Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

247 - Bold as a Lion

This episode is based on the understanding given in Proverbs 28:1, which reads, "‭The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (NKJV). The word for "bold" in this verse means secure and confident. Jesus is described as "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5). As born-again Christians, we have His divine nature. "For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV‬). We are righteous in Christ, so we should be bold as Jesus is bold -- like a lion. In my prior life of disobedience, I became paranoid like a coyote in the desert. I would flee even though no one was after me, especially while on drugs. But now, made righteous in Christ, I've done no wrong, so I'm not afraid. I have the ability to stand in the presence of God without any sense of fear, guilt, condemnation, shame and inferiority. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (‭8:37, NKJV‬). The reasons for us to be bold in Christ are described throughout Scripture. We are more than conquerors over past sins, forgiven and regenerated in Christ Jesus, Who provided us His righteousness to be bold. Paul wrote: "We are bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:2, NKJV). In this message we will look at these and other Scriptures that encourage each of us to act on the knowledge of who we've become by grace through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. I hope you'll join me in this exploration seeking to gain the Spiritual boldness we've been called to have in Christ.
Let me hear from you - Charles
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246 - Be Honest in All Things

The ancient Greek word translated "honest" is "Kalos," meaning honest, admirable, fair, honorably. It has to do with conduct. As Christians we need beautiful conduct to "make our truth attractive." We have a new, born-again nature. Our old lying nature has been done away with; and now the Spirit of Truth lives inside of us and needs to come out, "‭. . . providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21, KJV). Christians must be honest, but even more than just truth telling; our truth needs to be attractive to God and to others. We must get deception out of all areas of our lives. The apostle Paul wrote: "Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates [rejected]. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Corinthians 13:7, 8, KJV). We must continue to do what is right, even though we appear as those who do wrong. Since honesty comes from God; where does lying come from?  Jesus told the Pharisees, "‭You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44, NKJV‬).  Satan, the devil, is the father of lies. He continues to try to deceive us. Paul exhorted to  "‭. . .be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:23-25, NKJV‬). We must understand the obligation we have to God and to each other, to speak truthfully; to have a reputation that is pleasant, honorable and attractive. Do you want this? This message could help. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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244 - Be Hospitable to One Another

In recent episodes, I've taught things on Christian character and this one is on hospitality. In the Old Testament, there is no word translated "hospitality", but it is found in stories which illustrate the concept as a duty one is required to perform. In Genesis 18:1-8, we see Abraham being hospitable to the three angels. Again, in Genesis 19:1-11, we find Lot doing the same, plus there's numerous other such stories. In the New Testament, the Greek word "philoxenia" is found 4x for "hospitality." It's a composite of two words: "Philo" meaning "love" and "Xenia" meaning "a stranger." It literally means "to show love for a stranger." Therefore, in the New Testament hospitality is given, not due to social duty, but out of Christian love. And we find many examples in the Gospels: in Mark chapters 6 and 8, Jesus feeds large groups of people. He is showing hospitality to them. In Luke, Jesus taught to "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (6:38, NKJV). We also see an example in the story of the good Samaritan in Luke, chapter 10. And again in Luke 19:1-11, we find the story of Zacchaeus where he shows hospitality to Jesus. Can we show hospitality to Jesus today? Coming on judgment day, Jesus taught, "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did  to one of the least of these My brethren, you did  to Me'" (Matthew 25:40, NKJV). When we show hospitality, we will be blessed and often not in ways we'd expect: "Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:20-21, NKJV). I encourage you to listen to this podcast on hospitality, a subject which is often ignored in church teachings.
Let me hear from you - Charles
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243 - Be Kind to One Another

This message is based on one particular verse, Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (NKJV). We are to be kind, act tenderly towards others, and be forgiving [See episode 352 - How To Forgive]. We are to be this way because God is this way. We have been given a new nature - a divine nature (2 Peter 1:4); born again of incorruptible seed, through the word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We are to renew our mind with God's Word (Ephesians 4:23, 24), which empowers us to be kind. Simply, we show kindness because God's loving-kindness is within us. The Israelites cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God, ". . . But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them" (Nehemiah 9:17c, NKJV). They stated emphatically the nature of God in these verses, and we are to manifest His nature. In 2 Corinthians 6, verses 4 through 10, we are told, how as ministers of God, we are to overcome the difficulties we face ". . . by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true . . ." (vv. 6-8). Kindness is one of the ways we prevail. It's an attribute of love, and as Christians, we are to be known by our love. I encourage you to listen to this message and see how important this understanding is to your walk as a Christian. May it help you to look for opportunities to be kind when the world is being harsh and unforgiving.
Let me hear from you - Charles
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241 - Be Set Free

In this episode, we're going to be talking about how to be set free. Isaiah prophesied, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" (58:6, NKJV). The bonds have been loosed, the burdens removed. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8, NKJV). Once we allowed the Lord to rule our life, we defeated the works of the devil and were set free from every yolk of bondage by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Demons used to keep us involved with the wrong people, hanging out at the wrong places and doing the wrong things but, when we put our faith in Christ, we were released from the bondage of sin. You can also be in bondage to the traditions of men, ". . . making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do” (Mark 7:13, NKJV). We become tied up in religious traditions which often change with time, but God's Word [Truth] never changes. Many are caught up in doctrines which don't line up with the Word of God. John wrote that ". . . Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31-32, NKJV). Free from the bondage of religious traditions, plus the current beliefs of society which seek to do away with sin, saying what is wrong is okay and what is right is to be dismissed. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8, NKJV). Also in Christ, we are set free even from death, ". . . that through death, He [Jesus] might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14, NKJV). Seek to be set free as the Lord intended!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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240 - Be a Father Pleaser

As we live our lives in Christ, the Holy Spirit compels us to please God, our Heavenly Father. We want to please Him more and more. The one person Who pleased the Father more than any other is Jesus. "Then Jesus said to them, 'When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him'" (John 8:28, 29, NKJV). Jesus relied on pleasing the Father as a direction for His actions. He speaks those things that the Father taught Him. That's how we can please the Father, by sharing the Gospel, speaking those things the Father has taught us. When we become born again, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] lives inside us and through Him we come into agreement with God's Word and our actions follow. Our actions become pleasing to God. And, "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7, NKJV). When we please God the Father, others are pleased by us as well. "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1 John 3:22, NKJV). When we obey God's Word, this pleases the Father and our prayers are more effective as well. Finally, there is this: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5, 6, NKJV). Like Enoch, it should be our desire to please God the Father in every area of our life. Are you living a life pleasing to God? Would you like to? This message could help!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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239B - How to Be Used by God

The first half of this message was episode #239A - "The Call of God." I now continue by presenting eight  things we are to practice in order to be used by God. They are summarized as follows.
1. We must be willing to be used by God. "Then He [Jesus] said to His disciples, 'The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" (Matthew 9:37,38, NKJV). In other words, we must be willing to let God work through us as He wills in order to bring in the harvest.2. We must have a working knowledge of the Bible. The apostle Peter wrote: ". . .  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2,3; 2 Peter 3:18, NKJV). We are to renew our minds through God's Word (Romans 12:2).3. We must be filled with and walk in the Holy Spirit. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25, NKJV). The Spirit empowers us to be effective ministers of the Gospel of Christ.4. We must have a heart of genuine love for others. "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:14,15, NKJV). Love is an action apparent in all who are used by God.5. We must practice the power of prayer; praying without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:16-18).6. We must invest our money in the Lord's work. Not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).7. We must be bold as lions in our righteousness. Don't let fear control you (Proverbs 28:1; Acts 4:29,30).8. We must be obedient in all things. Total obedience to God and His Word must be seen in all our actions (Acts 5:29-32).It is my prayer this message will bring you to an understanding of what the Lord requires of His servants, so you can be effective in all you do. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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239A - The Call of God

In Isaiah 6:8, we read: "Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'" (NKJV).  Isaiah was called to give the people a choice: to hear the Word of God and live; or reject the Word of God and face His wrath. We are called to deliver a similar message: Receive God's Word [Jesus] and accept His salvation; or reject it and be left to God's wrath. God gave His Word to Prophets, to Kings and leaders, and now He has given it to us, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We become equipped to share it with others. Matthew wrote: "But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is truly  plentiful, but the laborers  few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" (Matthew 9:36-38, NKJV). Are you willing to answer the call of Jesus? The apostle Paul wrote: "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 NKJV).  Because of Christ's love, we are "compelled" to live for Him, sharing His grace with others. The number one commission for us as believers is to win souls. We are joined in union with Jesus Christ in this mission. We no longer live for ourselves, which brings us to the main point: To answer the call of God, we must be willing. Are you willing?
Let me hear from you - Charles  
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