Month: August 2019

Message:

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – THE MEANING

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” So says A.W. Tozer in his classic book on the attributes of God, The Knowledge of the Holy. Why would he make such an extreme pronouncement? Tozer goes on to say, “Man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God.”

In our hearts we know the above is true. It is not enough to follow “god.” That word has come to mean so many different things today that it actually means very little. If we just make up our own minds concerning what He is like, then we are just creating an idol in our heads.

 

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – THE BASIS

Jesus came to reveal the God of the Bible. And God has revealed Himself in His book. Any deviation from that insight from Him is a made-up god. Tozer in Knowledge of the Holy finds 18 characteristics of God in the Bible. They are repeated here, although not in the same order. Tozer’s definitions, when used, will appear in quotes.

The Bible says to praise God for who He is, especially in prayer. Much of Psalms is a good example of this. Most people concentrate their praise in just a few areas, such as God’s love, and then spend the rest of their prayers asking Him for things. (So that you can remember all of the attributes of God they are presented in the order of this acronym: WISH TO FLOSS JIM EGGO.)

 

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – THE CHARACTERISTICS

Wise: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”

Infinite: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite.

Sovereign: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life.

Holy: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there.

Triune: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.

Omniscient: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.

Faithful: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.

Love: Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” This means that God holds the well-being of others as His primary concern. For a full definition of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. To see love in action, study the life of Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of others is the ultimate act of love. God’s love is not a love of emotion but of action. His love gives freely to the object of its affection, those who choose to follow His son Jesus.

Omnipotent: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.

Self-existent: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.

Self-sufficient: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.

Just: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.

Immutable: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Merciful: “Mercy is the attribute of God which disposes Him to be actively compassionate.” Since God’s justice is satisfied in Jesus, He is free to show mercy to all those who have chosen to follow Him. It will never end since it is a part of God’s nature. Mercy is the way He desires to relate to mankind, and He does so unless the person chooses to despise or ignore God at which time His justice becomes the prominent attribute.

Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.

Good: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” This attribute of God is why He bestows all the blessing He does on His followers. God’s actions define what goodness is, and we can easily see it in the way Jesus related to the people around Him.

Gracious: God enjoys giving great gifts to those who love Him, even when they do not deserve it. Grace is the way we describe that inclination. Jesus Christ is the channel through which His grace moves. The Bible says, “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Omnipresent: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.

 

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD – THE CONCLUSION

This is the description of the God of the Bible. All other ideas about God are, according to the Bible, false gods. They are from the imagination of humankind. By learning the attributes of God, we are able to praise God for who He really is and for how each of His attributes impacts our lives in a positive way.

Stay blessed!

For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615

Email:  saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightgh.org

 

 

 

Scripture: 

 

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” – 1 Cor. 12:4-6 (NIV)

 

 

 

Message:

 

INTRODUCTION

We conclude our study of the Holy Spirit this week on “His Ministry Concerning the Fruit of the Spirit.” It the eleventh and final recorded ministry performed by the Holy Spirit of God which we started last week.

 

Please remember that we have studied the personality of the Holy Spirit, His names and emblems, His ministry concerning the spiritual gifts; and the eleven permanent gifts which demonstrate His ultimate goal here on earth.  That is, to bear fruit for Christ through believers.  “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”  Rom. 6:22. “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” – Col. 1:10.

 

We ended our study on the fruit of the Spirit on faith as follows: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Gal. 2:20.  “Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” – Gal. 3:11

 

You will notice that Dr. Wilmington in his Guide to the Bible lists eleven fruits instead of the nine we read of in Galatians 5:22-23 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  He adds Righteousness and Truth as part of the fruit.

 

Please enjoy this concluding gifts of the Holy Spirit and pass it on!

 

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS:

Right acts; going the appointed mile. “Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God”. – Philippians 1:11

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

1. h. GOODNESS:

Wholesome acts; going to the extra mile.  “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go wit them two miles.” – Matthew 5:41

 

1. MEEKNESS: SUBDUED STRENGTH

• Paul used this method in dealing with the Corinthian church.  “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? “– 1 Corinthians 4:21

 

• This is the method to be used by spiritual people in restoring a backslider. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:12-13

 

• It is to be used in keeping unity with a church.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:2-3

 

• It is the method to be used in dealing with all men.  “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” – 2 Timothy 2:24-25

 

1. TEMPERANCE: SELF-CONTROL

The great New Testament example of this is the Apostle Paul. Observe his testimony:

      “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as

      many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law

      I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those

      under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I

      am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the

      law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so

      that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I

      may share in its blessings.  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one

      gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the

      games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to

      get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do

      not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after

      I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  – 1 Cor. 9:19-27

 

1. TRUTH:

living an open life, without guile and hypocrisy.  “This, then, is how you ought to regard us:

      as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.  Now it is

      required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” – 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

 

END PIECE

We cannot end this exclusive study of the Holy Spirit without mentioning the kind of life we lead when we choose not to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul talks about The Sinful Nature.

 

In contrast to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, the Bible clearly points out that there are visible and demonstrable “acts of the sinful nature” as we read in Gal. 5:19-21 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  These acts refer to the human nature with its corrupt desires resistance to God and insistence on going its own way.  This nature has been in effect since Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

The sinful nature remains within Christians even after we choose to accept and follow Christ, it continues to be our deadly enemy that battles against our spirit – “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:6-8, 13.  For this reason, this sinful nature must be resisted and put to death spiritually through a continual spiritual battle that we must fight and win through the power of the Holy Spirit –“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” – Galatians 5:17

The spiritual conflict within believers involves the whole person – mind, body and spirit.  The struggle is whether we will give in to our own sinful desires and yield to sin’s control, or whether we will surrender to the Spirit’s demands and continue under Christ’s authority and control.   “ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.   Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.  You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.  Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” – Rom. 8:4-14 (NIV)

The battlefield is within each Christian, and the conflict will continue throughout our earthly lives if we are to reign with Christ in the future.

Source: Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible

All Scriptures are from the New International Version.

Stay blessed!

 

For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615

Email:  saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightgh.org

Scripture:    

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. – Proverbs 4:20-27.

 

Message:

When we center our lives on correct principles, we become more balanced, unified, organized, anchored, and rooted. We have a foundation for all activities, relationships, and decisions. We also have a sense of stewardship about everything in our lives, including time, talents, money, possessions, relationships, our families, and our bodies. We recognize the need to use them for good purposes and, as a steward, to be accountable for their use.

Centering on principles provides sufficient security to not be threatened by change, comparisons, or criticisms; guidance to discover our mission, define our roles, and write our scripts and goals; wisdom to learn from our mistakes and seek continuous improvement; and power to communicate and cooperate, even under conditions of stress and fatigue.

1. SECURITY

Security represents our sense of worth, identity, emotional anchorage, self-esteem, and personal strength. Of course, we see various degrees of security – on a continuum between a deep sense of high intrinsic worth on one end and an extreme insecurity on the other, wherein a person’s life is buffeted by all the fickle forces that play upon it. – Isaiah 26:3-4.

2. GUIDANCE

Guidance is the direction we receive in life. Much of it comes from the standards, principles, or criteria that govern our decision making and doing. This internal monitor serves as a conscience. People who operate on the low end of the guidance continuum tend to have strong physical addictions and emotional dependencies, conditioned by their centering on selfish, sensual, or social life-styles. The middle of the continuum represents development of the social conscience – the conscience educated and cultivated by centering on human institutions, traditions, and relationships. On the high end of the continuum is the spiritual conscience, wherein guidance comes from inspired or inspiring sources – a compass centered on true principles. – Proverbs 3:5-6.

3. WISDOM

Wisdom suggests a sage perspective on life, a sense of balance, a keen understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgement, discernment, comprehension. It is a oneness, an integrated wholeness. At the low end of the wisdom continuum are inaccurate maps, which cause people to base their thinking on distorted, discordant principles. The high end represents an accurate and complete life compass wherein all the parts and principles are properly related to each other. As we move toward the high end, we have an increasing sense of the ideal (things as they should be) as well as a sensitive practical approach to realities (things as they are). Wisdom also includes the ability to discern pure joy as distinct from temporary pleasure. – Proverbs 8:12-16 & 32 – 36.

4. POWER

Power is the capacity to act, the strength and courage to accomplish something. It is the vital energy to make choices and decisions. It also represents the capacity to overcome deeply embedded habits and to cultivate higher, more effective habits. At the low end of the power continuum we see people who are essentially powerless, insecure, products of what happens or has happened to them.  They are largely dependent on circumstances and on others. They are reflections of other people’s opinions and directions; they have no real comprehension of true joy and happiness. At the high end of the continuum we see people with vision and discipline, whose lives are functional products of personal decisions rather than of external conditions. These people make things happen; they are proactive; they choose their responses to situations based upon timeless principles and universal standards. They take responsibility for their feelings, moods, and attitudes as well as their thoughts and actions. – 2 Kings 1:1-17.

These four factors – security, guidance, wisdom, and power – are interdependent. Security and well-founded guidance bring true wisdom, and wisdom becomes the spark or catalyst to release and direct power. When these four factors are harmonized, they create the great force of noble personality, a balanced character, a beautifully integrated individual.

CHARACTER

Above all these four principles, Security, Guidance, Wisdom and Power; Character is the greatest element of leadership principle. of The issue of character is debated hotly in leadership circles today. Traditionally, character has been defined as the moral constitution of a person. Popular descriptions today are, what you are when no one is looking or who you are in the dark. In other words, character reveals the true substance of a person – who that person really is, day in and day out, in good times and bad times – over the course of a lifetime. Contrary to some opinions, character is not one’s title, role, or position.

Leadership is not a position, it is a lifestyle. Those who have made the greatest mistakes are leaders who have assumed that their position was more important than their lifestyle. For some of them, the consequences have been tragic.

Some years ago, America dealt with the sexual improprieties that occurred by President Bill Clinton with an intern in the White House. A resulting impeachment trial did not lead to any conviction, but perhaps a greater verdict was rendered to the nation. The notion that character was essential to leadership was muted by the message sent that popularity and prosperity had become the defining measures of a good leader. But character is the essence of leadership. Several news items still fill the screens and airwaves about leaders whose character flaws have led to their downfall and sometimes the collapse of companies and nations they lead.

Trusted leaders seek to be consistent in their lives publicly and privately, are authentic in their concern for their followers, and are true to their word.

 

Leaders cannot lead unless they have the full trust of their followers. When that trust is betrayed, support is withdrawn.

End Piece

Leaders cultivate character by acquiring wisdom and understanding. These of course come at a great price because they require the kind of dedicated and patient leaders must diligently “search” for wisdom treasures covered by the layers of earth and rock.

Stay blessed!

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