• 1 Peter (also known as Simon)
• 2 James (the son of Zebedee)
• 3 John (the brother of James, also the son of Zebedee)
• 4 Andrew (Peter's brother)
• 5 Philip
• 6 Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
• 7 Matthew (also known as Levi, the tax collector)
• 8 Thomas (often called "Doubting Thomas")
• 9 James (the son of Alphaeus, sometimes called James the Lesser)
• 10 Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, son of James, or Lebbaeus)
• 11 Simon (the Zealot)
• 12 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus, and was replaced by Matthias after the resurrection)

The 24 Elders Revelation 4:10 are unknown but are on the wall to still serve as reminder.

How awful

St. Charbel, pray for us.

The other aspect I neglected to touch on in my previous post.

What was the left-leaning/democratic-leaning messaging/coverage like with regards to the Trucker Strike up in Canada?
(remember, it's the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters)

Teamsters represents 130,000 of the 300,000 Truck Drivers in Canada.

The do see the profession as a "brotherhood". So when some Teamsters here in the US turn on the nightly news, and see the same pundits praising Democrats, and then bashing the Canadian Truckers, do you think that maybe ruffled a few feathers?

While the Canadian Teamsters president was "lock step" with Trudeau (not a shocker, most labor leaders up there are), things weren't quite as clear cut south of the border among the various chapters.

This is rewinding a few years now, but if you recall, there was quite a fuss from 9 different unions responding to Bill DeBlasio's NYC vaccine mandates and rules. One of which was the local Teamsters Chapter.

Many other states had local chapters that echoed some of the same resistance:


And many other Teamsters chapters either flat out negotiated exemptions, or negotiated rules stating that their members couldn't be forced to receive until it had full approval and was no longer being issued under the EUA.

Pope Francis expressed in a letter Saturday a desire that each of the 21 new cardinals to be added in December will be more of a “servant” than an “eminence.”

The pope’s brief letter, published Oct. 12, also welcomed the cardinals-designate to membership in the “Roman clergy,” which Francis called “an expression of the Church’s unity and of the bond that unites all the Churches with this Church of Rome.”

The pontiff announced after the Angelus Oct. 6 that he will add 21 men — 18 bishops and three priests — to the College of Cardinals in a consistory later this year.

Continued below.

The Vatican on Saturday published the schedule for Pope Francis’ consistory to create new cardinals, stating that the liturgy will take place on Dec. 7 — not Dec. 8, as previously announced.

Francis said Oct. 6 he will add 21 membersto the College of Cardinals — 20 of whom are eligible to be cardinal-electors. The future cardinals come from every continent.

According to the liturgical schedulereleased by the Vatican’s master of ceremonies Oct. 12, the ceremony to create the new cardinals will be held in the afternoon on Dec. 7 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The following day, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, Francis and the entire College of Cardinals will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving together in the Vatican basilica.

While the pope typically goes to venerate a statue of the Virgin Mary close to the Spanish Steps early in the morning on the solemnity, this year he will visit the statue at 4 p.m. instead.

On Oct. 12, Pope Francis addressed the cardinals-designate in a short letter in which he called them each to be more of a “servant” than an “eminence.” He advised them to pray often, to love everyone, and to have mercy on the suffering.

Continued below.

rambot said:

This article is arguing that Biden putting on A trump hat undermines Harris?

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It's an article on the "Daily Wire". Why should it to be honest or make sense.

rambot said:

Well if that somehow is considered a good example I'm sure the rest of that article is about as convincing as orange mint flavored toothpaste.

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My fellow Christians, be blessed with this snippet of a song of devotion to Jesus.

Login to view embedded media

Kokavkrystallos said:

It is a big deal, considering the Holy Scriptures specifically use Amen which, yes is originally Hebrew, and means "so be it."
To throw in a gender made up word is just plain foolishness and mockery.
But I guess it really doesn't matter much since he's praying to Brahma, the Hindu god, and not to Yahweh the Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.
His prayer is a Universalist prayer, (monotheistic god by many names) not a Biblical prayer to the true God.

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Last time I checked, Christians believe in only one God. And God isn't a Christian, Jew, or Hindu.

It is like this,

Supreme Intelligence is of the Supreme,
Since man cannot be supreme in intelligence, Genesis 2:17
man needs to be supreme in awareness!
For the two, (supreme intelligence and supreme awareness) are directly proportional!
Meaning an increase in one, will increase in the other.
Hence, an increase in awareness will increase intelligence.
So much so, that the level of awareness will match the basic intelligence of the Supreme.
so that is to understand that undoubtedly, He is. Psalm 46:10


Counter to intelligence is distraction!
Distraction and awareness are inversely proportional!
Which means the more we are distracted,
the further away from the supreme we get.
Hence the need for the Sabbath and prayer.
Both are used to atone our awareness to the supreme.
Yet everyone has been so distracted, that they have missed the point completely.
Forgive them Father, for they do not know. Luke 23:34

Stephen3141 said:

I mention Trump courting religious groups for their votes, because...

Trump claims to be "Christian", yet his lifestyle includes all sorts of
behavior that is incompatible with Christianity.

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Kamala also claims to be a “Christian”. Yet she got cushy job appointments while sleeping with still married Willy Brown in California. You might think that could be incomparable with Christianity.

Stephen3141 said:

Besides being convicted of 34 felonies for financial fraud (this is not
compatible with Christian behavior), Trump continually lies about all
sorts of topics that the fact-checking journalists are kind enough to
point out, as lies. Lying about reality, is incompatible with Christianity.

Click to expand...

Kamala might need to be charged with corruption for the cushy appointments she accepted from corrupt Willy Brown. Nothing yet on that, but it does not pass the smell test. Was that compatible with Christianity?

Stephen3141 said:

A politician trying to gain the votes of religious groups, is nothing new.
But Trump actually CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN, which is a ludicrous
claim, given so much of his behavior.

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Kamala even created a group called ‘Catholics for Harris’ which is pretty incredible considering her abortion advocacy. Kamala CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN which is a ludicrous claim while at the same time supporting the killing of innocent human beings.

Stephen3141 said:

Would Mormons want to elect a president that is a many-times-over convicted
felon, and who lies continuously? And this, while claiming to be a Christian?

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Would Mormons want to elect Kamala, who is against so much of the things they stand for, and also claiming to be a Christian? They already voted for Trump over the Democrats twice now. All that’s changed is that Trump was convicted on Trumped up charges AND that the Democrats found yet another candidate that is worse than Trump. And she too claims to be a Christian, if you can believe that.

• Gen 2:9 KJV And out of the ground (Gen 3:19) made the LORD God (Gen 1:1 Isa 7:14 Isa 9:6 John 1:1-3,14) to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life (Ezek 47:12 Rev 14:6 Rev 22:2) also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Heb 5:14).
• Parallels Christ and Lucifer, Light and Dark, Cain and Able, Esau and Jacob, Sarah and Hagar, Covenant of Christ and Covenant of Judas
• Jer 36:23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hears, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
• Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful (Matt 23:2 Rev 2:13). Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law (Matt 22:37-40) does he meditate day and night. Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation (Heb 12:23) of the righteous. Psa 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish (Rev 20:14-15).

Gen 2:16 KJV And the LORD God commanded the man (Gen 1:26-28 Gen 2:7), saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Isa 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me (God); the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I (god) cannot away (stand John 19:15)with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Isa 1:14 Your (Jews) new moons and your appointed feasts my (God) soul hates: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

• Gen 2:17 KJV But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Dan 11:32 Jdg 9:4), you (Adam) shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die (Gen 3:1-7 Gen 5:5).
• Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both (Adam and Eve) were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they, sewed fig leaves together (Psa 14:1), and made themselves aprons.
• Rev 3:17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
• Rev 16:15 Behold, I (Jesus) come as a thief. blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
• Isa 20:3-4 And the LORD said, like as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; Isa 20:4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
• Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
• Dan 4:10 Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. Dan 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: Dan 4:12 The leaves (Gen 3:7) thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwell in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. (Dan 4:12-15 destruction Dan 4:19-27 interpretation)
• Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, (tribes, kindred, race {cult Rev 2&3}) you know that summer is nigh: Mat 24:33 So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors (Deut 31:29 Rev 1:7).

Fallen Angels

2Ki 2:23 And he (Elisah) went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head. 2Ki 2:24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears (man of sin and false prophet (Isa 14:29 Isa 59:5 Rev 16:13-14) out of the wood (forest parallels different groups of angels), and tare forty and two (parallels half of Tribulation Dan 9:27) children of them.

Jdg 9:10 And the trees (different groups) said to the fig tree, come you, and reign over us. Jdg 9:11 But the fig tree said unto them, should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Jdg 9:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, come you, and reign over us. Jdg 9:13 And the vine said unto them, should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Jdg 9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble (brushy throne tree Matt 23:15 Prov 15:19 Rev 2:13), come you, and reign over us. Jdg 9:15 And the bramble said (Exo 34:15-16 Acts 7:40) unto the trees, if in truth you anoint me king (Rev 2:13) over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow (Acts 17:23 Rev 2:24): and if not, let fire (Amos 8:11,12) come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon (group of angels). (Matt 21:18-20)

• Eze 31:8-9 KJV The cedars (group of angels Isa 2:13) in the garden of God could not hide him (Lucifer): the fir trees (group of angels) were not like his boughs (main branch Rev 2:9), and the chestnut trees (group of angels) were not like his (Lucifer) branches (assemblies); nor any tree (group of angels) in the garden of God was like unto him in his (Lucifer) beauty (Ezek 28:12). Eze 31:9 KJV I have made him (Lucifer) fair by the multitude of his branches (assemblies): so that all the trees (political groups of angels Zech 11:2 Ezek 27:6 John 2:14-16) of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied (Mark 15:10 jealousy) him (Lucifer Isa 14:12-14).
• see Isa 14:12-14 Ezek 28:12-19 Rev :9,13,14,24
• Eze 31:14-16 To the end that none of all the trees by the waters (1Tim 4:1 Lev 11:34 Dan 11:38) exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water (1Tim 4:1 John 8:44 Matt 16:12): for they are all delivered unto death (Rev 20:14-15), to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit. Eze 31:15 Thus says the Lord GOD; in the day when he (Lucifer) went down to the grave I (God) caused a mourning (Nah 2:8-10 {Dan 5:6}): I (God) covered the deep for him (Lucifer), and I (God) restrained the floods (angels) thereof, and the great waters were stayed (held back): and I (God) caused Lebanon (power broker) to mourn (swoon-infatuation-idolize) for him (Lucifer), and all the trees of the field fainted (swoon) for him (Lucifer). Eze 31:16 KJV I (God) made the nations to shake at the sound of his (Lucifer Isa 14:15-18) fall, when I (God) cast him (Lucifer) down to hell (underworld) with them that descend into the pit (Prov 9:15-18 Rev 9:2): and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon (power broker Dan 10:13), all that drink water (1Tim 4:1 Matt 16:26), shall be comforted (Luke 16:24) in the nether parts of the earth.
• Isa 1:29 KJV For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded (Psa 83:17 Psa 97:7) for the gardens (see Mark 12:1-12 paper) that you have chosen. Isa 1:30 KJV For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water. Isa 1:31 KJV And the strong shall be as tow (dead weight), and the maker (Matt 12:26 Rev 2:9) of it as a spark, and they shall both (Psa 34:21) burn together, and none shall quench them.
• Eze 31:17 They (groups of fallen angels Pro 21:15) also went down into hell with him (Lucifer) unto them that be slain with the sword (battle instrument); and they that were his arm (strength-political), that dwell under his shadow (authority-bramble bush see Psa 23 paper) in the midst of the heathen (infidel). Eze 31:18 KJV To whom are you (Lucifer) thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden (groups of angels)? yet shall you (Lucifer) be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: you (Lucifer) shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword (instrument). This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord GOD.

Psa 22:12 Many bulls (fallen angels) have compassed me (Jesus Luke 24:44): strong bulls of Bashan (region of power Eph 6:12 Psa 68:30 Jer 50:11) have beset (torment) me (Jesus Matt 27:46 John 19:28-30 Isa 53) round. Psa 22:13 They gaped (stare) upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

Zec 11:2 Howl, fir tree (group of angels); for the cedar (group of angels) is fallen; because the mighty (Eph 6:12) are spoiled: howl, O you oaks (group of angels) of Bashan (region of authority-og-magog); for the forest (2Kings 2:24) of the vintage (Jdg 14:8-9 1Sam 14:27) is come down (Dan 5:25-28).

christian-surfer said:

This is sort of a slightly disturbing thing. I wonder if i should share it with some people at a church because it bothers me a little as well as other unmentionable things that were said:

I know a person who said that they wished someone would murder trump. I heard her say it before. I was in the car with her. Her and her husband were in the back seat and their friend was in the front seat. I said “I heard you say that before about that trump should be killed”, they didn’t say anything but maybe seemed to laugh. The person in the front seat said “don’t give us any ideas”. So I said “oh is that how democracy is supposed to work, you kill people?”. They didn’t say anything

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Yeah its a weird phenomena happening with the Left. We have heard plenty of rhetoric about taking Trump out. THye don;t hide it anymore as theough they think in their minds that its actually a good thing, a justified and rightouse or rather Woke thing to do.

Hillary called all Trump supporters deplorables like they were sinners. The same mentality is happening with the Trans and DEI problems. We see plenty of pro Palestinian supporters backing Hamas and calling for the extermination of Jews.

We see how Trans activists mostly males posing as women threatening with violence and coming after peoples blood. Riley Gaines had to have protection and taken away from an angry mob. Who knows what they would have done if they caught her. We see plenty of examples of Trans activists attacking women.

Then you have the climate extremist who are willing to make life hell for people trying to go about their lives. Even to the point of blocking emergency vehicles and risking lives.

Oh and don't forget the George Floyd riots where people went ballistic and smashed and destroyed property and killed people and then Harris defended thenm as victims. Just like they defend Hamas as victims.

This Woke disease has spread and is rotting peoples brains and sending them crazy. Even within some churches. Its a cunning deception as it uses nobel reasons to inflict an agenda like a religion. Or rather like the church use to do when they tried to control and intimidate people who did not go along with their doctrine.

Its good you spoke up and this needs to happen more and more. The more it does the more they do go quite because you are calling out their own bigotry and hate and that they are hypocrites. The more you tell the truth the more it deflates the lies.

The best way is to use their own logic back on themselves. They can't argue against it. Thats why they go quite. Be objective, rational and calm and state the facts. Not personal and watch out foir the appeal to emotion. Thats an emotional blackmail they play to appeal to your senses rather than reality. The Left hate facts.

You don't even have to get political. Just ask "is that what Jesus would have wanted". Full stop.

Goonie said:

There might be a superfluous not.

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Ha! If a double negative is a positive.. does a triple negative revert to the negative? I don't know.

A middle schooler in an English class was instructed that the double negative was a positive and inquired whether a double positive became a negative. The teacher said, "no."
The middle schooler then sarcastically responded, "yeah, right."

NBB said:

? There are good servants and people of God in 'organized denominations', even filled with the Holy spirit and God doing miracles through them.

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A lot of good people in denominations. The system is corrupt. Gods not doing miracles through anyone inside the very system that betrayed him. We are born into a lie that's been running for 2000 years. Everyone just takes the church as the house of God and its a lie, told by the father of lies(Jhn 8:44). The Seal war is going to destroy all denominationalism. Not my opinion, its what the scriptures say.

Satan blinds
2 Corinthians 4:2-4 KJV — But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god(Satan) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Psalm 109:6 KJV — Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV — And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 KJV — Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Revelation 2:9 KJV — I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:13 KJV — I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 2:24 KJV — But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV — Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Satan was in Judas at the time the Covenant was made.

Matthew 16:19 KJV — And I(Jesus) will give unto thee(disciples) the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou(disciples) shalt **bind on earth shall be **bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou(disciples) shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:18 KJV — Verily I(Jesus) say unto you(disciples), Whatsoever ye(disciples) shall **bind on earth shall be **bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye(disciples) shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The *covenant meaning of **binding or establishing an relationship between two parties

Matthew 26:15 KJV — And said unto them(chief priests), What will ye give me(Judas/disciple/apostle), and I will deliver him(Jesus) unto you(Chief priests)? And they *covenanted(binding agreement) with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Isaiah 28:15 KJV — Because ye have said, We have made a COVENANT with death(prov 21:16), and with hell(Rev 6:8) are we at **agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through(seal war), it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

2 Corinthians 6:16-17 KJV — And what **agreement(Isa 28:15-18) hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among *THEM, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Who is *THEM?
Proverbs 9:16-18 KJV — Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests(HEB strongs. 7121, Preachers, call self) are in the depths of hell.

Luke 11:44 KJV — Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

germo155 said:

Do you know satan copy lots things, and we have powerful God, and we can have the most supernatural experiences swell We can't be arrogant with those. Or block them with pride. If u are born again, u have new spirit. Now did u know that u can have relationship with Jesus? Not only read about him from bible? I truly belive, he's presence is GRUCIAL in our walk. Some say, dont seek experiences, well... Jesus is person. We can have Joy and peace etc all that, it's amazing isn't it? But some smart theologist might argue back, coz they have lots knowledge, but spiritually dead .

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There is no joy or peace in fear. A "supernatural experience" is Satan's work. It is defined as a manifestation by some kind of force. Some say it is His Holy Spirit some say it is from the spirit world and because of this confusion, it is not from God as He is not the author of confusion.
Our Father works in miracles , signs and wonders and they are not not from the natural. There is a big difference between the two and one must know how to discern between them. What is from God and what is from the adversary? A Christian with the miraculous gift of discernment can tell you.
Be blessed

Faulty thinking has you blinking,
On the verge of wrong decision.
Can’t decide this way or that way,
‘Cause you’re lacking truth and wisdom.

Pleasing flesh is most what matters.
Life is filled with empty chatters.
Pride in self, so self you flatter.
Not live for God, for self, rather.

Anger fills your heart with temper,
Frustrated with all that matters.
Peace of God is so far from you,
‘Cause His wisdom your life shatters.

But that must not end the story.
Jesus calling you obey Him,
Trust Him with your life and vision,
Give your life in service to Him.

Give up all your sinful habits,
Die to self and to sin daily,
Live your life to please God fully,
And in Christ you’ll rejoice gaily.

An Original Work / May 25, 2024

The elect are all of us chosen by God out of the world and out of our lives of sin to now serve Jesus Christ with our lives in walks of righteousness and holiness, and in obedience to his commands. We are all those who are chosen by God for the rendering of special service to him, i.e. the chosen of God to die with him to sin and to live to him and to his righteousness, by the grace of God, as persuaded of God for faith in him. We are those God foreknew who he also predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

We are all who are chosen of God to be sanctified of the Spirit. And sanctification is the process of making or becoming holy, set apart. And it is the process of advancing in holiness with the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord to his likeness. And holy means to be separate (unlike, different) from the world because we are being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. And this is for obedience to Christ. As Christ’s followers we must die to sin and now walk in obedience to his commands.

[Jer 1:1-19; Psalms 139:13-16; Acts 26:18; Rom 1:6-7,18-23; Rom 6:15-21; Rom 8:28-29; 1 Co 1:9; 1 Co 12:1-31; Gal 5:13; Eph 1:3-4; 1 Thess 4:1-8; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 10:26-31; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Pet 1:3]

And the grace of God is what sent Jesus Christ to that cross to die for our sins. For he who knew no sin became sin for us on that cross in order to put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we might die with him to sin and be raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin, but now as slaves to God and to his righteousness. And it is God’s grace which is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this life.

God’s grace to us is not free license to continue living in sin while claiming Jesus as Lord and while claiming heaven as our eternal destiny. And the faith to believe in Jesus is not of our own doing, so we don’t get to determine what that faith looks like. God does. His word does. And Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our sins, and we don’t obey our Lord, we will not inherit eternal life with him.

[1 Pet 2:24; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; Rom 6:1-23; Tit 2:11-14; Gal 5:16-21; Eph 2:8-10; Lu 9:23-26; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]


Now, we need to read vv. 3-9 in the context of vv. 1-2. For these words are for those who, by God-persuaded and God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, according to the foreknowledge of God in him choosing us for salvation, have been crucified with Christ in death to sin and who are now, by the grace of God, walking in holiness and in righteousness in walks of surrender to God and in obedience to his commands, as our practice. We are living as those whom God has set apart from the world so that we can become like Jesus.

Now this does not mean that we are living with absolute perfection in every way. We still have the propensity to sin, we may still be tempted to sin, on occasion, and although we are no longer to sin against the Lord, we might sin sometimes (1 John 2:1-2), but not deliberately and habitually. Sin is to no longer be our practice, for if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, then we don’t have salvation from sin, and we don’t have the hope and the promise of eternal life with God. So we need to take that seriously.

Notice with me how salvation is described here as something ready to be revealed in the last time. For the Scriptures do not teach that we can make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and now heaven is secured us regardless of how we live. And then notice the references to the testing of the genuiness of our faith that it may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (when he returns). And notice how our actions are involved in us obtaining the outcome of our faith.

And what is that outcome? The salvation of our souls. And this is not speaking in terms of making a profession of faith and now we are saved, done deal. The bible teaches progressive salvation, that we are saved (past), we are being saved (present), and that we will be saved (future) when Jesus returns and he takes his faithful ones to be with him for eternity. That is when our salvation will be complete. But all this is provided that we do not make sin our practice, but that obedience to God is what we practice.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 8:24; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Jn 8:31-32; Jn 15:1-12; Rom 11:17-24; Col 1:21-23; 2 Tim 2:10-13; Heb 3:6,14-15; 2 Pet 1:5-11; 2 Pet 2:20-22; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

A Believer’s Prayer

An Original Work / July 31, 2012

With my whole heart, Lord, I pray
To be Yours, and Yours always.
Lead me in Your truth today.
May I love You, and obey.
Lead me in Your righteousness.
When I sin, may I confess;
Bow before You when I pray;
Live for You and You always.

Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.
Life with You will never end.
You are with me through each day,
Giving love and peace always.
You will ne’er abandon me.
From my sin You set me free.
You died on that cruel tree,
So I’d live eternally.

Soon You’re coming back for me;
From this world to set me free;
Live with You eternally.
Oh, what joy that brings to me.
I will walk with You in white;
A pure bride, I’ve been made right
By the blood of Jesus Christ;
Pardoned by His sacrifice.

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Michie said:

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Right that does it. Shes a shapeshifter. I'm getting out of here.

Today I asked the Lord in prayer
If life on earth should not be fair,
Should everyone get what’s deserved
For all they’ve done, for all they’ve served.

I contemplated that in mind,
In hoping that the truth I’d find.
And as I gave it some deep thought,
The truth of all, it surely brought.

For life, you see, it isn’t fair,
For if it was, our lives not spared.
We’d die because of all our sins,
And from our sins not be forgiven.

But thank the Lord, although He’s just,
For us who’ve sinned, He did not bust,
But in His mercy, saved from sin,
So now, by faith, we’d live in Him.

But there’s a catch, not free for all,
But on our Lord, we must now call,
We must repent of all our sins,
Obey our Lord and walk in Him.

And this must be how we should live,
And to our Lord, our lives we give,
Surrendered now to Him each day,
To walk with Him, to kneel and pray.

An Original Work / April 2, 2023

UK artist, Ben (Dytone), made a great remix in 2016. The song is very upbeat, and good to dance to, and sounds at least a few years ahead of the time. Sadly, Dytone has not released any songs recently.

Martin Garrix ft. John & Michel - Now That I've Found You (DYTONE Bootleg)
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Hello Tony (@tonychanyt), while much of your OP is excellent (IMHO ), I'm not sure that "guardian" is the best translation in this context (at least, not in our modern understanding of the word anyway).

I was going to post excerpts from several commentaries, but they all seem to basically say the same thing about the meaning of παιδαγωγός (paidagogos) in v24, so here is an excerpt from one of them instead.


God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - you also spoke of the law having temporal limitations. I'd like to ask you a question or two about that, as well, but that will have to wait until my next post.

I would agree. As the commandment says, "...to keep it holy." It is the one day we are called away from the secular things of the world.

Michie said:

Eight people in this church and adjoining buildings in Derdghaya, Lebanon, were killed. | Credit: Aid to the Church in Need

A church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre, Lebanon, was hit by a missile from Israeli airstrikes in the country’s south Oct. 9, killing at least eight people, the British branch of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has reported.

Local sources told ACN that the church, located in the town of Derdghaya, was sheltering people displaced by the conflict. A priest’s house and a three-story building housing parish offices were also completely destroyed by another missile.

Pope Francis called for peace in the Middle East on X, stating that “all nations have the right to exist in peace and security: Their territories must not be attacked, their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through dialogue and peace.”

Continued below.

Israeli missile destroys Catholic church in Lebanon; at least 8 dead

A church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre, Lebanon, has been hit by a missile from Israeli airstrikes in the country’s south, killing at least eight people.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

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Pray for this war to end, and for the innocent civilian victims of the war on both sides, and for the reparation of churches and other infrastructure.