“LIKE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!” 3/16/2024 Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank for “Kingdom Pastor”

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

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

Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank  for “Kingdom Pastor”  @  https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com/2024/03/13/like-the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black/

LIKE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Pastor Randy

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

Matthew chapter 7, verse 3 (New Living Translation)

I’m back to being a Noticer. This means not only am I looking, but I’m listening as well. Right out of the box, let me say I’m not promoting one over the other as being the best. I’m only Noticing–and reflecting on what I’ve been noticing for quite some time. It’s not a new phenomenon. It’s been around a while. So, buckle your seat belts and avoid noticing the wrong thing.

It’s the church–specifically, local churches. I’m NOT talking about styles of worship. People of certain age, meaning in the vicinity of my age, have and continue to complain about contemporary worship! I once heard a retired fellow preacher once say, “It’s 7-11 songs. 7 words repeated 11 times!” But again, I’m not debating styles of worship. The complaint they have is this: The loud music, the lights, the hype. They don’t want church! They want to be entertained!

And that, my friends, is the pot calling the kettle black! Long before this thing called contemporary worship came into existence, many Tenured Pew Sitters insisted they wanted the church to look like and be like they wanted. If the preacher didn’t preach like they wanted–get another one. Changing the order of worship or trying a new hymn was enough to heat up the tar and grab that bag of feathers. They wanted the church to be designed for them–what they liked. What made them feel good. And anything classified as church had to happen inside their building, and under their control!

One generation of church folks accusing another generation of being consumers of what the church does is the classic meaning of the pot calling the kettle black! WE, the folks who attend any church (regardless of the style of worship), who insist that they are the consumers–thus church should be what appeals to them–have completely missed the point of being the local church.

We are not the consumers of what the church produces. Folks, we are the producers! That is why we were first known as Followers Of The Way. Following means WE are doing something–not consuming something! That’s why we became known as the Body of Christ! Living bodies are for production.

You can be entertained with the ancient’ hymns, southern gospel songs, or contemporary music. Satan doesn’t care what style of music we sing. He doesn’t care if we have brightly polished brass crosses and candlesticks complete with a 100-year-old pulpit, or a fancy light show with big screens complete with an acrylic podium. All he cares about is that we see ourselves as consumers.

Let’s stop being consumers of church. Let us become what we are redeemed, saved, and restored to be–The Salt and The Light. The thing about Salt and Light is that they don’t consume–they produce!

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Understanding Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Fullness” 3/15/2024 Posted by Alistair Begg for www.truthforlife.org

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Godsmanforever

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

Sharing prayers with the world. Prayers for guidance uplifting and edifying other brothers and sister in Christ. - J and L Ministries

Here is a link explaining the fullness of God-  https://www.gotquestions.org/fullness-of-God.html

Posted by Alistair Begg  for  www.truthforlife.org

Original post @ https://blog.truthforlife.org/understanding-spirit-baptism-and-spiritual-fullness?hsCtaTracking=0ff4de59-ed30-4218-abc3-07f6734693d4%7C32e951bd-f743-4780-ab56-52a5d0d4918d

Understanding Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Fullness

May 30, 2023

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Few aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry have caused greater division in the church than those of Spirit baptism and spiritual fullness. Yet whenever the New Testament speaks of these things, it does so in terms of unity, not division. The baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit, rightly understood, should be sources of the church’s unity.

If they are uniting factors, then why are we so divided? A lot of the problem centers on how we define our terms. If we wish to embrace a biblical view, then we must understand these concepts’ biblical definitions. Looking at Paul’s letters will enable us to tackle the terminology and clarify the biblical position on two of the Spirit’s crucial ministries.

The First Term: Baptism

We cannot rightly understand the baptism of the Holy Spirit without first viewing it in relation to Christ. Early in John’s Gospel, we’re told that Jesus gives two gifts to His people: the removal of sin and the baptizing with the Holy Spirit (1:29, 33). These two gifts are interwoven all throughout Scripture and brought to their fulfillment in Christ (Ezek. 36:25–27). Forgiveness and Spirit baptism, in other words, go together.

The baptism of the Spirit at our conversion also has implications for the church. It’s in this context that Paul uses the term in 1 Corinthians 12. Having highlighted what distinguishes one member from another in the Corinthian church, he then pinpoints the fundamental unity in their fellowship: “In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (v. 13). What unites the church? Our having been baptized into one body. It’s something over which we have no control—God does it—and it’s experiential in nature, something we enjoy by faith.

By implication, Paul says that if we are in Christ by faith, then we have experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This position differs from the groups and denominations that define the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a post conversion crisis experience evidenced by signs such as speaking in tongues. This experience, they maintain, is essential for spiritual fullness. While Christians can disagree on the matter and maintain a degree of fellowship, we must acknowledge that such a definition is inaccurate when measured against Scripture. All who truly believe are baptized into the Holy Spirit, Paul says.

If we are in Christ by faith, then we have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The fact of our being baptized in the Spirit raises a question with which we must reckon: Are we living as though that is true? Admittedly, most of us fall short. Despite the tools God has given us, our witness is often ineffectual, and our praise is frequently tainted with selfishness. Further, many of our churches are strong on doctrine but weak on charity. These things are incongruent with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23).

Is there a biblical corrective to these problems? And if so, what is it?

The Second Term: Fullness

Every Christian is baptized in the Holy Spirit, for no one can belong to Christ without also possessing the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8:9). But not every Christian reading this right now is enjoying the fullness that the Spirit brings.

First Corinthians provides us with a case study on this phenomenon. When Paul addressed the church, what they needed wasn’t another Spirit baptism; they needed to rediscover spiritual fullness. We know from the issues Paul raised in his letter that the Corinthian believers were prideful, loveless, quarrelsome, and tolerant of sin. Their sin patterns caused their spiritual fullness to wane; they became unspiritual (1 Cor. 3:1–4). So the central concern for Paul was not to distinguish between those who had been baptized in the Spirit and those who hadn’t but to distinguish between the spiritual and unspiritual (v. 1).

Paul speaks to the issue of being filled with the Holy Spirit elsewhere as well, though. The plainest instruction is in Ephesians 5:

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (vv. 18–21)

As has often been noted, the command to “be filled with the Spirit” is in the present continuous tense, indicating ongoing action. “Go on being filled,” Paul says. That this filling is ongoing doesn’t negate our need to actively seek it out, however, nor does it mean that God won’t use particular means and moments in order to fill us with His Spirit. But there’s no getting around it: spiritual fullness is obligatory, not optional. The Holy Spirit is a vital necessity for every child of God.

If spiritual fullness is the corrective to carnal living, then how can we know whether we—and, by extension, our churches—are filled with the Spirit? It isn’t the gift of tongues that indicates a Spirit-filled life, as some suggest. In fact, it’s unhelpful to isolate any one spiritual gift from the others, propping it up as evidence for the spiritual life (1 Cor. 12:29–30). According to the New Testament, the chief evidence for the life of the Spirit are both moral and miraculous, not one or the other. Put another way, spiritual gifts are never isolated from spiritual truths. When we get this wrong, we end up like the Corinthians, bursting with spiritual gifts and bereft of spiritual fruit.

The Holy Spirit is a vital necessity for every child of God.

According to Ephesians 5, we should look for four rather ordinary marks that accompany a Spirit-filled fellowship:

  • Speaking to one another. Spiritual fullness means not only deep communion with God but also basic communication with one another. The Spirit-filled Christian will meet fellow brothers and sisters face-to-face, embracing, rejoicing, seeking forgiveness when necessary, etc.
  • Singing and making music. This is how God works in His people, releasing them in song and Spirit-filled praise.
  • Thanksgiving. Spirit-filled living is characterized not by grumbling and groaning but by gratitude.
  • Submitting to one another. Humble submission, and not self-assertion, is an essential part of Christian behavior—a hallmark of the spiritual life.

How to Attain Spiritual Fullness

With Spirit baptism and fullness defined, we’d do well to consider how we can attain this Spirit-filled life about which the New Testament speaks. We may identify three steps to spiritual fullness: repentance, obedience, and thirst.

Repentance

When we look at our lives, we will doubtlessly find sin, which always requires repentance. There are areas that need our attention, whether that’s our worship, thanksgiving, or submission. We need God’s forgiveness for these things, for God has never filled a dirty life. We don’t put water into a dirty glass. Why then should we anticipate God’s Spirit filling dirty vessels? God will and does, however, fill the repentant heart—the heart cleansed from sin’s stain (1 John 1:9).

Obedience

 After repentance comes joyful obedience. “Be filled with the Spirit” isn’t a suggestion to consider; it’s a command to obey. Are we, as Jesus urged His followers, asking the Father to give us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13)? Do we make it a part of our prayer routine to ask that God would fill us with all His fullness? We’ve all been baptized in the Spirit, but we are commanded also to be continually filled with the Spirit.

Thirst

Finally, there needs to exist in us an unquenchable thirst for spiritual fullness (1 Thess. 5:19). If we have in our hearts an attitude that says, “I’m sure this spiritual filling business is fine for somebody else, but I’m content with what I have,” then we can’t expect to experience all of God. But if there is in our hearts a humble cry to know Him in all His glory, then He will no doubt fill us with His Spirit. God fills those who say, “Lord, I surrender all. Do with me what you choose.”

We may view Paul’s exhortation to be filled with the Spirit as a directive for Spirit-baptized Christians. Indeed, we’re all baptized into the same Spirit, but not all of us are filled to the same extent. As we thirst for more of God, we can look forward to Christ’s promise being realized in our lives. As our Lord Himself said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38).

This article was adapted from the sermon “The Holy Spirit Indwells and Fills — Part One” by Alistair Begg. Subscribe to get weekly blog updates.

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Topics: Articles

Copyright © 2024, Truth For Life. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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Did Jesus have a last name?” 3/14/2024 Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

Philippians 2:9-10 - Bible verse (NKJV) - DailyVerses.net

Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Original post @  https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-last-name.html

QUESTION

Did Jesus have a last name?

ANSWER

We call Him “Jesus,” and sometimes we refer to Him as “Jesus Christ.” Some have mistakenly assumed that Jesus is the Lord’s first name, and that Christ is His last name.

The reality is that Christ is a title, not a name. The word Christ is transliterated from a Greek word meaning “Anointed One” or “Chosen One.” The Hebrew equivalent is the source of the word Messiah. When the Bible refers to “Jesus Christ,” it is saying that Jesus is the Chosen One of God. It’s another way of stating that Jesus is the Messiah. See 2 Peter 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Jude 1:1, and Revelation 1:1.

In Acts 18:5, we see a clear distinction between the name Jesus and the title the Christ: “Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus” (ESV). In other words, the subject of Paul’s preaching at that time was proving that the Messiah (the Christ) was in fact Jesus. The man called “Jesus” fulfilled the role of the Christ, as prophesied in the Law and the Prophets.

Christ is not Jesus’ last name or surname. People in those days did not have last names. Instead, they were identified in other ways, especially if they had a common name (and Jesus was a common name). Many people were identified by who their fathers were: Levi the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), James the son of Zebedee (Mark 3:17), James the son of Alphaeus (verse 18), and Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus (Mark 10:46) are examples.

Other people were identified by their hometown. Jesus was often identified this way. “Jesus of Nazareth” was a common way of referring to Him (Mark 10:47; Luke 24:19; John 18:5). Others who had their hometowns or home countries attached to their names include Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1), Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27:56), and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 10:4).

Still others were distinguished from people with the same name by the use of nicknames. For example, two of Jesus’ disciples were named “Simon”; Jesus gave one the nickname Peter (John 1:42), and the Bible distinguishes the other as “Simon the Zealot” (Matthew 10:4).

Jesus’ last name was not Christ, but referring to Him as “Jesus Christ” is one way to identify His mission in the world. He has many titles. The angel told Mary that He would “be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Isaiah said He would be called “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Others called Him “Son of David” (Matthew 15:22). Whatever title we use, we know that “there is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NLT). Jesus has been given “the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11, BSB).

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=6f49a46c91ce5e07&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS1066US1066&sxsrf=ACQVn0_f0625zuSFLOYOnZGxKgh04DKDrQ:1710418977312&q=image+Phil+2:9&udm=2&source=univ&fir=JbCbkZhGHVY6MM%252C1tUr3cNXqTaWaM%252C_%253B1cZ7TFij1tAh-M%252Chfnn3wkcTEsmcM%252C_%253BZ5TrSTKIwBh_TM%252CJIMPQuWFPc7yiM%252C_%253B7Ri_5XCVY_ZAnM%252CYwyur5Toxr-e9M%252C_%253B9QrMngugOB4LKM%252CFh-ar_VvJn1eoM%252C_%253Buej10WuPr1mJ7M%252C-pnGQ07Uk4PgjM%252C_%253B-9wBQbH-VSofSM%252CqLkZJxWxba3IgM%252C_%253BJDwXEU5ghuT6qM%252C0qUNN54UmNHYVM%252C_%253Bfa1OLxm2Vv99yM%252CCYVccd_anCIXDM%252C_%253B-0HaJ6x_cAj8EM%252CKX4yWtkAwC4DCM%252C_%253BIUeYw-S8wg-eNM%252Chfnn3wkcTEsmcM%252C_%253B59fwQv7_W2uzAM%252CKXv-wtGJix6MLM%252C_%253Bg37qoZgYEEzgiM%252CXMv24XWyMcrvUM%252C_%253B5p9pylZKXmyGcM%252CRbWUgf3377vCeM%252C_%253BhZLgsem9bNbhSM%252CkYCiZKhcfnHkyM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQcX3uibjCu-ONBhIu9cpRXEW9n9Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj71Lyc3_OEAxV5EVkFHVEED_8Q7Al6BAgPEEQ&biw=1395&bih=880&dpr=1#vhid=TqAAnKLOopNPYM&vssid=mosaic
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“Loving Like Jesus” 3/13/2024 Written by John Blasé for “Our Daily Bread”

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

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

John 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that someone ...

Written by John Blasé for “Our Daily Bread” @  http://odb.org

[Click on the “Listen Online” link and listen to the audio version at the top, including the prayer at the end in the original post link below]

Original post @ https://odb.org/2024/02/16/love-all

February 16

Loving Like Jesus

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

 

Today’s Scripture & Insight :

John 15:9–17

He was loved by all—those were the words used to describe Giuseppe Berardelli of Casnigo, Italy. Giuseppe was a beloved man who rode around town on an old motorbike and always led with the greeting: “peace and good.” He worked tirelessly on behalf of the good of others. But in the last years of his life, he had health problems that worsened when he was infected by the coronavirus, and he eventually died in the hospital. A friend who knew him for more than twenty years said he would’ve given up his potential spot in the intensive care unit for another younger patient if he could have. This reveals the character of a man who was loved and admired for loving others.

Loved for loving, this is the message the apostle John keeps sounding throughout his gospel. Being loved and loving others are like a chapel bell that tolls night and day, regardless of weather. And in John 15, they reach somewhat of a zenith, for John lays bare that it’s not being loved by all but loving all that’s the greatest love: “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (v. 13).

Stories of those willing to offer sacrificial love always inspire us. Yet they pale in comparison to God’s great love. But don’t miss the challenge that brings, for Jesus commands: “Love each other as I have loved you” (v. 12). Yes, love all.

By:  John Blase

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?q=image+jn+15%3A13&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS1066US1066&oq=image+jn+15%3A13&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDYyMDdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#vhid=qK122tVO7k3kdM&vssid=l

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“Persevere in Humility” 3/12/2024 Written by Dawn Ivey for “Drawing Closer to Christ”

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

EPHESIANS 4:2 - LUKENS MINISTRIES

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

Original post @  https://drawingclosertochrist.com/2024/02/12/persevere-in-humility/

Persevere in Humility

Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

I shared a few weeks ago that my word for 2024 is persevere. I believe the Lord has been giving me more insight into the ways that I need to persevere in my faith. So, I look forward to occasionally sharing some of the things He is teaching me.

Lately, I have encountered several teachings on the importance of walking in humility as a Christian. A little humility can go a long way, not only in our relationship with the Lord, but also in our relationships with others.

We are told in Galatians 5, that the Spirit of God has given us humility. As with many things, we must learn to embrace the gifts we have been given. Humility is not always celebrated in the world we live in, but the rewards of humility, are immeasurable. The benefits of having a humble heart far outweigh the challenges.

Photo by: Magda Ehlers of South Africa 

Jesus, as always, is our greatest example of humility. One of my favorite examples of humility from His life, was when He took time out to talk to the woman at the well, in John 4. If He had chosen pride, He would not have wanted to be seen talking to this lady. Instead, He could have wasted time worrying about what others would think and forfeit the opportunity to impact her life. But He chose humility. Humility breaks down barriers. It focuses on the good that can be done.

Well, since pride is the opposite of humility, I’ve been asking God to show me areas of my life that pride has hindered me from walking in humility. We can’t afford to allow pride to hinder us from accomplishing what God needs us to accomplish in this life. Pride can be deceptive because it causes us to believe we are going forward, only to later find out that was not the case. That’s why the Bible warns us in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”

The Lord promises to lift us up when we choose to be humble people. So may He help us to choose humility, like Jesus did.

James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Father,

Thank you for the example of humility that we have in Jesus. Help us to persevere in humility and see it as the gift that it is. Show us areas where we need to be more humble. And as we practice humility, help us to draw closer to you and be a blessing to those around us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Created in Christ Jesus unto good works” 3/11/2024 Written by Ann Galvez, a Facebook friend

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared … | Strength bible quotes, Bible quotes, Strength bible

Written by Ann Galvez, a Facebook friend  @ https://www.facebook.com/anne.galvez.12

“Created in Christ Jesus unto good works”

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

We are God’s creation – His workmanship and His masterpiece. His glory is revealed in us as we live like Him and do as He instructs us. We have been called to do Good works – as this is a reflection of the nature of Christ that is within us. This was God’s plan from the very beginning.

Prayer:

Dear God, I thank You that You have always known my life even before I came into existence. Lord, I pray that I display Your goodness in my works, at all times. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

No photo description available.

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Take What God Has Given You” 3/10/2024 Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”

Posted on March 10, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

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

Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2024/03/01/take-what-god-has-given-you/

Take What God Has Given You

POSTED ON MARCH 1, 2024 BY BETH ANDREWS

“Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess” (Numbers 33:53). This was God’s word to the Israelites when they came to the edge of the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. They were about to take possession of the territory that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob long ago – land was already inhabited by powerful people who would not surrender without a fight. The Israelites would have to go in and take what God had given to them.

The Holy Spirit nudged my heart, “What has God given to you that you need to take possession of?” Let’s see what the Scripture says.
This past year has been full of turmoil and anxiety for me. But Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27).

That means I don’t have to search for His peace, He had already given it to me.

I confess that I have said, “I don’t think I can do what You expect of me. It’s too hard.” But His Word says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). God has prepared us for life in His Son.

I have always tended to be melancholy – I don’t naturally “bubble over,” but Jesus has given me Joy – His Joy. He said, “My Joy may be in you . . . that your Joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11).

And He told the Father that we have been given “the full measure of [His] Joy” (Jn 17:13).

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you” (Jn 15:9). From Genesis to Revelation the Bible speaks of God’s unfailing, abiding, lavish love which He freely gives to you and me.

“I have given them your word” (Jn 17:14). Jesus came to earth as the Word of God made flesh (Jn 1:14) so that we could know God’s heart.

“I have given them the glory that You gave me” (Jn 17:22). Read it again. This is incredible! Jesus has given you and me His very own glory. He has exalted us in Him before the Father.

And this is the greatest gift of all – “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 Jn 5:11). Words fail me. It is too wonderful for my finite mind.

All of these are ours in Christ. Not just will be. Are. But we must lay hold of what has already been decreed for us as God’s children. Beloved, it’s time to take what belongs to you by God’s grace and favor.

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Death, Dying, and Eternity” 3/09/2024 Written by Bill Rudge for “Bill Rudge Ministries”

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Godsmanforever

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

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

Hebrews 2:15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

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

Original post @ https://billrudgeministries.wordpress.com/2024/02/16/death-dying-and-eternity-4/

Death, Dying, and Eternity

FEBRUARY 16, 2024~ BRM7

Bill Rudge

Himalayan Mountains photo by Bill Rudge

Ecclesiastes 8:8 informs us that “no one has authority over the day of death.” In other words, there is nobody who has the power to hold back their spirit from departing on the day of their death. They may be vivacious until the last few months, or even days, of their life but eventually death will overtake them.

Increasing pain and decreasing strength often precede death. One moment there is independent movement and life, even if it is only shallow irregular breathing, the next moment there is total stillness. The body that was once able to move on its own can now only be moved by outside forces. Doctors might be able to explain what caused the physical body to no longer be able to pump blood to the brain and vital organs, but what really happened? We must look to the Bible for a full explanation.

God formed Adam from the dust of the ground. After he was created, Adam was a lifeless body until something significant happened: God breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Zechariah 12:1 tells us that it is “the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.” Luke 23:46 states: “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (Acts 7:59).

When one’s spirit departs from the body, there is death. Scripture teaches that the spirits of the righteous dead go directly into the presence of God. It’s as though the spirit steps out of the body, out of this world and into another dimension. The Apostle Paul assures believers that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-24).

In ancient Rome, a burial place was known as a necropolis, which stems from the ancient Greek meaning “city of the dead.” With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the understanding of death changed. Our English word cemetery comes from the Greek word “koimeterion” meaning “dormitory, sleeping place or resting place.” The domain of the dead is not referred to by Christians as a necropolis but as a cemetery, a resting or sleeping place for the body until it is reunited with the spirit on resurrection day.

Death Is Inescapable

Death is no respecter of persons; it is undeniable, inescapable, and irreversible. Many people die unexpectedly—with little or no time to prepare for eternity. That is why you should live each day as if it were your last—for one day it will be. One speeding car, one errant bullet, one careless accident, one deadly disease, one silent aneurysm—and all your goals and dreams are ended. You are thrust into eternity.

Multitudes have tried almost every way imaginable to conquer death and gain immortality. Some have searched for the fountain of youth. Others have attempted to discover a miracle drug or invent a new technique to prolong life and restore youthfulness. Cryonics is the low temperature freezing and storage of the whole body (or just the head and brain) to prevent tissue decomposition with the speculative hope that, at some time in the future, science and technology will advance to the stage where the deceased can be brought back to life. Digital immortality refers to uploading, storing, or transferring a person’s personality in digital substrate, i.e., a computer, robot or cyberspace. It is intended to create a digital persona that can interact with people on your behalf after you are dead.

All attempts to conquer death have ended in futility. Throughout history, no one (other than Enoch and Elijah) has been able to evade the death angel. All have eventually succumbed to death.

Death is final. There is no reversing it. No coming back. No undoing what was done in life. No changing one’s eternal destiny. What was done is done! So, make wise choices while you still have time and opportunity to do so.

Fear of the Unknown

Death escorts us into unforeseeable territory. The mystery of the unknown causes people to be frightened by death and fascinated with what lies beyond the grave. The Bible indicates that fear of death enslaves human beings throughout their lifetimes (Hebrews 2:15). In a never-ending attempt to know the future and discover what lies beyond the grave, many seekers resort to such occult practices as séances, trance channeling, fortunetelling, Ouija boards and astrology. Fear of death has brought the bravest of men and women to their knees. Many skeptics, who laugh at the concept of God, obtain a strong belief in the face of death. I have led several people to Christ who previously had disbelieved, rejected, or spurned Him for most of their lives.

Continued next week

The preceding was excerpted from Bill’s new book Death, Dying and Eternity. Available in April 2024, free of charge upon request.

POSTED IN BLOG, THINK ABOUT IT,DEATH,DYING,ETERNITY

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Magnify God’s Word above all !!” 3/08/2024 Written by Louis Mize, a good friend

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Godsmanforever

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

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

psalm 138:2 image | Psalms, Psalm 138, Read bible

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

“Magnify God’s Word above all !!”

I will worship toward thy holy temple and praise thy name, for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth, for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Psalms 138:2

We are to worship God and Him alone. We are to worship Him for His lovingkindness. God has demonstrated in the highest fashion His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We are to worship Him because of His consistent and everlasting truth. We are told that God cannot lie, for only truth is within Him. But here is what really jumps out at me. What could be more important to God than His name? Well, here it is in this verse. It is His inspired, inerrant, and infallible WORD.

God has magnified His Holy Word, even over and above His Holy Name. When you read your Bible today, thank God for the tremendous truth of His Word. The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind. It reveals His unfailing truths, his mercy, grace, forgiveness, and lovingkindness. And it reveals the importance that God has placed upon His Word. God has magnified His Word, even above His Holy name. And because of His absolute ability to preserve the integrity of His Word, He is worth our worship.

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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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Have You Received the Spirit?” 3/07/2024 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Godsmanforever

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

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

Pin on Food for the soul

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

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

Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/2/29/2024/?ecid=ACsprvuzPlLMBWvrglt05meZuKwXvQw0lBrXgOet3keL89xdBJv7cwPXnG4tAp8vxk-Ix_qg9mNa&utm_campaign=Spurgeon%20Daily%20Devotion&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=296042990&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–uFsgByyS31Vr5TLqftsqOVGvco_Cy-wyf2agipeANwh_PbPA-tnoK_MWNOopF_IXjVWbqSfPm1d7Rwpx_3rTGMdmZmhqi9gOue_9rOYC-9FyOr0s&utm_content=296042990&utm_source=hs_email

Have You Received the Spirit?

 

Now we have received … The Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Dear reader, have you received the Spirit who is from God? The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart may be clearly seen from this fact, that all which has been done by God the Father and by God the Son will be ineffectual to us unless the Spirit reveals these things to our souls. What effect does the doctrine of election have upon any man until the Spirit of God enters into him?

Election is a dead letter in my consciousness until the Spirit of God calls me out of darkness into marvelous light. Then through my calling, I see my election, and knowing myself to be called of God, I know myself to have been chosen in the eternal purpose. A covenant was made with the Lord Jesus Christ by His Father; but what good is that covenant to us until the Holy Spirit brings us its blessings and opens our hearts to receive them? These blessings in Christ Jesus are beyond our reach, but the Spirit of God takes them down and hands them to us, and so they actually become ours.

Covenant blessings in themselves are like bread in heaven, far out of mortal reach, but the Spirit of God opens the windows of heaven and scatters the living bread around the camp of the redeemed. Christ’s finished work is like wine stored in the wine-vat; through unbelief we can neither draw nor drink. The Holy Spirit dips our vessel into this precious wine, and then we drink; but without the Spirit we are as truly dead in sin as though the Father never had elected, and though the Son had never bought us with His blood. The Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary to our well-being. Let us walk lovingly toward Him and tremble at the thought of grieving Him.

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…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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