Tune and Prepare!

Peter and Paul. Two men from radically different backgrounds. Two people whom the Lord Jesus called to the same most noble and most difficult ministry. We know their sermons. We know their martyrdoms. We know their letters, copied and re-copied for two thousand years, sitting in the same Bible, side by side, world without end. But there is a small, easily-missed sentence buried in one of those letters — a sentence that tells us something almost nobody preaches on. Paul writes, almost in passing, that three years after his conversion, three years after the beginning of his devoted services he went up to Jerusalem, and he stayed with Peter for fifteen days. Fifteen days. Two men. One place, one house, in one city, for two full weeks. And Scripture tells us almost nothing about what happened in that time... ... After Pentecost, Peter becomes the recognized voice of the Jerusalem church — preaching to the crowds (Acts 2:1...

Worship is a complex lifestyle in the Scriptures, not an event. Adoration, honor, praise, reverence focuses on the holiness of the majesty, the mightiness, the beauty of the Lord, – this is a constant priestly activity: sacrifice before the Lord, per-se. When we worship in holiness, unity and agreement, "God dwells among us": JHVH Shammah is his name which also clearly points to the name Immanuel : "Gd is with us". Gd's names represent His mighty character. Jesus clearly teaches that His Name should be holy before us: "hallowed be Your Name". His prayer model is the base of the everyday priestly prayer and adoration. In respect. In unity. In love. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8 The full article is here ☆

study in the Chapterhouse The Constant Need Ephesians 4:1-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible 1 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness , with patience {tolerating}, accepting {bearing} one another in love, 3 diligently keeping the unity * of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to {called in} one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. *Keeping the unity means: acceptance and active love ( agape: inviting love / or 'Hesed' ), creating an environment with mutual trust and support. See: David Guzik's article about unity (see: the apostolic heart in Rm.1:12 and 14:19 ) 7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. 8 For it says: When He...

Sándor Háló – igemorzsa.hu "We also have this commandment from him, that he who loves God should love his brother." 1 John 4:21 We are sorely lacking in brotherly love in the church. Many who profess to love the Saviour make no effort to love those who are united with them in Christian fellowship. Our faith is one. We are all members of the same family, children of the same heavenly Father, with the same hope of immortality. How intimate and tender, then, should be the bond that binds us together! The world is watching, wanting to see if our faith sanctifies us. The secular will immediately notice every shortcoming in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us not give them an opportunity to attack our faith... There is no surer way to weaken our spirituality than to envy one another, to distrust, to be full of fault-finding and suspicion... This is not wisdom from above... The wisdom that comes from above is... peace-lovin...

In the New Testament Jesus says: Again I say to you that if two of you agree* on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19-20 *"are symphonized" Paul says: Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30 David Guzik's notice Agreement on prayer is: A. When 2 or more prayer aligned on understanding Gd's promise & will. B. 2 or more people attentive on the same need, the same plea before Gd. Their hearts, words are focusing on the same need & the same request. C. And the meeting members are active in these prayers and pleas all together... .. They're trying discern, what God's will is, and then praying that in the action. f ...

God is Love – 1/3 The shapes of the love — A study on divine love and the intertwined Christian character ..how the two loves are linked Kindness and faithful love (hesed) pursue me every day of my life. I make my home in the house of YHWH for all time to come. Psalm 23:6 For this is how God (agape) loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 What is Hesed? The word that is translated to “faithful love” is the Hesed (חסד) which is a Hebrew word that is difficult to translate directly, as it encompasses a range of concepts including "love, kindness, loyalty, mercy", and "covenant faithfulness". This word is translated in other places as “goodness,” and “steadfast love.” God's love for His covenant people in the Old Testament is expressed by the Hesed . This love expressed in the Hebrew texts as hesed we'emet for example in Gen 24:49; 32:11; 47:...

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, dwell in these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Is 1:18 the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant*, full of mercy and good fruits. Jms 3:17 *"easy to be intreated", "open to reason" the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; Act 17:10-12

With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3) Ephesians 4 begins a whole new part of Paul’s letter. The first three chapters explain in glorious detail all that God has done for believers, freely by His grace. Starting with chapter 4, he tells believers how to live rightly, but only after having explained what God did for His people in Jesus Christ. Having considered and received all that God has done for us, we are to live with all lowliness and gentleness , not a pushy desire to defend our own rights and advance our own agenda. Before Christianity, the word lowliness always had a bad association to it. In the minds of many it still does; but it is a glorious Christian virtue (Philippians 2:1-10). It means that we can be happy and content when we are not in control or steering things our way. Having considered and received all that God has done fo...

The apostolic "concept" of divine love, referred to as "Agape," is distinguished from other forms of love like friendship or affection. Agape is correctly understood as a cultural and linguistic concept (and not as a theological subject). In Greek, it is used for giving, absorbing love, sometimes describing events such as invitations, hospitality and celebrations, (often associated with weddings.) The link between the teachings of Jesus and this imagery is very close. Jesus Christ emphasizes that Agape {or charity-love} is a representation of the invitation to His Kingdom. This invitation has consequences and various fruits in our lives. I begin this note with the Hymn of Love: 1Cor 13 If I am able to speak the language of men or of angels, but have not divine love in me, I shall be like a noisy cymbal or a rattling cymbal. If I have received the gift of prophecy, if I know all secret truths, if I have all knowledge, if I have f...

Guilt or Throne? spiritual, mental hygiene, mutual need, purification, confidence, etc. This article is part of the "Vitalize" pack you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Psalm 41:12 Dear saints and beloved! I recently visited a church which has a beautiful family life but suffers from a typical 21 century sickness. The guilt. Interestingly, leaders have told me that members are not as eager to come and get their lives back on track when they commit sins. They simply do not confess them openly. Since it is pastoral responsibility first - I really don't understand, why... The place we came from I believe that guilt is one of the most serious attacks on the humankind. People, nations can do "amazing" things to get rid of guilt. They walk thousands of miles, they squeeze themselves, they oppress themselves and unfortunately they oppress others just to see their own lives as super...

Andreas Köstenberger In our day and age, few parts of Scripture are more controversial that the household codes of the New Testament. Indeed, as family structures continue to unravel and hierarchical relations, in the home, the church, or the workplace, are often abusive, the biblical teaching that men and woman have distinct, God-given roles and that women submit to their husbands has fallen on hard times. Yet, for those who are committed to Scripture, we must take a closer look to see what God says about male-female relationships, and women’s roles in particular, throughout Scripture. And one important place to do that is Titus 2. ... Paul’s instructions to Titus in chapter 2 are given as part of a household code that conceives of the church as God’s household. In keeping with this format, Paul gives ministry directives regarding older men (v. 2), older and young women (vv. 3–5), and younger men (v. 6), as well as bondservants (vv. 9–10). Like all the members in God’s ho...

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?.. Yet you are holy, enthroned {dwelling} on the praises of Israel. Psalm 22 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him 1 John 2:28 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 1 John 3:24 We are encouraged by John to abide in God, which has various meaning in the believer's life. In 1John chapter 2 and 3 we get dense apostolic visions how this relationship shapes our lives and makes ripples around us.. However, God is equally present in us and desires to live within our hearts' worship and adoration. Psalm 22, the great messianic-prophetic psalm, reveals this heavenly intimate relationship showing the out casted, Suffering Messiah who -In His Greatest sacrifice, in His death agony- gives us a glorious dimensions about Gd's dwelling: “Y...

by Andreas Köstenberger ... Women’s Roles in Titus 2:3–5 In our day and age, few parts of Scripture are more controversial that the household codes of the New Testament. Indeed, as family structures continue to unravel and hierarchical relations, in the home, the church, or the workplace, are often abusive, the biblical teaching that men and woman have distinct, God-given roles and that women submit to their husbands has fallen on hard times. Yet, for those who are committed to Scripture, we must take a closer look to see what God says about male-female relationships, and women’s roles in particular, throughout Scripture. And one important place to do that is Titus 2. For more details, see chapter 6 in God’s Design for Man and Woman. Paul’s instructions to Titus in chapter 2 are given as part of a household code that conceives of the Church as God’s household . In keeping with this format, Paul gives ministry directives regarding older men (v. 2), older and...

Chopo Mwanza Every local church is comprised of a diverse group of people who have been radically transformed by the power of God through the person and work of Jesus Christ. These diverse people have no reason to live and work together, let alone care for each other—and yet, they choose to live in love and unity together, to the praise and glory of the Lord’s name. Healthy local churches make a powerful and attractive testimony to a watching world. This means that every church member has to be devoted to building others up. Church members who build up the church are those who: 1. Attend Attending is the most basic way church members build each other up. It’s the most obvious way to show commitment to the body. There’s something encouraging about knowing a brother or sister is simply going to be present at a church service, and you are going to worship God together. The writer to the Hebrews tells the believers to “stir one another up to love and good deeds” and to “en...