02/17/23 1 Year Ago IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB

02/17/23 1 Year Ago IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB

Still a major truth that needs to be experienced, explored and exploited.

IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB
Here is where people make a major mistake.

The Church is not a club. Though it is a voluntary body, it is not is not a "do as you please, self fulfillment group." It is not based on personal preferences or man-made rules and regulations. It is not a democracy or a majority rule government.

It is the body of Christ, of which we are members, together with other believers. We are accountable to God if we violate His standards and directives. We are also answerable to each other and we are answerable to God's chosen leadership.

Come as you are, but expect total transformation and relational realignment.
God chooses the leadership and you are expected to be of one mind with the body, submitted to the leadership, and putting others before yourself. You must deny yourself, humble yourself, and love others as you love yourself.

I know this sounds strict, but when you narrow yourself down to loving God with your whole heart, it is not a burden or grievous.

The reason people have a problem with Biblical churchman-ship is because they don't love God or trust God.

Some people try to live up to God's standard, but soon tire of the self denial because it demands too much from their unsurrendered hearts. However, those who die to self, die to this world and die to sin, find joy in walking in the steps of Jesus, walking in the light of God’s word, walking in the Spirit, fighting against temptation, agonizingly contending against the devil and diligently fighting the good fight of faith.

Paul said,
Philippians 3:8-14
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

02/16/23 THERE IS A PRICE FOR REJECTION

02/16/23 THERE IS A PRICE FOR REJECTION

If you're not happy with what God's word says about the Christian life (faith, repentance, love, obedience), you can still use the same words but you must change what the words mean (this is Satan's suggestion).

Or you could surrender to God (the only right option), then you will love what God's word says.

02/16/23 MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

02/16/23 MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

If your "salvation" allows, overlooks or endorses sin, you do not have Biblical salvation.

02/15/23 CHOOSE THE REAL AUTHORITY

02/15/23 CHOOSE THE REAL AUTHORITY

I noticed early that popular preachers often quoted popular scholars.

I chose to quote God’s word instead.

02/15/23 A FIRM FOUNDATION

02/15/23 A FIRM FOUNDATION

Since Bible college days I have been building my beliefs on Scripture rather than human invention.

02/15/23 ALWAYS IN ORDER

02/15/23 ALWAYS IN ORDER

Because it is always appropriate and because He is always worthy...

GREAT IS THE LORD AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED.

02/15/23 RE-POST WITH SUGGESTIONS

02/15/23 RE-POST WITH SUGGESTIONS

Re-post PLUS, Suggestions On How To Use This Tool.

I WROTE...
"You should be asking spiritually minded, Bible believers, "HOW AM I DOING" concerning your attitude, behavior, health, relationships, salvation.

But, even if you don't ask, you should be open to loving (though unflattering) counsel.

The things they tell you could save a relationship or ministry; it could even save your life (physical or spiritual); it may even save your life eternally."

I SUGGEST...
This is an exercise for the Christian family, small groups in the local church, such as discipleship, ministry, fellowship, men's and women's and youth, pastor/parishioner.

If a person is not willing to humble himself and submit to fellow believers, he (or she) has no right to be in leadership or ministry position 

Ephesians 5:21
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Proverbs 27:17
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

02/15/23 SIMPLE FORMULA

02/15/23 SIMPLE FORMULA

Old Testament is the beginning of Holy Scripture.

New Testament is the completion of Holy Scripture.

Human interpretation counterfeits Holy Scripture.

02/14/23 FALSE DOCTRINE FROM FALSE TEACHERS

02/14/23 FALSE DOCTRINE FROM FALSE TEACHERS

Whoever claims to be a Christian but tells you that Jesus does not save us from sin and sinning is a false witness.

02/13/23 A SAFETY FIRST IDEA

02/13/23 A SAFETY FIRST IDEA

You should be asking spiritually minded, Bible believers, "HOW AM I DOING" concerning your attitude, behavior, health, relationships, salvation.

But, even if you don't ask, you should be open to loving (though unflattering) counsel.

The things they tell you could save a relationship or ministry; it could even save your life (physical or spiritual); it may even save your life eternally.

02/13/23 NOT JUST BLIND BUT TWISTED

02/13/23 NOT JUST BLIND BUT TWISTED

Rich Islamic nations heartlessly watch, while I$rael and we$tern "devils" $end million$ in di$a$ter relief to Turkey.

02/11/23 NO HOPE

02/11/23 NO HOPE

Jesus is the sinner's only hope. If all is unilaterally, unchangeably predestined, there is no hope. Millions are falling for the devils lie that God does not love all of the lost and wants to save all of the lost.

02/10/23 EVIL REALITIES

02/10/23 EVIL REALITIES

Imagine an almighty sovereign who has the power of life and death, choosing to pardon and adopt a few of those anarchists who openly defied him, blasphemed him, conspired against him; and imagine the sovereign ruler did it to magnify himself and show off his power and authority, rather than because he was motivated by love, kindness, compassion, mercy and self sacrifice for his rebellious subjects.

Now imagine an Almighty Sovereign Who has the power of life and death, choosing to pardon, adopt, enrich every repentant usurper who willingly and contritely calls on and trusts the Sovereign; and imagine this Sovereign Ruler provided reconciliation, at His Own expense, for the benefit of His enemies, rather than from selfish aggrandizing motives. Also Imagine that His act of reconciliation was afforded to "whosoever" and regardless of the crimes of the whosoever. Imagine that it was made available, not by caprice or fiat or on the basis of personal value, talent, exceptionalism.

You don't have to imagine, the loving, self sacrificing regent because the God of the Bible has provided salvation for, whosoever will.

Where sin did abound (in the rebellion of Adam in the Garden), the grace of God did abound in the Garden of Gethsemane, on Mount Calvary and at the empty tomb.

The work of redemption is the act of a loving God, not the act of a vindictive power hungry ruler. 

Romans 5:6-21
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

02/09/23 GOD IS FAITHFUL

02/09/23 GOD IS FAITHFUL

One of the ways that 2022 was such a difficult year for me included my physical condition. Really difficult. In spite of my problems and my inability to keep fit, at a body weight near 210, I was able to do a bench press with 175 pounds (80% of my body weight at that time). I mention this because my physical problems continued into 2023 resulting in medical procedures and a present body weight of 166 pounds today. My strength is greatly depleted. Still, by God's will and intervention I am hopeful of recovery. During all of this, Martha has been more support and encouragement than words could ever tell. God gave me a wife beyond my deserving.

Yet, all of my personal issues are insignificant compared to other testing taking place in our family at this time. But God is all we need and He will not fail us, regardless of our trials. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 

I post this, not as a complaint, but as a testimony to God's glory, power, mercy kindness, wisdom and love. 

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Who holds tomorrow. He has never failed, and He never will fail.

Not only is God good, all the time, He is good to those who trust Him, and He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

02/09/23 THE WORST OF COUNTERFEITS

02/09/23 THE WORST OF COUNTERFEITS

"Salvation" beliefs that don't lead to perfect love from a pure heart in this present life are Satan's lies.