Mike Kines

Philemon 1:2, "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:"

From the early days of the church God's people have met in humble homes of believers. I think this is where even today you will find the purest and most holy church. You can't go to an America mega church to find this holy bride of Christ. You have to go into the humble homes of believers who comprise God's remnant.

Persecuted Christians today continue to meet in the underground church and in people's homes. They cannot meet in an official church building. They find fellowship where they can. Where two or three are gathered together in Jesus name he is with them. Matthew 18:20.

Lord, I thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who meet together in humble circumstances, the homes of friends, in order to worship you, teach and admonish one another, and grow in Christ. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are meeting together in this fashion. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

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1 Timothy 3:15, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

The church has been the vessel for 2,000 years to carry the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Men and women for 2,000 years have come together in the name of the Lord Jesus to continue to carry forward every generation the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even with all of the outward failure of the religious institution called the church there is still a spiritual people within who testify of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Heavenly Father, I pray for the people within the church who continue to be faithful and carry forward the testimony of the church. Lord, you have entrusted the gospel to your people. May we be found faithful, Lord. Amen.

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1 Timothy 3:5, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"

This verse shows practical common sense and logic in applying discernment. Is it possible that people can be put in positions of leadership who obviously are unqualified or not fit for service? This happens all the time. If only people would use the wisdom that comes from the Bible!

The bible outlines in several places the qualifications for leadership. Read the books of 1 Timothy and Titus for specific lists of qualifications.

Heavenly Father, help me to always live in such a way that I would not be disqualified to serve you. I pray, Lord, for all those who do serve you in the church that they will be careful to maintain a holy life and manager their homes and families according to your will, amen.

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Colossians 1:24, "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:"

Paul's ministry included suffering for God's people in order to give the church the spiritual gift God gave him. He suffered for the body of Christ in order that he might fulfill the will of God.

God can use us in a mighty way to bless others in the church if we are not afraid to suffer along the journey. Philippians 1:29.

Heavenly Father, I don't think that I have ever suffered very much for your people, but I thank you for those who went before me who did suffer so that I could hear the gospel and believe and receive eternal life. I thank you for every person who ever suffered so that the gospel could continue to spread around this planet. Amen.

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Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

The Lord Jesus is the head of the church. Men have been trying take this position away from the Lord Jesus from the beginning of the church.

Why do men seek prestige, position, and power over others? Why do they want to have dominion over the faith of their brothers and sisters in Christ? 2 Corinthians 1:24.

Heavenly Father, I pray that the eyes of your people will be opened to see that position and prestige is not the goal of our lives here on earth. Instead, we should exalt the name of the Lord Jesus and make his name great and glorious. Amen.

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Philippians 4:15, "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only."

There were individual local churches who understood their part of the mission in spreading the gospel was to help support financially those who were preaching the gospel.

It takes a special church to understand the importance of supporting missionaries and those who have given their lives in full time ministry. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

Father, I thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ who see the importance of supporting the work of those who are serving in Christian ministry. Lord, move upon the hearts of people to give generously to help support this work of the gospel and those whose lives are dedicated to this work. Amen.

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Ephesians 5:27, "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

The Lord will have a glorious church without any spot or wrinkle or any such thing. The church will be holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. This is all accomplished because of what the Lord Jesus did through his death, burial, and resurrection.

The true church of Jesus, within the outward institution, is individuals who are filled with the Holy Spirit and who have a desire to live a life worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Colossians 1:10.

Heavenly Father, you will have a glorious church for your Son Jesus Christ, a church that has no spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Your church is holy and without blemish. Praise your name for what you have done, oh Lord. Amen.

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Ephesians 5:23-25, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

Marriage is a picture of the Lord Jesus and his bride, the church. No wonder that marriage is denigrated and is marred by pop culture and the world today.

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church! How did Jesus love the church? He died on the cross for her. Do you love your wife enough to die for her? Read 1 Corinthians 13:-4-8.

Father God, help to always love my wife as Christ loves the church. Help me to willing and ready to lay down my life every day. Lord, I offer my body this day to be a living sacrifice for Jesus. Grant me everyday that I can express your love to my wife, in Jesus name. Amen.

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Ephesians 3:10, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God"

God is revealing himself and his plans through the lowly church on earth. This is an amazing fact that we are somehow being used by God to reveal who is to these principalities and powers in heavenly places. God is demonstrating his wisdom through lowly, humble Christians on earth. Amazing grace!

Angels are interested in God's relationship with man, especially with those in the church who are saved and inherit salvation. 1 Peter 1:12.

Father God, you have put the church on display as a trophy of your grace and mercy. Thank you, Lord, for the gospel that Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. The Lord Jesus spoiled principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Amen.

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Ephesians 1:22, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church"

Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Any man who tries to usurp this position over the church as actually an antichrist. Someone who tries to take the place of Jesus Christ is actually on the side of the devil. This includes the Catholic pope, and many religious leaders among Protestants and Catholics who lord themselves over the church.

Men who promote themselves and lord themselves over the church are trying to displace the supremacy of Jesus Christ over his people. Matthew 23:8-10; 1 Peter 5:3.

Heavenly Father, I don't ever want to exalt myself over other people. I pray for those men who are deceived into thinking they are over their brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, show them their true spiritual condition and grant them grace to repent and humble themselves, in Jesus name. Amen.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mikekines.substack.com