The desire to be open with complete honesty. To be built up by the Spirit of the Lord in Love. To seek out who we are in Jesus. To discover His Will for our life.
Please help and pray for oneanother as we try and help each other,please pray and help me I will do the same for you. We need to be in the word of god at all times if not in the bible in the mind. Dad is love.
Amen Laura. Two things that are vital, we all must desire both of them. And then, we must do them. Amen Nancy and Laura. Let our actions bring Him Glory.
Thank you sis Marty for the invite and thanks brother Chris for creating this beautiful group ;) Merry Christmas to us all! We know where the Spirit of the Lord, where there is liberty. God bless us all :)
Thank you Ella for joining. We will learn and build up one another, all for His Glory. We will grow and work together as the Church should. We all have things and ideas to share that will help one another, and not at the cost of another. Praise God
I believe in the virgin birth. I believe that Jesus died and rose again. I believe he lives in my heart. I believe in all those intangable things why do I struggle with believing that God is in control of my life that being a "Martha" isn't always the best way. That I need to just wait on the Lord and know that he is God. Merry Christmas!
wishing everyone a merry Christmas may it the most blessed one you ever had and may you show our Heavenly Father thanks by making 2012 the most blessed year you can for your brothers and sisters in CHRIST JESUS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND BE A LIGHT TO THE UNBELIEVER TO SHOW THEM THE LOVE OF OUR BIG BROTHER JESUS THE CHRIST , I LOVE YOU ALL
May 2012 be the year that, we all learn and then continue to grow, in ways that brings Glory, Praise, and Honor to Our Lord Jesus the Christ for us all. In His Name we offer, Thanksgiving and Praise. Through Him, I Love you All so very much.
In Jesus Name we come Boldly to the Throne of Grace. On knees bent, and in one voice we proclaim, "That Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Son of God. He has defeated death. In Him we Live Victoriously over every aspect in our life!" I Thank You Father, we can dance, sing, and jump for Joy! With humble hearts, yet bold determination we Will Live and Thrive, All for the Glory of Jesus in 2012. In Jesus Name I ask, and Praise You. Thanks so much DAD, this year will be as no other.
Don't turn the volume down on God when God's silent. He's giving you time to pray. I will thank God for what I have, but I'll trust God for what I need Sometimes life’s detours can take you exactly where you need to go.
I am blessed by what you have shared. Faith in action, as we completely surrender to His Authority, we can rest in His Love and Grace. To Trust that all is under His control. We have every reason then to be Joyful. Again thank you for this.
Simply Nancy, I like your comments SCRIPTURE,ATTITUDE AND ENCOURAGEMENT .
"As human beings, kindness, a warm heart is very important......If we have this basic quality of kindness and good heart, then all other things, education, ability will go in the right direction......" His holiness the Dalai Lama.
I look to God for everything, maybe its why I am dissappointed. I am grateful for the days of joy, the moments of unconditional love, the love my children, my family past and present. I have enjoyed some good times in my life, but the bad times massivly out weigh. But on top of this especially over the last eight years God has tested me to my limits, many times of cursed my luck, most of the time I can't seem to find the learning I supposed to find in the indiscrimminent events that happens to me. Its feels as though I have been cast out, I pray and pray, I have read all the things you can about positive thinking, positve attitude etc.. But if God is going to hurt you he will hurt you, if he is dissapointed in you he shows it. Maybe when the day comes and I understand the learning I will thank him. But at the moment I am very confused with his Authority, his Grace, his love, it s seems that the nice love, authority and grace he has is with others, which is a good thing. I don't begudge anyone Gods favour.
How do I strengthen my faith in him when he weakens me and strengthens others, when I am blind and stumblimng in the thorns, he watches, he opens the path for others. I see other souls stuck in the thorns also, asking for help. How come its given to some and not others. Literally this is worldy right, we all see this day in day out.
I have asked this before, but, how can I be a christian if I think like this. Am I ready to be a christian, I am supposed to be a christian. Because God has been silent with me for the last 8 years and I have prayed and prayed for his help, will he answer when I stop?
Hamm ,I HEAR YOU, BUT YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THE WORDS OF GOD FOR WE ARE THE CLAY AND HE IS THE POTTER MOLDING US FOR HIS PURPOSE AND JUST MAYBE YOU ARE BEING USE TO GIVE OTHER THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE AFTER THEY SEE YOU STANDING TALL IN THE MIST OF YOUR TESTES FOR BELIEVE ME THERE IS SO MANY THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THINGS WORST THEN WHAT YOU HAVE, READ THE 11 CHAPTER OF HEBREWS, LOVE YOU AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO TRUST OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HE WILL GIVE YOU VICTORY ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, AND ALL YOUR TESTES WILL NOT BE MORE THAN YOU CAN BARE ,FOR HE KNOWS YOU BETTER THEN YOU KNOWS YOURSELF.
THANK YOU NANCY ,WE GROW THROUGH OUR STRUGGLE AND OTHER GROW WITH US THAT I JUST FOUND OUT ,MY SISTER MARTYP GREW STRONGER THROUGH MY TESTES WITH MY HOUSE ISSUE AND WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH HER TESTES BECAUSE OF MY TESTIMONY, AND WE BECAME FRIENDS AND THAT IS HOW GOD WORK THINGS SOMETIME ,SO HAMM DON'T BE SURPRISE IF SOMEONE DON'T THANK YOU AND TELL YOU THAT THEY GOT THEIR STRENGTH TO HOLD ON FROM YOU, LOVE YOU.
Simply Nancy, Alcedes Jones, Elaine Tencza. Thank you so very much for your comments and prays, I really appreciate them. There is a lot of wisdom in your words and honest love and caring which humbles. I understand and know very much the sufferring of others and in comparison mine is tiny compared to others. Which doesn't help, this makes me feel selfish that I complain and worry about my stuff to often. I would love to be like Jesus and smile in the face of adversary, heal others and have total faith that everything is going to be ok. But I, what I struggle with is that I thought Jesus suffered for our sins and so we wouldn't have to suffer. I thought that being tested by God would be a painless affair because of Jesus being killled by all our mear mortal sinful flesh and weaknesses, like of understanding and poor spirit. I thought that his martyism would mean we didn't have to be martyers any more.
There is so much testing I have lost the learning. I don't like to think that others are sufferring for my learning and although I don't mind sufferring for others learning, I though that Jesus would help ease my sufferring or at least help me deal with it without this......... I don't know what to call it....emptyness.
I once told Amanda on this site a while ago that many years ago when I was really in a bad position that an image or feeling that Jesus and Mary were with me, it was an imense feeling of love I cant describe it or experienced anything like it previously or since. But this didn't change my sufferring or the continious testing. I know and undersdtand that there is alot of honest love out there from humanity, but, why can't we have little more God love passed down to us especially those who suffer or maybe just alot less sufferring so we can all have true heaven on earth?
It seems that my blogs or comments always seem to be negative and I don't like being so questioning of the bible and its teaching, and I don't like feeling so dumb about them, and don't want in any way or form to put down peoples comments here on AAG, because I struggle with being a Christain. I applaud and apprecciate that many people are totally acceppting of the bible and its teaching and many find great solice in there faith, but I don't. Though I would like to.
I again thank you for your comments and will pray for you. love you.
Simply Nancy, Thank you very much. God bless you and keep shining on you so your light keeps shining on others just as it has now in the pray you have offered. Thanks again matey.
Please forgive my absent. Hamm my dear Brother sharing how you feel about things, is one of the reasons for this place. You were able to share without attacking others. To see and understand Wisdom, tells much about a person. We must know where we are so, we can build on that. To see and know how others care about us, can make all the difference. Bless you Nancy, Alcedes Jones, Elaine Tencza, we are Family we Need each other, so very much. Hamm, Nancy, Alcedes , Elaine, thank you for sharing your hearts, by doing that others gain courage to do the same.
Hi Chris you never have to ask or my forgiveness. Thanks for suggesting this group.Its exactly what Ineed to help with the questions about my faith. The whole AAG site is really good. All really good comments.
Elaine sorry you haven't had any sleep, though glad your prays have been answered. I pray you have good sleep tonight. God bless you.
Family in christ I am still having problems and am battleing satin and battleing the things that he is telling me I'm worthless nobody wants me around nobody cares and that Father doesn't love me which i know is a lie please help me battle through this and into the light I have depession and i'm battleing feelings i have told you saten is trying to get me to take my life and I want to live not die please pray for my soul and that i can get through this.
Elaine your news sounds good I am glad the young man has pulled through and that your prays for him have worked. God bless.
Martyp, thanks for your kind words. I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties, I lost my home back in 2005, I used sit on the bus coming home from work crying my eyes out, I am glad no one else was on it. Though I managed to get a home straight away for my then two children and myself, we have been here ever since and God hasn't provided us with any thing better yet. I pray you will pull through and God shines on you and your 2 sons.
Hi Laura, I an sorry to hear your problems I hope you can take solice from Nancy's words and others. You are now in my prays so keep shining my friend.
CHRIS I THANK THE LORD FOR YOU,THAT YOU OBEYED HIS CALL TO START THIS GROUP BECAUSE HERE WE CAN COME AND BE A BLESSING TO EACH ONE, TO SHARE OUR TESTIMONY OF OUR WE ENDURE OUR TESTES, TO GIVE OTHER STRENGTH AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR TESTES,FOR WE MUST GO THROUGH THEM BECAUSE JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST WENT THROUGH THEM, SO THAT WE CAN LEAN ON HIM IN THE MIST OF OUR STORMS AND THROUGH HIS WORDS WE CAN HAVE VICTORY IN ANYTHING THAT COMES AGAINST US, IF WE GRAB HOLD ONTO THE WORDS AND TRUST OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, AND FROM MY STORMS I HAVE LEARNED THAT EACH ONE IS TO TAKE US TO A HIGHER LEVEL IN OUR FAITH AND JOURNEY DOWN HERE ,MAKING US A BETTER PERSON AND TO LOVE OTHER MORE ,AND BE MORE COMPASSION TO OUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND MANKIND IN GENERAL,WHICH I FEEL IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSE TO DO BECAUSE WE ARE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AMBASSADOR DOWN HERE ,LOVE YOU ALL AND WILL KEEP ALL IN MY PRAYERS, AND PLEASE DO THE SAME FOR ME ,AND REMEMBER ,MOST OF THE STORMS ARE BECAUSE satan DON'T WANT US TO LIVE FOR OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ,SO IF he CAN GET OUR MIND OFF OF PRAISING OUR HEAVENLY FATHER he FEEL he GOT A CHANCE TO TELL DADDY THAT WE ARE NOT WHAT JESUS SAY THAT WE ARE .
Yes we build from and on others, let those we teach stand on our shoulders, as we are standing on the shoulders of the ones who teach us. One Body all for His Glory. To Jesus Name we Praise
Alcedes I am in total agreement with you and thank Chris for the group.
But also your comments are inspiring and taken on board.
My prays are with you brother as well as the rest of the group and those on AAG. May the light of God and Jesus shine on all and the true side of hunanity is expressed and over comes the shadow. May we all get strength from each others prays. I know I did from all those in this group and from others at AAG. This is what I think christianity is about truely praying for each other in the light and love of Jesus. Keep shining friends.
still battleing he won't leave me alone and is still telling me lies and still is trying to get me to take my life. I pray and i have church and my family praying for me as well as prayer worriors in TX praying for me as well I read and pray and I can't shaik this please Help I need your prayers more than ever right now
Laura satan KNOWS THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH ,OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ,AND THAT YOU IS ABOUT TO COME INTO WHAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS PLANNED FOR YOU ,SO THAT IS WHY he WANT YOU TO TAKE YOUR LIFE ,REBUKE him IN THE NAME OF OUR BIG BROTHER ,JESUS THE CHRIST AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH SO THAT YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS, LOVE YOU MY SISTER IN CHRIST JESUS.
(14) We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. (15) I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (16) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. (17) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (18) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (19) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do?this I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (21) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (22) For in my inner being I delight in God's law; (23) but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (24) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (25) Thanks be to God?through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. New International VersionChange Bible versions
Paul is not confessing that he continually practiced sin in his daily life, but that the threat of practicing it was always with him. He always had to be on guard against it to keep it from breaking out. And, at times, it did indeed break out, reminding him not only of its presence, but also its strength. There is no doubt Paul was a mature Christian. Therefore, this serves as a reminder to us that, no matter how spiritually mature we become, human nature will still always be with us.
Paul died spiritually and was buried in the waters of baptism. Therefore, baptism and the receipt of a new nature by which we are to conduct life do not take human nature away. We, like him, sincerely desire to do the right thing. We believe God's Word. We love God and aspire to glorify Him. Nevertheless, because human nature is always present, we do not always follow through. Instead, human nature overpowers us; we are taken captive, as it were, and revert to following its drives instead. This can be very disturbing, piling guilt upon us and making us fearful of separation from God.
Thus, because we are similar to Paul, and despite the wretchedness we may feel, we have assurance, knowing we will be delivered from this peculiar situation, one that is somewhat akin to having a dual personality. Our deliverance is through Jesus Christ; there indeed is an end. However, unlike many Protestant groups that proclaim that we do not have to keep the law because all is done for us, we know that we must strive to walk even as Christ walked—and He never sinned. I John 2:3-6 emphatically states:
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Though we are under no condemnation, we still must yield to the Spirit of God to our utmost abilities. We are to "go on to perfection" (Hebrews 6:1), endeavoring to grow "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). Paul says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Despite the difficulties involved, any failures that occur, and any feelings of guilt that arise, we are still required to strive to keep God's laws as Jesus did.
“I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit”
(Leviticus 26:4, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has set up seasons in our lives. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. For example, it’s during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion.
If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position. Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it’s hard. When you do that, you are passing the test, and God promises that your due season of harvest is coming. Be encouraged because your appointed time of increase, favor and promotion is on its way, and He will fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I bless You today. I thank You for preparing me for the blessing and promotion You have in my future. I surrender my heart, mind, will and emotions to You so that I can live as a testimony of Your work in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Nancy that is a great pray, thank you. Thanks for your comments Martyp, God bless you.keep shining.
Elaine I also get something, but that I can't explain about praying, I do it all the time I find my self praying to people (in my head) when I pass them, or they tell me their problems.I don't know where this comes from, it scares me sometimes, because even as I write this, it sounds weard, if that makes sense? I must admit though when I have prayed for someone and Jesus replys and the pray is answered though not always as fully intended, I get a good buzz out of it. I have never joined a pray group, this is my first and I like it. Some real human spirit and geniune love and want to help each other through the power of pray.
Alcedes as always throuh your previous comments I find great wisdom in your words especially the Berean, I really like it. Friend
Lucy my dear friend the temptations and hurting sounds so strong in you at the moment, but as Alcedes has said, I think this is when you show greatest strength. I feel your hurting sister, but keeping shining and take comfort in the fact only loving caring honest and people who are true experience this, I have been tempted so many times in my hurt to contemplete ending it and giving up the ghost, but the love I have for others & the fact that I don't like hurting that I pray harder and harder and sometimes I just have to ride the storm, even though it seems dark it can't get darker it only gets lighter and lighter.
Take our hands so you can feel the hand of Jesus and the love and strength of the Lord to help you come through this hurting and bring you the light you deserve. Our prays are with you lways.
Distract yourself from the thinking and do good actions, read the scriptures, say your prays, keep surfing the sites of the Lord. Let your self shine my friend love you. God bless.
Yes Laura you must declare to satan that he is a lair and that you are a child of our Heavenly Father that by the blood of our big brother JESUS the CHRIST you have the VICTORY NOT YOU CAN HAVE IT NOR YOU MIGHT GET THE VICTORY BUT YOU HAVE IT FOR THE BLOOD HAS CLEANSE YOU FROM ALL YOU JUST HAVE TO CLAIM IT ,AND BELIEVE IT ,LOVE YOU MY SISTER.
Laura, my beloved sister this from our Heavenly Father through me to you
Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 love you my sister in CHRIST JESUS
1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
My dear Sister. I would ask that you begin to step out in Faith. To no longer allow how you "feel" define you and your Relationship to Dad. That you stand on what the Word tells us, who and what we are in Christ. You are Loved! Jesus showed us on the Cross. God showed us also, at the Cross. The Spirit of Holiness, shows us starting in the upper room, with the 120. We saw the Boldness of Peter, as he told all those who had heard the 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 As with Faith and Boldness through the Spirit. Laura we all face the attacks that you have been facing. We all must handle this the same way, with Faith speaking of things as though they are, not matter what we see or feel. You are a dear Sister to so many, we Pray for you and lift you up. I ask that you receive our Love for you, yet, more then that Receive the LOVE, DAD, JESUS, AND THE SPIRIT, is showing you. Laura this is Real, this Love is True, this Love is based on a Promise and the Actions that take place. You just need to Receive, and speak with Faith. We are All behind you Sister. Not judging you, but lifting you up to Jesus.
We are also lifting you up in the same way, all are children of the Most High. We lift up the Daughters, and we lift up the Sons of the One Who has created us All. We lift up one another in the Family of God. PRAISE THE LORD GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!!1
Laura and also the whole group including me this is food for our soul
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). ...present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....... Thoughts on This Verse... What guards your heart? What protects your mind? Did you know that the peace of God can stand guard over our hearts and minds? That's the apostle Paul's promise to us in this passage. If we will present our requests to God, with thanksgiving, then God's peace that is greater than any explanation and that transcends our ability to comprehend it, will stand sentry over our hearts and minds. You want an example of how this is true? Look at the book of Job: All that befalls him; all that wounds him. Yet still he doesn't become hard of heart or go insane. What is the key to his survival? His ongoing conversation with the LORD. He will not relinquish that relationship no matter how badly he hurts, how much he is confused, nor how badly he is ridiculed.
5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
I have always Loved Phil 4:6-7. This is part of something I wrote sometime ago.."So to sum all this up, as we Trust God and we focus on Him; set our minds on the Love of Jesus and His Power. We are freed from fear, stress, worry and the rest. We get PERFECT PEACE. A Peace that is far and away more compelling, dynamic, robust and Supreme to any thought we or the enemy may ever be able to have. This Knowledge of God, will demolish, tear down, and lay flat into dust any and all arguments, prideful ideas, intellectual arrogance, that any may have against this Word of God, His Promises to us. This Perfect Peace will guard, protect, give sanctuary to.." Like I said, I really love the knowledge that we have Perfect Peace in Jesus. Nothing can beat that, not just Peace, but Perfect Peace.
Your comments CHRIS, ALCEDES & NANCY, are inspiring me.
My prays are with the rest of the groups as well. We will all, together conquer Laura's perdicament through the love of each other and the love of humanity, for the love of Jesus and the Lord God. As we are willing to help others as we struggle with our own demons and weaknesses, so we shall shine and strengthen our selves as individuals and as many to one. In the love of and the light of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Laura maybe you could help me over come my perdicament by sharing with me your understanding of the good book. ALCEDES, CHRIS, NANCY,MARTY & ELAINE have all got great understanding and an orcale of the bible, I don't, so maybe sister you could shine some light on me and help me understand your understandings of the great book.
I have faith in you sister God bless you and keep shining. The comments above by Marty and Chris in different blogs are worth reading. Godbless again sister.
Family I want to share this with you and my dear sister MARTRP IF YOUR HUSBAND IS SAVED PLEASE GET HIM TO READ THIS BY ALL MEANS
AN UNCOMPROMISING LOVE
In HIS Presence: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).
Most of us have either read or heard a sermon preached on the Scripture quoted above. The apostle Paul was writing to believers in Ephesus—a city that was one of the most pagan at the time. These early believers were just beginning to understand what it meant to love others the way that Jesus loved people. So Paul added an important detail to his teaching—he instructed husbands to love their wives the way Christ loves the church.
When we talk about loving to this degree, we are talking about sacrifice and commitment. This is exactly what Jesus did for each one of us. He sacrificed His life and committed Himself to us. Wives need to know that their husbands are willing to do the same for them.
Jesus is our loving Savior. Likewise, there will be times when wives need to view their husbands as saviors—not taking the place of Christ, but listening to their daily struggles and providing the protection they need from harm.
If you have never opened your heart to Christ's love, then you will not know how to love the way He loved. In fact, a person can be saved and still not experience the depth of God's love. However, when you ask Him to teach you the right way to love, He will do it. No matter what your past contains, He will broaden your ability to love with His same love.
(1) David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2) Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied. (3) The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." (4) "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." (5) So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. (6) When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. (7) "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." (8) Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (9) Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. (10) You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) (11) Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. (12) Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. (13) And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet. New International VersionChange Bible versions
We might easily pass over this story as being quaint or charming, but it is much more than that. God intends it as an object lesson to us on our responsibility to perform acts of kindness. It also teaches us a great deal about David's heart and why he was beloved of God.
Saul and three of his four sons had been killed in battle on Mount Gilboa. A fourth son survived only to be assassinated, ending an attempt to set up a rival kingdom. All that remained of the once high and proud house of Saul were some daughters and some sons by a concubine. Meanwhile, David prospered as he consolidated his kingdom by gaining victories everywhere he went.
Despite David's high station and prosperity, he did not forget his and Jonathan's oath or their love for each other when David was the lowly shepherd and Jonathan was heir to the throne. The story gives no indication that anyone prompted David's inquiry. The request came from his own heart, motivated by his faithfulness to his friend and his caring nature.
This seems more remarkable when we consider his undeserved persecutions at Saul's hand, as the aging king became increasingly crazed from jealousy of David's popularity. David could easily have been bitter from having been forced into living the life of a vagabond, dwelling in caves, and existing on the generosity of others while he was doing good for Israel. He could have held a grudge in order to feel justified in retaliating, or spat curses against any of Saul's heirs. Besides, it was the way of Eastern kings to kill off any potential claimants to the throne.
Instead, what came welling up in David's heart was a spontaneous and self-motivated desire to do good to any who remained of Saul's house. But David's language as he questioned Ziba goes still deeper in unfolding his motives. He speaks of showing the "kindness of God" to Saul's house, elevating his motive to an even higher plane as a precursor of Jesus' statement in Luke 6:35-36:
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
David's statement reveals that he was constrained to use God as the pattern for what he wanted to do for Saul's house. He recognized that he, a sinner like all of us, had received undeserved mercy and kindness from the hand of God. It is as if God is saying that, before we can pass on His kindness, we must first recognize that we have received it from Him. Jesus follows up His statement with another that touches on this area: "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (Luke 7:47).
David's touching example of kindness reveals that he felt responsible to be merciful and kind because our great God had been exceedingly merciful and kind to him by forgiving much and giving much. He is a worthy example of one who loved much because he recognized that God loved him.
The best basis for kindly service to man is experiencing God's mercy. Indeed, we can say that long before a person can be truly merciful, God has been merciful to him. Religion is not pure and undefiled unless it manifests itself in this quality of kindly given service (James 1:27). Perhaps from this example, we can draw the conclusion that we have not shown our brother all the kindness we owe him unless we have shown him the "kindness of God."
One who knows he has been forgiven much feels more obliged to the payer of his debt than the one who thinks his indebtedness small. He feels obliged to live the way the payer of his debt tells him he should. Those most conscious of forgiveness will bear the most fruit in godly love.
(3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. New International VersionChange Bible versions
"The express image" is from a single Greek word, from which comes our word "character." The word appears only here in the New Testament.
William Barclay explains that it literally describes "the impress that a seal leaves on wax," so he renders that part of Hebrews 1:3 as, "He [Christ] is the exact impression of his [Father's] being, just as the mark is the exact impression of the seal." Physically, a seal can make an impression only by making contact, which is exactly what must happen to us spiritually. For God to make us in His "express image"—to stamp His character on us, to give us the gift of His qualities—requires contact, that we be in His presence. Praying always does just that.
This verse also suggests that godly character is not really the result of battling temptation, a battle we are powerless to win on our own. Rather, character is created by our continual, conscious choice to be in contact with Him, to submit everything we are to Him, to acknowledge that He is the only source of strength, and then to trust—to have faith in (I John 5:4)—His love and willingness to do battle for us, to give us the gift of His character.
Praying always is that first step in overcoming—submitting. Then He can take over to do what we are not able to do on our own. After our decision to submit, He may still require certain actions from us, to take those few steps in faith—our walk with God—but then we have Him on our side, giving us guidance and strength.
Even in the world, we can see the power of character. While character can make an ordinary man extraordinary, a lack of character can make an extraordinary man quite ordinary. Character has power because it connects us with divine wisdom. Without character, we are limited to human intelligence, and most of history is a record of its woeful inadequacy. Character links us to a godly intelligence that can see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). A person who exercises character exercises faith. He may not foresee the good it will bring, but he trusts that the divine intelligence behind his faith knows more.
If we are not continually praying, we will be using human intelligence with the same ratio of success that history has shown it to have. Praying always, striving always to be aware of His presence, allows His Spirit to rub off on us. God has chosen praying always as a primary method to allow us to get to know Him, to receive His character as a gift, to overcome, and to receive eternal life and salvation.
If God has given us this powerful tool, why do we not use it more? Why do we not seek God for every decision, every thought?
thank you O HEAVENLY FATHER just read this and want to share it
I Am
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“God replied to Moses, ‘I Am Who I Am...’ ”
(Exodus 3:14, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In the Bible, God has many names that describe His character and attributes. In the same way that someone named “Joe” might also be called “father” or “husband” or “the boss,” God has names that describe Him and His relationship to His people.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew name for “God” was considered so holy that the people wouldn’t even say it. So, when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and sent Him to lead the Israelites out of captivity, Moses asked God, “Who should I say sent me?” After all, He couldn’t breathe the name of God in public. God replied by saying, “Moses, my name is I Am.” In other words, “I am anything and everything you need. I am your joy. I am your peace. I am your strength. I am your victory. I am your way of escape. I am whatever you need.”
Today, God is saying the same thing to us! What is it that you need? The Great I Am, the Almighty God is ready to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Open your heart of faith to Him today and receive all the blessings He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I call on You — the Great I Am. I surrender myself to You — spirit, soul and body. I ask that You direct my steps and supply every one of my needs as I move forward in obedience to Your Word in Jesus’ name, Amen.
God's Helper
Please help and pray for oneanother as we try and help each other,please pray and help me I will do the same for you. We need to be in the word of god at all times if not in the bible in the mind. Dad is love.
Dec 22, 2011
a servant (Chris)
Amen Laura. Two things that are vital, we all must desire both of them. And then, we must do them. Amen Nancy and Laura. Let our actions bring Him Glory.
Dec 22, 2011
Ella
Thank you sis Marty for the invite and thanks brother Chris for creating this beautiful group ;) Merry Christmas to us all! We know where the Spirit of the Lord, where there is liberty. God bless us all :)
Dec 23, 2011
a servant (Chris)
Thank you Ella for joining. We will learn and build up one another, all for His Glory. We will grow and work together as the Church should. We all have things and ideas to share that will help one another, and not at the cost of another. Praise God
Dec 23, 2011
Liz
Dec 23, 2011
Arnie
I believe in the virgin birth. I believe that Jesus died and rose again. I believe he lives in my heart. I believe in all those intangable things why do I struggle with believing that God is in control of my life that being a "Martha" isn't always the best way. That I need to just wait on the Lord and know that he is God. Merry Christmas!
Dec 25, 2011
ALCEDES JONES
Dec 25, 2011
a servant (Chris)
May 2012 be the year that, we all learn and then continue to grow, in ways that brings Glory, Praise, and Honor to Our Lord Jesus the Christ for us all. In His Name we offer, Thanksgiving and Praise. Through Him, I Love you All so very much.
Dec 26, 2011
Ella
Amen sister Elaine :)
Dec 27, 2011
a servant (Chris)
In Jesus Name we come Boldly to the Throne of Grace. On knees bent, and in one voice we proclaim, "That Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Son of God. He has defeated death. In Him we Live Victoriously over every aspect in our life!" I Thank You Father, we can dance, sing, and jump for Joy! With humble hearts, yet bold determination we Will Live and Thrive, All for the Glory of Jesus in 2012. In Jesus Name I ask, and Praise You. Thanks so much DAD, this year will be as no other.
Dec 30, 2011
ALCEDES JONES
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH YES,YES BROTHER CHRIS, I COME TO THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH YOU IN AGREEMENT TO YOUR PRAYER.
Dec 31, 2011
a servant (Chris)
Simply Nancy
Don't turn the volume down on God when God's silent. He's giving you time to pray.
I will thank God for what I have, but I'll trust God for what I need
Sometimes life’s detours can take you exactly where you need to go.
I am blessed by what you have shared. Faith in action, as we completely surrender to His Authority, we can rest in His Love and Grace. To Trust that all is under His control. We have every reason then to be Joyful. Again thank you for this.
Jan 4, 2012
Hamm
Simply Nancy, I like your comments SCRIPTURE,ATTITUDE AND ENCOURAGEMENT .
"As human beings, kindness, a warm heart is very important......If we have this basic quality of kindness and good heart, then all other things, education, ability will go in the right direction......" His holiness the Dalai Lama.
I look to God for everything, maybe its why I am dissappointed. I am grateful for the days of joy, the moments of unconditional love, the love my children, my family past and present. I have enjoyed some good times in my life, but the bad times massivly out weigh. But on top of this especially over the last eight years God has tested me to my limits, many times of cursed my luck, most of the time I can't seem to find the learning I supposed to find in the indiscrimminent events that happens to me. Its feels as though I have been cast out, I pray and pray, I have read all the things you can about positive thinking, positve attitude etc.. But if God is going to hurt you he will hurt you, if he is dissapointed in you he shows it. Maybe when the day comes and I understand the learning I will thank him. But at the moment I am very confused with his Authority, his Grace, his love, it s seems that the nice love, authority and grace he has is with others, which is a good thing. I don't begudge anyone Gods favour.
How do I strengthen my faith in him when he weakens me and strengthens others, when I am blind and stumblimng in the thorns, he watches, he opens the path for others. I see other souls stuck in the thorns also, asking for help. How come its given to some and not others. Literally this is worldy right, we all see this day in day out.
I have asked this before, but, how can I be a christian if I think like this. Am I ready to be a christian, I am supposed to be a christian. Because God has been silent with me for the last 8 years and I have prayed and prayed for his help, will he answer when I stop?
Jan 4, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Hamm ,I HEAR YOU, BUT YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THE WORDS OF GOD FOR WE ARE THE CLAY AND HE IS THE POTTER MOLDING US FOR HIS PURPOSE AND JUST MAYBE YOU ARE BEING USE TO GIVE OTHER THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE AFTER THEY SEE YOU STANDING TALL IN THE MIST OF YOUR TESTES FOR BELIEVE ME THERE IS SO MANY THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THINGS WORST THEN WHAT YOU HAVE, READ THE 11 CHAPTER OF HEBREWS, LOVE YOU AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO TRUST OUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HE WILL GIVE YOU VICTORY ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, AND ALL YOUR TESTES WILL NOT BE MORE THAN YOU CAN BARE ,FOR HE KNOWS YOU BETTER THEN YOU KNOWS YOURSELF.
Jan 4, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
THANK YOU NANCY ,WE GROW THROUGH OUR STRUGGLE AND OTHER GROW WITH US THAT I JUST FOUND OUT ,MY SISTER MARTYP GREW STRONGER THROUGH MY TESTES WITH MY HOUSE ISSUE AND WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH HER TESTES BECAUSE OF MY TESTIMONY, AND WE BECAME FRIENDS AND THAT IS HOW GOD WORK THINGS SOMETIME ,SO HAMM DON'T BE SURPRISE IF SOMEONE DON'T THANK YOU AND TELL YOU THAT THEY GOT THEIR STRENGTH TO HOLD ON FROM YOU, LOVE YOU.
Jan 4, 2012
Hamm
Simply Nancy, Alcedes Jones, Elaine Tencza. Thank you so very much for your comments and prays, I really appreciate them. There is a lot of wisdom in your words and honest love and caring which humbles. I understand and know very much the sufferring of others and in comparison mine is tiny compared to others. Which doesn't help, this makes me feel selfish that I complain and worry about my stuff to often. I would love to be like Jesus and smile in the face of adversary, heal others and have total faith that everything is going to be ok. But I, what I struggle with is that I thought Jesus suffered for our sins and so we wouldn't have to suffer. I thought that being tested by God would be a painless affair because of Jesus being killled by all our mear mortal sinful flesh and weaknesses, like of understanding and poor spirit. I thought that his martyism would mean we didn't have to be martyers any more.
There is so much testing I have lost the learning. I don't like to think that others are sufferring for my learning and although I don't mind sufferring for others learning, I though that Jesus would help ease my sufferring or at least help me deal with it without this......... I don't know what to call it....emptyness.
I once told Amanda on this site a while ago that many years ago when I was really in a bad position that an image or feeling that Jesus and Mary were with me, it was an imense feeling of love I cant describe it or experienced anything like it previously or since. But this didn't change my sufferring or the continious testing. I know and undersdtand that there is alot of honest love out there from humanity, but, why can't we have little more God love passed down to us especially those who suffer or maybe just alot less sufferring so we can all have true heaven on earth?
It seems that my blogs or comments always seem to be negative and I don't like being so questioning of the bible and its teaching, and I don't like feeling so dumb about them, and don't want in any way or form to put down peoples comments here on AAG, because I struggle with being a Christain. I applaud and apprecciate that many people are totally acceppting of the bible and its teaching and many find great solice in there faith, but I don't. Though I would like to.
I again thank you for your comments and will pray for you. love you.
Jan 5, 2012
Hamm
Simply Nancy, Thank you very much. God bless you and keep shining on you so your light keeps shining on others just as it has now in the pray you have offered. Thanks again matey.
Jan 5, 2012
a servant (Chris)
Please forgive my absent. Hamm my dear Brother sharing how you feel about things, is one of the reasons for this place. You were able to share without attacking others. To see and understand Wisdom, tells much about a person. We must know where we are so, we can build on that. To see and know how others care about us, can make all the difference. Bless you Nancy, Alcedes Jones, Elaine Tencza, we are Family we Need each other, so very much. Hamm, Nancy, Alcedes , Elaine, thank you for sharing your hearts, by doing that others gain courage to do the same.
Jan 5, 2012
Hamm
Hi Chris you never have to ask or my forgiveness. Thanks for suggesting this group.Its exactly what Ineed to help with the questions about my faith. The whole AAG site is really good. All really good comments.
Elaine sorry you haven't had any sleep, though glad your prays have been answered. I pray you have good sleep tonight. God bless you.
Jan 5, 2012
God's Helper
Family in christ I am still having problems and am battleing satin and battleing the things that he is telling me I'm worthless nobody wants me around nobody cares and that Father doesn't love me which i know is a lie please help me battle through this and into the light I have depession and i'm battleing feelings i have told you saten is trying to get me to take my life and I want to live not die please pray for my soul and that i can get through this.
Your Sister in Christ,
Laura
Jan 5, 2012
Hamm
Hi
Elaine your news sounds good I am glad the young man has pulled through and that your prays for him have worked. God bless.
Martyp, thanks for your kind words. I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties, I lost my home back in 2005, I used sit on the bus coming home from work crying my eyes out, I am glad no one else was on it. Though I managed to get a home straight away for my then two children and myself, we have been here ever since and God hasn't provided us with any thing better yet. I pray you will pull through and God shines on you and your 2 sons.
Hi Laura, I an sorry to hear your problems I hope you can take solice from Nancy's words and others. You are now in my prays so keep shining my friend.
Jan 6, 2012
God's Helper
thank you Elaine please keep me in your prayers,I will do the same for all of you.
Your sister in Christ,
Laura
Jan 6, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
CHRIS I THANK THE LORD FOR YOU,THAT YOU OBEYED HIS CALL TO START THIS GROUP BECAUSE HERE WE CAN COME AND BE A BLESSING TO EACH ONE, TO SHARE OUR TESTIMONY OF OUR WE ENDURE OUR TESTES, TO GIVE OTHER STRENGTH AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR TESTES,FOR WE MUST GO THROUGH THEM BECAUSE JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST WENT THROUGH THEM, SO THAT WE CAN LEAN ON HIM IN THE MIST OF OUR STORMS AND THROUGH HIS WORDS WE CAN HAVE VICTORY IN ANYTHING THAT COMES AGAINST US, IF WE GRAB HOLD ONTO THE WORDS AND TRUST OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, AND FROM MY STORMS I HAVE LEARNED THAT EACH ONE IS TO TAKE US TO A HIGHER LEVEL IN OUR FAITH AND JOURNEY DOWN HERE ,MAKING US A BETTER PERSON AND TO LOVE OTHER MORE ,AND BE MORE COMPASSION TO OUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND MANKIND IN GENERAL,WHICH I FEEL IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSE TO DO BECAUSE WE ARE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AMBASSADOR DOWN HERE ,LOVE YOU ALL AND WILL KEEP ALL IN MY PRAYERS, AND PLEASE DO THE SAME FOR ME ,AND REMEMBER ,MOST OF THE STORMS ARE BECAUSE satan DON'T WANT US TO LIVE FOR OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ,SO IF he CAN GET OUR MIND OFF OF PRAISING OUR HEAVENLY FATHER he FEEL he GOT A CHANCE TO TELL DADDY THAT WE ARE NOT WHAT JESUS SAY THAT WE ARE .
Jan 6, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
yes my sister and be ready to receive the higher level he want to take you to,love you
Jan 6, 2012
a servant (Chris)
Alcedes
Yes we build from and on others, let those we teach stand on our shoulders, as we are standing on the shoulders of the ones who teach us. One Body all for His Glory. To Jesus Name we Praise
Jan 6, 2012
Hamm
Alcedes I am in total agreement with you and thank Chris for the group.
But also your comments are inspiring and taken on board.
My prays are with you brother as well as the rest of the group and those on AAG. May the light of God and Jesus shine on all and the true side of hunanity is expressed and over comes the shadow. May we all get strength from each others prays. I know I did from all those in this group and from others at AAG. This is what I think christianity is about truely praying for each other in the light and love of Jesus. Keep shining friends.
Jan 6, 2012
God's Helper
still battleing he won't leave me alone and is still telling me lies and still is trying to get me to take my life. I pray and i have church and my family praying for me as well as prayer worriors in TX praying for me as well I read and pray and I can't shaik this please Help I need your prayers more than ever right now
Your sister in Christ,
Laura
Jan 6, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Laura satan KNOWS THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH ,OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ,AND THAT YOU IS ABOUT TO COME INTO WHAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS PLANNED FOR YOU ,SO THAT IS WHY he WANT YOU TO TAKE YOUR LIFE ,REBUKE him IN THE NAME OF OUR BIG BROTHER ,JESUS THE CHRIST AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH SO THAT YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS, LOVE YOU MY SISTER IN CHRIST JESUS.
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
THIS I JUST RECEIVED HOPE IT REMIND EVERYONE,THAT WE ARE IN A DAILY WAR DOWN HERE
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Romans 7:14-25
(14) We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. (15) I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (16) And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. (17) As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (18) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (19) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do?this I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (21) So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (22) For in my inner being I delight in God's law; (23) but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (24) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (25) Thanks be to God?through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
New International Version Change Bible versions
Paul is not confessing that he continually practiced sin in his daily life, but that the threat of practicing it was always with him. He always had to be on guard against it to keep it from breaking out. And, at times, it did indeed break out, reminding him not only of its presence, but also its strength. There is no doubt Paul was a mature Christian. Therefore, this serves as a reminder to us that, no matter how spiritually mature we become, human nature will still always be with us.
Paul died spiritually and was buried in the waters of baptism. Therefore, baptism and the receipt of a new nature by which we are to conduct life do not take human nature away. We, like him, sincerely desire to do the right thing. We believe God's Word. We love God and aspire to glorify Him. Nevertheless, because human nature is always present, we do not always follow through. Instead, human nature overpowers us; we are taken captive, as it were, and revert to following its drives instead. This can be very disturbing, piling guilt upon us and making us fearful of separation from God.
Thus, because we are similar to Paul, and despite the wretchedness we may feel, we have assurance, knowing we will be delivered from this peculiar situation, one that is somewhat akin to having a dual personality. Our deliverance is through Jesus Christ; there indeed is an end. However, unlike many Protestant groups that proclaim that we do not have to keep the law because all is done for us, we know that we must strive to walk even as Christ walked—and He never sinned. I John 2:3-6 emphatically states:
Though we are under no condemnation, we still must yield to the Spirit of God to our utmost abilities. We are to "go on to perfection" (Hebrews 6:1), endeavoring to grow "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). Paul says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Despite the difficulties involved, any failures that occur, and any feelings of guilt that arise, we are still required to strive to keep God's laws as Jesus did.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Excerpted from:
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
FOOD FOR THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR JOEL OSTEEN
God has set up seasons in our lives. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. For example, it’s during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion.
If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position. Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it’s hard. When you do that, you are passing the test, and God promises that your due season of harvest is coming. Be encouraged because your appointed time of increase, favor and promotion is on its way, and He will fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!
Jan 7, 2012
Hamm
Nancy that is a great pray, thank you. Thanks for your comments Martyp, God bless you.keep shining.
Elaine I also get something, but that I can't explain about praying, I do it all the time I find my self praying to people (in my head) when I pass them, or they tell me their problems.I don't know where this comes from, it scares me sometimes, because even as I write this, it sounds weard, if that makes sense? I must admit though when I have prayed for someone and Jesus replys and the pray is answered though not always as fully intended, I get a good buzz out of it. I have never joined a pray group, this is my first and I like it. Some real human spirit and geniune love and want to help each other through the power of pray.
Alcedes as always throuh your previous comments I find great wisdom in your words especially the Berean, I really like it. Friend
Lucy my dear friend the temptations and hurting sounds so strong in you at the moment, but as Alcedes has said, I think this is when you show greatest strength. I feel your hurting sister, but keeping shining and take comfort in the fact only loving caring honest and people who are true experience this, I have been tempted so many times in my hurt to contemplete ending it and giving up the ghost, but the love I have for others & the fact that I don't like hurting that I pray harder and harder and sometimes I just have to ride the storm, even though it seems dark it can't get darker it only gets lighter and lighter.
Take our hands so you can feel the hand of Jesus and the love and strength of the Lord to help you come through this hurting and bring you the light you deserve. Our prays are with you lways.
Distract yourself from the thinking and do good actions, read the scriptures, say your prays, keep surfing the sites of the Lord. Let your self shine my friend love you. God bless.
God bless you all keep shining friends, love you.
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Yes Laura you must declare to satan that he is a lair and that you are a child of our Heavenly Father that by the blood of our big brother JESUS the CHRIST you have the VICTORY NOT YOU CAN HAVE IT NOR YOU MIGHT GET THE VICTORY BUT YOU HAVE IT FOR THE BLOOD HAS CLEANSE YOU FROM ALL YOU JUST HAVE TO CLAIM IT ,AND BELIEVE IT ,LOVE YOU MY SISTER.
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Laura, my beloved sister this from our Heavenly Father through me to you
Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 love you my sister in CHRIST JESUS
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
/a> Colossians 3 :1-17
New American Standard Bible
Put On the New Self
1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Jan 7, 2012
a servant (Chris)
Laura
My dear Sister. I would ask that you begin to step out in Faith. To no longer allow how you "feel" define you and your Relationship to Dad. That you stand on what the Word tells us, who and what we are in Christ. You are Loved! Jesus showed us on the Cross. God showed us also, at the Cross. The Spirit of Holiness, shows us starting in the upper room, with the 120. We saw the Boldness of Peter, as he told all those who had heard the 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 As with Faith and Boldness through the Spirit. Laura we all face the attacks that you have been facing. We all must handle this the same way, with Faith speaking of things as though they are, not matter what we see or feel. You are a dear Sister to so many, we Pray for you and lift you up. I ask that you receive our Love for you, yet, more then that Receive the LOVE, DAD, JESUS, AND THE SPIRIT, is showing you. Laura this is Real, this Love is True, this Love is based on a Promise and the Actions that take place. You just need to Receive, and speak with Faith. We are All behind you Sister. Not judging you, but lifting you up to Jesus.
Jan 7, 2012
a servant (Chris)
Nancy
We are also lifting you up in the same way, all are children of the Most High. We lift up the Daughters, and we lift up the Sons of the One Who has created us All. We lift up one another in the Family of God. PRAISE THE LORD GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!!1
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Laura and also the whole group including me this is food for our soul
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). ...present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus....... Thoughts on This Verse... What guards your heart? What protects your mind? Did you know that the peace of God can stand guard over our hearts and minds? That's the apostle Paul's promise to us in this passage. If we will present our requests to God, with thanksgiving, then God's peace that is greater than any explanation and that transcends our ability to comprehend it, will stand sentry over our hearts and minds. You want an example of how this is true? Look at the book of Job: All that befalls him; all that wounds him. Yet still he doesn't become hard of heart or go insane. What is the key to his survival? His ongoing conversation with the LORD. He will not relinquish that relationship no matter how badly he hurts, how much he is confused, nor how badly he is ridiculed.
Jan 7, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
John 15 :5-11
New American Standard Bible
5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Jan 7, 2012
a servant (Chris)
Alcedes
I have always Loved Phil 4:6-7. This is part of something I wrote sometime ago.."So to sum all this up, as we Trust God and we focus on Him; set our minds on the Love of Jesus and His Power. We are freed from fear, stress, worry and the rest. We get PERFECT PEACE. A Peace that is far and away more compelling, dynamic, robust and Supreme to any thought we or the enemy may ever be able to have. This Knowledge of God, will demolish, tear down, and lay flat into dust any and all arguments, prideful ideas, intellectual arrogance, that any may have against this Word of God, His Promises to us. This Perfect Peace will guard, protect, give sanctuary to.." Like I said, I really love the knowledge that we have Perfect Peace in Jesus. Nothing can beat that, not just Peace, but Perfect Peace.
Jan 7, 2012
Hamm
My prays are with you Laura.
Your comments CHRIS, ALCEDES & NANCY, are inspiring me.
My prays are with the rest of the groups as well. We will all, together conquer Laura's perdicament through the love of each other and the love of humanity, for the love of Jesus and the Lord God. As we are willing to help others as we struggle with our own demons and weaknesses, so we shall shine and strengthen our selves as individuals and as many to one. In the love of and the light of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Laura maybe you could help me over come my perdicament by sharing with me your understanding of the good book. ALCEDES, CHRIS, NANCY,MARTY & ELAINE have all got great understanding and an orcale of the bible, I don't, so maybe sister you could shine some light on me and help me understand your understandings of the great book.
I have faith in you sister God bless you and keep shining. The comments above by Marty and Chris in different blogs are worth reading. Godbless again sister.
Jan 8, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Family I want to share this with you and my dear sister MARTRP IF YOUR HUSBAND IS SAVED PLEASE GET HIM TO READ THIS BY ALL MEANS
AN UNCOMPROMISING LOVE
In HIS Presence: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).
Most of us have either read or heard a sermon preached on the Scripture quoted above. The apostle Paul was writing to believers in Ephesus—a city that was one of the most pagan at the time. These early believers were just beginning to understand what it meant to love others the way that Jesus loved people. So Paul added an important detail to his teaching—he instructed husbands to love their wives the way Christ loves the church.
When we talk about loving to this degree, we are talking about sacrifice and commitment. This is exactly what Jesus did for each one of us. He sacrificed His life and committed Himself to us. Wives need to know that their husbands are willing to do the same for them.
Jesus is our loving Savior. Likewise, there will be times when wives need to view their husbands as saviors—not taking the place of Christ, but listening to their daily struggles and providing the protection they need from harm.
If you have never opened your heart to Christ's love, then you will not know how to love the way He loved. In fact, a person can be saved and still not experience the depth of God's love. However, when you ask Him to teach you the right way to love, He will do it. No matter what your past contains, He will broaden your ability to love with His same love.
One Minute Please
Love is measured by sacrifice, not by enjoyment.
Jan 8, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
Family ,I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE AND IS SO PROUD OF US ALL LOVE YOU ALL THROUGH JESUS OUR BIG BROTHER
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2 Samuel 9:1-13
(1) David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2) Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?"
"Your servant," he replied. (3) The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"
Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." (4) "Where is he?" the king asked.
Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." (5) So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. (6) When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, "Mephibosheth!"
"Your servant," he replied. (7) "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." (8) Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" (9) Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. (10) You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) (11) Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. (12) Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. (13) And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet.
New International Version Change Bible versions
We might easily pass over this story as being quaint or charming, but it is much more than that. God intends it as an object lesson to us on our responsibility to perform acts of kindness. It also teaches us a great deal about David's heart and why he was beloved of God.
Saul and three of his four sons had been killed in battle on Mount Gilboa. A fourth son survived only to be assassinated, ending an attempt to set up a rival kingdom. All that remained of the once high and proud house of Saul were some daughters and some sons by a concubine. Meanwhile, David prospered as he consolidated his kingdom by gaining victories everywhere he went.
Despite David's high station and prosperity, he did not forget his and Jonathan's oath or their love for each other when David was the lowly shepherd and Jonathan was heir to the throne. The story gives no indication that anyone prompted David's inquiry. The request came from his own heart, motivated by his faithfulness to his friend and his caring nature.
This seems more remarkable when we consider his undeserved persecutions at Saul's hand, as the aging king became increasingly crazed from jealousy of David's popularity. David could easily have been bitter from having been forced into living the life of a vagabond, dwelling in caves, and existing on the generosity of others while he was doing good for Israel. He could have held a grudge in order to feel justified in retaliating, or spat curses against any of Saul's heirs. Besides, it was the way of Eastern kings to kill off any potential claimants to the throne.
Instead, what came welling up in David's heart was a spontaneous and self-motivated desire to do good to any who remained of Saul's house. But David's language as he questioned Ziba goes still deeper in unfolding his motives. He speaks of showing the "kindness of God" to Saul's house, elevating his motive to an even higher plane as a precursor of Jesus' statement in Luke 6:35-36:
David's statement reveals that he was constrained to use God as the pattern for what he wanted to do for Saul's house. He recognized that he, a sinner like all of us, had received undeserved mercy and kindness from the hand of God. It is as if God is saying that, before we can pass on His kindness, we must first recognize that we have received it from Him. Jesus follows up His statement with another that touches on this area: "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (Luke 7:47).
David's touching example of kindness reveals that he felt responsible to be merciful and kind because our great God had been exceedingly merciful and kind to him by forgiving much and giving much. He is a worthy example of one who loved much because he recognized that God loved him.
The best basis for kindly service to man is experiencing God's mercy. Indeed, we can say that long before a person can be truly merciful, God has been merciful to him. Religion is not pure and undefiled unless it manifests itself in this quality of kindly given service (James 1:27). Perhaps from this example, we can draw the conclusion that we have not shown our brother all the kindness we owe him unless we have shown him the "kindness of God."
John W. Ritenbaugh
Excerpted from:
The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
Jan 8, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
i love you too my beloved sister
Jan 8, 2012
God's Helper
i like that verse as well
Jan 8, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
Luke 7:47
One who knows he has been forgiven much feels more obliged to the payer of his debt than the one who thinks his indebtedness small. He feels obliged to live the way the payer of his debt tells him he should. Those most conscious of forgiveness will bear the most fruit in godly love.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Passover, Obligation, and Love
Read more: http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/...
Jan 9, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
THAT RIGHT THERE IS MY PRESENT LIFE STORY ,LOVE YOU ALL
Jan 9, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
I JUST RECEIVED THIS AND IT TOUCHED MY SPIRIT SO I WANT TO SHARE IT
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Hebrews 1:3
(3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
New International Version Change Bible versions
"The express image" is from a single Greek word, from which comes our word "character." The word appears only here in the New Testament.
William Barclay explains that it literally describes "the impress that a seal leaves on wax," so he renders that part of Hebrews 1:3 as, "He [Christ] is the exact impression of his [Father's] being, just as the mark is the exact impression of the seal." Physically, a seal can make an impression only by making contact, which is exactly what must happen to us spiritually. For God to make us in His "express image"—to stamp His character on us, to give us the gift of His qualities—requires contact, that we be in His presence. Praying always does just that.
This verse also suggests that godly character is not really the result of battling temptation, a battle we are powerless to win on our own. Rather, character is created by our continual, conscious choice to be in contact with Him, to submit everything we are to Him, to acknowledge that He is the only source of strength, and then to trust—to have faith in (I John 5:4)—His love and willingness to do battle for us, to give us the gift of His character.
Praying always is that first step in overcoming—submitting. Then He can take over to do what we are not able to do on our own. After our decision to submit, He may still require certain actions from us, to take those few steps in faith—our walk with God—but then we have Him on our side, giving us guidance and strength.
Even in the world, we can see the power of character. While character can make an ordinary man extraordinary, a lack of character can make an extraordinary man quite ordinary. Character has power because it connects us with divine wisdom. Without character, we are limited to human intelligence, and most of history is a record of its woeful inadequacy. Character links us to a godly intelligence that can see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). A person who exercises character exercises faith. He may not foresee the good it will bring, but he trusts that the divine intelligence behind his faith knows more.
If we are not continually praying, we will be using human intelligence with the same ratio of success that history has shown it to have. Praying always, striving always to be aware of His presence, allows His Spirit to rub off on us. God has chosen praying always as a primary method to allow us to get to know Him, to receive His character as a gift, to overcome, and to receive eternal life and salvation.
If God has given us this powerful tool, why do we not use it more? Why do we not seek God for every decision, every thought?
Pat Higgins
Excerpted from:
Praying Always (Part Four)
Jan 11, 2012
Liz
AMEN AND AMEN. THANK YOU FOR UPLIFTING OUR SPIRITS NANCY!
Jan 12, 2012
ALCEDES JONES
thank you O HEAVENLY FATHER just read this and want to share it
In the Bible, God has many names that describe His character and attributes. In the same way that someone named “Joe” might also be called “father” or “husband” or “the boss,” God has names that describe Him and His relationship to His people.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew name for “God” was considered so holy that the people wouldn’t even say it. So, when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and sent Him to lead the Israelites out of captivity, Moses asked God, “Who should I say sent me?” After all, He couldn’t breathe the name of God in public. God replied by saying, “Moses, my name is I Am.” In other words, “I am anything and everything you need. I am your joy. I am your peace. I am your strength. I am your victory. I am your way of escape. I am whatever you need.”
Today, God is saying the same thing to us! What is it that you need? The Great I Am, the Almighty God is ready to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Open your heart of faith to Him today and receive all the blessings He has in store for you!
Jan 13, 2012
Hamm
ALECEDES, I really like what you have posted. Amen. God bless
Jan 13, 2012