New Posts

mourningdove~ · Mar 19, 2025

MauveMarie said:
Feel free to elaborate because IDK who it is unless it's her new husband...

It's not Joni's new husband.

According to Jonathan and Suzie Lamb (the child's parents), "Pete" is the anonymous name being used when referring to the husband of Joni's daughter, Rachel Lamb. ("Pete" is the child's uncle.)

Oompa Loompa · Mar 19, 2025

Richard T said:
Trump once again exceeding his authority. Only the courts can declare if the pre-emptive pardons are legal and if the signature is legal. I would suggest though to arrest Fauci and see how it plays out.

I don't think we are talking about elected members of congress. They are suggesting unelected staffers were forging Biden's signatures.

Vambram · Mar 19, 2025

Conservatives on social media and in the public square are increasingly speaking out about a bill being mulled in the Texas legislature they say threatens President Donald Trump’s goal of ushering in a "golden age" of American energy and AI dominance.

Some conservatives are rebelling over a proposal in the Texas Senate that will give the state broad authority to control new data centers in the state. SB6, or "the data center bill," caused an online ruckus recently, with conservative opposition to the bill gaining momentum, arguing that the bill, should it pass, will impose a major roadblock to the Trump administration’s "Golden Age" of American energy production.

Texas, long believed to be an ideal location for the AI fueling data centers, is a major location for President Trump’s multibillion-dollar Stargate plan and is considered a finalist for numerous other multibillion-dollar projects and investments over the next decade.

Provisions in SB6, however, issue regulations giving the state broad authority to control both the data centers’ use and cost measures that could eat into data center producer margins, which critics say makes the state a far less appealing location for these investments and potentially gives China the upper hand in the race to dominate AI.

SECURING THE AI FUTURE: HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTION PLAN CAN POSITION AMERICA FOR SUCCESS

"AI data centers use a LOT of power - and while huge AI firms will be able to brunt these costs, smaller firms will have a harder time building," Florida Voice News assistant director Eric Daughtery posted on X. "Texas Republicans need to think this through. Conservatives should NOT favor disincentivizing competition."

"President Trump’s quest for AI dominance is about to be derailed by a bill being offered up in the Texas State Senate," conservative commentator Grant Stinchfield posted on X. "SB6 could literally cost Texas the $500 billion Stargate project. I can’t believe I’m telling Texas how bad overregulation actually is!"

"Texas Senate Bill 6 (SB6) is a bad idea. It threatens to challenge President Trump's vision for AI dominance and the need for the US to invest in domestic data centers," conservative commentator Ian Miles Cheong posted on X while tagging the state’s Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. "If you want China to win and stifle American innovation, this seems like the bill to do it."

'Bad idea': Conservatives warn red state data center bill will derail Trump's vision of energy 'golden age'

A bill being mulled in the Texas legislature is being blasted by conservatives who say that it will hamper President Donald Trump's energy plans and give China a leg up in the AI race.

www.foxnews.com

tonychanyt · Mar 19, 2025

He 1:

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

When he walked on earth during his earthly ministry, he carried the exact divine nature. He and the Father were one.

Strong's Greek: 5287. ὑπόστασις (hupostasis) — 5 Occurrences

BDAG:
① the essential or basic structure/nature of an entity, substantial nature, essence, actual being, reality
② a plan that one devises for action, plan, project, undertaking, endeavor

There was another Greek word that was translated as 'nature'. 2P 1:

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Strong's Greek: 5449. φύσις (phusis) — 14 Occurrences

BDAG:
① condition or circumstance as determined by birth, natural endowment/condition, nature
② the natural character of an entity, natural characteristic/disposition
③ the regular or established order of things, nature
④ an entity as a product of nature, natural being, creature

The Paraclete dwells in us. The divine nature dwells in us as a reality. We have the divine nature in us.

He 2:

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Strong's Greek: 4561. σάρξ (sarx) — 149 Occurrences

Sarx was a common word with a few shades of meaning. BDAG σάρξ:
① the material that covers the bones of a human or animal body, flesh lit.
② the physical body as functioning entity, body, physical body
ⓒα. In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ‌. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likewise present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ Ro 7:18
③ one who is or becomes a physical being, living being with flesh
④ human/ancestral connection, human/mortal nature, earthly descent
⑤ the outward side of life

G4561 has many meanings. Which one applied to He 2:14?

Meaning ①, physical flesh and physical blood. Jesus partook G4561-literal-flesh and blood.

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

Jesus took on human flesh and blood; he didn't take an angelic body.

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect,

i.e., physically

so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Did Jesus have a sinful nature?

By sinful nature, I mean the desire to sin. Humans have a sinful nature, but not Jesus.

See also

Did Jesus have a body of sinful flesh?

Fantine · Mar 19, 2025

Environmentalists hate earthquakes caused by fracking! You should, too.

LNG is clean energy--mined in a dirty way.

Thank you, President Biden, for showing that there are other forms of green energy--solar and wind--that can be obtained without dangerous, earthquake causing fracking.

In addition, your source, Daily Wire, is listed as "extreme right" by Media Bias.

tonychanyt · Mar 19, 2025

Yes, humans are sinful by nature. Ep 2:

1 You were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh,

BDAG σάρξ:
② the physical body as functioning entity, body, physical body
ⓒα. In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ‌. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likewise present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ Ro 7:18

carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Our physical body affects our mind, and we want to sin. This desire to sin is our sinful nature. This is not the end of the story. There is good news:

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God's divine nature dwells in us and helps us to overcome the desire to sin, i.e., to overcome our sinful nature.
Do humans have a sinful nature?
Yes, but for those who are born again, we also have the divine nature.

Nithavela · Mar 19, 2025

The UN says that two of its workers have been killed and others injured after a compound in Gaza was damaged on Wednesday, adding that the circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

The Palestinian territory's Hamas-run health ministry blamed an Israeli strike and said five critically injured foreign workers had arrived in hospital. Israel's military denied striking the UN compound in Deir al-Balah.

It comes after Israel said it was resuming fighting in Gaza following a two-month ceasefire - launching a wave of strikes that killed more than 400 people, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Israel-Hamas war: UN says two workers killed in Gaza as air strikes resume

Israel's military denies attacking the Deir al-Balah compound, after the Hamas-run health ministry blamed an Israeli strike.

www.bbc.com

orbiter · Mar 19, 2025

Peace in Christ.

A “great multitude” followed their “guide” Judas to come to take Jesus away…..

Mat 26:47-50 KJV
(47) And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

….and this is still going on today.

The great multitude come with “swords”….causing divisions among us…and they come with their “staves” (their “timber”….the dead wood of their church handwritings that causes their congregations to stumble.)

They come with a feigned “kiss” ….the flattering lips….their good words and fair speeches…in order to deceive the hearts of the simple.

This is their “sign” given to them by Judas…those who are flattered by their “kiss” are easily deceived.

The hearts of the simple easily fall for those who flatter them.

Yet, they are seizing the power of the cross of Christ so that His life is never made manifest in the mortal flesh (the revealing of the Son of man) of those who fall for their deception.

Mat 26:47-50 KJV
(47) And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
(48) Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

And they want you to “rejoice” with them. “Hail” = rejoice. They come as "friends" and want us to rejoice along with them.

(49) And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, (REJOICE) master; and kissed him.
(50) And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

They come to us and want us to “rejoice” (Godspeed = rejoice) with them. But those who are bidding them,,,the followers of Judas... “rejoice” are partakers of their evil deeds.

2Jn 1:10-11
(10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
(11) For he that biddeth him God speed (REJOICE) is partaker of his evil deeds.

We must avoid them for they are not serving the Lord Jesus Christ…but only for their own belly that they want to fill with the “sop”….a crumb/morsel/mouthful.

Rom 16:16-18
(16) Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
(17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
(18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Having received the sop, Judas went out immediately and it was “night”.

There is no knowledge in the great multitude who are following in his footsteps. It is “night” to them. The “sop” = a crumb/morsel…a mouthful. They are thinking now with their belly which blinds their minds to the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. The gospel is being hid from their minds.

Joh 13:30 KJV
(30) He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

The sop is “dipped” as the crumb is worked hard for by those who give it to them.

Joh 13:26
(26) Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

The crumb is whelmed in fluid as it is earned in the “sweat of the face” for….and they give it to those who are only serving (supposedly for the Lord Jesus Christ) for their own belly.

Gen 3:19 KJV
(19) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

They have become ministers of Satan by doing so.

John 13: 27) And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

It is “night” to them as the god of this world ( their belly) has blinded their minds to the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.

2Co 4:3-5 KJV
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
(4) In whom the god 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.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Like Judas, they went out from the apostles but they were not of them. Judas went out from among the disciples and it was "night"....as those who follow him do not have any understanding of the gospel of truth.

1Jn 2:18-19 KJV
(18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
(19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

And they do not bring you this doctrine: that Jesus IS COMING now in our mortal flesh as His life is supposed to be made manifest there (the revealing of the Son of man to this world). They do not understand the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God…and they do not preach it to you.

2Jn 1:7-9 KJV
(7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
(8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
(9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

wing2000 · Mar 19, 2025

...her history prior to hiding in a church:

A Mexican citizen, she crossed without authorization into the United States in 1997, found work as a house cleaner and janitor in Denver and had three American-born children, all citizens, according to court filings.

Her long, tangled saga with America’s immigration-enforcement system began in 2009 when she was pulled over in a traffic stop in the Denver suburbs.

The officer who pulled her over asked whether she was in the United States legally or illegally, and searched her bag after she declined to answer, according to legal papers later filed by her lawyers. The officer found a made-up Social Security number that she had used to apply for work, and Ms. Vizguerra was charged with misdemeanor identity theft. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 days in jail.

Ms. Vizguerra was then placed into removal proceedings, which she fought and appealed for years. In 2013, after she returned to Mexico to visit her dying mother, she was arrested on her return through Texas and convicted of illegal entry.

After five postponements of deportation, Mr. Trump was elected. And in early 2017, she fled to a church.

‘We Finally Got You.’ Immigrant-Rights Advocate Arrested in Colorado.

Jeanette Vizguerra, who made national news evading deportation in a church basement, is the latest activist to be taken into custody by federal immigration agents.

www.nytimes.com

Michie · Mar 19, 2025

The absence of both figures from the agenda appears to be a break from tradition and is likely to raise concerns about partisanship.

Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance will give the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame this spring, a development that both appears to be a break from tradition and is likely to raise concerns about partisanship.

The Catholic university typically invites the newly inaugurated president or vice president to address the graduating class, but neither figure from the administration was mentioned in Notre Dame’s March 18 announcement about its upcoming commencement speaker.

Instead, Adm. Christopher Grady, a Notre Dame alumnus and the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will give the May 18 speech, the university announced.

In its release, Notre Dame gave no indication whether Trump or Vance had been invited to speak. Neither Notre Dame nor the offices of the president or vice president responded to a Register inquiry into the matter before publication.

Continued below.

Neither Trump Nor Vance Will Give Notre Dame’s Commencement Address

The absence of both figures from the agenda appears to be a break from tradition and is likely to raise concerns about partisanship.

www.ncregister.com

Michie · Mar 19, 2025

From gingerbread and cookies to classic puddings and biscuits, this chef's 1866 cookbook paved the way for Southern cooking today.

A historic cookbook is getting a refresh: Malinda Russell’s A Domestic Cookbook: A Careful Selection of Useful Receipts For the Kitchen, is the oldest known cookbook by a Black American woman.

In it, you'll find French pastry techniques, technical preservation methods for clarifying sugar, and early recipes that demonstrate the 19th century Southern "art of Cooking" that Russell was known for throughout Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky, where she cooked.

It was republished in February by the University of Michigan Press for the first time in 160 years.

Malinda Russell's Southern Roots

Continued below.

This Cookbook Made History—Now It's Been Republished For The First Time In 160 Years

Learn about the oldest known cookbook by a Black American woman, and why it's being republished for the first time in 160 years.

www.southernliving.com

Bob Crowley · Mar 19, 2025

Bob Crowley said:
I've long thought about starting a blog but have never gotten around to it. One reason is that I don't want to get caught in some blog software scheme that gradually costs more and more to run.

The other is finding suitable topics to make it a contuing activity.

But I've got to start somewhere so I've decided to have a test run here.

My next post will be my first blog on this site.

BLOG – 2025-03-19 – DOING WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT

A couple of days ago I watched a “One Minute Jesuit” video on You-Tube entitled “Try What’s Easy”. The presenter was Fr. Michael Rossmann SJ.

Login to view embedded media
He made the comment that many people spend a lot of time trying to improve their skills in those areas where they feel they are weak, instead of concentrating on gifts which they obviously have.

In short they waste their time doing things that they are not likely to do well, and do not achieve the things they could do if they concentrated on skills they can do well.

One reason is that if they know they can do something easily, they tend to think that it can’t be important and they need to work on their weak areas.

The irony is that God is the one who give us our talents, and it is those very talents which will give us the greatest return if we develop them.

Of course we may not like our strengths – someone with a gift of administration might think that dealing efficiently with adminis-trivia is a humiliating gift. What’s wrong with being an engineer or a doctor!!

Yet effective administration is needed in the doctor’s and engineer’s office or the wheels will fall off.

I fall into that category. I think administration is one of my gifts and I believe another one is writing. Outside of those two I find it difficult to think of anything else that I ‘find easy’. But I don’t much care for the gift of “administration” and I’m not one of those lucky people who “just have to write”. I need something to write for.

This doesn’t stop me from setting goals in a number of areas, most of which are not strengths. Of course they have some benefits . For example learning a couple of languages via U3A keeps my mind active, and trying to learn guitar is a real challenge as I am also hard of hearing. But I know full well that music is never going to be my main ministry.

This doesn’t mean that I have to drop these things altogether, but I do need to get my priorities right. I need to do is to spend more time doing those things I already do well and work on improving those talents God really has given me.

Ludwig Beethoven gradually went deaf as he grew older, and I can empathise with him as I have a hearing loss myself. But he had a knowledge of and gift for music so he was still able to compose even as his hearing worsened. Composing music for the piano was “easy for him”.

He admitted that he couldn’t do anything else, writing to the composer Ferdinand Ries: "Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on Earth."

Fanny Crosby wrote 8000 hymns and gospel pieces, with more than 100 million copies printed. Yet she was blind. She did what she was good at.

Therefore I need to take my talents into account and concentrate on them, rather than spreading myself all over the place trying to do things that are not my strengths.

How about you? What talents do you already have and are you using them?

Michie · Mar 19, 2025

Elon Musk congratulates SpaceX team for 'excellent work' in bringing home the stranded astronauts, addresses 'domestic terrorism' against his company for his association with Trump.

Video below.

Elon Musk celebrates 'moment of optimism' after NASA astronauts' return to Earth on SpaceX | Fox News Video

Elon Musk congratulates SpaceX team for 'excellent work' in bringing home the stranded astronauts, addresses 'domestic terrorism' against his company for his association with Trump and more on 'Hannity.'

www.foxnews.com

Michie · Mar 19, 2025

O mountains said:
Well guys, He's giving me the silent treatment again, It's been almost 20 days. We had started talking again and during one of our conversations, then he started to ponder past of all the time I was speaking foolishness about certain conspiracy theories and rambling and he started seething in rage against me again, I don't have a problem with that but it was the fact that it was unprovoked and I had taken accountability and acknowledged it yet he still felt the need to just unwind on on me. It was just needless rageful venting. I didn't get angry or raise my voice or anything, but I let a few things off my chest again and confronted him about all the cruel stuff he said and did in the past and his response was that i was cherry picking minor instances when the instances i mentioned covered such a broad and frequent span of time that I was not cherry picking and in were indicative of his general behavior. He said I was selfish because I didn't hold tongue and let him rage as usual, but he wasn't selfish for just avoiding his seething. I basically confronted him about this for 2 hours straight because i wanted to approach this from every angle to achieve clarity and understanding but he perceived this as me trying to wring some sort of apology out of him.

I just want him to full acknowledge the egotistical and rageful side of himself and just cut it out. Just like when I called him out and got angry and yelled at him for raging demonically at me over the videogame and gave me silent treatment, i responded to his unprovoked rage against which comes from the same place and now im getting the silent treatment again and for who knows how long, perhaps months. I don't want to endure this quietly anymore. Part of me wants to just let go and move on like i did when he gave me 3 months of silent treatment before.

I don't want to block him because I do believe that if i handled these situations with more discipline and self control perhaps really would change and part of me wants to double down address the silent treatment in a non-angry or hostile way, very thoroughly and maybe explain to him that he is infact being narcissistic by repeating a pattern of giving me silent treatment every time i stand up to him and further elaborate internally on why i react the way i do to his hostility and perhaps he can help me work through it,, Full complete transparency. In this case, I suspect he'll either ignore that, respond dismissively and change the topic, block me because I'm a wicked selfish demon that won't take full accountability for the situation and ALL THE SITUATIONS in which he's punked me off and yelled at me and not stoically enduring his rage like a saint despite him not just doing that himself (What's easier? Nothing seething out of the blue for my unwise rambling of conspiracy theories or enduring someone's belligerent attitude endlessly) , or hopefully he will respond organically and productively in a way where we can come to solution. Alternatively, I could just completely let go and move on but again, I think he'll just end up reaching out to me after a few months and I don't have it in me to just cut him out of my life because I truly cannot determine if he is truly a demonic bad influence or just some guy god sent me to whip into submission so i fully follow god's will.

Either you are codependent or you need to stop this cycle and end the relationship. It’s up to you. *shrug* The ball is in your court.

FireDragon76 · Mar 19, 2025

Laodicean60 said:
Where was the court when Ukraine neo nazis were killing ethnic Russians? One thing that surprised me is that Hamas is included in warrants this time along with Israel. Usually, those international bodies blame Israel for their actions.

Professor Tim Snyder, an expert on Eastern European history and politics, has been on record stating that Neo-Nazi participation in Ukrainian civil society is minimal, and that reports to the contrary are Kremlin propaganda. Rumors of significant "Neo-Nazi" attrocities in Ukraine against Russians simply aren't true.

In Ukraine, ethnicity or language is not a marker of nationality, and again, the notion that there are significant numbers of "Russians" trapped in Ukraine in the Donbas and Luhansk regions is a Kremlin talking point that simply doesn't reflect the reality. Ruthenian peoples have intermixed in that region for centuries and the differences between Ukrainian people and Russian peoples is one of history and politics, not necessarily strict ethnic differences. Some may speak a language much more similar to what we think of as standard Ukrainian, others speak Russian, but in eastern Europe, the language you speak isn't necessarily representative of nationality, or even ethnicity, and never has been.

Dave Darling · Mar 19, 2025

DaveHTexas said:
I work in information technology as a computer systems engineer, I got laid off from my job last February, with a non compete / severance package that meant I was on the books until the end of April.

Job postings have been Ghost jobs meaning the same jobs are posted up for 6 to 9 months and likely do not exist.

My unemployment ran out in November and my savings I am living on is running down... I need a job sooner rather than later.

Now the issue...

While I don't have paperwork from the Dr. (I can get it), I have major back issues preventing me from doing physical labor jobs, and am an IBD patient, so even when I do apply for employment, because I am not willing to be deceitful, I do disclose that under the disability self identification... Between that, and my age I am somewhat certain that is limiting me...

I have a small Youtube thing going on that I have monetized, but ad revenues went down the drain a while back and I literally don't make the money it takes to put gas in my tank...

I need prayer for either a job, or the direction and blessing to grow this business....

I am not asking to be rich, I am asking for my daily bread (and a full tank of gas and health care...) to provide for myself, my family and be able to help others...

Praying now!

Lord God I lift up Dave to You right now and I pray for a miracle in his situation, I pray for supernatural provision of a job immediately! I pray for his dream job with a high salary! I pray for wisdom on the job hunt and also for favor in all job interviews, I also pray that he would be able to excel on the job and in his line of work! I also pray for provision of all financial needs according to You riches and glory Thank You God!

Christsfreeservant · Mar 19, 2025

Christsfreeservant · Mar 19, 2025

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery… For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:1,13-15 NASB’95)

Yes, I skipped over verses 2-12, but I am going to summarize them and you can read them for yourselves. The situation at hand was that the Judaizers of the day were trying to convince the Christians that they had to keep to some of the Old Covenant liturgical, ceremonial, and dietary laws, as well as the requirement of the circumcision of all males. And they were adding on circumcision to their salvation. So Paul was reminding them that God set them free from those requirements, and we are saved by grace, through faith, which is of God and is not of our own doing – not of the will of man.

Now some people read these words out of context and they teach that God no longer requires that we obey his commands. Not true! Yes, we are not under all the Old Covenant Mosaic laws, but God’s moral laws never went away, just the liturgical, ceremonial, sacrificial, purification, dietary and circumcision laws of the Old Covenant. We still have to obey our Lord’s commands under the New Covenant which we can read about all throughout the New Testament writings. We are to put off that and put on this, etc. We must die with Christ to sin and now walk in obedience to his commands.

[Matt 5:27-30; Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 3:5-11; 1 Thes 4:1-8; 1 Tim 4:7; Titus 2:11-14; Heb 12:1-17; 1 Pet 1:14; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

So, Galatians 5:1, although I believe primarily was in the context of the Christians believing that they must return to coming under at least some of the Old Covenant ceremonial laws, serves both their situation and the situation we are faced with much today. And that is that so many professing Christians, who, if genuine, were set free from bondage (addiction) to sin, are returning to coming back under slavery to sin, some of them convinced that, because of their professions of faith in Jesus, and by his grace, that they can continue living in sin and that God will no longer judge them.

But, then what did Paul say? He said to the Christians of his time that, although they were no longer under the Old Covenant liturgical (etc.) laws, they were not to turn their freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, to serve the flesh. And sadly that is many people’s approach to salvation today, that it frees them from the punishment of sin, and God forgives them, and heaven is now guaranteed them, and so it doesn’t matter what they do. But that is a lie from hell! For what did Jesus’ death free us from? Our slavery to sin! And so that we will now honor God by obeying his commands.

And how are we supposed to be living as those who profess faith in Jesus Christ? Through love we are to serve one another, not sin deliberately and habitually against one another, for that is not love! For to love is to prefer what God prefers, and to choose his choices, and to obey them in his power. And love is righteousness, holiness, godliness, moral purity, uprightness, honesty, faithfulness, and obedience to our Lord and to his commands. And love will not deliberately do what is against God and what is harmful to other humans. Love will do what is best for others, in the eyes of the Lord.

For being saved by grace, through faith, which is not of our own doing, but which comes from God, is persuaded of God, and which is gifted to us by God, is not to be defined by human beings who are looking to get out of having to obey the Lord and to avoid putting sin to death in their lives. For biblical faith = obedience to God. If we do not obey God, we do not have faith. If we deliberately and habitually sin against God, we do not have faith, and we are not in fellowship with God. And God’s grace instructs us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we await our Lord’s return.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

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.

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.

Login to view embedded media
Caution: This link may contain ads

Freedom From Slavery to Sin
An Original Work / March 19, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

RabbiJames · Mar 19, 2025

1 KINGS 18:1-39

…. This relates to the time when there is a contest, sponsored by Eliyahu Ha Navi, (Elijah the prophet). He calls for a contest between “Baal” and “YHVH” It is time to take action and clear up the error that Baal even exists. So, it is Baal vs YHVH, Elijah against 450 false prophets of Baal. Sacrifices are ready, all that is needed is fire, but fire not kindled by man, only by the true God, We all know who won the contest, Elijah called upon YHVH;

…..”ATAH YHVH HaELOHIM” (you are YHVH you are God) and fire fell from heaven and consumed EVERYTHING, the sacrifice, altar, stones, and water, The people now had proof, and the false prophets were still crying out and dancing around. Judgment; death for all false prophets. The people repented and returned to YHVH

…..Are we worshiping and serving our true God? Or are we chasing after idols, idols of money, fame, popularity, jobs, fast cars, lust, avarice, etc.? We can only serve one master, who is it going to be? Do we serve YHVH? Or the world? The choice is ours.

MARK 7: 1-8:38

…..In this portion of scripture, we see Yeshua rebuking the Pharisees. They are pointing out that the disciples did not wash their hands before eating. It is true that one of the rites of the priests was to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place, yet this was never stated as a commandment. It has health benefits though as we all know.

…. Today, we see many religious practices that are stressed and done as if they were commandments. There is a big difference between “commandments” and “tradition” Many traditions stem from commandments, but we need to differentiate between the two. Wearing a Kippa is a tradition, but wearing Tzitziot (fringes on garments) is a commandment, and putting a mezuzah on the doorpost is a commandment. But one should not judge one another in these cases. One can point out different scripture verses, but we must leave everything in the hands of God.

…..”It is not what goes into a person that which defiles, but what comes out of a person that which defiles, for out of the HEART comes forth

…..So as not to confuse one thing with another, eating certain kinds of food does not defile a person SPIRITUALLY!, it may defile one physically, eating what is not considered biblically kosher, like pork, shellfish, etc.. But other things can defile a person spiritually, like listening to unholy music, doing things, watching things, movies, etc. that are unholy, satanic, occultic, etc.

…..Physical defilement is different from spiritual defilement. In this passage of scripture, Yeshua is performing many miracles, opening the ears of a deaf man, healing the eyes of a blind man, and casting out demons. How are our eyes, ears, and hearts? Can we see the truth in scripture? Can we hear the WORD of God? Is our heart open to receive his word? We come against Satan and his demons through the power of the Holy Spirit. Is Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) your savior and LORD?

Yarddog · Mar 18, 2025

JustaPewFiller said:
He's not necessarily wrong that disagreement should not be grounds for impeachment.

Look at this way. Say you agree with Trump and think disagreement with the President should be grounds for impeachment.

Will you still think that way if a left leaning President is in office and wants to impeach judges who disagree with him?

There is some old saying about a goose and a gander that may apply here.

If a person thinks that disagreements ar grounds for impeachment then that person has no business anywhere near government.

Unqualified · Mar 18, 2025

The law is not up to interpretation by individuals but by the courts. Enforce the darn law! But get the liberal judges out of there.

Servus · Mar 18, 2025

Login to view embedded media

Christsfreeservant · Mar 18, 2025

“Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:17-19 NASB’95)

The apostle Paul regularly gave testimony to what the Lord Jesus Christ was doing in the lives of Christians in various locations, and to what the Lord was doing through those who were his servants and messengers who were taking the truth of the gospel to the people of the world. And he shared these things as an encouragement to the church, the body of believers in Jesus Christ who were following Jesus with their lives, some of them at great cost.

I love to hear testimonies from people who are serving the Lord with their lives, in truth and in righteousness, who are doing the will of God in sharing with the people the truths of the Scriptures, and who are ministering to the needs of the people. I love to hear how God is working among them and of how people’s lives are being changed because of the testimonies of the Lord’s servants and messengers. That encourages and strengthens my heart.

Paul did not confine himself, though, to just sharing all the good stuff of how the people were now forsaking their sins, and of how they were following the Lord Jesus in obedience to his commands. He often shared about the sufferings that he and the other apostles and many of the other Christians were going through because of their walks of faith in the Lord Jesus, in obedience to his commands, and in holy living. And he did this so that the church would pray for them.

Now, because he was sharing the good stuff about how God was using him and the other apostles and some of the other servants of the Lord, some people might have accused him of being a braggart or of being prideful and boastful, in the sense of wanting attention and praise for himself. But Paul gave God the glory, and he only shared these things as an encouragement to the other Christians, many of whom were suffering for their walks of faith.

And, because he also made a practice of sharing his sufferings with the body of Christ, and sometimes he even named names of people who opposed and persecuted them, and he definitely described in detail the kinds of things that they were suffering for the sake of Christ and his gospel message, some people might have accused him of wanting attention and pity for himself, or they might have accused him of being negative or of just complaining.

But the Scriptures teach us that we are to bear one another’s burdens. But how can we do that if we don’t know what their burdens are? And they teach us to ask others to pray for us in our sufferings, and how will they know what to pray if they don’t even know that we are suffering? And how can we encourage them in their sufferings with the comfort we received in our sufferings if we don’t even let them know the things that we are suffering?

Now, we should not be complainers and gossipers and people who are negative all the time who just want attention for ourselves and for people to feel sorry for us. But we are to share our burdens with the body of Christ so that they can pray for us and encourage us and so that we can encourage them in their suffering, especially if they are going through something similar and it helps them to know that they are not alone in their suffering.

Somewhere in between selfishly complaining just to get people to feel sorry for us, and clamming up and remaining silent and telling no one anything about our sufferings, is the correct balance. And I believe Paul gives us the right example of what that correct balance is. And the purpose cannot be selfish, but asking for help when you need it is not selfish in and of itself. Paul all the time was sharing his sufferings and asking for prayer.

And when he shared the good stuff that was happening in the life of the church, and in his life, and in the lives of the other apostles, it was for the encouragement of the body of Christ, as a whole, that they might rejoice in what God was doing and be blessed by it. So his “boasting” was in Christ and in what Christ was doing in and through them, for his glory, and to change lives, and he gave God the credit and did not take it for himself.

So, if your hearts are pure, and your motivation is right, don’t shy away from sharing your sufferings or your joys. Always give God the glory for anything he accomplishes in and through your lives, but don’t be afraid to let people know you are going through hard times and you need prayer and encouragement. Don’t be afraid to share with them how God is using you in ministry and how it is blessing the lives of other people, for their joy.

And keep speaking the truth of the gospel, even if people don’t like it, and even if they call you names, or if they accuse you falsely of wrong motives. For if you are serving the Lord, and if what you are speaking is the truth of God’s Word, and not the lies which tickle itching ears, then you are doing a good thing. And we need people like you. But please make sure the gospel you are sharing is the truth that Jesus taught in the right context.

Jesus said that if anyone would come after him that he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our lives of living in sin and for self, we will lose them for eternity. But if for Jesus’ sake we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow Jesus in walks of surrender to him, in obedience to his commands, in holy living, then we have the hope of salvation from sin and eternal life with God. But if Christ we deny by our lifestyles, when he returns he will deny us (Luke 9:23-26).

[Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 4:17-32; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

In Harmony

An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Login to view embedded media
In Things Pertaining to God
An Original Work / March 18, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

RocksInMyHead · Mar 18, 2025

Always in His Presence said:
Link?

He pre-emptively stated that Ukraine would never be admitted to NATO, that they would have to surrender territory, and that US troops would never be stationed in Ukraine as peacekeepers. He also stopped military aid and intelligence sharing temporarily, called Zelensky a dictator, and blamed Ukraine for starting the war. So far, the only thing he's gotten in exchange for all of this is an agreement from Putin to stop attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days.

DamianWarS · Mar 18, 2025

Soyeong said:
Christ quoted from Deuteronomy three times in order to defeat the temptations from Satan, which included saying that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God, so he affirmed Deuteronomy and every word that has come from the mouth of God as being authoritative, which included what God spoke in Deuteronomy 5:31-33 in regard to the laws of the Torah. In Deuteronomy 12:32, it prohibits adding to or subtracting from the Torah. In Deuteronomy 13, the way that God instructed His people to determine that someone is a false prophet who is not speaking for Him is if they teach against obeying the Torah.

So how does it make sense for someone to interpret Jesus as being against following anything in Deuteronomy or that has come from the mouth of God? About 1/3 of the verses in the NT contain quotes or allusions to the OT, which its authors did thousands of times in order to support what they were saying, so how does it make sense for someone to consider those quotes to be authoritative while rejecting the Torah that the authors of those quotes considered to be authoritative? If someone thinks the authors of the NT did spoke against obeying the Torah, then they should either conclude that they were false prophets or conclude that they must have misinterpreted them.

There's a fundamental perspective difference. Where you may see "teaching against" I see the same focus under new revelation. Clearly, we do not value the sacrificial laws yet we do not look at these laws as thrown away, rejected or teaching against either. They point to Christ and their values can still be found through Christ as he fulfills them, yet the law itself never explicitly states "until the one who will come and fulfill" Even still, we approach it with no compromise in this outlook. The law values the sacrifice and we continue to value it just seen made complete through Christ.

How then can we not approach all law this way? If our outlook of the sacrifice has been fundamentally changed through Christ why can't our outlook of circumcision be the same, again the same values and without compromise just seen made complete through Christ? What about Sabbath? The same values, without compromise but seen made complete through Christ? What about dietary laws... et cetera..

Fundamentally the law exposes an imperfect system that needs to be repeated. It makes anything with repetitive requirement innately ceremonial and imperfect and points to a construct higher than itself that can complete it if it is worthy. Even if only an abstract idea this is what all repetitive ceremony in any system points to.

For example, Christ tells us it is lawful to do good on the sabbath (Mat 12:12) This reveals that goodness itself is above the ceremony or the letter of law and if all our actions were good, then all our actions are also lawful regardless of what day they are conducted on. It also shows us that if one were to come who was of a substance of pure goodness then their acts would always be lawful and could never be unlawful. A practitioner of this goodness would be able to freely move without consequence even if in conflict of the letter. It's not that they are unaccountable or lawless, it's that the goodness fulfills the legal requirements so provided their actions measure to this construct of goodness Jesus identifies then their actions are also lawful. Abstractly, this would absolve the person from the letter of the law as their goodness would cover their actions, in practice however, their actions may still come under scrutiny by those driven by legalism over goodness but the legalism has no power over it even with the scrutiny. If this practitioner of goodness was one with authority, then their actions would not just be localized but may also cover all that they have authority over. Of course, we know no one is good but God (Mark 10:18) so by human means this standard is not possible and so all are bound by law, but since Christ offers himself freely we may share in his goodness which is pure and worthy through our faith in Christ. Our actions need not be measured by law anymore but measured by Christ. Thus we are not under law, we are under Christ. This is the gospel message unpacked.

So what you see as an injustice to the Torah I see as an injustice to the power of Christ and hypocrisy because you very happily do away with Torah and very explicitly teach NOT TO DO, what the Torah teaches TO DO yet have no issue with this. We agree regarding the sacrifice but when I apply the same logic to something like Sabbath, dietary laws or circumcision, I'm accused of rejecting Torah and calling the apostles and even Christ himself false prophets. How can I not be offended by such remarks? My faith is in Christ, not in law, so your legalistic scrutiny has no merit under Christ.

New Posts

New Posts

Malinda Russell's Southern Roots​

Filter

Forum statistics

Share this page

Malinda Russell's Southern Roots