jahel

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The spirit of bondage is the nature and spirit of satan, the spirit of slavery. The Holy Spirit has set us free into the nature and spirit of God by becoming a part of the family of the Father.

1 Corinthians 7:22
For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lords freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave.
Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.​

Outwardly the flesh remains, but inwardly the reality is the opposite. The liberty that we have outwardly is curtailed to consciousness of His Holiness. While the outer bondage that the world inflicts is liberated inwardly by being in His glorious Presence.

Freedom is for serving Christ, while slavish ceremonies avail nothing to will neither the heart if the mind is not stayed on Him. They seek to sooth the conscience that His Holiness will be served in that way. His empowerment is freedom of spirit to serve the Living God in a living way.

Hebrews 2:15
and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.​

Christ's new covenant has delivered us from satan's prison by Christ first descending and then ascending.

Ephesians 4:8-10 is a fulfillment of the prophesy of Psalms 68:18. There is no more fear of death and we are released from it's slavery.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.​

Perfect Love, like that of our Father's as seen in 1 Corinthians 13, casts out all fear of offending Abba when we love in deed and truth. 1 John 3:18

God's chosen people had been under custody of the law, which Christ came to fulfill. God gives us His Spirit of Love and Life because we are His children, not because we are His lawkeepers. The Spirit of God is the FOCUS of the blessing of God's promise.

Luke 1:74
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,​

Literally, serve Him as priests.

2 timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.​

The human spirit, regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, fans the flame of God's gift into a consuming fire in the whole person.

will= of power
mind= of sobermindedness
emotion = of love

.
 
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jahel

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Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, it’s not a rule over external conditions, but over our spirit. When He cast out evil spirits, He bore witness that He was holding converse with human spirit, that with the pride, lust, and hatred; the power of spiritual darkness that enslave, He was carrying on His great controversy.

In the region rooted in inner being, He is still subduing His enemies and conducting His mysterious education.

The time of conflict is now, the time of Christ’s victory is now. We’re not dealing with human progress in culture, but with the divine conversation of our spirit from which all culture arises.

The Kingdom of God begins within, but it makes itself manifest without. It is to penetrate the feelings, habits, thoughts, words, and acts of those who are subject to it. And finally it is to penetrate the whole social existence in each Christian life.

The Kingdom of God IS transformed culture, because it is first of all the conversation of the human spirit from faithfulness and self-service to the knowledge and service of God. Axiom to Principal.

The Kingdom is real, for if God did not rule, nothing would exist, and if He had not heard the prayer for the coming Kingdom, the world of mankind would long ago become a den of thieves.

We should remember that in every movement we are dealing with God.
 
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jahel

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Prudence. In order to act well, we need to make good judgments about how we should behave. This is precisely the sort of habit associated with prudence, which Aquinas defines as "wisdom concerning human affairs" (STIIaIIae 47.2 ad 1) or “right reason with respect to action

οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν, the necessity of self-concentration inculcated in proverbial language borrowed from agricultural life. The ambition to make a straight furrow has been common to ploughmen in all ages and countries, and it needs, like the highest calling, steady intention and a forward-cast eye.

ἐπιβαλὼν (epibalōn) — 2 Occurrences
Mark 14:72 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ἀπαρνήσῃ καὶ ἐπιβαλὼν ἔκλαιεν
KJV: And when he thought thereon, he wept.
INT: you will deny and having thought thereon he wept
72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Luke 9:62 V-APA-NMS
GRK: Ἰησοῦς Οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα
NAS: to him, No one, after putting his hand
KJV: him, No man, having put his hand
INT: Jesus No one having laid the hand
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

1 : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.
2 : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs.
3 : skill and good judgment in the use of resources.
4 : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.

"Picture yourself plowing the first furrow in a field. In order to make it straight, you must line up two distant objects, such as a fence post and a distant tree. When these two line up as one, you will know you are plowing a straight line. If they become divided, you are on a crooked path.”
Don’t hindsight and weep that you made a crooked line that was supposed to be straight, keep your eye on Jesus and eternity thereby making the line straight to the Father.

Prudence. “right reason with respect to action” is the epistemology of virtue-based intellectual morals with the resultant action-bases of justification of duty and responsibility.
 
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jahel

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A new creation’s Identity is found in Christ alone … rather than in our work, community standing, possessions or pleasures.

At the root of satan’s temptation to mankind in the garden was the implication that God wants to deprive of us of knowledge. The Fall away from grace has gained for us the full compass of knowledge. It is now ours to refine that knowledge away from what is evil, and beyond our natural good to the better covenant.

Christ’s wilderness temptation came as temptings to identify Himself with (1) pleasure (turn stones into bread), (2) identity in position (cast Thyself down) and (3) identity in possessions (all these things I will give to Thee.

….. this is a brief outline of the thread so far as to principles and precepts ….

In post # 2 of this thread we see the first application of the principle of unity. Christ and the sanctified are one. Rather than being a stiff-necked people we have the human experience of Jesus serving the purpose of fitting Him to mediate for mankind to God. We are joined to Him in the covenant of sanctification/consecration See post # 3 & #4 & #11

The second application is the principal of obedience or loss of rewards … post # 12 & # 13
Hebrews 4:15 Let us embrace the holy Law of God, recognize our sinful condition before it, and come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain the grace we need to live it out

Post # 19 shows principles as the line to the Father rather than the shadows of the stepping stones to obtain to the height in order to see the way.
The way of the old testament approval was to be willing to sacrifice another (Abraham willing to sacrifice the promise child) while Jesus produced self-sacrifice as the way to acceptance in the New Covenant. The epistles contain the mind of Christ as our example. post # 13
ETA:
Intuition is that part of the human spirit that communes with God. When all else has passed and knowledge is no longer that is what will remain.
Getting to the heart of nous: Intellect plus spiritual understanding: the art and soul of spirituality as a reliable means of interaction with God. Nous is interpretated to mean both intellect and spiritual understanding.

Ephesians 4:17 shows a darkened intellect while Ephesians 4:23 shows an enlightened intellect. Believers must have a renewed nous.
The organ (nous) with function (dianoia) needs to commune with God functionally as the way to be more and more in tune with God.
Ephesians 4:18
You should no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk in the vanity of their nous, being darkened in their dianoia.
Therein is the answer to Romans 12:1-3 the mind of Christ Philippians 2:5
.. w/o understanding there is no vehicle to move from knowledge to wisdom in action. Knowledge then remains head knowledge and not heart knowledge.​

While post #20 Freedom From Human Rules (manmade)
Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Then post #21 The liberty that we have outwardly is curtailed to consciousness of His Holiness. While the outer bondage that the world inflicts is liberated inwardly by being in His glorious Presence. God's chosen people had been under custody of the law in the covenant of the OT, which Christ came to fulfill. God gives us His Spirit of Love and Life because we are His children, not because we are His law-keepers.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ …. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
1 Timothy 1:13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent, yet I have received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.

The mind of Christ is our link to the character of God. Philippians 4:8 & Galatians 5:22-23
God is Love and our insight into His character and the character that sanctification is bringing us to, should contain no less than love.

Integrity OT was exemplified by Job as God’s servant.Job 1:8
NT Christ calls us His friends. John 15:15
He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 8:24

Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise
—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
see post # 15
 
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jahel

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!0 yrs ago I wrote about Phronesis as the wisdom to do God’s direct will. I likened Sophia wisdom as grace given to promote human growth as their desires unfolded. Phronesis, otoh, was God’s desire in action. The case of Hannah given her desires as God’s desires were fulfilled is a prime example. Into and beyond all heavens Heb 4:14, 12:22

Sophia wisdom is not pure virtue in action at all times, but my understanding of Phronesis wisdom is that it is always pure. The inner traits of the new creation as they are unfolding in ongoing sanctification are also pure in virtues. The moral properties contained within are acted out in the virtues as the vices are left behind.

Therefore the moral worth are the virtues of right and good acts and count as a life well-lived because of the transformation into the intellectual consent as the way one wants to live.

The result is happiness motivated by Love. Life comparable to a rosebud, as the pelals open each in their own time. Inner peace and joy are maintained in trust that God will complete the good work He has begun.

Love overflowing to the giving of dignity to all others thru whatever helpful means are presented to our inner communication with the Great I Am.
Glory can only be given to the cause that He is, we are merely the effect. Whenever we are acting from a point not directed by Himself we are offering strange fire to a false god of our own making, and is a vice to be overcome and not at all pure in virtue.
*******
To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4

Peace and grace
**************
2 Peter 1:5-11
Fruitful Growth in the Faith

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
to godliness fraternal kindness, and to fraternal kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Therefore, peeps of the fraternity of God, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

:amen: :prayer:

PS,
the epistemological outline for the last few posts were taken from the book:
Virtues of the Mind, an Inquiry into the Nature of Virtue and the Ethical Foundations of Knowledge ~ Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski
 
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jahel

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Matt 13:52
“Therefore,” He said to them, “every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old.”
Matt 21:33
“Listen to another parable: There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it to tenant farmers and went away.

Food for thought on God's original agreement with the people He brought out of Egypt and how Christians are those who are now led out
Exodus 19:4a
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.


Before there was an Aaronic priesthood there was an invitation for a priestly nation at Mount Sinai. The people coming into the wilderness all agreed to this covenant between themselves and God. While the people were consecrating themselves the Lord gave the commandments and how to build the tabernacle and serve therein. The tabernacle was to follow them thru the wilderness. But the people rebelled and (Aaron) made an idol that they claimed had brought them out of Egypt (the golden calf). (made from all their gold earrings which signify a willing slave) God was burned to the core and regretted having them as His people and was ready to give it to another
Exodus 32:7-10
The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely;
they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’”
The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are.
Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.”


Christians are now the royal priesthood made up of living stones that have right now been brought to the heavenly Mount Zion.
Hebrews 12:19-23
For you have not come forward to a mountain which could be touched and which was set on fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,
And to the sound of a trumpet and to the voice of words, because of which those who heard entreated that no further word be spoken to them;
The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,…


Universal gathering, in the Greek, means festal gathering; a time of joy! This new covenant age is a festival! Along with the myriads of angels rendering ministering service to the heirs of salvation Hebrews 1:14 also celebrating "so great a salvation" Hebrews 2:4
Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.
Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.

Have a great day ya’ll!
 
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jahel

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Making the most of the time, because the days are evil, we ought to conduct ourselves wisely and count our days that we may gain a wise heart. When dealing with the world we ought to act as though we had no dealings with it, for the present form of this world is passing away.

How time is spent is far more important than how money is spent. Money is a distraction that keeps the present moment away and fills the mind full of worries about yesterday and/or imaginations for the future. God has already told us His plans for our future are to prosper us and not to harm, therefore seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all else will be added. Today … if we should hear His voice, know that salvation is near.

The world and it’s desires pass away yet everything has been made beautiful in it’s time. Boasting of tomorrow is futile for we know not what tomorrow will bring. The most that we can boast of is what the Lord has done. What we do know is the time has come to awake from slumbering in the arms of the wicked one, being assured that the time is even nearer now than it was when we first believed.

As stewards of our time we are to guard, protect and attend to that which pertains to today. To reclaim that which was lost is to accomplish the redemption of time. God makes Himself vulnerable to us so we must treat the heart and love of God with respect. The wicked miss God’s salvation because they don’t know what’s important, but God still awaits for the return to Him.

Be blessed.
 
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jahel

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The wisdom of the prudent is to understand their ways
Job 28:28
And He said to humankind,
‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalms 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.​

The fear if the Lord is the beginning of understanding, but it’s not wisdom itself. True wisdom is to declare God’s righteousness while confessing to Him the failures to do or be something we know we should do or be. True wisdom is to assume the place of the sinner before God, and accept the purpose of the Lord James 5:11 That’s the wisdom that justifies Psalms 51:3-4, Psalms 51:6, Matthew 11:19

True wisdom is given, but we must be made to know it. Does our faith match our knowledge? Discipleship begins with the journey from the head to the heart.

Proverbs 30:24
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are exceedingly wise:

2 Timothy 3:15
and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Job 38:36
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts,
or given understanding to the mind?[
 
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jahel

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S@kal Strong’s-7920 is the Aramaic word for contemplation and corresponds to Strong’s-7919 Hebrew word Sakal which is the primitive root of what we are contemplating in this thread. Both are spelled Shin, Kaph, Lamed.

Shin, Kaph, Lamed, as seen from the view of the sanctuary is perfection of the world, yet in trial from mankind, having the cords of wickedness wrapped tightly because of God’s governing.

From Daniel’s old covenant words in Psalms 119:

ש SHIN
Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.
Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

כ KAPH
My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

ל LAMED
Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.
They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will consider Your testimonies.
I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Shin represents a totality of an overall process. Contrary to the old covenant tho, the new covenant is not a process that needs be repeated but rather an adherence to. Jewish tradition teaches that shin, on the one side is receiving wisdom from heaven, on the other side a flow of weaponry for the defence of peace and in the middle is the connection of us to heaven which brings all into balance and harmony. That harmony is a reminder of enjoyment of God thru peace and wisdom. Those three arms of the letter, or aspects, reminds us also of fire and the warning to avoid strange fire.

Kaph 2x10 is ordinal perfection. The letter also offers a sense of comparison. that comparison can be likened to vessels, and the difference between an unclean and clean vessel, with the emphasis on our own particular clay jar, some in need of breaking of the outer man to allow to the light to shine out upon their enemies, so that God can defeat their enemies. For when He inhabits our consciousness they become His sanctuary. Therefore they should be a house of prayer and not a den for thieves. The difference of where thy treasure is.

Lamed the provision in the physical realm of a connection with Another. the basic meaning is to reach out, to share, to teach and also means learning, which involves a purpose. It tells us we can reach up to heaven to receive our values and to bring them to earth to put them into practice. As a proposition it means to move forward toward peace. Progress is the goal and is ongoing. But it also represents trails that prod us on as learning tools. In searching out the message from God that God has put into our hearts within them, in finding that treasure it is stored in heaven by giving it away to others. Studying as to world views is looking from a wrong perspective. The view must be from looking up.
 
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jahel

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Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.


Fantasy or fact? Fiction or nonfiction? Hopeful or certain? Are you sure? Every man must choose the basis for his thoughts and choices in life. Fools operate in the make-believe world of their own opinions and speculations, and their folly is visible to all. Wise men prudently choose knowledge for all their thinking, speaking, and actions.

Solomon said it well elsewhere, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Pr 14:15). There is the difference. The fool believes most anything that he hears, while the prudent man is cautious and skeptical about everything. He also wrote, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Pr 22:3). Prudent men consider what could happen and avoid it; fools blindly rush on in heady ignorance and are punished. Embrace caution for wisdom!

Prudent men are wise, discreet, circumspect, and use sound judgment. They are very careful to only deal with what can be proven as fact. They do not trust everything they hear or read; it must be established with evidence before they will consider it. They do not jump to conclusions, listen to rumors, trust sensationalism, or allow exaggerations. They do not talk about things they know little, enter activities they do not understand, associate with people they do not know, or accept opinions without all the facts (Pr 14:8).

Fools believe most everything, especially if it confirms their foolish suppositions. They are looking for anything to support their ignorant opinions; they trust it as truth, and they repeat it to others. They do not truly want understanding; they only want to reveal and publish what is in their hearts (Pr 18:2). If it sounds plausible, they believe it. If it sounds sensational and likely to cause a stir, they really get excited about it. They answer matters before they even hear them (Pr 18:13). Feelings are as good as facts to them. Shame!

Prudent men study before answering, but fools pour out folly (Pr 15:28). Prudent men do not tell all they know, but fools talk about what they do not know (Pr 12:23). Prudent men use knowledge aright, but fools pour out foolishness (Pr 15:2). Fools show folly by word and deed every day (Eccl 10:3). Noble men scrutinize all things (Acts 17:11).

There needs to be more children of Issachar, as recorded in the Bible, men with “understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (I Chron 12:32). These are men who will judge righteous judgment, not merely by the appearance (John 7:24). These are good men filled with knowledge, able to admonish one another (Rom 15:14). This proverb summarizes much of what the Preacher Solomon sought to teach his son.

Solomon exposed fools in Ecclesiastes. He described these babblers as starting with foolish talk and ending with mischievous madness (Ec 10:13). They are full of words, even though no man knows what is going to happen tomorrow (Ec 10:14), and they are frustrated by hard work, because they cannot figure out the simplest things (Ec 10:15).

Paul ordered you to be wise and understanding the will of the Lord (Eph 5:17). You are to be men, not children, in understanding (I Cor 14:20). Saints prove all things (I Thess 5:21). The only true source of knowledge is the word of God and the fear of God (Pr 1:7). Anything contrary to scripture is ignorance (Is 8:20). You should let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4). The Bible is right on every subject, and you must hate every contrary way (Ps 119:128). Rather than leaning to your own understanding, trust in the Lord with all your heart (Pr 3:5-6). He will direct the path of the prudent man (Ps 37:23).

Dear reader, do you repeat things you have not proven? Do you believe things in print must be true? How often do you say, “I think – “? Are you skeptical about unusual or unconventional “results”? Do you believe “testimonials”? Do you understand how something works before you use it? Do you think free seminars are to help you? Do you believe there is a “free lunch” just waiting for you to find it? Do you know that figures don’t lie, but liars figure? Do you know that unconventional things are usually closer to snake oil than conventional things? Does a popular majority impress you as truth? Does “information” against government or other organizations you dislike impress you?

Do “conservatives” tell the truth more often than “liberals”? What is a “conservative”? It is a shame men can prey on conservatives, because so many are suckers for sensational rumors. Some forecasted America’s end in the 70’s. Political or financial speculations or sensationalism is not for Christians. They must deal with knowledge – things found in the word of God or established as fact. Extreme Christians made fools of themselves and their religion by forecasting the end of the world at Y2K! The world today justifiably mocks the antics of Jack and Rexella Van Impe. Dear reader, demand knowledge!

If something appears “too good to be true,” it is exactly that – too good to be true! Do not believe it! You have not discovered anything, but a temptation for your weak mind and a stumblingblock for other simpletons. There is a sucker born every minute, and you should not be one of them. You are to deal with knowledge, and God has given all you need in Scripture (II Tim 3:16-17) and the command to prove all things (I Thess 5:21).

Why so many religions? Because most persons believe parents, priests, and/or teachers without putting forth a prudent effort to confirm or refute religious claims. Consider how God mocked idolatry and idolaters for not examining the lie of their religion (Is 44:9-20; Hab 3:18-20). The noble Bereans checked out even the apostle Paul (Acts 17:11). A religious lie is only believed by those too fearful, ignorant, or lazy to critically question it.

Why so many denominations in the Christian religion? Because pastors and persons claiming to be Christians did not put forth the effort to earnestly contend for the apostolic truth and just as fervently to oppose any and all innovations, modifications, or rejections of Bible truth. God’s revelation in scripture is absolute and final, and any compromise of its teachings should be vigorously denied, no matter how popular or impressive the lie.

The man of God, more than other men, must study to show himself approved in the word of truth (II Tim 2:15; Titus 1:9). Too many pastors and teachers have substituted entertainment and fables for the sound doctrine of Bible preaching (II Tim 4:1-4). Their folly shall be exposed openly, in agreement with this proverb, by their carnal results (II Tim 3:6-9). Let every man of God tremble at his duty to deal only with knowledge.

Jesus Christ dealt prudently with knowledge; He was exalted and extolled, and He was very high (Is 52:13). He was of quick understanding with the spirit of knowledge to judge righteously (Is 11:1-5). He answered the speculative and crafty questions of the Jewish leadership that hated Him, and He asked them questions that exposed their ignorance and hypocrisy (Luke 2:41-47; 20:1-8,20-47). He always dealt with knowledge. He is your example, so follow Him today in how you deal with the situations you will face.


Proverbs 13:16 - Let God Be True!

Are ye the child that says no but goes anyway or the other that says yes but does not?
 
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jahel

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A sign of the times? What is the Ideal Rule of Christ supposed to look like …

But first this is how it actually is:
2 Samuel 23:5-7
“If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.
But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,
which are not gathered with the hand.
Whoever touches thorns
uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
they are burned up where they lie.”​

One wonders how the benevolence of God for the advancement of humankind can be used to bring about the destruction of the earth. And then they wonder why, although they perform many miracles in the Name of God ,they shall be cast aside as strangers. His words to me about this were “Some people use Me as if by my death they inherit all I stand for, but reject that I am alive and full of power. Have truth behind your convictions and you will not lose rewards. That is your work.” But His work is as follows, “This earth creature (Christ Jesus) takes over” as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, to which every knee shall bow. And He embraces the power to till and keep us His Garden, the church out of His side, both of blood and water, making us clean.
Equals God left out of every equation in today’s fast paced teachings that are meant to further.
So therefor wonder not at those things that are passing away to bring about the peace and righteousness of our Great High Priest. Melchezedec represents the antidote to the 10 hills of enemies surrounding His people.

Then there is the end intended by the Lord (James 5:11) when spears will be fashioned into plow tools and the plumb line of the Lord will be met:
He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
Like showers that water the earth.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
On the top of the mountains;
Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain. Ps 72:6-7,16; 2 Sam 23:4​

This irreversible gift from God to usward is from the root and not from the branch. It is also from the power of the fields (His garden) and the seeds that have been planted therein awaiting the refreshing of springtime after the long winter season.

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jer 23:5-6​

His people are His Holy Portion thru-out all the ages but His righteousness begins with the House of God

His trouble shall return upon his own head,
And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy section, shall be ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand to the west. It shall be adjacent to the district of the holy section, and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.Ps 7:16, ex 48:18​

But lest I incite affections that are only surface it shall be left with that.

I have entreated you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and the forces of the field, whether you have raised and roused up charity as far as He will. Songs 2:7​
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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New Testament morals in divine revelation is problematic if ‘the highest good’ is not determined. Old testament obedience to law was not an ethical system. The light of revelation shows a deterioration of the disposition of the person because of sin toward God. Freely responding in a consciences capacity habitually reflects the conformity to the new covenant rather than the old. IOW Logical reasoning rather than blind obedience.

OTOH ’Hedonism’ is derived from ‘pleasure’ in the Greek form and has a set of ethics to match that would have been the counterpart of Jewish law in the days preceding Christ. That would include the seeking of fame and reputation to place ‘highest good’ in those things rather than the person of God, gained in an intimate ‘reasoning together’ to learn the ethics of the law, rather than the rule of law.

Christ re-presents the entrance to the kingdom by means of a softness preserved from parent to child as the means to joy and peace. From there He could reach others in the Name of the Father.


The law is the letter, the flesh. The morals are for the soul and spirituality is the “highest good'
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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Christ's protection came from using the Sword of the Word of God, His only offensive tool and our only weapon also. In listing the armour of God everything is from Christ, His righteousness not ours, His truth not ours, His gospel not ours, we're gifted with faith and salvation. He has the sword of truth in His mouth and our only form of protection is from the word of God. That's what Jesus used in His hour of temptation.

We have protection within the Word and satan's tool is to discredit the Word to hinder the application and thereby disarm the Christian from using God-given weaponry against him. It's sad how many christians are buying into this deception.
 
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Hebrews 13:9

Do not be turned away by different strange teachings, because it is good for your hearts to be made strong by grace, and not by meats, which were of no profit to those who took so much trouble over them.
 
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The question remains as to how one co-ordinates the physical with the spiritual life. The answer is in co-operation. More is required of those who have woke up to reality/ the riches and beauty of the spiritual landscape. Co-operation with God-given Grace that works also within the fields or workplaces or laboratories of human activity is in fact that never ending prayer/communion with God that is true worship in spirit and truth. The reason of that truth is because we ourselves form part of the creative apparatus of God.

He made us in order that He may use us, for His purpose, not ours. We are His tools and He takes us up in use when He sees fit and lays us down again when not needed to accomplish His work. Sometimes we are the currency used in some great operation of which the purpose is not revealed. Sometimes we are His servants left year after year in some monotonous job that only He sees the purpose of. Either way it’s His grace upon us, whether providing the understanding to carry the job out or speaking a miracle into a situation that often passes our notice.

Either way, in co-operation, “human will and God’s grace rise and fall together” When one is in subjection to His will, doing all for the Glory of Him, His will is done and His Kingdom has come upon the situation.

We are the agents of His creative purpose on this earth. Vertically and horizontally the cross is doing it's work and Peace becomes established in our own lives thru the Joy in knowing that we all is well with Him in our lives, no matter what the world throws at us.

The natural life alone cannot give us that. Sophia wisdom operating for the world can give us the means to survive in this present age but Phonesis wisdom joins to make life worth living when we reject the things that are about to perish. It makes the inner man so much stronger to direct outer circumstances in co-operation with Him. His creativity in our lives knows no bounds. His peace He has left with us to find joy in silent adoration and we see Him operating thru us. His will being accomplished in our own meagre lives.

There’s no getting around the fact that this planet and especially in human life, something has gone wrong, and horribly so. Every unhappy face, unhealthy body or bitter words of despair are a constant reminder of that.The occasional flashes of pure beauty, goodness and love (which are seeing Grace in the pure light of the fruits) shows us what God wants and what He is. The black backdrop of human misery throws more vivid relief onto the horror of cruelty, oppression, hatred, and the muddle of stupidity set to frustrate and bring suffering into life.

Isaiah’s call set the course for the Lord’s preference in this matter. It shows us the awakening of a human being to his true situation over against Reality, and the one true objective of his fugitive life.

First, the sudden disclosure of the Divine Splendour, the mystery and haunting beauty of Holiness.

The veil is lifted, and the Reality that was always there is revealed and in contrast Isaiah sees his own dreadful imperfection. “Woe is me”

Who shall go? reveals the amazing power given to the human race to say yes or no to the eternal God and also the call to duty. Here am I send me is the human in co-operation with God’s answer.

So is the journey of the inner life of great courage and hearty endurance of changing that which can be changed, calm acceptance of unpopularity, misunderstanding and contempt being the outer stigmatization from those who are not on that same level of truth in spirit from which we worship the Living God. Because of sharing in the cross there is the share of it’s saving power. We have considered the cost and we will not be made ashamed by that which the Lord despised. Psalms 119:58,
Hebrews 12 The Call to Endurance
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.…

Psalms 22:24, Psalms 51:17, Psalms 69:33, Psalms 102:17



Some portions have been taken from ~The spiritual life, four broadcast talks ~ Evelyn Underhill ~
 
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xxkingskidlmxx

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The shame of religion’s history revealed in the context of the bible is that first the Father was rejected, then the Son, then finally the Holy Spirit when that is removed, and all that remains is because of God’s love that many waters cannot quench, because God is love.

within the context of the body of Christ:


2 cor 4:10-12

We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.


just as the soul has to be lost to find the spirit inflowing from the HS, using the soul's capacity and faculties, so the same principle of loss for gain works in the mortal body becoming immortal.


"always bearng about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Christ may be manifested in our body"
 
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