The daily thread.

Doug Melven · Aug 22, 2018

When bands start getting vague about Jesus Christ I think it is because somebody told them they could make more money if they leave Jesus out of there songs.
Because, let's be honest, Jesus Christ offends most of the world.

Martyr's Crown · Aug 23, 2018

Doug Melven said:
When bands start getting vague about Jesus Christ I think it is because somebody told them they could make more money if they leave Jesus out of there songs.
Because, let's be honest, Jesus Christ offends most of the world.

The funny part here about the band Extol for example, is that in the start of their music career when they started having gigs, they weren't very much liked. I think I heard by someone or read somewhere that people used to throw things at them at concerts, because they were being so clear about their Christian faith. This is a norwegian Christian metalband that is more popular and known in America than in their own country.

Later on they got into a production deal, I think this was what changed a lot for them. They weren't as free anymore to make own decisions etc, so maybe this too restricted their lyrics writing too?

I have met with the main vocalist from Extol in real a few times, also visited sometimes the church he and has wife goes too, as well as I went to the same school as his wife and did interact with her a couple of times. They are fine people, and I do believe they genuinely love Jesus Christ.

Martyr's Crown · Aug 23, 2018

Doug Melven said:
When bands start getting vague about Jesus Christ I think it is because somebody told them they could make more money if they leave Jesus out of there songs.
Because, let's be honest, Jesus Christ offends most of the world.

Though I can't judge any of their hearts state, it still doesn't excuse them for making their lyrics more vague. They could also have said no to the new production deal and continued as they did earlier too, I think as well. Doing it more their way. As being clear with their Christian faith and sharing it around in their music should be more important to them, than fitting more into the main music world's system.

Just something I thought of now too.

Doug Melven · Aug 24, 2018

The cross is beautiful to those who have been saved by it.
Offensive to those who think they can save themselves.

Doug Melven · Aug 25, 2018

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Notice the difference between the blessed man and the cursed man.
The cursed man won't see the good when it comes.
The blessed man won't see the heat when it comes.

The cursed man is like heath in the desert. A tree all alone with no water to sustain it.
The blessed man is like a tree planted by the waters.

The cursed man trusts in himself.
The blessed man trusts in the LORD.

The cursed man is all alone in dry places.
The blessed man, his leaf is green, doesn't have to be careful in the drought, or cease from yielding fruit.

Much better to trust God than self.
Also notice that both the blessed and cursed have good and heat come to them.

Thanks @Crowned Princess for sharing the images for inspiration for this post.

Doug Melven · Aug 27, 2018

I, Doug Melven, that's me, my old man
Am, it is a done deal.
Crucified, put up on a cross and killed.
With, I didn't do this thing alone.
Christ, the Creator of everything, the God of the Universe.

Nevertheless I live. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Doug Melven · Aug 29, 2018

God loves you. Even with all your faults and guilty stains, God loves you.

God still loves you, even now after what you just did, God still loves you.

God loves you even when you doubt His love for you.

I say this with confidence, because I know nothing can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39

tniles408 · Aug 29, 2018

Doug Melven said:
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Notice the difference between the blessed man and the cursed man.
The cursed man won't see the good when it comes.
The blessed man won't see the heat when it comes.

The cursed man is like heath in the desert. A tree all alone with no water to sustain it.
The blessed man is like a tree planted by the waters.

The cursed man trusts in himself.
The blessed man trusts in the LORD.

The cursed man is all alone in dry places.
The blessed man, his leaf is green, doesn't have to be careful in the drought, or cease from yielding fruit.

Much better to trust God than self.
Also notice that both the blessed and cursed have good and heat come to them.

Thanks @Crowned Princess for sharing the images for inspiration for this post.

This is really good sir. The Lord has been teaching me lately about sources, and how I need to make Him my source for everything. If He's my source for everything, like esteem, identity, acceptance, love, just everything, then it doesn't matter what's going on around me, the source hasn't changed and I'll still be ok. I think He just quickened that verse to me about the tree planted by waters, it goes right along with that concept. Thanks!

Martyr's Crown · Aug 30, 2018

tniles408 said:
This is really good sir. The Lord has been teaching me lately about sources, and how I need to make Him my source for everything. If He's my source for everything, like esteem, identity, acceptance, love, just everything, then it doesn't matter what's going on around me, the source hasn't changed and I'll still be ok. I think He just quickened that verse to me about the tree planted by waters, it goes right along with that concept. Thanks!

Martyr's Crown · Aug 30, 2018

Doug Melven said:
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Notice the difference between the blessed man and the cursed man.
The cursed man won't see the good when it comes.
The blessed man won't see the heat when it comes.

The cursed man is like heath in the desert. A tree all alone with no water to sustain it.
The blessed man is like a tree planted by the waters.

The cursed man trusts in himself.
The blessed man trusts in the LORD.

The cursed man is all alone in dry places.
The blessed man, his leaf is green, doesn't have to be careful in the drought, or cease from yielding fruit.

Much better to trust God than self.
Also notice that both the blessed and cursed have good and heat come to them.

Thanks @Crowned Princess for sharing the images for inspiration for this post.

That's a really beautiful chapter part! Thank You for sharing this one too!

Here in the western part of the world we are raised up in the manner which you shared, trusting more in yourself than in God. Even though, it has always been this way at all times. Ever since sin entered this world. In truth; Nothing has really changed with this part.

The difference is that now it is more hidden beneath the "modern camouflage" which is put over this world, making humans think times have changed and they have become smarter. Times have changed, looking at all technology, medecines, etc... Though the mind of a human and their hearts haven't changed. The spiritual reality hasn't changed either!

Wickedness remains the same way now as it did before. Medecines may sometimes be helpful, though many other times in cases of given diagnoses, it only helps a bit on the surface of the real problem, or makes the person believe it does, whilst the whole root of the problem lays deeper within them. There is much more in the picture than what many really see, many times also more spiritually rooted. When this is the case; No medecines will help! Only Jesus Christ who brings healing and freedom through His Name!

Trusting in God, especially now also through His Son Jesus Christ, is something which becomes more difficult in these days. But if we truly love Him, we will manage it through! And He will strenghten us, and He will help us to get through anything which gets put before our way! As we also know and should have in mind; "That Nothing Is Impossible For Our God!" And He Never Leaves Us Nor Forsakes Us!

And this is also an encouragement to be having in mind, God's love and faithfulness for us!

Martyr's Crown · Aug 30, 2018

I saw this bible verse through one of the psalms I read today, and I thought it was a fun discovery! Seeing it is talked about the snail. I think snails are charming little creatures. Even though in this context the meaning isn't very friendly mannered. But I still found it an interesting bible verse and I will add one of my snail pictures in here.

"Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes"(Psalms 58:8a)

Doug Melven · Aug 30, 2018

Earlier today I was meditating on "riches" as in the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8
So I looked up all of the instances of riches in the NT to see if there was a definition of what these riches were.
I got all the way to Colossians 1:27.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Christ being in us is God's riches.
2 Corinthians 4:7 says

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

That is a huge treasure.
Hope is defined as a positive expectation.
Christ in you, the positive expectation of glory.
Thinking about Christ inside of us brings new meaning to Philippians 2:12.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe, lives inside of you.
This should cause some fear and trembling. Not a cowardly fear where you are frozen and unable to move.
But fear that declares the magnificence of the One living in you. Causing you to live a godly life because He never leaves or forsakes you.

Practically, how can we do this.
Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Acknowledge every good thing in you.
Continually thank Him for all He has done.

Doug Melven · Aug 31, 2018

Wisdom is the principal thing.
Christ is our wisdom into righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

To seek after wisdom is to seek after Christ.
We need to seek after Christ with everything we have, and when we find Him, we will have wisdom.

Doug Melven · Sep 1, 2018

There are those who say the apostles had an advantage over us today because they walked with Jesus in the flesh.
But I think that was a disadvantage.
Today we don't have a problem with believing what Jesus can do, because we see it in the Word.
But those who walked with Jesus had a harder time believing Jesus was God.
They got to see Jesus doing what all humans have to do. Eat, sleep and eliminate that which He ate.
I think this is one of the reasons Jesus told them it was expedient that He go away and send them the Comforter..

Martyr's Crown · Sep 5, 2018

I watched this video, one I have heard before when I was younger. Yet, this time I think it touched me more than what it did earlier.

It is just a powerful reminder which doesn't tire you out, being reminded of God's love for you!

Doug Melven · Sep 15, 2018

Went to Cityfest last weekend.
Has anybody else gone to one of Luis Palau's Cityfest's?
cityfest.org

It was a really great time.
Over 1800 people made decisions for Christ and gave contact info for local churches to follow up with.
There were so many volunteers I didn't get the opportunity to explain the Gospel o anyone, but still had a good time as Mandisa and Danny Gokey were there singing and P. J. Weber was doing a magic show and a ventriloquist shared the Gospel as well.

Martyr's Crown · Sep 21, 2018

I made this picture of one of my bibles, decorated it a bit around and put a bible verse to it, which I thought fitted it. It isn't anything professional, but I still think it can look nice.

Doug Melven · Sep 21, 2018

Crowned Princess said:
I made this picture of one of my bibles, decorated it a bit around and put a bible verse to it, which I thought fitted it. It isn't anything professional, but I still think it can look nice.

View attachment 241514

That is a well marked Bible.
And now that you posted it you will have to explain what the different colors mean.

Martyr's Crown · Sep 23, 2018

Doug Melven said:
That is a well marked Bible.
And now that you posted it you will have to explain what the different colors mean.

It can have a different meaning to me every time, though I like to mark with colours in a symbolical way. For example green can fit for statements made in the bible about peace and righteousness, orange can be about sin and evil, pink for God's love,praise given to Him, His goodness, yellow for what is holy, God's splendour etc... Yet how I use my marking colours can also differ from time to time, depending on which ones are getting empty/dried out sooner, or just for a change of colouring.

These days I use much marking colouring as well as some lining under letters in some of my bibles as well as in some other books I read in. It is most of the time used for what I like, agree with, what speaks to me, as well as what makes me think, or what makes me wonder a bit it's meaning, e.t.c...

Is this good enough answered?

Doug Melven · Sep 23, 2018

Crowned Princess said:
It can have a different meaning to me every time, though I like to mark with colours in a symbolical way. For example green can fit for statements made in the bible about peace and righteousness, orange can be about sin and evil, pink for God's love,praise given to Him, His goodness, yellow for what is holy, God's splendour etc... Yet how I use my marking colours can also differ from time to time, depending on which ones are getting empty/dried out sooner, or just for a change of colouring.

These days I use much marking colouring as well as some lining under letters in some of my bibles as well as in some other books I read in. It is most of the time used for what I like, agree with, what speaks to me, as well as what makes me think, or what makes me wonder a bit it's meaning, e.t.c...

Is this good enough answered?

I thought you might have a specific system.
I have seen some people use different colors for prophecies od Christ, promises to believers and whatever othe category they might think of.
But if yours works for you, it is all good.

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