Watching for Santa!
Maybe he's coming from the other direction!
Still watching....
Don't guess it's time yet!
Just a little while longer, Butch! Don't give up 'the watch'.
********
Only a little while left until the emergence of glowing faces in children expecting wonderful things to come.
Be generous. Be compassionate. Be kind. Be loving.
I wish for you Peace in your household...
24 comments:
Inspired, good morning from the Southern Part of Southern California. Just dropping by to say hello. Cold weather around here and it is expected to get WET next week. So far a good December here with a lot of rain. Have a Merry Christmas and a productive 2009.
cfs from San Diego California
Ole Butch and me got a lot in common .... just laying around on a cold Saturday afternoon lookin out the window!
Butch looks like he's waiting for Beauregard and Bentley To get their so they sniff & tell each other tall tales
As an elderly lady sat on her front porch reflecting on her long life, a Fairy Godmother suddenly appeared and offered to fulfill three wishes for her.
"Well," said the woman, "I guess I'd like to be rich."
POOF: The Fairy Godmother turned her rocking chair into solid gold.
"And I wouldn't mind being a young and beautiful princess."
POOF: The Fairy Godmother turned the old woman into an exquisite young princess, with a priceless crown of jewels.
"Your third wish?" asked the Fairy Godmother. "Could you possibly turn my wonderful dog into a handsome prince?"
POOF: There, in front stood the most handsome young man anyone had ever seen. She stared at him in awe, completely smitten.
As he came toward her, her knees weakened. He bent down, brushing his lips across her ear as he whispered, "I bet you are sorry you had me neutered."
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dirt dog
How many dogs does it take to......
These are the answers from dogs when asked "How many dogs does it take to put in a light bulb?"
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?
Border Collie: Just one. And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Dachshund: I can't reach the stupid lamp!
Toy Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me!
Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. Let the servants. . . .
Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Malamute: Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.
Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Irish Wolfhound: Can somebody else do it? I've got a hangover.
Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there...
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle...
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?
dirt dog
Help Wanted
A local business was looking for office help. They put a sign in the window, stating the following: "HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer."
A short time afterwards, a dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside. He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined.
Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager. The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least. However, the dog looked determined, so he lead him into the office. Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager.
The manager said, "I can't hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type." The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manager and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, "The sign says you have to be good with a computer."
The dog jumped down again and went to the computer. The dog proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs and produced a sample spreadsheet and database and presented them to the manager. By this time the manager was totally dumb-founded! He looked at the dog and said, "I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I *still* can't give you the job."
The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the sentences that told about being an Equal Opportunity Employer. The manager said, "Yes, but the sign *also* says that you have to be bilingual."
The dog looked at him straight in the face and said, "Meow."
out west
AWWW! Butch looks so sweet. I hope he gets to see Santa! :)
Inspired, Have a great Christmas, and a joyful New Year....Both you and yours.....stay well.....
Faith
Faith begins by believing
in your heart that what is right
has a chance.
Faith is knowing in your heart
that good can overcome evil,
that the sun can shine
in a rainstorm.
Faith is peaceful
and comforting, because it
comes from within
where no one can invade
your private dreams.
Faith is not something
you can demand or command;
it is a result of commitment to belief.
Faith is believing in something
you can't see or hear,
something deep inside
that only you understand
and control.
Faith is trusting in yourself
enough to know that no matter
how things turn out,
you will make
the best of them.
dog
Hope
Hope is not the closing of your eyes
to the difficulty, the risk,
or the failure.
It is a trust that ...
If I fail now...
I shall not fail forever;
and if I am hurt,
I shall be healed.
It is a trust that
life is good,
love is powerful,
and the future is full of promise.
dog
Love
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes
always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are
prophecies, they will cease; where there
are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will come to pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes,
the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child,
I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways
behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection;
then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am full known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
NIV... I CORINTHIANS 13: 4-13
dog
FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE.
By F. M. Perry
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three." (1st Corinthians 13:13).
"Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1st Thessalonians 1:3).
The Holy Bible introduces us to concepts which theologians sometimes call "metaphysical" concepts. These are concepts generally of "being and knowing" which are not based on "hard physical science." They include Biblical concepts like those of spirit, soul, heaven, hell, angels, demons, Satan, the Almighty God, etc. In short, the so-called "metaphysical" concepts include all to which the Bible refers as "things which are not seen." The scripture further informs us, "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2ndCorinthians 4:18). It is with things "eternal" and "not seen," things which cannot be discerned with the five senses of the fleshly body, which I am concerned in this study. Instead of the term "metaphysical things," however, I prefer to use the Biblical term "spiritual things," as does Paul in Romans 15:27.
"Spiritual things" are of such importance in the Bible that they are discussed with a special vocabulary of spiritual words. Of course, many of the spiritual words are adaptations of material words, having been given new meanings when used in spiritual settings. Words like "life," "death," "garden," "house," "armor," "body," etc. are of this type, being often used metaphorically to describe spiritual concepts. But other words like "soul," "spirit," "angel," "demon," "God," etc. have their primary meanings in the spiritual realm. Three such words, "faith," "hope," and "love," are primarily spiritual words.
To Christians the words "faith," "hope," and "love" convey non-material concepts, being related to the functions of the spiritual "inner person," although having important effect upon functions of the fleshly body as well. It is the spiritual concepts contained in these three words, "faith," "hope," and "love," that I want to explore in this study. The great attention given to these three words in the New Testament prompts us to try to gain further understanding because of their obvious importance.
First of all, note that "faith," "hope," and "love" are very important parts of the message for Christian living in all of the epistles of the New Testament. Moreover, they are always mentioned as being specifically related to each other, as though they form a sort of triumvirate governing the Christian life.
dog
FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, THESE THREE.
By F. M. Perry, December 27, 2001.
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three." (1st Corinthians 13:13).
"Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1st Thessalonians 1:3).
The Holy Bible introduces us to concepts which theologians sometimes call "metaphysical" concepts. These are concepts generally of "being and knowing" which are not based on "hard physical science." They include Biblical concepts like those of spirit, soul, heaven, hell, angels, demons, Satan, the Almighty God, etc. In short, the so-called "metaphysical" concepts include all to which the Bible refers as "things which are not seen." The scripture further informs us, "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2ndCorinthians 4:18). It is with things "eternal" and "not seen," things which cannot be discerned with the five senses of the fleshly body, which I am concerned in this study. Instead of the term "metaphysical things," however, I prefer to use the Biblical term "spiritual things," as does Paul in Romans 15:27.
"Spiritual things" are of such importance in the Bible that they are discussed with a special vocabulary of spiritual words. Of course, many of the spiritual words are adaptations of material words, having been given new meanings when used in spiritual settings. Words like "life," "death," "garden," "house," "armor," "body," etc. are of this type, being often used metaphorically to describe spiritual concepts. But other words like "soul," "spirit," "angel," "demon," "God," etc. have their primary meanings in the spiritual realm. Three such words, "faith," "hope," and "love," are primarily spiritual words.
To Christians the words "faith," "hope," and "love" convey non-material concepts, being related to the functions of the spiritual "inner person," although having important effect upon functions of the fleshly body as well. It is the spiritual concepts contained in these three words, "faith," "hope," and "love," that I want to explore in this study. The great attention given to these three words in the New Testament prompts us to try to gain further understanding because of their obvious importance.
FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, A TRIUMVIRATE OF GIFTS FOR SUSTENANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
First of all, note that "faith," "hope," and "love" are very important parts of the message for Christian living in all of the epistles of the New Testament. Moreover, they are always mentioned as being specifically related to each other, as though they form a sort of triumvirate governing the Christian life.
In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13, Paul indicated that "faith," "hope," and "love" are a related set of spiritual gifts granted by the Holy Spirit to each and every Christian. First, in chapter 12, Paul spoke of several other more special gifts and said that one Christian may be given "special wisdom" by the Spirit, another may be given "special knowledge," another "special faith," another "special gifts of healing," another "special ability to work miracles," another "special ability to prophesy," another "special ability to distinguish spirits," another "special ability to speak in various tongues," and another "special ability to interpret the meaning of those tongues."
Paul stressed the point that various Christians are given different gifts, some one gift, some another, and perhaps, some no special gifts at all. Paul added, however, that whatever gifts are given, they are given by the same Holy Spirit who distributes to each Christian just as He wills. (1stCorinthians 12:4-30). After discussing these special gifts, Paul made it clear at the end of chapter 12 that there are greater, more excellent gifts to be received by Christians than the special ones he had just discussed. Paul then, in chapter 13, entered into his great discourse on "love," relating it to the previous chapter by intimating that the special gifts are only "partial" and will give way to "perfect" gifts like "love." The time for the "giving up" of the special "partial" gifts to a "greater more excellent way" seems to be indicated in Paul's words (historically spoken in the first century), "But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1st Corinthians 13:13).
The evidence of these two chapters, coupled with the great importance given throughout the New Testament to the specific spiritual gifts of "faith," "hope," and "love" in the fulfillment of God's purpose in Christian lives, prompts this study. The premise of the study is that "faith," "hope," and "love" are a related set of spiritual gifts granted by the Holy Spirit, not to certain individuals only, but to each and every Christian; furthermore, that God created them to work together as a system to accomplish in a specific way His purposes in the lives of His Christian servants. I will attempt to illustrate by analogy to physical systems at work in God's universe how the specific gifts of "faith," "hope," and "love" work together as a spiritual system.
First of all, it has not always been clear to me that these three attributes, "faith," " hope," and "love," are not attributes that we don't have naturally. Must they be received as gifts from God? They once seemed like characteristics which emanated from my own soul, especially from my own human will power. Whatever else God gave to me, I once thought it was my own responsibility to supply "faith." Great faith seemed to only require great striving from me. And "love," I thought, was only mine to give or hold back. One person might seem more lovable than another, and love must depend on my own personal preference, I thought. And "hope," I thought, that was only a will-o-the-wisp, a longing with a mere possibility of coming true. I once thought I had to provide my own power to enable my own little world. What a small, meager world it was. How wrong I was! I was ignoring the greater spiritual realm in which we live, where the Almighty God enables His people with spiritual gifts appropriate for all.
"FAITH" IS THE BASIS FOR THE REVEALING OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE.
"For in it (in the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.'" (Romans 1:17).
"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ ... whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness ... that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:21-26).
"For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all." (Romans 4:16)
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."(Romans 5:1).
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17).
"The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." (Galatians 2:20).
In his Roman letter Paul makes it clear that faith in the gospel is the basis for people to receive the "righteousness of God." The phrase "righteousness of God"seems to include all the grace and favor which God has toward His creation, especially toward His human beings. It includes justification and sanctification bringing about salvation of sinful human beings, reconciling them with their Creator God. The "righteousness of God" is revealed and granted to sinful human beings through their faith.
Since the favor of God indicated by the term "righteousness of God"is so needed by sinful mankind, and since God's favor cannot be earned or merited by sinful man, God in His grace grants it simply upon the condition of man's faith in His Son who made propitiation for sins by shedding His blood. So man's faith is based on a gift from God, the gift of His Son's life. Moreover, faith comes by man's hearing His Son's word. And His Son's word is also a gift from God. Thus faith is based on gifts from God.
Paul quoted the Prophet Habakkuk, "The righteous man shall live by faith." This makes it clear that the faith of which he speaks supports a dynamic life that is lived. Paul states in his Galatian letter that he "lives by faith." Faith, then, should be an integral part of a spiritual Christian life.
"FAITH" ITSELF IS A GIFT OF GOD THAT GROWS DURING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three." (1st Corinthians 13:13).
"Every man ... ought ... to think as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
"And since we have gifts according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them accordingly ...according to the proportion of his faith." (Romans 12:6).
"As your faith grows, we shall be, within our sphere, enlarged more by you." (2nd Corinthians 10:15).
From Paul's letters we learn not only that "faith" is based on certain great gifts of God, "faith" is itself a gift of God. It is given to every Christian in a "measure," a "measure" that grows during the Christian life. There are other gifts listed in Romans 12:3-8 that differ according to the grace given to each individual Christian, namely: "prophecy, service, teaching, exhortations, giving, leading, showing of mercy." These other gifts are to be exercised according to the "proportion" of the"measure of faith" God has given. Thus we learn that "faith" is a very important gift that supplies the motivating force for Christian life activities, such activities as the exercising of the seven other gifts mentioned in Romans 12:3-8. And as "faith" grows in the Christian because of his continuous obedient relationship with Christ, so shall his activities under the grace given to him be enlarged. A Christian's "faith" gains potential as his spiritual relationship with Christ progresses.
Let us consider some analogies in the physical realm of God's creation which may help us understand "faith." "Faith" appears to be like water backed up behind a dam, potentially ready to provide the force to propel the current of a river. Or "faith" is like the electromotive force present in a battery providing the voltage to propel electrical current through a circuit. "Faith" is just one element necessary to make God's spiritual circuit perform. Next we will consider the place of God's gift of "love" and how "faith" provides the motivating potential to "love and good works" in God's spiritual circuit.
"LOVE" IS A GIFT FLOWING CONTINUOUSLY FROM GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1st John 4:7-11).
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).
"But whoever keeps His word, in Him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him." (1st John 1:5).
"No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." (1st John 4:12-13).
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5).
"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).
This word "love," represented in the New Testament by the Greek noun "AGAPE" or the Greek verb "AGAPAO," is not the common word we hear thrown around loosely to express human personal preference. It is an attribute of God so pervasive in His righteous makeup that the Biblical writer was inspired to declare "God is love." This "love," which God has expressed to mankind to a superlative degree in that "He gave His only begotten Son," can scarcely be defined, but only described with phrases like "all-embracing benevolence and goodwill." God's "love" always seeks the highest and best good for mankind with no requirement for merit on man's part.
This kind of love is not a natural attribute with which man is born. Man is the object of God's perfect affection, but man does not emit naturally this Godly affection toward other humans. But God wants people to have and to utilize His unique "love" in order for them to exercise it in performance of "good works" as Christians in His eternal Kingdom. So when people embrace Christianity by a "new birth of water and the Spirit," God grants to them the gift of His "love,""poured out within their hearts through the Holy Spirit." Through this gift of His perfect "love" God shares Himself with Christians. Thus this "love" comes only from God into the hearts of those who are "in Christ," with the Holy Spirit being the communication link.
"LOVE" IS TO FLOW THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN OUTWARD TO PERFORM GOD'S WORK IN PEOPLE AROUND HIM.
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35).
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:9-12).
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." (1stJohn 4:7).
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1st John 4:11).
"Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you." (Ephesians 5:2).
"I say unto you, love your enemies." (Matthew 5:44).
"Let love be without hypocrisy." (Romans 12:9).
"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10).
"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails." (1st Corinthians 13:4-8).
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1st Corinthians 13:13).
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God created beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10).
Again thinking in an analogy of God's physical creation, God's "love" appears as a current that flows like water in a channel, or electricity in a circuit. Christians receive great benefits for themselves when God's "love" flows through their hearts to react with their own "loads" of worldly life. But God's "love" is not intended to stop there in the Christian's own heart. It seeks a continuous circuit into other hearts. If it can flow through the Christian into the hearts of others it will perform the "good works" for which God has purposed, and the flowing love will continue in a closed circuit giving glory to God. But if the flow of "love" stops, the circuit is open and no "good work" is done, not even in the heart of the Christian, much less in anyone else. "Love," like electrical current, really does not exist if it does not flow or is not exercised. On the other hand, when it does flow, it is not dissipated, lost, or even diminished when it is passed on by Christians to others.
"HOPE" IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT PROVIDING PRESENT ENJOYMENT OF THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISES OF GOD.
"Having a hope in God, ... that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (Acts 24:15).
"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body, for in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." (Romans 8:23-25).
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19).
"... He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and without reproach - if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, ..." (Colossians 1:27).
"Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27).
"Christ Jesus, who is our hope;" (1st Timothy 1:1).
"... the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, preached long ages ago, ..." (Titus 1:2).
"In the same way, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us." (Hebrews 6:17-18).
"... born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1st Peter 1:3).
A popular use of the word "hope" expresses a mere wish that "everything will probably turn out all right." This popular use of the word "hope" is usually in reference to expectations of fleshly things. Not so, this "hope." It is a spiritual word dealing with things "not seen," or things not detected by the five fleshly senses. This "hope" is a firm, substantive "output" in a Christian's fleshly life, but it is a spiritual "output" providing a spiritual foretaste in anticipation of the fulfillment of spiritual promises of God. As a spiritual output, "hope" is realized by the spiritual parts of a Christian, being enjoyed especially in the "intellect," the "volition," and the "emotion" of the soul which will live forever with Jesus our Lord. Although "hope that is seen is not hope" seen by fleshly eyes, when this "hope" is received, it is "seen" by the "eyes of your heart."
"Hope" is an "output" of a process God sets in motion in the lives of those who are dedicated to Him. It is not a full and final realization of God's spiritual promises. But it is received through the working of a God-driven process that deems God's promises "as good as done." It is the "output" of a process involving the interaction of "faith" and "love." Following are some of the spiritual outputs of this hope to be enjoyed during the Christian life on earth:
The assurance of "a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (Acts 24:15).
The assurance of "glory" because Christ is in us. (Colossians 1:27).
The assurance that "God has not destined you for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1st Thessalonians 5:8-9).
"We exult in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2).
"We wait eagerly" for the fulfillment of our hope. (Romans 8:25).
God will "fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13).
"We use great boldness in our speech" with which we proclaim the gospel. (2nd Corinthians 3:12).
We receive "joy" and "crown of exultation" now because our brethren will be "in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming." (1st Thessalonians 2:19).
We receive "strong encouragement" and "refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us" (Hebrews 6:17-18).
We "draw near to God" even in our fleshly life through our "better hope." (Hebrews 7:19).
"Everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself just as He is pure." (1st John 3:3).
MEANING OF "HOPE" EXEMPLIFIED IN THE LIVES OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
Perhaps the best way for us to understand the blessed gift of "hope" is to read about its exemplification in the lives of Biblical characters. "Hope" has been a gift of God to man throughout the ages of mankind on the earth. Although we are studying it now in order to learn its practical value in the lives of Christians living in the New Testament age, there is much Biblical evidence that God has used "hope" to enable men in the leading of godly lives from the beginning. Although the word "hope" as such is not used in the following New Testament excerpts, the principles of "hope" are revealed.
For instance, in the Hebrew letter Abraham was said to have gone out from his ancestral home in Ur "to a place he was to receive as an inheritance." Yet it is said that "he went out, not knowing where he was going, ... for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10). In addition Abraham was said to have "offered up Issac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, 'In Issac your descendants shall be called.' He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead,; from which he also received him back as a type." (Hebrews 11:17-19). The essence of "hope" is illustrated in the life of Abraham in that God made promises to him that were then "seen" by Abraham to be real and "as good as done," although their fulfillment was still in the future. Abraham accepted God's spiritual promises as real and received spiritual sustenance from them even while he lived in the flesh.
Many of the Psalms written by King David, son of Jesse, reveal the gift of "hope" ennobling David's life. One such Psalm was quoted by the Apostle Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. In this case, the inspired Psalm written by David not only served to be a declaration of David's "hope"while he lived, but also a prophecy of his hope's fulfillment in Jesus Christ. (From this we learn that the evidences of "hope" demonstrated in Christian lives today also renew the prophecies of the promises of God that formed the bases for the hope,) Here is how the Apostle Peter quoted David:
"For David says of Him, 'I was always holding the Lord in my presence; for He is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken, therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh also will abide in hope; because Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou wilt make me full of gladness with Thy promise.'" (Acts 2:25-28; Psalm 16:8-10).
"FAITH," " LOVE," AND "HOPE" ARE USED TOGETHER BY CHRISTIANS IN THE SPIRITUAL PRESENCE OF GOD.
"We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel." (Colossians 1:3-5).
"We give thanks to God always for all of you,... constantly bearing in mind your work of faith andlabor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father." (1st Thessalonians 1:2-3).
In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians (Chapter 1, verses 2 and 3) Paul refers in a single sentence to all three gifts, "faith," "love," and "hope," each with a single word explanation of how each gift is used in the life of a Christian. Notice the phrases "work of faith," "labor of love," and "steadfastness of hope." The single word to characterize faith is "work." The single word to characterize love is "labor." The single word to characterize hope is "steadfastness."
MEANING OF "WORK OF FAITH."
Let us consider the phrase "work of faith." The word "work" is translated from the Greek word ERGON which meant "a business," "a trade," or "a work." The phrase "work of faith," then, is a metaphor indicating that a Christian is to be in "the business of faith." It is often necessary for inspired writers of the Bible to describe spiritual things in the language of physical things. In this metaphor, the analogy is a worldly business. In "the business of faith" a Christian takes a "supply of faith" and does something "profitable" with it. The efficacy of the business depends upon the Christian having a supply of "faith" and using it. The "profit" to be gained from this "business" is the accomplishment of God's purposes in the life of a Christian.
In accord with our previous analogy of "faith" as the voltage in an electrical circuit, the supply of faith provides the motivating force or potential for this "business." But faith is not the only prerequisite for the starting and the running of this "business." The "business" must have more than just a motivating force. It must have something to "flow" through the "circuit" to produce "a product to be dispensed." This brings us to the Christian's use of the gift of "love."
MEANING OF "LABOR OF LOVE."
In Paul's phrase "labor of love," the word "labor" is translated from the Greek word KOPOS, which meant "a beating," "wearing out work," or "weariness." The metaphor "labor of love," then, seems to indicate the constant exercise of "love" to the point of "weariness," of being "worn out," or of being "exhausted as from a beating." The real meaning of this may be hard to contemplate. As the perfect example let us contemplate God's exercise of His "love" toward mankind. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16). The Biblical account of the constant "labor" of God, from the time of creation through the ages to this present day, to give this gift of "love" to mankind, and the account of the grief that mankind has given to God in constant rejection of the gift, should give us some inkling of the meaning of "labor of love." Christians will never be able to duplicate God's "labor of love," but nevertheless, God's admonition is for Christians to perform this "labor of love" to the point of "exhaustion or weariness." This phrase "labor of love" seems to support quite well our use of the analogy of "love" as being a constant, never ending "current flow"in a spiritual system that works on the principle of an electrical circuit.
MEANING OF "STEADFASTNESS OF HOPE."
In Paul's phrase "steadfastness of hope," the word "steadfastness" is translated from the Greek word HUPOMONE, which meant "patience," "endurance," or "continuance." This seems to indicate that God's gift of "hope" in the Christian life is"enduring" and gives "continuing" help until the "hope" is fulfilled and is no longer needed. In terms of our analogy, "hope" is a sure "product" generated by the "business of faith," or an enduring "output" caused by the "flow of love" through the "loaded circuit" of one's Christian life.
"Hope," then, is far more than a mere wish, but is a substantive spiritual grant to be enjoyed by the soul of the Christian even while he lives on earth, satisfying to the intellect, challenging to the volition, and pleasing to the emotion.
HOW THE TRIUMVIRATE OF "FAITH," "LOVE," AND "HOPE" OPERATES IN GOD'S SPIRITUAL SYSTEM.
First, let us list the working parts of the system in which Christians are called upon to exercise their gifts in "good works that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10). The major categories of working parts are:
1. The Triune Godhead -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. Each Christian, you and I.
3. Our brethren in the Lord's church.
4. All other people of the world.
5. God's gifts to people - especially the gifts of faith, love, and hope.
Each part of this great spiritual system has its own unique part to play in God's business of saving mankind. God the Father is the great Manager and Enabler. God the Son is the great Creator and Doer who reached out to mankind in the flesh. God the Holy Spirit is the great spiritual Communicator who gives life to mankind and speaks to their personal spirits and souls.
Each person, Christian and non-Christian alike, has been created in the likeness of the triune God with "spirit and soul and body." The "soul" is the eternal essence of a person, created to self-manage all aspects of the person with exercise of unique intellect, volition, and emotion, all in the likeness of God the Father. The "spirit" provides the person's communication terminal with the spiritual realm, receiving and transmitting spiritual messages through exercise of communion, conscience, and intuition, in the likeness of God the Holy Spirit. The "body" is a person's own unique temple for his soul and spirit, created as suitable for God's physical universe, with provision to be transformed as suitable for God's wholly spiritual realm. The "body" is created or transformed as necessary for service in a person's environment, all in the likeness of God the Son, who took on a fleshly body, sacrificed it as He saw the need, and then led the way in receiving it back as a transformed spiritual body.
God's gifts of "faith" and "love" are attributes of the Godhead which are shared with Christians to accomplish the "good works which God prepared beforehand" that they should do. God gives "hope" in order that Christian laborers may taste the results of their work even while it is being done. "The laborer is worthy of his wages." (Luke 10:7). The gift of "hope" is evidence that the grace of God provides God's promised reward for His Christian workers.
Thus, all the working parts are in place. We can now see how the motivating potential ("faith") and the current ("love") flows from the great Power Source (God the Father) through the great Communication Link (the Holy Spirit) into the active elements (spirits and souls of people "in Christ") to transmit the Gospel to mankind on earth today. In the physical analogy the force of voltage multiplied by the current equals the power developed in the load. Similarly, in God's spiritual circuit, "faith" multiplied by "love" equals the spiritual power of "hope" developed in the souls of those who receive the gospel.
dog
International Standard Version (©2008)
Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love.
King James Bible
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
American King James Version
And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
American Standard Version
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Bible in Basic English
But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.
Darby Bible Translation
And now abide faith, hope, love; these three things; and the greater of these is love.
English Revised Version
But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Webster's Bible Translation
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Weymouth New Testament
And so there remain Faith, Hope, Love--these three; and of these the greatest is Love.
World English Bible
But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.
Young's Literal Translation
and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love.
dog
Wesley's Notes
13:13 Faith, hope, love - Are the sum of perfection on earth; love alone is the sum of perfection in heaven.
dog
International Standard Version (©2008)
But since we belong to the day, let's be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
dog
<< 1 Thessalonians 5:8 >>
International Standard Version (©2008)
But since we belong to the day, let's be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
King James Bible
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
American King James Version
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
American Standard Version
But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Bible in Basic English
But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Darby Bible Translation
but we being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation;
English Revised Version
But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Webster's Bible Translation
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Weymouth New Testament
But let us, belonging--as we do--to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
World English Bible
But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Young's Literal Translation
and we, being of the day -- let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and an helmet -- a hope of salvation,
dog
What is the most important
characteristic of a church?
Without hesitation, love is the most significant component of the church. Jesus made it very clear that his entire teaching was hinged upon it. He said, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40). Jesus went as far as to say that love was the identifying mark of a Christian — that love between the brethren is what identifies us as His disciples, the church. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
dog
Webster’s Definition
Faith - (1) Inward acceptance of a personality as real and trustworthy, of an idea as true and obligatory, or of a thing as beneficial; as faith in God; faith in one’s friend; faith in the moral law; faith in medicine. The word had originally a religious sense, and in its various uses generally retains a suggestion of emotional or practical quality. (2) The recognition of spiritual realities and moral principles as of paramount authority and supreme value. (3) Theological a. Historical faith or belief in the truthfulness and authority of the Scriptural narrative and teachings. b. Saving or practical faith or the acceptance by the intellect, affection and the will of God’s favor extended to man through Christ.
dog
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see, and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact that which is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP)
Now having “defined” faith, what are the previous passages saying to us about what faith really is?? Even though Hebrews 11:1 is a short verse, let’s break it down and find out what it is really saying to us.
We have already shown what the definition of faith is according to Strong’s and Webster’s, but what about “substance”, “hope”, and “evidence”. Let’s attempt to draw a deeper meaning of the scripture by studying out the verse and pulling the fullness out of it. Let’s start with the first phrase; “faith is the substance”. What does “substance” mean here? Webster defines substance as “the most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything.” Let’s replace the word substance with the definition and read it as such.
“Now faith is the most important element in any existence, the characteristic and essential components of anything.”
I know that’s quite a mouthful, but doesn’t it bring so much more meaning to the first phrase of the verse? We can now see that faith is (1) the most important element (2) an essential component or building block if you will.
Now what is faith the most important element or essential component of?? Things hoped for! The verse also tells us faith is the evidence of things not seen. What is evidence?? Webster defines evidence as “that which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes or tends to furnish proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgment; as the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement.” Based on this definition, let’s say manifestation or proof. So now let’s finish the verse.
“Now faith is the most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything hoped for, the proof or manifestation of things not seen.”
We use faith all the time for certain things, like in verse 3 (Hebrews 11) “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Most people have no trouble believing that God created everything out of nothing, thin air if you will. But why do we have so much trouble with things like “by His stripes ye were healed” (I Peter 2:24) or “say unto this mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea”(Mark 11:23)? Romans 12:3 says “God had dealt to each one a measure of faith” but Romans 10:17 says “so then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” So you have to hear the word of God on a particular subject before you can have faith in it. We take people at their “word” all the time, now let’s really begin to take God at His word and get it down into our hearts and minds, so that we will develop mountain moving faith. Let’s start building our faith by hearing the word of God. Make a mental or actual list for yourself and think about the things that you put your faith in. The doctor? The lawyer? The banker? Your parents, spouse, or children? Until next time, meditate on this verse of scripture until it gets down inside you.
dog
Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. (NKJV) Keep out of debt and owe no man anything except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one’s fellowmen, meeting all its requirements]. (AMP)
dog
I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.
I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings
I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs
I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses
I do not keep a record of wrongs because I love you , and "love covers a multitude of sins
dog
"The Most Important Virtue"
Colossians 3:14..............................................August 16, 1998
I think one of the most difficult subjects to preach about is love. It's not difficult in the same way as it is difficult to talk about the deity of Christ or the Holy Spirit, or God's choosing us before we were born. Talking about love is difficult because so much has been said about "love" people have a tendency to put their minds in neutral when it is discussed. They have heard everything they want to hear about love. I hope you won't do that today.
Love is an important subject to the Christian. When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was he responded with, "love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
In Romans 12:9, 10 the apostle Paul writes, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
In 1 John 4:20-21 notice what John says, "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." In other words, John tells us that the true measure of whether we love God or not is shown in how well we love our brother.
So this morning, I focus on just this one verse in Colossians 3:14, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." What should we know about love?
dog
Faith is used 4 ways in the Bible
How do we get faith? (Rom 10:17)
Faith ... but not faith only! (Jas 2:24)
I. Introduction
A. Faith is not just part of religion but every aspect of our everyday lives:
1. Science: Ever seen electricity? You accept it by faith
2. Geography: Ever seen the Eiffel Tower?
3. Evolutionist’s often chide those who believe in God for their faith
a. No one has ever seen any evidence for evolution it is purely theory
b. It takes more faith to believe in evolution than God
4. Store phones you to say your order is ready.
a. You accept by faith the word of the operator that the order is ready
b. Driving down to pick up the order is an ACT OF FAITH
5. We accept God because of testimony of creation & Bible Rom 1:18-20
a. Repentance and obedience to God’s word is an ACT OF FAITH
B. Simple definition of faith: Heb 11:1
1. Faith is the substance of hope
a. "Substance": Lit. Greek: "a standing under"
b. Faith "stands under" our hope, is the foundation of our hope: Rom 8:24.25
c. Faith is the "title-deed" our pledge to things hoped: Heb 3:14
2. Faith is the conviction of things not seen: Heb 11:3
a. We accept God not only exists but He created everything in 6 days
3. Faith accepts even that which appears unreasonable: Rom 4:17
II. Faith (Gr: pistis) used in four ways:
A. #1: A Personal Belief, Mental Acceptance & Acknowledgement Of God’s Existence:
1. Heb 11:1,6 Assurance of things hoped for conviction of things not seen
2. 2 Cor 4:18 We look at not at things seen, but at things not seen
3. 2 Cor 5:7 we walk by faith not sight
4. Jn 20:27-29 how blessed are they who have not seen but believe
B. #2: A conduct or work inspired by the compete surrender to mental acceptance:
1. Just as repentance can be seen: Mt 3:7-8, so too "faith can be seen": Mt 9:2
2. Jas 2:14-26 We show our faith by our works
3. We must have an obedient faith:
a. Obedience of faith: Rom 1:5; 15:18: 16:26
b. Acts 6:7 word kept spreading, great many priests became obedient to the faith
c. Mt 7:21-27 not only call "Lord", but obey
d. by faith, Abraham obeyed: Heb 11
4. Faith is said to do work:
a. Gal 5:6 faith working through love
b. 1 Th 1:3; 2 Th 1:11 work of faith
c. Heb 13:7 considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith
C. #3: A trusting or trustworthiness: (pistis)
1. Mt 24:45; 25:21,23; Lk 19:17 "faithful servant"
2. Rom 3:3 the faithfulness of God
3. 1 Cor 4:2 stewards must be faithful
4. 1 Cor 15:14,17 if Christ is not raised your faith is vain, worthless
5. 2 Th 1:3 your faith is greatly enlarged
D. #4: The System Of Doctrine And Morality Peculiar To Christianity:
1. Statements encouraging us to properly maintain the system of faith
a. Jude 3 contend earnestly for the faith
b. Gal 1:23 preaching the faith he once tried to destroy
c. Eph 4:5 only one faith
d. Eph 4:23 until we all attain to the unity of the faith
a. Acts 14:22 encouraging them to continue in the faith
f. Acts 16:5 strengthen in the faith
g. 2 Cor 13:5 test yourselves to see if you are in the faith
h. 1 Cor 16:13 stand firm in the faith
i. 2 Ti 4:7 1 have kept the faith
1. 1 Tit 1:13 reprove then that they may be sound in the faith
k. 1 Ti 4:1 in later times some will fall away from the faith
1. 1 Ti 4:6 nourished on the words of the faith and sound doctrine
m. 1 Ti 6:10 wandered away from the faith
n. 1 Ti 6:2021 Gone astray from the faith
2. Statements of general interest:
a. Gal 3:23 before the faith came we were under the law
b. Gal 6:10 especially the household of the faith
c. Acts 6:7 obedient to the faith
d. Rom 10:8 word of faith we preach
a. Lk 18:8 will Jesus find the faith upon the earth when He returns
III. How do we get faith?
A. Some wrongly teach faith comes directly from God, the Holy Spirit or Jesus
1. The Holy Spirit directly imparts faith independently of any medium.
2. God directly "operates" upon the sinner’s heart to make Him a believer.
3. Problem: If a man has no faith, it is God’s fault!
a. 1 Ti 2:34; 2 Pe 3:9 God’s desire is for all to believe!
b. Jn 8:24 "unless you believe..." Jesus places responsibility upon man
4. Col 2:18 Many people claim God revealed something to then when God hasn’t.
B. God indirectly imparts faith through the sodium or instrument of the Bible:
1. Rom 10:5-18
a. Who will ascend into heaven? ANSWER: Deut 30:10-14
b. V8 "the word of faith"
c. V17 faith comes from hearing the word of Christ
2. Jn 20:30-31 these things are written that you may believe
3. Jn 17:20,21 believe on me through their word.
4. Bible and faith used interchangeably: Acts 13:7,8 Gal 1:11,23
5. Acts 14:1 spoke in such a manner that many believed
6. Acts 15:7 hear the word of the gospel and believe
7. Acts 17:11,12 searched the scriptures daily-many therefore believed
8. Acts 18:8 many Corinthians, when they heard were believing being baptized
IV. Faith ... but not faith only!
A. There is a difference between faith only and saving faith: Jas 2:17,24
1. Demons believe, even confess Jesus as Lord: Jas 2:19; Mk 1:24.25
2. Jn 7:12.13 no one was openly speaking of His
3. Jn 12:42-43 many believed but would not confess the name of Jesus
4. Jn 9:22 Parents would not confess for fear of being put out of synagogue
V. Conclusion:
A. If we walk by faith and not by sight, how can we see faith: 2 Cor 5:7
B. Yet faith allows us to SEE THE UNSEEN and BELIEVE THE UNBELIEVABLE
C. "If God said it, I believe it and that settles it!"
dog
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