Jesus loves you

@Livingwater Study 6 HOW DO I KNOW THE LORD FULLY? (Scripture Portion: Philippians 3: 1-11) In this letter the apostle Paul tells us of seven great aspirations which he had, all of which centred in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. These earnest longings, which should characterise every Christian are, progressively:- (1) To KNOW Him – 3:10; (2) to GAIN Him – 3:8; (3) to EXALT Him – 1:20; (4) to BE FOUND in Him – 3:9; (5) to ATTAIN to the first resurrection – 3:11; (6) to BE WITH Him – 1:23; and (7) to BOAST in His Day – 2:16. Of these seven great aspirations, the first is the most important –- to know Him – for the other six all build up on the foundation of a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. See how the apostle speaks of this personal knowledge of Christ in verse 8, and notice the importance of each emphasised word:- (1) “…knowing CHRIST …”; (2) “…knowing Christ JESUS…”; (3) “…knowing Christ Jesus my LORD…”; and (4) “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Je...

@Livingwater Study 5 PAUL’S SON IN THE FAITH (Scripture Portion: Philippians 2: 19-24) What do we know about Timothy? We know that he had a Greek father and that his mother was a Jewess (Acts 16:1); that his home was at Lystra and that his grandmother was Lois (2 Timothy 1:5); we know also that it was a godly home (2 Timothy 3:15). When young Timothy was about 15 years of age Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra when they were on their first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-7), and it is probable that it was at this time that Timothy was converted. When Paul re-visited Lystra six years later “The brothers……spoke well of him” (Acts 16:2). During this second visit Paul invited Timothy to join forces with him (Acts 16:3), and subsequently these two were together at Corinth, Athens, Antioch, Philippi and Rome. When Paul wrote this epistle to the Philippians he was probably about 65 years of age and Timothy was about 35. Now turn to Philippians 2:19-23, and notice:- 1 . PAUL ’ S SPIRITUAL RE...

@Livingwater Study 4 How do I have HIS mind? (Scripture Portion: Philippians 2: 1-13) There was evidently one weak spot in the church at Philippi, for three times in his letter the apostle Paul reproves the Christians, not for doctrinal error, but for careless and undisciplined living –- look up 1:27, 2:1-5 and 4:1-5. They were sound in doctrine, but they were not manifesting “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). Instead of concord there was discord; instead of harmony there was disharmony; their believing was all right, but their behaving was all wrong. It is very easy for those who are sound in doctrine to fail to “make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive” (Titus 2:10). What is the reason for the presence of these hindering things in the church? What causes them? S-E-L-F every time –- and self in its ugliest manifestation –- P-R-I-D-E! It was because some of the Philippian Christians were self-centred and proud that Paul appealed to them (in the words of 1 Peter 5...

@Livingwater Study 3 SUFFERING AS A MINISTRY (Scripture Portion: Philippians 1: 22-30) There is a vast difference between viewing suffering as a mystery and as a ministry. Philippians 1:29 makes it clear that rightly understood suffering is a ministry entrusted to the believer by the Lord. This is a subject which must concern every Christian, for every real Christian without exception is characterised by two things: faith and suffering. As Christians, we are believers (John 14:1), and the one great mark which distinguishes us from the world around is that we believe. But the second distinguishing mark is that we have to suffer because we believe (1 Peter 4:16). The experience of suffering comes to all people, everywhere –- to the Christian and the non-Christian alike. Here is something which touches us all, irrespective of our class or creed. Suffering is universal: the king suffers, and so does the commoner –- look up Job 5:7 and 14:1. It has been said that: “Existence and suffe...

@Livingwater Study 2 My contribution to gospel (Scripture Portion: Philippians 1: 1-11) It is significant that the word ‘gospel’ occurs in this letter nine times: (1) It is a glorious word. It means “good news”, and in John 3:16 we have “the gospel in miniature”, and in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 we have the gospel defined. (2) It is a precious word. All who are truly saved love this grand old word. (3) It is also a much hated word. The Devil hates it like poison, and so do all who oppose the gospel. (4) It is a greatly misunderstood word. How many there are who are ignorant of the gospel and who confuse “religion” with the gospel! (5 ) It is a saving word. It is God’s dynamite to open the human heart (Acts 16:14); to overcome the powers of darkness (Acts 16:18), and to awaken, save and transform (Acts 16:26-34). (6) It is an identifying word. Anyone who is truly born again will speak of “the gospel” – not of religion, or even of Christianity. (7) It is a biblical word. Look up the foll...

@Livingwater Series 5 Study 1 GOD’S GREAT WORK IN US  (Scripture Portion: Acts 16: 6-34) The letter to the Philippians, which begins with grace (1:2) and ends with grace (4:23), has been called “The Shepherd Psalm of the New Testament”, and it is one of the most beautiful of Paul’s letters. It can be read in half-an-hour or less, and there are seven reasons why it should make a special appeal to us:- It is different from most of Paul’s letters. Most of his letters were written to emphasise God’s truth, to teach doctrine, to correct error or to defend the Faith. Philippians, however, is not in any sense a theological treatise; it is a personal letter which reveals the loving disposition of the writer. It is easier to understand than some of Paul’s letters. Not everyone has the capacity to understand doctrine or to follow the massive arguments which Paul puts forward, for instance in Romans, but all can understand Philippians. It is a letter written from prison. It was writ...

@Livingwater Study 7 LEARNING TO PRAY (Scripture Portion: Luke 18: 1-43) There is no greater work than the work of praying, for prayer is work of the highest order. Prayer means contact and fellowship with God; it is not simply asking God for things, though it does include that. Our Lord related the parable in Luke 18: 1-8 in order to stress the great importance of prayer. Notice that in verse 1 He said that we “should always pray……” It is the privilege of all to pray, and in this chapter we are given five examples: (1) In verse 3, we read of a praying Widow. (2) In verse 11, we read of a praying Pharisee. (3) In verse 13, we read of a praying Publican. (4) In verse 18, we read of a praying Ruler. (5) In verse 38, we read of a praying Beggar. 1 . WHY SHOULD WE PRAY ? There are many ways in which this question can be answered, but let us confine our answer to the suggestion that arises out of the word “should”. It simply means, “We owe it to pray……” Prayer is an obligation. I...

@Livingwater Study 6 UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 5: 1- 21) Every Christian should seek to understand the will of the Lord; or, to use a literal translation of Ephesians 5: 17, we should “not be foolish, but have discernment as to what is the will of the Lord.” Some Christians are “foolish”, for they have no discernment in the things of the Lord, and this disqualifies them from real usefulness in the service of God. For example: (1) They do not understand the true nature of the Christian life – that it is imparted by a new birth (John 3: 3, 5, 7), and that it is experienced upon receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour (John 1: 11-13). (2) They do not know the secret of life more abundant (John 10: 10), of fruitfulness in service (John 15: 5), of deliverance from bondage to sin and self (Romans 6: 11; 7: 24-25; 8: 2), and of a life of triumphant holiness (2 Corinthians 2: 14). (3) They do not understand the true nature and purpose of the Church, which i...

@Livingwater Study 5 GETTING INTO THE BIBLE (Scripture Portion: Acts 17: 1-12) No Christian can progress very far in the Christian life or be effective in Christian service who does not make much of the Bible. Unfortunately, many do not really value the Bible. What place has God’s Word in your life? Perhaps one of the greatest needs today is for a re-emphasis upon the nature, the message and the power of this wonderful Book. In Acts 17: 1-12, there are several references to the scriptures which provoke and answer three questions. 1 . WHAT IS THE BIBLE ? The Bible is a book, but what is in it and of what does it consist? In Acts 17: 2 and 11 we are told – “the Scriptures……” THE BIBLE CONSISTS OF THE SCRIPTURES.Here the reference is to the Old Testament scriptures, for the New Testament books were only in the process of being written. To us, the Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament, and each Testament may be divided into four sections. The Old Testament consi...

@Livingwater Study 4 LIVING VICTORIOUSLY (Scripture Portion: Exodus 14: 1-14) Many of God’s children are living defeated, unsatisfying and unsatisfactory lives. They have never entered into the experience of the peaceful life (Isaiah 30: 15); the overflowing life (John 7: 37-39); the abundant life (John 10: 10); the joyful life (John 15: 11); the liberated life (Romans 6: 7); the triumphant life (2 Corinthians 2: 14); and the loving life (1 John 2: 5) – and yet they long to do so! 1 . WHAT IS MEANT BY A LIFE OF VICTORY ? Seven characteristics of such a life are mentioned above, and many other scriptures could be cited. Consider the following:- (1) It is not a life in which it is impossible to sin, but a life in which victory over sin is possible. The first is unobtainable in this life, but the second is attainable. (2) It is not an abnormal life or a life to be enjoyed by just a few of God’s children, but it is His provision for every Christian. (3) It is not a life where the...

@Livingwater Study 3 THE ONE THING NEEDED (Scripture Portion: Luke 10: 38-42) One thing is absolutely necessary if we are to live a healthy, happy and useful Christian life. Do you know what that one thing is? Mary and Martha were entertaining the Lord Jesus. Martha, a splendid hostess, busied herself with preparations for a meal for Jesus and His disciples. Mary, however, sat at His feet and listened to all the wonderful things He had to say. Martha said to herself, “What a privilege to prepare a meal for Him!” and Mary said, “What a privilege to sit at His feet!” – and they were both right in thinking that (verse 39). But Martha felt that Mary was unreasonable in leaving her to serve up the meal, and she even questioned the Lord for allowing Mary to sit there while there was work to be done (verses 39-40). Then it was that Jesus spoke very tenderly to Martha, calling her by her name and saying, “You are careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is absolutely necess...

@Livingwater Study 2 FIRST STEPS IN THE NEW LIFE (Scripture Portion: Acts 9: 1-31) In the verses before us we have the dramatic account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who was so wonderfully brought face to face with the risen Lord Himself. Saul’s conversion was striking, it was sudden, and there is a very real sense in which it was a sample conversion; it is an example of the kind of thing that God can do and is doing today – look up the last phrase in Acts 2: 47. But it is the post-conversion experiences of Saul that we are to study, the things that happened immediately after his conversion. What was the first thing that happened after he became a Christian? 1 . HE MADE AN OPEN CONFESSION OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST Verse 18 tells us that “he got up and was baptised……” Some few years previously John the Baptist had baptised in the River Jordan, and he baptised the Lord Jesus (Matthew 3: 13-17). The disciples of Jesus baptised (John 4: 1-2), and before He went b...

@Livingwater Series 4 Study 1 BEING DELIVERED (BORN) INTO GOD’S FAMILY (Scripture Portion: John 1: 1-16) There is only one way of entrance into the family of God, and that is by being born into that family. The way of entrance into an earthly family is by physical birth, and the way of entrance into the heavenly family is by the miracle of a spiritual birth – a second birth, a birth from above – look up John 3: 3-8. What a wonderful thing it is that poor sinning creatures such as we are can actually become children of the most High God! We can well understand the apostle John’s sense of awe as he wrote 1 John 3: 1! 1 . But are we not already the children of God ? Are not all people, everywhere, God’s children? Is not God the Father of all? In a creatorial sense He is our Father and we are His children – look up Malachi 2: 10 and Acts 17:28. In that God has created us, He is our Father; but when we turn to such verses as John 1: 12 and Galatians 3: 26, we discover that there is...

@Livingwater. Series 3 Study 7 INDWELLING (Scripture Portions: John 14: 16-18 and 26; 15:26; 16: 7-11 and 13-14) It may be helpful to compare the following relationships which God is pleased to sustain towards His children:- He is ABOVE us – Deuteronomy 4:39; Ephesians 1:20-21. He is BENEATH us – Deuteronomy 33:27. He is BEFORE us – Exodus 13:21-22; John 10:4. He is BEHIND us – Exodus 14:19. He is AROUND us – Psalm 34:7; 125:2. He is WITH us – Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5-6. He is WITHIN us – Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27. Of all the associations short of Glory itself, the last (above) is the greatest – that the Lord Himself should come and live within the human personality. In Ezekiel 36:27, we find the fact of His indwelling anticipated, but it was our Lord Himself who spoke fully about this – in John 14:16-18 and 26; 15:26; 16:7-11 and 13-14. Notice the following important truths in John 14:16-18: 1 . The Holy Spirit is a Person Notice the four persons referred to ...

@Livingwater. Series 3 Study 6 ADOPTION (Scripture Portion: Romans 8: 1-17) In Exodus 2:10 (compare Hebrews 11:24), Esther 2:7, and in Luke 15:11-24, we have three illustrations of adoption, and these will help us to answer the question: What does Adoption mean? It means – the placing of a son. When we are born again we become children in God’s family (John 1:12-13), and God becomes our loving Heavenly Father (John 6:32). But, we not only become children of God; we become sons of God and legally recognised heirs – look up Romans 8:14-17. Thus, by adoption, God gives us a new status, and this new status, or position, at once brings us into the place of new Privilege and of new Responsibility. 1 . THE PRIVILEGES OF THE ADOPTED According to Ephesians 1:4-5, we, as believers, were adopted in the purpose of God “before the creation of the world.” What are the privileges and blessings which are ours as the result of our adoption? WE HAVE RECEIVED HIS SPIRIT. Look up Romans 8:15 and...

@Livingwater Series 3 Study 5 JUSTIFICATION (Scripture Portions: Luke 18: 9-14; Romans 5: 1-11) The question asked in Job 25:4 is still being asked today, and the glorious message of the gospel is that God has provided a perfect and an entirely satisfactory way of justifying the ungodly (Romans 3:26; 4:5). 1 . WHAT IS THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION ? Look up Acts 13:38-39, and notice that through believing we receive “forgiveness of sins” (verse 38), and we are “justified” (verse 39). Justification is more than forgiveness; it is to be cleared of all blame and to be free from every charge. In an earthly court, a judge cannot both forgive a man and justify him at the same time, for if he forgives him then the man must be guilty and therefore he cannot be justified; on the other hand, if he justifies him, he does not need forgiveness. God, however, undertakes both to forgive the sin and to justify the sinner; that is, to forgive the guilty and condemned sinner and to place him in ...