HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

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Bible Study on Christian Character

Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. [KJV]

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [KJV]

We can NEVER master self-control if we cannot control what we say. Words can cut and destroy. If you want to be self-controlled, you must begin with your tongue. Stop and think before you react or speak. If you can control this small but powerful member, you can control the rest of your body.

Characteristics of Saints

Attentive to Christ's voice. John 10:3-4. Blameless and harmless. Phil.2:15. Bold. Proverbs 28:1 Contrite. Isaiah 57:15; 66:2 Devout. Acts 8:2; 22:12 Faithful. Rev.17:14 Fearing God. Malachi 3:16; Acts 10:2 Following Christ. John 10:4; 10:27 Godly. Psalm 4:3; 2 Peter 2:9 Guileless. John 1:47 Holy. Deut. 7:6; 14:2; Col.3:12 Humble. Psalm 34:2; 1 Peter 5:5 Hungering for righteousness. Mat.5:6 Just. Gen.6:9; Hab.2:4; Luke 2:25 Led by the Spirit. Rom.8:14 Liberal. Isa.32:8; 2 Cor.9:13 Loathing themselves. Eze.20:43 Loving. Col.1:4; 1 Thes.4:9 Lowly. Pro.16:19 Meek. Isa.29:19; Mat.5:5 Merciful. Psalm 37:26; Mat.5:7 New creatures. 2 Cor.5:17; Eph.2:10 Obedient. Rom.16:19; 1 Peter 1 :14 Poor in spirit. Mat.5:3 Prudent (careful, discreet, sensible). Pro.16:21 Pure in heart. Mat.5:8; 1 John 3:3 Righteous. Isa.60:21; Luke 1:6 Sincere. 2 Cor.1:12; 2:17 Steadfast. Acts 2:42; Col.2:5 Taught of God. Isa.54:13; 1 John 2:27 True. 2 Cor.6:8 Undefiled. Psalm 119:1 Watchful. Luke 12:37 Zealous (eager) of good works. Titus 2:14

DEVOTED

To be ‘devoted’ means to be: dedicated, consecrated, have and show affection, be eager, willing, loyal, obedient, exalting and glorifying God, etc. The opposite of devotion is: neglect, indifference, apathy, lack of caring, unconcern, coolness, unimportance, etc.

Devotion is a special frame of mind found only in someone who is totally faithful to God. It is the spirit of reverence, awe and godly fear. It is a grateful heart appearing before God in prayer and worship.

Devotion is being quiet and still before God. It is needed in true worship, and in prayer.

Devotion is found only in godly people, and these people possess a strong respect for God and an ardent love for Him.

Prayer will thrive and succeed only where there is true devotion. God is present where there is a spirit of devotion. God accused Israel that they honored Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him.

Devotion is essential in successful prayer. Without devotion prayer is void; simply a vain jumble of words. There is much so-called prayer today, without any heart-felt devotion, and like the ancient Israelites, people today "honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him" (Is. 29:13). Much ‘religion’ today is like a heartless machine. People pray pretty words with their mouth, but their heart is not with those words. People sing beautiful hymns but never consider what the words are saying. People ‘go to church’ only because of habit, and are glad when the benediction is finally pronounced. They read some in the Bible, and feel greatly relieved when that task is done. Prayers are simply a method of speaking, and people are glad when the "Amen" finally comes. ‘Religion’ today has to do with everything, except our hearts. Our hands, feet and voices are used and even the postures of our bodies, but ‘religion’ never takes hold of our tenderness, our compassion, our mercy or our zeal. It doesn’t cause us to be quiet and worshipful in God’s Presence. ‘Religion’ utterly lacks any spirit of devotion. People listen to sermons the same way they listen to a political speech. The house of God is revered the same as if it were a movie theater. ‘Religion’ looks on the pastor as if he were a public speaker, not a man of God; and woe be unto that preacher if he goes beyond the allotted time period!

True, sincere and earnest devotion radically changes people’s lives. But so often, even the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper becomes a mere religious performance, with no meditation nor prayer to prepare for it. We need devotion. We need to feel the Presence of God. We need to always desire to do the will of God. We need to put God in ALL THINGS that we do. We need to put God not only in our prayers and worship services, but in EVERY aspect of our lives. We need to make every day of the week a day to praise and thank God. IF we had true devotion, our worship would be sincere and heart felt.

The motivation and center of our devotion should be God’s holiness. This should be our focal point, and it should set our hearts on fire for Him. The spirit of devotion permeates the saints in Heaven and pictures the worship of Heaven’s angelic beings. There is NO creature in Heaven that is without devotion. God is there, and His very Presence generates the spirit of reverence, awe, and respectful fear. If we expect to be participate with those in Heaven after our arrival there, we must learn the spirit of devotion here on Earth before we get there. We should be devoted to God’s holiness. A devoted soul’s prayers will always reach His ears.

Devotion is a characteristic of saints. Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. [KJV]

Devotion is unreserved. Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. [KJV]

Devotion is abounding. 1 Thes. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. [KJV]

Devotion is persevering. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. [KJV]

Devotion in life and death. Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. [KJV] Philip. 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. [KJV]

Devotion is loving God. Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. [KJV]

Devotion is serving God. Romans 12:11 Not slothful inbusiness; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (KJV)

Devotion is walking worthy of God. 1 Thes. 2:12 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [KJV]

Devotion is doing all to God’s glory. 1 Cor. 10:31 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. [KJV]

Devotion is bearing your cross (self denial). Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Consecration

Prayer and consecration (exalting, praising, honoring, glorifying) are closely related and intertwined.

Consecration is a life of service to God, but it really is much more than that. It is a life of personal holiness, that brings spiritual power to our heart and refreshes and stimulates our soul. It recognizes God for who He is and what He does for us. Being fully consecrated to God, is the highest example of a Christian life. It is something for which all believers should strive, because nothing short of our entire consecration will ever truly satisfy God.

Consecration is our dedicating ourselves to God, willingly and voluntarily. We offer ourselves (Romans 12:1), surely and completely, without any uncertainty or hesitation whatsoever. We set apart all that we are, all that we have, and all that we ever expect to have or be, to God. Almighty God is our objective. He is the aim of all we do. We set apart ourselves to God (sanctify), and devote all that we are and have to His use and service. We voluntarily putt ourselves in God’s Hands to be used as He sees fit.

Consecration is to separate ourselves from the world, IF those worldly things ever come in conflict with God’s plans for us. It is to separate ourselves from any and all questionable things. IF we have to choose between the things of this world and the things of God, we must choose God.

Consecration which meets God’s conditions and which He accepts is to be full and complete. We cannot hold back anything. It CANNOT be partial! Half-hearted consecration is no consecration at all! It fails miserably in God’s eyes and is not accepted by Him. We must involve our entire being (everything); our heart, our mind, our body, our strength and our soul to please God.

Consecration is direct result of our sincere prayer. If a person does not pray, they cannot be consecrated. A life of prayer will lead to full consecration; a total and undivided dedication of one’s self to God. To be consecrated to God means you recognize and willingly accept God’s ownership of you. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. [KJV]

Prayer and consecration are intimate and inseparable companions. God will not deny the requests of someone who has given up all claims to himself, and who has completely dedicated himself to God and His service. IF we give all TO God, we will get all FROM God. Having given our all to God, we can claim all that God has in store for us.

So much is said today of consecration, but most don’t know what consecration is.

Consecration is a life of prayer. Do you pray? (1 Thes. 5:17).

Consecration seeks to know God’s will and to serve Him. It is honoring and glorifying God in all things. The consecrated soul is a happy soul. There is no friction whatsoever between a person who has fully given their all over to God and His will. There is perfect harmony between the will of such a person and the will of God. There is perfect harmony, peace, joy, contentment and rest to the soul of someone who is consecrated.

Also see: Humility

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Believe

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