Wednesdays in the Word 1 John 4:11-21

1 John 4:11-21

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from hi, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Less Than 2 Weeks Away!

This year the Sword of the Lord is celebrating 82 years of ministry, and we are looking forward to a blessed NATIONAL SWORD OF THE LORD CONFERENCE! In addition, we are also honoring a very special anniversary for Bro. Bobby Roberson (Conference Host)...60 years as pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, NC. In less than 2 weeks, we will get to hear biblical preaching with 14 main preaching sessions! We will also have seminars that will help you in your ministry. Additional workshops will be held for men and women on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons! We have something for your kids too-classes during the day sessions and a nursery are provided. The NATIONAL SWORD OF THE LORD CONFERENCE is an exciting 4 days for your whole family! Vendors representing all types of ministries will be located in the gymnasium-something for everyone! (Colleges, printers, educational materials, literature, technology, missionaries, evangelists, teaching helps, clothing, and others!) START PACKING YOUR BAGS AND PROGRAM THE GPS! We'll see you there! God bless you, Dr. and Mrs. Shelton L. Smith

Wednesdays in the Word 1 John 4:1-10

1 John 4:1-10

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Positive Bible Teaching that a Saved Person Cannot be Lost

Now let us turn to some of the many passages wherein the Bible very clearly teaches the eternal security and safety of the man who has trusted in Christ.

Everlasting Life

More than forty times the terms or some form of the terms "eternal life" and "everlasting life" are used in the Bible.

God promises everlasting life to the believer - John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.

John 6:47 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Take God's Word for it and be happy. If you have trusted in Christ, you now have everlasting life, life that will alst forever; and you will not lose it!

Suppose that ten years after I believed in Jesus and got everlasting life, I sinned and lost it. That would not be everlasting life because it only lasted ten years. God has guaranteed everlasting life to the one who trusts Christ. Notice that in each case the word "believeth" is used in the present tense, but the everlasting life runs on into eternity. Look not at your own unworthiness, but look to the eternal promises of God that when you believed in Christ you got everlasting life. 

John 6:37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.

Can a Saved Person Be Lost? Falling From Grace

Galatians 5:4

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

The Scripture does say in Galatians 5:4, "Ye are fallen from grace" but read the whole verse and see that this refers to one who would be justified by the law. One who is counting on his own righteousness to save him.

Grace is a higher plan than the law, and these Galatians had begun to teach salvation by circumcision and the Law of Moses instead of staying with God's high Gospel of mercy which teaches that people are saved by faith. It has no reference to a saved person's becoming lost.

—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.

Understanding God's Nature as Revealed by His Names

Throughout Scripture, many different names are given to God. Remembering that Scripture is inspired by God, studying the meaning of those names tells us things about God that we need to know. As we see different facets of His character revealed in the names, our faith in God is strengthened and increased.

El Shaddai - Almighty God

This reflects His unfailing capacity to meet every need that we have. Abraham's faith was greatly challenged when he was called to leave his home and family to seek a new country, but God was with him each step of the way, faithfully leading him and supplying all his needs.

Jehovah Jireh - God Sees; God Provides

The story of Abraham offering Isaac on Mount Moriah reveals this name of God to us. God sees every need we have and He goes beyond seeing—He meets those needs.

I AM 

When God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of bondage, this is the name He chose to identify Himself to His suffering people. There is a wealth of truth in this name; but the primary relevance is that God is everything we need. He is not in the past. He has not changed. 

Jehovah Shalom - The God of Peace

People everywhere are seeking for peace. Yet beyond the struggles of nations, individuals also are seeking peace. The only true source of peace is an understanding of the God of peace. 

Jehovah Shammah - The God Who is There

God is not an abstract concept-He is real; and He is present with us. God's presence should be a visible testimony to all with whom we come in contact. 

Bible names have deep meanings. When we look at the names of God, we see facets of His character and nature that increase our faith and help us grow as Christians. WE find in Him our supply, our present help, our peace and our constant companion. Living in light of who God is changes everything. Living with such an awareness is the only way we can achieve "the high calling of God" for our lives.

Understanding the Filling of the Spirit

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.—Galatians 5:16

We cannot succeed in the Christian life unless we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the source of power to live a godly life. Understanding what it means to be filled with the Spirit prepares us to walk in step with His leading. Although we receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved, there is a marked difference between our possessing the Spirit and His possession of us. To be filled with the Spirit means that we are living under His control.

It is:

A Continuing Filling

It is not a one-time event. As a car cannot be filled with gas just once, we must experience repeated fillings of Holy Spirit power. Walking through a world that constantly opposes the plans and purposes of God requires a renewal of power and strength. 

A Controlling Filling

It is no accident that Paul uses the illustration of drunkenness to symbolize the effects of the filling of the Holy Spirit. We say that a drunk person is "under the influence". He is controlled by something that makes him say and do things he would not normally say and do. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we allow Him to take over and lead us into God's plan, even if that takes us outside of our natural comfort zone. 

A Consecrating Filling

When we are filled with the Spirit, we are not yielding to the temptations that come from the lusts of the flesh. His presence in power brings us into the holiness in which God intends us to walk. Rather than allowing the evils of the world to dominate our lives, He guides us into productive Christian living. The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are mutually exclusive. His filling produces the good fruit that pleases God.

As well allow ourselves to be controlled through His filling, we live in a way that fulfills God's purpose for us. This filling is an ongoing process whereby the Holy Spirit takes control.

Understanding Faith in God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.—Hebrews 11:6

Very few things are said to be impossible in the Bible. When we find that word in Scripture, it is usually in the context that nothing is impossible with God. Yet the Bible tells us that we cannot please God without faith. The three levels—or aspects—of faith we need to have are these:

Believe God Is

Believing God is goes beyond a mental awareness that He is real. This level of faith requires that we understand that He wants to be an effective presence in our lives. Living with that awareness drives us to turn to Him when in trouble. 

Believe God Can

Beyond believing that God is real, we should learn to have faith in His ability to handle our problems. The reason the father of the demon-possessed boy doubted God's ability to heal was that the disciples were powerless; but when he questioned Jesus; power, the answer was a challenge to his own faith. Obtaining the answer did not take complete and total faith—just enough to request, "Help thou mine unbelief."

Believe God Will

The mature faith not only believes in God's ability but also in His promises. Paul was confident that what he had been told would come to pass. After you have seen God work time and time again, you will begin to develop a settled confidence that He will answer your prayers. Those answers will not always be on your timetable or exactly what you were expecting. Faith believes that God will do what is best, not necessarily what you think is best.
—taken from A Vision of God by Robert Byers. To read this book in its entirety, please purchase your copy here.

Understanding the Greatness of God

God is even greater than we can imagine. Moses saw as much of God's working as anyone, yet he said in his prayer that he had only seen the beginning of God's greatness. This is an amazing statement when you consider all that Moses had seen.

God's Power

Moses saw the burning bush, his rod turn into a snake, his hand infected and healed of leprosy. He saw the plagues, the Red Sea parted so an entire nation could walk on dry ground and another nation drowned. Yet these are just a fraction of God's power. 

God's Glory

Moses asked God to show him His glory, but God would only allow him to see His back because he couldn't survive after seeing Him. Yet that limited exposure made Moses' face shine so brightly he had to wear a veil. 

God's Provision

Moses saw manna fall consistently for forty years. He saw water flow from a rock  and quail blow into camp when the people were tired of manna. He saw bitter water made drinkable and again, this is only a fraction of God's ability to provide.

God's Mercy and Forgiveness

God repeatedly threatened to destroy the children of Israel for their constant complaining and turning away from Him. Time and again, Moses would intercede on their behalf, and God would forgive. There was no limit to His forgiveness.

Conclusion

When we begin to understand how great God really is, we have a firmer basis for our faith. We can always rely on His power to meet our needs and at the same time, we can rely on His great mercy and love, knowing that He will do only what is best for us.

—taken from A Vision of God by Robert Byers. To read this book in its entirety, please purchase your copy here.

It's Impossible

To sow tares and reap roses.

To sow jealousy and reap love.

To think wrong and live right.

To do wrong and live right.

To dance without paying the fiddler.

To bat below par and maintain self-respect.

To be unfair and succeed for any length of time.

To make decisions tomorrow rather than today.

To carry hatred in the heart without reflecting it in the face.

It's Spring Planting Time

Plant five rows of peas:

preparedness, promptness, perseverance, politeness, prayer.

Next plant three rows of squash:

squash gossip, squash criticism, squash indifference.

Then plant five rows of lettuce:

let us be faithful, let us be loyal, let us be unselfish, let us love one another, let us be truthful.

No garden is complete without turnips:

turn up for church, turn up with a smile, turn up with a new idea, turn up with real determination.

What is Faith?

Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus. A dim-sighted eye is still an eye; a weeping eye is still an eye.

Faith is the hand with which we lay hold of Jesus. A trembling hand is still a hand. And he is a believer whose heart within him trembles when he touches the hem of the Saviour's garment, that he may be healed.

Faith is the tongue by which we taste how good the Lord is. A feverish tongue is, nevertheless, a tongue, and, even then, we may believe when we are without the smallest portion of comfort; for our faith is founded, not upon feeling, but upon the promises of God.

Faith is the foot by which we go to Jesus. A lame foot is still a foot. He who comes slowly, nevertheless, comes.—George Mueller

What Can Worldliness do to a Christian?

1. Worldliness Destroys Christian Joy.

If sin wasn't pleasurable, people wouldn't sin. But all the Devil's apples have worms. Remember the pleasures of sin are only for a season. The results of sin will come back to haunt you. What does a Christian lose when he backslides and becomes worldly? He loses the joy of his salvation.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.—Psalm 51:12-13.

2. Worldliness is a Fog.

Worldliness is a spiritual fog that hides the presence and will of God. You will start to pray, and your prayers won't get through the ceiling. You will start to sing, but all the spirit is taken out of the song.

When your heart is out of tune with God, worldly fog hides his presence and his will for your life. When everyone else is praising God, you won't have praise to offer. 

3. Worldliness will put a damper on your zeal for the Lord.

the first thing that happens to a backsliding Christian is that he cools off. He loses his zeal. He starts missing services. He starts withholding tithes and offerings. His prayer life is interrupted. His burden to see the lost get saved is gone. He starts to find fault and criticizes and blames others for everything. 

4. A Worldy Person has his Peace Destroyed.

Peace is the absence of conflict, the absence of war. In peace there is a calmness, a serenity, a contentedness. God calls it "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding."

5. Worldliness Will Tarnish the Christian Testimony.

If you engage in the things of the world, you will have no witness for Christ. Have you ever been around a Christian who so glowed that you knew he was a Christian?

Love the Lord with all your heart. Love the Lord with all your strength. Don't just go through the motions by pretending to love God while loving the enemy of God—the world.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #7

God is Waiting for you to Pray

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not"—Jeremiah 33:3.

God delights to hear and answer prayer. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."—Philippians 4:6.

Have you ever experienced God answering your prayers? We'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment below!

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #6

Don't Let Iniquities Separate You From God

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear"—Isaiah 59:2.

So many times the channel to God's throne of grace is blocked  by some stubborn will or spirit. When we are sincere, the Lord will call to our attention the hindrances to our prayers. Then we can confess them and be forgiven. 

So many Christians go through their routines day after day without seeing results.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles of Getting Your Prayers Answered - #5

Ask in Faith

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."—James 1:5-8.

You can get you rprayers answered, but it is essential that you believe God's promises and develop a trust and confidence. When you have met God's conditions, then pray and believe.

Remember, it is vital that our believing be based on His Word given to us in the Bible and not on some experience. 

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #4

Pray With a Proper Motive

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts"—James 4:3.

Here is a case of selfishness and James minces no words about it. He is blunt and pointed in telling us not to expect answers to that kind of prayer.

This type of individual looks upon God as a big welfare department, doling out assistance like a federal giveaway program instead of as our Heavenly Father, giving all that we request to help us run our program.

God wants us to be stewards and ambassadors representing His cause on this planet. When we join His program, He supplies the wherewithal to accomplish His purpose.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #3

Allow the Holy Spirit to Assist You in Praying

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."—Romans 8:26.

• The Holy Spirit convicted and alerted us to our need of a Saviour when we were lost (John 16:7-11).
• He gave us birth into the family of God (John 3:6). 
• He came into our lives and took up abode in our bodies (Romans 8:9-11). 
• He leads us in the path that is in harmony with the Bible (Romans 8:14). 
• He fills us with His presence and power (Ephesians 5:18). 
• He manifests in our lives the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). 
• And finally, He assists us in our praying (Romans 8:26).

We must be conscious of His help and allow Him to impress us with right and wrong things for which to pray. Since He knows what God's will is, the Holy Spirit does not permit us to continue to pray for things outside God's plan, but He will impress us as to what to pray for and when to pray.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #2

Pray According to His Will.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."—I John 5:14-15.

Be careful that you don't let your personal desires lead you astray from God's will. The power of suggestion from others also must be carefully guarded against. Every experience must be tested and analyzed to make sure of His will.

Someone has suggested six tests that will prove God's will in a given situation:

• The test of Scripture. Does it agree with the Bible?
• The test of facts. Do I have enough light on the matter to decide?
• The test of motives. Is the true reason behind my action right and proper?
• The test of time. Is it just a passing fancy that will fade away, or is it a permanent need?
• The test of opportunity. What about open and closed doors?
• The test of peace. Do I have a settled peace about a given matter?

The will of God can be obvious. The salvation of the soul is always His will. (II Pet. 3:9). Second, it is God's will that all His children be sanctified, dedicated Christians. (I Thess. 4:3). Third, it is God's will that we live clean, separated lives. (Rom. 12:2). Fourth, it is God's will that we be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18). 

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles of Getting Your Prayers Answered - #1

Prayer isn't complicated.
Any believer can talk to God and get results. There is no magic formula, no secret code. The Bible simply says "Ask" but it has a dual meaning. It means to ask one time; it also means to keep on asking. We are to ask and ask, and we will keep on receiving and receiving.

The following blog posts will give some basic requirements given in the Bible for getting from God what you ask.

The first one we share today:

A Right Relationship with the Lord

Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). It doesn't say it might be done but it shall be done.

Oliver B. Greene said,
"There are two conditions here that must be met if we expect God to keep His promise: First - "If ye abide in me" and Second - "If...my words abide in you."

Abiding in Christ means full surrender of heart, spirit and body. John R. Rice points out that those who are 'wrapped up' with Christ and His Word will want what Christ wants and thus be able to ask for the desires of their hearts.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.