The Eternal (BENEFITS) Of Living Righteously

There are ENORMOUS benefits to LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY, here are just a FEW, BUT know that it is through CHRIST JESUS' blood that gives us ACCESS to these benefits.  So you MUST be a BELIEVER and be OBEDIENT to His Word.  Here is the list:

WHAT DOES LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY MEAN?

James 1:19-20New International Version (NIV)

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:22-27New International Version (NIV)

Doers-Not Only Hears

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 25:31-46 New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Colossians 3:5 New International Version (NIV)

Not Carnality but Christ

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Galatians 5:5-26 New International Version (NIV)

Walking In The Spirit

5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Benefits of Living Righteous

Psalm 84:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 34:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Proverbs 13:21 New International Version (NIV)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

Psalm 58:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 Then people will say,“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Make Your Choice Life or Death...

IN ALL THINGS, GIVE THANKS!

Dear God:
I want to thank You for what You have already done.  I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank You right now.  

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank You right now.  I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank You right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank You right now.  I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.  I am thanking You right now.

I am thanking You because I am alive.  I am thanking You because I made it through the day’s difficulties.  I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.  I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.  I am thanking You because You have not given up on me.

Dear Lord And Savior Jesus Christ...

Dear Lord:

I want to thank you for what you have already done.  I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better.  I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears.  I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet.  I am going to thank you right now.  I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job.  I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief.  I am going to thank you right now.  I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.  I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.  I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties.  I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.  I am thanking you because I have the ability and opportunity to do more and do better.  I am thanking you because you have not given up on me.

Thank you, Lord

Five Finger Prayer

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1.  Your thumb is nearest to you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

2.  The next finger is the pointing finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.  This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.  

3.  The next finger is the tallest finger.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.  These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God’s guidance.

4.  The fourth finger is our ring finger.  Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest ring; as any piano teacher will testify.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak in trouble or in pain.  They need your prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.

5.  And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all.  Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.  As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.”  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.  Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Courage To Face Abuse

Psalm 34:4-18New International Version (NIV)

 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Abuse Victim
You are not alone; many others have gone through abuse similar to what you have experienced.  You may be find it hard to express your feelings about your situation--This is quite common.  But it is important for you to get past this.  You need to learn to express yourself in a healthy way and realize your God-given value as a person.  We encourage you to find a pastor or Christian counselor (or perhaps a mature Christian friend of the same sex) whom you feel you can trust and begin to talk what you are going through.  You do not "deserve" the treatment you have experienced; God does not want you to be a victim.  He wants to give you courage to deal rightly with your situation.  Though your abuser may blame you and justify his or her actions against your, the abuse is not your fault, and it must stop.  Pray for the courage to be decisive and firm.  the actions your abuser is taking against you are illegal and could even lead to imprisonment.

NOT YET...

Sometimes I ask the question, “My Lord is this your will?” It’s then I hear you answer me, “My Precious Child… be still.” Sometimes I feel frustrated, cause I think I know what’s best. It’s then I hear you say to me, “My Busy Child… just rest” Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I’d like a mate. Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, “My Child…please wait” “I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you’ll see; If you can just be patient, Child, and put your trust in me. I’ve plans to draw you closer. I’ve plans to help you grow. There’s much I do you cannot see and much you do not know. But know this, Child… I LOVE YOU, You are Precious unto Me. Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny. I’ve something very special I hope for you to learn. The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn. They come without a price tag, but not without a cost; at Calvary, I gave My Son, so You would not be lost. Rest child, and do not grow weary of doing what is good I promise I’ll come back for you just like I said I would. Your name is written on my palm, I never could forget; Therefore, do not be discouraged when my answer is ….”Not Yet”

I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N

According to the Bible a true Christian is:

Ø  a follower or a disciple of Jesus Christ

Ø  a person who has repented

Ø  a person who has been converted

Ø  a person who is saved

Ø  a person who is born again

Ø  a person who has faith in Christ

Ø   a person who is “in Christ”

Ø  a saint, beloved one, or a child of God

There are many other words that could be added to the list.  Christians may talk about “Believers,” “Knowing Christ,” “accepting Christ as your personal savior,” “coming to Christ,” “receiving Christ,” or “taking Christ into your heart.”

Why are there so many different words to describe the Christian experience?  Being a Christian-being born of God through His Son Jesus-is a wonderful spiritual experience.  No words can fully describe it, so the Bible uses many words to help us understand what being a Christian means. 

A Beginning For Converts

Like any birth, becoming a Christian is only the beginning.  A baby may be born healthy, yet never grow up.  Christ wants his followers to keep growing and learning of Him.  Repentance, conversion, salvation, new birth, knowing Christ, faith in Christ, whatever names you use-all these things are just beginnings, too.  They do not happen all at once.  Being a Christian is not simply having a ticket to heaven.  It is the trip there, too.  Growing Christians keep finding new things about themselves, others and God from the Bible.  They find new sins of which to repent or new areas of their lives to commit to God.  Christians are always being saved or healed as Christ mends their lives. Faith in Christ grows stronger in a growing Christian.  Finding Christ is not the end of your search.  It is only the beginning!

1 Corinthians 2:9 reads…

 ⁹ However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, 
what no ear has heard, 
and what no human mind has conceived” ^[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—

What a great benefit!

Jesus Is Not A Mortal So He Has No Race

John 1:14New International Version (NIV)

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (This is not Jesus in His Glory just a veil to dwell amongs the people)

John 1:18New International Version (NIV)

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Philippians 2:6-7New International Version (NIV)

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

Don't argue with those who say that Jesus is a certain color because the Word says He is Spirit.  If Jesus was a certain color and only came for those who are a certain color it would go against everything Jesus stands for.

Matthew 5:43-48New International Version (NIV)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

If Jesus is just for a certain race then why would He say love your enemies.

There's One Race The "Human Race"

We as people have come to believe that there are certain races in our society, even before Hitler. If we look at the Bible God clearly shows us that we all come from one seed Seth. Cain's descendant's got destroyed in the flood and Abel was killed by Cain. Therefore Seth was the only one who descendants survived the flood and continued to populate this world, hence came Noah.  

Genesis 4:25King James Version (KJV)

25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Genesis 6:9-13

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Genesis 5 King James Version (KJV)

5 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:

4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:

5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

6 And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:

7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:

8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:

10 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:

11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

12 And Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel:

13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:

14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:

16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch:

19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.

21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.

26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:

27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:

29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed.

30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:

31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.

32 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Reveals How the Myth of Race Took Hold and Retains Its Power
RACE - The Power of an Illusion

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cara White 843/881-1480; carapub@aol.com


Larry Adelman, 415/284-7800 x7; LA@newsreel.org

(San Francisco, CA) - What if we suddenly discovered that our most basic assumption about race - for instance, that the world's people can be divided biologically along racial lines - was false? And if race is a biological "myth," where did the idea come from? How do our institutions give race social meaning and power by advantaging white people?

These are just a few of the questions raised by Race - The Power of an Illusion, California Newsreel's provocative new PBS series produced in association with ITVS. It is the first documentary series to scrutinize the very idea of race through the distinct lenses of science, history and our social institutions. The series is narrated by CCH Pounder (The Shield). By asking, "What is this thing called 'race'?" a question so basic it is rarely raised, Race - The Power of an Illusion challenges some of our most deeply held beliefs.


Ethnic cleansing, affirmative action battles, immigration restrictions - all place race at center stage in contemporary life. Race is so fundamental to discussions of poverty, education, crime, music, and sports that, whether we are racist or anti-racist, we rarely question its reality.

Yet recent scientific evidence suggests that the idea of race is a biological myth, as outdated as the widely held medieval belief that the sun revolved around the earth. Anthropologists, biologists and geneticists have increasingly found that, biologically speaking; there is no such thing as "race." Modern science is decoding the genetic puzzle of DNA and human variation - and finding that skin color really is only skin deep. 


However invalid race is biologically, it has been deeply woven into the fabric of American life. Race - The Power of an Illusion examines why and how in three one-hour installments. Episode 1: "The Difference Between Us," surveys the scientific findings - including genetics - that suggest that the concept of race has no biological basis. Episode 2: "The Story We Tell, " provides the historical context for race in North America, including when and how the idea got started and why it took such a hold over our minds. Episode 3: "The House We Live In," spotlights how our social institutions "make" race by providing different groups vastly different life chances even today, 40 years after the Civil Rights Act.