Almost no professing believer seems immune to the prosperity preacher’s siren song. Witness the recent story about the late Christian music artist Mylon LeFevre who “sowed a seed offering” to Kenneth Copeland in the form of a Bentley with a Breitling clock in the hopes of overcoming his cancer.

LeFevre died of the disease on September 8, 2023.

And yet, Copeland is still going strong at 87, as are other prosperity preachers like him such as Hinn, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, John Hagee, Creflo Dollar, Paula White, and Joyce Meyer.

Continued below.

Job 31:

16 If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow's eyes to fail, 17or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it.

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In the ancient time of Job, widows and orphans were vulnerable people without a source of income.

Similarly, Deuteronomy 14:

29 Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

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Even in the NT, Ja 1:

27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

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From ancient times to the days of James, caring for orphans and widows was an important work for the Lord.

How do we interpret James' definition of a pure religion today? Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: What is it?

We can apply James' principle to our modern time equivalence. Today, we have foster children and children in the child welfare system, single parents struggling to make ends meet, elderly people without family support, physically disabled people who can't work, homeless individuals, refugees, and asylum seekers. They are the vulnerable people in our society.

What can we do?

We can volunteer at shelters or food banks, mentor at-risk youth, promote social justice, advocate for fair housing policies, and support education equality initiatives.

In James' view, pure religion was caring for those in society who had trouble caring for themselves. This principle has been applied in ancient times and is still applied today. Love your neighbors and take good care of them. That's our religion.

There are believers who think that when a Christian sins it’s intentional or willful. Isn’t the primary difference in one reborn the fact that one will never want to sin (Heb 10:26)? Though we know that one cannot live without sinning, it is strongly against the desire of the Christian to sin (Psa 97:10; Pro 8:13; Jude 1:23)! What one must know is that those reborn still possess the sin nature (old man - 1Jo 1:8), and the sin that is now committed is from the old man and not from the new man (Ro 7:17, 20). The main difference between the natural man and the saved man is that there is no desire to sin in our new man!

Paul declared the dichotomy of the Christian’s two natures in Romans 7:14-25 (only Christians have both natures, as Christ had only a divine nature and unbelievers have only the sin nature). “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate (not want to do), that I do.” Here Paul is admitting he still sins
and it’s evident he does not desire to sin! Also notice the usage of the word “captive” in v 23. This is used by Paul to describe something that is against his will and desire, as one who is in a prison.

The main theme is that, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mat 6:21). What one has in the heart is what determines their good or evil, as “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Mat 12:35). There is only evil or good within the heart—never both. God will not allow admixture! What the believer ultimately intends in the heart is what God uses to determine everything!

The heart represents what one is ultimately. There will be evil in the life of a believer but not intentionally, because ultimately the believer wants what God wants (Phl 2:13). Conversely, unbelievers have only evil in their heart (Tit 1:15), being “dominated” by the “old man” (Ro 6:14); and sin’s dominion is its ability to cause you to want to sin. It’s not that we sin it’s, “do we want to sin”? With the new nature we do not desire sin, but with the old nature we sin, but never intentionally (e.g. doing something out of anger or wrath in not what a Christian wants to do - Jas 1:20). We may impulsively sin out of anger, jealousy, envy, etc., i.e. sins that aren’t on purpose or with planning and intentional knowledge, which are not the same as “willful” sins that are “presumptuous” (Num 15:30).

Though the old man is a part of the believer, the believer has no part with the old man in his new nature, for God has separated believers in position with Christ from the sin nature (Ro 8:9). Therefore, regardless of the believer’s “condition” (impulsive sinning, temporary discouragement, etc.), the believers “position” is incapable of ever being affected, as faith and salvation are permanent (Rom 11:29). How does God know for certain that one reborn will never apostatize?—by “Working in you to both desire and do of His good pleasure!” If one apostatizes it manifests there was no rebirth (1Jo 2:19); hence the phrase “unto the end,” as only the saved will do, to manifest themselves reborn.

After glorifying Himself, everything God does is for our “sakes” (2Co 4:15), and in my opinion, the most needed thing for the saved is encouraging one another in the Scriptures. We have everything that pertains to “life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3), and thus merely requiring the continuous “exhortation” of one another (Heb 10:25) in the “love” of Christ (Jhn 15:12).
NC

Joseph G said:

Yipes! I got about 2 pages into your link when I noticed it was about 25 pages in length. A wee bit late to the game, ain't I?

Oh well, the fellow in the vid does meander into some other interesting areas too so maybe it will benefit someone. *shrug*

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Yep. I had to shut down my own thread.

The fellow in the vid is Off The Kirb with Joe Kirby:

The Barbarian said:

Yes. The point is, that it's really difficult, if not impossible to tell very late H. erectus from archaic H. sapiens. So maybe 100,000 years ago.

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Here is another question. If we know that much of these narratives do not match scientific concepts. Age of the earth, the flood being global or, ancient cosmology in general. Why bother trying to make Adam align with something like this?

A few observations:
-Adam and Eve are never mentioned in Genesis chapter 1, so we aren't sure if they even would be the first people in the Bible.

-issues of incest of they are literal historical people.

-All people in the OT are made of dust. So it is not as though the Bible is telling us something about biology or Adam to begin with.

Context is ANE which doesn't correlate well with science:
-The iron age more closely aligns with the time of Moses, probably not coincidentally thought to be the author of Genesis

-the literary introductions of Genesis 1+2, and the genre and background of these stories, match up quite nicely with things like the epic of Gilgamesh or Egyptians creation stories. About 4,000 years old.

-ancient cultures that share the same cultural background, also are relatively young. Egyptian creation texts that align with Genesis also date back to some 4,000 BC.

____
With these concepts not aligning with science, why not presume Adam and Eve not to align with science as well? Even if we moved them up to 4,000 BC, I don't think that it would change much, theologically.

Ultimately, it seems to be a pretty complicated. It may be easier to conclude them to be non-historical such as in views presented by Tremper Longman III.

tonychanyt said:

Berean Literal Bible, Matthew 20:


will be betrayed
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular

They will condemn
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural

The context determined the above future tenses, which pointed to future happenings. Further, there was a grammatical clue: third-person futures are often predictive.

On the other hand, Mt 22:


Love
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular

The context indicated that the above was a command. Also, commands were often written in 2nd person.

Another example in Matthew 5:


Be
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural

A prohibition in Matthew 6:


οὐκ was a negative participle.

do not be
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural

Using οὐκ with the future tense is a strong way of expressing a negative command.

How can you tell if the future tense in Biblical Greek is making a command versus making a prediction?

1. Analyze the context.
2. 3rd person futures often were predictions.
3. 2nd person futures often were commands.
4. 2nd person futures with a negative participle often were prohibitions.

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We need to be careful with the English, too, when considering "shall" and "will". It's less common now, but not that many years ago in the UK, "shall" was used (especially with first person singular and plural) for the straightforward future tense. If using the AV/KJV, we find verses such as:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1Jo 3:2 AV)

Diamond72 said:

So God created a new sun, moon and stars after the flood of Noah? Did Noah sail around the world and pick everything up and then after the flood sail around again to take everything back where he got it from?

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Hi Diomand72
Thank you for your reply God began a new creation with Noah and everything on the ark the onlything missing was mankind in the image of God one man on his own is not in the image of God man in the image of God is Jesus Christ at his second comming with the multitude of believers this is man in the image of God.

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

This is said of Jesus Christ and no other person in scripture so Christ with the multitude of believers at his second comming is man in the image of God the last Adam the last Adam and the first Adam would be created in the same way.

As for the sun moon and stars of the forth day they are symbolic for Christ the light of the world the moon his bride the stars the children of God the forth day is 4000 years after Noah.

Love and Peace
Dave

I've found myself in the same position at times.

I think it is a way of feeling connected, dealing with boredom, and looking for distractions, but i agree, it's not always healthy. I personally have wanted to trade my phone for a phone with no internet, but i uber so need that feature.

Maybe we can pray for each other. I have often said that i am convinced the uptick in mass shootings and such is generally related to the internet.

We do have to make a decision to resist the temptation to go there, and ask the Lord to help us by his Spirit

the first love of a man is the harlot of babylon. she is like a chameleon, she can transfigure into any woman a man desire.
she sit at the holy place of the mighty God.
expose the harlot by confession, do not protect her.
and do not replace your wife with the harlot.

Daniel Marsh said:

How do we develop the tools for not being taken in by poor philosphy? Also, dangerious Theology?

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It's important that you don't just buy into what someone tells you. Do your own homework by the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.

Never listen to man over God.

The word Throne is an anagram for North.

you don't have to be japanese to be a mangaka, manga is literally just a comic in a different format, there are non japanese mangaka they weren't in SJ because Shonen isn't their genre. u can do it tho!!

PARASHAH; “V’et’ Chanan” (and I pleaded) DEUT 3:23-7:11


Moshe continues to retell the experiences of his life to “Am Israel”(people of Israel) as the end of his life is nearing, He is like a father on his deathbed and causes all of his children to come near and listen to their father’s experiences, or rather “all” of their experiences

“V’et ‘Chanan l’Adonai” begins Moshe, “I pleaded to YHVH…” on the account of entering into the promised land. As we remember, Moshe in anger and had struck the “Rock” (Selah), and yet, water still came forth because of the mercy of Adonai, yet now Moshe pleads for mercy, the word “chanun” is a form of the Hebrew “mercy”. One Israeli singer has a song called “Avi Chanun” (My father who is merciful). So, Moshe is saying, “I plead for mercy to Adonai” let me see the promised land.

Yet Adonai's answer was still “No” (Speak no more about this matter). We are all destined for an “x” amount of years on this earth, who knows if, through actions we do, might “speed up” that time, or even “prolong” the time? King Hezekiah pleaded for more years of life, and he was granted the years, however, during those extra years, there was born to him “Manasseh” who proved to be one of the worst kings in Israel. Should Hezekiah have asked for those extra years?

We should take advantage of the years God is giving us on this planet called “earth” and make the best of them. If He has called us into ministry, let us perform that which He has called us to do to the best of our ability, doing it unto HIM who is the author of life, and when he calls for us, we will go, without complaining, or asking for “more years.” Yes, God answers all prayers and He says; "YES" "NO" or "LATER ON." Perhaps we can say that God really told Moses "later, not now", because when Yeshua/Jesus was on the Mt. of Transfiguration, who appeared with him? Remember? They were Moses and Elijah! God finally allowed Moses to enter the promised land, about 1500 years later!

In this Parashah, we see the review of the Ten Commandments. What are these all about? They formed the “Ketubah” the contract between Elohim and Israel. They were given on Har Sinai, directly to the Israelites by HaShem himself, the rest of the 603 mitzvoth were given to Moshe who relayed them to the people, still, they ALL came from Adonai.

(4) “Now, therefore, harken O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you, for to do them” Moshe was the teacher, taking all that the “Master” charged him to teach, and not “adding to” nor “diminishing” anything, teaching all the details, the “fine print” sort of to say. Teachers of God’s Word, have a unique calling, it is their life, it is their passion, and they will not rest until they accomplish what they have set off to do.

I AM the LORD thy God: “Anochi Adonai Eloheicha” He is emphasizing “I AM” (I MYSELF AM) “Anochi” is a very important statement, telling his people, that it was HE who brought them out of Egypt, and out of slavery. Two very important things, therefore, He has every right to be their God, and He has every right to be OUR God since He has taken us out of the “World of Sin” (Egypt) and out from “Spiritual slavery”

“THOU shall not have any other gods before me” Since pagan worship was the norm of Egypt, worshiping and bowing down to false “elohim” was a reminder to Israel that YHVH is different, He is NOT like the false deities of Egypt, He is UNIQUE (Yachid) and He is ONE (Echad). But when people over-emphasize jobs and work, making money, sports, etc.… making them more important than our worship and attention towards Adonai, those “things” become “other gods” Yes, Adonai is a “Jealous” and “Zealous” God! (El Kanah) and has every right to be so.

“THOU SHALT NOT take the name of YHVH thy God in vain” What is that? It is using our LORD’s holy name in unholy ways, in unholy conversations, making promises using God’s name, like “I swear to God that I’ll…” and then, not fulfilling those promises. We should use HIS HOLY NAME in worship and praise only.

“KEEP (guard) the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy” Where are we on the sabbath day? We should be in God’s House to worship, praise, and learn from his word through teachers of the Word. It is a time of rest, and relaxation, a time for family to get together and worship the LORD, even for the housewives, turn off the ovens and husbands, take them out to eat, or just whip up some sandwiches.

Enjoy the Sabbath day, it is the LORD’s to rejoice and relax in. The Sabbath day has always been Saturday, it was never changed to Sunday (this will probably create some comments). But EVERY day of the week is a time to study God’s Word and praise Him for all of his blessings.

“HONOR Thy Father and Thy Mother” This goes without explanation. I think it is common sense for children to honor and obey their parents, for they are the ones who raise them. Yet the Fathers and Mothers have a GREAT responsibility, to raise them in the knowledge of God and his word. If not, then, they will be responsible for possible “rebels” later on in life.

“THOU shalt not kill; THOU shalt not commit adultery; THOU shalt not steal”. Ever wonder why these are listed together? For example, if one commits adultery, and takes the wife of another in sex, that person is “killing” that relationship and is “stealing” what does not belong to him. The word “Kill” means “murder” taking an innocent life, it does NOT refer to self-defense or soldiers fighting in a war. There are many ways of “stealing” Some rabbis say that “all sins” are a form of “stealing” not just taking money, coming back late from lunch break is “stealing” time from your employer, telling a lie is “stealing” the confidence one might have had in you, and it is “murdering” that trust.

“THOU shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” Being truthful to someone is very important, and not telling the whole truth, is, telling a lie, and being false to someone close to you, again, it is “stealing trust” and “murdering a relationship” through being “false”.

‘THOU shalt not covet” If Adonai wants you to have what your neighbor has, He will give it to you. We should be content with the much or the little we have, anyway, when we die, ALL will be left behind. So, no need to covet, it just brings about headaches.

(6) This chapter has the “Shema” one of the most important verses in the Torah; “Shema Israel, YHVH Eloheinu, YHVH Echad” “Shema” (Listen to and heed/do/obey) “Yisrael” we are part of HIS people. It started as 12 tribes, sons of Jacob, then it included those Egyptians who chose to follow Moshe out of Egypt. Adonai did not reject them just because they were Egyptians, they also became part of the nation, through “adoption”.

In the beginning, America consisted of only the indigenous tribes that came from Asia during the Ice Age, but later, European peoples came as immigrants and settlers, when it became a nation in 1776, the United States of America consisted of ALL peoples who were living in the land. The 12 tribes of Israel became a great “Adat” (congregation, community) now consisting of all believers in Yeshua.

we have been adopted into HIS Chosen family through Yeshua HaMashiach, it pertains to ALL believers. Adonai is OUR GOD, since we are FAMILY, and He is ONE in Unity (Father, Son, Spirit “Echad” the word for “Adonai Eloheinu” consists of the most sacred letters YHVH, in the ancient Hebrew, those letters symbolize “Behold the hand, Behold the nail”. So, if we looked at the words “YHVH Eloheinu” from an ancient Hebraic position, we could read; “Behold the hand, Behold the nail, who is G-d that instructs (us) and leads us to (eternal) life through the nail that (penetrated) the hand” I guess that is one way one could look at it.

The word “Elohim” has three meanings; One is the Tri-unity of G-d, yet if we spell it “elohim” with a small “e” in English, then it means “gods” in plural (usually false gods) yet it also means “ambassadors” or “representatives” of “Adonai-Elohim” Remember that Yeshua, when He addressed the Prushim (Pharisees) said, “No ye not that ye are gods?” (John 10:34; Psalm 82:6)

“You shall love…” (vs 5) Yes, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes “teaching” His word to our children, at all times, to others who have the ears and willingness to listen

Be the person in your house who will “walk with us on the “way” at bedtime and in the morning time, the time for God’s Word and teaching is at ALL TIMES, provided of course that the other person wishes to hear it. God’s Word is to be shared and taught, NEVER to be forced upon another!

Binding upon the hands and frontlets between our eyes, using Tefillin are symbolic in that God’s Word is to be in our minds and put into action using our hands, in performing mitzvoth (good works)

Writing them and putting God’s Word on our doorposts and gates using “mezuzot” is symbolic of letting people know that “living here is a family who honors God and His Word”

Moshe repeatedly reminds the people to “Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God and his testimonies and statutes” in many verses. Just keep in mind that “keeping the commandments does not “save a soul” Salvation comes only from accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as LORD and Savior, and that ONLY saves a person from eternal condemnation. Obedience to the commandments comes “after” as a sign that we are now part of HIS family, and we now have new desires to follow HIM in HIS ways. There is “Yeshuah Kadosh” (Righteous Salvation) and “Mitzvoth Kadoshim” (righteous works) both are separate yet both go together. The latter is a result of the first.

Shalom and have a blessed week.

Michie said:

The homeless woman who was allegedly raped at knifepoint by an illegal immigrant near the Coney Island boardwalk said that she believed her assailant was trying to kill her and recalled repeatedly reminding her attacker that "God was watching him."

Daniel Davon-Bonilla, a 24-year-old Nicaraguan migrant, is accused of sexually assaulting the unnamed woman, while his friend, Leovando Moreno, allegedly attacked the victim's boyfriend with a pipe. The victim has chosen not to reveal her identity to the media.

In an interview published Tuesday by The New York Post, the anonymous victim recounted her struggle to fight off Davon-Bonilla, fearing he intended to murder her.

Continued below.

Woman raped by illegal immigrant at knifepoint told attacker 'God was watching'

The homeless woman who was allegedly raped at knifepoint by an illegal immigrant near the Coney Island boardwalk said that she believed her assailant was trying to kill her and recalled repeatedly

www.christianpost.com

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Deport that waste of space to China and have him sentenced under Chinese law. We know how that will turn out. They execute rapists.

Bells are ringing, voices singing
Heralding the gospel bringing.
Jesus Christ, our risen Savior,
He showed us his godly favor.

Jesus gave his life up for us
So that his love would now free us,
Set us free from sin’s dominion,
For the flesh, make no provision.

We can live forever after
Holiness o’er sin, we rather,
Turn away from sinful practice,
Not let worldliness distract us.

Read the Word and follow Jesus,
For His blood did from sin free us.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior,
Don’t let sin be an enabler.

An Original Work / April 16, 2022

I think certain doctrines, like using intermediaries in prayer (praying to saints/Mary to intercede on our behalf) and a doctrine like Purgatory, where God won't allow us in His presence until all these other things are done for an undisclosed amount of time, are very depressing to me because they do the opposite of closeness to God, they create distance, they make God unapproachable, unknowable, with the goal of Elevating God.
Which yes, God is above us, unfathomably so, but God lowered Himself to us to reveal Himself to us so that He could be known and related to, because God Himself desires relationship with us
and I think that's an important distinction, that this is not something man initiated. When Man tries to initiate relationship with God, he creates religion, he creates idols and images so he can see God, he creates rituals he thinks get God's attention, and he creates sacrifices he thinks will appease God
and for many people there seems to be a need for such things, that is why God gave some religious practices in order to give illustrations and pictures of His plans.
But when God initiated the relationship, we love God because He loved us first, He came as a man, and told us to call God "Father", a relationship term.
and that is where Christianity differs from so many "religions" in that Christianity at its core, is personal relationship to God. It is true intimacy with God. Not because of anything we did, but because He initiated the relationship. He lowered Himself so that we could know and relate to Him.

and that is so paramount in importance to me, that God initiated relationship, God desires relationship, and God has brought Himself down so that we could .. call Him Abba.

We read in the Scriptures that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, are the salt of the earth and the light of the world in preserving the word of God and in sharing the truth of the gospel of our salvation with the people of the world. We, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, are to go and to make disciples of Christ of people of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that our Lord has commanded us that we should do as his followers. And we are to be the Lord’s witnesses locally and also to the ends of the earth.

As those who believe in Jesus Christ with God-gifted faith in him, we are now his chosen race, his holy nation, a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness (sin) into his marvelous light – the light (the truth) of the gospel of our salvation, which is freedom from addiction to sin and empowerment of God to now live holy lives, pleasing to God, in walks of obedience to our Lord, and no longer in walks of deliberate and habitual sin against the Lord, to the glory of God.

[Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9,24; Acts 26:18; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; John 10:27-30; Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-14]

All of us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, in truth and in righteousness, are to be those who are sharing the message of the gospel of our salvation with the people of the whole world. Not all of us are called to do this as our full-time assignment from the Lord, but we are all to be doing this in daily practice. And right now, at least here in America, the internet is wide open for us to be sharing the gospel with people of many different nations. And that opportunity will not be there forever.

And with so many Christians on the internet on social media sites, we should all be sharing the truth of the gospel on these sites. For the people of the world need to hear the gospel message, but the full uncut gospel message and not the diluted and altered gospel message which so many are spreading today to the people of the world. For Jesus died on that cross to put our sins to death with him so we will deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living.

And then, and then only do we have genuine forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life with God. For our salvation from sin is not a one-time decision we make in our lives and now we are good to go for eternity regardless of how we live. We must walk in the salvation that our Lord provided for us in walks of obedience to our Lord, and in surrender to his will for our lives, and in the forsaking of our sins, and in holy living. For if sin is what we obey, it leads to death, and we will not have eternal life with God.

Because so many people today are teaching lies, and so many people are believing the lies and are rejecting the truth, God has called some people, I don’t know how many, to refute the lies of the enemy and to proclaim the truth of the gospel to the people of the world on the internet. For me, this is my fulltime assignment from the Lord to be a world missionary, basically, in daily proclaiming the truth of the Scriptures and the gospel message on the internet, to the best of my understanding, by God’s grace, in his power.

And these writings, which are being directed by the Holy Spirit, are going out via the internet to people of many different nations. My calling of God is just to write down what he teaches me each day from my times spent with him in his word and to post these writings on the internet so that a “runner” could “Run With It.” And it is the Lord who takes these writings where he wants them to go, so all the glory for anything good that is accomplished through my obedience to the Lord belongs to the Lord and not to me.

Run With It Daily Statistics

Now the following is a list of countries where people are viewing and/or reading the writings that the Lord gives to me to post on the internet daily. These statistics are compiled only from 7/27/24 to 8/15/24. And they are taken only from my three blogs. This does not include the seven other internet locations where these daily devotions, songs, poems, memes, and video talks are being shared and viewed, for I have no access to those statistics. But this is to give you a general picture of where these daily posts are being viewed and read by people of many different nations.

Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, and Other (84 unnamed)

But we need more followers of Christ sharing the truth of the gospel on the internet so that many more nations and people may be reached with the good news of the gospel of our salvation before the end comes. For we are living in the last days before the return of Christ, and we are living in modern day Sodom and Gomorrah on this earth, which is like the days of Noah before God sent the flood to destroy the people of the world. Please then be one who is sharing the gospel of Christ with the people of the world.

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

By H. Ernest Nichol, 1896

We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword.

We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
has sent us His Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love.

We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow has trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
may come to the truth of God,
may come to the truth of God.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

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Joseph G said:

I am there now. Thank you so much for this wonderful devotion! I'll only have peace in continuing to hear His voice and in unfailingly praising the name of Jesus - even as the afflictions intensify - exactly as expressed in this wonderful Psalm. God bless you - delivered right on time for me and I hope for others. Let's all keep praying for each other!

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Joseph, thank you for sharing those encouraging words with me. I am glad that this ministered to you. Yes, pray for people to be saved from their sins, and for encouragement for the afflicted, and for Christians to get serious about their walks of faith and obedience to the Lord.

After Jesus had died and had risen from the grave, he appeared to his disciples multiple times. On one of these occasions he appeared to a small number of them while they were out fishing. The disciples came ashore, Jesus fed them breakfast, and then Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you (God-like) love me more than these?” He didn’t explain the “more than these,” but Peter may have understood what he meant.

The point was that Jesus was asking him if he loved him more, truly more than any of “these.” Peter answered that he loved him with a friendship love, to which Jesus replied, “Feed my lambs,” i.e. “spiritually feed my disciples.” This happened again, and then the third time Jesus asked him if he (friendship) loved him, to which Peter once again affirmed his love and affection for his Lord. And, again the Lord said, “Feed my sheep,” i.e. his followers (See John 21).

I believe Jesus Christ is still asking this question today, only to all of his followers: “Do you love me more than these?” The “these” can be anyone or anything in our lives which robs us of our time with God, our relationship with and obedience to him, and our walk in the Spirit in his righteousness and truth, forsaking all other "gods.” Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey his commands; we will obey his teachings. His Father will love us, and they will come and make their home with us. Yet, if we don’t love him, we will not obey his teaching (See John 14). Then, John (in 1 John) said that we know we have come to know God if we obey his commands; and love for God is to keep his commands.

Do we love Jesus? Then we need to turn from our sins, follow him in obedience, do what he says, and take his gospel to the ends of the earth – all in the power of his Spirit within us.

Do You Love Me?

An Original Work / July 24, 2013

Do you love Me now?
Will you seek My face?
I have given you
My love and My grace.
Will you walk with Me
Ev’rywhere I lead?
Will you find in Me
All of what you need?

Won’t you meet with Me
Down upon your knees?
Will you obey Me,
And do what I please?
Will you hear My voice
Speaking now to you?
I am couns’ling you
To abide in truth.

I have died for you;
Taken all your sins –
Crucified with Me,
You have been forgiv’n.
I have set you free
From your slavery,
So that you can now
Live in victory.

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So, did you go to Mass @Lady Bug ? You know, a good way to go to Mass is to join a church group, and then go to Mass with a friend from that church group. I go to church with a guy named Noah, who is my age.

Funny how differently the human mind conceives of this compared to how God sees it!

Temporal satisfaction is only temporal.

Very interesting.

RestoreTheJoy said:

Nonresponsive to my statement: "Obama wanted Hillary Clinton for president again, they have the same schooling credentials in Chicago, (Saul Alinsky "Rules For Radicals"")

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What a weird complaint as I wasn't even attempting to respond to that statement; I was responding to that which I quoted.

Are you saying that Obama wanted Clinton to run in 2024? That is extremely unlikely and really makes no sense.

Alright guys, this might be the oldest Christian song that I have posted here, but it is great to dance to. Norman Greenbaum released "Spirit In The Sky" in December 1969, the same year that astronauts landed on the moon. I first heard this song in the 2000s when watching the Apollo 13 movie. Dang, that electric guitar is gritty and raw. We need this style of music again in 2024.

Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky (Apollo 13 Scene):
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Relevant Bible verse for the song:
John 14:2-4 (NIV): "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Spirit in the Sky Lyrics (1969):

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best