New Posts

rocknanchor · Aug 15, 2024

An examination of the broader picture of dis-unity. Ever contemplate this bit of lack, as though we have somehow undermined ourselves from being led due to our constant refusal to place All (Acts 20:27) we see AND possess as correctly subsisting by Christ? We (me included) tend to have a cluster of things at best, prioritized categorizations at worst concerning protocols of life, doctrine, gifts and Church. The differentiating of gifts here is strictly of God's own choosing, though many still wish to sweep it from view. This has to do with what I perceive as treating the Apostle's sole desired determination as just a little too frivolous, ,

Apostle Paul: "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Wait a minute, wasn’t he the one who excelled at “surpassingly great revelations” of intricacy on decency, morals, Christian life in and outside the Church as well as prophetic utterances in his epistles? But, he wasted no time in giving God glory saying, “I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Please note, he did not bypass v-2, so how is Paul still following his own determination of knowledge being so diverse? It appears as all under the supplying root of Christ. Like baptisms, though more than one baptism, it is still “one” (Ephesians 4:5) under Christ, thereby knowing Christ.

Is there possibly not just a bit more unity here than first perceived? For in light of 1 Cor 2:2 umbrella coverage, God has pressed everything together, aka, full Gospel. Where partitioning occures is when the spirit of 2 Tim 4:3 shows up

Stephen3141 · Aug 15, 2024

Dead Eye said:
Assurance

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.

Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Rom 8:27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Eph 1:4 According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Called to the New Birth

1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

Mat 16:15 He says unto them, But whom say you that I am? Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:19 And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Act 2:22 you men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by (1) miracles and (2) wonders and (3) signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know: Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Act 2:24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3:4 Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The New Man

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 4:24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3:4 Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Sealing of Christian Saints

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

2Co 1:21 Now he which stablishs us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; 2Co 1:22 Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Apostate (Revelation Chapters 2&3)

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they (moral denominationalist) have escaped (broken free) the pollutions (foulness) of the world through the knowledge (recognition) of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again (1st) entangled (twisted together) therein, and (2nd) overcome (defeated), the latter end is worse with them (moral denominationalist) than the beginning. 2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known (recognized) the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from (refuse acceptance) the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them (moral denominationalist) according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those (moral denominationalist) who were once enlightened (experienced), and have tasted (experimented with) of the heavenly gift (salvation), and were made partakers (have emotional part in) of the Holy Ghost, Heb 6:5 And have tasted (experimented with) the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Heb 6:6 If they (moral denominationalist) shall fall away (diminish), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

(Quoting English translations of texts of Scripture, is not an explanation
of what you think these texts mean.

All sorts of groups, with quite different theologies, quote these same
texts of scripture, but with very different understandings of what they mean.

Your approach is called "proof-texting", and is not biblical scholarship.)

Stephen3141 · Aug 15, 2024

alaric said:
The church is mainly made up of Gentiles who became Christians. Unlike Jews, Gentiles do not know anything about the law or the perfect standard of God. Usually, people come to church because of brokenness (in need of physical healing or emotional distress) or invited by friends.

Without the knowledge of the law, we do not know what the flesh and sin is.

To operate in the flesh does NOT mean to sin. Operating in the flesh is like a TWO-edged sword. One side is following the desires of your flesh which will lead to sin. The other side is to use your flesh (will-power, determination, perseverance and other good traits in human) to do good deeds or obey the law. When you think you are doing well, pride arose, and you will eventually end up failing and falling flat on the ground.

Peter was a very good example of a disciple of Jesus who depended on the flesh to follow Jesus. Before Jesus was capture, he was telling Jesus that he will not deny him and will die with him.

Matthew 26:35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

But fearing death, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

Everyone is who not born again, is living in the flesh. The flesh sometimes does good works. But God does not accept everything that is from the flesh. Everyone who tries to earn their own salvation through the flesh is condemn.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

If good works from the flesh alone can earn salvation apart from the work of Christ, then Jesus died in vain!

New or immature Christian will try to combat sin by obeying the law with their flesh. Since we have been living in the flesh since birth and that is the only way we know and operate.

The first step to Christian maturity is knowing what the flesh is, and sin comes from the flesh.

The law empowers the flesh to act. From the flesh spring forth sin and no good thing.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

After endless cycle of obeying and failing which is like a refining process to remove dependence on self (flesh).

The second step to Christian maturity is to know our helplessness. The more we depend on ourselves (flesh), the more we fail.

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

The third step to Christian maturity not to be law and sin conscious. To do that, we must know what Jesus did for us and as us on the cross.

Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins

Jesus has fulfilled the law on our behalf so that we are no longer under law. The law demanded that all sinners be put to death. When Jesus went to the cross, he went to the cross representing us. We have been put to death with Jesus and the payment for all our sins have been paid. With all our payment paid, the law is done with us, and we are no longer under it.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The fourth step is focus on Jesus and remind yourself of what he has given and did for you. It will help you to be humble and grounded. When you encounter a problem, you will pray before doing.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

The fifth step is to learn how to walk in the Spirit. The Lord knows all things including our beginning and our end. He knows what is to come for tomorrow and nothing catches him by surprise. For we do not know what is to come for tomorrow, but the Holy Spirit is God, and he knows. By praying in tongues, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede to the Father on our behalf.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Conclusion:

For a Christian, the final stop for maturity is Grace. The law is just a stepping stone to the final stop. Without the law, we will not know our helplessness for salvation and how much Jesus has love and given to us. From the Law to Grace, it is like from infancy to adulthood.

1 Timothy 1: 8-9 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers

Law and Grace cannot be mixed. They represent different stages of Christian growth and maturity.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

This post has a confused idea of the concept of "law" (nomos) in the New Testament.

"Law" can mean a general principle,
or the law of Moses, given to the Jews,
or a stand-in for some standard of conduct that someone may try to keep,
in order to be righteous.

"Grace" (xaris, xarizomai) in the New Testament is a very broad category,
that roughly correlates with the Old Testament hesed. It means the
kind providence of God. Only a small slice of this meaning deals with the
forgiveness of sin. (It can mean kindness, or love, or mercy, or the
lovingkindness of God, ....)

Your post mixes up these multiple meanings, resulting in a confusing
discussion of ideas that do not really correlate with words used in the Old
Testament and New Testament.
---------- ----------

For example, read Psalm 136.
The refrain "For his mercy/love endures forever", is a statement about
the biblical concpet of "grace".
This is all about the concept of "grace" (hesed) in the Old Testament.
But, most modern Christians have no idea what the kind providence of God means,
either in the Old Testament of the New Testament.

For example, the apostle Paul uses nomos with all 3 different meanings. But
modern Christians reading Paul in English translations, often miss that the core
word "law" can have very different meanings in the Bible. This results in strange
interpretations of what Paul (supposedly) is meaning.

If an argument is not using definitions that correspond to biblical concepts,
then the arguments produced are "logically unsound".

This post is so confused, in its basic definitions, that the arguments probably
all fall into the category of being "logically unsound".

Richard T · Aug 15, 2024

Ana the Ist said:
Redirect Notice

In short....we're helping the Ukraine to get at that sweet sweet stockpile of minerals under the soil.

How much?

Trillions worth.

Did you think this was about Putin? About the good people of the Ukraine?

Nah.

We're fueling the war so they fuel our EV cars later.

Thoughts?

I think the reason he said that was to get more people on board to back Ukraine. Bush said the same about Iraq that the oil there would pay for it. America is not going to get rich with any part of Ukraine. It is better to keep it out of the hands of the enemy though I suspect it is years away from recovery and Putin will be dead by then. The real part of this is if Lindsey is right about Putin's ambitions. Given the coziness to other nations that don't like what the USA stands for we can't trust him. We must deter this ugly coalition. Ukraine is the front lines and the USA and EU need to do more to help themselves. (yes it helps us) Right now Ukraine is doing the heavy lifting. Sadly, more conflict from the axis of evil will likely eventually require more American blood too. Putin should have a chance to join NATO. Crazy? It happened before. Putin Says He Discussed Russia's Possible NATO Membership With Bill Clinton
What is the gripe if Russia joins NATO and denounces all territorial extensions? It will not happen because Russia is run by belligerent leaders who can't follow the USA because they want to overthrow the existing order rather than work with it. Restrictions on free speech and press, rights for citizens, commerce and religion are just part of what Russia and some others stand for. No the USA is not perfect but it is better than the alternatives. Unfair? No because for the most part these nations are left alone until they start with the territorial expansions. Western nations respect borders. Some might consider Israel an aggressor but correct me if i am wrong, but haven't they only taken land after they were attacked? yes there are still stupid land disputes around the world. I once listened to a divorce hearing where the couple could not come to terms with how much the joint business was worth. They judge gave them a week to come up with an agreement or the business would be sold and the proceeds split evenly. It really should be simpler

Stephen3141 · Aug 15, 2024

Tanaya Mays said:
Since the LORD guides nations- and named his people a nation, should I come to him as an American....or white/black American?

There are a lot of conventions that are (sometimes) used in the English
translations of the Bible.

"LORD" often is used as the proper name of God
"Lord" is often used in the New Testament to refer to the Incarnation
"lord" is used to refer to a human lord, but not God.

I'm not sure what your post is meaning.
Are you talking about the LORD being the lord of all nations???

God is the lord of all nations, but also the lord of all nature (such
as the beasts in the field). We do not have to identify with being a cow
or a sheep, when we pray to him as a part of God's People.

Tropical Wilds · Aug 15, 2024

rjs330 said:
Lol I read what happened, from Walz defenders.

Clearly you didn’t, but hey, whatever. No skin off my nose if are ok with showing you’re not informed on the topic.

mikeforjesus · Aug 15, 2024

That is a wonderful testimony. Praise the Lord Jesus. Welcome to CF

tturt · Aug 15, 2024

Yes, welcome.

What you see as a problem, may aid you in your presentation.

Your wife has your best interests at heart.

Hope you find your times here rewarding.

O mountains · Aug 15, 2024

i don't like dating apps, But I have used the christian dating app Upwards to some success with meeting Christian women. Otherwise I recommend more fellowshipping or Attending Christian/Church supported Volunteer or Charity events. Soup kitchens, Communal gardening, Donations, and looking for local christian groups like a christian hiking or jogging group.

mindlight · Aug 15, 2024

Trogdor the Burninator said:
Ukraine justifies Kursk attack in first acknowledgment of incursion into Russia

Meanwhile, the best bit....

When we discussed this two years ago most people concluded that an actual invasion was not advisable as it could provoke a nuclear war. Asymmetric tactics however of incursions that blew up ammo dumps and disrupted logistics and indeed made the war real to Russian people have some value.

Ukraine does not have the resources to hold vast swathes of Russian territory but by waging war on Russian soil may hope to divert Russian resources.

It seems to me that Biden's last days will be characterized by a determined effort to undermine Putin's war effort. Putin may think that a Trump victory offers hope to him of peace on Russian terms, so it is likely he will try and wait this out until November. If Harris wins and continues Biden's policy then the proper conclusion should be that Putin cannot win this war and that costs will only continue to escalate.

Should Ukraine invade Russia?

Intelligence reports from the British indicate that Putin has lost close to a third of the men he deployed for this operation - that is approximately 50000 men killed or wounded. The Ukrainians have beaten the Russians off at Kyiv and Kharkiv. Unbelievably the Russians have still not taken...

www.christianforums.com

totallylovedbygod · Aug 15, 2024

PRAYER FOCUS

CHINA

HAINANESE

Han Chinese, Hainanese in China

LABA

Laba in China

PAXI

Paxi in China

totallylovedbygod · Aug 15, 2024

To see all my reach and teach devotions in Chinese/English and hundreds of devotions in English, please click on this link.

我们有了一种分享灵修的新方式，要查看我所有的中文/英文灵修以及成百上千的英文灵修，请点击以下链接。

TBL China – The Bottom Line, Ministries

WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN

So, I am not an atheist, I am a Christian!

You may be saying, but there is no evidence for God, yes there is.

Why do I believe in God, why Christianity?

First let's look at the influence of Christianity.

It is a faith that is:

Counter Cultural, it is the one faith, the culture may say one thing, but Christianity says another. It does say that we are to obey government and the authorities, but it teaches that we need to go against the flow of society and to live as lights in the world. The people of God are the salt and light of this world.

It breaks country barriers, no other faith is in every country in the world, the same faith is in China, Usa, Uk and Egypt. The faith of these people in different lands is the same, it is the only true global faith.

Atheists say, where is God? if there is a God, where is He? Christ came to earth, lived on earth and died the death you deserve. God has shown his compassion and care for us.

God has sent his Son for us, he cared enough to come. So where is God? He has come and lived amongst us for thirty years, and died for us. How much care and compassion do you want?

Christianity is the only faith, that centres on a person. It centres on Christ. You may be an atheist, but you cannot deny that Jesus was a historical person.

What made him different? What has made millions of people give up their lives and follow him over the last 2000 years?

CS Lewis said, that Jesus was either a Liar, Lunatic or Lord. He was one of the other, you cannot ignore the man of Galilee.
He had a supernatural conception
He lived a perfect life
He said words that were beyond belief
He dies a terrible death
He rose from the grave and defeated death
He changes lives

Christianity centres on the cross, every other so-called religion seeks to reach up to God, but Christianity has God reaching down to man. The cross is central, no other so-called prophet like Mohammed or Buddha has done anything to deal with man's sin.

Christianity calls for change, a radical one that it calls Conversion. It starts with the Holy Spirit convicting men/women of their sin and calling them to repentance. Christianity is the only faith that changes the human heart, it has brought about change in millions of people, who were thought beyond help. It has transformed Murderers, Drug addicts, Prostitutes and the like.

It also breaks the cycle of sin, man is trapped and has no way out, we go on living day to day and then we die, the atheist says, we have seventy years if we lucky and then we are no more. If that is the case and they are right, what is the point of life?

Jesus said, I am come that they might have life and have it in abundance John 10:10. He offers life with a capital L, not just here in this life, but he opens the way to heaven, he alone can give us peace with God and eternal life.
。
The message is clear, Jesus came and died and then rose again, defeating death and will come again. It is a true message; it couldn't be any clearer. The bible speaks with clarity, creation speaks with clarity, people with changed lived speak with clarity.

The clock is ticking, we all have a limited time on this earth, the most important question, we face is this:

What we will do with Jesus?

As CS Lewis said he is either a liar, Lunatic or he is Lord.

As an atheist, you can't get away from this fact, one day you will die. Are you scared, you bet you are!. But Jesus has defeated death and the grave and he offers life, the one you refuse to believe in loves you and went to the cross for you.

God's command is for everyone to repent, man's greatest need is peace. Peace with God. Man's burden is sin, it is like pilgrim in Pilgrim's Progress, he carries it around, it burdens him. There were many people who tried religion and good works to get rid of their sin, but the only place, sin is dealt with, is at the cross of calvary.

Paul has a great discourse, with the learned men of Athens, here is what he says:
:
Acts 17
,27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Is God calling you, time is passing. Acts 4:12 says, today is the day of salvation. In Hebrews we read harden not your heart.

It's up to you, please carefully consider the evidence. I write this because of deep care for people, I am saved only because of God's grace and mercy and can write this and say like Paul Romans 1

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek

God bless you

Keith

SOAK IN SCRIPTURE

Almost Persuaded?

Doug Agnew | Acts

Grace Church (PCA)

sermonaudio.com/sermon/92518162290

Would someone tell me what a Christian is

Gerard Hemmings

Amyand Park Chapel

sermonaudio.com/sermon/72824190163031

The World's Most Desirable Woman

Pastor Jeff Pollard

Mount Zion Bible Church

sermonaudio.com/sermon/882410391662

The Sun of righteousness

C. H. Spurgeon | Puritan Devotional

Grace Audio Treasures

sermonaudio.com/sermon/892475901004



Grace abounding to the chief of sinners

Conrad Mbewe | Sermons that turned the world

Kabwata Baptist Church

sermonaudio.com/sermon/71241020315491

Christsfreeservant · Aug 15, 2024

Hello friends! How are you?
How are you this day?
What’s doing in your life?
What have you to say?

Do you have a prayer
Or a praise on your lips?
Is all going well or
Are things now amiss?

Are you of good fortune
Or desperate for help?
Will you now be silent
Or will you now tell?

Are tears now your practice
Or smiles on your face?
Can you get about or
Are you slow at pace?

You need a good word?
Or are words not enough?
Do you share emotions?
Or do them you stuff?

My friend, He’s our helper,
He loved us so much,
That He died on Calv’ry
For our sins, and such.

He gave up His life,
Gave it for you and me,
That from our sins’ practice
We would now be free.

He rose from the grave
To give life to us now
If we would before Him,
Before Him would bow.

This life is now free
Free from sin, self, and wane.
If we will surrender
to Jesus, we’ll gain.

He’ll fill us with joy
And His peace by our side,
If we bow before him
And give up our pride.

And He will give purpose
And meaning to life,
And fill us with peace
When in life we do strive.

There’s nothing like
Serving our Lord, by His side,
And doing His will
And in Him we abide.

He’s there for us now
Through life’s sorrow and pain,
To comfort and lead us
So we will not wane.

So, trust the Lord Jesus
With all of your life,
And yield not to worry,
Give up not to strife.

Embrace Him, obey Him,
For He truly cares
About you and all that
In life you do bear.

Walk with Him, go with Him
Wherever He leads,
And follow Him daily,
And on His word feed.

And He will supply you
With all that you need,
So you can continue
On Him to now feed.

An Original Work / February 15, 2024

Christsfreeservant · Aug 15, 2024

“For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.” (2 Corinthians 7:5-7 ESV)

Now I am not going to go into all the history behind this section of Scripture, so if you want to know what it is, well, you pretty much have to read all of 1st and 2nd Corinthians in context to really grasp its meaning. And the reason that I am not going to go into all of it is that I am being led of the Lord here just to take this situation and to make it applicable to our lives today. For we all go through trials and tribulations which test our faith, don’t we? Some of us will have greater trials than others, but we all go through something.

Have you ever had times in your lives when your bodies had no rest? If you have ever been a parent of small children, especially if you are the mother, then you can certainly relate. Small children require continual care and watching over, and so they take up a lot of time and effort. And it doesn’t matter what you are going through personally, they still need your care. Even if you are sick and vomiting with a fever and a cough, you still have to take care of them, even if they also are vomiting and have fevers.

And if you are suffering an illness where you are in a great deal of pain or when your head is so stuffed up to where it is hard to breathe laying down, then you don’t get much rest, either. Or if you are having to work long shifts at your job, or if you are in the process of packing up your belongings to move to another location, or if you are in the process of moving and are now unpacking and setting up “home” somewhere else, you are probably not getting much rest. Or if you are living in a shelter, you may not rest well.

Any of these types of situations may also contribute to us being afflicted at every turn – fighting without and fear within. Or this can come from relationships with other people which are not going well, such as in a marriage situation where one spouse is being unfaithful to the other habitually and deliberately. Or this can have to do with relationships with others within the gatherings of the church where you have some who are serious about their walks of faith while others are more casual about faith.

And so those who take the Christian faith less seriously and more casually, they may be critical of us who take God and his word seriously and who believe that we are to follow his teachings and to obey his commandments in daily practice and that sin should no longer be our practice. And so we may face much opposition and persecution even within the gatherings of what are called “churches,” because so many “churches” have now gone the way of the world and are diluting the gospel message so as not to offend the world.

So, if you are someone who is in a church situation and/or a marriage situation where your spouse and/or your pastor and other professers of faith in Jesus do not take God and the Scriptures as seriously as you do, but who live more worldly lives and are more casual about their Christianity, and so you don’t fit in with them, and perhaps you are even being rejected and persecuted, you may feel downcast, at times, and lonely, and abandoned. And so you may be in much need to be comforted by the Lord Jesus.

But still, because you are human, and God made us to need one another, and to have fellowship with other Christians, if you are lacking in genuine biblical Christian fellowship, like the Scriptures teach of, with others who profess faith in Jesus Christ, or perhaps even with your spouse, you may long to be in true fellowship with other Christians where you can share one another’s burdens, and where you can encourage one another according to what the Scriptures teach. And so there is a tender place in your heart.

So, when and if the Lord sends other Christians into your lives for mutual encouragement in the Lord, according to the Scriptures, then you are greatly comforted. For this is God’s design that we should need one another and that we should be encouraged by one another. And encouragement is not just the feel-good stuff, especially if the feel-good stuff is a pack of lies. True encouragement has the will of God at the core, and so it includes holy urgings and exhortations, too, to help one another to walk by faith.

So true biblical encouragement includes us ministering to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, for our mutual encouragement. And it includes sharing the Scriptures with one another and what the Lord is teaching us through them and how we are maturing in our walks of faith and obedience to our Lord the more that we learn what the Scriptures teach and we apply their truths to our daily lives. And it includes us speaking the truth in love to one another so that we are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

[Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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Christsfreeservant · Aug 15, 2024

BukiRob said:
This is where the rubber meets the road. I think Jordan Peterson has an incredible discussion when someone that they believe... do you now really? Do you understand what the CALLING IS? Step one Know that the call is to DIE to self. I am DEAD in Yeshua it is not ME that lives but it is Yeshua who lives in me. Have God show you WHO YOU REALLY are in your current state... God had me in proverbs daily for months He showed me that in EVERY WAY, I fit the BIBICAL description of what GOD SAYS is a FOOL. You see, the process of change NECESSITATES that you are able to SEE and ACKNOWLEDGE who you are it is only by seeing the problem, and admitting the problem, that God can change your heart... How? BY THE WASHING OF THE WORD.

Yeshua GIVES us this TRUTH, a principle that everything for humans operates. Where sin STARTS how it manifists and how the renewing of our MINDS starts.

The principle is the mustard seed account. If you have FAITH the size of the grain of a mustard seed you can say to this mountain be rooted up and cast into the sea, it will DO SO.

This principle shows how sin operates.

Lets talk about faith... see, the first thing that MUST OCCUR is what you are THINKING. Is your mind ORDERLY? Is your thought life under Gods subjection? You see, you must first see in your mind, which leads to Action. tHE SAME IS TRUE WITH SIN. YOU MUST FIRST imagine it in your heart and then it spring forth and then you Act ON IT.....

WHEN ONE SAYS THEY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME EVIDENCE OF THAT BELIEF THIS IS WHY James says FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD... Works is ACTION there is the attempt daily to live Godly and recall that we are all sinners and dying to the flesh is exactly what is expected of his children... This is why John in 1st John says if any sins (we fall short as we all will, because if we say that we do not sin we are a liar and the truth is not in us) that we have an advocate who is just and will FORGIVE our sin when we confess them... this is why it is so critical to spend time DAILY in scripture! Because is it by the washing of the word that changes how we THINK which results in the ONLY POSSIBLE OUTCOME, our BEHAVIOR begins to come under that subjection of living and walking UPRIGHT!!

Thank you for sharing this.

Christsfreeservant · Aug 15, 2024

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers;

be not envious of wrongdoers!

For they will soon fade like the grass

and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your justice as the noonday” (Ps. 37:1-6).

This song is based off Psalms 37 and 46. When I sat down to work on the tune, the Lord brought to mind Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I think the words we must hear from God quite often are: “Be still!” “Do not fear!” and “Be Joyful!” We, as humans, have a tendency to fear and to fret, and to worry, and to get distressed over the circumstances of our lives. So, God continually reminds us that we are not to fear, but that we are to put our trust in Him alone. He reminds us when we are getting impatient, or when we are worried about the outcome of something going on in our lives, that we are to be still and to wait patiently before the Lord.

And, in all that we are going through, he continually reminds us that we are to give thanks to God, and we are to be joyful, and even to leap for joy when we are mistreated and rejected. I am so thankful for these continual reminders from God, aren’t you?

Be Still

An Original Work / February 29, 2012
Based off Psalm 37 and 46

God’s our refuge and our strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Though the mountains fall into the sea.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
God of Jacob is our fortress.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
Exalted I’ll be.”

Trust in the Lord and do good;
And delight yourself in the Lord,
And He will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit your way to the Lord.
Trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine
Like the dawn, the justice of your
Cause – the noon-day sun.

Be still before the Lord,
And wait patiently for Him; do not fear.
Fretting only leads to evil.
Put your hope in Jesus Christ.
If the Lord delights in your way,
He makes your steps firm and steady.
The Lord upholds you with His hand,
So you will not fall.

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Christsfreeservant · Aug 15, 2024

“Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4 ESV).

What does it mean to wrong someone? It means to maltreat, abuse, oppress, cheat, defraud, and/or dishonor someone, particularly with willful and deliberate intent. And what does it mean to corrupt someone? It is a willingness to act dishonestly, to do what is unscrupulous, and to make deliberate alterations to something, i.e. to manipulate and falsify information. And what does it mean to take advantage of someone? It means to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from someone or to use someone unfairly for personal gain or to exploit (abuse) someone.

These were the kinds of things the apostles were being accused of and which we might also be accused of when we are following Jesus Christ with our lives, and when we are speaking the truth, in love, to others, and when we are addressing sin issues in others which need to be resolved, which is what the apostles were apparently doing when they were falsely accused of wrongdoing. For we can have all good intentions, but sometimes when we try to help others it will backfire on us, and we may be treated as though we are the enemy while the true enemy is brought under no scrutiny at all.

There seemed to be some concern here that the Corinthian believers were perhaps believing and accepting the lies, and that they may have been withdrawing from the apostles to some extent, because of the rumors which were flying about them. And so Paul was asking that they make room in their hearts for the apostles and that they accept the fact that they had not done evil to anyone. For just because some people might take us in the wrong way or make judgments about us based on their own perceptions, it does not necessitate that any wrongful acts have been committed at all.

But he did not say this to condemn them. He was not accusing them of anything, but he definitely had cause for concern, which is why he was asking that they make room in their hearts for the apostles. And he did encourage them that they were in the hearts of the apostles, to die together and to live together. And then he commended them for something, and as we read further on down in the passage, it appears it had to do with their response to a letter he wrote them previously, which could have been the fact that, although grieved by his letter, it led them to repentance.

It is always great when things like this turn out in a good direction and not a bad one, when people who accuse others wrongfully of things they did not do, in the way they are being accused of doing them, when they are finally able to see clearly that no harm was intended, but only good, and no evil took place, and no lying, misleading, manipulation or dishonesty took place, but only what had good intentions for the good of others, and not to harm them. Sadly, it doesn’t always turn out that way, but it is wonderful when others can lay down their swords and relent from unfounded accusations.

But even if we are being accused falsely of things we did not do, we can rest assured that God is still sovereign over all he created, and he has a plan and a purpose for it all in our lives, and that if we are following him with our lives, he is working it all out for our good. And good doesn’t mean necessarily that we will no longer suffer, but that we will learn what we need to learn through our suffering so that we can grow to maturity in Christ through the things that we suffer and can be used of God in ways he could not use us before he took us through these trying times.

[Matt 5:10-12; Matt 10:16-25; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 6:22-23; Lu 21:12-19; Jn 15:1-21; Jn 16:33; Jn 17:14; Ac 14:22; Rom 5:3-5; Phil 3:7-11; 1 Pet 1:6-7; 1 Pet 4:12-17; 2 Tim 3:12; 1 Thess 3:1-5; Jas 1:2-4; 2 Co 1:3-11; Heb 12:3-12; 1 Jn 3:13; Rev 6:9-11; Rev 7:9-17; Rev 11:1-3; Rev 12:17; Rev 13:1-18; Rev 14:1-13]

The Prayer

Written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager,
Alberto Testa and Tony Renis

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

I pray we'll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When the stars go out each night
Remind us where you are.

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.

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jonojim1337 · Aug 15, 2024

tonychanyt said:
See How to pronounce YHWH and follow up there

It's Yahuah.

But I don't think Yod-Hey-Wav-Hey is wrong either. It puts significance on the individual letters.

trophy33 · Aug 15, 2024

The Liturgist said:
By the way Silesia is an interesting area. Polish Silesia went through a bit of a rough patch 25 years ago due to the decline in heavy industry, but I have always loved Silesia and the people of that region.

I am from the Czech part of Silesia, even though I live in Moravia now.

BrokenSpirit88 · Aug 14, 2024

AlexB23 · Aug 14, 2024

Just downloaded the rules for the Winter Olympics as well.

AlexB23 · Aug 14, 2024

Hello, @Blaise N . Just checking up on you, or should I say, chicken up on you, that you are doing better, my brother. Remember, sometimes God takes people and animals out of this life early, to protect them from suffering. We can not do that ourselves, because only God knows best.

There will be animals in Heaven:

Isaiah 11:6-7 (NIV): "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox."

AlexB23 · Aug 14, 2024

Palmfever said:
Hackers may have stolen every American’s Social Security number: Report

The theft happened in April, according to a class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

www.newsnationnow.com

Just read this.
Maybe it's old news.
Anyway...

This is a duplicate post to @RoBo1988 's post:

Hackers have your SSN

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hackers-may-stolen-social-security-100000278.html I have received notifications from credit cards and credit karma about this.

www.christianforums.com

Presbyterian Continuist · Aug 14, 2024

Brightfame52 said:
He is arminian And he preach the false gospel

As I said, if that is so, then you are saying that John Wesley, Billy Graham and every Assembly of God pastor and Bible teacher are false teachers as well.

GoldenKingGaze · Aug 14, 2024

ARBITER01 said:
The gospels are considered accounts from witnesses but not complete accounts. Luke probably research things the most.

Yes, and there is the Bible on angels, the sons of God and more controversial matters. It is not literally complete.

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