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INDEX: Main Article - For Every Tree Is Known By His Own Fruit (Luke 6:44) - Temperance Monthly Bible Thought - New Year's Resolution Health Article - Protection From Whole Grains and Nuts Bible Study and Last Month's Answers Questions on Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 6 Answers to Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 5 Questions and Answers #1 What verses do you recommend committing to memory? #2 From the time that Jesus ascended into heaven until the day of Pentecost, were the disciples always hiding in the upper room? #3 Where in the Bible does it specifically say Sunday or even the first day of the week is the Lord's day? Antichrist PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..

FOR EVERY TREE IS KNOWN BY HIS OWN FRUIT (TEMPERANCE) (Luke 6:44)

For a good portion of 1998, we looked at the various fruits of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law"). This month, we will look at the last one listed which is temperance. How fitting for the New Year.

As with our previous lessons, we followed the guidelines of proper Bible study outlined in Isaiah 28:10 and performed a word search. Temperance appears three times and Temperate also appears three times for a total of six verses. We will review them in the order they appear in the Bible

The first occurs in Acts 24:25, "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." This demonstrates the great struggle each of us face - a battle against the flesh, that is our sinful desires and the "lust thereof" (1 John 2:17). What are we counseled to do? Romans 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Instead of choosing to walk after the Spirit, Felix looked at all the things, especially those which he was intemperate in, which he would need to let go of in order to accept Christ. He then dismissed Paul from his presence and unfortunately from his life. Choose wisely the way of Jesus instead of Felix. Keep in mind, 1 John 2:16-17 "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 passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

The second occurrence is in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." Being a Christian, as we see Paul here give an example, is not a lay back, wimpy type of relationship with God. Rather, it is a daily battle as Paul declared regarding himself (1 Corinthians 15:31). Since Satan does not take the day off, we must resist every worldly temptation. Even in regards to the good things, it may be a sin if one is not temperate. For example, it is a good thing to witness for the Lord by conducting Bible studies, but if the family is greatly neglected because there are so many studies, that is not good. But did you notice the word "striveth"? As stated in previous articles, we cannot work our way to heaven for there is only one means by which we are saved — Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." With that said, here are the words of Jesus. Luke 13:23-24 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Notice again the word "strive". To strive at something sounds like work. Also notice that few will be saved. Once we are saved, the devil will tempt us to choose to leave the hand of God and choose Satan's way. It is true that no one can take us out of the hand of God (John 10:28-29) but read carefully, John 10:28-29 does not state that our freedom to choose is restricted, in other words, we must strive daily against the temptations of Satan. We must strive against the worldly ways for to choose "the friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4). You see, if one is experiencing an easy Christian life, one ought to be concerned if they are on the right road. If Satan is leaving someone alone, that probably means he has them just where he wants them. Even in the first century, professed Christians were rebuked for thinking that if they put any effort to overcome the world that they were working their way to heaven — Hebrews 12:4, "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Just because there is work involved in leading a Christian life, does not mean one is working their way to heaven for "the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

The third verse is Galatians 5:23 "Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" is the set of verses we have been studying for a good while. What does "against such there is no law" mean? In context, the word "against" is in reference to each of the individual fruits. It simply means that those who have the fruit need no law of boundaries or measures. Who does? 1 Timothy 1:9-10 "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine." A real Christian does not look at how intemperate they can be and still be considered temperate. Please do not think that if you have the fruit of the Spirit that God's commandments are done away with by this verse, but rather "we establish the law" (Romans 3:31). What did Jesus say? Matthew 7:20-21 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Notice that Jesus spoke of the fruit - fruit of the Spirit that is. And notice that if they have the fruit, they will perform the will of the Father. What is the will of the Father? Psalms 40:8 "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart."

The fourth verse is Titus 1:7-9, "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Notice the correct representation of the fruit of the Spirit includes teaching and convincing others of the sound doctrine. The fruit of the Spirit draws people to the Word which was inspired by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) in the first place. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit does not contradict the Word of the Spirit.

The fifth verse is Titus 2:1-2, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience." Again, sound doctrine and the fruit of the Spirit go together.

The sixth verse is 2 Peter 1:5-8, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." This gives us the stepping stone process. One cannot be temperate if they have no knowledge of the dangers of intemperance or even knowledge of God. And we do not stop at exercising temperance but we press on to patience, for people need a whole lot of patience as they withdraw from worldly ways and choose Godly ways.

May we exercise temperance in all things and give glory to God.

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THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH (3 John 1:2)

PROTECTION FROM WHOLE GRAINS AND NUTS
Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., R.D.

Many of the cancer-preventive phytochemicals found in fruit and vegetables are similar to those found in whole grains and nuts. Because phytochemicals are concentrated in the bran and the germ of the kernel, the health benefits of grains are maximized when the whole-grain product is consumed. Refining wheat, for example, causes about a 200 to 300 fold loss in phytochemical content.

Cereal grains and nuts contain substantial levels of tocotrienols (a natural form of vitamin E), which strongly inhibit tumor growth and significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels.

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THINK ON THESE THINGS (Philippians 4:8)

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

A Christian will not wait until New Year's Day to make a resolution. They will begin today. And after two weeks when most people break their resolution, the Christian will confess to God and begin again.

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SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)

STUDY: Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 6

1. What was created on the sixth day? Genesis 1:24-31

2. What creature created on this day most signified Christ and His ministry? Exodus 12:5, John 1:29, John 1:36, 1 Peter 1:19

3. How much is mankind worth? Isaiah 13:12, Revelation 5:9

4. With God giving us a perfect diet (Genesis 1:29), should we consider what goes into our bodies? Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:31

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S STUDY: Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 5

1. What was created on the fifth day? Genesis 1:20-23 "And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day."

2. What did Jesus declare Himself to be? John 6:48 "I am that bread of life" 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:", and 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

3. What two similar miracles occurred with the creatures that were created on this day? Mark 6:41-44 "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave [them] to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men." Matthew 15:36-38 "And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake [them], and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children."

4. What role do the creatures created on this day play in regards to the lost and end time events? Matthew 24:28 "For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." Revelation 19:21 "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." Birds will be feasting on the slain wicked.

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YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME (1 John 2:18)

THIRTEENTH IDENTIFYING MARK (picked at random):

2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way." 1 John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

REVIEW OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS:

1. . . . would deny Jesus is the Christ either by words, actions, or both (1 John 2:22, Titus 1:16).
   
2. . . . is in a populated area of the world (Revelation 131-2, 17:15).
   
3. . . . would wear titles attributed to God (Revelation 13:6, Matt 23:8-12).
   
4. . . . is a kingdom (Revelation 13:1-2, Daniel 7:23).
   
5. . . . derives it's authority based on satanic principles or paganism (Revelation 13:1-2, 12:9).
   
6. . . . is a little kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
   
7. . . . would conquer three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24).
   
8. . . . a single person would be leader of this kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
   
9. . . . the leader's name or title would add up to 666 (Revelation 13:18).
   
10. . . . would embrace non-Christian theology (Revelation 18:2, 1 John 4:1, 3).
    
11. . . . would not be just another political kingdom (Daniel 7:20, 24).
    
12. . . . would deny the single sacrifice of Christ (1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7, Heb. 9:28).
    
13. . . . has seeds in the apostolic age. (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 John 4:3)

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ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)

Question #1 - Scranton - What verses do you recommend committing to memory?

Answer #1 - "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). We recommend to begin by beholding Christ in the four gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read at least a chapter a day which should take about three months and then begin again. In one year, all four gospels will be read four times each and then some. Through the third or forth time, parts of sentences will begin to stick in the mind, especially those that are repeated in all four gospels. But read each day intently and not for the mere sake of doing the task for no verses will be retained that way. A similar process can be performed for the book of Proverbs which will make one wise. There are thirty-one chapters in the book. One can easily remember which chapter to read by the corresponding number on the calendar.

Question #2 - Newville - From the time that Jesus ascended into heaven until the day of Pentecost, were the disciples always hiding in the upper room?

Answer #2 - From time to time the disciples met in the upper room, but that is not where they stayed all the time. Luke 24:51-53 "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Question #3 - Newville - Where in the Bible does it specifically say Sunday or even the first day of the week is the Lord's day?

Answer #3 - The "Lord's day" reference appears only once in the entire Bible. Revelation 1:9-11, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Lao-dicea." Using even the whole book of Revelation, there is no specific day attached to the Lord's Day. Search the Bible on the key words of "Lord" and "Day" and you will be able to find which day is actually being referenced.

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