Pam Padgett - teacher
Recently while reading in Psalm 119 the following stood out to me
...
Psalm 119:126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they
have made void thy law.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold;
yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning
all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my
soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it
giveth understanding unto the simple.
All around us we see those who ignore the laws of God, making them
"void" in their lives (but the law of God is not void; we will
all stand before the judgment seat of Christ).
But for us the Word of God is our Lord, that which we love, cling to,
and obey. We hold what God says to be right, and hate those things
opposite to the Word of God (false ways).
The Word of God rises up in us, working in us by the Holy Spirit, turning us from ways of the world and to ways of God.
And God's words give light and understanding to the "simple" ...
those who humble themselves before God seeking to do HIS will rather
than seeking to be wise in ways of this world.
I was again reminded of what we're told in Psalm 119 as I read
Romans 12. We're exhorted to not be conformed to
this world, but transformed (changed), our minds renewed to the word
of God.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
While reading some of the instructions given in Romans 12, it stood
out to me how opposite ways of God are to ways of the world. Here
are some notes I made while considering these things ...
9 Let love be without dissimulation (pretense,
hypocrisy).
Our love for God and for each other should be genuine,
sincere, not just trying to look "good" by phony, fleshly acts as is
so common by those of the world.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
I love to read and think on things of God, what HE has
done and what HE has told us to do and to work to do these things.
And I find myself turning away from evil such as some tv shows and
even some commercials, for I am troubled and repulsed by the
immorality, wisdom of man, and hatred shown. I don't want to take
these things into my heart. Often when I see evil, I think on what
God has said. An example ... often when I see short, tight-fitting
dresses on women, I think on what we're told in the following ... In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which
becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1
Timothy 2:9-10)
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
A way of the world is to compete with one another, to try
to surpass others. But we're led to keep our flesh from rising up
and to care for one another, sincerely wanting each person to grow
in things of God.
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the
Lord;
In whatever we do, we seek to do what is right in the
sight of God, praying and wanting to go in the way we are led by HIM
in the matter.
When we work, we do the best job we can rather than just trying to
"get by". Often I pray asking for wisdom in how to do the work.
When someone does work for us, we want to deal honestly and well
with them. I find myself praying about who to hire, and exactly
what to ask them to do. Sometimes additional work needs to be done
that was not obvious at first. When I've seen this, I pay for this
extra work, even if the worker doesn't ask for additional money.
Ready to pay them for their time and work, not wanting to take
advantage in any way.
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing
instant in prayer;
We are so blessed, for we have been chosen by God and are
no longer of this world. We look for new heavens and new earth
wherein dwelleth righteousness.
When problems come, we are not left to our own devices. We are able
to turn to God in prayer, laying the matter out before Him and He is
able to, and does, help us.
In everything, no matter what we're dealing with, we can turn to God
in prayer and thanksgiving. What great cause for rejoicing we
have!
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to
hospitality.
One person may be given a word or scripture that is
exactly what another needs. We may be able to help another person
in a secular or physical way. (Sometimes I have been able to help
someone with a problem they are having getting or sending emails.)
We distribute what we have been given, trusting that God knows what
each person needs and provides that need, sometimes using us as we
distribute that which HE gives us.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rather than harboring hatred and resentment toward those
who hate and persecute us, we can remember the great mercy God has
shown toward us. As we think on this, we are able to forgive and
deal with a good heart toward the person.
(Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king,
which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had
begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and
all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant
therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his
fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid
hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that
thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee
all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,
till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw
what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto
their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O
thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou
desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on
thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord
was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should
pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly
Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not
every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:23-35)
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that
weep.
As we keep our flesh under control, works of the flesh
such as envy and jealousy are kept from rising up in us. We can
sincerely rejoice with those who rejoice in what God has done.
And we have compassion on those who are going through problems,
praying, and being willing to help and comfort them.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits.
A way of the world is to honor those who have achieved
things of this world and disregard those who have not.
We who are of God know that we were chosen not because of what we
have done, but because it pleased God to choose us. We rejoice in
each person God has chosen and for how God has set each in the body
of Christ as HE pleased.
(1 Corin. 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members,
and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:
so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or
free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For
the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand,
I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if
the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the
body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were
an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one
of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the
body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:
nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay,
much more those members of the body, which seem to be more
feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which
we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more
abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant
comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath
tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to
that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the
body; but that the members should have the same care one for
another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members
rejoice with it.)
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men.
Even if someone deals wrongly with us, we don't deal wrongly with
that person. For example, they may cheat us, but we don't cheat
them. Instead we try to deal well and honestly with them.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men.
Many set out to "speak their minds", with no regard for others nor for what is right in the sight of God. Our goal is to carefully consider what we do and say,
wanting to speak and do as we are led by the Holy Spirit and not
wanting to bring trouble unnecessarily.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will
repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed
him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt
heap coals of fire on his head.
Recently I've noticed that many movies being advertised are about
"getting revenge" for some perceived wrong. But the way of God is
not for us to seek revenge. God will repay when vengeance is
needed. We're to even help our enemy if they have a need.
(At first, I didn't think I could help an enemy. But then I
recalled a neighbor who became angry with me when I asked her to
remove my name from an email distribution list she used to send
out things she considered cute, but which were sometimes contrary
to the Bible. After this when she saw me she either tried to
avoid me or glared at me. This neighbor had two cats which I had
previously taken care of several times. Sometime after she became
angry with me, I saw a vet tech vehicle at her house. I knew how
much this woman enjoyed her cats and that one of the cats had not
been eating well the last time I cared for it. There was a
genuine concern and I prayed asking God if there was anything I could
do. I believed I should call and offer to help if needed. I
called and left a message, sincerely wanting to help her if needed. She replied via email that both cats
had been diagnosed with cancer, but that she didn't need any
help.)
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rather than accepting the evil and going in the way of
evil, we overcome the evil and go in the way of God by turning to
HIM and clinging to HIS Word to us in the matter. God's word and
His way is good. We overcome evil as we go according to His word.