Faith in Jesus

As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of
our Saviour. . . Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life.” “Faith
is the spiritual hand that touches infinity.

Degrees Of Faith

Heb. 11:6. Faith is an absolute necessity in the Christian life.

Deut. 32:20; 2 Thess. 3:2. The wicked have no faith.

Rom. 12:3. Degrees in Christian character are shown by the measure of faith
possessed.

Luke 12:28. Some have “little faith.”

Rom. 14:1. Others are “weak in faith.”

Matt. 15:28. The Syrophenician woman had “great faith.”

Acts 11:24. Barnabas was “full of faith.”

Luke 17:5. Pray for an increase of faith.

Luke 22:31, 32. Pray that our faith fail not.

Jas. 2:5. Be rich in faith.

2 Tim. 1:5. The faith must be “unfeigned.”

2 Peter 1:1. Obtained precious faith.

2 Peter 1:5-8. Faith is the foundation upon which godly character is built.

Eph. 6:16. Faith will shield us from evil.


Faith A Gift

Heb. 12:2. Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith.”

John 1:1, 14. Christ is the living Word.

Rom. 10:17. Since Christ, the living Word, is the author of our faith, we receive
faith for reading the Word.

Eph. 2:8. It is a gift from God, which we receive through the channel of His
word.

Jas. 2:18. Faith is shown by our works.

Jas. 2:17. Without work faith dies.

Jas. 2:22. Faith made perfect by works.

Rom. 5:1. Justified by faith.

Rom. 4:5. Faith counted for righteousness.

Gal. 2:16. Faith, not works, justifies.

Jas. 2:24-26. Faith without works will save no one.

Gal. 5:6. Faith works by love.

Eph. 3:17. Faith makes Christ’s presence a reality.

Gal. 2:20. The Christian life is a life of faith.


Faith That Works

Heb. 11:1, margin. “Faith is the ground, or confidence, of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.”

Mark 11:24. Faith brings answers to prayers.

Luke 8:43-48. Faith restores diseased organs.

Luke 17:11-19. Faith can restore the body as well as the soul.

Jas. 5:13-16. The prayer of faith will save the sick.

Mark 10:46-52. Faith will restore physical sight.

Matt. 9:27-30. We receive both physical and spiritual strength according to our
faith.

Luke 5:18-26. There is a close relationship between the healing of the body and
cleansing from sin.

Matt. 6:30-34. The Christian who fails to have faith about temporal things,
loses much of the sweetness of trusting in God.

Matt. 8:23-27. “Little faith” fears the elements.

Jas. 5:16-18. Faith can control the elements.

1 Cor. 13:1-3. A faith that can even control the elements of nature is of no
value, unless it serves as a foundation of a Christian character worked out in
daily acts of love.

1 Cor. 13:4-11. A living faith will enable a man to control his temper.

Jas. 1:26. A living faith will control the tongue.


Door Of Faith

Acts 14:27. There is a “door of faith.”

Gal. 6:10. When we enter this door, we become members of the “household of
faith.”

1 Cor. 16:13. We are to “stand fast in the faith.”

2 Cor. 5:7. “We walk by faith.”

1 Thess. 1:3. The Christian will do the “work of faith.”

1 Tim. 5:8. Some will deny the faith.

1 Tim. 6:10. Love of money will cause some to err from the faith.

1 Tim. 6:20, 21. Worldly science will cause some to err concerning the faith.

2 Tim. 3:8. Those of corrupt minds are reprobates concerning the faith.

1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 2:17, 18. Spiritualism and false doctrine will cause some to
depart from the faith.

1 Tim. 1:19, 20. To give up faith means shipwreck of life.

2 Cor. 13:5. We are to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.

1 Tim. 3:13. A righteous life will have boldness in faith.

1 Tim. 6:11, 12. We are to “fight the good fight to faith.”

Jude 3. Earnestly contend for the faith.

Jude 20. Build ourselves up in the faith.

1 John 5:4. Faith will overcome the world.

GOD Given Duty for Husbands

Today, I would encourage you to look up these texts to see if the thoughts that I have expressed are what they say to you as well. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

Gen. 2:24. Leave father and mother for wife.

Deut. 13:6-8. Husband should never allow his wife to turn him from God.

Deut. 24:5. First year of married life, husband should remain at home and
“cheer” up his wife.”

Prov. 5:18. Rejoice with his wife.

Eccl. 9:9. Live joyfully with her.

Eph. 5:25:33. “Love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for it.”

Col. 3:19. Be not bitter against them.

Prov. 31:28. Commend and praise.

1 Peter 3:7. Honor the wife.

Mal. 2:14, 15. God is witness if any deal treacherously with their wives.

Matt. 19:3-9. One reason for separation.

1 Cor. 7:12-16. Convert wife by godly life.

I believe that the man who lives up to God’s requirements will have a happy home. He can
kneel with his wife and together their prayers will ascend unhindered to the
throne of grace. (There is a condition, and that is basedon the fact that the wife is a free to reject or accept the love of God)

God Warns of the Power of the Tongue

What does the ninth commandment forbid?
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Ex. 20:16.

How is such a man regarded?
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.

To what double use is the tongue put?
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." James 3:10.

Can man, un-renewed by grace, control his tongue?
"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil; full of deadly poison." James 3:7, 8.

What is one's duty , under the circumstances?
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God." Rom. 6:13.

Through whom may we find deliverance from this law of sin in our members?
"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am I who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 7:23-25.

Of what are one's words the index?
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matt. 12:34.

What will our words have to do with our standing in the judgment?
"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. 12:37.

What special sin is covered by the ninth commandment?
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:16.

What are the words of a talebearer like?
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds." Prov. 26:22.

What is their effect?
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends." Prov. 17:9.

What would follow if each attended to his own affairs only?
"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." Prov. 26:20.

What is the word like which is fitly spoken?
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Prov. 25:11.

To whom are our words all known?
"For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." Ps. 139:4.

Let Us Be Faithful And Energetic For Our LORD JESUS CHRIST

What good things are spoken of the faithful and energetic?
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread." Prov. 28:19. "The hand of the diligent maketh rich. "Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the diligent shall be made fat." Prov. 13:4.

What is said of the man of opposite characteristics?
"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand." Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing." Prov. 13:4.

What social distinction is shown between the diligent man and the slothful one?
"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute." Prov. 12:24.

What honor awaits the diligent man of business?
"See thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." Prov. 22:29.

Here is an example of the reward of industry.
"And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph." 1 Kings 11:28.

May we estimate a man's thrift by the condition of his dwelling?
"By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." Eccl. 10:18,

Here is a picture of a slack man's farm, as drawn by an eyewitness.
"I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down." Prov. 24:30, 31.

What lesson did the wise man learn as he noticed these things?
"Then I saw and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction." Prov. 24:32.

Is our work for "the life that now is," closely united with that for the one to come?
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Rom. 12:11,

What sentence is pronounced against the man who is unfaithful in God's work?
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully." Jer. 48:10.

In view of the reward to be given at Christ's appearing, what exhortation is given?
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless." 2 Peter 3:14.

What blessed assurance is given to those that follow this advice?
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

Grasping the Love of Christ

Eph.3:17 ..."so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in Love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the Love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
How wide and deep and high and long is the Love of God? Try to live just one day, one minute, one second in the true Love of God and see how much you have to attain to even grasp the feeling of that LOVE! So what is Christain LOVE? First of all it MUST be rooted in Christ! God is LOVE! How can you really LOVE without God? To practice this LOVE and grow in this LOVE you must live a Godly life, as God has intructed, not the way man has taught us. This is LOVE that you may know Christ, and serve Him, and serve others the way He serves us. Test yourself. Are you living a Christ filled life of LOVE for anyone? For everyone? Are you forgiving of everyone or are you picking and choosing those you will treat lovingly and those you forgive. Thank God He does not pick and chose us! Thank God we are all forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ. We need to acknowledge and accept that gift. When we do, and we allow Christ to live in us, there is no way we will not be filled with LIGHT and we will see our sins, and we will ask God to increase our Love of Him, and our Love for one another. Our LOVE for others will grow and change and become Christlike! As we become more Christlike we will do more the will of God, instead of what our human nature tells us is "natural". Yes, it is "unnatural" to live as Children of the Light, thank GOD! If you seek this LOVE, when God gives you this LIGHT you must be prepared to see a really ugly you, and be ready to change!
Eph.4-5:21 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
4:3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
4:7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
4:8
Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
4:9
(Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
4:10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
4:11
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ:
4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
4:19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
4:20
But ye have not so learned Christ;
4:21
If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
4:27
Neither give place to the devil.
4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5:5
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
5:7
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
5:12
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
5:13
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
5:15
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
5:16
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
5:17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Not such a little task is it! Let's all practice our Faith in Christ, and really LOVE one another. God knows there are plenty of us out there who are alienated from each other because of our sinful selfish "christian love" which is nothing but a mockery to our God and our Faith, and to the world! May God give you His Understanding as you learn what it really is to LOVE one anther as He LOVES us!

Submit to God, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you

Jam 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jam 4:8
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

1Th 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

1Th 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Th 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.

1Th 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.

1Th 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1Th 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1Th 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:24
Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

1Th 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.

Consider these facts:
Jas. 1:13. God tempts no one.

1 Chron. 21:1. The devil is the author of temptation.

Jas. 1:14. We are tempted through our lusts.

1 Tim. 6:9, 10. Covetousness causes many to fall.

Matt. 4:4, 7, 10. Temptation can be resisted by the word of God.

1Cor. 10:13. God will not suffer His people to be tempted above what they areable to bear.

2 Peter 2:9. God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.

Pray that we may be delivered from any temptations and that we may abstain even from even the appearance of evil so that we may accomplish the mission He has for us.

The Battle is real and the Enemy may only be defeated by GOD in us

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Eph 6:12

It is extremely important that the true character of the usurper, and his real object, must be understood by all.”


Eze 28:12-17
12. Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14. Thou [art] the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15. Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Notice these facts about our great and horrible Adversary
Eze. 28:15. Was perfect when created.
Eze. 28:12. Full of wisdom, perfect in beauty.
Eze. 28:14. Covering cherub.
Eze. 28:17. Proud of his beauty.
Eze. 28:17. Pride ruined his wisdom.
Isa. 14:13. Coveted higher position.
Isa. 14:14. Coveted the throne of God.
Rev. 12:7. Other angels affected.
Rev. 12:7. Christ and loyal angels fought against Satan and his angels.
Rev. 12:8. Satan was defeated.
Isa. 14:12. Satan cast out of heaven.
Rev. 12:9. His angels cast out with him.
Rev. 12:9. Cast to this earth.
Gen. 3:1-6. He caused our first parents to sin.
Rom. 6:16. Gained Adam’s dominion.
Eph. 2:2. Prince of the power of the air.
John 14:30. The Saviour called him the prince of this world.


1Ti 4:1-3
1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3. Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Therefore:
James 4:7-11
7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Eph 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Eph 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Eph 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Eph 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God's Counsel to Business People

Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.
Proverbs 3:9,10
9. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Pay an honest tithe.
Mal 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Never be surety for debts.
Pro 22:26
Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

He that is surety. . . shall smart for it.
Pro 11:15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

He is snared who is surety for either friend or stranger.
Pro 6:1
1. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2. Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

One void of understanding is surety for a friend.
Pro 17:18
A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Owe no man anything.
Rom 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Borrower is servant to the lender.
Pro 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

If you borrow and the goods are damaged in your hands, make them good.
Exd 22:14,15
14. And if a man borrow [ought] of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof [being] not with it, he shall surely make [it] good.
15. [But] if the owner thereof [be] with it, he shall not make [it] good: if it [be] an hired [thing], it came for his hire.

The diligent gain riches.
Pro 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

He that tilleth land shall have plenty.
Pro 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.

Never work with blunt tools.
Ecc 10:10
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.

Be diligent in looking after your flocks and herds.
Pro 27:23
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.

Prov. 11:25. The liberal soul shall be made fat.
Pro 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Lev. 25:35-37. Never take usury from a poor brother.

Deut. 23:19, 20. You can receive interest on money lent a stranger.

Titus 3:14, margin. Be sure you profess an honest trade.

Hab. 2:15. The liquor-seller is cursed.

Prov. 10:4. He becometh poor that deals with a slack hand.

Prov. 20:4. The sluggard shall have nothing.

Prov. 19:15. An idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Prov. 22:16; 28:8. “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches. . . shall surely come to want.”

Matt. 7:12. Keep the Golden Rule.

Micah 6:8. Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.

GOD's Business Principles

I believe that every business transaction should include the presence of God. Religion and business are not two separate things; they are one.

We should be honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

We should be willing in all things to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

We should not be slothful in business.
Rom 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Diligence in business wins respect.
Pro 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

Study to do your own business.
1Th 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

We must have just measurers and weights.
Lev 19:35,36
35. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt

We are never to rob nor oppress the poor.
Pro 22:22
Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

We are never to afflict widows or orphans.
Exd 22:22,23
22. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

We should not vex nor oppress a stranger.
Exd 22:21
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Pay hired help fairly as promised and do not rob him.
Lev 19:13
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Never should we steal nor deal falsely.
Lev 19:11
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

God will punish those who do not regard the above principles.
Mal 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Ill-gotten riches do not profit.
Jer 17:11
[As] the partridge sitteth [on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Know this, that such riches are corrupted.
James 5:1-6
1. Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].
2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6. Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.

Riches profit not in the day of wrath.
Isa 2:17
17. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
18. And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
19. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
20. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made [each one] for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
Rev 6:15
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Pro 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Luke 12:20, 21. It is foolish to lay up treasure and not be rich toward God.
Luke 12:20,21
20. But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21. So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Some men rob God.
Mal 3:8
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Those who rob God should know that they are cursed.
Mal 3:9
Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Secret Prayer

I am so pleased that God has given us a peek into the work in heaven by telling us about the angels. I have noticed that this past year, every time I go to study the work of God's angels, he gives me so much more. Praise God.

Now I want to share what I have learned about the benefits of secret prayer.

If we grow in grace, we must have seasons of secret communion with the Lord.
Mat 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

If the day is crowded with cares, we can do as the Saviour did,– arise before daylight in the morning and spend the time alone with God.
Mar 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

The Saviour also spent time alone with the Father after the perplexities of the day were past.
Mat 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

At “evening, and morning, and at noon” there should be special seasons of prayer.
Psa 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

We may pray during the day or night.
Psa 88:1,2
1. [[A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.]] O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee:
2. Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

We should be in a prayerful frame of mind continually.
1Th 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

It is the privilege of the Christian to know that his prayer is heard.
Job 22:27,28
27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

The Lord is pleased when we plead and "remind" Him of the promises He has made to us.
Isa 43:26
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

God invites us to produce our cause, and bring forth our strong reasons.
Isa 41:21
Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong [reasons], saith the King of Jacob.

We should be comfortable asking the Lord to teach us how to pray.
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

The Holy Spirit presents the prayer of the broken and contrite heart before God in an acceptable manner.
Rom 8:26,27
26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

There is life in earnest prayer.
Amo 5:4
For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

We should always thank the Lord for what He has done for us when we present our requests for greater blessings.
Phl 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

I really like the way the modern New Living Translation has rendered these verses in Phillipians 4:4-7
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!
5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

An Angel of Prophecy

The angel Gabriel stands in presence of God.
Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

The angel Gabriel appeared in vision to Daniel.
Dan 9:21
Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

There is none but Michael, or Christ, that unite with Gabriel in revealing prophecy.
Dan 10:21
But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Four steps in giving prophecy; 1st , God; 2nd , Christ; 3rd , angel; 4th , the prophet.
Rev 1:1-3
1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3. Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand

The angel Gabriel is Christ’s own angel.
Rev 22:6
And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.

The angel Gabriel strengthened Him in the garden, and called Him from the grave.
Luk 22:43
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Mat 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

The angel Gabriel not only reveals prophecy, but explains it to the prophets.
Dan 8:15-25
15. And it came to pass, when I, [even] I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
16. And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this [man] to understand the vision.
17. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.
18. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
19. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end [shall be].
20. The ram which thou sawest having [two] horns [are] the kings of Media and Persia.
21. And the rough goat [is] the king of Grecia: and the great horn that [is] between his eyes [is] the first king.
22. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
23. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25.And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Dan 9:21-26
21. Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22. And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25. Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

The angel Gabriel also influences individuals to work for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Dan 10:20
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
Dan 11:1
Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, [even] I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

When the time came for the fulfillment of the prophecy, Gabriel announced the fact to one who should fulfill it.
Isa 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Luke 1:26-38
26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.
29. And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The angel Gabriel comes from the presence of God to the one interested in the fulfillment of prophecy.
Luke 1:5-20
5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth.
6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.
8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12. And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

“His angel” goes before the one interested in carrying out the plan of God.
Gen 24:1-48
1. And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3. And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4. But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6. And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7. The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9. And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that women go out to draw [water].
12. And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13. Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14. And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16. And the damsel [was] very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17. And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18. And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw [water] for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw [water], and drew for all his camels.
21. And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
22. And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold;
23. And said, Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge in?
24. And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25. She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26. And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
27. And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
28. And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her mother's house these things.
29. And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
30. And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
31. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32. And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that [were] with him.
33. And there was set [meat] before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
34. And he said, I [am] Abraham's servant.
35. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
36. And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
37. And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38. But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
39. And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40. And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
41. Then shalt thou be clear from [this] my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee [one], thou shalt be clear from my oath.
42. And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43. Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44. And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: [let] the same [be] the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
45. And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew [water]: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46. And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her [shoulder], and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47. And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

The fellow servant of John, the prophets, and those who keep the sayings of Revelation. Gabriel is the servant and will go before the individual who will give his life to assist in fulfilling the prophecies of Revelation.
Rev 22:9
Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.