In my last post I included the song about the prodigal. We too as individuals within the church can be drawn away from the Lord by not following the Biblical instructions for the church when they come together,, as stated in 1 Corinthians ch. 14 v. 26:-
'What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.'
Also, we can deceive ourselves by not acting on that Word spoken to us as individuals, and go to the world or allow the traditions of man to make void the Word of God.
James ch. 1 v. 22 states:-
'But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.'
'What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.'
Also, we can deceive ourselves by not acting on that Word spoken to us as individuals, and go to the world or allow the traditions of man to make void the Word of God.
James ch. 1 v. 22 states:-
'But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.'
1 Corinthians ch. 10 v.6 states that the things written in the old testament were examples for us that we might not desire evil as they did:-
'Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.'
Just as John the Baptist went in the spirit of Elijah, we can be spiritually in the state of a character portrayed in the old testament - sometimes good, sometimes bad. The warfare is spiritual and not physical and God has a wonderful way of directing and correcting us through that Word.
2 Corinthians ch. 13 v. 5 states:-
'Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!', and we must do this daily to ensure that we are in the right spirit.
Jesus said 'In me you have peace', He also said . 'Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me , and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.…'
These words have proved, and still are proving, true in my life.
The following is a poem I wrote years ago when I was in a writer's circle and we were asked to write on the letter P, and it reflects to me the peace we have in the Lord when we follow the Lord's instruction.
P.......s Perfect P.......s
Perhaps I can share some things learned in my life
portray to you how I have coped
place things in perspective, past ease and past strife
while preparing for that which I've hoped
Pretending you're happy just does not work out
pleasing folk to keep peace is not right
For though problems will surface to darken good times
perfect light is our guide through each night
wisdom written in His precious Word
saying peace beyond measure and purest love
follows acting on His precious Word
So persevere in pursuing perfection
plant God's precepts deep down in your heart
prove His Word through pure choice and selection
let God's power in your life play it's part
For people will try to persuade you
that pleasure, position and fame
are the things in this world that must guide you
but they're all just a slow burning flame
a paralyzing paradox that can't make things right
a way that cannot bring release
For it's only God's justice - that pure, perfect light
that can bring us true peace ....... perfect peace
John ch. 8 v. 12 reads:-
'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." '
I say in response to this:-
Thank You Lord for Your mercy so tender
thank You Lord for a love pure and true
thank You Lord for revealing the Father
so that I might be fashioned like You
Thank You Lord that I'm part of Your body
thank You Lord we're becoming Your bride
thank You Lord for Your Spirit of comfort
sent to lead me back home to Your side
Thank You Father that You loved and forgave me
thank You Father that You sent Your dear Son
thank You Lord that You died to redeem me
thank You Lord for the battle You've won