1-- Rfbss #5-- Christian Character Traits And Challenges

Revival for Bible Studying Series #5 Thought Provoking Bible Studies About the Christian Character Traits and Challenges (developed by Bill Stevenson) Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….…1 Bible Study #1: Abnormal True Children of God.…...……..……………………………………….1 Bible Study #2: About Perfectionism.…………………..…………………………..……………….2 Bible Study #3: Christian Character Qualities with Scripture References…..………..……………..6 Bible Study #4: 12 “Blessed”s and Christian Character Traits...…………...…..……..……………..9 Bible Study #5: Christian Character Traits Stated and Implied in 2 Peter…………..……………...11 Accelerated Christian Education’s List of Sixty Christian Character Traits..……….…..….………12 Bible Study #6: A New Way for Introspection.………………………………………………....…..13 Bible Study #7: Two Study Guides of the Epistle of James……………………….………………..14 Bible Study #8: About Pride and Humbleness ……………………………………………...………16 Bible Study #9: Against Selfishness………………………………………………………………....28 Bible Study #10: Three Revelation 2-3 Studies …………………...……………………………….......51 Introduction: One of my main concerns is that most Christian churches don’t have very much Bible teaching. So I have tried to encourage many to study the Bible more and even begin home group Bible studies. Recently, I have had opportunities to share about my logical indent method of formatting Scripture with some leaders in a world-wide denomination and they thought it was good and could help the indicated Bible study revival. In the last part of August 2007, I re-organized about 140 complete and partial Bible studies for making some MS Word files of Bible studies which could be used as “springboards” for personal or group Bible studies. Hope that you will enjoy all that follows. Bible Study #1 Abnormal True Children of God (Compiled by Bill Stevenson) Abnormal= “not normal; deviant” Deviant= “differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of society” Suggestions: Do not do this study in one sitting. You probably will need at least three sessions. Before looking up the Scripture, take some time to first think about and list what characteristics a normal secular person has. Then list what characteristics do your secular friends have. And list what kinds of things do they talk about and what kinds of things do they do? Finally, look at each of the Bible references to figure out the abnormal characteristics of true born-again Christians. Matthew 18:3-4 1 Peter 1:2-5 & 7-9 2 Timothy 1:9-10 Galatians 2:16-21 Titus 2:14 Hebrews 12:2-3 1 Corinthians 2:16 & Philippians 2:5-8 Philippians 3:7-11 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 & 9:8 Romans 5:17 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 & 3:1 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

1 John 2:5, 3:24, & 4:12 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Hebrews 12:28 2 Corinthians 3:5 & Philippians 4:11-12 & 19 Hebrews 13:5-6 2 Thessalonians 3:5 Philippians 4:6-7 Hebrews 13:20-21 Philippians 2:13 Hebrews 12:7-11 Ephesians 3:16-20

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1 John 5:14-15 Philippians 4:13 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 & Philippians 1:6 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Romans 8:3-6 Ephesians 2:18-22 1 Peter 2:5 & 9 Romans 5:1 & 17 Romans 8:28-39 Hebrews 10:19-22 Ephesians 3:8-12 Exodus 33:11-34:8 Colossians 1:9-12 Ephesians 1:17-21 2 Peter 1:2-4 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 John 6 1 Peter 2:3-10 Matthew 11:25-30 Galatians 2:20b & 5:1, 22-23 Romans 8:1 Romans 6:2-6 Philippians 1:6 Romans 6:12-23 Philippians 4:6-7

Hebrews 12:1-11 Romans 12:1-2 Ephesians 4:13-15 1 Corinthians 15:58 Philippians 1:20 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 & 1 John 4:18 2 Timothy 1:7 Romans 5:3-5 Ephesians 6:10, 13, & 16 2 Thessalonians 3:3 2 Timothy 4:18 & 1 Corinthians 10:13 James 1:2-5 & Matthew 5:11-16 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 & Philippians 4:13 & 4 Hebrews 4:16 1 Peter 5:7 Hebrews 1:13-14 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 2 Corinthians 2:14 Ephesians 2:7-10 Colossians 1:10-14 Jude 24 Colossians 3:4 & 24 2 Peter 3:13 Hebrews 6:17-20 & 12:22-24

In conclusion, read Revelation 21-22 and respond to what it states personally to you. If you want my responses, just send an e-mail request to [email protected].

Bible Study #2 About Perfectionism (by Bill Stevenson, 4/28 & 30/05) I am sure you know what perfectionism means. In what forms can it be obtained or nearly accomplished by human beings? Have you scored 100% right on a test or quiz in school? Have you seen a gymnast or diving board athlete do what seemed to you a flawless performance in an event? Have you read a book (other than the Bible) that seemed perfect or watched a movie or TV program that seemed to have no mistakes? Last year, I saw a concert of a Russian Jewish father and son team. The son played piano wonderfully and the father played the clarinet and the saxophone wonderfully. It seemed that there performance in the Baptist church was perfect: I didn’t notice any mistakes. I have heard and played in many music performances, but that concert was the best in quality until now. What I heard last night in a Catholic church with maybe the best organ in Hanover (if not Germany) was the closest to perfection that I have ever witnessed!! It was a concert performed by a Russian organist and a German piccolo and flute player. My best music performing has been with the flute and the piccolo. These two specially gifted and talented played 7 wonderful music compositions covering the time periods of the 1600s up to 1938. They had wonderful non-verbal communication with each other using face and body movements. The organist had such even with the page turner who was helping him. The flute player had a good attitude it seemed, but he gave no indication that he is a Christian. (The organist didn’t talk at all because he apparently doesn’t know the German language.) How many non-Christian performers do you know of who seem to

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have very good attitudes, better than most of the people you go to church with? How many Christian musicians you have seen have arrogant or prideful attitudes. The flutist is 59 years old and the organist is older. They both seemed to have been able to use most of their lives for what they loved most, music. Can you say that for your life? Or do you know of others who have been able to spend most of their awake time using their best abilities? The flutist was thankful for his past life. He and the organist have had concerts which helped people understand that others they thought were horribly different and enemies were in reality as human as they are and enjoyed good music too. The flutist said that they both have been in contests that require the extreme of perfectionism or their will be criticisms. He indicated that he had a stress-filled life, but enjoyed doing what he loves. He apparently has two stress relievers: a special friendship and drawing in relating to music. He mentioned why that he let a Japanese lady in the audience hold his flute for him (while he was playing the piccolo upstairs in the back of the church near the huge pipe organ). He had met her when she was a child and later unexpectedly was contacted by her many years later via Internet e-mail. He also demonstrated how he does impressionistic drawing, using both of his hand separately and together, during the final organ solo. The resulting picture showed a building in the background and 4 people in front of it. I think he used black chalk. He does such to give him a rest from music perfectionism. The organist of the church and host of the program gave him a big sketching pad. Did you ever get very stressed about performing anything? I have. One time I even forgot the final chords for Beethoven’s Fantasia piano composition that I had memorized. What do you do to recover from stress? Does perfectionism always have to involve stress? But even after the flutist did the drawing and even as he was speaking about his Japanese lady friend, I did not see any indication that he had peace and joy as Romans 14:17 and Philippians 4:6-7 indicate. And I have seen only a very few true Christian special music performers who had peace and joy. What about you, either in performing or observing of others doing such? Going on to more spiritual aspects of perfectionism: Some preachers teach that true Christians reach perfection or have all of their dreams fulfilled. No human being can become totally perfect in everything he or she thinks, says, or does. We can be perfect for very brief times. Some preachers have had sermons about perfectionism and declare it as a sin. I could understand why, because most of the time the people attempting to be perfect are doing it for selfish reasons, usually to impress others. Also, they are striving humanistically; in other words, being self guided instead of Holy Spirit guided. But can striving to be perfect be God-pleasing? First before I deal with that, think about how is the Bible supposed to be perfect, which makes it different from any other book? In the ways of perfection that come to mind in answering the previous question, using the Bible, how can you learn the perfectionism of God the Father and the Jesus Christ? What should you focus on in the Scriptures? Does God expect perfection before one becomes an adopted child of His? No!!!! Romans makes that perfectly clear. So what does God expect after an individual becomes “born again”. Isn’t sanctification going forward to perfectionism? Yes!!! Christ-likeness, especially in thinking, should be the daily aspiration of each true Christian. Someone said that a true Christian in relation to Jesus Christ should be like the Moon is to the Sun. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence {and} your praiseworthy, noble, {and} good deeds and recognize {and} honor {and} praise {and} glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.” John 8:12 says, “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, ‘I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.’” Ephesians 5:8-18 8 “For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. 9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light {or the Spirit} [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].

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Take no part in {and} have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds {and} enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose {and} reprove {and} convict them. For it is a shame even to speak of {or} mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. But when anything is exposed {and} reproved by the light, it is made visible {and} clear; and where everything is visible {and} clear there is light. Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you {and} give you light. Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully {and} worthily {and} accurately, not as the unwise {and} witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague {and} thoughtless {and} foolish, but understanding {and} firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled {and} stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

Before going on, reread the previous very important Bible passage and try to make a personal commitment translation of it. How does it relate to Bible and Holy Spirit urged perfectionism? Jesus Christ is 100% perfect. God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also 100% perfect. Most human fathers are far from perfect and that is why so many have the wrong image of God the Father. Jesus Christ said in John 16 that the Holy Spirit was to teach believers all truth and so if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the perfect Book, can’t we think, say, and do perfect things? I believe and know so (from experiences). If true Christians are ambassadors of God, part of God’s New Covenant holy priesthood, and bound for two destinations of no sin, then it should be their common goal to think and do perfectly. This could be thought of as spiritual perfectionism because we love the Godhead and the Bible so much. What about your present situation? Note:

In this paper, I decided to use verses from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible so that I don’t have to expound on the carefully chosen Scripture. The thought-provoking questions are another teaching tool I use. Learning by reasoning will most likely be remembered.

Would Jesus ask anyone anything that could not be done? Matthew 5:48 Jesus told Jews, “You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of Godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” What kind of perfections are indicated in this verse? John 17:13 Jesus Christ told God the Father about His human disciples, “And now I am coming to You;

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I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full {and} complete {and} perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].” Why is God’s will perfect and how can you prove it is? Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, {even} the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” What is perfection in church relating? Would the Apostle Paul urge something that is impossible? How can it be done? 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 “God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship {and} participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. But I urge {and} entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony {and} full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions {or} factions {or} divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions {and} judgments.” Do you have any experiences of such divine happening in your life? 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for {My} strength {and} power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) {and show themselves most effective} in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses {and} infirmities, that the strength {and} power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 1 Timothy 1:16 “But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth {and} display all His perfect long-suffering {and} patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.” What perfection is promised and to whom? Hebrews 12:22-24 “But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, and to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in Heaven, and

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to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in Heaven) who have been made perfect, and to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better {and} nobler {and} more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].” How can one become a perfect teacher of God’s truths then? Consider about such in church and via the Internet. James 3:1-2 “Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard {and} with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. For we all often stumble {and} fall {and} offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], He (or she) is a fully developed character {and} a perfect man (or woman), able to control his (or her) whole body {and} to curb his (or her) entire nature.” What is perfect confidence? When and why will it happen? How can you continue to go towards obtaining such? 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have {and} enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed {and} shrink from Him at His coming. If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father's will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [God].” Finally, skim the article at http://www.biblicaltheism.com/0402beperfect.htm . Hopefully onward towards God-pleasing perfection!!!!!!!

Bible Study #3 Christian Character Qualities with Scripture References (compiled by Bill Stevenson) Note: I developed this list after I indexed a three volume anthology using A. C. E.'s 60 character traits and studying Bill Gothard's list of 36 character traits. In 2007, I finally searched for appropriate Scripture for each one. It can be used for self assessment and as a Bible study “springboard”. Married couples can use it to improve or revive their marriage. There is a discussion leader’s edition of this. If you want it, just send an e-mail request to [email protected].

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Directions: For each character trait, after looking up all of the Scriptures, introspect and use a 1-5 or 1-10 system with the higher number meaning either already done or all of the time. 1.

2. 3. 4.

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Attentive: desire to listen and to be respectful. Luke 19:47-48, John 5:24, John 8:47, John 10:25-30, Revelation 3:19-21, John 18:37, Matthew 13:8-9, (Matthew 13:1-23 or Mark 4), Luke 11:28, Matthew 7:24-27, Acts 10:21-22 & 33, Acts 13:42-44, James 1:19, Hebrews 2:1, Luke 21:34-36, Revelation 1:3, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11 (Revelations 2:17 & 29, 3:6, 13, & 22), Revelation 22:16-19 Available: desire to be flexible and generous with time. Luke 2:41-49, Mark 17-18, Titus 3:1-2, 1 Peter 3:15-16, Acts 19:8-11, Acts 20:31 Careful: desire to be accurate and efficient. Philippians 4:10, Titus 3:7-11 Compassionate: desire to be sensitive and loving. Proverbs 15:23 & 30, Matthew 10:35-38, Romans 12:9-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:1-10, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-5, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Peter 3:8-9, 1 Peter 3:8-9 & 15, 1 John 3:16-19, Jude 21-23 Consistent: desire to be orderly and to usually remember. Job 11:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 3:12-15, Hebrews 10:19-25 Content: desire to be thankful and peaceful. Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:6-11, Hebrews 13:4-6 Cooperative: desire to work with others. Psalm 133:1-3, Ephesians 4:1-7, Colossians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 Creative: desire to pray for new ideas and to be resourceful. Genesis 4:20-22, Isaiah 57:19, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Also, think about the making of the tabernacle in Exodus and the songs that David created in Psalms, and how creative God has been. Decisive: desire to discern right and wrong according to God's Word. Psalm 25:10-12, Proverbs 1:29-30, Isaiah 7:14-15, Romans 12:2, Romans 13:12-14, Galatians 5:2223, Colossians 3:8-17, 1 Peter 1:13-15, 1 Peter 3:8-17 Dependable: desire to be responsible and punctual. Matthew 25:21 & 23 ff, 2 Corinthians 8:20-22, Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:23 Enduring: desire to keep healthy and to be persevering. Psalms 33:20-21, Psalm 43:4-5, Proverbs 3:7-8, Proverbs 4:20-23, Proverbs 12:17-19, Proverbs 16:24, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 12:9-13, Hebrews 6:11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:5-8, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:21-23, 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 10:23-25, Hebrews 10:35-39, Hebrews 12:12-13, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 3 John 3, Revelation 14:12 Faithful: desire to be loyal and responsible. Deuteronomy 7:8-10, Psalm 37:3-6, Psalm 101:6-7, Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 18:24, Daniel 6:4, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 3:1-6, Hebrews 4:14-16, Revelation 17:14, Luke 19 Flexible: desire to change without compromising standards. Read about Saul and Ananias in Acts 9, Cornelius and the Apostle Peter in Acts 10, more about Peter, Barnabas, and Saul in Acts 11, more about the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Acts13-14, about the Circumcision controversy in Acts 15 & Galatians 2, more about the Apostle Paul in Acts 16-20. This trait is also related to contentment (# 6). Forgiving: desire to feel sorry and to be considerate. Matthew 6:14-15, Genesis 37 & 45, Matthew 18:15-16, 2 Corinthians 2:4-11 Generous: desire to pray and give anything. Deuteronomy 15:7-8, Deuteronomy 16:17, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Gentle: desire to be considerate and patient. Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Titus 3:1-2, James 3:17

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Hopeful: desire to be thankful for God's control and promises. Psalm 33:18-21, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 43:4-5, Psalms 71:14-15, Psalm 119:81-82, 114, 116-117, 147148, & 166, Psalm 130:5, Psalm 147:11, Proverbs 10:27-28, Proverbs 23:17-18, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Lamentations 3:21-24, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:23-25, Romans 12:10-13, Romans 15:4 & 13, Galatians 5:5, Colossians 1:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Titus 1:1-2, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 1:13-15, 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Peter 3:15-17 18. Joyful: desire to be happy and enthusiastic. 1 Corinthians 13:6, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 43:4-5, Psalm 71:23, Psalm 94:19, Psalms 126:3 & 5, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 1:8, Psalm 149:4-5, Romans 15:13-14, Psalm 19:8, Psalm 119:111, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalms 68:3, Psalms 97:11, Proverbs 10:28, John 15:10-11, Hebrews 1:9, Proverbs 12:20, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 15:30, Isaiah 29:18-20, Luke 10:17, John 16:20, Romans 12:12, Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:18-21, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8, 1 James 1:2-4, 3 John 3 19. Kind: desire to be friendly and considerate. Luke 6:35-36, Romans 12:10-13, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Ephesians 4:31-32 20. Meek: desire to be humble and patient. Numbers 12:3, Psalm 22:26, Psalm 25:9-10, Psalm 147:5-6, Psalm 149:4-5, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, Zephaniah 2:1-3, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 29:18-20, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 21:4-5, Proverbs 16:18-19, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 18:1-4, Matthew 23:10-13, Matthew 5:3-10, Galatians 5:22-23, James 4:6 (Proverbs 3:34)-10, 1 Peter 5:5-7 21. Obedient: desire to be submissive and to learn from doing. Deuteronomy 13:4, Hebrews 5:8-9, Matthew 11:29-30, James 4:7, Romans 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:1-5, Philippians 3:15-16, Hebrews 13:17, Colossians 3:18-24, 1 Peter 5:5-7 22. Patient: desire to wait on God for changes. Ecclesiastes 7:7-9, Luke 8:15, Romans 15:1-6, Colossians 1:9-11, James 1:2-4, 2 Peter 1:2-8, Romans 2:5-11, Romans 8:23-27, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, James 5:7-8, Hebrews 10:35-36, Romans 5:1-5, Luke 21:19, 1 Thessalonians 1:3-6, Romans 12:10-15, 1 Timothy 6:10-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, 1 Timothy 3:2-3, Titus 2:2-5, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 12:1-4, James 5:10-11, 2 Timothy 3:10-12, Revelation 1:9 23. Purposeful: desire to do what God wants. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 & 13-17, Ecclesiastes 8:6a, 1 Corinthians 3:6-15, 2 Timothy 1:7-14, 1 John 3:78, Acts 11:19-24, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:8-12, Proverbs 15:20-24, 1 Peter 4:17-19, Psalm 119:9-12 24. Respectful: desire to be reverent to God, and proper authorities, and other people. Psalm 145:3-5, Psalm 119:6-8 & 13-16, Romans 13:7, Ephesians 6:2-3, 1 Peter 2:17, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Leviticus 19:14-15, James 2:1-9, 1 Corinthians 12:20-27, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Peter 3:7-8, Philippians 2 25. Righteous: desire to be like Jesus Christ was when He was on Earth in human form. Proverbs 2:20-22, Proverbs 4:14-19, Zephaniah 2:3, Matthew 5:6 & 16-20, Romans 14:16-19, Luke17:20-21, Ephesians 5:1-17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 5:19-26, Ephesians 6:12-14, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, Romans 1-6, Philippians 2, Ephesians 4-5 26. Spirit-submissive: desire to obey the Holy Spirit's guidance. Proverbs 3:5-7, Ephesians 5:18-21, John 14:26, 15:26, & 16:7-14, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 15:1314, Philippians 2:1-5, Titus 3:3-7, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, Romans 8:1-15, Galatians 5:16-25, 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, 2 Corinthians 13:14 27. Thankful: desire to be observant and appreciative. 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 105:1-5, Philippians 4:4-7, Colossians 2:6-8, Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:15b-18, Hebrews 13:15-16, Psalm 97:10-12, Psalm 79:9 & 13, Ephesians 5:3-4 28. Thorough: desire to do everything necessary for success. Colossians 4:12-13, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 2:6-10, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 29. Thrifty: desire to use and purchase things properly. 2 Samuel 24:15-25, Matthew 6:24-34, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:32-37, Luke 16:10, Luke 14:28-30, 2 Corinthians 3:4, 2 Corinthians 8:20-22, Philippians 4:15-19, Revelations 3:14-22

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Tolerant: desire to understand others' viewpoints, not putting up with others' sins. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, Acts 9-10, Matthew 11:23, Romans 1:17-32, Matthew 5:17-30, Galatians 5:15-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Why was Jesus Christ ridiculed for the men He chose to be as His close disciples? Why was He criticized and scorned for ministering to the woman at the well, the lepers, Zacchaeus, Mary (sister of Lazarus), and others? Why should a Christian be against having prejudice or any forcing others to have the same preferences? When does God become tolerant of a sinner? Truthfulness: desire to be honest and sincere. Proverbs 8:6-9, Proverbs 12:17-20, Psalm 15:2, Psalm 25:10, Psalm 45:4a, Ephesians 4:20-25, Luke 8:15, Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 5:8, 1 John 3:18-19, 3 John 3-4, Ephesians 4:14-16, Ephesians 5:6-10 & 14, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Romans 12:17, 2 Corinthians 8:20-22, 2 Corinthians 13:7-8, 1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 1:9-11 Wise: desire to understand and apply God's truth. Psalm 19:7-8, Psalm 107:43, Proverbs 1:1-7, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 8:33, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 15:7, Proverbs 16:21-24, Proverbs 14:16, Proverbs 14:1, Proverbs 9:8-12, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 17:27-28, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 24:5, Proverbs 3:35

Bible Study #4 12 “Blessed”s and Christian Character Traits Note:

In this study, I decided to use verses from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible so that I don’t have to expound on the carefully chosen Scripture. I did some bolding of what I thought was the most important to think about. Look at each of the Beatitudes for hints about what you could do to improve your thinking and your behavior in relating to others.

Matthew 5: “1 And seeing the multitudes, He [Jesus Christ] went up on a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him. 2 And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 ‘Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous-with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and Salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!’” from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary-POOR, a. [L. pauper.] 4. Destitute of value, worth or importance; of little use; trifling. 7. Of little worth; unimportant; as in my poor opinion. 8. Unhappy; pitiable. “4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! 5 Blessed are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering) for they shall inherit the Earth! 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!’” from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary-MER'CIFUL, a. [from mercy.] Having or exercising mercy; compassionate; tender; disposed to pity offenders and to forgive their offenses; unwilling to punish for injuries; applied

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appropriately to the Supreme being. The Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. Exodus 34 MER'CY, n. [L. misericordia.] 1 That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being. The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Numbers 14. from Romans 12: 8d if it is showing mercy, let him [or her] do it cheerfully. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. [“Be of the same mind toward one another.”] Do not be proud, [“Do not set your mind on high things.”] but be willing to associate with people of low position [the humble]. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay”, says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him [or her]; if he [or she] is thirsty, give him [or her] something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his [or her] head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Matthew 5: “8

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!’”

1 Peter 1:21-23 “Who by Him [Jesus Christ] do believe in God [the Father], that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Holy Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Matthew 5: “9

‘Blessed are the makers {and} maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the children of God!

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Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven! 11 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. 12 Be glad {and} supremely joyful, for your reward in Heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you.’” [See 2 Chronicles 36:16 and 2 Corinthians 4:15-18.] “16 ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven. [See Ephesians 2:8-10.] 20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.’” In relation to the last two verses: True Christians should have the right motives for doing righteousness, which are because they love Jesus Christ (John 14:23-24) and are not trying to impress others. For more thinking or discussion 1.) Reread the Beatitudes and think of your spiritual testimony. 2.) Reread the Beatitudes and think of the development of a few of your beliefs/convictions.

Bible Study #5 Christian Character Traits Stated and Implied in 2 Peter (Compiled by Bill Stevenson-- March 17, 1998) Directions: Personally relate to the following by writing at least one comment about each item and respond to the other related Scripture references indicated in the note after item 21. 1. servants: unselfish living for others [1:1] 2. receivers of divine faith because of the righteousness of God [1:1, 2:5b & 7] 3. receivers of divine grace and divine peace, possibly abundantly via the knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ (which should be daily increased) [1:2 & 3:18] 4. content and thankful because all needs (not all desires), especially for righteousness, are fullfilled (misspelled on purpose) by divine power via the knowledge of Jesus Christ (which should be daily increased) [1:3] 5. called or specially chosen by the example and glory of Jesus Christ [1:3] 6. receivers of very great and precious promises which enable believers to experience in the divine nature instead of the fallen sinful/selfish nature and not be a slave to the evil desires caused corruption of our society [1:4; 2:8-9; 3:9-15a] 7. eager to increase and increasing in faith living (complete trust in Holy Spirit and Scriptural guidance), goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, righteousness, compassionate/caring kindness, and God’s special/forever/unselfish love [1:5-8] 8. being transformed via repentance (proper change) and remembering forgiven past sins via Salvation and living 1 John 1:9 [1:9] 9. eager to be as Christ-like as possible to exemplify what pleases God [1:10; 3:11-12a & 14], not creatures of instinct (acting like animals) [2:12b & 3:3]

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1. confident about the wonderful success and future Heavenly fellowship God promises [1:11] 2. never upset about being reminded of the above [1:12-15; 3:1-2, 5, & 17-18] 3. careful discerners of right and wrong communication, not believers of and followers of (living according to) cleverly invented stories [1:16 & 3:17-18] 4. acknowledgers of the majesty, honor, and glory Jesus Christ received from God the Father [1:16-17 & 3:18] 5. believers of the truths of the Apostles, including the explanations of the Bible prophesies’ origins and God’s (past and future) promised judgments [1:16-2:3-22 & 3:3-16]; avoiders of false teachers, false prophets, and other wicked people [2:15-16 & 3:16c-17] 6. careful and open communicators of constructive divine truth (not man created theories or destructive criticism) [2:1 & 19-22] 7. examples of God’s ways for proper relationships, not shameful (avoiding any appearances of evil) bad examples of New Testament Christianity [2:2] 8. generous (not greedy) whenever Holy Spirit urged and non-strings-attached (non-exploiting) teachers (using only true and appropriate stories) [2:3 & 14c] 9. submissive to individuals of authority and laws/rules as long as not being asked or demanded to say or do something unrighteous [2:10b] 10. bold only when Holy Spirit urged (not with any arrogance, pride, slander, false accusations, blasphemy, or ignorance) [2:10c-12a & 17-18a] 11. as kind as possible, not harmful even in entertainment activities and not mockers of the righteous (true Christians) [2:13 & 3:3-4] 12. faithful to Christian marriage without sexual lusting and seducing [2:14a-b & 18b] Note:

Read and relate the above to Psalms 37 & 73, 2 Corinthians 4, and John 15.

Accelerated Christian Education’s List of Sixty Christian Character Traits (specially arranged by Bill Stevenson in 1981) Part 2 Directions: Personally relate to the following breakdown of Christ-like qualities. Why do you think each is located where it is? Which are your main qualities? Which do you live often or as much as possible? 1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

dominant-- ideal Christian shepherd compassionate, confident, consistent, discreet, efficient, equitable, friendly, generous, gentle, honest, joyful, merciful, observant, optimistic, patient, peaceful, persuasive, prudent, purposeful, resourceful, responsible, sincere, tactful, thrifty, truthful, and virtuous. aggressive-- ideal Christian soldier or husbandman appreciate, compassionate, courageous creative, decisive, determined, diligent, discreet, friendly, generous, honest, perseverant, persuasive, resourceful, secure, selfcontrolled, thorough, thrifty, and virtuous. subservient-- ideal servant of the Lord attentive, available, committed, concerned, consistent, cooperative, dependable, diligent, faithful, flexible, humble, kind, loyal, meek, peaceful, responsible, reverent, self-controlled, sincere, submissive, thorough, truthful, and virtuous. defensive-- ideal steadfast Christian sojourner consistent, content, deferent, discerning, discreet, equitable, fair, forgiving, gentle, joyful, loyal, optimistic, patient, perseverant, self-controlled, tactful, temperate, tolerant, and virtuous.

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Bible Study #6 A New Way for Introspection (by Bible Lover Bill, September 2, 2005) The Holy Spirit mentioned the word “priorities” last night just before I went to bed. I told Him that I already done an inventory of my abilities. He said that wasn’t the need for me and for some of those on email list. He suggested doing a self-inventory in relation to the following list “The Commandments of Jesus” (compiler unknown). I was surprised because I thought I would do something more related to the Great Commission. I had a hard time getting to sleep Thursday night because this excited me. I knew that the results would help me. Below is my first phase before reading the Scriptures. 1

Topic Area Searching the Scriptures

2

Faith

3

Believe (Trust for Your Life)

4 5

The New Birth ("Born Again From Above") Receiving the Holy Spirit

6

Repentance (Change)

7

Following Jesus

8

Supreme Love to God

9

Prayer

10

Unselfish Love from God the Father

11

Meekness (Humbleness)

12

Against Covetousness

13

Against Hypocrisy

14

Wisdom

15

Letting Your "Light" Shine

16

Our Duty to God and Others

17

Our Love for Other Christians

18 19

Our Duty to Our "Neighbor" Preaching the Gospel

20

Preparing to be Faithful Unto Death

1-10 9

Scripture Matthew 7:15-17 & 16:6-12; Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18 & 9:44; John 5:39 & 15:20 9 Matthew 6:25-34 & 14:27; Mark 5:36 & 11:22; Luke 12:4-7 & 29; John 14:1-27 & 20:27 9 Mark 1:5 & 11:24; John 6:28-29, 10:37-38, 12:36, 14:1 & 11 10 Matthew 12:33 & 23:26; Mark 9:50; Luke 10:20; John 3:7, 6:27, & 15:4 10 Mark 7:27; Luke 11:5-13 & 24:49; John 7:37-38, 14:15-17, 15:26, 16:24, & 20:22 7 Matthew 4:17 (Revelation 2:5), 6:33, 7:7, 11:25 & 28, & 16:24; Luke 13:24 7 Matthew 3:13-15, 7:24, 11:29, & 28:19; Luke 9:23 & 22:17-19; John 12:26, 13:14-15, 14:23, & 15:9 8 Matthew 4:7 & 10, & 23:9; Mark 12:30; Luke 12:5, John 4:23-24 & 5:22-23 8 Matthew 6:6-8 & 9-13; Luke 6:28, 10:2, 21:36, 22:40-46; John 16:24-26 6 Matthew 5:39-41, 44, & 48, 19:21, 26:52; Luke 6:27-28 35, 12:33, 21:19 7 Matthew 11:29, 20:25, 23:8; Mark 10:43-44; Luke 10:20, 14:8-11, & 17:10 3 Matthew 5:42, 6:19-20, & 23:23; Luke 11:41, 12:15 & 14:12-13 2 Matthew 6:1-6, & 16-18, 23:2-3; Luke 12:1, 20:4647; John 2:16 7 Matthew 7:6, 10:11 & 16-17, 15:12-14; Luke 9:5, 10:10-11, 22:35-36 5 Matthew 5:16; Mark 5:19; Luke 6:36 & 11:35; John 4:35, 12:35, 15:8 & 16 6 Matthew 5:25 & 34-37, 19:5-6 & 17; Mark 4:22, 9:38-40, 12:17; Luke 10:8; John 6:12 6 Matthew 5:24, 7:1-5, 18:10-15; Mark 9:50; Luke 6:37 & 17:3-4; John 7:24 & 15:12 4 Matthew 19:17-19; Luke 6:31 1 Matthew 10:7-8 & 27, 28:19-20; Mark 4:22 & 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 21:15-17 6 Matthew 10:19 & 23; Luke 6:23 & 21:28; John 6:41; Revelation 2:10 & 3:11

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Topic Area 1-10 Scripture Ready for the Second Coming of Christ 7 Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 12:35-36, & 40, 17:31-32 & 21:8 & 34; Mark 13:5-6 & 34-37; Revelation 2:25 & 3:2-3

“In conclusion, my priorities should be”: 1 Loving God more 2 Becoming more Christ-like 3 Sharing God’s truths with others 4 Searching the Scriptures and creating Bible study tools 5 Doing intercessory prayer 6 Counsel others 7 Go against unBiblical teaching and hypocrisy Now what about your’s? First I suggest that you copy the above chart into an MS Word document or an Excel Worksheet. You could witch the order of the groups for this project in order of Christian life. After reading a group of Scripture, use a 1-5 or 1-10 system with the higher number meaning either already done or all of the time. After responding to all of the groups of Scripture, decide what are your needs for improvement and what should be your spiritual priorities and daily life priorities.

Bible Study #7 Two Study Guides of the Epistle of James Kinds of Temptations After my wife and I have been at Koinonia Church for 6 months, the pastor finished Acts on Wednesday nights. For two Wednesday nights, the head elder had preached about the Epistle of James. Then I suddenly realized a fourth possible theme of the Bible-- dealing with temptations. What is one of the main reasons for many of the commandments in the Bible, even the ones in Exodus and Leviticus? Wasn’t the Apostle Paul a good example of resisting temptations and teaching how to do such? Now be ready for more question answering and a matching exercise. I guarantee you will be blessed if you do. Better than if I “lecture” you. Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever. What are the three categories of sin? What has been or is the worse kind of temptations for you? What are the top 3 temptations for you now?

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I also was suddenly surprised to realize that the whole chapter of James 1 was about temptation. I counted 21 different kinds!! The first one is generic, but the rest are quite specific. Now please get your Bible and open it to James 1. Verse 2 says that we should be joyful when we fall into various trials! Why? Look at the next two verses before answering. Matching exercise: For each verse put the number of the appropriate kind of temptation after the verse number. Verses Answer # 3 5 6 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 17-18 19 19 19 21 22 26 27 27

Temptations blaming God deception doubt enticements faith testing getting angry quickly giving up having need humiliation keeping sin in our lives materialistic pursuits not being careful about what we say not being compassionate not doing what the Bible and the Holy Spirit tell us 15. not focusing on listening to the one speaking 16. not keeping righteous or restoring back to righteousness via 1 John 1:9 and repenting 17. not remembering what God has done for us 18. responding to quickly 19. selfishness 20. wrong thinking 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

What do Matthew 5:17-30, Matthew 11:23 & Romans 1:18-32, Galatians 5:15-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 say are temptations? Which ones are ones you have done? Which do you still have problems with? Why are 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Romans 8:28, and Proverbs 3:5-6 so important to remember when you are being tempted or tested? Study Guide for the Epistle of James For pondering-- What does theme mean to you? How would explain it to others? Why do you think I selected the verses which I considered challenging? Are they challenging for you to live? How do the cross reference verses relate to the chapter indicated? Theme: For Faith Being Manifested Properly

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Chapter 1: bad and good responses  Challenging verses for me: 2-4, 12, 19-22, & 26-27  Other verses that came to my mind: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Chapter 2: bad and good works  Challenging verses for me: 1, 5, 12, 18-20, & 26  Other verses that came to my mind: 1 Corinthians 1:27, Hebrews 6:10, & Galatians 5:22-6:2 Chapter 3: bad and good speaking  Challenging verses for me: 1-2, 8-10, 13-18  Other verses that came to my mind: 1 Corinthians 1-3 Chapter 4: bad and good lifestyle  Challenging verses for me: 4, 7-11, 15-17  Other verses that came to my mind: Psalms 25:8-10 & Romans 14:17-19 Chapter 5: bad and good hopes  Challenging verses for me: 7-10, 14-16, & 19-20  Other verses that came to my mind: Philippians 3:14-16 & 20-21, & Daniel 12:3 Two more things to ponder-Why do you think that I selected the theme? What theme would you have chosen?

Bible Study #8 About Pride and Humbleness (by Bill Stevenson) Directions:

Respond to the Bible verses and passages as indicated. I have tried to not include the controversial verses on this subject. This assignment is worth 2 units, so write at least 2 quality pages.

Pride-Note: Pride= “An undue sense of one's own superiority, arrogance; conceit”. Results in boasting. Arrogant= “Full of or characterized by excessive pride or self-esteem; overbearing; haughty.” Conceit= “Excessive self-esteem or vanity.” Boast= “To extol the deeds or abilities of oneself or of another; brag; to be excessively proud.” Look at the below verses in this first section and determine if pride and the other key words in its definition are negative or positive in God's view. David said to God, “And You will save the afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the proud, whom You bring low.” (2 Samuel 22:28) The Word of the LORD concerning Sennacherib,

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“Because of your rage against Me, and because your arrogance has come up into My ears, even I will put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in your lips. And I will turn you back by the way in which you came.” (2 Kings 19:28) God told Job, “Pour forth the rage of your wrath; and behold everyone who is proud and abase (humiliate) him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.” (Job 40:11-12) David sang, “Blessed is the man who makes Jehovah his trust and does not turn to the proud, nor to those who turn aside to a lie.” (Psalms 40:4) Asaph sang, “For I was jealous of the proud, when I saw the peace of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:3) Asaph sang, “I said to the proud, 'Do not boast'; and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn; do not lift up your horn on high; nor speak with a stiff neck.'” (Psalms 75:4-5) David sang, “O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes lofty; nor have I walked in great things, nor in things too wondrous for me.” (Psalms 131:1) Solomon said, “These six Jehovah hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked plans, feet hurrying to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who causes fighting among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19) Solomon said, “'I, wisdom, dwell with sense, and find out knowledge of discretions. The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wicked mouth.'” (Proverbs 8:12-13) Solomon said,

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“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall keep them.” (Proverbs 14:3) Solomon said, “Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud, but He will set up the border of the widow.” (Proverbs 15:25) Solomon said, “Before shattering, the heart of man is proud, and before honor is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12) Solomon said, “A proud and haughty man scorner is his name, he acts with arrogant pride.” (Proverbs 21:24) “Enter into the rock and hide in the dust for fear of Jehovah, and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the pride of men shall be bowed down, and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of Jehovah of Hosts shall be on every proud and lofty one, and on every lifted up one; and he shall be brought low.” (Isaiah 2:10-12) “And Jehovah says, 'Because the daughters of Zion are proud (or haughty), and have walked with stretched out necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet; therefore Jehovah will strike with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and Jehovah will make their secret parts naked.” (Isaiah 3:16-17) “So Hell has enlarged itself, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pride, and he who rejoices in her, shall go down into it.” (Isaiah 5:14) God said, “And I will visit evil on the world, and their iniquity on the wicked. And I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the pride of tyrants.” (Isaiah 13:11) “We have heard of the pride of Moab; He is very proud-- even of his vanity and his pride, and his rage; not so are his babblings.” (Isaiah 16:6)

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“We have heard the pride of Moab (he is exceedingly proud), his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart.” (Jeremiah 48:29) “'I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the curses of the sons of Ammon, with which they have cursed My people and have magnified themselves on their border. Therefore, as I live', says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, 'Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah; a possession of nettles, and salt pits, and a ruin forever. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them. They shall have this for their pride, because they have cursed and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts.” (Zephaniah 2:8-10) “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower which is on the head of the fat valleys to those who are overcome with wine!” (Isaiah 28:1) Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, 'Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Yet I will read the writing to the king, and make the meaning known to him. O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor. And for the majesty that He gave him, all people, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he would, and whom he would he kept alive. And whom he would, he set up; and whom he would, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was put down from the throne of his kingdom, and they took his glory from him. And he was driven from the sons of men. And his heart was made like the animals, and his dwelling was with the wild asses. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the heavens, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that He appoints over it whomever He will. And you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this. But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of Heaven.'” In that night Belshazzar, the king of the Chaldeans, was killed.” (Daniel 5:17-23a & 30)

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About the wickedness of Jerusalem, “Woe to her rebelling and becoming defiled, to the oppressing city! She did not obey the voice; she did not receive correction. She trusted not in Jehovah; she did not draw near to her God. Her rulers within her are roaring lions; her judges evening wolves. They do not gnaw bones for the morning. Her prophets are proud, men of deceit; her priests have defiled the sanctuary; they have done violence to the Law.” (Zephaniah 3:1-4) “'For behold, the day is coming, burning like a fire pot; and all the proud, and every doer of wickedness, shall be chaff. And the coming day will set them ablaze', says Jehovah of Hosts, 'which will not leave root or branches to them.'” (Malachi 4:1) the Apostle Paul writing about Jews and the Gentile Christians, “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and became a sharer of the root and the fatness of the olive tree with them, do not boast against the branches. But if you boast, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you. You will say then, 'The branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear lest He also may not spare you either! Behold then the kindness, and the severity of God; on those having fallen, severity; but on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:17-23) “And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He looked on the humiliation of His slave woman. For, behold, from now on all generations shall count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has worked power with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.'” (Luke 1:46-51) “And He [Jesus Christ] said, 'That which comes out of the man is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things pass out from inside and defile the man.'” (Mark 7:20-23)

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the Apostle Paul wrote, “And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful. who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also approve of those practicing them.” (Romans 1:28-31) “These are murmurers, complainers, leading lives according to their lusts. And their mouth speaks proud things, admiring faces for the sake of gain. But you, beloved, remember the words spoken before by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, because they told you that at the last time there will be mockers according to their lusts, leading unGodly lives. These are those setting themselves apart, animal-like ones, not having the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 16-19) the Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to Godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speakings, evil suspicions, meddling of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is Godliness. Withdraw from such.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5) the Apostle Paul wrote, “Know this also, that in the last days grievous times will be at hand. For men will be self-lovers, money-lovers, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unyielding, false accusers, without self-control, savage, despisers of good, traitors, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) “Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

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Humbleness-Note: Humble= “having or expressing a sense of selflessness, meekness, modesty, etc.” Contrite= “remorseful”. Broken-hearted= “overwhelmed by grief, despair, etc”. 1.) Why should you be careful and only have humble friends? “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19) “A man's pride shall bring him low; but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23) 2.) What are qualities of God mentioned in these passages? “And He shall say, 'Raise up! Raise up! Clear the way!' Make the stumbling-block rise out of the way of My people. For so says the high and lofty One Who inhabits eternity; Whose name is Holy; 'I dwell in the high and holy place, even with the contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'” (Isaiah 57:14-15) “For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8) Remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before the unjust trials and the execution. By the way, the Luke account of the death of Jesus Christ indicates that He died of a broken heart instead of the regular causes of death in such an execution. The Resurrection of Jesus showed the conquering of physical death which was the penalty for breaking God's Law. 3.) What are acceptable sacrifices to God? “O Jehovah, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice; or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices for God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalms 51:15-17) 4.)

In the previous passage and the below passage, what are the qualities of humble believers? What are their eventual rewards? “The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of Jehovah is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the Earth. The righteous cry, and Jehovah hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Jehovah is near to the broken-hearted; and saves those who are of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Jehovah delivers him out of them all.... Jehovah redeems the soul of His servants; and none of them who trust in Him shall be guilty.” (Psalms 34:15-22)

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5.) How serious is human humbleness to God? “Have you forgotten the evilness of your fathers, and the evilness of the kings of Judah, and the evilness of their wives, and your own evilness, and the evilness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? They are not humbled to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My Law, nor in My statutes which I have set before you and before your fathers. So Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says this: 'Behold, I will set My face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.'” (Jeremiah 44:9-11) 6.) What does humbleness supposed to lead to? “And Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, 'so says Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.'” (Exodus 10:3) 7.) Who does God look for? “For all those My hand has made, and all those exist, says Jehovah. But to this one I will look, to the afflicted and contrite spirit, and the one who trembles at My Word.” (Isaiah 66:2) 8.)

The escape from Egypt to the land of Canaan could have taken a lot less time than 40 years. Relate this passage to why God allows challenges in your lives? Moses said, “All the commandments which I command you this day shall you be careful to do, that you may live and multiply and go in and possess the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that Jehovah your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness in order to humble you, to prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger, and then He fed you with manna, which you did not know, neither did your fathers know it, so that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of Jehovah man shall live. Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell, these forty years. And you have known with your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Jehovah your God chastens you. And you shall keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-6) 9.) What was unusual about 18-year-old King Josiah and how was he blessed by God with death? “And Shaphan, the scribe, showed the king, saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a Book.' And Shaphan read it before the king. And it happened when the king had heard the Words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

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And the king commanded Hilkiah, the priest, and Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, and Achbor, the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan, the scribe, and Asahiah, a servant of the king, saying, 'Go inquire of Jehovah for me and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the Words of this Book which is found. For great is the wrath of Jehovah which is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the Words of this Book, to do according to all which is written concerning us.' And Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. And she lived in Jerusalem in the second part. And they talked with her. And she said to them, 'so says Jehovah, the God of Israel, tell the man who sent you to me, so says Jehovah, behold, I will bring evil on this place and on the people of it, all the words of the Book which the King of Judah has read; because they have forsaken Me, and have burned incense to other gods, so that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of Jehovah, so you shall say to him, so says Jehovah, the God of Israel, the words which you have heard, because your heart was tender and you have humbled yourself before Jehovah, when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people (that they should become a waste and a curse), and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you, says Jehovah. Behold, even so I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace. And your eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.' And they brought the king this word again.” (2 Kings 22:10-20) Also, read chapter 23 & 2 Chronicles 34:29-33 to see what else King Josiah did before he was killed by the Egyptian Pharaoh in a battle near the River Euphrates. 10.) Notice the context of the often quoted verse in the USA. What does this passage actually say should be a result of being humble? “So Solomon finished the house of Jehovah, and the king's house. And all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Jehovah and in his own house, he did with success. And Jehovah appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, 'I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens, and there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people;

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if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open, and My ears shall be open to the prayer of this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, so that My name may be there forever. And My eyes and My heart shall be there forever. And you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and shall observe My statutes and My judgments, then I will make the throne of your kingdom sure, as I have covenanted with David your father, saying, 'there shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.' But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and if you shall go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them. And this house which I have sanctified for My name, I will cast out of My sight, and I will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be a wonder to everyone who passes by it, so that they shall shudder and say, 'Why has Jehovah done this to this land and to this house?' And it shall be answered, 'Because they forsook Jehovah, the God of their fathers who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore He has brought all this evil on them.'” (2 Chronicles 7:11-22) 11.) What resulted twice because the humbleness of the Israelite rulers? “And it happened when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had made himself strong, he departed from the Law of Jehovah, and all Israel with him. And it happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, because they had sinned against Jehovah with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. And the people who came with him out of Egypt were without number: Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. And he took the fortified cities in Judah, and came to Jerusalem. And Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the rulers of Judah who were gathered to Jerusalem because of Shishak. And he said to them, 'So says Jehovah, you have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.'

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And the rulers of Israel and the king humbled themselves. And they said, 'Jehovah is righteous.' And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the Word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, 'They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will give them some deliverance. And My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.' But they shall be his servants, so that they may know My service and the service of the kings of the countries.' And Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king's house. He took all. And he carried away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. In place of these King Rehoboam made shields of bronze, and gave them into the hands of the chief of the guard who kept the entrance of the king's house. And when the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and carried them and brought them again into the guardroom. And when he humbled himself, the wrath of Jehovah turned from him so that He would not destroy him altogether. And also things went well in Judah. And the rulers of Israel and the king humbled themselves. And they said, 'Jehovah is righteous.'” (2 Chronicles 12:1-12) 12.) What is another result of humbleness? “I will bless Jehovah at all times; His praise always shall be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in Jehovah; the humble shall hear and be glad.” (Psalms 34:1-2) 13.) What are other results of the prayers of those who are humble? “Jehovah, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart,, You will cause Your ear to hear, to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the Earth may no more terrify.” (Psalms 10:17-18) 14.) What is a divine reward for human humbleness? In your own words, what are the ways to ways to become humble? Why can the humble Christian rejoice while the prideful rich can't? How do you put on humility? How is one humbled under the might hand of God? How does He lift a humble individual up and how may He exalt him or her? “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, ‘God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.

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Be afflicted, and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Be humbled before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6-10) “But let the humble brother rejoice in his exaltation; and the rich one rejoice in his humiliation, because he shall pass away as the flower of the grass. For the sun rose with the hot wind and dried up the grass, and its flower fell out, and the beauty of its appearance perished; so also the rich one will fade away in his ways.” (James 1:9-11) 15.) Notice the order of commands in the statement about how to enter into the Kingdom of God. Also see John 1:12. What does all that mean? What was a negative characteristic of the Pharisees? “At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?' And Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst, and said, 'Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever shall humble himself like this little child, this one is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.'” (Matthew 18:1-4) Jesus Christ said, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (humiliated), and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12) 16.) How can you have humbleness of mind? Be specific. Do all of the commandments in this passage require humbleness? the Apostle Paul wrote, “But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all things in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:8-15)

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“Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7) Write a summary about humbleness.

Bible Study #9 Against Selfishness (compiled and formatted by Bill Stevenson) Note: During the night of Friday December 16, 2005, the thought came to me that I should do a Bible study on the word “self”. The next morning I did a computer software search in the King James Version Bible for verses with “self” and “selfish”. I thought that I would get a lot of verses, but only 6 came up for “self” and none for “selfish”. Then I did a search for “Myself” and 114 came up. Read the results and decide how each is not for selfishness as is so common in our lives. Selfishness is the common element of every sin and is the basis of humanism. And humanism is never God-pleasing because it goes against faith and being guided by the Holy Spirit. I knew a pastor who tried to claim that God the Father and Jesus Christ were selfish, and so he said that we should be selfish in erotic sex in marriage. One of my emphasis was that marriages needed only unselfish agapè love in marriage including the physical intimacy. I then left that pastor’s church. ***In relation to God the Father: Genesis 22 15 And the Angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, 16 “By Myself have I sworn”, says the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of their enemies; 18 and in thy seed shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice. Numbers 8 17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for Myself. 18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come near unto the Sanctuary.”

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Exodus 19 1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My Covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the Earth is Mine: 6 and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shall speak unto the children of Israel.” Exodus 32 7 And the Lord said unto Moses, “Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, ‘These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.’” 9 And the Lord said unto Moses, “I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them. And I will make of thee a great nation.” 11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘For mischief did He bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the Earth?’ Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom Thou swore by Thine Own Self, and said unto them, ‘I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.’” 14 And the Lord repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people. 15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

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Numbers 12 5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the Tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6 And He said, “Hear now My words: If there be a prophet among you, I The Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of The Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He departed. Romans 11 1 I say then, has God cast away His people?” God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture said of Elias? How he made intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Thy Prophets, and dug down Thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what was the answer of God unto him? “I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Isaiah 33 10 “Now will I rise”, said the Lord, “now will I be exalted; now will I lift up Myself.” Isaiah 42 13 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against his enemies. 14 “I have long time held My peace; I have been still and refrained Myself; now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will pant and grasp at once.” Isaiah 43 21 “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise. 22 But thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of Me, O Israel. 23 Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honored Me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.” Isaiah 44 24 Thus said the Lord, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, “I am the LORD Who makes all things; Who stretches forth the heavens alone; Who spreads abroad the Earth by Myself;”

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Isaiah 45 22 “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the Earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 ‘Surely’, shall one say, ‘in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to Him shall men come; and all that are incensed against Him shall be ashamed. 25 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.’” Jeremiah 21 4 “Thus said the Lord God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city. 5 And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath. 6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city [Babylon], both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.’” Jeremiah 22 5 “But if ye [the Israelites] will not hear these words, I swear by Myself”, said the Lord, “that this house [of the King of Judah] shall become a desolation. Jeremiah 49 12 For thus said the Lord: “Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? Thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. 13 For I have sworn by Myself”, said the Lord, “that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.” Ezekiel 14 6 “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, ‘Thus said the Lord God: “Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourns in Israel, who separates himself from Me, and sets up his idols in his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me; I the Lord will answer him by Myself: 8 And I will set My face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 20 2 Then came the word of the Lord unto me, saying, 3 “Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, ‘Thus said the Lord God; “Are ye come to inquire of Me? As I live”, said the Lord God, “I will not be inquired of by you.”’

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“Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers; 5 And say unto them, ‘Thus said the Lord God: “In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up Mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made Myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up Mine hand unto them, saying, ‘I am the LORD your God.’ 6 In the day that I lifted up Mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched for them, ‘flowing with milk and honey’, which is the glory of all lands.” 7 “Then said I unto them, ‘Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.’ 8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, ‘I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.’ 9 But I acted for My Name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made Myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.” Ezekiel 35 11 “Therefore, as I live”, said the Lord God, “I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make Myself known among them when I have judged thee. 12 And thou shalt know that I am the Lord, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.’ 13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against Me, and have multiplied your words against Me; I have heard them.” Ezekiel 38 18 “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel”, said the Lord God, “that My fury shall come up in My face. 19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the Earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the Earth, shall shake at My presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. 21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all My mountains”, said the Lord God, “every man's sword shall be against his brother. 22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

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Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” John 17 4 “I [Jesus Christ] have glorified Thee on the Earth: I have finished the work which thou gave Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine Own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” ***Jesus Christ became a perfect human example of unselfishness even in His relationship to God the Father. John 5 24 “Verily, verily, I [Jesus Christ] say unto you, he that hears My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of The Son Of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; 27 and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is The Son Of Man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; 29 they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of Mine Own Self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of The Father which hath sent Me.” 31 If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another that bears witness of Me; and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man; but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John, for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, Who hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.” John 7 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the Temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” 16 Jesus answered them, and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. 17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of Myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but He that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”

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28 Then cried Jesus in the Temple as he taught, saying, “Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me is true, Whom ye know not. 29 But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me.” John 8 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, “Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true. For I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. 17 It is also written in your Law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me bares witness of Me.” 28 Then said Jesus unto them, “When ye have lifted up The Son Of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He that sent Me is with Me: The Father hath not left Me alone, for I do always those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed on Him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 42 Jesus said unto them, “If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.” 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing: it is My Father that honors Me; of Whom ye say, that He is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known Him; but I know Him, and if I should say, ‘I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.” 57 Then said the Jews unto Him, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 Then took they up stones to cast at Him, but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 10 14 “I am The Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. 18 No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye Him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”

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John 12 44 Jesus cried and said, “He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. 45 And he that sees Me, sees Him that sent Me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejects Me and receives not My words, hath one that judges him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the Last Day. 49 For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.” John 14 1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” 8 Philip said unto Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us.” 9 Jesus said unto him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Believe thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself, but the Father that dwells in Me, He doeth the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” 21 He that hath My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” John 17 12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name: those that Thou gave Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” 19 “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word: 21 that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.

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And the glory which Thou gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one, even as We are One: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou has sent Me, and has loved them, as Thou has loved Me.”

Luke 24 36 And as they thus spoke, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said unto them, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself,; handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have. 1 Peter 2 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: 23 Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again. When He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously: 24 Who His Own Self bare our sins in His Own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto The Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. ***Related to human beings: Genesis 3 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, “Where art thou?” 10 And he said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Job 6 7 “The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. 8 Oh that I might have my request and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! 9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off! 10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let Him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” Job 7 20 “I have sinned? What shall I do unto Thee, O Thou preserver of men? Why hast Thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

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And why dost Thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I sleep in the dust; and Thou shalt seek me diligently, but I shall not be.”

Job 9 20 “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” 27 “If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that Thou wilt not hold me innocent. 29 If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain? 30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31 Yet shalt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.” Job 10 1 “My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2 I will say unto God, “Do not condemn me; show me wherefore Thou contends with me. 3 Is it good unto Thee that Thou should oppress, that Thou should despise the work of Thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?” Job 13 20 “Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee: 21 withdraw Thine hand far from me and let not Thy dread make me afraid. 22 Then call Thou, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer Thou me.” Job 19 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remained with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: 6 know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with His net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.” 25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 31 16 “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of His highness I could not endure.

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” 29 “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 35 Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare unto Him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto Him.” Job 42 1 Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2 ] “I know that Thou can do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from Thee. 3 You asked ‘Who is he that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore have I uttered that I understood not: things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: You said, ‘I will question thee, and answer thou unto Me. 5 I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye see Thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Deuteronomy 1 5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this Law, saying, 6 “The Lord our God spoke unto us in Horeb, saying, ‘Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which The LORD swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.’ 9 And I spoke unto you at that time, saying, ‘I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10 The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11 (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) 12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?’ 13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.” Deuteronomy 10 3 And I [Moses] made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. 4 And He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the Ten Commandments, which the Lord spoke unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord gave them unto me. 5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as The LORD commanded me.”

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Judges 16 18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up this once, for he hath showed me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. 19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.” And He awoke out of his sleep, and said, “I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. “ And he did not know that the Lord was departed from him. Ruth 4 5 Then said Boaz, “What day thou buy the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.” 6 And the kinsman said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.” 1 Samuel 13 11 And Samuel said, “What hast thou done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou came not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, \the Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord’; I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 20 5 And David said unto Jonathan, “Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the King at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.” 1 Samuel 25 32 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” Psalms 57 4 My soul is among lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the Earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp! I myself will awake early. Psalms 108 1 “O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 2 Awake, psaltery and harp; I myself will awake early.

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I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people; and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations. 4 For Thy mercy is great above the heavens; and Thy truth reaches unto the clouds.” Psalms 55 12 “For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou [Nathan], a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” Psalms 101 1 “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will Thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” 2 Samuel 22 21 “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 23 For all His judgments were before me: and as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. 24 I was also upright before Him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. 25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His eye sight. (Also in Psalm 18:20-24.) Psalms 35 11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. 12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourns for his mother. 15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long will Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my precious life from the lions. Psalms 109 1 “Hold not Thy peace, O God of my praise; 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. 4 In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto prayer.

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And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” 2 Samuel 18 1 And David numbered the people that were with him, 2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the King said unto the people, “I will surely go forth with you myself also.” Psalms 131 1 “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother; my soul is even as a weaned child. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever. Psalms 119 14 “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 52 I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself. 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked who forsake Thy Law. 54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy Law.” 2 Chronicles 7 11 Thus Solomon finished the House of the Lord, and the King's house; and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the House of the Lord and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, “I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for an house of sacrifice.” Ecclesiastes 2 1 I said in mine heart, “Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure”, and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad”; and of mirth, “What doeth it?” 3 I sought in mine heart how to gratify myself unto wine, while acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all.

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15 Then said I in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “that this also is vanity.” 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool forever, seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how does the wise man die? As the fool! 17 Therefore I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun, because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? Yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 1 Kings 18 7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him; and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, “Art thou that my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “I am: go, tell thy lord [King Ahab], ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “What have I sinned that thou would deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him today.” 1 Kings 22 30 And the King of Israel [Ahab] said unto Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. 35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. (See also 2 Chronicles 18:29 & 34.) 2 Kings 5 17 And Naaman said, “Shall there not then, I pray thee [Elisha] be given to thy servant two mules' burden of Earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. 18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. Esther 5 12 Haman said moreover, “Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, “Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

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Esther 6 5 And the king's servants said unto him, “Behold, Haman standeth in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?” Nehemiah 5 4 There were also that said, “We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.” 6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, “Ye exact usury, every one of his brother.” And I set a great assembly against them. Jeremiah 8 18 “When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. 19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? 20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Ezekiel 29 2 “Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt. 3 Speak, and say, ‘Thus saith the Lord God; “Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, who hath said, ‘My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. Daniel 10 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long; and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days, I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Micah 6 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

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8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Habakkuk 3 16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when He cometh up unto the people, He will invade them with His troops. Zechariah 7 1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; 2 when they had sent unto the House of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the Lord, 3 and to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” Luke 7 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, “Lord, trouble not Thyself: for I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof. 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee, but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, ‘Go’, and he goeth; and to another, ‘Come’, and he cometh; and to my servant, ‘Do this’, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. Acts 10 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” Acts 20 18 And when they [the elders of the Ephesus Church] were come to him [the Apostle Paul], he said unto them, “Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews. 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

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save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 24 10 Then Paul, after that the Governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, “Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 25 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, “I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow”, said he, “thou shall hear him.” Acts 26 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, “Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.” Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews, wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

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11

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.”

1 Corinthians 4 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judges me is The Lord. Romans 7 22 For I delight in the Law of God after the inward man: 23 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. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 15 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 16 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, as becomes saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 1 Corinthians 4 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who makes thee to differ from another? And what has thou that thou did not receive? Now if thou did receive it, why does thou glory as if thou had not received it? 1 Corinthians 7 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

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2 Corinthians 2 1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that makes me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 2 Corinthians 10 1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.) 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and 6 having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 11 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knows. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 1 Corinthians 9 16 For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more: 20 and unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the Law, as under the Law, that I might gain them that are under the Law;

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21

to them that are without Law, as without Law, (being not without Law to God, but under the Law to Christ), that I might gain them that are without Law; 22 to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Romans 9 1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 2 Corinthians 11 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 2 Corinthians 12 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows) such an one caught up to the Third Heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows) 4 how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

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5

Of such an one will I glory; yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth; but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought The Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended of you, for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. Philemon 1 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him [Onesimus] as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or owes thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owe unto me even thine own self besides. Philippians 2 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Philippians 3 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

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***Concluding verses for unselfishness: Galatians 2 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the Law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain. Ephesians 2 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), and 6 hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Corinthians 9 7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 As it is written, “He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor; His righteousness remains for ever. 10 Now He that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 while by the experiment of this ministration, they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 and by their prayer for you, who long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!

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Bible Study #10 Three Revelation 2-3 Studies Directions:

Carefully read Revelation 1-3 and all of the following information. These are actually epistles by our Savior and Lord for us to learn many things from us including what He thinks are good and bad character traits. Then write an essay about what you learned and about what means the most to you about characteristics of true Christians.

Note: This first page information is from the Thompson Chain Study Bible. Revelation was written by the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, a rocky and desolate isle located in the Aegean Sea, twenty four miles west of the coast of Asia Minor, and about seventy miles southwest of Ephesus. The Seven Churches mentioned by John were all founded in the immediate neighborhood of this city. Ephesus was the leading church of the group where the Apostle Paul labored with great success. The other churches may have been the outgrowth of his missionary work, but there is no record of his doing such. Tradition says that Ephesus was the center of John's later ministry, and he probably had the oversight of the Seven Churches. The Seven Churches of Asia Names of the Revelation Virtues Churches Reference Commended Ephesus-the orthodox church

Smyrna-the poor/rich church Pergamos-the church with bad surroundings Thyatira-the church of the evil prophetess Sardis-the dying church

2:1-7

good works, patience, sound doctrine, church discipline, steadfastness, hatred of evil 2:8-11 spiritual endurance and Heavenly treasures 2:12-17 steadfastness

Sins and Weaknesses Rebuke loss of love and backsliding

no reproof

tolerance of corrupt doctrines and heretics

2:18-29 charity, spiritual lax discipline and service, faith, tolerance of a corrupt and patience prophetess 3:1-6

none for the majority of the members, a few commended for purity keeping of "the Word" and testimony

Philadelphia-the weak but loyal church

3:7-13

Laodicea-the rich/poor church

3:14-22 none recorded

Promises to Overcomers

Types of Conditions in Modern Churches Heavenly food Late active churches over Apostolic emphasizing Age Orthodoxy or religious ceremony, but lacking in spiritual fervor a Crown of Life The Early missionary and other Centuries of churches enduring Persecution persecution hidden spiritual The Age of the churches blessings, divine Constantine-- supported by the food, and a new Temporal Government name Prosperity spiritual The Age of the development of dominion and Papal numerous modern illumination Apostasy cults

extreme formalism, a robe of spiritual death imminent, righteousness, and inactivity Heavenly registration and recognition none recorded to become spiritual pillars bearing a divine inscription Luke-warmness, spiritual divine conceit, no conscious fellowship and need, spiritual poverty, spiritual spiritual blindness, and enthronement spiritual wretchedness

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of Historical Eras

The Middle Ages

churches which manifest a growing formalism accompanied by spiritual declension The Period of all earnest spiritual the Luther churches caused Reformation The Last popular, selfDays satisfied, worldly churches

Special Study of Revelation 2-3: For Understanding the Epistles of Jesus Christ (by Bill Stevenson) Note: The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible states: “These chapters contain letters to the seven churches. These were local churches in Asia Minor, but they were each representative of a particular age in church history.” But also what Jesus says about the actual churches can help us understand more about what is God-pleasing Christianity. Much of what is being professed as Christianity is legalistic religion and not “to God be the glory” behavior. “Each of the letters is addressed to the leader of the church, who is called an angel for some uncertain reason.” Characteristics of Jesus Christ-1. Who is all powerful: “He Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” (2:1) -- This indicates Christ’s intimate involvement in the life of Christian churches. 2. Who is all knowing: “I know your works” (2:2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15) -- If individuals believed this, they would not think and do much of what they think and do. 3. Who is hoping for professing Christians to learn God’s truth and wisdom, and overcome sinful living: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (2:7, 11, 17, 26 & 29, 3:5-6, 12-13, 21-22) 4. Who is giving: to the overcomers of the church of Ephesus-- “opportunity to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (2:7); to the overcomers of the church in Smyrna-“the crown of life” and “shall not be hurt by the second death” (2:10-11); to the overcomers of the church in Pergamos-- “some of the hidden manna to eat”, “a white stone” on which “a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (2:17); to the overcomers of the church of Thyatira-- “power over the nations… as I [Jesus] have received from My Father” and “the morning star” (2:26-28); to the overcomers of the church in Sardis-- permission “to be clothed in white garments” and a promise that his or her name will not be blotted out from the Book of Life but confessed by Him before His Father and His angels (3:5); to the overcomers of the church in Philadelphia-- becoming “a pillar in the temple of” God with permanent residence in the New Jerusalem (3:12); and to the overcomers of the church of the Laodiceans-- permission to sit with Him on His throne (3:21). 5. Who is “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and came to life” (2:8) 6. Who has “the sharp two-edged sword” (2:12) 7. Who has “eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass” (2:18) 8. Who has “the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (3:1) 9. Who is “holy, He Who is true, ‘He Who has the key of David, He Who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.’” (3:7) 10. Who is “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (3:14) Commendations-To the church of Ephesus 1. Good works of labor (mentioned twice, 2:2 & 3 with the addition in verse 3 “for My name’s sake and have not become weary”; “name” is this context means character) 2. Patience (mentioned twice, 2:2 & 3) 3. “Cannot bear those who are evil” (2:2) 4. “Tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (2:2) 5. Persevered (2:3) 6. “Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (2:6) -- The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible states: “Little is known about this group except that they were active in Ephesus and Pergamos and that they encouraged immorality and the eating of meat sacrificed to idols…. They seem to have been liberalists or modernists who felt that the church was too strict in its standards, and they advised compromise.” To the church of Smyrna: Rich spiritually because of “tribulation and poverty” (2:9)

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To the church in Pergamos: 1. Living apart from Satan’s rule. (2:13) 2. “You hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” (2:13) To the church of Thyatira: 1. “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and the last are more than the first.” (2:19) 2. “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” (2:23) To the church in Sardis: 1. “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive...” (3:1a) 2. “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (3:4) To the church in Philadelphia: 1. “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (3:8) 2. Because Jesus Christ loved the Philadelphia Church, He “will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie” and “will make them come and worship” before the Philadelphia church members’ feet. (3:9) 3. “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the Earth.” (3:10) Condemnations-To the church of Ephesus: “You have left your first love.” (2:4) -- See 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. To the church in Pergamos: 1. “You have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” (2:14) -- In Balaam’s day, there was a ritual of fornication and of eating of meat sacrificed to idols. (Numbers 15:1-3) 2. “You also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” (2:15) To the church of Thyatira: 1. “You allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” (2:20) -- Read 1 Kings 16 and 2 Kings 9. 2. “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.” (2:21) 3. “And those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” (2:22) To the church in Sardis: 1. “… but you are dead.” (3:1b) 2. “… for I have not found your works perfect before God.” (3:2b) To the church of the Laodiceans: 1. “I know your works, that you that you are neither cold nor hot….” (3:15a) 2. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (3:16) 3. “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked ...” (3:17) -- The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible states that Christ Jesus “is not impressed by our money, fine clothes, or status.” Challenges-To the church of Ephesus: “Or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-- unless you repent.” (2:5c) To the church of Smyrna: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life..” (2:10)

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To the church in Pergamos “Or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (2:16) To the church of Thyatira: 1. “All churches shall know that I am He Who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” (2:23) 2. “As many as do not have this doctrine [of Jezebel], who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.” (2:24) 3. “But hold fast what you have till I come.” (2:25) To the church in Sardis: 1. “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” (3:2a) 2. “Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” (3:3) To the church in Philadelphia: “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (3:11) To the church of the Laodiceans: 1. “… Therefore be zealous and repent.” (3:19b) 2. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (3:20) Corrections, Suggested-To the church of Ephesus: 1. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; …” (2:5a) 2. “Repent and do the first works”. (2:5b) To the church in Pergamos: “Repent”. (2:16) To the church of Thyatira: “Repent.” (2:22) To the church in Sardis: “Remember therefore how you have received and heard.” (3:3) To the church of the Laodiceans: 1. “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed and anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten...” (3:18-19a) -- The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible states that “Laodicea was known for its fine products and medicines, but Christ counsels the church to purchase things of true worth from Him.” “Eye salve symbolizes spiritual sight.” “That you may see” means understand. 2. “… I could wish you were cold or hot.” (3:15b) A Personal Application for a Church Group Note: The following is a result of a church youth group "brainstorming". They had analyzed the letters to the churches in Revelation 1-3 with the indicated subtitles. They asked the youth leader if they could do a similar analysis imagining if such a letter had been written to their church group. Character of Christ 1. purity 2. enduring/persevering 3. mercy of God Commendation 1. remain separate from the world 2. reaching out to others 3. perseverance 4. gone through tribulation, but stoked for or hooked on Christ 5 persevered 6 more prayer in groups

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Condemnation 1. apathy 2 lack of respect 3 not being open and accepting to others 4. lukewarmness 5 cliques, shallow in relationships 6 carnal-- grieve the Holy Spirit 7 too comfortable Correction 1 God’s Word 2 shape up and be determined 3. more accountable to one another 4. follow first completely 5 be bold and have faith Call 1. call to purity 2. dedicated to God and evangelism 3. listen to the Holy Spirit Challenge 1. action (personal) 2. aware of effects on world-- be bold 3. respond 3. reach out and witness

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