Hear, O Israel, The LORD our GOD, is One."
Brethren,
From the time that you became a Christian, until now; "How much would you say, that you've grown in The LORD?" I ask you to consider this question, because I'd like to share a story that requires some imagination. 😏 Imagine us speaking to one another, on a certain matter; "then I pound my fist hard enough to make water in a glass, splash out onto the table. Then I explain, “You will come up against much trouble. But when you do, remember, only what’s in you will spill out.”
I, then, say to you: "That’s worth thinking about, isn’t it? When we are mistreated or pushed so hard, that we are urged to embrace anger."
How do we respond?" With loving words, patience, and kindness? Or are we inclined to "retaliate with harsh words, in anger?"
In Ephesians 4:25-32, we see the contrast between what a person is before he is "BORN AGAIN" and what he is afterward. When we live under the control of The HOLY SPIRIT, we will show it by the way we react to the "daunting trials" and temptations of LIFE. How we respond to trying, embarrassing situations that are suddenly pushed upon us are a proper test of how much we've grown in The LORD."
Do you remember, how Ephesians 2:21-22 tells us, that we are each being built up, in CHRIST." Built up, a HOLY TEMPLE in The LORD?"
Yes, we are being built up, and made strong," by the POWER that comes from GOD." Consider how Philippians 4:13 reads: I can do all things through CHRIST Who strengthens me.
[With that said,
Surely, we can each, see, how it is possible to suppress frustration and anger, and to be undisturbed by people around us. If our heart is full of our SAVIOR’S LOVE, we will respond to the unexpected trials of LIFE with genuine patience and kindness. Like a full glass of water, what’s inside of us will spill over on the outside.
Luke 6:45 presents it like this: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
[And so, if our heart is full of having embraced "The WORD of The LIVING GOD," as LORD, over us." Our mouth, will speak to GLORIFY GOD." Simply, because we Believe!"
With that said, I ask you to consider this WORD, from Deuteronomy 30:1-8 and know that we are as captives here on the earth. 🌎 But our LORD, JESUS CHRIST," has promised, to come, and gather us unto HIMSELF; "who do HIS commandments."
It reads like this: "Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the Blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where The LORD your GOD drives you, and you return to The LORD your GOD and obey HIS VOICE, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, [Now hear this - "Shema Israel."] that The LORD your GOD will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where The LORD your GOD has scattered you. If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under HEAVEN, from there The LORD your GOD will gather you, and from there HE will bring you.
Then The LORD your GOD will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed.
[To the land our fathers possessed?" Yes, our SPIRITUAL father's. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.]
and you shall possess it. HE will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And The LORD your GOD will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to LOVE The LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
"Also, The LORD your GOD will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. And you will again obey The VOICE of The LORD your GOD and do all HIS commandments which I command you today.
JESUS
OK