Letter
A - Inspirational Living
Abundance
The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at
you, saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but
trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” (Ps 52:6-7).
People must make God their strength and not trust in
an abundance of earthly riches. When we
love the Lord he will preserve and plentifully reward us. He blesses us when we give bread to the
poor. If we lack wisdom and ask him, he
will bless us liberally. It is God who
provides all grace, and makes us sufficient in every good work. He prepares a table in the presence of our
enemies, anoints our heads with oil, and our cup runs over: “Surely your
goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord forever” (Ps 23:6).
Adoption
And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my
sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:18).
Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for
those who curse and persecute us, so that we may be sons and daughters of our
Father in heaven. As we pray we are
taught to say, “Our Father in heaven” (Mt 6:9).
People are advised to seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness. We must not think
about what we shall eat, drink, or wear.
For our heavenly Father knows that we need these things. But as many who receive him, to them he gives
the power to become children of God for those who believe in his name.
Many who are led by the Spirit are children of
God. This Spirit that we have received
is not one of bondage, but of adoption which enables us to cry out, “Abba,
Father.” He affirms that if children,
then we are joint-heirs with Christ. If
we share his suffering we may also be glorified together with him. The Lord disciplines those he loves and
scourges every child who he receives.
Adultery
“You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14).
God warns us that we shall not lie carnally with our
neighbor’s wife to defile ourselves with her.
He said that whosoever divorces his wife, and marries another commit
adultery against her. If a woman
divorces her husband, and marries another she commits adultery. A man may also commit adultery in his heart
if he looks at a woman to lust after her.
He will however commit adultery if he is bound by law as long as she
lives. If the husband is dead a woman is
released from the law with him. But if
her husband is alive, and she marries another man she will be called an
adulteress. But if he dies she is free
from that law to marry another man again.
Affliction
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy (Ps 140:12).
The Psalmist declared, “Trouble and distress have
come upon me, but your commandments give me delight” (Ps 119:143). People are reminded that although they walk
through the valley of the shadow of death they will fear no evil, for God is
with them. His rod and staff are
comforting. We must not fear for he is
with us, so be not dismayed because he is our God. He will strengthen us with his right hand.
In The Beatitudes Jesus Christ taught:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown
mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute
you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your
reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you (Mt 5:3-12).
Alms
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your
lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Lk
6:38).
The Lord said that we should honor us with
possessions and the first fruits of all our increase. So that our barns will be filled with plenty
and our vats will overflow with new wine.
Believers are further told not to despite their neighbor’s sins, but
when we show mercy on the poor they are happy.
People are to give alms of what they have and all will be well with
them. They are encouraged to sell
whatever they have to build up a treasure in heaven that does not fail, where
no thief approaches, or moth destroys.
Concerning the widow’s mite the Lord explained how
this poor woman has cast in the collection plate more than all those with their
riches. We therefore mustn’t do our
charitable deeds before men or women to be seen by them. Otherwise, we have no reward from our Father
in heaven.
Ambition
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole
world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mt 16:26).
People consist of physical and non-physical
characteristics. Their souls are
immaterial parts of their person-hood.
To lose one’s soul is tantamount to eternal death and damnation. For, believers who have found grace, and
forgiveness through Christ are assured of everlasting lives. This is the most noble and dignified ambition
of Christian believers. It is the
fulfillment of God’s plans for his creation.
It is therefore wise to resist temptations for worldly riches, honor,
and glamour, by turning toward our savior
and loving God.
Angels
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come
near your tent. For he will command his
angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Ps 91:10-11).
God’s mighty angels exist among us and are lights that
we call guardian angles. These are
bright angelic spirits on missions to guide and protect us from harm. Some appear in human form, while others are
benevolent spirits. These amiable
companions defend us in the best possible ways.
Unlike the angels of darkness they perpetuate what is best for our
lives.
Anger
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one
who is patient calms a quarrel (Prov 15:18).
Much of chapter 15 of Proverbs is about speech
communication. A gentle or conciliating
answer prevents wrath. If however our
response is harsh and ill-timed it stirs up personal emotions, and soon this
can turn into an argument. Hot-tempered
people can stir up strive where there is none.
A wise person is able to soothe contention and cool it down once it
starts. Often, it is not what we say,
but how we say it that prompts an unpredictable answer.
Anointing
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were
under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Acts 10:38).
The gospel message went out to the Jews first. Jesus is however Lord of all – Jew and
Gentile alike. His audiences heard the
story about his baptism by John, the Baptist that spread throughout Judea. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and
lived a life of selfish service. God was
with him. He did good works healing
those who were sick, and oppressed by the devil.
Apostasy
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you
has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God (Heb 3:12).
The original recipients of this letter were
believers who were addressed as brethren.
These were in danger of turning away from the faith and had to be on
guard against having pernicious hearts.
For, if they continued down this road, God would forsake them unless
they repented. They were therefore urged
to remain committed to the assembly, to urge each other in faith, love, good
works, and from falling away.
Their unbelief would be the distrust in the
truthfulness of God's word. The brethren
must therefore hold on to their faith to the end of their lives. They ought not to forsake Christ, for other
religions that do not have the answers to sin.
This was their duty, for to fall away was to be hardened by
deceitfulness, that looks beautiful but is deadly sin.
Apostles
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and
signs performed by the apostles (Acts 2:43).
Those assembled in the temple felt a sense of
reverence and awe at the wonders and signs of the apostles. These were amazing miracles, for their hearts
were quickened when they were struck with bewilderment. The apostles were the conduits through whom
these amazing things were happening.
Much of what occurred was beyond their expectations,
but essential for their spiritual growth as a church. Through these revelations the apostles were
able to validate their divine, and ordained positions as instruments of
God. To the attendees these wonders, and
signs attested to the truthfulness of being witnesses for Christ
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