Love Fulfilled Ministry

" But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (1 John 1:7-9). When we believe we become “ the light of the world ", a light on a hill Jesus said. The nature of light is to give light, we do not hide it, we put it on a lamp stand, so all can see  (Matthew 5:14). How can we be a light for all to see? One way is to be  transparent,  walking in the light. The definition of transparent is "the state or property of a body by which it suffers rays of light to pass through it, so that objects can be distinctly seen through it. This is a property of glass, water, and air, which when pure, admit the free passage of light." [1] When we are transparent we become that bo...

" but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence " (1 Peter 3:15). This verse is usually seen as being ready to give an answer or "testimony" for the hope that is in us. We should always be  prepared  to give our testimony, however is ready to make a defense and give an account the same thing? I put forth a different idea for thought. Defense is  vindication; justification; apology; that which repels or disproves a charge or accusation, in military skill it is the science of defending against  enemies. [1] Defense is defined as any thing that opposes an attack. In context, Peter is saying to be prepared to make a defense; oppose an attack. He writes do not fear or be troubled by intimidation but sanctify Christ in our hearts and be ready to make a defense, to give account of the hope that is in you, yet with gentlen...

" If when you do what is right and suffer for it, patiently enduring it, this finds favor with God.  For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps " (1 Peter 2:20-21). Peter is teaching how we as believers must be submissive, for the lords sake, to authority. He also gives an example of a slave being submissive to an unreasonable master (v.18). The best thing we can do against unreasonable treatment is to do what is right, "for such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men" (v. 15). Jesus Christ committed no sin nor was there any deceit found in him. Yet when he was  wrongly  punished he did not reproach and while suffering he entrusted himself to the one who judges righteously (v. 22-23).  Jesus is to be our example.  We find favor with God for  patiently  enduring suffering for what is  right (v. 20).  "...

“ You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven " (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt is absolutely essential for life, it is one of the oldest, most ubiquitous food seasonings. The taste of salt (saltiness) is one of the basic human tastes. Chloride and sodium ions, the two major components of salt, are needed by all known living creatures. Salt is involved in regulating the water content (fluid balance) of the body. The sodium ion itself is used for electrical signaling in the nervous system. [1] Salt has been considered a valuable commodity during human history. When we believe we become something special, we become the salt of the earth. When we believe we become one with God, " whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit " (1 Corinthians 6:17). When we heard the gospel of our salvation and believed we were sealed with the ...

"   Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.    And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.    Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.    Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who a...

“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord .” (Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1-2) “ Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing .” But he knew their hearts and soon they tried to throw him over a cliff, but he passed through the midst of them, v.20-30. This is how Jesus's ministry begins; baptized by John, tempted in the desert, and rejected in his hometown. At thirty years old his ministry begins and lasts only three years. John the baptist's public ministry was only months, but Jesus said of John, " among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater " (Matthew 11:11). Isaiah speaks of the coming Servant, the light to the gentiles, " I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,that You should b...

" Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways or speech " (Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 19:1). Integrity is defined as the state or quality of being entire, complete, or whole.[1] A second definition states it is being of moral soundness; honest; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts.[1] There are many verses in the bible about integrity.[2] As believers, everything we do in the workplace or marketplace should be done with integrity, we are to commit our work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3). We can not separate business from personal, as we should not separate who we are on Sunday from who we are on Monday. A common phrase used, "it is business, nothing personal", should never come from our mouth. " And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and tur...