Jesus forms the way of discipleship

~Zao~ · Jul 20, 2019

^
The chastening and disciplining is actually meant to uplift us from righteousness to holiness. God first justified us to make us righteous in Christ. Then comes sanctification, to be made holy. Righteous is according to God's way of doing things outwardly, (precepts) but to be holy is to match God's nature inwardly. (principles) Going on from righteousness to reach holiness would serve to show ourselves holy in righteousness.

Hebrews 12:5-11
5 and you have forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons and daughters:
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline
or give up when you are corrected by him,
6
because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves,
and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts.[a]
7 Bear hardship for the sake of discipline. God is treating you like sons and daughters! What child isn’t disciplined by his or her father? 8 But if you don’t experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters. 9 What’s more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? 10 Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 3:11-12
11 Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord, my son;
don’t despise his correction.
12 The Lord loves those he corrects,
just like a father who treats his son with favour.

I’m adding this from another thread to emphasis the difference between principle and precepts.
Is the Sermon on the Mount for Today?

Martyr's Crown · Jul 20, 2019

LoreneDD said:
^
I’m adding this from another thread to emphasis the difference between principle and precepts.
Is the Sermon on the Mount for Today?

Thank you! I will read this later.

I do read in this thread at times, but responses may be given later.

Martyr's Crown · Jul 22, 2019

LoreneDD said:
Romans 3:22 God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. 23 All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory,

Righteousness comes thru faith in Christ. It’s His faith, in us, that has become the faith by which we believe in Him. Romans 2:26, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:22, Ephesians 3:12, Philippians 3:20

Faith has an object ~Jesus Christ~ He is the faith and becomes the faith within us. He is God’s righteousness and God has given Him as righteousness to those who are indwell by Him. Jeremiah 23:6 that which comes from faith that is in Him and of Him Hebrews 12:2

James 2:1
My brothers and sisters, when you show favouritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory.

Therefore righteousness is a product of faith. We are justified by faith to receive the divine life Romans 5:18

Justification by works is carried out thru the divine life, only. That only can be seen as righteousness. The tree of life must bring forth fruit. The first is the cause and the second the effect, therefore the outcome and proof of of the other. It’s the expression of the life of faith.

The term justification is in the accomplished work of Christ, while to be justified to carry on His work is within His righteousness. Sanctification, as an ongoing process, is for our Christian living and is seen in His righteousness when we act from that place. Which can also be very revealing to others concerning their faith.

So righteousness, justification, and faith are a product (of saving grace) while sanctification is a process (of grace upon grace) John 1:16 or faith upon faith, or glory upon glory. Romans 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

We are justified from the heart not from assent of the mind Romans 10:10

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Food for thought.

This is very deep put together. Much food for thought!

It is so great to experience how powerful and edifying God's Word is! As I can't get enough of it!

It isn't the same as just reading a normal book, where you read it through and then have gotten all the information which it brings to you. You can enjoy reading other books, and you can get knowledge and information from this too. Other books are more for entertainment. But the bible gives you much more, it is like food for your soul! It reaches to you in a deeper way than any other book, and because of the Holy Spirit at work within you, it becomes alive.

Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Martyr's Crown · Jul 22, 2019

LoreneDD said:
There's many ways of having things taken; from material things, to loved ones, or self respect to confidence to survive another day. He never said it would be easy, just worth it, even tho we can’t see what's beyond our limited perspective. Hope in glory, whatever that means is forever based in trust.
In a way God's like the army. He strips everything away to build us up again. But in a new, better and stronger way thru faith in His faithfulness to us and when we’re willing for the change. Nobody likes the wilderness of going around in circles for 40 yrs. Full enrolment in the school of life. I can’t imagine a more fit description of purgatory as that played out on earth. It’s good to hear your optimism against the flesh and preconceived ideas of what we deem to be our rights here on earth.
I think that God gives what we need in material things to the level that will keep our faith and removes that which will work to strengthen more.

We grow up with different backgrounds of life, often we are unaware of what sins gets put upon us as well as what sins which have been flowing through in our family ancestry. Which will also affect us more than we know, even though we will not see nor understand this until it is shown by God. There is much in my past life which I didn't think was bad for me, as well as a lot which I thought wasn't wrong to do, or say, or think! Yet, in my earlier life I didn't know this, not until God made this clear to me. It is only because of what He has shown to me, that I now see this much clearer. And now I no longer am proud of a lot of which I thought were reasons to be proud of, nor does it give me the same joy looking back at it! Same way as with what Paul tells here;

Philippians 3:7-8

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

I think it is clear that God will need tearing down a lot which we have build up throughout our life, and then as you stated too, building us all up again. Just the way we were meant being in Him, as well as getting prepared for what He has in mind for us. As throughout our life we are building up what we think fits us personality wise, also by the influences we get from this world and other people. We try building up ourselves, trying to do as this world teaches us; "Needing to find ourselves". But by trying to find ourselves we will not be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. As this is what we are meant to becoming more like, becoming transformed into Christ's image.

And then there will be strongholds which keeps us bound, sin which have been flowing through our family ancestry, which needs to also be torn down and healed by God. Only He can restore us fully! Yet in this world they try helping us through temporary solutions like medecine and psychiatry/psycology, which won't always help. When it is about spiritual welfare, none of this will help you at all, only God!

The process will be painful, same way as what the fall brought upon mankind and all the rest of God's creation. Bringing in sin which leads everyone to death.

Galatians 5:17

"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want"

The reason for why it is so painful, because of our fleshly stance. Everything we have build up, and all of the given comfort around us which makes us hold on to our lives in the world, all of this needs to be torn down! And then God can build us all up again, and we can become the vessels which will be of greater use for Him. As how can we do and walk in His will, when our own will is standing in the way? And how can we let Him lead us and being of any use for Him, if we are full of ourselves and not giving Him all place within us? Everything is meant being for Him, and He is meant having all the glory! Everything should be about Him, and not about us! And being grown up in a world where we are taught about putting ourselves first, it isn't natural for us doing this!

Also our view of what is good is defiled, much of our view is based upon what we have learned from this world. Although, there are times where something which is bad is meant for bringing God glory through it, as what this bible verse shows here; John 9:1-3

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

Although everything is meant giving God glory, both good as well as bad which happens in our lives.

2 Thessalonians 1:10

"When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."

It is a special part, that He(Jesus Christ)will be glorified in His saints, but also that He will be admired among all those who believe. This is also very encouraging and comforting.

There is much good awaiting us in our Lord Jesus Christ, also through everything bad we go through, in which we will be bearing much good fruits. And He wants for us to be bearing much fruit in Him; John 15:5

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Martyr's Crown · Jul 22, 2019

LoreneDD said:
^
The chastening and disciplining is actually meant to uplift us from righteousness to holiness. God first justified us to make us righteous in Christ. Then comes sanctification, to be made holy. Righteous is according to God's way of doing things outwardly, (precepts) but to be holy is to match God's nature inwardly. (principles) Going on from righteousness to reach holiness would serve to show ourselves holy in righteousness.

Hebrews 12:5-11
5 and you have forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons and daughters:
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline
or give up when you are corrected by him,
6
because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves,
and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts.[a]
7 Bear hardship for the sake of discipline. God is treating you like sons and daughters! What child isn’t disciplined by his or her father? 8 But if you don’t experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters. 9 What’s more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? 10 Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 3:11-12
11 Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord, my son;
don’t despise his correction.
12 The Lord loves those he corrects,
just like a father who treats his son with favour.

I’m adding this from another thread to emphasis the difference between principle and precepts.
Is the Sermon on the Mount for Today?

At this time those bible verses as the ones above encourages and comforts me greatly. At first during what I have been going through, I found it really hard and even unfair as well! As it was still very difficult for me, and very painful! Now I understand it better, and I know that God let me go through it, because of His love for me, as well as wanting to protect me from getting into worse sinfulness and harm for me. Now I am more grateful for it!

Even though I may have moments in which I remember what happened to me, and I may get a bit sad. But then I remind myself of the good I have gotten out from this, as well as this all changing me for the better! Something which others close to me says they have noticed as well. Lots of good changes have happened which have free'd me out from hurts and other parts which kept me bound for so long in the past! And looking at this, shows me that if I didn't go through what I went through, no matter how hard and unfair it seemed at that time, I wouldn't have gotten into this good change.

I still need going through more, and I still need getting more changed. But God is so good to me, and He keeps on working within me, and this I am so grateful for!

Thanks for the share of the other thread topic!

Stay blessed in Christ Jesus today!

~Zao~ · Jul 22, 2019

The implanted word is gifted from the Father of lights and is the source of any of our gifts of giving to help fulfill His own purposes. His purpose is new birth and that purpose is without change because it's the means of producing children to Him. He has given His children that gift for others to receive the same Holy Spirit. In hearing they believe and in belief they receive. If any lack wisdom let them pray and the Father will give generously.

James 1:17-18,21
17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 21Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you.

Jesus was provided with a body , He was the embodiment of the new creation — the first born of the new creation.

The Holy Spirit’s act in creating the divinity within the new creation (w/o being essentially the Godhead) was/is to produce the guiding force within which is the Way of Christianity - the Way back to the Father.

As the representative of the human/divine nature, Jesus has left us with this ministry (ministry of reconciliation) also but - only when it proceeds from our divine nature and never from the flesh/human nature. For all new creations share His dual nature.

The Master is replaced only in the Holy Spirit, Who is the Way, the Reality, with the converse leading to eternal Life, that leads from the Holy Spirit thru Jesus Christ and into the heart of the Father. John 14:6, John 16:13, John 1:4

According to the Gospel of John, the divine Spirit comes into our human spirit (John 3:6) at the time we receive Him. Thus, 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, “He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit,” and Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit.” Since God is Spirit ( John 4:24) and He is now in our spirit (2 Timothy 4:22), we must worship Him in spirit and truthfulness. John 4 tells us that the fountain of water is in the one who drinks the water given by the Lord. (Expressed to the woman at the well) John 7 tells us that rivers of living water will flow out of the innermost being of the person

There is that ‘work’ of opening oneself to the rivers of living water that should be engaged in daily.. Those rivers of living water are where the fruit is stored. River of love, wisdom, humility, mercy, patience etc. Genesis 2:9-10 shows the tree of life along with the flow of the river. That flow ministers something of the Lord Himself to others, quenching others thirst as well as edification for their souls to strengthen them. In giving the testimony of Jesus to others His prophesy is carried thru. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10

The door is open for us to open ourselves to Him, then He will come out, springing forth from within us. That’s the result to be looking for. All in obedience to Him, personally. Not according to anyone’s gospel but that which He places upon hearts of flesh. Sometimes it takes climbing the tree to see the worth.

~Zao~ · Jul 22, 2019

Crowned Princess said:
We grow up with different backgrounds of life, often we are unaware of what sins gets put upon us as well as what sins which have been flowing through in our family ancestry. Which will also affect us more than we know, even though we will not see nor understand this until it is shown by God. There is much in my past life which I didn't think was bad for me, as well as a lot which I thought wasn't wrong to do, or say, or think! Yet, in my earlier life I didn't know this, not until God made this clear to me. It is only because of what He has shown to me, that I now see this much clearer. And now I no longer am proud of a lot of which I thought were reasons to be proud of, nor does it give me the same joy looking back at it! Same way as with what Paul tells here;

Philippians 3:7-8

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

I think it is clear that God will need tearing down a lot which we have build up throughout our life, and then as you stated too, building us all up again. Just the way we were meant being in Him, as well as getting prepared for what He has in mind for us. As throughout our life we are building up what we think fits us personality wise, also by the influences we get from this world and other people. We try building up ourselves, trying to do as this world teaches us; "Needing to find ourselves". But by trying to find ourselves we will not be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. As this is what we are meant to becoming more like, becoming transformed into Christ's image.

And then there will be strongholds which keeps us bound, sin which have been flowing through our family ancestry, which needs to also be torn down and healed by God. Only He can restore us fully! Yet in this world they try helping us through temporary solutions like medecine and psychiatry/psycology, which won't always help. When it is about spiritual welfare, none of this will help you at all, only God!

The process will be painful, same way as what the fall brought upon mankind and all the rest of God's creation. Bringing in sin which leads everyone to death.

Galatians 5:17

"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want"

The reason for why it is so painful, because of our fleshly stance. Everything we have build up, and all of the given comfort around us which makes us hold on to our lives in the world, all of this needs to be torn down! And then God can build us all up again, and we can become the vessels which will be of greater use for Him. As how can we do and walk in His will, when our own will is standing in the way? And how can we let Him lead us and being of any use for Him, if we are full of ourselves and not giving Him all place within us? Everything is meant being for Him, and He is meant having all the glory! Everything should be about Him, and not about us! And being grown up in a world where we are taught about putting ourselves first, it isn't natural for us doing this!

Also our view of what is good is defiled, much of our view is based upon what we have learned from this world. Although, there are times where something which is bad is meant for bringing God glory through it, as what this bible verse shows here; John 9:1-3

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

Although everything is meant giving God glory, both good as well as bad which happens in our lives.

2 Thessalonians 1:10

"When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."

It is a special part, that He(Jesus Christ)will be glorified in His saints, but also that He will be admired among all those who believe. This is also very encouraging and comforting.

There is much good awaiting us in our Lord Jesus Christ, also through everything bad we go through, in which we will be bearing much good fruits. And He wants for us to be bearing much fruit in Him; John 15:5

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

The breath of life contained within ourselves is also contained in nature. As we breath in oxygen that's given off by the trees during the day, they reciprocate from us by breathing in the carbon at night. Each has the cycle of breathing in and breathing out.

Ezekiel 37:9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”

Being connected to the earth in the cycle of breath, hearing the inflow and outflow of God’s breath, His breath breathing in the cycle of day and night on the earth, grounds us to the Heavenly Father in accordance to our Earth Mother. New Jerusalem is unfolding in every breath. Galatians 4:26 Each day can seem like a thousand years when lived in the courts of praise. Healing comes. Every part of self out of sync with God is united.

Truly death and dryness has 'come to life’ because they have come to the life contained in God, to drink at the fount of living water, to live in the wilderness no longer. Song of Solomon 8:5

It really is a process isn’t it? I don’t think any prophesy that God has given is w/o a double fulfilment of birth and rebirth.

~Zao~ · Jul 22, 2019

1 John 2:22
Who is the liar? Isn’t it the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This person is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3
and every spirit that doesn’t confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is now already in the world.

2 John 7
Many deceivers have gone into the world who do not confess that Jesus Christ came as a human being. This kind of person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

2 Corinthians 5:15-17
Ambassadors for Christ
…15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!…

Martyr's Crown · Jul 23, 2019

LoreneDD said:
The breath of life contained within ourselves is also contained in nature. As we breath in oxygen that's given off by the trees during the day, they reciprocate from us by breathing in the carbon at night. Each has the cycle of breathing in and breathing out.

Ezekiel 37:9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”

Being connected to the earth in the cycle of breath, hearing the inflow and outflow of God’s breath, His breath breathing in the cycle of day and night on the earth, grounds us to the Heavenly Father in accordance to our Earth Mother. New Jerusalem is unfolding in every breath. Galatians 4:26 Each day can seem like a thousand years when lived in the courts of praise. Healing comes. Every part of self out of sync with God is united.

Truly death and dryness has 'come to life’ because they have come to the life contained in God, to drink at the fount of living water, to live in the wilderness no longer. Song of Solomon 8:5

It really is a process isn’t it? I don’t think any prophesy that God has given is w/o a double fulfilment of birth and rebirth.

I just read this twice; read it through yesterday and I just read it through now. Second time reading this I have thought the way which you have described this all is very poetically put. It is true that God is close to His Creation. He sees all, He hears all, and He knows all!

Yesterday I thought of a poem I have written and also shared in this forum earlier, I don't know if you have read it before, but I thought I could share it also in here.

Comforted by God in the wind!

In my deep sadness,
in my overwhelming tears.
You brought the wind toward me,
to comfort and bring me back,
into a satisfying peace.

Lord, I was so heavy in this,
not knowing what to do!
In need for your comfort and strenght!
And You gave it to me,
in an immediate way!

With a strong wind,
warming and touching my face.
Drying away all of my tears!
Soothing to my soul,
and making me feel all fine again!

Lord, in Your faithfulness,
You came my way!
In my great distress of sadness,
You came to me in the wind!
Letting me know I was seen,
by the Most High God!

By: Crowned Princess.

This did happen as I wrote this down, and I wrote it down as I experienced it. To me it was a very powerful experience, as just to be seen by God, no matter how little or big responses from Him may seem, to me any form of response as well as blessings are "BIG" when it comes from Him! Everything given from the Father, is special getting!

Be blessed in Jesus Christ today too!

Martyr's Crown · Jul 23, 2019

LoreneDD said:
1 John 2:22
Who is the liar? Isn’t it the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This person is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3
and every spirit that doesn’t confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is now already in the world.

2 John 7
Many deceivers have gone into the world who do not confess that Jesus Christ came as a human being. This kind of person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

2 Corinthians 5:15-17
Ambassadors for Christ
…15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!…

All bible verses are as important and great, the three first ones are warnings for us, yet the fourth one is really encouraging for us!

Reminding us of what we now are seen as in Christ through God's eyes! :clap:

~Zao~ · Jul 23, 2019

Crowned Princess said:
I just read this twice; read it through yesterday and I just read it through now. Second time reading this I have thought the way which you have described this all is very poetically put. It is true that God is close to His Creation. He sees all, He hears all, and He knows all!

Yesterday I thought of a poem I have written and also shared in this forum earlier, I don't know if you have read it before, but I thought I could share it also in here.

Comforted by God in the wind!

In my deep sadness,
in my overwhelming tears.
You brought the wind toward me,
to comfort and bring me back,
into a satisfying peace.

Lord, I was so heavy in this,
not knowing what to do!
In need for your comfort and strenght!
And You gave it to me,
in an immediate way!

With a strong wind,
warming and touching my face.
Drying away all of my tears!
Soothing to my soul,
and making me feel all fine again!

Lord, in Your faithfulness,
You came my way!
In my great distress of sadness,
You came to me in the wind!
Letting me know I was seen,
by the Most High God!

By: Crowned Princess.

This did happen as I wrote this down, and I wrote it down as I experienced it. To me it was a very powerful experience, as just to be seen by God, no matter how little or big responses from Him may seem, to me any form of response as well as blessings are "BIG" when it comes from Him! Everything given from the Father, is special getting!

Be blessed in Jesus Christ today too!

I love this line in your poem
"Letting me know I was seen,
by the Most High God!” Beautiful!
Nature is a great source for poetic reflections of God. I remember a poem I wrote in the ’70’s that had that feel to it and it was about nature also.

I am a child of the earth
born to be free
to live among nature
nourished by Thee

To set feelings free
is not easy to do
in this cramped world we live in
Messed by it’s rules

Unconditional love
do you know what that means?
To love everyone freely
without pulling any strings

I’d love to go back
to those yesteryears
when life had a meaning
and nature was near

Impossible you say?
I say you are scared
of course it is possible
if the will is there.

~Zao~ · Jul 23, 2019

Crowned Princess said:
At this time those bible verses as the ones above encourages and comforts me greatly. At first during what I have been going through, I found it really hard and even unfair as well! As it was still very difficult for me, and very painful! Now I understand it better, and I know that God let me go through it, because of His love for me, as well as wanting to protect me from getting into worse sinfulness and harm for me. Now I am more grateful for it!

Even though I may have moments in which I remember what happened to me, and I may get a bit sad. But then I remind myself of the good I have gotten out from this, as well as this all changing me for the better! Something which others close to me says they have noticed as well. Lots of good changes have happened which have free'd me out from hurts and other parts which kept me bound for so long in the past! And looking at this, shows me that if I didn't go through what I went through, no matter how hard and unfair it seemed at that time, I wouldn't have gotten into this good change.

I still need going through more, and I still need getting more changed. But God is so good to me, and He keeps on working within me, and this I am so grateful for!

Thanks for the share of the other thread topic!

Stay blessed in Christ Jesus today!

What people would notice is the result from the process of sanctification. Christ is the author and finisher of faith but does it follow that the Holy Spirit is the author and finisher of sanctification? No because that is His further work, at the throne of grace, where mercy meets the conscience of the human spirit, and single-mindedness supersedes that of the double-minded man. The initial contact is with that of faith. Then as He moves us thru sanctification faith is built upon faith because we know what we are experiencing and so come to depend on Him for our being.
Jesus did feed the multitudes but He also turns stony hearts into bread for life.

LoreneDD said:
^
The chastening and disciplining is actually meant to uplift us from righteousness to holiness. God first justified us to make us righteous in Christ. Then comes sanctification, to be made holy. Righteous is according to God's way of doing things outwardly, (precepts) but to be holy is to match God's nature inwardly. (principles) Going on from righteousness to reach holiness would serve to show ourselves holy in righteousness.

Hebrews 12:5-11
5 and you have forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons and daughters:
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline
or give up when you are corrected by him,
6
because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves,
and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts.[a]
7 Bear hardship for the sake of discipline. God is treating you like sons and daughters! What child isn’t disciplined by his or her father? 8 But if you don’t experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters. 9 What’s more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live? 10 Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. 11 No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 3:11-12
11 Don’t reject the instruction of the Lord, my son;
don’t despise his correction.
12 The Lord loves those he corrects,
just like a father who treats his son with favour.

I’m adding this from another thread to emphasis the difference between principle and precepts.
Is the Sermon on the Mount for Today?

~Zao~ · Jul 23, 2019

The OT Babylon was physical, but the NT Babylon is spiritual. Babylon can be seen in its two aspects—the religious aspect Revelation 17:1-18 and the material aspect Revelation 18:1-24

The four Gospels show that when Christ was on earth, He was opposed by the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, the scribes, the elders, and certain of the priests.
To them Christ was a rock of stumbling Isaiah 8:14b. The ones who fell upon this rock were broken to pieces.

Their opposition to Him was in the use of cunning and subtle snares meant to entrap Jesus. But rather than trap and ensnare Him Christ was to them a trap and a snare Isaiah 8:14c

But with a proud and arrogant heart they said,

“Bricks have fallen,
but let’s rebuild with stones.
Sycamores were cut down,
but let’s replace them with cedars.” Isaiah 9:9-10

ETA there’s some interesting reading from 8-10 of Isaiah that brings to mind our own times of being in worldly proximity to (As)Syria in which they had exceeded His limitations of being a vessel in His hand. It concludes with a note:

And in that day their burden will be removed from your shoulders, and their yoke from off your neck; and the yoke will be broken due to the fatness
Isaiah 10:27

Martyr's Crown · Jul 24, 2019

LoreneDD said:
I love this line in your poem
"Letting me know I was seen,
by the Most High God!” Beautiful!
Nature is a great source for poetic reflections of God. I remember a poem I wrote in the ’70’s that had that feel to it and it was about nature also.

I am a child of the earth
born to be free
to live among nature
nourished by Thee

To set feelings free
is not easy to do
in this cramped world we live in
Messed by it’s rules

Unconditional love
do you know what that means?
To love everyone freely
without pulling any strings

I’d love to go back
to those yesteryears
when life had a meaning
and nature was near

Impossible you say?
I say you are scared
of course it is possible
if the will is there.

Thanks for the compliment.

And that is a beatiful poem. Very direct and honest, simple written lines, yet with a clear deepness to it.

Martyr's Crown · Jul 24, 2019

LoreneDD said:
What people would notice is the result from the process of sanctification. Christ is the author and finisher of faith but does it follow that the Holy Spirit is the author and finisher of sanctification? No because that is His further work, at the throne of grace, where mercy meets the conscience of the human spirit, and single-mindedness supersedes that of the double-minded man. The initial contact is with that of faith. Then as He moves us thru sanctification faith is built upon faith because we know what we are experiencing and so come to depend on Him for our being.
Jesus did feed the multitudes but He also turns stony hearts into bread for life.

This is very encouraging for me to read. I know there are still more changes to be going through, not all of it will be pleasent. When God is working with us, it will at first be very unpleasent as well as painful for us. Yet, it will all be so much more rewarding once we have gotten through it, and then can enjoy the freedom and healing it brings!

I know this. And this is also what keeps me going, as Jesus Christ is my only hope and light!

Martyr's Crown · Jul 24, 2019

LoreneDD said:
The OT Babylon was physical, but the NT Babylon is spiritual. Babylon can be seen in its two aspects—the religious aspect Revelation 17:1-18 and the material aspect Revelation 18:1-24

The four Gospels show that when Christ was on earth, He was opposed by the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, the scribes, the elders, and certain of the priests.
To them Christ was a rock of stumbling Isaiah 8:14b. The ones who fell upon this rock were broken to pieces.

Their opposition to Him was in the use of cunning and subtle snares meant to entrap Jesus. But rather than trap and ensnare Him Christ was to them a trap and a snare Isaiah 8:14c

But with a proud and arrogant heart they said,

“Bricks have fallen,
but let’s rebuild with stones.
Sycamores were cut down,
but let’s replace them with cedars.” Isaiah 9:9-10

ETA there’s some interesting reading from 8-10 of Isaiah that brings to mind our own times of being in worldly proximity to (As)Syria in which they had exceeded His limitations of being a vessel in His hand. It concludes with a note:

And in that day their burden will be removed from your shoulders, and their yoke from off your neck; and the yoke will be broken due to the fatness
Isaiah 10:27

Very powerful references taken from the Book of Revelation.

(as clapping with both hands)

I have noticed this too whilst reading through all of the gospels about Jesus Christ these last times, how He wasn't always loved by everyone. And how the pharisees, saduces and scribes tried to test him, and trying to find other ways to make him fall, so that they could find reasons to accuse Him. He must have felt constant pressure in this way.

Yet, He kept Himself close to the Father, and answered back as it was best fit. Still answering back in truth, so that they couldn't snare Him as easily!

And we are meant to learn from Him. And follow in His footsteps.

~Zao~ · Jul 24, 2019

Crowned Princess said:
Very powerful references taken from the Book of Revelation. (as clapping with both hands)

I have noticed this too whilst reading through all of the gospels about Jesus Christ these last times, how He wasn't always loved by everyone. And how the pharisees, saduces and scribes tried to test him, and trying to find other ways to make him fall, so that they could find reasons to accuse Him. He must have felt constant pressure in this way.

Yet, He kept Himself close to the Father, and answered back as it was best fit. Still answering back in truth, so that they couldn't snare Him as easily!

And we are meant to learn from Him. And follow in His footsteps.

Peter just says in the example of His suffering. But even they were quick to dismiss Him to get their own seats in the Kingdom. Denial of Him has the potential to lose keys given imo because He will/or cannot but deny that one to the Father. Christ told him 3 times to love the fraternity but not more than he loved the Lord. John followed Him fully so we know that is what will remain.

~Zao~ · Jul 24, 2019

Or maybe God just gave him a brand new pair of roller-skates along with a brand new key as Melanie would say or was that look what they done to my song ma ... one of the three.

~Zao~ · Jul 24, 2019

Have you considered the seven Spirits of God, what have you been taught about that thru revelation or teachings? 2 Chronicles 16:9 34 Bible verses about Folly, Examples Of

Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

Revelation 1:14
His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire,

Revelation 4:4
Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

One lampstand but seven functions. The Spirit of God has intensified sevenfold to accomplish God's work on earth shown by the repeated emphasis on the Spirit speaking in Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; Revelation 3:6,13,22; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 22:17

Grace and peace had eminated from the Father and Son in earlier epistles but now the Spirit is included to impart grace and peace to the churches.

Song of Songs 5:2 Christ's eyes are the expression of love but here they are like a flame of fire that observes and searches so that He can exercise enlightened judgements. His seeing with seven eyes is the complete picture because seven is the number of completion.

Daniel 10:6

The elders in the picture of Revelation 4 are not the elders of the church but the elders of the angels, because here, before the Lord's second coming, they are sitting on thrones already Matthew 19:28; Revelation 20:4. Among God's creation the angels are the most ancient ones. Their elders are the elders of the whole creation of God. That they sit on thrones with golden crowns on their heads indicates that they must be the ones who rule the universe until the millennial kingdom, when the authority to rule the earth will be given to the overcoming saints Hebrews 2:5-9; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 20:4. That they are clothed in white garments and have a harp and golden bowls full of incense Revelation 5:8 indicates that now they are also priests before God; in the millennial kingdom, however, the reigning overcomers will be the priests of God and of Christ Revelation 20:6. The elders' golden crowns indicate that they are also ruling ones. Therefore, they are priests serving God and kings reigning over His creation.

Seven lamps show the enlightenment of the Spirit of God for God's building, Exodus 25:37, Zechariah 4:2 (building and rebuilding of the temple) but here the seven lamps of judgment will also issue in God's building; for the building of the New Jerusalem.

Zechariah 3:9
For here is the stone that I have set before Joshua - upon one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave its engraving, declares Jehovah of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

Zechariah 4:7
Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain, and he will bring forth the topstone with shouts of Grace, grace to it.

Zechariah 4:10
10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice when they see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; they are the eyes of Jehovah running to and fro on the whole earth.

~Zao~ · Jul 24, 2019

The verses of Revelation 1:4 has an identification to the 7 spirits. Revelation 1:12-13 explains that what is described as being there is Christ and 7 lampstands. What's that describing but the Menorah from the Holiest place which is always applied to the light of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Rev 1:12-13a
And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me; and when I turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands,

And in the midst of the lampstands One like the Son of Man....

me·nor·ah

noun

a sacred candelabrum with seven branches used in the Temple in Jerusalem, originally that made by the craftsman Bezalel and placed in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle Exodus 37:17–24

The seven spirits are also described as being the eyes of the lamb, so the lamb and the light are included in one.

Revelation 21:23
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Revelation 22:3
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face [which shines as the sun,

Revelation 1:16]; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Which brings us to Zechariah 4 where an angel is speaking yet does not identify that as being a part of it's order but identifies the Spirit

Zechariah 4
The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from
2 He asked me, “What do you see?”
I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.
3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I replied.
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me:
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”[/indent]

The chosen capstone, the spirit of God .....

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