it what is needed. The tree will be given fertilizer, if the tree responds and bears fruit it will be spared.  

John 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  

God wants us to bear fruit.  

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.


Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Luke-Repent and receive

  Luke 13:1  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Luke 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
  There is a belief, especially among the Jews of this time, that bad comes to bad people. Jesus was not seeing as they were seeing. Even some in today's church may be thinking that bad things happen to people because of sin or lack of faith. How often I have heard people speak of their past, blaming God for abuse they suffered in the bad care of parents. Some just believe that because of all the bad, it was their fault, because they were told by those who they wished to please, that it was their fault. We need to know some things. The devil and sin cause problems. Accidents happen to all people, yes, and angels do protect God's children of faith. The answer is JESUS.  Repent and receive him, for no matter what may cause your pain or death, it matters not, if your soul belongs to God. If you have repented of the way of sin and believe in Jesus and are his, you shall not perish. Jesus will love you forever and you will be a member of God's family. Do not try to reason why things happen, instead receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and master, you are eternally safe in him.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Luke-Settle it

  Luke 12:57  Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?   This can be understood in our dealings with others over disputes. Also, it can apply to discerning that the time is short and we need to get right with God.
Luke 12:58  When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. Luke 12:59  I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.   Settle disputes before going to court.   1 Cor 6:1  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1 Cor 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1 Cor 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1 Cor 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
1 Cor 6:5  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1 Cor 6:6  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
1 Cor 6:7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1 Cor 6:8  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Who knows, you may receive an ungodly judge and be sent to prison. In the eternal perspective, we are to get our lives right before Jesus returns. First we are to receive him as Lord and savior, then when he comes we will be received by him as his beloved. If we trust in our own works, when he comes we will not be received and be as an infidel. Be wise and settle things now.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Shipwrecked?

    1 Tim 1:18  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Tim 1:19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1 Tim 1:19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

 
Have you ever felt that your ship has run aground. The destination you began has shipwrecked? Disappointments can do that to us. When our goals are stopped, our plans which require another's cooperation. Paul considered the two men mentioned as shipwrecked and departed from the faith. They had become enemies of Christ and his people. How tragic.   I am not seeing this for me or many others, who are temporarily run aground. We are not alone, for Jesus is on the ship with us. We may have relied too much on our own skills and not have been listening to his voice as he directs. Yet it is possible to be doing all the right things and still run aground, life is like that, especially when we depend on others. The "Lone Ranger" Christian, no doubt is the one who has been disappointed by others. Now he goes out alone with the Lord. All at sometime must run their boat alone with the Lord. Wait on the Lord, a new tide will come carrying you out again on His shoulders, as he bears us again, following him in the living waters. We are never without his help, we need him every second of every day.
 

Saturday, June 11, 2005

His Character in us

When the Savior walked on earth, He did the Father's will by
wholeheartedly involving Himself in people's lives. His purpose today is the
same: to reach the world with His love, through you. If that were not the
case, He would have taken you to heaven as soon as you were saved--that
would have been the safest thing to do! But you are here for a purpose:
to reach out with Christ's love to a world that desperately needs to
hear, feel, and see through your actions that Jesus really does care for
them. This happens one individual at a time, through your warm-hearted,
personal involvement in that person's life. Does anyone come to mind? Charles Stanley  

In our study in Hebrews this verse stood out:  

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  

The express image of the Father, the Greek word Charakter, an engraving tool, such as making the plates to print currency, carefully etched so that the duplicate is as the Master. We are to have the character of our Lord Jesus Christ. What I see most lacking in many who name his name is faithfulness. He is faithful and he always keeps His word. If we pray in His word believing he will honor His word. Are we people of character who keep our word? If we say we will do something, do we do it? If we make a promise, do we keep our promises?  

Luke 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luke 16:12  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

All that we have is given from heaven. What will we do with what we have?

John 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

What is God's purpose for your life? How are you fulfilling his purpose? Be faithful, be like his image with his character. I must be about my Father's business.

 


Thursday, June 9, 2005

Luke-Signs of the times

Luke 12:54  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
Luke 12:55  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
Luke 12:56  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
 

Mat 16:4  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
 

Why did they not discern who Jesus was and that it was the time of his visitation? There were prophecies, had they not learned them? What of our times? Are we aware that Jesus is coming again, soon? What are the signs of his return?  

Luke 21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Paul mentions one more sign; the man of sin who will be revealed, seating himself in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.  

2 Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2 Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.  

All has come to pass but the rebuilding of the temple, yet that is in the news too.  

New 'Sanhedrin' plans
rebuilding of Temple
Israelirabbinical body calls
for architectural blueprint

  WorldNetDaily: New 'Sanhedrin' plans rebuilding of Temple

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Luke-Division

  Luke 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:   No division of those who are his, but division of those who trust in him from those who do not.
Luke 12:52  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Luke 12:53  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
  In the end, the sheep will be separated from the goats. Being in a family does not save you. Each must receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.   Mat 10:34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   The sword of truth will divide.
Mat 10:35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Monday, June 6, 2005

Servants and fire

Servants  

 Luke 12:41  Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
Luke 12:42  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Luke 12:43  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
 

The faithful servant shall be blessed and will be rewarded.

Luke 12:44  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.  

 In the millennium, he will be a king and or a priest.

Luke 12:45  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
 

The unfaithful servant will be cut off and placed with the unbelievers to be judged at the second resurrection.

Luke 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  

The unfaithful servant who knew God's will, will have a more severe punishment.

Luke 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  

The servant who knew not the will of the Lord and who sinned, will not receive as great a punishment. They both are judged by what they knew and what they were given from God and what they did. The Lord is a just judge and no sin may enter heaven. Those not in heaven will be judged according to a righteous judgment. The most severe judgment would be as for satan, to be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever.


Fire  

Luke 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  

The fire of his judgment; for his word shall judge the nations, but first he will judge individuals and the church as to sins needing to be repented of. John the Baptist spoke:  

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.  

Chaff, can refer to that which is not of God, including unrepentant sinners. He also will prepare his church, his bride, to purify her.  

1 Pet 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1 Pet 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Luke 12:50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!  

Baptism is to be immersed, he would be immersed in the thing which he is compelled to finish. Baptism for us is symbolic of what he was about to accomplish for us. He was to shed his blood on the cross for the remission of our sins. He was to be buried in the cave tomb, and he would arise from the grave. This was the baptism that he was to accomplish for us so that we may be identified with him as children of God. By receiving Jesus by faith we are kept from the eternal fire of God's judgment for sins. We are baptized with him and receive the Holy Ghost, His seal on us until we are with him.

Sunday, June 5, 2005

The Millennium

The Millennium

Before we begin the study of the Millennium we must know that certain things will happen. There are many thoughts about the Millenium. Some say it is now, that Jesus is in the spirit now in the millennium. I disagree, now the kingdom of God is within, but the Bible tells of a coming thousand year reign of Christ on earth. This is called the pre-millennial rapture view, where the church is raptured first. The antichrist has fooled the nations, being given power while promising peace. He has made himself a god to be worshipped; he resides in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. In order to buy and sell you must have his mark, 666. This requires that you worship him.  

1 Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

 

 He will unleash destructiion on the Jews and those who trust in Jesus. They must flee him, The seals are opened in heaven and God's wrath is poured out on the evil ones. It is time for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 16:16  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Rev 16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

  Our lesson begins after the destruction of the evil armies that opposed the coming of the Lord.

Isa 2:1  The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Isa 2:2  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isa 2:3  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isa 2:4  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

The Spirit of God spoke the same message to Micah, who lived at the time of Isaiah. He prophesied the same things. According to the law, at the mouth of two witnesses a thing is established. These are two prophets of God that the Spirit of God spoke through them, the same message.  

Micah 4:1  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
Micah 4:2  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:3  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
 

All nations will go to Israel, to the holy city where the Holy eternal king reigns. There shall be no more wars, all will be peace. The world wants peace now, it will come when all bow before Jesus.  

Phil 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  It is an enforced peace.  

Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they bebroken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Psa 68:15  The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
Psa 68:16  Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
 

Isa 24:23  Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.  

His ancients: his elders.  

Jer 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  

Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa 11:5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
 

Luke 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
 

A restored earth  

Isa 11:6  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
 

No more predators or flesh eating animals. All will be at peace one with another. No poisonous or dangerous things. It will be as the earthwas created before the fall.

Isa 11:8  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Isa 11:9  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holymountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

 After the battle the Lord comes to earth to rule for a thousand years. Let us look in Revelation for more about this time.  

Rev 19:1  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Rev 19:2  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
 

The great whore was the spirit of Babylon, lust, greed and power, serving the devil.

Rev 19:3  And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.  

The saints and martyrs slain by the world's god.


Rev 19:4  And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Rev 19:5  And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 Made ready by doing the will of God, righteous living and separation from the world.  

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  

Jesus, made her righteous and provided her covering, her holy attire.

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
 

We are not to worship angels, who are fellow servants.

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  

A white horse, symbolic of victory.

Rev 19:12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
 

Jesus, the Living Word.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  

The saints and angels, fellow servants.

Rev 19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  

Sword of truth, the word of God.

Rev 19:16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 19:17  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
 

The Lord feeds the birds, vultures.

Rev 19:18  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
 

The armies were demon controlled, coming against Jesus. The antichrist had already possessed Israel.

Rev 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  

These were picked up and immediately judged and cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 19:21  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which swordproceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.  

The remainder were slain and would be judged at the second resurrection.

Rev 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
 

As the tomb of Jesus was sealed, so too was the seal of God placed on the devils bottomless pit. There was no one who could rescue him until the 1000 years were completed.

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  

What are the Saints doing?  

1 Cor 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1 Cor 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Rev 20:5  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he thathath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
 

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
  We shall be kings and priest. Jesus is King of kings, he is our king.

Rev 20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
 

This also may tie in with Ezekials prophesy regarding Gog and Magog.  

Ezek 39:6  And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 39:7  So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
Ezek 39:8  Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
 Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
 

 Pre-millennial view  

The church shall be taken up, raptured and she shall return with Jesus to reign for 1000 yrs. This is the first resurrection. We shall be in authority under Jesus; kings and priests.   The angels will destroy the armies who fight against Jerusalem, at the battle of Armageddon. Their will be nations of people living under the King of Kings for a thousand years. There will be no wars or weapons. All the earth that had been burned by war shall be restored. The animals will be gentle. People live and die, but the saints live forever.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  

Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years, no demonic spirits to tempt men. At the end of this time satan will be loosed and still a multitude of the people will follow him in rebellion against Jesus. They will be destroyed, the devil thrown into the Lake of fire to be tormented forever.  After this all dead will come up from death to be judged. A new Jerusalem will come down. That will be heaven, no more satan, no more death.  

Superragman(@aol.com)      

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Luke-Lilies of the field

Luke 12:27  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 

Lilies are beautiful and do not last long. God clothed them and he will clothe you. They did not toil to earn clothing. Nor do they spin. I know that when lilies grow that they spin, as evidenced by time lapse photography. Spinning lilies probably refers to spinning yarn to make clothing.

Luke 12:29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luke 12:30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luke 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

God is the source of all of our needs.   Luke 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  

 Do not be afraid for you shall not perish if you trust in Jesus. The kingdom of God is yours.

Luke 12:33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luke 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
 

Again he said to sell, and give alms to the poor and needy. How hard this is to do, especially for a rich man. Our heart is with what we value most.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Luke-Thoughts

Luke 12:22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
Luke 12:23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
 

Life is more than existing. Most have food and clothing so this is not to be our concern. Life should have more meaning than this.  

Luke 12:24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  

Ravens are fed by God, they do not build barns; perhaps referring to the man in the parable, who had planned to build a bigger barn to store all of his increase in food. This man's soul would be taken, so what use was all of his planning? A raven is fed and God can even use ravens to feed another, as with Elijah in time of need.  

1 Ki 17:4  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
1 Ki 17:5  So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
1 Ki 17:6  And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
God provides for his servants.  

Luke 12:25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  

 All of our thoughts and concerns, cannot change our physical stature. Many spend much time trying to change the way they look, to be more accepted by the world. Few are satisfied with how they look. What about character and moral values? How much time do we spend in God's word and doing his will to please him? How many are satisfied with their spiritual life? How many give this no thought at all, until their soul is required?

Luke 12:26  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  

Forget the worldly concerns and put your focus on the things of God. This does not mean that we are to cease from working. We have worldly responsibilities so that we may bless others in this world.  

1 Tim 5:5  Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
1 Tim 5:6  But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
1 Tim 5:7  And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
1 Tim 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.   We have physical responsibilities and we have responsibilities that are spiritual. Often they are close together. Sometimes they are distinctly different.  

Mat 22:17  Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Mat 22:18  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Mat 22:19  Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
Mat 22:20  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Mat 22:21  They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

We must be responsible in all of our affairs, for God is faithful to us.