With all Your Might.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might" (Eccl 9:10 KJV). How many employers would love to hire people who have this attitude; well if they hire Christians this is what they should see. As Christians we are to shine in all we do; people should see our good works and I believe that includes integrity in the work place (Matt 5:16). The Bible does say that if a man won't work he should not eat (be paid) (2 Thess 3:10).

Our verse from Ecclesiastes also applies to our Christian walk in general. We are to be lights to the world (Matt 5:16); Jesus told us to go and preach the gospel and make disciples all nations - that sounds like with all your might (Mark 16:15-18; Matt 28:18-20).

God is love (1 John 4:8) and his love has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). We are called to love God with all our might and likewise our neighbors (Luke 10:27). But who is my neighbor the lawyer asked Jesus (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan came to the aid of a wounded man from a nation that would have nothing to do with his own people. Jesus said you go and do the same.

In the early church the disciples showed love and care for each other with all their might (Acts 2:42-47). This is how our churches should be. Such love in action adorns the gospel of Jesus Christ and attracts people to Christ. (Titus 2:10)

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

As a teacher it was always a thrill when you would lecture and explain a concept and see the light go on for a student; they got it. At school myself, I sat through many classes of religious instruction but the lights never went on. I enjoyed the stories like David and Goliath but to me the Bible was like any other literature we read.

In the Bible we are told that the natural man cannot receive the things of God (1 Cor 2:14); in other words, they don`t get it, the lights do not go on. To receive a revelation or understanding of God`s life changing word, we must be born again spiritually and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit into our lives (1 Cor 2:6-14). In this wonderful passage we are told that God`s wisdom is a mystery to the non-Christian (v7-8) but has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (v10).

Our spirit was made new when we were born again (John 3:3,5-7) and the Holy Spirit took up residence in us (John 14:16-17). As we prayerfully study our Bibles we are assured that the Holy Spirit is our teacher (1 Cor 2:13). The Holy Spirit brings the word alive or quickens the word to our understanding; we get it, the lights go on. We see like we have never seen before; our faith is strengthened (Rom 10:17) and we are changed to be and to have all that God has for us.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Our God is a holy God and requires that we regard him as holy and glorify him (Lev 10:3). His priests were to be holy to God (Lev 21:6) and his people are called to be holy as he is holy (Lev 11:44).

The latter scripture is quoted by the apostle Peter in his first epistle (1 Peter 1:16). In verse 15 of that chapter he writes: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (KJV). We know that Jesus is holiness (Acts 3:14). In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul directs us to: "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".

Holiness should be a characteristic of the Christian or saint. It means to be set apart, sanctified, pure, clean. It is something we grow in as we allow the word to impact, convict and change us (Rom 12:2) and as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and develop his fruit or character (Gal 5:22-23).

God is holy and as we grow in holiness, we draw closer to him (James 4:7,8) allowing his life to flow through us. "Be holy; for I am holy" is a process, a journey, but a beautiful one.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" (Isa 60:1; KJV). God's light brings his glory. The Hebrew word for glory used here is chabod which means heavy, splendor and magnificence among other things. We know that when the glory filled the temple or the tabernacle in the Old Testament, the ministers couldn't stand. That is because the glory of God is the presence of God.

Another interesting verse to do with light is Malachi 4:2, which says that: “the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings”. Obviously, the sun speaks of light but what a picture we have of Jesus with healing coming out of all the sunbeams.

In the New Testament we can find many references to light as Jesus calls himself: “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and he encourages us to walk in the light. I find Ephesians 5:9 very interesting; it says that: the “fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth". In that verse many Bible translators use light instead of Spirit.

The more time we spend in the "light" (God's presence and his word) the more these qualities will be formed in us.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

 “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord” (Ps 124:7-8a; KJV). “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:1-2).

As children of God we have been removed from under the power of satan and conveyed into the kingdom of God (Col 1:13). We have escaped from the fowlers snare but satan still tries to ensnare us with sin (1 Peter 5:8). Matthew tells us that if we seek first God’s kingdom all the blessings of God will be ours (Matt 6:33).

How do we lay aside those sins that hold us back, how do we pant and thirst after God (Ps 42:1-2); seeking His kingdom? Well, Johns gospel tells us that God’s word is truth and the truth will make us free (John 8:32). Receiving the freedom and blessings we have in Christ is no more complicated than spending time in his word and believing that the truth can work in our lives and bring freedom and blessings. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Phil 3:10).

So, rest in the Lord today, in his word and wait patiently for him today (Ps 37:7), cast your cares on him (1 Peter 5:7) and allow him to work in your life.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com