tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5005046708597437332024-03-14T03:33:13.326-05:00Jamey's BlogJust a space for me to say things ...BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-91115080237871797792022-07-11T15:16:00.007-05:002022-07-11T15:18:51.426-05:00For out of the Overflow of the Heart ... <p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_B-d3kBEvsDB8UgpFtsC1kD03P3hxG3QE8ukhZA7Iu15hJ-MWGnxzGOV5XgOHkUjdSTPfUxP6-9-MyUQfabzst_gkuIbAoTshLhxSQvZBuFa2S-0Je6sPeXdDiBzYP5R2_pfooYGLuC7psZ0GckW0nk1cA5NgxiVQ8Rrb1tItezY0MJxCH7orzM67w/s640/dark-2562186_640.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_B-d3kBEvsDB8UgpFtsC1kD03P3hxG3QE8ukhZA7Iu15hJ-MWGnxzGOV5XgOHkUjdSTPfUxP6-9-MyUQfabzst_gkuIbAoTshLhxSQvZBuFa2S-0Je6sPeXdDiBzYP5R2_pfooYGLuC7psZ0GckW0nk1cA5NgxiVQ8Rrb1tItezY0MJxCH7orzM67w/w320-h213/dark-2562186_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Imagine caring a cup of acid through a crowded room. Someone bumps into you and you spill acid on the person.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That person asks, “why did you spill acid on me?” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You respond, “you bumped into me.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The real reason the acid spilled was that there was acid in the cup. Had there been no acid in the cup, then no acid would have come out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “... For out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: xx-small;">Image: Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stocksnap-894430/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2562186">StockSnap</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2562186">Pixabay</a></span></p>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-21936625597917975192021-08-23T15:32:00.060-05:002021-08-26T19:10:21.368-05:00What has the pandemic done?<br /><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjdxO_KYFsHHBB2FmVc07zv1tBZjBNocSKbWUNLVS1ypwCsCO1nyBlGw3rZgrt2qoe12atyfmqYghN2DRmoTZ-aR9LePDFC0Vp_rFU-AuzuYaRp0_lBhLCbJCrbbfbeOG-N56fAZiz-3M/s640/crowd-2045289_640.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjdxO_KYFsHHBB2FmVc07zv1tBZjBNocSKbWUNLVS1ypwCsCO1nyBlGw3rZgrt2qoe12atyfmqYghN2DRmoTZ-aR9LePDFC0Vp_rFU-AuzuYaRp0_lBhLCbJCrbbfbeOG-N56fAZiz-3M/w200-h133/crowd-2045289_640.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What has the pandemic done?</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This pandemic has caused a cultural moment for forcing everyone to break through the denial of mortality. It has pulled back the rug and openly displayed how ill-equipped the world is at dealing with this type of an event. It has proven that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christians have even asked themselves, "should I feel wrong about fearing this pandemic?" Well, yes. However, we all have had fear of the pandemic if we are honest. After all, Christians are not perfect (1 John 1:8). Let me say it another way. Martin Luther said (paraphrasing), you never break commandments two through ten without first breaking commandment one. You would never lie unless you are making a god out of the thing about which you are lying. If you make a million dollars by lying, then the love of money is your god. The real reason we break the first commandment is that the love of God is not as real to our hearts as the love of [insert your besetting sin here] (Hebrews 12:1 KJV). </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, God continues to work with broken people, the same people who need </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">grace </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">every day, hour, minute, and second of the day. All of us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 30pt; margin-right: 30pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 30pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV)</span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what about the future?</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If Jesus Christ was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15 ), if He got up, was seen by hundreds of people (1 Corinthians 15:5-7), and talked with those people, then everything is going to be alright. As Christians, we know these events happened. Everything you are worrying about, what you are afraid of, is going to be okay.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s remember that we are not just talking about a resurrected people; we are talking about a resurrected world (Luke 21:33; Romans 8:22; Mark 13:31; Revelation 21:5).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All other religions talk about an afterlife in a non-material world where you get some type of consolation prize for a world lost. Christianity not only says our bodies are being resurrected, but the world is going to be a material world that is cleansed of all suffering and sin (Isaiah 65:17-19; Psalm 102:25-27; 2 Peter 3:12-13).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We don’t know how it will all be ‘okay’, but it will be (Philippians 4:6-7). The fact remains while still on this Earth, we still cry. Sometimes the reality of the shortness of this life now just overwhelms us and we cry. That is ok. Then, by faith, you remind yourself that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and because of that, everything is going to be okay. You can then wipe your tears. You don’t stop crying now, but you are under the shelter of his wings (Psalm 36:7; 91:4). It is like salt in a cut. It hurts, but it keeps the cut from going bad. But it doesn’t mean we don’t suffer different injuries in this life. Until we see Jesus (1 John 3:2), we have our cuts and brushes. However, His nail-scarred hands have ultimately taken ours away; His cuts have effectively healed ours.</span></p></span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Please read Tim Keller's <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/tim-keller-growing-my-faith-face-death/618219/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">article </a> from where this was adapted. He also has a book "Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter". The article struck me as poignant considering the nation's situation in the covid-19 pandemic. I wanted to journal this on here in my words, mainly for me to remember.</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-32908975426969842732021-05-06T15:21:00.001-05:002021-05-06T15:21:18.643-05:00Grace is Greater<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW3ATwggTjJFjMVb0aoNlNoYo1IEFf0o6d1iyNpPgHvzDd_PIz77F5PTQPgBrhf0rpz0dDMxJk4kcupVXDK_vDT0dYIxO3k3Y5vWw0wnROovQESeiD5B5j4r7_wUde3iVyOrRCHlwAT3g/s600/Grace+is+Greater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW3ATwggTjJFjMVb0aoNlNoYo1IEFf0o6d1iyNpPgHvzDd_PIz77F5PTQPgBrhf0rpz0dDMxJk4kcupVXDK_vDT0dYIxO3k3Y5vWw0wnROovQESeiD5B5j4r7_wUde3iVyOrRCHlwAT3g/w320-h320/Grace+is+Greater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />God’s grace is compelling when explained but irresistible when experienced.<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is powerful and enough to erase your guilt.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is big enough to heal your shame.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is real enough to heal your relationships.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is strong enough to hold you up when you’re weak.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is sweet enough to cure your bitterness.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is satisfying enough to deal with your disappointment.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grace is beautiful enough to redeem your brokenness.</span></li></ul><br />Grace explained is necessary but grace experienced is essential. <br /><br />Hebrews 12:15</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-38509094641291676812021-04-08T11:17:00.008-05:002021-04-08T11:26:27.426-05:00Such a Time as This<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim43eKNl57wZ733etjYEqixKSSFGxg8MO9a989zXamVRDU0SmmdNeLWO7gLjCR0s0IrkJdwqbCS7vgFZF82WYGBeSoGHieZ4ILokNyBYsqkQco3426PxlzsFQ_96ysUyyZ0f6qHVNp-VZt/s640/chess-5209995_640.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim43eKNl57wZ733etjYEqixKSSFGxg8MO9a989zXamVRDU0SmmdNeLWO7gLjCR0s0IrkJdwqbCS7vgFZF82WYGBeSoGHieZ4ILokNyBYsqkQco3426PxlzsFQ_96ysUyyZ0f6qHVNp-VZt/w200-h134/chess-5209995_640.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div>Here we are in this point in history and we need to be reminded as Christians that we have been called for such a time as this. <br /><br />In ancient Persia, Haman was busy doing the devil's work. Enter Esther (who Xerxes selected as queen) to counter and with the encouragement of Mordecai who told her she was called "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). God set the chess board and He moved His queen to checkmate the enemy. Brothers and Sisters, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others” (Daniel 2:21). God will use us in "such as time as this."
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/chess-chess-board-chess-pieces-5209995/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">img source</a>)</span></div>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-75312429932268127772021-01-10T15:29:00.002-06:002021-01-25T09:50:16.520-06:00Look under the table.<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What is happening in our culture today has one explanation. It is NOT an outlandish conspiracy theory conceived by man but it is about the deceiver (Hebrews 3:12-13 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">) desperately seeking those who are being unwatchful (1 Peter 5:8 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">). By only being a God-fearing person can this nation achieve God's guidance. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV). What is missing from ALL sides are people who refuse to walk in the light. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 NKJV). The concluding section of Proverbs 9 does parallel the first. In this chapter, two meals are prepared. One for wisdom and one for foolishness. For when foolishness is busy preparing for a meal, they call loudly to whoever will listen. Those that sit down to that meal unknowingly join what has been prepared for those who walk in darkness. May we all be careful when we sit at tables to know who's table we sit at. Look under the table. If you do not have wisdom in the topic 'on the table', then remember to first seek the wisdom of God's Word.</span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What about sitting at the table of social media?</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bwhnYWfNGojlCJN2QjipJCGO1u2I0C_3_dM22gs5pTlNpuLOTZU86AuGky-SbCdJjJ5JxUSsZcqJqzmnE5LaUozZYH-TT0HYTbimU_kSOpL48cs-foLf8n4rcV3V8yuP5dgxvgGb1Q0R/s640/pink-heart-of-stone-1316358-640x480.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rock" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bwhnYWfNGojlCJN2QjipJCGO1u2I0C_3_dM22gs5pTlNpuLOTZU86AuGky-SbCdJjJ5JxUSsZcqJqzmnE5LaUozZYH-TT0HYTbimU_kSOpL48cs-foLf8n4rcV3V8yuP5dgxvgGb1Q0R/w200-h150/pink-heart-of-stone-1316358-640x480.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/yPUdxeV5Pe8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Rocks" by The Isaacs</a><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="https://www.freeimages.com/photo/pink-heart-of-stone-1316358" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">img source</a>)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Because Satan's weapon is deceitfulness, we must outfit ourselves against it. Be ready to encourage one another, worship together, be able to clearly warn against those dangers. Most importantly, show the benefits of faithfully following Christ. Worry about those around you first, then those where you walk every day, then your city, then county, then state (Acts 1:8 NKJV). Yes, our electronic devices have become our default form of being connected. Even that is a deception. Those forms thrive from disconnection - people responding to negativity. Responding to negativity is not connecting with people. Put your preferred form of social media down. Put it down. Go talk to your nearest person. See if they need anything. Do they need a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs, something warm to wear? Provide it. (Romans 12:21 NKJV) Remember that God meets you where you were in your life, first. He provides. To develop this thought more, think of your area of your influence. Work in those first. Then our success steps us further and progresses us beyond (2 Corinthians 10:15-16 NKJV). Never forget to boast in the Lord. Even in writing this post, I'm reminded that it is not what I say about others, it is what God says about me that is important (vs 18). Getting back to posting comments, Paul understood that what he wrote in his letters when absent from people had to be the same actions and messages as when he was in person (2 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV). What a concept in these times of social media. To say the same thing in a comment as we would fact-to-face with them.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2 Peter 1:3-8 starts by telling us that God has given us all things needful concerning life and godliness through the knowledge of him. It talks of becoming partakers of that divine nature and making every effort to supplement our faith with, "virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." And if those qualities are ours (the "if" means we need to do those things) and are increasing (meaning we must daily do those things) that they keep us from being ineffective. Starting with verse nine, the text shifts to talking about those who lack those qualities (they do not seek them out, they do not increase in them). The Bible calls them "blind" (vs. 9). The last part of that verse tells the "who" the verse is referring. Those "cleansed from his former sins". Christians. Yes, we must be purposeful in loving our neighbor (Mark 12:30-31 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Paul said, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22; 9:19-23 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">)" While that is not a free ticket to sin (Romans 6:2; 6:15 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">), [become all things] is telling us that instead of being a cause to making others stumble but [by all means] win people to Christ. We are either winning people to Christ, or we are losing them by causing them to stumble. Is that being excessively harsh? I don't think so. I think the fact of eternity is important enough to let people know, including the location of it, that they will live in eternity (2 Peter 3:9 </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">NKJV</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">).</span></p>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-64207190715583550282021-01-07T10:51:00.002-06:002021-01-07T10:57:30.933-06:00The just man, firm of purpose<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After World War Two, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Robertson%2C_1st_Baron_Robertson_of_Oakridge#Occupation_of_Germany" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">General Sir Brian Robertson who was the Deputy Military Governor of the British Zone of Occupation</a> wrote the following in January 1946, quoting Horace (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odes_(Horace)#Book_3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Odes, III.3</a>):</span></p>
<span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;">‘Justum et tenacem propositi virum’ (The just man, firm of purpose)</span><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"If you want to know what I think should be our attitude in Germany then I recommend to you to read those lines yourselves.”</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here is what Sir Robertson wanted them to read - translated Latin quotation from Horace:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“The just man, firm of purpose cannot be shaken in his rock-like soul, by the heat of fellow citizens clamoring for what is wrong, nor by the presence of a threatening tyrant.”</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE64Z9BwAM4AR4b2OkaT7auv66JjUxbSnKfOUZc2pxBFz6nPnsVPZbHnCwu7SbMFekB1U9VVmv3Da50cRAosjrUbSrEeOtKK77zg4F2kdP_5Y2cIhTtRdHQA1jjGZLbYINBPqxTlJUZJI/s640/purpose-3959411_640.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE64Z9BwAM4AR4b2OkaT7auv66JjUxbSnKfOUZc2pxBFz6nPnsVPZbHnCwu7SbMFekB1U9VVmv3Da50cRAosjrUbSrEeOtKK77zg4F2kdP_5Y2cIhTtRdHQA1jjGZLbYINBPqxTlJUZJI/s320/purpose-3959411_640.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/purpose-intention-goal-mission-3959411/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">img source</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">America must make a choice in what we are going to achieve. The just person who is firm on purpose will know because they have asked for wisdom (James 1:5). Our fellow citizens are clamoring for what is wrong and trying to shake anyone who has built on the Rock (Matthew 7:24) along with our media, all media, being critics that is offering nothing but manufactured panic (Proverbs 15:4). The tyrant IS BOTH sides of our party system! (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Proverbs 19:21). <a href="https://baritonejp.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-do-you-cope-with-politics.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I made a post back in 2008 about the party system and my thoughts are the same today.</a> As George Washington stated in his farewell address, "[the party system] agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms."</span> <p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, who is "right". It will forever and always be one answer. God. (Acts 5:29)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you have read this far and want to know more about Jesus and The Kingdom of God, go and read <a href="https://www.gospelproject.com/jesus-kingdom-god/">https://www.gospelproject.com/jesus-kingdom-god/</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yes, as Christians our citizenship is in two nations - earthly and Heavenly (Eph 2:6-7; John 18:36). I would never nullify my earthly over the heavenly. The apostle Paul claimed his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37-39; 22:22-29). However, all the while maintaining his heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20). Paul also gave the words, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) Again, as Americans we must make of choice of purpose. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-57937572121307303662019-09-17T11:47:00.002-05:002019-09-17T11:52:55.857-05:00The danger in asking, "What does this verse mean to you?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTefNSt0Qbqvplta3cJNLXqANr2Dp1JY1RKWGAVRF2qySBlkDzIr87Wj7C8B1oIeMhDGmlApu3hS35JGB3XEL18dN8Db1xeiKR70LV6Ax8i-gzuzUCQZk4z-nrQPxPYzedeB3h7cnPjczG/s1600/icons8-questions-64.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="64" data-original-width="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTefNSt0Qbqvplta3cJNLXqANr2Dp1JY1RKWGAVRF2qySBlkDzIr87Wj7C8B1oIeMhDGmlApu3hS35JGB3XEL18dN8Db1xeiKR70LV6Ax8i-gzuzUCQZk4z-nrQPxPYzedeB3h7cnPjczG/s1600/icons8-questions-64.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following quote isn't mine. I saw it from Twitter, but I still wanted to share. Mainly because I'm concerned when I read in recent Bible study guides/resources a question that asks, "What does this verse mean to you?" So here's the quote:</span><br />
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No, God didn’t reopen the canon just to speak “a word” to you. <br />
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Instead, He gave us 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,000 verses to study and steward.</div>
— Justin Bullington (@JustnBullington) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustnBullington/status/1171941319297708032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The danger in this type of question is that verses could mean anything we wanted them to mean. With no absolutes, then we start to abandon the truth of God’s word.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Better questions to ask:</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What, in context to God's Word, does this verse tell me? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What does it tell me about God? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What does it tell me that God is doing? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How is God telling to live my life and make daily choices?</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here it is, how do <b>I subject myself</b> to what God is telling me? Not the other way around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let our devotion to God be in subjection to His Word.</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-51716985097508702042018-11-29T14:30:00.000-06:002018-11-29T14:30:26.639-06:00The Weaver<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My life is but a weaving<br />Between my Lord and me,<br />I cannot choose the colors<br />He worketh steadily.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,<br />And I in foolish pride<br />Forget He sees the upper<br />And I, the underside.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not till the loom in silent<br />And the shuttles cease to fly<br />Shall God unroll the canvas<br />And explain the reason why.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dark threads are as needful<br />In the Weaver's skillful hand<br />As the threads of gold and silver<br />In the pattern He has planned.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Author Unknown</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Peter 1:6-7</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5e9WJmLywx-amxdPgkE34b65pg3cpjK00NO8U1K5WDaCOA9cv6jW928RDgi0FSoAIJlfS7jQkjN6qPZAWeJrOvT8x6q3InXy7gC2nhbWl4aa8R_OXte652Y-eh8BRMP-FgVhgcFvXS7S/s1600/weaving.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="388" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5e9WJmLywx-amxdPgkE34b65pg3cpjK00NO8U1K5WDaCOA9cv6jW928RDgi0FSoAIJlfS7jQkjN6qPZAWeJrOvT8x6q3InXy7gC2nhbWl4aa8R_OXte652Y-eh8BRMP-FgVhgcFvXS7S/s320/weaving.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. </span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-28926059909501791612018-08-30T14:04:00.002-05:002018-08-30T14:04:43.610-05:00Thought about Moses and the Parting of the Waters<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/14.htm">Exodus 14: 15-16</a> The LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And as for you, <b><i>lift up your staff and stretch out your hand</i></b> over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.</blockquote>
<br />You know, Moses didn't need faith to part the water. He needed faith to lift up his staff. The LORD parted the waters:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
(verses 21-22) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night<i> <b>the LORD drove back the sea</b></i> with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.</blockquote>
Sometimes, it takes all night. But in the morning's light, we find that the LORD provides.BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-35373572992747466302018-07-09T14:30:00.001-05:002018-07-09T14:30:53.144-05:00Quote of the day<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="3s4de" data-offset-key="5b7hf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="fd3rg-0-0"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are we spending more time with, "the Bible tells me so?" While good and true, and we should continue, let's spend more time with "Jesus loves me, this I know." </span></span></blockquote>
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BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-79554195168785803282017-01-24T12:21:00.000-06:002017-05-30T13:18:25.690-05:00A Long Way Off<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I knowed very well I had done wrong, and I see it warn’t no use for me to try to learn to do right; a body that can’t get started right when he’s little, ain’t got no show — when the pinch comes there ain’t nothing to back him up and keep him to his work, and so he gets beat . . . then says I, what’s the use you learning to do right, when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was stuck. I couldn’t answer that. So I reckoned I wouldn’t bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever come handiest at the time. (Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885; repr., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958), 78.)</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4nm2E5klaCIa_AL1IiSnWpLTTvALNKcWyrhyrvcS0EaPsKZ5V19RzgXF1N1giOGeM1g1a6k3d0IGtN-tOzqhjC1ih4krFnJr162y3zhnVxaeVQqC0IR-8nZQ0zRf8Hc6Stn3ZGgTFXKj/s1600/long-road-marked-start-1358653-639x425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4nm2E5klaCIa_AL1IiSnWpLTTvALNKcWyrhyrvcS0EaPsKZ5V19RzgXF1N1giOGeM1g1a6k3d0IGtN-tOzqhjC1ih4krFnJr162y3zhnVxaeVQqC0IR-8nZQ0zRf8Hc6Stn3ZGgTFXKj/s320/long-road-marked-start-1358653-639x425.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we struggle within about the choices to make in life, sometimes we don't even understand ourselves (Romans 7:15) and just choose what "comes handiest at the time." Without a lighthouse, ships at sea have no way to navigate into a safe harbor. Without the truth of God's word, some people come to the same conclusion as Mark Twain's character Huck Finn. Jesus told a story in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/luke%2015" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luke 15</a> about one such person who realized the end of his conclusion to, "What does one do about the internal struggle with good versus bad?" and, frankly, choose poorly as we all have in times past (1 Corinthians 6:11</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">). Thinking that his wayward choice would divide him from his father, Luke 15:20 records, "And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." The son received forgiveness and was welcomed home as his father rejoiced over him (Isaiah 62:5). Oh, to know that you are welcomed to the party, it's at home, in case you've forgotten. The important part for those waiting at home is to remember to be looking "a long way off." Ready to respond with love and compassion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Please read Marilyn Meberg's book "<i>constantly craving: How to Make Sense of Always Wanting More</i>" from where this was adapted; the words in her book struck me as poignant considering the nation's obsession with division. I wanted to journal this on this blog in my words, mainly for me to remember.</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-7453985975440720712017-01-09T12:49:00.001-06:002017-01-09T12:53:57.488-06:00"born this way" VS "born again"<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, when someone says, "I was born this way.", it almost always leads to a conversation that ends in disagreement. Even so, I would like to look past the genesis of that argument and look at what Jesus said about the being born </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and where Jesus places emphasis within His statements</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus said you must be born </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/john%203.3" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John 3:3</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) when talking to Nicodemus. Jesus goes on to explain that one is “born of water and the Spirit.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could go down either </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of two paths</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - some </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">might </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">say "born of water" is the natural birth where others say it is a spiritual cleansing of the past and victory in the future (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/eph%205.26" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eph 5:26</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/titus%203.5" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). Still,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in either interpretation,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the emphasis is on being 'born </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again'</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or 'born from above'. That is the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">true</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> need. That need is only fulfilled through Christ (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%205.8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 5:8</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The prophet Joel declared the judgement of the Day of the Lord. God's offer, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord” </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Joel%202.32" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joel 2:32</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is open to all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/isaiah%201.18" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 1:18</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, God offers the invitation to come, though your sins are as scarlet, and He will make them white as snow. </span></div>
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<span style="color: inherit;"><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rev%2022.17" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Revelation 22:17</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0);"> </span>is an open invitation: “Come! Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The clear implication is, even though we are sinners, God desires us to come to Him as we are, in order that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He can cleanse us</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the New Testament, sin was never excused or ignored</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and in addition, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forgiveness was offered to anyone who recognized his/her sin and was willing to confess and forsake it. Should we leave our sin? Yes, God expects that. But, that comes </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as part of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> our salvation, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not as a prerequisite </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to salvation in Christ</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We simply are not able to clean ourselves up without God and His help.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While some may teach this as a type of grace abounding</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">grace does</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> abound</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%205.20" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 5:20</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), but not to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">serve as a means to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sin freely or be lawless (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%206.15" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 6:15</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%203.8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 3:8</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must never lead anyone to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">believe </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Bible </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">says</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or condones that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it makes no difference how </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a person </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lives, as long as </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he/she </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">believes (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">licentiousness</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/jude%201.4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jude 1:4</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). Rather:</span></div>
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<span style="color: inherit;"><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%2013.13" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 13:13</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> </span>encourages us to walk honestly (decently) not participating in the licentious lifestyle of the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: inherit;"><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/gal%205.13" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Galatians 5:13</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> </span>says that we are called to be free from sin, but that we cannot use freedom “for an occasion to the flesh,” somehow excusing our continued sins. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Another example: </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20peter%204.3-4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Peter 4:3-4</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Christians, our actions matter. They serve as a reflection of Christ within us to those around us. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By being obedient to God’s Word, to the point of actively pursuing obedience, we learn it is a process not just a destination. With reverence or respect we work to be more Christlike in our walk (process) with Christ (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians%202.12-13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philippians 2:12-13</a>). We use the Word of God to work out our Salvation where we renew our minds (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%2012.1-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 12:1-2</a>). Understanding that salvation is a gift of Grace (Ephesians 2:8), we then understand the “our” in “our Salvation” is the Salvation God gave us through his Son, Jesus. <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%202.11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Psalm 2:11</a> helps us to understand serving that leads to rejoicing, “Serve the LORD with fear (reverence) and rejoice with trembling.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/rom%205.8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 5:8</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and made it possible for us to receive forgiveness. He requires us to confess and forsake our sins (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/proverbs%2028.13" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proverbs 28:13</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20john%201.9" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 John 1:9</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) when we come to Him. Christ receives us just as we are, then begins to change us as we submit to Him in obedience. He begins a new work in us as his followers (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians%201.6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philippians 1:6</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The new work </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">begins in us </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when we accept salvation through and identify with His son Jesus Christ </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">requires </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not that we must be born, but </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that we must be born </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It replaces any</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> idea that we may have that a natural birth into this world has any merit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> because we have </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple;">to become</span> <span style="color: purple;">entirely</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple;"> new</span> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">creatures </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: purple;">in Christ</span> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">through rebirth</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Corinthians%205.17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>). To study His Word </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and begin to walk in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His ways helps us to leave behind any state we were in when we came to Jesus (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%203.18" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 3:18</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I encourage you to not <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2040.28" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">think</a> of yourself as being born “that way”, but instead being born “again”. </span></div>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-12155694731898332252016-07-08T14:07:00.001-05:002016-07-08T14:07:36.797-05:00It is all about location, location, location<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1BVP_Rbg9vBxv7J8t9LPseV8d-N3ARVBmeYuVcBA6nBdsgdmmOhQlRb8fcJjMDruAasoAQpdoVs2H3QyizKS71EiOSMVNqZx7dFzc86y5OlCvwQG4dr1Of_fO6UBHMPch69LQJLkKowp/s1600/if_my_ppl.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1BVP_Rbg9vBxv7J8t9LPseV8d-N3ARVBmeYuVcBA6nBdsgdmmOhQlRb8fcJjMDruAasoAQpdoVs2H3QyizKS71EiOSMVNqZx7dFzc86y5OlCvwQG4dr1Of_fO6UBHMPch69LQJLkKowp/s320/if_my_ppl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... if MY people that are called by MY name intervene (intercede), humble themselves, seek the face of God ... return (turn back), stop traveling any distance down a evil path ... and HEAR heaven ... God will accept and forgive and heal their land ... (<a href="http://biblehub.com/lexicon/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">from NASB Lexicon for 2 Chron. 7:14</a>) (emphasis and ellipses are mine)<br /><br /><br /><br />The people who do (perform the action talked about in <a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/2Ch7.14">2 Chronicles 7:14</a>) are those who have the blood applied. Not the nation (a country with defined boarders). God called HIS people, HIS flock (Israel; today because Jesus <a href="http://biblia.com/books/esv/Eph2.16">reconciled </a>them, Jew and Gentile), to humble, seek the face of God, repent, and intercede.<br /><br />We are seeing today what happens when a people travel down a path that is evil. Non-believers will never turn on their own. No man seeks God. It is the role of the church to present the Gospel to a lost and dying world.<br /><br />The 'prince of the <a href="http://biblia.com/books/esv/Eph2.2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">power of the air</a>' wants everyone to believe it is about race, guns, life-styles, republicans, democrats, 'haves and the have-nots'. And wow, a lot of people do. I mean they must - just look at the news. It isn't about any of that. It is about eternity and where you will spend that eternity. <a href="http://biblia.com/books/esv/Jn3.18">John 3:18</a> needs to be understood today, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."<br /><br />Eternity is real. Every one WILL live forever. So, I guess it is true - "It's all about location, location, location."</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://biblia.com/books/esv/Jn14.3">John 14:3</a> "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." Well folks, he did go. Don't worry about the "if" in that verse. But then again, that's exactly the question ... belief.</span></div>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-82810419070892779172016-06-16T16:27:00.001-05:002016-06-16T16:32:40.661-05:00We believe it for ourselves, let's also believe it for others.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As believers, if we believe there is no condemnation for us in Christ Jesus, <u>then also believe it for others.</u> Romans 8:1 does say, "to <b><i>them </i></b>which are in Christ Jesus". As Christians, if we offer condemnation to unbelievers, then we offer nothing but the curse of the law. Paul, in Galatians, tells us that all who do not keep the law perfectly [<a href="http://biblia.com/books/esv/Mt5.17-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matthew 5:17-20</a>] is cursed by it [<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Ga3.10" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galatians 3:10</a>]. No one has the ability [<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/kjv/Rom%203.10" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 3:10</a> and <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/kjv/Rom%203.23" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">23</a>] to obey the law perfectly for the breaking of even one puts a person under condemnation. The Good News is that Jesus has rescued us from that curse [<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/kjv/Gal%203.13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galatians 3:13</a>]. Read <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/kjv/Rom%203.25%E2%80%9326" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 3:25-26</a> where Paul tells how.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/Ro8.1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 8:1</a> (<i>emphasis mine</i>) There is therefore <b>now [referring to the 7th chapter] </b>NO CONDEMNATION [Compare <a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/Jn3.18" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John 3:18</a>; <a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/Jn5.24" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5:24</a>; <a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/Ro5.18" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 5:18</a>, <a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/Ro5.19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">19</a>] to <b>them [<a href="http://biblia.com/books/kjv/2Co5.21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>] </b>which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.</span></blockquote>
<br />BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-46330186698112305822016-02-22T18:56:00.004-06:002016-02-22T22:40:31.469-06:00Does Hebrews 6:4-6 text mean Christians can lose our salvation?"<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In light of the many scriptures that make it abundantly clear that salvation is eternal (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/john/10-27.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John 10:27-29</a>; <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/romans/8-35.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Romans 8:35, 38-39</a>; <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/philippians/1-6.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philippians 1:6</a>; <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/1_peter/1-4.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 Peter 1:4-5</a>), <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/hebrews/6-4.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hebrews 6:4-6</a> also confirms that doctrine.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first method I use to aid in understanding any book of the Bible is determining both the writer's intended audience and the purpose of the author's message. ask, "To whom was the book written?" and, "For what purpose was the book written?". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Concerning the book of Hebrews, most Bible commentaries agree with the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book of Hebrews was written by an Apostle and mainly written to Hebrew believers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The audience, Jewish Christians, needed to read this message to understand how the Lord Jesus Christ, in comparison to Judaism, was much better than anything the old covenant had to offer. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> These believers were under persecution, and as a result, some were thinking about returning to Judaism. The message was written to warn them not to turn away from their only hope (assurance) of salvation.</span></li>
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<a href="http://biblehub.com/kjv/hebrews/6.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chapter 6 begins with the word, "Therefore"</a> in the King James Version. Most of the time, this word indicates that the modern-day reader needs to search further, usually in the prior chapter(s), to determine the context in which the text exists and to better provide a framework within which the reader can use the text in the sense of Christian application. In <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/hebrews/5-1.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chapter 5</a>, the writer speaks about the office and duty of the high priest and how that job is abundantly filled in Christ (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/hebrews/9-11.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hebrews 9:11-14</a> and others). This text was written to the Jewish Christians of that day because they wanted to return to the familiar activities of The Day of Atonement (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/leviticus/16-11.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leviticus 16</a>) provided by the old covenant - the learning framework within which their entire life existed prior to conversion.<br />
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Chapter 6 urges these new converts to make forward progress - to grow in their faith. They had already learned of the first lessons of the Christian Message. With that foundation established, they were not to simply remain in that knowledge and work solely on what has already been completed in their lives; they were to instead move forward just as a young baby progresses from drinking only milk to eating more complex foods as supported in context by <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/hebrews/5-11.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chapter 5, in verses 11-14</a>. The writer rebukes these new Christians regarding the minimal progress they have made in the knowledge and application of the gospel.<br />
<br />In <a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/6-6.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">verse 6 (of Chapter 6</a>) we are introduced to a hypothetical statement, "IF they shall ..." (or in the <a href="http://biblehub.com/nasb/hebrews/6.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NASB in verse 4</a>, "For in the case of ... "). This text introduces the reader to the idea that this type of argument, that a true Christian can fall away, is a false premise. <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28</a> specifically states, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." No one, including myself, can snatch me out of the had of God. The conclusion of this idea, that Jesus would somehow need to be sacrificed again and again, is senseless. Simply put, it's crazy talk. We know this isn't true as we can read in <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%209.28#">Hebrews 9:28</a>. The text points out the impossibility of this happening. When looking up <a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/102.htm">Strong's word number 102</a>, we get the idea of "things that are impossible". The author writes in such a way that demonstrates a false statement by showing an unattainable result follows if one accepts the argument. The writer even goes on to say in verse 9 that even though they speak in such a way (".. though we thus speak."), they are, "... persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation."<br />
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We may not speak today in the vernacular of the following commentary, but I feel that it offers the Christian an understanding response to the question of losing one's salvation:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary for Hebrews 6:1-8)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While many interpretations can be found on these verses, I believe the Bible only supports two regarding salvation: (1) unbelievers rejecting Christ have no salvation, and (2) that it isn't possible for a believer to lose his/her salvation. After all, </span><a href="http://biblehub.com/ephesians/2-8.htm" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 2:8,</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> emphasizes that "...by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Salvation isn't ours anyway; it's God's gift to us through the selfless crucifixion death of His son Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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A few final and critical </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.84px;">points from verses 4-6</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is about hypothetical "enlightened" people - so this is not about any Christian ever.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If it even were possible, this person's position would be absurd (being enlightened) after denying the truth of the crucifixion. (continued unbelief)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This enlightened one never truly accepted the work of the cross after hearing and then falling away.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To sin = to fall way. In order to maintain a relationship (think about David when he said the "joy of thy salvation" <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/psalms/51-12.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Psalms 51:12</a>), with God = to repent from sin. Repenting is only possible if a person recognizes (believes) the truth of the crucifixion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The point of these verses is NOT about a Christian losing his/her salvation. Instead, the focus of the verses is to highlight the impossibility of a person denying the truth of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection (substitutionary atonement) and still, somehow, coming to repentance in spite of that very denial. Re = to do again. In order to repent, you must have already asked for forgiveness at least once. </span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">While I didn't reference the following book for this blog post, I do recommend, "Eternal Security", By: Charles F. Stanley.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Strong's Bible Concordance, <a href="http://biblehub.com/lexicon/hebrews/6-4.htm">NASB Lexican via Bible Hub</a></span></span></li>
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BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-1099221915170054742015-10-27T15:16:00.000-05:002015-11-10T13:38:07.308-06:00How about we just love ... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Has the church failed in teaching people about hating sin and loving the sinner? Does it just end up being, hate the sinner, once out the front door? "Hate the sin, love the sinner." If you have been in church for any amount of time or lived in the Bible belt as I have, you no doubt have heard that saying. I don't think it makes sense. I mean, if we say that to a sinner, couldn't the sinner say in return, "I love Christians but hate Christianity?"<br /><br />First we should cover the fact that this saying, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." isn't found in the Bible. The nearest idea could be found in <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=Jude+1:22-23&t=csb">Jude 1:22-23</a>. According to these verses we are to live in such a way that mercy be our character towards the sinner, then a healthy hatred of the results of sin. The following is from the <i>Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament on these verses.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We can be kept in the perpetual consciousness of God’s love only as we depend upon the mercy of the Lord Jesus—that is—His mercy, not our merit being our constant plea. He has merited for us what we could never, otherwise, lay claim to. The only way to stand before Him flawless is to rest in His merits and walk in His love. (<i>Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament</i>)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />So, as Mark Lowry said in his quote, "hate your own sin!" Resting in Jesus' merits and walking in his love will be the only way I will ever stand before him flawless. Yes, Mr. Lowry, hating my sin is indeed a full-time job.<br /><br />I know for myself, that when I finally decide that Jesus is more important than my sin, then only can I start to see the "new man" (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=Ephesians+4:22-24&t=csb">Ephesians 4:22-24</a>). From the most devout believer to the most virulent atheist, we all have the same need - Christ. While we may all take different roads in life, we all still end up at the same place at some point. Needing Jesus Christ.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/1-corinthians/2-2.html">1 Corinthians 2:2</a> "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." "Christ and Him crucified," is the substance of the Gospel. For me to display that banner of the cross and to invite people to rest in the shadow of the cross should be my message. For if Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all people to Him (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/john/12-32.html">John 12:22</a>). I want people to see Christ as their main identity and when they acknowledge him as such, then there is room in their heart for a discussion of holy living. <br /><br /> Pray (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/1-timothy/2-1.html">1 Timothy 2:1</a>) for people, respect (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/1-peter/2-17.html">1 Peter 2:17</a>) people, and love them for God is love (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=1+John+4:8-9&t=kjv">1 John 4:8-9</a>) and he has gifted us with grace. <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/james/1-15.html">James 1:15</a> tells us that sin leads to death. It is not hateful to want to help someone become free from sin - in fact, speaking the truth to them IS loving them (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/ephesians/4-15.html">Ephesians 4:15</a>). Don't buy into the lie of today's culture by thinking it is wrong, hateful, or bigoted if we don't condone a life style, ignore, or excuse it. Don't be afraid to stand under The banner, for the Lord is my Jehova-nissi, banner. (<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/exodus/17-15.html">Exodus 17:15</a>)</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-64460693462597743082014-08-25T11:38:00.001-05:002014-08-25T11:42:17.849-05:00The Key<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBawDrtMPrVzJZxXDjFCgKV7GcPSb6LvrO8PJc1k_gXcEHJQ47UdIz8z8Ot7dvUWF6glaAJhNbOcqh2DcdALMOZYsTJpNkZrmuG9iGkASn-3RPrVAjAbdolB7jzkYV9sNc62jBvB_c_M0/s1600/JesusInGarden.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBawDrtMPrVzJZxXDjFCgKV7GcPSb6LvrO8PJc1k_gXcEHJQ47UdIz8z8Ot7dvUWF6glaAJhNbOcqh2DcdALMOZYsTJpNkZrmuG9iGkASn-3RPrVAjAbdolB7jzkYV9sNc62jBvB_c_M0/s1600/JesusInGarden.png" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has always amazed me when I hear a comment that starts like the following, "Well, prayer is the least...." No, it is not the least but the greatest! Consider this quote.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." -Oswald Chambers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow this <a href="http://utmost.org/the-key-of-the-greater-work/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link to read more</a> about this as only Oswald Chambers could literate.</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-86416876562794817102014-05-15T11:40:00.000-05:002014-05-15T11:40:47.495-05:00Plug into the 220 power of the Bible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG8P5j3j53AG-7YUXZRQwas3KSzfIDSdJqNONBtXXYk7Y93rS9Xxiyicm6c2crxxZHvAV29tjKXJG_2I4TRbsjrMdij2GnHPOAJNlPuhGZfdtwRiyPcHGwBfMS2OlUPZpE1hHkbvAX134/s1600/Bible_Gal220_plug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG8P5j3j53AG-7YUXZRQwas3KSzfIDSdJqNONBtXXYk7Y93rS9Xxiyicm6c2crxxZHvAV29tjKXJG_2I4TRbsjrMdij2GnHPOAJNlPuhGZfdtwRiyPcHGwBfMS2OlUPZpE1hHkbvAX134/s1600/Bible_Gal220_plug.png" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-49813058142433212832014-05-07T12:05:00.001-05:002014-05-07T12:05:41.893-05:00Wrong way 'round<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaZyjKkBMTyvFeAiKYNokxmD2uy25QriXKiGDqP5cJtofgyVbMhv2HrixxXs3xGx26bQsUfqj-UUsJMlSgO56GPcxRtIzuP4X9_9pntQrdSOmK2u8rXE2lkJLUA2MNddgYkDrW6NUffVA/s1600/Danger_wrong_way_sm.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />"Hey! It's the wrong way 'round."</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. <b>Genesis 4:7</b> (KJV)</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaZyjKkBMTyvFeAiKYNokxmD2uy25QriXKiGDqP5cJtofgyVbMhv2HrixxXs3xGx26bQsUfqj-UUsJMlSgO56GPcxRtIzuP4X9_9pntQrdSOmK2u8rXE2lkJLUA2MNddgYkDrW6NUffVA/s1600/Danger_wrong_way_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="source" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freeimages.com/photo/795594" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever been assembling something from the store? You know, anything that has the words "assembly required" somewhere on the box? Working through the some times linguistically challenged instructions you discover you have one part on backwards. The frustration of that moment, the lost hope of the end result, just seems to melt away at that moment when you turn the part the right way around. All just fits, works, and you stand back and admire the thing that, more-or-less, resembles the picture on the box. Even with a few parts left over, the frustration of the past moment is gone and soon forgotten.<br /><br /> In Genesis chapter four, God warns Cain about the destructive power of sin. How sin lies at the door waiting to devour. But then God says something else, something that hit me like a unsuspecting "This is your Life" contestant of the late 40's to early 50's. (The show also had a small revival during the early 70's as well.) God said that the desire of sin is a thing that shouldn't rule us, but us rule over it. Wait! What? All this time we have had the idea of reacting to sin as a helpless Christian that leaves us wondering what part of the "Whole Armor" we forgot to dress in today?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Shall you not, if you do well, be accepted? And if not you do well, at the door sin lies. <b>But, unto its [sin] desire you must rule over.</b>" (humbly adapted from the Hebrew text analysis page at the <a href="http://biblehub.com/text/genesis/4-7.htm">Bible Hub web-site</a>.)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> So, we should think about the desire of sin as something we rule over, not the other way around. And the "Whole Armor" is the 'how to' assistance from a loving God and His Word. Very awesome.<br /><br /> Lord, I pray that I use your strength and power to do this task and that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In Jesus' name, Amen.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2s3qu6S56yuOXwDFT0a51ynTyAu6XrkU5mfIyBicm9dOQacEOCsrVWlangqgVFS4dn0WkJsfHoZ1GDL07tqiAY50KEcjjvFyj_qTsxmxiagvIZTmpsb6W433mHO0DC0ubY-zz3a9W-ZR/s1600/lookingup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2s3qu6S56yuOXwDFT0a51ynTyAu6XrkU5mfIyBicm9dOQacEOCsrVWlangqgVFS4dn0WkJsfHoZ1GDL07tqiAY50KEcjjvFyj_qTsxmxiagvIZTmpsb6W433mHO0DC0ubY-zz3a9W-ZR/s1600/lookingup.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freeimages.com/photo/993150" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;">image source</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greeted today by a person who was shocked because I believe in eternal security. This from a previous conversation held weeks ago; tells me I can’t find Scripture to support it. Off the cuff, before my morning coffee, I replied that Scripture couldn't be found against it… that person agreed, but still told me that it’s not possible because the Bible doesn’t say either way. As I am still working on being instant in and out of season, my mind started churning on the fact that the Bible does indeed talk about our eternal security in HIM.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer is ... I can't secure my eternality ... but God can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I am confident of this very thing, that <b>He</b> who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From my perspective, I find that the inference of this type of question is the issue with [man's] religion ... the use of the pronoun, " I " </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of what is freely offered [salvation] is based upon me ... my ONLY action is my response to the call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And why is it that people can't accept the words from Jesus' own mouth about who the Bible, both old and new, says about the person of Jesus?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He said
to them, <span class="JesusWords">“<span style="color: red;">How unwise and slow you are to believe in your
hearts all that the prophets have spoken! </span></span><span class="JesusWords"><span style="color: red;"> Didn’t the <span class="gloss" id="Messiah">Messiah</span> have to suffer these things and enter into
His glory</span>?” </span><span class="JesusWords"> Then beginning with Moses
and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in
all the Scriptures. </span><b>Luke 24:25-27 (HCSB)</b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would people still have the same types of questions even if Jesus gave the interpretation? Would I?</span><br />
<span class="JesusWords"><span class="ind"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-21405750265430722802014-04-16T15:40:00.000-05:002014-04-16T15:42:12.258-05:00Satan our Accuser; Christ our Advocate<br />
<ul>
<li>The conquered enemy [satan] hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there, to accuse the people of God.</li>
<li>Let us take heed that we give him no cause to accuse us; and that, when we have sinned, we go before the Lord, condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Matthew Henry, <i>Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary</i>, WORD<i>search</i> CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 12".<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The real means of the dragon's overthrow was the atoning work of Christ; his people share that victory as they confess their faith in the gospel and bear witness to it through their word and deeds.</li>
</ul>
D. A. Carson et al., <i>New Bible Commentary: 21st century edition</i>, (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), WORD<i>search</i> CROSS e-book, 1442.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>But at Christ's coming as our Redeemer, he fell from heaven, especially when Christ suffered, rose again, and ascended to heaven. When Christ appeared before God as our Advocate, Satan, the accusing adversary, could no longer appear before God against us, but was cast out judicially (Rom 8:33, 34).</li>
</ul>
Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown, <i>A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments</i>, (Toledo, OH: Jerome B. Names & Co., 1884), WORD<i>search</i> CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 12".BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-2565838069945192452014-03-15T13:44:00.000-05:002014-04-24T13:51:36.596-05:00Neglecting First Things<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them. But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, <b><i>for I was sent for this purpose</i></b>.” So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. (Luke 4:42-44 NASB)</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEUYuzzWDjHyyA0bZ4w8MhkOUQNnSW6oiJqPqo34CsMoQi2EJZ_r0nxqEUmLY6aUPjeuaa86tYeydegb42rozFCx-13kg0jNrkzcRz4pFdoNEgvAL0ZtkOXyjRwvSugEAWfzse68wnrne/s1600/stress_busy_confused.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEUYuzzWDjHyyA0bZ4w8MhkOUQNnSW6oiJqPqo34CsMoQi2EJZ_r0nxqEUmLY6aUPjeuaa86tYeydegb42rozFCx-13kg0jNrkzcRz4pFdoNEgvAL0ZtkOXyjRwvSugEAWfzse68wnrne/s1600/stress_busy_confused.png" /></span></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pursue your calling, not your potential.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If satan can't make you sin, he will keep you busy. Not doing bad things, but neglecting first things.</span></li>
</ul>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-76497742662111340422013-10-11T11:44:00.000-05:002013-10-25T13:44:11.020-05:00Prayer for Mom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct9A4IEIXCcA5wTRQ6xq0VbuG7WBlVM6qqYTtV_MsICe7xECGV56V9Dhyphenhyphenc7vS2YENVU0Mr3i_sSRxNVl5YiAdM28I0sszPpkmFE_EAOmGhzT0FPaPdVrIKUENYVe03AyLPQ8U3upK5x3C/s1600/JesusInGarden.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgct9A4IEIXCcA5wTRQ6xq0VbuG7WBlVM6qqYTtV_MsICe7xECGV56V9Dhyphenhyphenc7vS2YENVU0Mr3i_sSRxNVl5YiAdM28I0sszPpkmFE_EAOmGhzT0FPaPdVrIKUENYVe03AyLPQ8U3upK5x3C/s200/JesusInGarden.png" width="200" /></a>My Mother has Parkinson's with Dementia and currently is dealing with an infection and kidney stones. I just wanted to share how I'm praying ... (2 Corinthians 1:3 and Lamentations 3:22-23) ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Father, You are full of mercy and compassion for Marion. She is suffering and needs Your healing. Because of Your unfailing mercy and compassion, I plead that You will release Your healing power in her life. I ask that You would heal Marion as a concrete expression of Your mercy and compassion. In Jesus' name, Amen</blockquote>
BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-47646984501231541912012-11-15T10:57:00.001-06:002021-01-07T11:21:30.534-06:00Post about Romans 7:19, 24<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I found this today, a bit behind the curve as it was published last year. I'm including it here in my blog for me really so I will not lose the information. Give it a read - great article. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UYI1A_bxOgeqLnpQs_GAUWAfR2hqqiyfnm7d38gRtIdU60ztpIkLw50Vwj_mHtM4ILxHFDa3lNepBaOKhWZEUP7MlOpNb3iKmGstuHNWWojFMzdF82LtWI4SW5qIYvggeQjTvwxMpsud/s1600/5562_5562_5.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UYI1A_bxOgeqLnpQs_GAUWAfR2hqqiyfnm7d38gRtIdU60ztpIkLw50Vwj_mHtM4ILxHFDa3lNepBaOKhWZEUP7MlOpNb3iKmGstuHNWWojFMzdF82LtWI4SW5qIYvggeQjTvwxMpsud/s200/5562_5562_5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.creationswap.com/media/5562" target="_blank">credit</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"The Sin You Can't Quit" (<a href="https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/sin-you-cant-quit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new link</a>) (<a href="https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/deeper-walk/features/27020-the-sin-you-cant-quit" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">old broken link</a>)<br />
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<div class="created">
By Jed Brewer<br />October 12, 2011</div>
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</blockquote>
<div class="field field-name-field-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden subtitle">
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<blockquote>
<div class="field-item even">
Examining our misconceptions about habitual sin—and how to truly break it.</div>
</blockquote>
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BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500504670859743733.post-21912297097294355692012-02-24T08:51:00.002-06:002013-10-25T13:44:01.676-05:00Selfsame SpiritI overheard a conversation the other day, Ash Wednesday, where a question was asked, "What verses would you use to describe the nature of Christ’s church?" Not sure why I didn't break into their conversation but I went on about my day. I guess the following is what I would have said had I'd been asked.<br />
<br />
I know what I read in God's Holy Word, I know what the Holy Spirit
discerns in my heart ... the Church most assuredly is not a
denomination. Denominations were created by man and we don't serve a
man of God ... we serve the God of man. We are Christians - followers of Christ:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)</blockquote>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmehVIgAmbc4j42FUMtFlPD4TzYe-sVS9r4Z5z0Xy23vkEW86Wf1DLFCahcs4YtYB_Q6pX7EkWh4-dMBdRE1xQA_8bSm1sJMzTcnueGaNMJ4D1TnYN18JxXdl4jIqQvth4ZVSxg5gUrxeu/s1600/HolySpirit.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmehVIgAmbc4j42FUMtFlPD4TzYe-sVS9r4Z5z0Xy23vkEW86Wf1DLFCahcs4YtYB_Q6pX7EkWh4-dMBdRE1xQA_8bSm1sJMzTcnueGaNMJ4D1TnYN18JxXdl4jIqQvth4ZVSxg5gUrxeu/s320/HolySpirit.png" width="189" /></a></div>
The
following, in context, is talking about gifts (1) and being here in
body (2); but both use the word [selfsame] Greek autos; intensive
pronoun - <b>the same</b> makes me pause to think. I know that 1 Corinthians 12:12 goes on to talk about the members of the body, but it is <b>one</b> body. 2 Corinthians 5:5 talks about God brought us to an <i>exact</i>, definite conclusion [he that hath wrought] for the <b>selfsame</b>. <br />
<ol class="keyword-result-list">
<li><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+12:11&version=KJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:11</a></b><br /> But all these worketh that one and the <b>selfsame</b> <b>Spirit</b>, dividing to every man severally as he will.<br /> <span class="keywordresultextras"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+12:10-12&version=KJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:10-12</a> (in Context) <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+12&version=KJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12</a> (Whole Chapter) </span></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+5:5&version=KJV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:5</a></b><br /> Now he that hath wrought us for the <b>selfsame</b> thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the <b>Spirit</b>.<br /> <span class="keywordresultextras"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+5:4-6&version=KJV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:4-6</a> (in Context) <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+5&version=KJV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 5</a> (Whole Chapter) </span></li>
</ol>
<span class="keywordresultextras"><br /></span>
<span class="keywordresultextras">"For
God SO loved the world ... " I don't see how anyone can say that one
person who bla bla bla or belongs to bla bla bla is the only ones who
will make it. If that were the case, then he would not have used the
word <i><b>kosmos </b></i>- literally His creation - that he would make a covenant with the world and tell us that He SO loved us.</span><br />
<span class="keywordresultextras"><br /></span>
<span class="keywordresultextras">Thanks for reading,</span><br />
<span class="keywordresultextras">Jamey<br />
</span>BaritoneJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006180379682825855noreply@blogger.com0