Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

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For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17

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Yet for Your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Psalm 44:22

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Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no god. Who is like Me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before Me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen." Isaiah 44:6-7

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"I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Luke 18:8

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"But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. 9  But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10  For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12  so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:7-12

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12  Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 14  Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16  that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. Hebrews 12:11-17

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"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out." John 6:37

At this time of the year when we think of God's gift to us, I would like us to consider that we believers are part of God the Father's gift to His Son, Jesus, our Savior.  What kind of gifts are we?  Will He be happy to receive us?  Do we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?  I think we would all agree that He deserves nothing less!

The other part of the gift is the Kingdom, where those who belong to Jesus, who is High Priest in the everlasting order of Melchizedek, will rule with Him as part of a royal priesthood, forever.  If we have been given by the Father to the Son, then we have the Holy Spirit within us and are His temple.  Wow.  Is that profound or what?  Let's be the best present EVER, starting NOW.  Let's give Him our WHOLE hearts, just as He gave His LIFE for us.  He alone is worthy. (Verses are below.)

Let's also bear in mind that the Israelites who refused to go into the promised land due to lack of faith did not get another chance.  They all died in the desert except for Joshua and Caleb, who were the only ones who wanted to go in.  Joshua (a name almost identical to the Hebrew name for Jesus) and Caleb had to wander in the desert, enduring hardship for forty years before they could enter.  That is a picture of our "wilderness" experience and walking by faith while we wait for our turn as believers to enter the "promised land."

I'd like to share with you something I just learned.  Many people have said that the name "Caleb" means "dog."  This bothered me because Caleb was faithful and dogs are usually mentioned in a derogatory manner in the Bible.  Today I discovered that the word for dog is "celeb,"  whereas the name Caleb is a combination of two words (just as Yeshua means Yah is Salvation).  The first part of Caleb's name means "all" and the second part means "heart."  Caleb means "whole-hearted," which God verifies for us when He said:

"And the LORD heard your words and was angered, and he swore, 35  ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, 36  except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!’" Deuteronomy 1:34-36 

Let's "wholly follow the Lord" like Caleb--a worthy companion of Joshua, who took the people into the promised land--just as we belong to Jesus, who will take us in after we have followed Him whole-heartedly through this wilderness.  Let's not be like the ones who wandered in the desert and then died, never going in to the promised land.  How sad is that?  Be like Caleb.

Verses:

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:44

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7  Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8  For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9  I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10  All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them." John 17:6-10

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30  I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6  as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5  you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things
that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a Son.
And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our

boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:5-6

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18  and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Notice that Jesus tells the scribe that he is "not far from the kingdom of God" when he agrees with Him on the two greatest commands.  God wants our WHOLE HEART and ALL of us--following in deed not just words, DOING as He says, not only hearing.  (John 4:23, 1 John 3:18, James 1:22)

And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33  And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34  And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:32-34

[Caleb said] "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. 8  But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9  And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’" Joshua 14:7-9

Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14  Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel. Joshua 14:13-14

Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:61

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3  who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! Psalm 119:2-3

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3  and said, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Isaiah 38:2-3

I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

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To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

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Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.  1 Corinthians 4:5

Note: This is in the context of our service to God as His servants.  We have each received different gifts from the Holy Spirit for use in building up the Body of Christ.  (1 Cor. 12:4-11, 1 Peter 2:1-5, 4:10-11, Eph. 2:19-22)  God will judge whether each person has used their gifts selfishly to satisfy their own desires or if they have shared them as He intended.  (Matt. 25:14-30 - the "talents" were money, but they represent more than that, 1 Cor. 4:1-4, 2 Cor. 5:10, Eph. 4:7-8, John 16:24, James 4:3)  We mustn't think of our own service to God as being more important than someone else's--we're all members of the same Body.  (1 Cor. 12:12-13:13, Gal. 6:3, Rom. 12:3, 12:10, 12:16, Luke 14:7-11, James 2:1-7)  We shouldn't criticize each other for how each one handles matters that are NOT related to salvation or sin, but we are each free to decide for ourselves according to our OWN convictions as to HONOR the Lord with our behavior (not as to what degree we feel free to sin against Him!)  (Romans 14)  Disagreements in these matters unrelated to salvation (which salvation ALWAYS includes repentance) end up causing unnecessary division and discouragement among believers, whereas Jesus prayed we would have unity. (John 17:11, 1 Cor. 10:17, Eph. 4:1-6, Gal. 6:2-10)

I read an interpretation somewhere that when the Bible says to treat the dishonorable parts of the Body as honorable (1 Cor. 12:22-26), it means that we must tolerate those who sin due to their weakness.  That is simply NOT true.  What it means is that a person who cleans toilets for the glory of the Lord (because even the nasty jobs need to be done) is no less valuable as the one who speaks before kings with eloquence.  (Acts 25-26, 1 Cor. 1:26-2:1-5)  A person who is imprisoned for preaching the Gospel is to be supported, not shunned and abandoned.  (Matt. 25:36, Acts 12:5, 2 Tim. 4:16, Heb. 10:34, 13:3)  There is nothing wrong with sharing the Gospel with criminals, but that is NOT what was meant by "visiting Jesus" in prison.  That refers to visiting the one who is being persecuting for His sake, not for something they did wrong.  (Acts 8:3, 16:22-24, Col. 4:3-6, Eph. 6:16-20, 2 Tim. 1:8, Philemon 1:13, 1 Peter 4:15)  In this day and age, how many people immediately disown anyone who is slandered for speaking the truth about God's word?  When the world calls a Christian a hater, don't most people try to distance themselves from that person?  (2 Tim. 1:16-18, Philippians 1:3-7)  It's only going to get worse as we get closer to the end of this age.  (Rev. 2:10)  Whoever disowns their believing brother or sister over such things is actually disowning Christ.  (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, 10:16, Matt. 10:40)  (This is NOT to say that we should EVER commit acts of violence, use crude language or dishonor God in any other way by our behavior--not for any reason.  Our motive is LOVE.)

Many people also misinterpret the words about tolerating "weaker brothers."  That is not meant to say that we should treat fellow believers as babies who don't know better and can't help their behavior.  How will they grow in Christ if no one ever corrects their behavior?  No, they should be admonished with gentleness (and if they refuse correction, then they must be excluded from fellowship for the good of the congregation).  (1 Cor. 5:13)  This does NOT include physically or verbally assaulting anyone, or gossiping about them.  (Titus 3)  The context of "weaker brother" is that some people feel convicted to observe special days or refrain from eating meat due to fear that it may have been sacrificed to an idol without their knowledge.  We are free to decide these things for ourselves and are not to force anyone to embrace the choice we make for ourselves in freedom.  If they feel in their weakness that it's sinful, then for them it is.  (1 Cor. 8, 1 Cor. 10:23-33. Rom. 14:23)  This has NOTHING to do with approving of, encouraging or overlooking blatantly sinful behaviors, especially those committed deliberately.  (Rom. 1:32, 1 Cor. 15:34, 2 Cor. 12:21)  Paul said his concern for the weak and those who succumb to sin burdened him terribly.  (2 Cor. 11:29)

In passages about judging sin by fellow believers, we are told to confront it gently, in love, and forgive the person who repents.  (Gal. 6:1, Matt. 18:15-17, 21-22)  We are not to withhold forgiveness (Luke 6:35-38, Eph. 4:32), or condemn anyone as though we are perfect ourselves (Matt. 7:5), or judge them for the very same sins we do ourselves (Romans 2:1-24), or fall into the same sin as they have slipped into while we are trying to restore them to fellowship. (1 Cor. 10:12, 2 Cor. 13:11, Gal. 6:1) However, if someone refuses to repent, then we are not to tolerate their sin, as it tends to spread and contaminate the whole Body and we are meant to be holy and set apart from the world for God. (1 Cor. 5)  If we read the warning of Jesus about not letting the members of your body cause us to sin (Matt. 5:27-30) in light of Paul's explanation that WE are members of the Body of CHRIST (Rom. 6, 12:4-5), we see that God does NOT want us to look the other way when our brothers and sisters in Christ sin.  He wants us to deal with it, with the goal of a healthy, whole Body.  (1 Cor. 5, 2 Cor. 2:6-8, Gal. 6:1)  The point of confronting sin is LOVE, not to be unmerciful, but because it IS merciful to bring someone back from straying.  (James 5:19-20, 2 Thess. 3:13-15)  The more we correct our own behavior while on this earth, the less we will have to fear being corrected when Jesus returns.  (Rom. 14:12, 1 Cor. 4:21, 2 Cor. 10:1-6, 12:20-21, 13:10, 1 John 2:28-29, Matt. 24:42-44, Luke 12:38-40, 1 Thess. 5:1-8, Rev. 3:3, 16:15)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 

Instead of wondering who anyone else thinks they are to tell others (including you or me) how to behave or what to care about, let's think about the honor and glory of the Body of Christ.  Because it's ALL about our precious, victorious, worthy Savior, let's encourage one another to be ready for the His return.  (Psalm 69:9, Rom. 15:1-7)  Jesus warned us to OBEY His words by bearing good fruit and building upon the rock.  He warned us NOT to listen to people who say there is another way (whether that is through another door than Him or by only hearing His words, but not DOING them).  (Matt. 7:13-27, James 1:22-25, 1 Tim. 6:3-5)  Let's speak the truth in love so that everyone can mature in Christ, not shying away from uncomfortable topics like sin.  (Col. 1:28-29, Acts 20:26-27)  Let’s value the kingdom of God more than temporary treasures and pleasures.  (Matt.  6:33, 1 John 2:15-17)  God takes no pleasure in people who turn back after promising to serve Him, or are cowardly.  (Luke 9:62, Heb. 10:35-39, Rev. 21:8)  This is not to say that we save ourselves in any way, ever, but that we deceive ourselves into thinking we are saved if we still love sin and the world.  (Gal.  6:7-8, 1 Tim.  4:1, 2 Tim.  3:12-13, James 1:22, 1 John 1:5-10)

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 2 Corinthians 12:19

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13  But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 17  Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18  They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19  They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20  But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21  assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22  to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25  Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27  and give no opportunity to the devil. 28  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 5:1  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5  For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7  Therefore do not become partners with them; 8  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10  and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12  For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14  for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15  Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 4:11-5:21
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This article will be made available in pdf form, including the scriptures that were referenced, on the sidebar of this blog, entitled Unity of the Body of Christ.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21

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