Larry Lilly's Journal August 2018 Vol 19 Issue 8
Essentials for Victorious Living #2 2PETER 1:5-9 Larry Lilly
Pastor Larry Lilly
Essentials for Victorious Living # 2
This August issue continues to teach the value of eight essentials in the life of victory as we follow Jesus. The First three were dealt with in the July issue. Faith, Virtue, and Knowledge. Five are touched in this month’s study.
2Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Self-control, (Temperance) is patience in action. Far too many Christian’s flies off the handle in saying and doing things that will require repentance. “I just lost my temper” won’t cut it, loss of temper does not mean that you’re not saved, it does show that you are Not walking in the Spirit. Patience, self-control is a trait that the world notices. Thus it plants a seed or waters one that shows something is going on inside.
Perseverance. To endure circumstances with abiding hope, that does not succumb under trials. James uses the same thought when he reminds us of the “patience” of Job. James 5:11. The Country Boy’s Lexicon, “Hang in there baby, Jesus has your back!”
Godliness. What, pray tell does godliness mean? Contextually it leads us to a more gentler approach to others. The word, godliness springs from the Greek, Eusebia, basically worship, piety toward God, practically “a life which is morally good.” A lot of witnessing is wasted when the walk is not in line with the talk.
Brotherly kindness. While Christians are to be kind to all, kindness is to be given “especially to those in the household of faith.” Paul, Galatians 6:10. As all humans are “kin Folk” and the scripture uses this to convey that as “kin” we are in the same boat. We are not to “throw our Kin out of the boat. Paul also deals with brotherly kindness here:
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
This passage put into practice would solve many human relations problems. Relations among Christians can be maintained, enjoyed, broken and praise the Lord RESTORED, through following biblical instructions.
Love. The word love the Greek, Philos, used here as the common denominator for those who love Jesus. If we love Jesus, we must love the ones who also love Jesus. A different word is used for the love we have for countrymen who do not love Jesus. Again, Paul shares the outward action of the inner working of love when he says in
Galatians 5:13:
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty, only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Jesus made it much stronger here:
John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Adding the eight essentials will not be the cause of you going to heaven. Doing so will add a little bit of heaven on earth to your daily life. It will also enhance the effectiveness of your witness. Here’s God’s promise concerning this:
2Peter 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Upon observation of the passing scene within Christendom, it’s little wonder that we are so ineffective in carrying out the Great Commission as many professing Christians are barren and unfruitful as they journey through as though walking cat like along straddling a picket fence. Some even confess that they will not know whether they are saved or lost until they stand before God. God has implied in our sermon verses that growing, adding to our faith produces a sure knowledge, expounding upon by John’s first letter to churches. Note here:
1John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God.”
It may serve you well to spend eight weeks studying one of the Essentials each week. It’ll help you come to blessed assurance. LML.
Note: A much expanded version of this article in booklet form will be available in September.
This August issue continues to teach the value of eight essentials in the life of victory as we follow Jesus. The First three were dealt with in the July issue. Faith, Virtue, and Knowledge. Five are touched in this month’s study.
2Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Self-control, (Temperance) is patience in action. Far too many Christian’s flies off the handle in saying and doing things that will require repentance. “I just lost my temper” won’t cut it, loss of temper does not mean that you’re not saved, it does show that you are Not walking in the Spirit. Patience, self-control is a trait that the world notices. Thus it plants a seed or waters one that shows something is going on inside.
Perseverance. To endure circumstances with abiding hope, that does not succumb under trials. James uses the same thought when he reminds us of the “patience” of Job. James 5:11. The Country Boy’s Lexicon, “Hang in there baby, Jesus has your back!”
Godliness. What, pray tell does godliness mean? Contextually it leads us to a more gentler approach to others. The word, godliness springs from the Greek, Eusebia, basically worship, piety toward God, practically “a life which is morally good.” A lot of witnessing is wasted when the walk is not in line with the talk.
Brotherly kindness. While Christians are to be kind to all, kindness is to be given “especially to those in the household of faith.” Paul, Galatians 6:10. As all humans are “kin Folk” and the scripture uses this to convey that as “kin” we are in the same boat. We are not to “throw our Kin out of the boat. Paul also deals with brotherly kindness here:
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
This passage put into practice would solve many human relations problems. Relations among Christians can be maintained, enjoyed, broken and praise the Lord RESTORED, through following biblical instructions.
Love. The word love the Greek, Philos, used here as the common denominator for those who love Jesus. If we love Jesus, we must love the ones who also love Jesus. A different word is used for the love we have for countrymen who do not love Jesus. Again, Paul shares the outward action of the inner working of love when he says in
Galatians 5:13:
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty, only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Jesus made it much stronger here:
John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Adding the eight essentials will not be the cause of you going to heaven. Doing so will add a little bit of heaven on earth to your daily life. It will also enhance the effectiveness of your witness. Here’s God’s promise concerning this:
2Peter 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Upon observation of the passing scene within Christendom, it’s little wonder that we are so ineffective in carrying out the Great Commission as many professing Christians are barren and unfruitful as they journey through as though walking cat like along straddling a picket fence. Some even confess that they will not know whether they are saved or lost until they stand before God. God has implied in our sermon verses that growing, adding to our faith produces a sure knowledge, expounding upon by John’s first letter to churches. Note here:
1John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God.”
It may serve you well to spend eight weeks studying one of the Essentials each week. It’ll help you come to blessed assurance. LML.
Note: A much expanded version of this article in booklet form will be available in September.
Letters & Comments
LLLV18 7-16-2018 A Cup of Water for Jesus (Most read Internet letter in July).
It’s a well-established fact theologically that “good deeds” won’t get you to heaven. It’s also observed that the Christian who does good deeds has a significant influence on those watching and many of these come to Christ. It’s also well established that giving something as small as a cup of cold water to a struggling person in the Name of Jesus is noticed and rewarded. Matthew 25 offers several examples.
The principle of using what God has entrusted to us to relieve suffering is alluded to in these words from a favorite song:
“If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.”
It’s important to get over the “Someday Isle” fantasy of giving/serving in the grand style and begin doing what you can out of what you have. Not everyone can share on the scale of Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, or serve with the notoriety of Franklin Graham and others.
However, we can, should, and must give our time, talent and treasure in proportion to what God has entrusted to us.
One day as Peter and John were walking to the temple in Jerusalem to pray, they came upon a beggar. The beggar asked for Alms. Peter's reply is classic here:
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Most of us do not have much silver or gold, nor do we have the power to cause a lifelong disabled man to rise and walk. The crucial part of Peter’s answer is for each of us:
“But what I do have I give you!”
Most believe that an outstanding voice for singing is a gift from God and should be developed to bless more people. Most people that I hear sing, even in large venues have a voice that is not all that much, yet modern sound equipment makes it sound like it is a wonder. Some people I have heard sing, would fail a precision audition, yet the spirit within sings through them, and many are deeply touched. They don’t have the natural and trained voice of Beverly Sills, but they do have the touch of God.
A modern would say, I don't have much, but here’s a little of what I do have.
Copyright © 2018 Larry Lilly
The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year! M.B.
It’s a well-established fact theologically that “good deeds” won’t get you to heaven. It’s also observed that the Christian who does good deeds has a significant influence on those watching and many of these come to Christ. It’s also well established that giving something as small as a cup of cold water to a struggling person in the Name of Jesus is noticed and rewarded. Matthew 25 offers several examples.
The principle of using what God has entrusted to us to relieve suffering is alluded to in these words from a favorite song:
“If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.”
It’s important to get over the “Someday Isle” fantasy of giving/serving in the grand style and begin doing what you can out of what you have. Not everyone can share on the scale of Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, or serve with the notoriety of Franklin Graham and others.
However, we can, should, and must give our time, talent and treasure in proportion to what God has entrusted to us.
One day as Peter and John were walking to the temple in Jerusalem to pray, they came upon a beggar. The beggar asked for Alms. Peter's reply is classic here:
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
Most of us do not have much silver or gold, nor do we have the power to cause a lifelong disabled man to rise and walk. The crucial part of Peter’s answer is for each of us:
“But what I do have I give you!”
Most believe that an outstanding voice for singing is a gift from God and should be developed to bless more people. Most people that I hear sing, even in large venues have a voice that is not all that much, yet modern sound equipment makes it sound like it is a wonder. Some people I have heard sing, would fail a precision audition, yet the spirit within sings through them, and many are deeply touched. They don’t have the natural and trained voice of Beverly Sills, but they do have the touch of God.
A modern would say, I don't have much, but here’s a little of what I do have.
Copyright © 2018 Larry Lilly
The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year! M.B.
The Book Worm's Corner. Comments From Helpful Books Joyce D. Lilly
Joyce Lilly
Good News About Prodigals. Tom Bisset. Discover House Publishers.17 chapters, 179 pages.
Tom states, Never give up on a prodigal. God doesn’t.” Check this enlightening statement:
Just as people leave their faith for specific, identifiable reasons, they also come back for definite reasons:
The Influence of another person.
A difficult personal or family problem.
A sense of emotional or spiritual emptiness.
Concern over their children’s moral and spiritual future.
An unexpected, life-changing spiritual experience.
Chapter 16 deals with Christian leaders who for one reason or another go through a time of prodigal escape.
Frederick Blom is a case in point. Frederick had served as a pastor. For reasons unstated he landed in the infamous Attica prison in NY. One day while looking at the Gates of Attica, he thought of heaven and penned these words.
Love divine, so great and wondrous!
Deep and mighty pure sublime!
Coming from the heart of Jesus-
Just the same through test of time
He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.
Like a Sparrow hunted, frightened,
Weak and helpless-so was I;
Wounded, fallen, yet He healed me-
He will heed the sinners cry.
Love divine, so great and wondrous!
All my sins He than forgave!
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His power to save..
In life’s eventide at twilight,
At His door I’ll knock and wait;
By the Precious Blood of Jesus,
I shall enter heaven’s gate.
I wish space presented more room to tell you about this fabulous book. Find it, buy it, implement it’s truth in your life and rejoice with the returned prodigals! JDL.
Tom states, Never give up on a prodigal. God doesn’t.” Check this enlightening statement:
Just as people leave their faith for specific, identifiable reasons, they also come back for definite reasons:
The Influence of another person.
A difficult personal or family problem.
A sense of emotional or spiritual emptiness.
Concern over their children’s moral and spiritual future.
An unexpected, life-changing spiritual experience.
Chapter 16 deals with Christian leaders who for one reason or another go through a time of prodigal escape.
Frederick Blom is a case in point. Frederick had served as a pastor. For reasons unstated he landed in the infamous Attica prison in NY. One day while looking at the Gates of Attica, he thought of heaven and penned these words.
Love divine, so great and wondrous!
Deep and mighty pure sublime!
Coming from the heart of Jesus-
Just the same through test of time
He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.
Like a Sparrow hunted, frightened,
Weak and helpless-so was I;
Wounded, fallen, yet He healed me-
He will heed the sinners cry.
Love divine, so great and wondrous!
All my sins He than forgave!
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His power to save..
In life’s eventide at twilight,
At His door I’ll knock and wait;
By the Precious Blood of Jesus,
I shall enter heaven’s gate.
I wish space presented more room to tell you about this fabulous book. Find it, buy it, implement it’s truth in your life and rejoice with the returned prodigals! JDL.
Page 4 Why These Trials? Dale Byers
Dale Byers
Why These Trials?
Romans 8:28-31
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Some Times He Is:
He Is Chastening Us: (I Cor. 11:28-32)
Chastening is the action of our Heavenly Father toward his wayward and disobedient child, (Heb. 12:6). The act of discipline must in no way be connected with condemnation of the unsaved (Rom. 8:1; John 3:18). There is even a sin unto physical illness and death, (1 Cor. 11:30; Acts 5:1-15; I John 5:15-21).
He Is Testing Us: He test our Actions & Attitudes & Affections; Examination of truth;
Peter do you love me? How do we respond to our trials? - bitterness or blessing. Each Communion Service is a ministry of self-examination of our lives, (I Cor. 11:28).
He is Maturing Us: We are His children, (Heb. 12:6; John 15:2).
Rearing children does involve more than gifts of affection.
Parenting involves, rebuke, correction and discipline.
He Is Teaching Us: The Test of Love: (John 8:51) Questions to ask when tested:
a. Did Christ love His Heavenly Father, (John 8:29)? Does God love us? Are we better than our Savior?
b. What did Christ endure for us, (Gal. 1:4; Titus 2:11-15)?
c. What was the price of God’s love, (John 3:16)? How much does God love us?
d. How genuine is our love for others- (John 13:34; John 15:9; John 15:12).
He Is Training Us: (2 Cor. 12:7-9) He is equipping us for greater responsibilities. Responsibility and position will be given to us in the millennium, according to our faithfulness to Christ during this life, (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:9; 1 Cor. 6:2).
He Is Trusting Us: Some people cannot be trusted with trials, (Job 1:6-12; Prov. 19:25).
He Is Completing Us: We must be honest in our worship. His desire and His goal is to conform us to the image of Christ. Jesus suffered for us, ( Heb. 12:9-11).
Blogsite for past articles: http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/
Editor's Note: Please pray for Pastor Byers. He fell and has a serious concusion, plus broken ribs. Brother Byers is in his eighties, so this is a serious time for him. LML.
****
Napoleon Bonaparte happened to see his former landlady. He asked her if she remembers a fellow by the name of Bonaparte who used to board at her home. “Yes,” she replied, “all that can remember about his was that he was disagreeable, always busy, and always stayed by himself.” Bonaparte replied, “Had I used my time as you desired I would not today be the commander of the army of France.”
***
“Bisogna soffrire per essere grandi”. That was the favorite expression of the great singer Enrico Caruso. The words mean, “To be great, it is necessary to suffer.” Tribulation does that for a person who accepts life’s difficulties in the proper spirit. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations. Paul Lee Tan.
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Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
Reaching Raising Restoring
If you would like to send an offering to help this work along, please do so here:
Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
Reaching Raising Restoring