“Doctrines of the Faith: Why Should I Pray?” 9/20/2024 Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Your Daily Bible Verses — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Integrated Catholic Life™

Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2024/08/25/doctrines-of-the-faith-prayer/

 

Doctrines of the Faith: Why Should I Pray?

 

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Beth Andrews

 

God expects His children to pray – He delights in hearing from us. So why do we often struggle with this discipline? Because we don’t understand the power and privilege of prayer. And because we don’t think it really matters.

Jesus is our model for prayer. He prayed in the early morning (Mark 1:35), at night (Matt 14:23) and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). He prayed alone (John 6:15) and with others (Matt 11:25-26) and in large public gatherings (Matt 14:19). He prayed when performing miracles (John 11:41-42), to bless meals, and to bless people (several verses in Matthew and Luke). And He prayed when He faced major decisions, such as choosing his disciples (Luke 6:12-13). And, of course, we know He prayed when He faced the greatest crisis of His life in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Two of his prayers are featured in the Gospels, “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “His high-priestly prayer” in John 17.
The Lord’s Prayer is simple and profound:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matt 6:9-13).

Jesus was not espousing rote prayer, though I can’t imagine a more perfect prayer to say, but was giving a model or pattern with which we can express our own prayers. He stared with reverence, worship, and surrender, then petition, repentance, grace, and deliverance. Some versions conclude with: “For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever” bringing us back where we started.

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is a master study in communion with the Father. He prayed intimately for Himself, then prayed for His disciples, and for the believers who would come after them – including you and me. Jesus identified Himself as one with the Father, then recognized the relationship between His Father, Himself, and His followers – those present with Him and those to come. He prayed for glory, protection, Joy, sanctification, unity, and love. Imagine if we prayed for one another in the same way.

Jesus also stressed the importance of persistence in prayer in Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8. Jesus expects us to pray, pray diligently, pray often, pray believing, and pray until God answers.

If prayer is difficult for you, remember that you are speaking to the one who loves you with an everlasting, never-failing, eternal love. He doesn’t judge your prayer; He receives it as a sweet aroma (Rev. 8:4). Talk to your Father, Beloved.

 

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

   

 

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

 

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“Walking in Light” 9/19/2024 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Godsmanforever

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

1 John 1:7 - Bible verse (NRSV) - DailyVerses.net

Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org  from Spurgeon’s writing

Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/8/31/2024/?ecid=ACsprvtU_3i147DN54Cpj8Gwy2F-Fb0Grg06hKOB6PIdH-Fr77npxfuFVvwUxY_FBIJXm15cB1E6&utm_campaign=Spurgeon+Daily+Devotion&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_iTP7Eh-DCvwOdtjeg7Kby-lyhYU1jTLTgX_b9qLcguk0eeujmD1fx8zpD4S_1ZbCY4PNEE_rWrn3trOOCLqMqvoS_XvQkIXHgLMwkFGZyHTfGOdE&_hsmi=322069530&utm_content=322069530&utm_source=hs_email

Walking in Light

 

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light …

1 John 1:7

 

“As he is in the light”! Can we ever attain to this? Will we ever be able to walk as clearly in the light as He is whom we call “Our Father,” of whom it is written, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (verse 5)?

Certainly this is the model that is set before us, for the Savior Himself said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”;1 and although we may feel that we can never rival the perfection of God, yet we are to seek after it and not be satisfied until we attain to it. The youthful artist as he grasps his newly sharpened pencil can hardly hope to equal Raphael or Michelangelo; but still, if he did not have a noble ideal before his mind, he would only attain to something very mean and ordinary.

But what is meant by the expression that the Christian is to walk in light as God is in the light? We conceive it to convey likeness but not degree. We are as truly in the light, we are as heartily in the light, we are as sincerely in the light, as honestly in the light, although we cannot be there in the same measure. I cannot dwell in the sun—it is too bright a place for my residence, but I can walk in the light of the sun; and so, though I cannot attain to that perfection of purity and truth that belongs to the Lord of hosts by nature as the infinitely good, yet I can set the Lord always before me and strive, by the help of the indwelling Spirit, to conform to His image.

The famous old commentator John Trapp says, “We may be in the light as God is in the light for quality, but not for equality.” We are to have the same light and are as truly to have it and walk in it as God does, though as for equality with God in His holiness and purity, that must be left until we cross the Jordan and enter into the perfection of the Most High. Notice how the blessings of sacred fellowship and perfect cleansing are bound up with walking in the light.

1) Matthew 5:48

Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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Excellent post by Beth today !! Had to re-post it !! :-)

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Godsmanforever
Be an Encourager
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“What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you. Depart from me”?” 9/18/2024 Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Godsmanforever

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Matthew 7:23 I Never Knew You Depart From Me" Art Board Print for Sale by plushism | Redbubble

Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Click on original post and speaker at the top…  You can listen to the whole post !!

Original post @  https://www.gotquestions.org/I-never-knew-you-depart-from-me.html

Question

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you. Depart from me”?

Answer

Jesus said, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:23). It seems strange to hear our all-knowing Lord say there’s something—or someone—He doesn’t know. Jesus refers not to an intellectual knowledge here but to a relational knowledge.

To understand a verse, always start with the context. Jesus is wrapping up His Sermon on the Mount with a final warning about true faith. Jesus predicts that false Christian prophets will be coming as wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). They may use all the right “God talk” and even make impressive displays of power, but they will not belong to the Lord:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21–23).

In Jesus’ words on Judgment Day, we see several important truths: it’s not a verbal claim that one follows Jesus that saves (Matthew 7:21). Nominal Christianity cannot save. Also, it’s not a demonstration of spiritual insight or power that saves (verse 22). A person can seem like a Christian in the eyes of other people, yet still be an “evildoer” in God’s sight and sent away from His presence (verse 23). Only those who do the Father’s will and who are known of God will enter heaven.

So, what is the Father’s will? Some men came to Jesus once with a question about what God required of them: “They asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’” (John 6:28–29). God wants us to have faith in His Son: “This is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23). Those who are born again by faith in Christ will produce good works to the glory of God (Ephesians 2:10).

When Jesus said, to the feigned disciples, He meant that He never recognized them as His true disciples or His friends. He never had anything in common with them nor approved of them. They were no relations of His (Mark 3:34–35). Christ did not dwell in their hearts (Ephesians 3:17), nor did they have His mind (1 Corinthians 2:16). In all these ways and more, Jesus never knew them.

Note that Jesus is not breaking off the relationship here—there was never a relationship to break off. Despite their high-sounding words and showy displays of religious fervor, they had no intimacy with Christ.

So it turns out that what matters isn’t so much that we know God on some level, but that God knows us. As Paul explained, “Whoever loves God is known by God” (1 Corinthians 8:3; also see Galatians 4:9). The Lord “tends His flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah 40:11), and He knows who are His sheep (John 10:14).

Those somber words “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” in Matthew 7:23 (KJV) show that Jesus is indeed omniscient. He did not “know” them in the sense He would if they were His followers, but He knew their hearts—they were full of iniquity! Isaiah’s condemnation of hypocrisy fits this group well: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29:13). The evildoers whom Jesus does not know are fake Christians, false teachers, and nominal adherents of religion.

Those who are bid depart from the presence of the Lord will not partake of the blessings of the kingdom: “Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:15). They will be cast “into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). Those fake Christians whom Jesus says He never knew will not produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23); rather, they will produce the opposite, the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21).

Jesus warns that one day He will tell a group of religious practitioners, “I never knew you.” God takes no delight in sending people to hell (2 Peter 3:9). But those who are told to depart have rejected God’s eternal purpose and plan for their lives (Luke 7:30). They have spurned the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4), choosing the darkness instead, because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). At the judgment, they try to justify themselves as worthy of heaven on the basis of their works (prophecies, exorcisms, miracles, etc.), but no one will be justified by his own works (Galatians 2:16). While claiming to do all these good works in Christ’s name, they failed to do the only work of God that counts: “to have faith in the one he sent” (John 6:29, CEV). And so Jesus, the Righteous Judge, condemns them to eternal separation from Him.

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  P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“God Is in Control” 9/17/2024 Written by Leslie Koh for “Our Daily Bread”

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional 

Proverbs 19 21 - Scripture on the Walls

Written by Leslie Koh for “Our Daily Bread” @  http://odb.org

[Click on the Original post below, the start audio arrow, and listen to the audio version at the top, including the prayer at the end]

34 Bible Verses about God’s Sovereignty-  https://www.biblelyfe.com/blog/bible-verses-about-gods-sovereignty

Original post @  https://odb.org/2024/08/06/behind-the-scenes-6

August 6

God Is in Control

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Job 1:21

 

Today’s Scripture & Insight :

Job 1:6-12, 20-22

Carol couldn’t understand why it was happening all at once. As if work wasn’t bad enough, her daughter fractured her foot in school, and she herself came down with a severe infection. What did I do to deserve this? Carol wondered. All she could do was ask God for strength.

Job didn’t know why calamity had hit him so hard either—pain and loss far greater than what Carol experienced. There’s no indication he was aware of the cosmic battle for his soul. Satan wanted to test Job’s faith, claiming he’d turn from God if he lost everything (Job 1:6-12). When disaster struck, Job’s friends insisted he was being punished for his sins. That wasn’t why, but he must have wondered, Why me? What he didn’t know was that God had allowed it to happen.

Job’s story offers a powerful lesson about suffering and about faith. We may try to discover the reason behind our pain, but perhaps there’s a bigger story behind the scenes that we won’t understand in our lifetime.

Like Job, we can hold on to what we do know: God is in full control. It’s not an easy thing to say, but in the midst of his pain, Job kept looking to God and trusting in His sovereignty: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21). May we too keep trusting in God no matter what happens—and even when we don’t understand.

By:  Leslie Koh

Reflect & Pray

What challenges are you facing? Which promises of God give you strength to keep going?

 

Dear Father, I don’t understand why some of life’s challenges happen to me. But I choose to trust You.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

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“JOYFUL, PATIENT & FAITHFUL” 9/16/2024 Written by Kathy Boecher for “atimetoshare”

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Godsmanforever

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Matthew 4:4 | The Consecrated Woman

Written by Kathy Boecher for “atimetoshare” @   http://atimetoshare.me

Original post @ https://atimetoshare.me/2024/04/30/joyful-patient-faithful/

JOYFUL, PATIENT & FAITHFUL

 

Posted on April 30, 2024 by atimetoshare.me


“All good things arrive unto them that wait–and don’t die in the meantime.”  Mark Twain

“God writes a lot of comedy … the trouble is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny.” Garrison Keeler

Joy, Patience and faithfulness are formidable character traits, but when you add words like hope, affliction and prayer, you see there is more to them than meets the eye.  How often do we give thanks when our hopes have been dashed? How do you grow patient when everything around you is moving at a snail’s pace? How’s our prayer life? Do we just reach out to God when we need Him, or do we have numerous conversations with Him throughout the day?

God is not simply an aging old man in the sky, managing His kingdom like a puppeteer pulling all the right strings.  He definitely has a sense of humor, because He created me.  He looks after us as a loving father cares for His children.  He wants the very best for us and has a blueprint all drawn out for what He has in store for us.

He’s also demanding of us.  He wants our obedience, because He’s our Creator.  He wants us to share our love and trust in Him with those in desperate need of the Gospel.  He’s given us the command to love one another as we love ourselves.  He wants us to know that nothing we do is going to pay for our inability to live up to His expectations, but He also provided a way out for us.

We don’t just automatically become joyful when we turn things over to God.  Sometimes it takes Him a long time to answer.  Sometimes He does that to build character and patience, other times He’s refining us.  Sometimes He looks into the future and knows what’s best for us.  Maybe the thing we’re praying for isn’t for our good.  Many times He doesn’t answer at all, but He guides us through the path that He’s pre-determined for us.  He gives us discernment, wisdom and the ability to make the right choices.

God feeds us when we get a daily diet of His Word.  He nourishes our bodies and souls with the love He exhibits for us on those pages.  Plan on filling yourself up with his truth and He will bestow on you hope, patience and faithfulness.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

   

 

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

 

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“Afraid? Trust in God” 9/15/2024 Written by Dawn Ivey for “Drawing closer to Christ”

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by  Dawn Ivey for “Drawing closer to Christ”  @  https://drawingclosertochrist.com

Original post @ https://drawingclosertochrist.com/2021/04/12/9471/

Afraid? Trust in God.

APRIL 12, 2021 ~ DAWN

Psalm 56:3 NIV, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Fear can creep in, even when we least expect it. It not only steals our joy, but it hinders our progress in our walk with God. Fear is always in opposition to the goals we are trying to reach or the purposes we are trying to fulfill. It tries to keep us from believing that we can do all things through Christ Jesus, who is our strength (Philippians 4:13).

Rather we are taking a step of faith and doing something new, confronting someone about a serious issue that needs to be resolved, or some other situation we are facing, God will help us. The Lord will not forsake those who seek Him and put their trust in Him (Psalm 9:10); so when you are afraid, put your trust in God.

Photo by: Alex Green

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Photo credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrCxnVVZZ5gQUIAqh0PxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?p=image+2+tim+1%3A7&type=asbw_8923_CHW_US_tid1304&param1=RH35My9Q%2BPRwlYjCX3gN3KzGtWLBDz72LxQVY5crIRZjTCxJ9daXtPQV0tCyEMz8&param2=9dUI1n2R0BLDxNuWfiP4aSFOTltNdSPoIx38%2BUf%2FiXrvPdoGmStdlfwLFZYDvqkAJrWWk4yNReCLnBD%2FqPsDZd7olTZcV8HMx1G%2Fk786sE2Tis1g8dJd8zxVWs%2BbKztBnq1TfqUiqPYK9pXifXmJF23GuXP%2F%2FuMqmznMxQq%2BppDKdrrI0ui9skTCfL5mL%2FzEmUq%2B8EpSnk7e5VL74sdlFM8NT5Xo1fpuxHBZ5d1KwjJo3Os8wAZrZxr%2BS9APbVxwNzzxvjrtpAKCT4VROr2KP6WHYqJI%2BFqhOsjFRzxKDMD017RLdKsAl8PYBqrUifcxP9xTHzH33NvCIhJe0VKtIg%3D%3D&param3=NwVEMR%2FzKcG52XsVBYEh2zk2Yklq85vdfspZPoqz2M1qypHRDDTed5vIiOf0QJloIYNIhURx5ygk43IbuWBmnSO6VJi0Lg%2BHXK15j4L%2FFbtWkrI4tZva2CSdO%2BO8zcxNbLhvWNCxu7qqZlXKkcHyRL3ikfegZBjDJtdYjwpFC%2FBV74iDpvEXG1VxOUcin%2BlLUJGbDs2eQ8sODLOrBEU6rCXciBjW9tng6x7a0fc7pgzhteYuTl8T%2FM2Ws1ZwNzm%2FXfZyHaf0Jqd4k2%2BxjM4TzyHAlJ42nG2y1hR2BEa8K5%2Fbav8G%2BWomjHKTy9EBdGlvHabIlWBSZICQlfDQ2mIRMQ%3D%3D&param4=MUdPoFmi8xsK%2BF8S7ksqKv0p9e%2By3Q2Qk9hDyAtTWR0%3D&hsimp=yhs-syn&hspart=iba&ei=UTF-8&fr=yhs-iba-syn#id=21&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Fca%2Fec%2F21%2Fcaec21965ca1ba5e375535c0da7b1b1d.jpg&action=click
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“Doctrines of the Faith: Jesus is Coming Again” 9/14/2024 Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”

Posted on September 14, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Matthew 24:44 - Bible verse (NKJV) - DailyVerses.net

Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/doctrines-of-the-faith-jesus-is-coming-again/

Doctrines of the Faith: Jesus is Coming Again

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Beth Andrews

When I sit down at my desk every morning to write I look at my Bible and wonder, “Where do I start?” Every word on every page is important and valuable. It’s hard to pluck a small bit of text out of this wonderful, blessed book. So I ask Him to speak through me because He knows you so well. He knows exactly what you need. He knows me too and He speaks to me as much as He speaks through me.

Today He sent me to 2 Peter chapter 3 – a wonderful message of hope. No, it’s not an “everything’s gonna be all right, just you wait and see” kind of encouragement – it’s better. The context tells us that his readers are under much duress and persecution by “scoffers who come scoffing and following their own evil desires” (v. 3). They deny the existence of God and His work of creation. They “deliberately forget” that He has the authority to judge “ungodly men” (vs. 5-7). They rejected His Word and His people. Sound familiar? Some things never change.

Peter’s audience was growing weary of evil and persecution – just as we are. They wanted to know when God was going to keep His word and pronounce judgment. They wanted a taste of heaven now. Then Peter says, “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends . . .” (v. 8). This is the message he knows will reach their minds and their hearts. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises . . .” “the day of the Lord will come” (v. 9-10). Make no mistake – God will punish evil. But in His grace, He is giving men time to repent. If you have lost loved ones, that is good news.

Then Peter brings it all back to the Christian – to you and me. In light of God’s faithfulness, “what kind of people ought you to be” (v. 11)? People who rail against the wicked world? People who give up and give in? Or people who “live holy and godly lives” and “look forward to the day of God” (v. 11-12).

The greatest, most encouraging, and hopeful promise I can share is this: Jesus is coming again. No, I mean: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! He will gather us together and take us home. And then He will judge all the wickedness and evil that grieves us so today. He will make all things right. That is not wishful thinking – that is a sure promise. Just “wait a little longer” (Rev. 6:11), Beloved, and keep your eyes on the eastern sky.

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P.S. (From bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ceb67ca9dc8f108c&rlz=1C1SLLM_enUS1047US1047&udm=2&q=image+mat+24:44&spell=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvwsK7n8KIAxWEm4kEHUU8JNsQBSgAegQIBxAB&biw=892&bih=485&dpr=1.25#vhid=xl0SpSQaxHs1mM&vssid=mosaic
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“The Prayer of a Righteous Man or Woman” 9/13/2024 Written by Bill Rudge for “Bill Rudge Ministries”

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Godsmanforever

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

James 5 16 - Scripture on the Walls

Written by Bill Rudge for “Bill Rudge Ministries” @  https://billrudgeministries.wordpress.com/

Original post @ https://billrudgeministries.wordpress.com/2024/08/02/the-prayer-of-a-righteous-man-or-woman/

The Prayer of a Righteous Man or Woman

August 2, 2024~ brm7

BJ Rudge, Ph.D.

After calling his readers to pray in times of trouble and sickness, and to confess their sins one to another, the apostle James asserts that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). To illustrate, James refers to the prophet Elijah as a person who had a powerful and effective prayer life. He tells us that Elijah’s prayers both began and ended a three-and-a-half year drought on the nation of Israel (see 1 Kings 17 and 18).

James also reminds us that Elijah was a man with a nature just like us (James 5:17). According to Donald W. Burdick (Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary), “He [Elijah] had no superhuman powers; he was only a human being and nothing more. However, when he prayed ‘that it would not rain … it did not rain’ (cf. 1 Ki 17:1-18:42-45)…so James assures his readers that such answers to prayer are within the reach of any believer.”

Assuming that we can have an effective prayer life like the prophet Elijah, the question is, “How?” Some people would suggest we do things such as recite a verse or a word repetitiously, sit in silence to achieve an altered state of consciousness, walk a prayer circle or employ other techniques and methods to experience God. However, prayer is not some “magical incantation” or “manipulative tool” we use to control God or conjure phenomena. As Jesus Himself taught, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, prayer is communicating with God through means by which He has revealed in His word.

Prayer is not looking inward but upward! Additional insight is provided by Bill Rudge: “As exercise is good for the body, so prayer is good for the soul. While centering directs you inward, prayer directs you upward – to the only One who can truly help.”

Posted in Blog, Victorious Living, apostle James, Elijah, Prayer, righteous man or woman

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ea85460ec5208a83&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1112US1112&q=image+Jam+5:16,&udm=2&source=univ&fir=2SM4MmUeTaLIrM%252C45s22s66MPoqAM%252C_%253BGGufhD449nhOrM%252CWXtSUTYF717TcM%252C_%253BWCcwZIT4qwVGvM%252CRz7zsIq4UiptHM%252C_%253Bm6dvZQaPQL6z8M%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BTvfzcl7zITfDQM%252CYIbLwuBq7a6ngM%252C_%253BVAuvyZYpj6DjSM%252CDca4uBWStuQXCM%252C_%253BeRm6TsbwMls2_M%252CmVwjfPbsUyEe7M%252C_%253BSb7RhUwt-IYtkM%252C5PJDBmk2QhSN1M%252C_%253BWZEutc_IOJSBeM%252CbeP6LnTMYtGA0M%252C_%253BYLL19pBJdYdxiM%252CyAJODEU9wr8AjM%252C_%253Bv0BD6MCjUOFt6M%252CX1O9iH7RjMkRwM%252C_%253BaOl5PpcDHMmbHM%252CEpjpNI_OE7Fm0M%252C_%253BfDS8ctCFUEpBiM%252C4cgsf6Is4HGO6M%252C_%253BHREpk5gsU0z-4M%252CsTg7olJ4VpWPdM%252C_%253BELrwpUVaCU-tCM%252CDca4uBWStuQXCM%252C_%253BNL4NX6RbC3uXwM%252CGXSahm3pzUQiXM%252C_%253BmBxYr0lopWEtuM%252Cqq2L5L19g-Ie1M%252C_%253BOhM10Yf9ZQDsPM%252Cpn3BiaM8dxCy2M%252C_%253Bydyg5eZqQcXPlM%252CVsc_f2gXPJ08MM%252C_%253B8uTmOeKeCC7_bM%252CfspygEdrhsrM6M%252C_%253Bio-AdxNQ9uruQM%252C03pzNAQOS1fuFM%252C_%253BcfgkdiFaMrdHYM%252C7zDSpW6rzWqfVM%252C_%253B-pITBclYNhQX2M%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BURWUFHRkDcy9qM%252CQlmIFykchrRk5M%252C_%253BRIBRg2DLgV31lM%252Cu3vFlw7QEZJgrM%252C_%253B_PLfq1hv1rWsgM%252CBK9vokoPzdHt0M%252C_%253BiSsyDcx7ZPYSqM%252CDca4uBWStuQXCM%252C_%253BaNHKiY3UFq04IM%252C9he-LNEc2cpB7M%252C_%253BAQVMFTVawsO7iM%252Cjhznblz9wmX26M%252C_%253BqAGUnK1NFRqFyM%252CiIKbfHMzr0jOhM%252C_%253BtjSqdu5kZJaXsM%252C5ZtUs1INWru4nM%252C_%253BaYN5kvXtGgf–M%252CUD2BdOJVLzUdKM%252C_%253Bxy_W0nFdih_rvM%252CtPDF-mf556LwUM%252C_%253B3DK2v3lmGU0LpM%252Cn7JZHtEl_tHoWM%252C_%253BSj-zHmJdVnHMDM%252CRz7zsIq4UiptHM%252C_%253BbbDBjA0QSpXquM%252CDca4uBWStuQXCM%252C_%253BocF49eEhVTRsIM%252CTe1fXqzArpgR6M%252C_%253BzhAhHVsUy2Z-fM%252CDca4uBWStuQXCM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kS2RNfMij2EniXh-eg1_mJXHUxwuA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEirXD6b-IAxUlkYkEHdEDGPwQ7Al6BAgdEAw&biw=1303&bih=910&dpr=1#vhid=GGufhD449nhOrM&vssid=mosaic
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“Draw near to God” 9/12/2024 Written by Louis Mize, a good friend

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

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 Written by Louis Mize, a good friend  @  https://www.facebook.com/louis.mize

“Draw near to God”

But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalm 73:28

Have you ever got off to a bad start? Sometimes when the day starts bad, it is pretty difficult to turn it around. One key to getting a good start to your day is draw near to God. James promised us that if you and I will draw near to God, He will draw near to us. That is pretty wonderful. If you and I will commit to starting each and every day by drawing near to God, we can definitely insure we are getting off to an awesome start to our day.

The ungodly have no desire to draw near to God. They have no intention of allowing God to be their source. They are deluded in their thinking and their task. They falsely believe in their own power and their own knowledge and greatness. They believe they can do it on their own. They can’t.

This morning, I am thanking and praising God for giving me the time, the space, and good sense to draw near to Him. I declare His greatness, His wonder, His splendor, His power, and His authority in my life. My day has gotten off to a very good start! And I pray for my family and friends, that God will give them the inclination this morning to draw near to Him. For that IS a very, very good thing.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=708ca891a389fdf3&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1112US1112&q=image+James+4:7-8&udm=2&source=univ&fir=V0bHbZG-aKpoPM%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BJ2ALqmhFrQboiM%252CqlEkyf2nLXFfTM%252C_%253Bf0c3DRu9Krd4QM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253BMDugoq2qor-ejM%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BIqdPAImSJ-TC0M%252CS29ScRK51NPedM%252C_%253BGWSQpisBntc9FM%252CPCFAnksVLzcZnM%252C_%253BWFMpJY0bEMHtrM%252C9KWvq3HgvHiXlM%252C_%253BkFltengwtV4xTM%252C_Jw9TcSReER8BM%252C_%253B2e0BSELqbSb2aM%252CuUOmgrkN1WByrM%252C_%253BuPudnAZapUWHeM%252C-ad25pay4gH68M%252C_%253B4Q-mIC9-l__-rM%252CWRbL8vgRjPnnDM%252C_%253BSW4HBuscDhSqYM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253BvChsRgs6Eq7I-M%252CWUSQkakp1nS3iM%252C_%253Bm49M7vc0mtK7hM%252CjL742L8OzawHxM%252C_%253BS2QTobH02a4xnM%252C9Q-P-7WiP6_x-M%252C_%253BHu7m3kEPhYQ9uM%252CdefAiDvVspI9KM%252C_%253BAd6KyZ32COgfCM%252CAR8b8Pxk8T4WtM%252C_%253B6j1RhQDOKBqSbM%252C6BQ5496PnHeSDM%252C_%253BS0dThwaTqFi3CM%252CAsDjc4NmDYZuUM%252C_%253BmuYKWnELDEHs9M%252CB9X3GiiOnzlGeM%252C_%253BaY6Z-d2HKcsFOM%252CPf_rpgm5WDSG1M%252C_%253B37oHQiMMYAqa_M%252CeZoS4OERDGGHCM%252C_%253BBqmTyEwV3-0HmM%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253Bs_BtTmOdUFXsdM%252CX58oG83GugkBSM%252C_%253BsERALHVX48Bn_M%252CBMCLPeTJsOza2M%252C_%253BxQNipjcVGnWLxM%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BbiW2pTIoUDC7mM%252Cjv2O73tEWB8iSM%252C_%253B-Z87VOHDf19dVM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253B0qfccDYkdgZP9M%252CBzh3U0TL66LeAM%252C_%253BQPMEEJyx5mg_OM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253Bqc1WvgjXt2hBzM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253BvK_AJb1J1mUWpM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_%253Bd-GG3WLS69F5PM%252CSlm5lbb1PFN4aM%252C_%253BgeRhx0sf8fpbxM%252CTvdMcLGEQtHw0M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQDKnLG2LQKb4ehFJakC4jlvqTpIg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi__eenkbyIAxXxKlkFHURdDCoQ7Al6BAgoEAw&biw=1303&bih=910&dpr=1#vhid=BipVt49_FSvIyM&vssid=mosaic
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