The Narrow Road Underground

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was FULL OF GOOD WORKS and CHARITABLE DEEDS which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room… 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” Acts 9:36 NKJV

“Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her OWN WORKS praise her in the gates [of the city]! [Phil 4:8.]” Proverbs 31:30-31 AMP

Peter explains the mature adds godliness and loving kindness to their lifestyle. He says, “and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in[exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection…” 2 Peter 1:6-7 AMP

In Ephesians 4:12-16 (NLT2) Paul adds, “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”

“15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

This is part 2 of Episode 12 and remember…

Phase 3 begins your life serving “…because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” John 2:14 (AMP)

First the big idea is the ability to stand strong and serve both God and the Christian family around you. This means taking the BIG STEP 5 through developing godliness into your life. The primary way this is evident is seen through Jesus. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT2) God is the king of LOVE which is sacrificial giving.

“Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy ] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.” 1 Peter 1:22 (AMP)

Transitioning into Phase 3 leads to a brand new plane of living. First the big idea is the ability to stand strong and serve both God and the Christian family around you. This means taking the BIG STEP 5 through developing godliness into your life. The primary way this is evident is seen through Jesus. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT2) God is the king of LOVE which is sacrificial giving.

Phase 3 begins your life serving “…because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” John 2:14 (AMP)

“Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy ] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.” 1 Peter 1:22 (AMP)

Do you have the strength to stand strong when the world hates you? “I write to you, young men, because you are strong and  vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” John 2:14 (AMP)

This is a discussion of Step 4 (develop endurance), the final push to leave Level 2 (immaturity) and enter Level 3 (mature servant of the Lord).

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29  For our God is a devouring fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 (NLT2)

Randy focuses on the need to be so strong that you will not be shaken under pressure, trials, opposition, and difficult circumstances so that you can continue in your service of your King Jesus. This talk is centered on understanding Level 2 (which is immaturity) and how to move forward through Step 4 (adding all diligence to [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness [patience, endurance]) for the purpose of entering the next phase of life, the mature servant of the Lord.

Part 2 continues the talk discussing the heavy hand of God’s discipline that causes character change [real righteousness] in the Christian’s life. But failure to understand suffering will produce bitterness not forgiveness and Christ-like character.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’” Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV)

God’s Heavy Hand of Love chastening = tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication disciplinary correction :- chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.

rebuked = of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

scourged = to flog (literal or figurative) :- scourge.

2 Peter 1:6 (AMP) “…in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),”

Failure to understand suffering will produce bitterness not forgiveness and Christ-like character.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’” Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV)

God’s Heavy Hand of Love chastening = tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication disciplinary correction :- chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.

rebuked = of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

scourged = to flog (literal or figurative) :- scourge.

2 Peter 1:6 (AMP) “…in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),”

2 Peter 1:6 (AMP) “And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), …”

1/ It is absolutely imperative that you become a tough, strong willed Christian, the strength of character will carry you through to God’s promises and purposes. 2/ It takes strength [endurance] to obey the will of God in spite of great resistance, opposition, trials, tribulations, and natural disasters. 3/ Weakness will throw you into defeat, bitterness, and sorrow. The weak sin and give all kinds of excuses. The weak cannot stand disappointments, unexpected circumstances, unfavorable situations, and temporary setbacks of their dreams and plans.

“…employ every effort and in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control” 2 Peter 1:6 AMP

Even though it takes many, many days to wait on God to develop and mature you, it is imperative to press forward and seek Him and learn His Word. Ignorance is not bliss. Knowing the truth leads you to further trust and cooperation with God to experience His will in your life. God wants you strong. Self-control to strongly live righteously instead of being destroyed by sin is His will for your life.

He does NOT use a magic wand to strengthen you. Come on, you do not get physically strong by reading weight lifting books. The same is true for spiritual growth. Instead He gives you circumstances, trials, tribulations, etc to let you exercise your knowledge of God for the purpose of working out your salvation. You must become strong in spirit!

“Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” Romans 6:18 (NLT2)

The Bible is NOT a normal book, but a supernatural book that the Spirit of God miraculously reveals the truth to only the born again Christian.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (NKJV) 12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13  These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15  But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16  For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 John 2:3-6 (NKJV) “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5  But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”