Most of our lives on this earth, we strive to make a "name" for ourselves. Our entire education program from childhood teaches us to rise to the top of the class. This strife goes on to whatever we do in life, in jobs, in homes, wherever we are the goal is often to "be the best". In works of the flesh, this is called "emulations". The way of God is so often opposite to the way of humans.
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3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, HE humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted HIM, and given him a name which is above every name:
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Jesus said:
John 5:30 I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and MY judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent ME.
Jesus, the Son of God, could do nothing except what HE heard from God. This showed me that I certainly could do nothing other than that which I heard from God!
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26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Prophets are sent to the church:
John 16:2 The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
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Prophets are sent to the church:
John 16:2 The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
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II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
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Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
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I Corinthians 2:10-13
... The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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I Corinthians 2:10-13
... The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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Acts 21:8-9
We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
(They would have to speak in the church to prophesy.)
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John 21:17-19
Jesus saith unto him, Feed MY sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake HE, signifying by what death he (Peter) should glorify God. And when HE (Jesus) had spoken this, HE saith unto him, Follow Me.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake HE, signifying by what death he (Peter) should glorify God. And when HE (Jesus) had spoken this, HE saith unto him, Follow Me.
(We follow Jesus each time we choose to do that which is called to our mind by the Holy Spirit of Jesus.)
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(These scriptures are not recorded on this broadcast, but might be helpful.)
Works of the flesh:
20 Idolatry, witchcraft (living in superstitions), hatred, variance (to vary, debate, argue), emulations (to try to outdo another person), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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What our "conversation" manner of life should be:
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
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The fruit of the Spirit of God:
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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