Spirit Of Truth & Spirit Of Error

Monday, November 1, 2010: 1 John 4:1 (NKJV)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Why are we to test spirits? This world has many false prophets who speak as lead by the spirit of error. We will (not might) encounter them.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010: 1 John 4:2 – 3 (NKJV)

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

What is the true test for the spirit of truth? ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, was made flesh’ is the test statement. You either hear it or ask if that is what the speaker believes. Listen for the answer: yes is sufficient; long-winded explanation is false.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010: 1 John 4:4 – 5 (NKJV)

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.

What is the secret of overcoming? Jesus Christ has done it all: His victory is ours.

Thursday, November 4, 2010: 1 John 4:6 (NKJV)

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Will a false prophet ever listen to you? No, such a one is only interested in changing your belief into the wrong path. He will never listen or agree.

Friday, November 5, 2010: 1 John 5:4 – 5 (NKJV)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

What finally overcomes the world? Our faith that leads to salvation is the same that allows us to lead victorious lives.

Restore

Monday, October 25, 2010: Psalm 51:12 (NKJV)

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

What circumstances was David in when he wrote these verses? He had committed both adultery and murder. He was restored to God, nevertheless.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010: Job 33:26 (NKJV)

He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,

He shall see His face with joy,

For He restores to man His righteousness.

The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Does it show that Job knew that it is not man but God who restores the sin-broken relationship? Yes, both sins and sin are cleansed.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010: Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Why is man restored? God is the shepherd who cares for His sheep.

Thursday, October 28, 2010: Ezekiel 33:14 – 16 (NKJV)

Again, when I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

What is the advice to a wicked person? Turn from sin (repent) and restore what you stole and walk in the statutes of life. (Love God and neighbor)

Friday, October 29, 2010: Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

What is the final aim of every spiritual man? Gently restoring a sinful soul to a relationship with God.

Fell on their Faces

Monday, October 18, 2010: Genesis 17:1 – 5 (NKJV)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

Does fear characterize Abram (Abraham) when God spoke to him? Yes, a reverential fear mingled with faith. After all, he is 99 years old and God promises him many children!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010: Leviticus 9:22 – 24 (NKJV)

Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Does the word awesome come to mind here? Yes, it does. Just the glory of the Lord was sufficient. When fire consumed the sacrifice the people reacted in awe.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010: Joshua 5:13 – 15 (NKJV)

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Does worship allowed reveal the nature of the Commander? Yes, this was God the Son in a preincarnate appearance and Joshua worshipped with His acceptance.

Thursday, October 21, 2010: Judges 13:17 – 20 (NKJV)

Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”

So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on—it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.

What did Manoah and his wife see that made them fall on their faces? They had seen, in picture, God’s salvation in the sacrifice of His Son and they fell to worship.

Friday, October 22, 2010: Revelation 1:17 – 18 (NKJV)

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Does ‘struck dumb’ a description of what happened to John? Yes, but it was more than that: Before the glorified Lord Jesus he fell and was even afraid to breathe! What should our position be before God?

The First and the Last

Monday, October 11, 2010: Exodus 20:2 – 3 (NKJV)

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

What does ‘no other gods before Me’ imply? God’s Son could be the same as God or His equal. (Not before but equal)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010: Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV)

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,

And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:

‘I am the First and I am the Last;

Besides Me there is no God.

What does ‘And his Redeemer’ imply? The King and his Redeemer are both one. Together they form the First and the Last.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010: 1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV)

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

What is the difference between the first and the last Adam? The first was born a man; the last makes man born of the Spirit.

Thursday, October 14, 2010: Revelation 1:11 (NKJV)

saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Who declares Himself to be the First and the Last? The glorified Lord Jesus Christ who appears to John in a Spirit led vision.

Friday, October 15, 2010: Revelation 1:17 – 18 (NKJV)

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

What is God’s plan of salvation? The First and the Last, the immortal, suffered death and rose from the dead for us who believe.

Self Sufficient

Monday, October 4, 2010: Philippians 4:11 – 13 (NKJV)

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Do we need to know how to be abased and to abound? This is the secret ingredient in living the contented life of believers that those of us in the USA are missing or have little knowledge of.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010: 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Does God’s grace provide us with material comforts? God’s grace gives us the ability to be self sufficient in what we have while super-abounding in every godly work.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010: Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content

What kind of learning is needed for our contentment? This learning comes in taking each day that God gives us and thanking Him for it and our present condition instead of sending up laments in prayer.

Thursday, October 7, 2010: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Does such boasting mean that you proclaim what you do in spite of this handicap or weakness? It means that you do show how God has worked in the problem to bring you closer to Him.

Friday, October 8, 2010: Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Are these scriptures speaking about a childish “Mine!” attitude? It is surprising how many of us have such an attitude with the most trivial of our possessions! Better would be the view that God has given me all and it is in His power to remove any or all things.