May 19 2008

Bible Study Week 12 - What Authority Did Jesus Give to Believers?

Published by admin under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This Lesson

Today we will study why it is important for to know the authority that handed over to them through the apostles. In the preceding lessons, we studied how a can tap into the power of the to pray effectively and grow spiritually.

Lesson Objective

This lesson will guide the participants to:

  1. Know the keys of the ;
  2. Know what authority has been given to Christians;
  3. Know how to claim that authority by growing in the faith and earnestly seeking God.

Introduction

A story is told of a certain couple who won a lottery ticket to go on a triangular cruise by ship. Just before boarding the ship, they reasoned that they could afford not meals on the ship so they bought some crackers, biscuits and some other snacks for the trip. Aboard the ship they stayed in their cabin and would look out through the window to see the trip’s progress. They did not mix with the rest of the people. At meal times, they would eat a snack. The captain of the ship had noticed that there was a table that was always empty at dinner time. On the last day, he inquired why this was so. He was told that it was reserved for a couple who were on board but had never came down for dinner. He decided to pay the couple a visit. While talking to them, he asked why they never came down for dinner. They told him that they could not afford the dinner. So he asked them for their ticket. At the back of their ticket, in small print, it was written that all meals on the ship and other facilities were included at no extra cost! Very disappointed, they asked him whether they could come for one meal. He told them they were docking in fifteen minutes - it was too late. Due to lack of knowledge, they had missed out on delicious meals and had instead put up eating snacks.

May this not be our situation when we get to the other side. Let us therefore discover from God’s word what He has provided on this side. The word of God says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..” Hosea 4:6Hosea 4:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.  

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Today’s Lesson:

Begin today’s lesson by reading, Matthew 16:18-19Matthew 16:18-19
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

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, Luke 17:20-21Luke 17:20-21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.   and Matt 18:18 - 19Matt 18:18 - 19
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se za?ne z 1! Vrstica 0 ne obstaja!

The Keys of the Kingdom

The Greek word for key in the Bible is kleis: it derives it’s meaning from the act of shutting as shutting a lock. Kleio means to close or to shut up.

The is very clear that there are some keys that belong to Christ’s disciples and others that belong to Christ Himself. For example, in Revelation 1:18Revelation 1:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.  

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Jesus says that “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death”. The keys of hell and death therefore belong to Jesus Christ and not to men. Other verses are Is 22:22Is 22:22
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.   and Rev 3:7Rev 3:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:  .

Christ therefore put a boundary on the types of keys that we have. However we have the key of knowledge as indicated in Luke 11:52Luke 11:52
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
52 Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.  

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wherein Christ rebuked the lawyers saying “Woe unto you lawyers, ye have taken away the key of knowledge: Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered”. Here Christ meant that the Lawyers had burdened the people with laws prohibiting the people from entering into the kingdom of God and yet they were not able to fulfill these laws themselves.

The Pharisees and the scribes lacked the spiritual key to the kingdom of God, which is KNOWLEDGE. In the New Testament, we have a new key; it is not a real key to a real house. It is a spiritual key to a spiritual house. It is the key of knowledge that leads to the kingdom of heaven. We also have the keys of the kingdom of heaven to bind and to loose anything here on earth; these keys were originally handed to the Apostle Peter by Christ Himself in order to empower the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth.

Hosea 4:6Hosea 4:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.  

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clearly says that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” And just like that old couple which won that ticket to tour the world on the ship and did not read the small print at the back of the ticket, there are many Christians today who are suffering because they have not discovered the hidden treasure of words contained in the Bible that they need, the key of Knowledge that will open and close doors for us as Christians, so let us get knowledge from God’s word and begin to live fulfilling lives.

Jesus compared His going away to a house owner who was going away for a while. He gave authority to his servants over his household but he did not tell them when he would return but he told them to watch and be ready for he could return at any moment (Mark 13:34Mark 13:34
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
34 [It is] as [when] a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch.  

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). Jesus also gave the disciples the power to heal the sick and to cast out demons. (Matt 10:1Matt 10:1
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 1 And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.  .)

In summary Jesus commanded the disciples and gave them authority to preach the gospel (key to usher people into God’s Kingdom), heal the sick and to cast out unclean spirits. He asked them to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit before moving out. (Luke 24:49Luke 24:49
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.  

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and Acts 1:8Acts 1:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  ). He also gave the authority of the tongue - whatever they bind or loose shall be bound or loosed accordingly and whatever they say and believe in their heart would be done. (Mark 11:23-24Mark 11:23-24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  .)

This is a spiritual journey. Paul exhorts Christians to grow in their faith in order to exercise fully the authority that Christ has given them. He compared this to a child growing up in his father’s house. So long as the child remains a child, he has no authority in his father’s household and is equated to servants. In fact even servants exercise authority upon him. However as soon as he is grown, he takes charge of his father’s house including the servants. We should therefore grow into maturity (of faith) by studying and hearing God’s word.(Gal 4:1-7Gal 4:1-7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: 4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.  

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Week 12: Questions For Discussion

  1. Do you think that the keys of the kingdom mentioned in Matt 16:19Matt 16:19
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.       are physical keys? Please discuss………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. How can you describe the keys of the kingdom of heaven in your own understanding? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Would you say that these keys were only given to Peter according to Matt 16:18-19Matt 16:18-19
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.      ? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  4. What is your understanding of the words “bind and loose” as used in verse 19? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  5. Would you say that the question the Pharisees asked Jesus about the coming of the was out of ignorance? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  6. What do you think Jesus meant when He said that “the kingdom of God is within you”? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. How can you describe the key of Knowledge that Jesus mentioned about in Luke 11:52Luke 11:52
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    52 Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.      ? Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  8. Do you think this key of knowledge is important today to us as Christians? Please discuss………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  9. How can Christians use the keys to the kingdom that Christ gave to Apostle Peter today? Please discuss………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

A Reflection: Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  

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- Kingdom Bread

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”.
God did not allow the children of Israel to store the manna that they collected in the wilderness for more than a day; we therefore need to feast on fresh spiritual bread everyday, as our spirits can only be satisfied by .

Amen.

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Apr 07 2008

Bible Study Week 6 - The Place of Prayer

Published by Rose under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This

Today we will examine the role of prayer in a Christian’s life, and the effect of prayerlessness in the people of God.

Lesson Objective

This lesson will guide the participants to:

  1. Discover the place of in .
  2. Discover the role of in the life of a .
  3. Discover the effects of prayerlessness in a .

Introduction

One great preacher said “the highest use we can make of words is offering them to God in ”. are in great demand but in short supply today. We need prayers for God is looking for people who will stand in the gap and pray for the and the nations. The subject of prayer has been of great debate in many circles and therefore it has been misunderstood by many, but one thing is clear; many churches are not growing because of lack of prayer. Samuel Chadwick said “The crying sin of the today is her laziness after God”. It has been noted that where the church is growing the fastest today, and also experiencing power, is where the people of God have discovered the secret of .

Today’s Lesson:

Begin today’s lesson by reading Genesis 32:22-32Genesis 32:22-32
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two handmaids, and his eleven children, and passed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 And he took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, [said he], I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31 And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Penuel, and he limped upon his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.  

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and Mark 14:32-41Mark 14:32-41
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
32 And they come unto a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled. 34 And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  

Are We Praying or Playing?

The measure of a man or woman of God is not the amount of his or her public appearance, but rather the quality of his or her private communication with God. It is written about Jesus our Lord; “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16Luke 5:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.  

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God is looking for people who can stand in the gap and pray, people who will not take NO for an answer; people who will wrestle with God in prayer until He has changed the destiny of their lives and that of their and families. Jacob was such a man, He wrestled with God until daybreak and said “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Gen 32:26Gen 32:26
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.   b). When faced with deep agony and distress about the forthcoming death on the cross, Jesus withdrew to the garden of Gethsemane to pray and asked his disciples to accompany Him and “keep watch” with him, i.e. pray together with him; but they soon fell prey to sleep and three times Jesus came to wake them up asking them “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come”… (Mark 14:41Mark 14:41
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  ).
Today, there are many such who are playing instead of praying, who need to be woken up like the disciples were woken up by Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Just like the disciples, many love to serve God, but they do not have time with Him. What a tragedy! Prayerlessness is a sin and many are guilty of this sin according to the Prophet Samuel who said “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. (1 Sam 12:231 Sam 12:23
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.  ).

Week 6: Questions for Discussion

  1. What is your understanding of Gen 32: 27Gen 32: 27
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.       where Jacob spoke and said “I will not let you go unless you bless me”?Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  2. How can you relate this passage of scripture to an effective life of in a ?Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Do you think the man Jacob struggled with in this passage was God?Please use Gen 32: 30Gen 32: 30
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, [said he], I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.       to explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  4. What do we learn from the story of Jacob’s struggle with God until daybreak in relation to our own lives today?Please explain………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  5. What do you think Jesus meant when He said in Mark 14:38Mark 14:38
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.           that “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak” in relation to ?Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  6. What do you think Jesus meant by saying to Simon Peter in vs. 38 that “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation”?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. Give examples of possible temptations that may fall into by failing to pray according to the warning given in vs. 38.Please explain…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
  8. Do you think it is possible to live a victorious without ? Please use the example of Peter’s betrayal of Christ in Mark 14: 17-72Mark 14: 17-72
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    17 And when it was evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you shall betray me, [even] he that eateth with me. 19 They began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? 20 And he said unto them, [It is] one of the twelve, he that dippeth with me in the dish. 21 For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is my body. 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad. 28 Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou to-day, [even] this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake exceedingly vehemently, If I must die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all. 32 And they come unto a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled. 34 And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Arise, let us be going: behold, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 43 And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, Rabbi; and kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him, and took him. 47 But a certain one of them that stood by drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but [this is done] that the scriptures might be fulfilled. 50 And they all left him, and fled. 51 And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over [his] naked [body]: and they lay hold on him; 52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked. 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light [of the fire]. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not. 56 For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together. 57 And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. 59 And not even so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. 63 And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What further need have we of witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be worthy of death. 65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the officers received him with blows of their hands. 66 And as Peter was beneath in the court, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest; 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and saith, Thou also wast with the Nazarene, [even] Jesus. 68 But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And the maid saw him, and began again to say to them that stood by, This is [one] of them. 70 But he again denied it. And after a little while again they that stood by said to Peter, of a truth thou art [one] of them; for thou art a Galilaean. 71 But he began to curse, and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.           to explain and compare with Christ’s warning to Peter in vs.38……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For Meditation: Matthew 6:24Matthew 6:24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  

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Where is Our Devotion?
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…”
The Devil will compromise with you to pray as the common standard, on going to bed, and a little prayer in the morning. Hell will be full if we don’t do better for God than that, because you can’t pray too much; you may pray too little.

If God is our master then let us devote ourselves to a life of !

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