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Poor (πτωχός)

Poor is a word that means to lack something. It can be used of financial means, understanding, knowledge, or doctrine. If we are not careful with context it can be miss applied by implying it is addressing someone who is in financial need, but really is lacking in other areas.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to the poor in spirit as being happy ones (Matthew 5:3). He is referring to the Jews during the Tribulation period who will be lacking information concerning what the man of lawlessness is doing in the temple after Israel flees to the wilderness because he has set himself up as God. When Jesus said He came to preach good news to the poor, He was not referring to those who lacked financial means, but the truth. He healed the lame, cleansed the lepers, even raised the dead, while presenting the good news to those who were poor in understanding (Matthew 11:5).

We live in a time where wealth and numbers are more valuable to the assemblies than truth, because they are poor in doctrine (Revelation 3:14-22). Many claim to follow Jesus, but really are just mockers of the truth following after their own ungodly desires (Jude 17-19). They masquerade as messengers of light, just as Satan does, while walking in darkness not knowing where they go and leading others astray with them.

When it comes to the things of the world system and religion, they are described as weak and poor (Galatians 4:9-10). Touch not, taste not, observance of days, months, new moons. These have an appearance of wisdom but are just weak and poor self-made religions serving to indulge the flesh (Colossians 2:21-23).

It is far greater of an issue […]

Poor (πτωχός)2023-11-25T08:03:45-08:00

1 John Reader Addition

1st John
Originally penned by the Apostle John through the leading of the Holy Spirit
Translation by Pastor Luther Walker
Copyright 2021 by Luther Walker. All Rights Reserved

This translation is intended to give a clear understanding based on the original language, taking into consideration all available manuscripts to reproduce the original letter from John. The original language should always be considered the only authority by which each word, phrase, and all other parts of speech are based upon. Where additional information is needed to better explain the meaning and use of a word, a footnote has been added.
Because the book of 1st John was originally a letter, it has been returned to its original form to reduce confusion to the reader by breaks in the middle of sentences and concepts caused by the addition of chapters and verses. Brackets and paratheses are used for clarification within the text.
1st John was written by the Apostle John in 90 A.D. from Ephesus.

What was from a beginning, what we have heard, what we have discerned with our eyes, what we have watched, and our hands touched concerning the Word of the life. And the life was manifested, and we discerned, and testify, and announce to you, the eternal life that was before the Father and was manifested to us. What we discerned and heard we announce also to you, in order that you also should have fellowship with us. And the fellowship, indeed our fellowship, is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And this we write to you, in order that our joy should be made full. And this is the message that we heard from Him and announce to you, that the God is light and there […]

1 John Reader Addition2021-10-27T08:59:37-07:00

Prepared for Good Works

The importance of training cannot be overstated. In every aspect of our lives the people who do the best are the ones who spend the time to train. From interns to an apprentice, training is an essential part of everyday life. The same goes for living out the Christian life. Often our lives can seem to be so mundane that we could not possibly do something great with God. Getting out of our comfort zone tends to heighten our attitude, whether it is going on a mission trip or leading a crowd of people to salvation or any other goal, and we feel closer to God. We want to do something out of the ordinary, but are we ready for that?

Ever wonder why some people always seem to be in the right place at the right time to help others, and we, ever so willing, never seem to get that opportunity? Well, if you pay attention most of those people are trained to not only handle the situation but pay attention to what is going on around them so they can recognize when someone needs help. I recall a story in the news a while ago of a couple messing around on at beach pretending to drown and the lifeguard comes running over to help, which of course to them they thought it was funny, until he passed them and rescued a child just behind them that was actually drowning. You see, he knew what to look for. He was trained and ready. We should be the same way in our Christian lives, constantly training so we are ready for whenever God wants to use us.

For also you are obligated to be teachers […]

Prepared for Good Works2023-12-14T08:45:16-08:00

The Methods of Satan – Lying

Lying is a temptation that comes from Satan and is intended to create a false or misleading impression. He is the father of lies and where you find lying, he is directly involved.

John 8:44 You are out from the father the devil, and the desires of your father you desirously will to do. He was a manslayer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks out from his own, because he is a liar and the father of it.

He influences situations to persuade saints to lie, even to God

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, because of why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and you to pilfer from the price of the land?

Not speaking the truth is a big deal. Even a little lie is a direct result of the influence of Satan. This is something we should be paying attention to and anyone who lies should be called out for doing this. Especially those in positions of authority.

When it comes to the world system, lying is an integrated part of it and often is seen as a good thing. But how can falsely misleading others be good? The world system was created by Satan to manipulate humans to obey his desires rather than their own. Lying is one of the ways he does this.

Therefore, when politicians, doctors, and leaders lie this is not something that should take a Christian by surprise. They are of the world and the world is fond of its own (John 15:19). Those in the Church who lie are following after Satan and are the […]

The Methods of Satan – Lying2023-12-14T08:45:51-08:00

The Works of the Flesh – Inner burning anger

The works of the flesh, which are a product of the sin nature residing in the flesh, are plainly seen in certain desires and actions. One of these works is an inner burning anger. Sometimes mistranslated as “wrath”, this is a work within a person that will produce all kinds of wrong actions because it holds their mind in anger so that they are not clearly thinking, but rather lash out in anger by both their words and deeds.

Inner burning anger has a very negative impact on other Christians and shows that the one caught in it is carnal. That is, not focusing on the things of God, but on the things of the flesh.

For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I desirously will, and also I shall be found by you such as you do not desirously will; lest strife, jealousies, inner burning anger, selfish ambitions, backbiting, whisperings, conceits, confusions – 2 Corinthians 12:20

We are to put away this type of attitude from us, putting off the old man

Let all bitterness, inner burning anger, wrath, clamor, and blasphemy be put away from you, with all wrong. – Ephesians 4:31

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: wrath, inner burning anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. – Colossians 3:8

Stop lying to one another, having stripped off the old man with its practices and put on as an outer garment the new man, the one being renewed unto the full experiential knowledge according to the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:9, 10

Anger is not sin; however, the sin nature can take our anger and misapplying […]

The Works of the Flesh – Inner burning anger2023-12-14T08:46:30-08:00
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