Fruits of Spirit or Flesh?

Galations 5:1-26

Galatians 5:1 through Galatians 5:26 (KJV)
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

What have you read today that God has spoken to you about? Communications is 2 way. Prayer is us to God. For us to have God reach us, it’s via the word of God, the Bible.

Galations 5:16
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

This interesting. Many people asks how do we overcome sins an temptations. I recall temptation advise was to “flee from temptations”. When temptation is matured, it leads to sin. But if we walk in the spirit, we’d be too busy to have temptations don’t we? I used to recall my pastor chatting. If you are so busy with your other hobbies, how do you find time for God? What is the proportion of your time daily with God? If God and Bible reading is our hobby. Now won’t that be fantastic! An integrated pleasure! Pleasure with God and yet achieving hobby as well.

So Paul in his letters to Galations spoke about walk in the Spirit.. How do we know we are walking in the spirit? The fruits will show. A checklist was given to us. Do you exhibit one or more of the listed marks? love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance.

Do you also exhibit one or more of these negative marks? “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:”

One of the management rule goes by management by exceptions. Means do not tell me the usually. Tell me the exceptions. If it’s fine? Don’t tell me. If it’s bad? Tell me. Paul must’ve been a good manager. As he has listed down the exceptions as well! So what if you display the fruits of the spirit? Are you displaying the manifest of the flesh as well?

Lord help us as we become more like Christ, less of ourselves.

Love your enemies

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44

Need to explain more? Tis clear enough.

Jesus paid tax. So should we.

Matthew 17:24-27 (KJV)
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV)
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes– from their own sons or from others? “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Even Jesus paid tax. We should not complain about tax. In fact Jesus was posed directly about a question on tax.

21They 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. Matthew 22:21

Jesus specifically address the issue of tax. He paid. That does it.

Unforgivable Sins

Are there such thing as unforgiving sins? A sin that cannot be pardoned?

King James Bible
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

So as far as God is concerned, he will definitely pardon our sins if we repent and ask for forgiveness. However, we are so darn weak. Surely we’ll sin over and over again! God knows. Thus the need for Jesus Christ. God’s ultimate sacrificial lamb. In the old testaments aka past, priest had to sacrifice a good lamb frequently for the forgiveness of sin. The blood of the lamb has to be shed for te forgiveness of sin. That is the pass. The present, we have Jesus. He mediates for us daily. He is our Saviour and Lord. He died on the cross for our sins. Rose again 3 days later, and ascended into heavens visually among the crowd. It is a public sight. Nothing to hide. Gosh, as I type this, my goose pimple are reacting. It must be a powerful message!

How can one say a sin not pardonable when God sent his Son to die for us! Thank and Praise God that we are pardoned! Forgiven! But but…. I killed someone. I raped somebody. I can never be pardoned. Wait. Hold there. Pardon, forgiven, accountable. Accountable.

The last word accountable is. Very strong word. Goosie again. Imagine this. We stand before the great hire throne of God. All our sins are being read out to God the Father. Goosie again. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. All guilty. Jesus, the sacrifice lamb of God stands up. “Father, pardon his sin for he know not what he is doing. And even if he did, he is forgiven. I died on the cross for his sins. He believed. He did his best. He asked for forgiveness. All pardoned by my blood as per planned by you father.” is this not a wonderful sight? Does it not give u a relieve? Or would u rather, GUILTY. Nothing to pardon. Hell you go.

Hell is real my friend. Everyone knows there’s hell. What the hell. Hell you go. See? Everybody knows hell. Does anybody says to heavens with you? Sometimes. Only when they are surprised. Heavens! Hell existed!

But I’m still guilty on earth. As long as we are on this sinful world, we are always guilty as far as the world sees us. Even if we are innocent, we are guilty. Is that not true? How oft are we labelled as Liars when we speak truth?

Even if we can meet the laws laid by men, we can never meet the laws of God. Missing the mark. I recall someone telling me sin is about missing the mark. When u miss the mark you sinned! Nobody ever met all the marks except Christ. That’s why he is the lamb of God.

So if God can forgive us, how much more we should forgive?

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

Matthew 18:21-22 KJV
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

77 time or 70×7=490 times Interesting. However u read it? Does not matter. What Christ was driving at was there is no absolute number or limit when it comes to forgiveness. Is it not a scary thought I we know there is a limit to forgiveness? Then we better know Christ quota or limit. Cause we are all sinners! Unless we get to die young, to hell you go! Young I belive as in a babe! Extremely young! One who knows nothing! When you know naught, you sin not!

What is sin? Sin is missing the mark. Whose mark? God’s mark. But I do not even know the mark!! Excusable? Say someone does not know is wrong to lie and he lies, does it mean is right? No. We all know is not right no matter how much he debates about ignorance. Let’s say something more drastic. Drug smuggling to Singapore punishable by death. Can I say I don’t know? Sorry mAte. Said too often before. The government knows you do not know. But there is the law. You like or or not, know or not, guilty! So what about us? We all short from the glory of God. We are sinners! Pathetic Sinners!

Let’s look at the Ten Commandments.
“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the LORD your God…

ONE: ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.’

TWO: ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.’

THREE: ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.’

FOUR: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’

FIVE: ‘Honor your father and your mother.’

SIX: ‘You shall not murder.’

SEVEN: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

EIGHT: ‘You shall not steal.’

NINE: ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’

TEN: ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.’

God is omnipresent, meaning he is everywhere.
God is omnipotent, all powerful.
God is omniscient, all knowing.

The very minute you looked across the street at a lady and and start to desire her, you are already committing adultery by Gods standard. Gosh! Then I cannot look at girls! Look but sin not! Can we? God have mercy on us.

So we see, we are all bounded by the law. Knowing or not. All guilty by God’s standard.

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

Nobody! Nobody but Christ have met God’s mark! To start with Christ was born of a virgin. So he is already free from Adams original sin! Goosie! Thereafter he lived a life acceptable unto God! Tempted of Satan 40 days in the wilderness. He did not even give in. Was it easy? Goose. No! Even the angels came to minister unto him! Tempted by the devil himself when he is human!

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Kjv Luke 4:2.

Interesting. I noted this “… He afterward hungered”. He only felt hunger after 40 days or?? Remember how oft when we are so engrossed with something, we do not feel hungry? For some is work, some are game engrossed? You do not feel hungry but when stopped, suddenly you felt the hunger pang?

Christ was perfect. Perfect lamb of God. He had to bear the sins of us on the cross so that we may have eternal life. Would you believe in Jesus and live his way?

God forgive us.

Posted from iPhone.

Takes more than believe in Jesus?

I was frustrated sometimes by all the terms and conditions in the bible. Everybody says believe in Jesus u shall be saved.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ” (John 3:16).

Even the Devils and Satan believe in Jesus. They fear him. Read the Gospel. Jesus was face to face with Satan when he was tempted 40 days in the wilderness! When the possessed people with evil spirits saw Jesus, they’d rather flee than face Jesus!! Do we need more evidence that Jesus is God? With believe comes protocols. Protocols are rules.

Let’s face it, there are rules. There are rules of passion, rules of believe. Everywhere, there are rules. Even if you are in the army, love the army, all the more you will abide by the rules of the army, and see these rules as passion, enjoyable. But I need to wear uniform! I need to obey the ranks! I need to be trained! I need to dot dot dot. Exactly, when u believe and love something? Embrace everything.

If you believe in Windows Microsoft, you will study the “rules” of the Microsoft system to understand and Obey. You accept the fact that there are restrictions and limitations. However we enjoy the features that comes with it and let go the restrictions.

If you believe in Apple systems, likewise you will read and obey the “rules” of the apple OS. Of course we can’t compare Jesus,
Christianity to the army, or some software. Be know however, army is the most referred scenario and example usually referred in the bible. Soldier of Christ. Battle. Armor of God. Word of God is double edged sword. The shield.
So using the army is in fact a good analogy.

There is absolutely no way one can believe in something, yet do not want to follow the rules, terms and conditions. Then why bother trusting? Why bother pay money to a doc for treatment and advise and then reject all? Ok, maybe docs are bad example since we do have bogus docs out there. But you get the drift, it is indeed just plain believe In Jesus. By believing, the rest of the terms and conditions comes along. Then it leads to TRULY Believe. It’s interesting to why we have these two phrases don’t we? “Believe”, “Truly Believe”. You mean we have people who “Falsely Believe” Nay. We are talking about 100% believe. No BUTS!! Such as I believe BUT… I TRULY BELIEVE! No Buts. When you truly believe, you embrace everything along with passion. You live by it. You breath it. You talk about it. You study about it. You want to know more about it. You go excited!! No buts!
You accept all the good and bad that comes along with it! In fact, the bad will be regarded as “features”, not exactly bad as it can be overcome.

Thus begone you devil for tempting and poking me on my believe. “Are you sure? Only Believe?”

Choose who you will serve this day. God Jehovah or mammon?

If you love Jesus, believe in him, naturally you will want to know about the characteristics, rules, terms and conditions. So that your life, spirit, action, thoughts will fully be integrated with Jesus. Zero contentions.

Truly Believe.

Posted from a Blackberry.

Vow of Jephthah

I know of 2 instances. The danger of vows. One was recorded below.
Another was John the Baptist beheaded.

The key verse here “… for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.”
(Judges 11:35)”

Read the context here:

Judges 11:30-39
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into
my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I
return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will
sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them
into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity
of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to
meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She
was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter.
When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh! My daughter! You
have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the
LORD that I cannot break.”

“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to
me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your
enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said.
“Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends,
because I will never marry.”

“You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and the
girls went into the hills and wept because she would never marry.
After the two months, she returned to her father and he did to her as
he had vowed.

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter
any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:
therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

But on the topic of Jephthah who vowed to offer a burnt sacrifice, did he sacrifice his daughter?
As usual, “Googled”.
http://www.tektonics.org/gk/jepthah.html

Above URL clearly shows the explanation of the situation if a sacrifice did occur, which did not as
all references of sacrifices are against the requirement.
ie: Sacrifices MUST BE a male, usually for SIN and not for thanksgiving.
More IMPORTANTLY of all, GOD FORBIDS Human Sacrifice Deut 12:31

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

So with all the context and references, it can be concluded that Jephthah did not sacrifice her daughter, but did “sacrifice” her daughter perhaps into the Lord’s service.

Vow of Jephthah

I know of 2 instances. The danger of vows. One was recorded below.
Another was John the Baptist beheaded.

The key verse here “… for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.”
(Judges 11:35)”

Read the context here:

Judges 11:30-39
And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into
my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I
return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will
sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them
into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity
of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to
meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She
was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter.
When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh! My daughter! You
have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the
LORD that I cannot break.”

“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to
me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your
enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said.
“Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends,
because I will never marry.”

“You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and the
girls went into the hills and wept because she would never marry.
After the two months, she returned to her father and he did to her as
he had vowed.

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter
any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:
therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

But on the topic of Jephthah who vowed to offer a burnt sacrifice, did he sacrifice his daughter?
As usual, “Googled”.
http://www.tektonics.org/gk/jepthah.html

Above URL clearly shows the explanation of the situation if a sacrifice did occur, which did not as
all references of sacrifices are against the requirement.
ie: Sacrifices MUST BE a male, usually for SIN and not for thanksgiving.
More IMPORTANTLY of all, GOD FORBIDS Human Sacrifice Deut 12:31

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

So with all the context and references, it can be concluded that Jephthah did not sacrifice her daughter, but did “sacrifice” her daughter perhaps into the Lord’s service.

Mazda Additional SC at Alexander

FYI.

Mazda Motor has an additional Service Centre @ 315 Alexandra Rd S(159944). Operation commence 16/11/09. Pls call 63958833/8 for svc/repair appt. Thank you.

Sent from Ben iPhone

XE Currency Checl

http://www.xe.com/ict/?basecur=SGD&historical=false&month=11&day=2&year=2009&sort_by=code&image.x=46&image.y=12

I was googling on this and found this site. Probaby better than the app itself. This is a popular iPhone app. I believe in accessibility, and the web are largely not platform dependent. So I’d prefer this.

Murderers of Jesus

“When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:” (Matthew 27:1).

Are these people murderers or what? They plotted to kill!! In many countries,the law usually states that a person will be charged with man slaughter without murderous intent, the punishment usually will be lighter than a person who had plotted to kill who are considered murderers.
These people who called themselves priest and elders plotted to kill Let us not be too soon to judge them. As Jesus said on the cross…
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34).

Who are the they in this text? I’m curious. ” Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”?

In the site it refers to those who crucify him. Is Jesus referring to the soldiers and the normal ppl or inclusive of the Plotters? http://bible.cc/luke/23-34.htm

In my bible there are the following cross references on “they”

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ” (Matthew 5:44).

“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60).

“And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” (1 Corinthians 4:12).

“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.” (Acts 3:17).

I suppose the they refers generally to all the people who wanted Jesus dead at that point in time.

Does it matters? Maybe. My pastor useds to say, it is more important of your salvation the debates of who are the “them” and “they”.

Eitherway, if it is important, God will review the importance to us.