#and this is how He has set us free from the burdens and sins we know we cannot make up for or overcome ourselves

[askdacast]

Fun fact: I've never heard the first part of this hymn before! I had no idea it goes so hard!

[calledtobethelight]

Run to Win

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

 – 1 Corinthians 9.24-25 (NLT)

As Christians, we all have a race to run. There’s an appointed course set before each one of us.  We must be determined to win our race and keep the faith to lay hold of our heavenly prize – the inheritance of eternal salvation and the victor’s crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4.7-8).

This does not contradict the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, for the Bible says in Romans 6.23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” However, it is the responsibility of the believer to “work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) one’s salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ) (Philippians 2.12).” Although it is not in our own strength that we must work out our salvation for God empowers us, we still must be diligent in keeping the faith to ensure we will not be disqualified as Paul warns (Philippians 2.13, 1 Corinthians 9.27, 2 Corinthians 13.5, Galatians 5.7).

But how can we run our race effectively? How can we run to win? Here are 7 essential keys to run your race.

1.      Keep your eyes on Jesus

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we maintain focus. Everything in this world is a distraction that can take us off course, but when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we stay spiritually minded. Colossians 3.1-2 states, “Keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” We gravitate towards the things we focus on. If we keep our eyes on the things of this world, we will only value temporary things. However, if we keep our eyes on Jesus – the Author and the Finisher of our faith, He will perfect our faith in Him and by this faith, we have the victory over the world (Hebrews 12.2, 1 John 5.4-5).

Jesus is also our example. When we look to Christ and see how He endured the cross “for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him” and triumphed, we can take courage to persevere in our trials and not become faint in our minds because Jesus has overcome the world and He lives on the inside of us (Hebrews 12.2-3, 1 John 5.4-5). John 16.33 states, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

We are victorious when we keep our eyes on Jesus!

 

2.      Strip off sin and every unnecessary weight

In a race where “endurance and active persistence” are vital, any burden or weight in the race would slow the runner down or make them stop progressing altogether (Hebrews 12.1). It is easier to run free. Galatians 5.1 says, “It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].” Sin is bondage. It is a weight that will keep us from going forward by easily entangling and tripping us up.

But in Christ Jesus, we are free. In Christ, we have the power to overcome sin and temptation. In Christ, we have the victory. We must strip off sin and anything hindering our effectiveness in the race so we can endure and succeed (Hebrews 12.1).

 

3.      Let go of the past

You can’t move forward while looking backward or you’ll remain stuck. Stuck in a mindset. Stuck in guilt. Stuck in regret for your past mistakes. When you look back, it won’t change your past. It will only keep you from moving forward. Philippians 3.13-14 states, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Forget your past. Forgive yourself. Fix your eyes forward so you can move forward.

2 Corinthians 5.17 states, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” In Christ, who you used to be is gone and passed away. Take courage. You are not defined by your past anymore. You are a new creature. You have a new life. All things concerning you are made new because of Christ Jesus. Run your race in the freedom of this truth!

 

4.      Follow the rules

We must be doers of the Word of God to excel in our race.  2 Timothy 2.5 states, “And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.” The only way to win a game is to know how to play. Likewise, we cannot be ignorant of the instructions and commandments in the Bible if we want to win our race or we will never succeed. We must obey God and His commandments.

Psalm 119.32 states, “I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.” We must know, understand, and rightly apply God's Word to our lives. Once we do, we won’t take tentative steps but run purposefully in our race.

 

5.      Be zealous

When a person walks for the duration of their race, it doesn’t express urgency, passion, or a desire to win. When you run, it communicates love and a zeal for the things of God. Your running is the exclamation point on what you believe! Romans 12.1 states, “Don’t be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Keep your zeal for God and love Him with all of your heart. We must not be cold or even lukewarm, we must hotly pursue the Lord with all our hearts to attain our eternal prize (Revelations 3.15-16).

 

6.      Have a vision

There must be a vision to stay on the appointed course set before you. Vision sets your eyes above your current circumstances to the destiny God has planned for you. Proverbs 29.17 states, “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.” When people have no vision, they die because there is no direction and no revelation from God for their lives.

Psalm 32.8 says, “The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'” When you trust God and surrender to His plans and purposes for your life, He will guide you and direct you to the best pathway. Once you allow God to lead and guide you, you can run into your destiny without fear of a misstep. Habakkuk 2.2 states, “Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Write the vision and engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets so that the one who reads it will run.” You are not aimless or uncertain when you have vision. You are confident in your success because God directs your steps.

7.      Be consistent

Consistency is necessary to endure your race. 1 Corinthians 9.25, “Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things.” A runner benefits from the consistency of training, exercising self-control, and buffeting their body to win the race (1 Corinthians 9.27). Likewise, we must exercise spiritual disciplines to endure the race, such as reading the bible daily and praying in the Spirit. We must buffet our body by crucifying our flesh and we must “walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled by and guided by the Spirit]” (Galatians 5.16, 24-25). When we are consistent in our spiritual discipline and training, we can endure the length of the race set before us because we have equipped ourselves to persevere. When we are consistent in our spiritual discipline and training, we are setting ourselves up to win!

Each of these keys is necessary to win the race. Therefore, we must not be neglectful to do what is required of us. Finish strong! Keep the faith! Run to win and you will receive the eternal prize!

[dreamgirlvibes]

hi! this is kind of a serious question but i need some advice on navigating racism in a godly way. people can be so mean and hateful that it makes me want to be the same way. i don't like the idea of extending grace to people who are evil like that because the trauma i experience (or have experienced) hits deep and affects my way of living mentally. it's all just so overwhelming and at times i feel defenceless living in a predominately white area. i don't want to pass down hatred because i know i'm destined for greatness, yk? i don't want bigoted people to ruin that for me but i also have trouble finding a middle ground. how can i stand my ground as a child of God? what's the best thing for me to do?

Thank you in advance!

Hey love, first of all, thank you for being so open and vulnerable with your question. What you're feeling is completely valid—navigating racism, especially when it’s so deeply personal and traumatic, is incredibly painful. It’s understandable to feel anger, frustration, and even the temptation to respond with the same hatred you’ve received. But it’s also beautiful that you're seeking to honor God and not let those harmful experiences define you or steal your peace.

The first thing I want to say is that your feelings are real and justified. The pain, the trauma—it’s not something that can just be ignored or erased. God sees that, and He’s with you in every moment of hurt. It's also important to recognize that anger and pain don’t make you any less of a child of God. You're allowed to feel and grieve, but God also calls us to a higher way of living—to respond with grace and love, even when it's incredibly hard. That doesn’t mean you have to take abuse silently, but there’s a way to stand firm in your identity without letting bitterness take root.

💕 Here’s a few points that I pray the Holy Spirit will help you understand and navigate through:

1. Remember Who You Are in Christ: You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Your worth doesn’t change based on how others treat you. You are a child of God, destined for greatness—just like you said. Hold onto that truth, especially on the hard days. Your value is in who God says you are, not in the opinions of others. 🫶🏽

2. Grace Doesn’t Mean Accepting Harm: Extending grace to others doesn't mean tolerating hatred or letting people walk all over you. It means refusing to let hatred consume your heart. You can stand up for yourself and speak truth, but you don’t have to let bitterness or hate take root. It’s okay to set boundaries and protect your peace. God wants you to be strong, not defenseless—but also to rise above the negativity without allowing it to define you.

3. Righteous Anger Is Okay: Jesus Himself showed righteous anger when He overturned the tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). Anger in response to injustice is not inherently sinful. What matters is how you process and channel that anger. God’s justice and righteousness are always on our side, and we can trust that He will fight for us in ways we may not even understand.

4. Pray for Those Who Hurt You- This is a hard one, trust me, I KNOW PERSONALLY- but it’s in the Bible for a reason. Jesus teaches us to pray for our enemies and bless those who curse us (Matthew 5:44). That doesn’t mean you condone their actions, but it frees you from carrying the burden of unforgiveness. God can heal your heart and give you the strength to respond in love, even when it’s painful.

5. Find your voice: Standing your ground doesn’t mean being silent in the face of injustice. If you can, speak up—both for yourself and for others who might not have a voice. God has equipped you with strength, wisdom, and courage. Use that power to advocate for what’s right and to be a light in the darkness.

6. Healing is a Journey: The trauma you’ve experienced is real, and healing takes time. Don’t rush yourself. Lean into God during your process—He’s your refuge and your strength. Surround yourself with people who understand and uplift you. And remember, it's okay to seek help, whether through counseling, therapy, or support groups. God can work through these avenues to bring healing.

7. God Has a Plan for You: Despite the pain, God has a unique and beautiful purpose for your life that no one, not even the most bigoted or hateful person, can take away. Don’t let their hate overshadow the greatness that God is preparing in you. Stay rooted in His love and truth, and trust that He will lead you through this difficult season.

Psalm 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

This verse speaks to your inherent worth and identity in Christ. No matter what others say or do, you are beautifully and intentionally created by God, and your value doesn’t change based on anyone else’s behavior. 💕🥹

Romans 12:17-21

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

This passage teaches us how to respond to hatred with grace, refusing to repay evil with evil, but instead seeking peace and allowing God to bring justice in His perfect timing. ����🏾

Ephesians 6:10-13

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

This verse reminds us that, as children of God, we are equipped with spiritual strength to stand firm, no matter the external challenges or injustices we face. ✨

Matthew 5:44

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

While difficult, Jesus calls us to love even those who are unkind and to pray for those who hurt us. This is not an endorsement of their behavior, but a way to rise above and avoid letting hatred take root in our hearts. 💞

Isaiah 54:17

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

This verse assures us that God will protect us from every weapon formed against us, including the harmful words and actions of others. He is our defender, and He will vindicate us.

These scriptures remind us of our identity, the strength we have in God, the importance of extending grace, and God’s promise to stand with us through every injustice. You are never alone, and you can trust Him to fight for you.

You are so much more than the hatred you encounter. Your future is bright, and your resilience in the face of all this is a testament to the strength God has placed within you. Keep your eyes on Him, stand firm in your identity, and know that you are never alone in this.

I’m praying for you and standing with you, beautiful. Keep shining. You’re destined for greatness. 💕 here for you. 🙏🏾

[childofchrist1983]

What can we possibly give to God that would be an acceptable gift, worthy for Him to receive? How can we shower Him with generosity when everything that we have comes from Him? His generosity is the very reason that we give, for all He has given, He entrusts to us as His stewards. He does not need our money or our stuff, but He delights when we reflect the abundance of His grace. Him for providing so richly for us in so many ways. We can never repay all that He has done for us and has given us, for all that we have is His. All we can ask is that He forgives us and guides us and protects us. May He use us so that His grace may be revealed in our words and actions and His abundance may overflow through us to others. Thank Him for providing for us and for reminding us everyday of His great and perfect love. We can take comfort in knowing that in Him, we are never forgotten. Whenever we find ourselves struggling to endure the trials and difficulties of life. let us call out to God for an answer, but also remember to thank Him and ask for His strength to help us endure. Let us not waste this time on waiting. Instead, may we humble ourselves and ask God to use this season to deepen my trust in Him as He helps us to grow in faith and prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for rescuing us from our destructive ways, and setting our feet on His path. Thank Him for lighting and guiding our steps and tending to the road ahead of us. May He help us to seek Him daily as we make this journey, so that we may not stray from Him and wander into ruin and destruction. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for easing our burdens and granting us the rest found in His mercy and forgiveness. May He teach us to walk in His gentleness and grace. Thank Him for providing us the strength to serve Him and for carrying the weight that should have been ours, all in His gracious name. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for faithfully staying with us in all times and places. We have not always sought Him and His guidance, yet He has continuously shown us the way back to Him. May He guide everything that we say and do, and show us the way no matter where He may lead us.

May He empower us by His Holy Word and Spirit to live in the light of His Truth, love grace. May our healing and transformation glorify His name and Kingdom of Heaven and reveal who He truly is to others. May He help us to keep close to Him, so that we may endure until He fully sets us free and brings us to our true home in His Kingdom of Heaven. Thank Him for His Holy Word and Spirit. Thank Him for revealing the Truth of Him and His holiness. May He help us to hold close to Him just as He holds close to us, so that we may live in humble and faithful obedience. If we stray from Him and His path, may He use His Holy Word and Spirit to bring us close to Him once again. May He help us daily to trust fully in Him and His love, provision and care. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for making us anew! May He complete His renewing work in us, ridding us of the sinful words, thoughts and actions that aren’t from Him, so that we may reflect only His love and light and presence in us to this dark and fallen world and the lost souls within it.

God is our Heavenly Father, our Creator and our guide. And Jesus Christ is our LORD and Savior and King. As Christians, we trust Him wholeheartedly and we submit our heart and our lives into His skilled hands. May He shape us according to His design and plan for us, so that we may stand strong in the firing furnace and emerge revealing His craftsmanship as He prepares us serve Him on Earth and in His Kingdom of Heaven according to His Holy Word and will. May He give us the peace and endurance we need each day, and may He use this time to help us grow in His wisdom and strength and to grow in our walk and relationship with Him. May He make us more into the person that He not only created us to us to be, but called us to be from the very beginning.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for securing a place for all true Christian believers as followers of Christ and spiritually reborn children of God in His eternal Kingdom. Each day, the sun rises and its light and warmth, and the Holy Bible gives us a glimpse of the promised eternity to come. May we continue to walk in the love and light of Christ with our heads held high and our eyes on the finish line. May we lead others to His Gospel Truth and to His light as well throughout this journey with Him. Let us all humble ourselves before God daily, asking Him to forgive us and to strength and teach us to view life through the lens of God and His promises. May He guard our hearts against Satan and the temptations of this world and our flesh. May He give us the peace to find full satisfaction in God and His peace and promises, so that we may live our lives daily in ways that honor and pleases Him. As we seek Him daily, may He reveal Himself to us through the words He has provided and use it to conform the desires of our heart to Him and His love and compassion and grace.

As true and spiritually reborn Christians, we love, trust and believe in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ. We choose to keep Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ first in our hearts and lives and all other worldly desires behind us. He extends salvation to everyone, and we want to show the world the freedom, hope and peace they can have in accepting and following Him. We must ask Him to help us grow spiritually in our relationship with Him and strengthen us and the bonds of love that He has given us, so that our unity may glorify and testify to His power and goodness. Thank Him for calling us to faith and imparting us with salvation and righteousness. May He empower us to live in His will and righteousness, so that we may testify to His soul-saving power as our faith carries us past all doubt, fear, and failure. May He grant us the grace to forgive others who have wronged us, and the humility to seek forgiveness where we have caused strife. May we follow and serve God daily with love, trust, awe and wonder. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ strengthen our faith, lift our spirits, protect our hearts, and show us opportunities to help bring others to Him and His Gospel Truth daily. May we do this duty boldly, humbly and faithfully. Seek, follow and trust in the LORD God Almighty always! To God be all the honor and praise and glory!

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by J.R. Miller

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

Mount Sinai became the meeting-place of God and the people of Israel. The Lord met Moses on the mountain and told him that He would reveal Himself in a thick cloud, and speak to him in a voice that the Israelites would hear. Solemn preparations were made for the great event. Bounds were set, inside of which no one should pass on penalty of death. On the third day, the promised revelation came. There were thunders and lightnings, and a cloud enveloping the mountain. Then out of the midst of the magnificent scene, God spoke to the assembly of Israel, the Ten Commandments as the basis of His covenant with them.

The commandments are of Divine origin. The Lord based the obligation of the people to obey these commandments, on what he had done for them. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

Everywhere we find the footprints of God. Life is full of His goodness and mercy. When we think of what He has done for us we cannot but recognize His right to command us. All the hopes of the Israelites had come from God’s deliverance. Once they were slaves and He had set them free. Had it not been for His love for them, and His power put forth in their behalf they would still have been slaves in Egypt! He had redeemed them and now they were a free people, on their way to a land in which they would grow into a great nation.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” The commandments are given in the second person singular, “ You shall.” God’s law deals with individuals and comes to each one personally and separately.

The first commandment requires that God shall have the first place in our life. The opening words in the Bible are suggestive: “In the beginning God.” We should put Him first and keep Him first in all our life.

Every person has some ‘god’. Our god is that which rules us, that which we love, obey, live for, and reverence. We talk with pity of the idolatry of heathen nations. But there are idolaters nearer to us than India or China. In whatever heart the true God is not worshiped, some false god is. Is the God of the Scriptures, indeed our God? Do we love Him above all persons and all things? Is He really first in all our thoughts, affections, plans and hopes?

It is not enough that we give Him the first place in our creed, saying: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord.” If lip confession is all we have to give Him, He cares nothing for it. What is God to our hearts, to our consciences, to our wills? Do we trust Him? What is He to us? How much would we lose out of our life if we were to cease to trust Him? Then it is not trust only that God asks He claims also our worship and obedience. “If you love Me,” said Jesus, “you will keep My commandments.” This first commandment ought to start a great many searching questions in our hearts as we study it.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

This commandment does not forbid the arts of painting and sculpture, for even in the tabernacle, carved figures were placed. What is forbidden is the worship of God under any form or image. When God says that He is jealous, and visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, He does not mean that He punishes the children for the evil that their fathers have done. Each one must bear his own burden of guilt. But sin casts long shadows. It does not stop with him who commits it. Parents who are tempted to do wrong, should think that besides bringing punishment upon themselves, they are also sowing seeds of hurt and curse for the children they love.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless, who takes His name in vain.” There are many ways of taking God’s name in vain. One is to use it without reverence and love.

One tells of a miner, with grimy hand, plucking a pure, sweet flower. It seemed unfit, almost a desecration, for the lovely flower to be held in the soiled hand. How infinitely more of a desecration is it when in trivial speech we speak the name of God! The ancient Hebrews would, never utter the sacred name of Jehovah; they said it was too holy to be taken upon human lips. In some parts of the East, the Mohammedans will not tread upon the smallest piece of paper which they see lying on the ground. They say it may have on it the name of God. If we only thought more of the holiness and majesty of God we would surely honor His name more thoughtfully. Even Christians are ofttimes careless in the use of God’s name in their speech.

One common application of this commandment, is to profanity in speech. Even boys who are but learning to lisp their early words, are heard using the Divine name in awful oaths and cursing. Men who claim to be cultured and refined, speak the name of God profanely, using it to give emphasis to their speech.

All the universe honors God’s name. The stars as they shine, flash His praise. The storm, the sunshine, the towering mountains, the sweet valley, the thunder peal, the whisper of evening, the sweet flowers all honor God. Man alone profanes, dis-hallows and blasphemes the blessed name. Profanity is a sin which brings no pleasure, no gain; it does not adorn one’s speech but disfigures it. There seems to be no reason for it but contempt of God in human hearts.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

Many people seem to forget God’s day. The day is like all other days to them. They do their work just as on week days. Or if they do not work, they take the time for worldly pleasure. It is time we should be reminded again, of what God has said about the Sabbath.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” There are many reasons why we should honor our parents. We owe a great deal to them. They watched over us through years of helpless infancy. They toiled, suffered and sacrificed for us. They bore patiently with all our faults. They took the storms of life themselves, that they might shelter us. Perhaps they appear a little faded and old-fashioned to our keen, critical eyes. But if so, we should not forget how it all came about. It was in caring for us that they lost their freshness and vigor.

The Brittany peasants give this beautiful legend of the way the robin got its red breast: When Jesus was being led out to crucifixion, bearing His cross and wearing His crown of thorns a bird, pitying Him, flew down and plucked a thorn from His brow. The blood from the wound gushed out and splashed the bird’s breast. Ever since that day the robin has borne this mark of its pity for the suffering Christ. This is only a legend but it teaches a beautiful lesson. We should ever be eager to pluck out the thorns which are piercing the brows of our mother and father. Some children, however, by their careless life or by their neglect, weave circlets of thorns for the brows of those whom they ought to love and bless!

Jesus gave us the highest example of honor to parents, in the way He showed His love to His mother. It was a sweet friendship that existed between this mother and her Holy Son. He opened His soul to her and she gave not a mother’s love only but also a mother’s counsel, and strong, inspiring help. Then His love overshadowed her to the last. One of the seven sayings spoken while He hung on the cross told of His faithful affection for her. The world would be desolate for her when her Son was gone. So He made provision for her in the shelter of a love in which He knew she would be safe. As He saw her led away by the beloved disciple to his own home part of the pain of dying was gone from His own heart. His mother would have gentle care.

“You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13. So long as we interpret this commandment only with bare literalness, it does not give us much trouble. Not many of us have ever killed anybody. But when we read into it the meaning that our Lord gave it in His Sermon on the Mount we find that it is not so easy to keep it. God looks into the heart, and He may find the spirit of murder there when no hand is raised to strike. All bitterness, malice, hatred, envy, jealousy, uncharitableness, and all angry thoughts, dispositions and feelings are the beginnings of murder .

There are many ways in which we may indirectly injure the lives of others. The dealer adulterates the food he sells, and the preparations act as slow poisons, secretly destroying the lives of those who use the food. A mother allows her children to violate the laws of health, to eat unwholesome food, to be irregular in their rest and exercise. By-and-by, they sicken and perhaps die. She wonders then at the strange ways of Providence and asks why it is that God so afflicts her. The plumber does careless work, and diphtheria finds its way into a home. The builder is negligent, and a wooden beam lies too close to the flue, and one night catches fire, leaving death in the ruins of the home. We are our brothers’ keepers, and any failure in our guardianship leaves guilt on our souls.

When the old Hebrews built a house, they were required by law to put a fence round the flat roof, lest someone might fall off and be injured or killed. So we should not only guard against harming others directly but should also construct our whole life and influence so that no one may indirectly receive injury from us.

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14. The seventh commandment also searches the heart, taking cognizance of the thoughts, feelings, desires, affections and imaginations. We must learn to guard our thoughts if we would please God. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” One part of true religion, as James defines it, is to keep one’s self “unspotted from the world.” Lilies float in the black water of a bog and yet remain pure and white, without spot or stain. So by the grace of Christ, every young person should try to live a pure and heavenly life in the world but unspotted by the world’s evil.

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15. There are many ways of stealing without deliberately putting one’s hand into a neighbor’s pocket and abstracting his gold or silver. The postmaster had failed to cancel the stamp on a letter, and the young girl who received it peeled off the stamp and used it again to send a reply to her friend. She thought she had done a smart thing she did not see the eighth commandment broken under her feet. A boy went to the store for a pound of coffee. The shopkeeper was hurried, and in his haste gave him five cents too much change. The boy ran home chuckling over the mistake in great glee, because the grocer had cheated himself. He did not think that while the man had made an honest mistake he himself was a thief. A man borrows money from a friend. He promises to return it next Tuesday. But he never returns it at all. He often thinks of it but as his generous friend does not ask him for it he never attempts to pay his debt. He supposes he is a debtor he never thinks for a moment that he is a thief.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16. There is probably not a large amount of false witnessing in courts of justice. Even wicked men are afraid to lie under oath. But there is a vast amount of lying about other people, which is done in the ordinary conversation of the street, the office, the parlor. Anything is false witnessing, which misrepresents another or puts him in a wrong light. Taking up any evil report which we hear and repeating it again, is really bearing false witness. Our neighbor’s good name is a jewel which we should sacredly guard. The best rule is never to say anything unkind of another, even if it be true. It might stop much of the fashionable talk of society but that is of little matter; the world would not be greatly the loser.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17. The tenth commandment forbids the sin of covetousness, and teaches the duty of contentment. A Roman Catholic priest said that among all the thousands of ‘confessions’ which had been made to him, no one had confessed the sin of covetousness. Yet probably no sin is so common, no one of the commandments is so often broken.

One of the best proofs of the Christian spirit, is the ability to rejoice in the success and prosperity of others. Does it make us glad to see our neighbor possessing good things or does it make us envious ? Do we rejoice in his prosperity, or do we begrudge his good things to him and wish they were ours instead? Does other people’s happiness or success make us happy or discontented? When we look down to the root of things, we discover that many crimes start just in the simple desire to have something that is not ours. “I saw, I coveted, I took!” told the whole story of Achan’s sin.

[doomedandstoned]

GÉVAUDAN Unveil Powerful Lovecraftian Journey in ‘Umbra’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Album Art by Erskine Designs

I love it when bands go for epic. With concept firm in hand, four-piece English progressive doomers GÉVAUDAN reveal a one-track 43-minute epic in 'Umbra' (2023), the band's second LP following the well-received 'Iter' (2019).

Some songs are written to get your body moving and your head banging, and so release a lot of energy in a short space of time. Other songs are written for the long-haul, supporting the unfurling narrative of a story old, grand, mysterious, and surprising.

Gévaudan's penchant for storytelling is worthy of the baffling tale of the Beast of Gévaudan itself, a puzzling corner of history three centuries past. This epic tale seems at times to characterize a carousing beast or the sorrowful cries of its victims or the brimming rage of loved ones headed into the forest to hunt the thing that is like a wolf, yet not a wolf.

Some hints of the band's intentions can be gleaned from the album title, umbra being the darkest place in a shadow. The piece begins with the unsettling scratch of dissonant guitar, like a cloud of electrified mist. Then comes the slow, deliberate thump-thump-thump of the drums. The first doom riff and sorrowful verse emerges:

I’m waiting in the dawn light, clawing, tongue like dirt Bleeding wounds that unwind, nails worn through Screaming, wordless prayer

For a voice this plaintive, you'd have to go to Rainbo from Portland, Oregon's Purification or The Wizard from the late, great Pilgrim. There is genuine mourning here, with words reminiscent of the downcast prayers of King David. Like the Psalmist, the eyes of lyricist Adam Pirmohamed seem to lift heavenward, to the invisible, esoteric realms of God and the soul.

And I slumber, in His embrace He cradles me to death And I slumber, in His faith He caresses, within my flesh

You may wonder how to take the words, just reading them at face value, but Adam has a way of convincing you of them on an intuitive level, such is the sincerity and relatability of his singing. Meanwhile, guitarist Bruce Hamilton gives release to the moment with a dazzling heavy metal solo that does some singing of its own.

When Adam returns to the mic, it is with conviction, and the vocal style becomes considerably more bold.

And I slumber, in His embrace! And I slumber, in His faith!

There follows at 12:43 a period of the sublimest peace, with the airy ambience of pleasant dreams, free from the burdens and cares of this life. In a note from the band, they reveal that the song is about battling depression, with strong Lovecraftian themes (see below).

A third section surfaces at 18:32, with the guitar strumming a triumphant theme and the rhythm section of Andy Salt (bass) and David Himbury (drums) supplying a lofty heartbeat. Adam's singing seems to embrace sunlight and blue skies following the sullen clouds of the first act. At 21:51 a whirling, climbing solo from Bruce, charged with grit and determination.

There is something vaguely Medieval about the riff we return to at 23:03, as though it were ruminating on past sins or future worries. Then at 23:40 bliss enters in the form of a psychedelic guitar set against noodling bass and the gentle tapping of drums and cymbals. The stern riff returns, though it seems to be right at home with its jazzier counterpart.

Then at 25:05 the mood shifts back to the depressive air of the start, and it might seem like defeat -- back to the status quo of gloominess and melancholy. But something has changed. There is reflection and a sense of perspective about the state of things, and an optimistic spirit rises above the morass.

I’m waiting in the dawn light Screaming, euphoria Sightless woodland Breathless blood

The presence of the synth gives it an otherworldly flare. Then at 32:52 piano, bass, and voice take us to the water's edge for a beautiful song within a song. It might have ended there, but the full band returns at 35:53 with wailing guitar and damning chords to truly finish the piece.

Standing at my hearth, I am showered with gold Strong foundations, I am king, I am known Growing inside, fearless soul of mine Brightest eyes, reflecting through mirrors

Now, as I mentioned, this is inspired by Lovecraft so there could be something stranger, more sinister afoot than I am aware of. I won't spoil those last four lines of the song (beginning at 38:21), but they may leave you questioning whatever you believed about the whole ordeal to begin with. I love the dark, droning synth that takes us into the void at the record's conclusion.

And with that, Gévaudan have created something unexpected and brilliant in Umbra. The album releases this weekend on vinyl, compact disc, and digital formats (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with Neurosis, Serpent Venom, Purification, Age of Taurus, and Pilgrim.

Give ear...

Umbra by Gévaudan

A Letter From The Band

We’re delighted to provide an exclusive stream of our second full-length album, Umbra, in partnership with Doomed & Stoned. This has been a while in the making, and we’re really excited to finally be releasing our most ambitious record to date, seeped in grandiose and epic doom.

Our new album, 'Umbra' (2023), evolved from the depths. Through a single 43-minute concept, it explores depression through the eyes of Eldritch horror, culminating in the unrelenting shadow that’s imparted on its sufferer -- a battle of light, stalked by darkness. As you may have come to expect from Gévaudan, this is monolithic, progressive, and highly emotive doom.

It was late 2020 when the first riffs for Umbra appeared in the studio. We felt we’d really found our niche through our debut, ‘Iter’ (2019), and made a conscious decision that our next record was going to take some of the more epic elements even further. Since our inception in 2013, we’d had a strong desire to write a concept album - something vast and atmospheric. It felt like the appropriate time to embark on the piece and see how our sound would translate onto a 40+ minute canvas for the next album.

Our writing process took on a far more live and collaborative approach. Whilst riff-master-general, Bruce, continued to bring riffs into the studio which we adopted, refined, and worked into fully formed ideas. We also took more time to jam and evolve parts, and created more in the room collaboratively. This helped to fully shape the progression and tonal shifts we wanted to achieve.

Lyricist and vocalist Adam has always taken the lead on the thematics. When thinking of concepts for the album, we wanted to take a different approach than usual. We’ve covered a lot of fantasy, history, and the occult; and whilst we didn’t want to stray too far from that, we wanted to write something with more of a personal and relatable element.

At the time, Adam was managing a bout of depression and kind of fell naturally into writing about how they were feeling -- almost an indescribable and ominous feeling, a sense of something looming. From that feeling it felt instinctive to use themes and ideas of Eldritch Horror as an allegory for depression and distress, and it was rewarding to write about a relatable topic whilst still staying true to our known themes and tones.

An important part of our evolution on this album is the introduction of piano and synth. They have extended the layers and palettes we can play with and have allowed us to explore different textures and writing approaches.

As part of the completely immersive concept approach, the cover art was another key ingredient. The impressive cover artwork has been developed by Erskine Designs. Conceptually and tonally, it’s the perfect accompaniment of the aforementioned themes.

The dynamics of our song writing have always been a key ingredient to our musical approach, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with producer and engineer Mike Exeter in the studio again.

Finally, we’re really excited to be working with Meuse Music Records on this release. They have been incredibly supportive in bringing our vision to life on physical formats, and are a really great team to be collaborating with.

Please sit back, lower the lights, and crank up the volume to indulge in this epic musical journey.

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[avesblues2]

hello, friend! i am someone who came to christ later in life, after spending my teens in the scandalous ways today's culture pushes teens to behave. i am so thankful for god's good grace in bringing me home to him...an issue i have in christian spaces, however, is that i feel unwelcome, shamed, and invalidated in my faith because i am not a virgin. how do i navigate this? i know the story of the prodigal son, or jesus's example of the lost sheep, or even the apostle paul himself. still, how can i interact with christian spaces when i feel/am encouraged to feel as if i am unclean and less christian than someone who has known christ their whole life? thank you for your time, and god bless. your blog is a great inspiration

You are not unclean because the blood of Christ as made you clean.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23

You are reborn with the Holy Spirit, your old ways are no longer your new ways.

22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. - Ephesians 4:22-24

PSALM 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Only GOD, through the blood of Christ, can make us have a clean heart and renew a RIGHT spirit within us.

After you repent, you begin the process of sanctification. What you did in the past does not impact your current state because Jesus has wiped your slate clean essentially when you come before Him, repent (confess) and ask Him to come into your life and make you right with God the Father. He covers our sins, our wrong doings, all unrighteousness when we come before Him in genuine repentance.

You can interact in any Christian space because your past sins are no longer chains bound to your ankles. Jesus Christ defeated death for YOU and for me and for the whole world so we may be set free from the bondage of sin. It is the devil who wants you to believe you are still captive, enslaved to sin.

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭

Come to Jesus with this heavy heart of yours “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭30‬ and allow Him to repair your damaged heart, knowing that Him dying on the cross for you was the payment for your sins to be forgiven.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” - Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; -Romans 10:9

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. "-Titus 3:5

Trust in Him and lean into Him. It seems this past sin weighs heavy on your heart, I suggest reading Romans and mediating on God's promises and forgiveness. Do not let your past sins deter you from entering christian spaces and not feeling good enough because the truth is NONE of us are good enough, no not one. We have all fallen short of the Glory of God but through the blood of Christ and being reborn with the Holy Spirit we are made righteous and holy and can enter an intimate relationship with God the Father.

[hiswordsarekisses]

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13,14 ESV

The teaching of generational curses is not a new teaching, nor is it exclusive to the charismatic movement. Various beliefs have been perpetuated regarding this belief, ranging from word curses to hereditary spirits or demons attached to one’s family. Some teach that individuals are born with demons, and the only way to be free is to decree, declare, renounce hereditary sins, and even subject oneself to deliverance ministry.

For those who hold to this belief, it is stated that Jesus defeated the power of sin and Satan, but He did not remove the presence of Satan. The logic follows from those who teach this that though the power of a curse is broken, it does not mean the presence of the curse is broken. Individuals are left with the responsibility to break these curses once and for all, in hopes of being free. The reality is there is no freedom or peace in this train of thought. This leaves those who prescribe to such beliefs on a hamster wheel of works and burdens to be the curse breaker while using the name of Jesus to wield perceived personal power.

When we take into consideration the teachings and practices surrounding generational curses, there are some things I would offer for consideration. There is a heavy appeal to personal experiences, elevating them as truth in a person’s life. Leaders affirming this practice have made the statement that a man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. The issue with this statement is an unfounded conclusion when Scripture in context is the source of the argument. Scripture is not at the mercy of our experiences. For one who holds to this way of thinking, how are the experiences of other religions, the occult, and the secular world reconciled when also dealing with generational curses and claiming success?

Another area of great concern is what is best termed a “Messiah complex”. The belief taught when dealing with breaking generational curses in the life of a professing believer is a focus on self. The individual declares to be a bloodline breaker and to be the one who will set their family free. This seems to diminish the finished work of Christ on the cross and to inadvertently place oneself as the savior. When I came out of the hyper charismatic/ NAR movement, one of the verses I found so helpful to me regarding this matter was Galatians 3:13. As believers in Christ, we have been freed from the regulations and restrictions of the law because Jesus fulfilled the law. He has freed us from the penalty of sin and given us eternal life. Jesus Christ alone is the Savior, and His work on our behalf is sufficient.

Scripture also does not support this practice or teaching. Numerous passages were used as prooftexts in a recent teaching I listened to on this topic. Deuteronomy 28 was stated to contain the symptoms of a curse in one’s life, and Exodus 34:7, along with Deuteronomy 30:19 and Ezekiel 18:2, was concluded to support the existence of generational curses. When taking time to read these passages in Scripture, it became clear that both Exodus and Deuteronomy pertained to the Mosaic law while Ezekiel 18 entirely disproved the existence of generational sin that must be broken in order for one to be free. We are each accountable for our actions and sins, and the concern is that this teaching encourages a lack of accountability and blame shifting. This is reminiscent of the garden post fall. If I could be so bold as to say, this type of teaching is a doctrine of demons. When individuals are told that they must break curses and do certain things in order to be free, a works-based gospel is perpetuated. It essentially places the law back onto individuals, and it only leads to burdensome bondages.

The teaching of generational curses is legalistic, and law based. It places burdens back onto professing believers, causing them to trust more in their own doing and actions than in what Christ has already done for us. What He did was sufficient. Do we still face consequences because of the curse of sin? Yes, we do. Creation has been subjected to futility and awaits the return of Christ while our bodies also groan, awaiting the redemption of our bodies and our adoption as sons (Romans 8:18-25). We all will physically die, and this is part of the curse of sin (Romans 5:1-5). The hope we have as believers in Christ is the glorious promise of eternal life with God. We are not called to conduct ourselves like pagans who concern themselves with these types of practices. We are to rest in the peace of God and to trust Him who is faithful, and we can be assured that God has supplied all that is needed pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Listen to this episode from The Lovesick Scribe podcast as I tackle a teaching concerning generational curses: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Curse of Generational Curse Teaching on Apple Podcasts”

[shareyourloveandhope]

I came here to tell you an important message.

You should repent and walk in righteousness with God Almighty as soon as possible. Turn away from the things that are considered as popular in the world we're temporarly living. Know that the popular music and different series are NOT what bring you closer to our Lord but waste your time. Sure, it's great to spend time on watching it and listening to the music that everyone is talking about, but ask yourself these questions.

~ Is it something that brings me closer to God?

~ Is it something that became an idol in my life, something that keeps me away from prayer?

~ Does it teach me about the true values that we should have or not?

Dear people, I love you and want all of you to be saved. I will continue to pray so that your eyes, ears and minds will be open and you'll be able to receive the truth — a fact that Jesus is our Savior. He not only came to earth to set an example how we should live our lives but also died for us. Yes, I know that we heard it a lot of times and we know about it, but do you truly know what it means? He showed us the greatest love. Your heart is moved when you hear that someone saved someone else from death by dying himself/herself. Why aren't you moved when you hear that Jesus died for you? He was beaten, people mocked and insulted Him, they split in His face. He let others do it to Him while thinking of you. He was thinking that you're worthy of everything He's going through. Why? He loved you that much. He loves you that much that He took your sins and burdens, so you could receive a gift of salvation that is free. Anyone can receive it. You only have to work on your faith and most importantly — truly believe that Jesus has risen on the third day. You must truly have faith in Him just like a little child. Please, do this. Receive the salvation by claiming that Jesus is your Savior and spend some time on reading the Word of God and praying. Jesus suffered so much for you. Why can't you at least spend some time with Him?

I beg you, turn away from your sins and give your life to Jesus Christ. Get baptized and be filled with the Holy Spirit, be a friend of His. Let Him guide you to salvation. Yes, you cannot do it in your own strength, but you can ask Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ or the God Almighty to give you strength to do that. You just have to take a step and try to avoid the sin in the first place God will help you, you'll see. Just try your best to live holy. Yes, you will still sin sometimes, but don't let it discourage you. Just remember to talk to God about your sins, apologize and repent. Keep in mind that our sins will be forgiven in Jesus Holy name. I am praying that this message will speak to you and you will have strength to repent, courage to speak the Word of God and teach it other people and your faith will be made stronger. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

[riearchivistfornow]

Drops of Life

English Saturday 5PM 2016.03.26

Drops of Life

Blood. Easter is a time where we remember that Jesus shed His blood on the cross for us.

Every single drop of blood is a drop of life.

Why is blood important? Blood gives us life. Oxygen is transported by the blood all around the body. Blood cleanses us. Waste material from all parts of the body to places that it can be removed. Blood heals us. Blood contains antibodies to fight the infections.

Jesus was the greatest blood donor of all.

Colossians 1:19:20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

When we have Jesus' blood in our lives:

1) We have redemption; freedom from sin

Redemption is the clearing of a debt. "We owe a debt that we could not pay"

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

It is not about how big or small sin is in our lives, it is about the presence of sin. That is why we need Jesus to come to give us redemption, to have freedom from sin.

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…

This death that the Bible talks about is an eternal death, an eternal separation from God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ our God

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

We try to fix things ourselves. We try to offset sin by doing more good. We try to use good deeds to counter the wrong in our lives but all that we do will not take away the sin in your life.

Nothing is ever actually free. It is not that there is no price for your sin, but it is that Jesus paid the price for your sin.

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

"The work of redemption was accomplished by Christ in His death on the cross and has in view the payment of the price demanded by a holy God for the deliverance of the believer from bondage and burden of sin. In redemption the sinner is set free from his condemnation and slavery to sin" – John F. Walvoord.

We can only be corrected when we receive the redemption from the Lord, and that will bring us freedom from sin.

2) We are restored; freedom from the separation

Restoration is the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

We are created originally with holiness and righteousness, we are created to be pure. When we are tainted, we are separated from God.

Genesis 3:23-24 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

God casting them out is an act of love. If Adam and Eve continued to remain in the presence of God, they will be destroyed. So God separated us, wanting us to be restored one day.

1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

When Jesus died for us, we are restored.

1 John 1:6-7 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins, making us pure and holy.

God was so desperate that He sent His Son for us.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus did not come to take or receive but to serve others. Jesus was focused on what He could give.

Jesus took our place in exchange for us.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Jesus took our place of separation, so that we can be restored to God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We live in a world that many of us are constantly lost. One common thing is how people need space and time to "find and discover myself".

The reason why we struggle with this is because we have been separated from the Father too long. When you have been separated too long, you become lost.

"Jesus Christ became incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself." – Oswald Chambers.

"Faith is not to deny a problem's existence, but it denies that problem a place of influence in your life."

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

[theprayerfulword]

October 05

John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Colossians 1:13 For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

May you press in, with a sense of desperation, to know the Lord and to walk in His wisdom, for the hour is late and you will need His understanding to know how to do the good that will testify to others of the love and goodness, acceptance and mercy of the Lord when dark and difficult times come into people's lives. Jeremiah 4

May you desire to know the way of the Lord, seeking Him while He may be found, that you may draw near the Lord in repentance and humility, where you will find acceptance in His Spirit, and can take on the yoke and bonds of the King Who protects and cares for you. Jeremiah 5

May you fear the Lord your God, and tremble in His awesome presence, for He is the One who gives autumn and spring rains in season, assuring the regular weather for each season, and setting the boundaries for the sea, preventing its encroachment on the land, but unless you plead the case of the fatherless to win it, and defend the rights of the poor to establish His justice in the land, He will remove the barriers and release the schedules, bringing chaos to the land. Jeremiah 5

May you hear the warning of the Lord without offense, and may you listen to the Word of the Lord with joy, understanding the seriousness of His charge and the deep, desperate need for healing in the people, but knowing His power to save and the strength of His truth to set free, so that the desire for gain and the practice of deceit, which is the target of God's wrath, may be removed far from the hearts of the people. Jeremiah 6

My child, the salvation you have received from My hand is much more than the feeling of joy that fills your heart in My presence and relief from the burden of sin and fear which is removed from your life. That is your experience of salvation, but know that My salvation is so much more than your experience. It is not an idea you suggested to Me and I agreed to. The Godhead, in entirety, from eternity past, has devised and agreed upon the parts We each would fill and the costs We each would pay to see the vastness of the reach and the immensity of the depth of the concept come to pass. Such an idea had never been conceived that Divine Holiness would redeem fallen creation by discharging the debt in full and join together Creator and creation. You are an integral part, My precious one, of the plan that is beyond the scope of your imagining. You are being trained, My dear one, in ways you do not understand for work so much larger than you know so that in time you will eventually grasp the shape of it. Remain focused on Me, My love, and simply reject the accusations of unworthiness and thoughts of doubts that flit around you. Do not be distracted by them, for you know their source; they can do you no harm for you are sealed by My Spirit to show My ownership. The only purpose they serve is to draw your focus from what the Spirit is saying to your heart by causing you to beat the air ineffectually. You are Mine. Hear My Word. I will direct you when it is time to fight; until then, learn of Me, My redeemed one, for I have much to tell you.

May you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel, for God has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1

May you proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that everyone may be presented perfect in Christ, even as you work to this end, laboring with all His energy, which so powerfully works in you. Colossians 1

May you be encouraged in heart and united in love with the rest of the Body of Christ so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2

May you continue to live in Christ Jesus as Lord, just as you have received Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2

May you cry out to God for help when you are in distress and seek Him, stretching out untiring hands at night when your soul will not be comforted, that He may bring to your recall the mighty deeds of the Most High and remind you of His miracles of long ago, so you can meditate on His compassion and mercy, His unfailing love and favor, and once more you may rejoice in Him with songs in the night. Psalm 77

May you be reminded that God's ways are holy, for there is no god so great as your God, Who performs miracles and displays His power among the peoples, redeeming them with His might arm. Psalm 77

[yhwhrulz]

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for September 3

Morning

“They went and told Jesus.”

Mark 6:14-29

The stir made by the mission of the twelve readied all classes of society.

Mark 6:14

Where there is an idle faith there is generally a busy imagination: Herod would not obey John’s religion, and yet became the slave of superstition. His conscience was not powerful enough to prevent his murdering the good man, yet it was not so dead as to allow him to rest in peace after the cruel deed.

Mark 6:15-18

This was faithful preaching. What is the good of a minister if he does not tell us our faults?

Mark 6:19 , Mark 6:20

Herod is a warning to us. He was not a mere hearer of John. He was an attentive and delighted hearer, and up to a certain point a doer of the word. Surely he bade fair for good things; and yet he became the murderer of the very man to whom he had listened with so much respect. If hearing the gospel does not change our nature, it has done little or nothing for us.

Mark 6:23

Probably he had become drunken while feasting, and so uttered the rash promise and confirmed it with an oath. When vice dances in the presence of drunkenness no good can come of it. This young girl danced off the prophet’s head: we have never read that any good at all proportionate to this evil ever came of dancing. For a child of God to join with the frivolous in their idle dances, would be as unbecoming as for an angel to wallow in the mire.

Mark 6:25

I will that thou give me by and by in a charger or a large dish

Mark 6:29

Or as another evangelist tells us, “they went and told Jesus,” which was the very best thing they could do. Happy are they who have learned to take all their trials to Jesus. Let us speak with him now in our prayer.

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,

Jesus loves to answer prayer;

He himself has bid thee pray,

Therefore will not say thee nay.

With my burden I begin,

Lord, remove this load of sin;

Let thy blood, for sinners spilt,

Set my conscience free from guilt

Lord, I cast on thee my care,

Thou hast bid me leave it there;

For my heavenly Father knows

All my griefs, and wants, and woes.

Evening

“He satisfieth thy mouth with good things.”

Mark 6:30-44

Mark 6:30

Ministers are accountable to their Lord both for their doings and sayings, and they should neither do nor teach anything which they will be ashamed to relate to their Master.

Mark 6:31 , Mark 6:32

The most active servants of God cannot always have their minds upon the stretch; they must have relaxation. Their tender Master was careful to provide it for the apostles, and those who are of a kindred spirit should enable poor ministers at set times to enjoy a little needful retirement. Jesus took his apostles to a place where they could be alone, for rest in a crowd is not the rest ministers need.

Mark 6:33

No bell was wanted to call them together. The spirit of hearing was abroad, and the people flocked like doves to their windows, and this all the more eagerly because the preacher was going away. If we knew how soon good ministers will be called home to heaven, we should be far more eager to profit by them while they are spared to us.

Mark 6:34

He was not angry at losing his rest, but ready to bless the people, for he saw their need.

Mark 6:35 , Mark 6:36

This is the disciples way out of the difficulty. No doubt they can take care of themselves: ”send them away.” We hope something may be done for the masses, and there we leave it.

Mark 6:37

Meet their wants yourselves. Alas! the command sounds very hard when the exchequer is low!

Mark 6:37

They calculate the need, but forget the omnipotence which is at hand to meet it.

Mark 6:38 , Mark 6:39

The Lord had thus provided a noble banqueting hall, splendidly carpeted, and of vast dimensions, and there his guests sat in order, as became a royal entertainment.

Mark 6:40

For it was not a scramble, but a royal feast.

Mark 6:41-44

When Jesus blesses our slender gifts, he makes them sufficient for the feeding of thousands. It is ours to do our best, and trust in the Lord to make it useful. Lord, help us so to do.

Thy providence is kind and large,

Both man and beast thy bounty share;

The whole creation is thy charge,

But saints are thy peculiar care.

My God! how excellent thy grace,

Whence all our hope and comfort springs;

The sons of Adam, in distress,

Fly to the shadow of thy wings.

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,

And publish abroad his wonderful name;

The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;

His kingdom is glorious, and rules over all.

Salvation to God, who sits on the throne,

Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son;

The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,

Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Copyright Statement This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".

[jdgo51]

August 26, 2024

Safe in God’s Embrace

Kumalawaty Sundari (Jakarta, Indonesia)

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

"When I was young, I often had nightmares that woke me. Feeling anxious, I would knock on the door to my parents’ room, and my mother would calm me, giving me a hug. After my fear started to subside, she would take me back to my room and sleep with me for the rest of the night. Knowing my mother was there with me, I then was able to sleep peacefully.

I think this is what the psalmist experienced. He could forget his burdens and enjoy peace at night by putting trust in the Lord. When we have a hectic day, our emotional and physical energy is used up; we may feel angry or worried so that even at night we are still thinking about the events of the day. However, when we turn our eyes to God and share our struggles, God’s presence can fill us and bring relief for the soul.

The presence of my mother beside me, guarding me from my fears as I slept, provided me peace. In much the same way, remembering God’s presence provides me peace today. When our strength is limited and our minds are filled with worries, we can reach out to God and rest assured that in God’s care, we need not dwell in fear." When we have doubts or the slightest bit of fear, we can no that God is right there for us. Reach out to Him!

Today's Prayer

"Dear God, life is full of hardship. But when we put our trust in you, we can rest peacefully knowing that you are our protector." Amen.

Psalm 4:1-8

"'1 Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God! Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer! 2 How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted? How long will you continue to love what is worthless and go after lies? Selah 3 Know this: the LORD takes personal care of the faithful. The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him. 4 So be afraid, and don’t sin! Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it! Selah 5 Bring righteous offerings, and trust the LORD! 6 Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, LORD!” 7 But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! 8 I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, LORD, let me live in safety."' The Lord hears our cries and He gives you a full heart that abounds with joy and peace. We are safe in the arms of Jesus every day! Blessings abound for all of us! Joe

[lumierecharity]

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH - MODULE 77: GLORY OF THE WORD OF GOD

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 77

SERMON ON THE MOUNT: 

GLORY OF THE WORD OF GOD

Jesus was born into humble circumstances

Jesus was born in a stable. The Son of God experienced life as a refugee child in Egypt. As trade, Jesus learned carpentry from His foster-father Joseph. The life of Jesus unfolded as He faithfully performed the duties of youth at home. The Plan of God offered Jesus opportunity to carry out human tasks, as He engaged the greatest task in all the world - that of Messiah, our Redeemer. 

The Plan of God 

The Plan of God makes provision for us all to perform manifold small tasks of learning, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, humbling of personal pride and development of individual personality within society.  We are blessed with a patient God Who delights in our daily achievements and growth within our individual abilities and according to our personal talents with which the Almighty has gifted us.

When Jesus went to the desert for forty days and forty nights, He spent much time in prayer alone with the Father. Jesus was given the perfection of the fulness of the Law of the Kingdom to teach us. These words of Divine Law and wisdom are laid out in the Sermon on the Munt, and are there to set us spiritually free.

Do not judge, lest you yourself be judged

Jesus explained during the great Sermon that we are not to judge others. The Son of God teaches that we are not to notice a speck of sawdust in another's eye, when we have a full plank in our own. This carpenter's symbol illustrates how we may be alive to the faults of others, and oblivious of our own.

Jesus makes it quite clear that no-one is able to judge another. Only God knows the full facts about the other person, the painful history, the personal difficulties, the joys and tragedies and the mental and physical health problems which affect that individual. 

The person blessed with fine parents does not know the painful burden another with difficulties in heredity carries. The one brought up in a comfortable house, trained in the commandments of God from early youth, knows nothing about the temptations of another brought up parentless in a violent environment.

As we do not know the whole person, so, too, we are never wholly impartial. Only the perfectly faultless has the right to look for faults in others. As Jesus pointed out, none of us is without sin. We have enough to do to rectify our own lives without seeking censoriously to rectify the lives of other people.

The message of Jesus is clear; we must concentrate on remedying our own faults - a full-time job - and leave the faults of others to God. 

We are not the final court

This teaching is dependent upon common sense. Jesus is teaching us not to spend our lives searching out the faults of others, often in a spirit of schadenfreude. If we exercise uncompassionate judgement, we may cause harm to others. We are not the final court - the final court is in Heaven at God's Throne. 

A judge maintains law and order

This does not include the situation where an individual wreaks havoc upon another through crime or assault. From ancient times, a judge appointed to weigh the situation weighs evidence and brings about justice.  Measure of surcease may be taken in order to prevent the possibility of further instances of injustice. The dignity of the ministry of judge is to maintain law and order, as well as to prevent anarchy.

The role of priests

As priests, let us remember that we are others' support towards God; not their judge. The sacrament of confession is meant to bring healing and forgiveness, not further condemnation through insensitive handling of the souls of our brothers and sisters who grapple with the intricacies and suffering of daily life.

The penitent should see the compassion of God the Father within the priest, not condemnation of the individual undertaking the sacred clerical ministry.

The priest helps the person who has transgressed to peace of soul from guilt and inner torment, if such there is. The priest further assists the penitent to make reparation insofar as possible. This is a delicate and godly task, not to be undertaken lightly, and not to be carried out without due training and proven ability to deal with the fabric of the lives of others.

Sift the actions of others through fingers of kindness

Thus the rule of thumb in daily interaction is to sift the actions of others through fingers of kindness. Let the sand of actions or attributes which annoy or dismay us flow through our fingers back to the seashore where God will deal with them, if needed. Retain within our fingers the gold nuggets of the inner beauty which resides within another.

An unknown poet put it well,

"Judge not the workings of his brain,

     And of his heart thou cannot see.

     What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,

     In God's pure light may only be,

     A scar brought from some well-won field

     Where thou wouldst only hint and yield." [1]

[1] Bible Portal. Judge not, that you be not judged. Sept 30, 2022. 

Accessed 5/7/2024. 

With thanks to Youtube

[childofchrist1983]

Sometimes, we read the Holy Bible and wonder how much easier life would be if Jesus Christ were right here with us, just as He was with His disciples long ago. But Jesus reminds us that it is better for us that He is not confined to the limits of an earthly body. He prepares His Kingdom of Heaven to receive us, while at the same time remaining with us in spirit to prepare us for Heaven, our true home.

So many of us, myself included, wish we could reach out and take His hand, or even simply touch the hem of His cloak. And one day, we who are saved and spiritually reborn Christians, will get that chance. Until then, we must be patient and continue to serve and praise Him and thank Him. Including for sending His Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to remain with us, to work in us and to guide us and our lives as we walk in step with Him each day. May He continue to help us grow spiritually conform me more each day until this life’s journey is done and His perfection is completed in us. Thank Him for providing for us and for reminding us everyday of His great and perfect love. We can take comfort in knowing that in Him, we are never forgotten. Whenever we find ourselves struggling to endure the trials and difficulties of life. let us call out to God for an answer, but also remember to thank Him and ask for His strength to help us endure. Let us not waste this time on waiting. Instead, may we humble ourselves and ask God to use this season to deepen my trust in Him as He helps us to grow in faith and prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for rescuing us from our destructive ways, and setting our feet on His path. Thank Him for lighting and guiding our steps and tending to the road ahead of us. May He help us to seek Him daily as we make this journey, so that we may not stray from Him and wander into ruin and destruction. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for easing our burdens and granting us the rest found in His mercy and forgiveness. May He teach us to walk in His gentleness and grace. Thank Him for providing us the strength to serve Him and for carrying the weight that should have been ours, all in His gracious name. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for faithfully staying with us in all times and places. We have not always sought Him and His guidance, yet He has continuously shown us the way back to Him. May He guide everything that we say and do, and show us the way no matter where He may lead us.

May He empower us by His Holy Word and Spirit to live in the light of His Truth, love grace. May our healing and transformation glorify His name and Kingdom of Heaven and reveal who He truly is to others. May He help us to keep close to Him, so that we may endure until He fully sets us free and brings us to our true home in His Kingdom of Heaven. Thank Him for His Holy Word and Spirit. Thank Him for revealing the Truth of Him and His holiness. May He help us to hold close to Him just as He holds close to us, so that we may live in humble and faithful obedience. If we stray from Him and His path, may He use His Holy Word and Spirit to bring us close to Him once again. May He help us daily to trust fully in Him and His love, provision and care. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for making us anew! May He complete His renewing work in us, ridding us of the sinful words, thoughts and actions that aren’t from Him, so that we may reflect only His love and light and presence in us to this dark and fallen world and the lost souls within it.

God is our Heavenly Father, our Creator and our guide. And Jesus Christ is our LORD and Savior and King. As Christians, we trust Him wholeheartedly and we submit our heart and our lives into His skilled hands. May He shape us according to His design and plan for us, so that we may stand strong in the firing furnace and emerge revealing His craftsmanship as He prepares us serve Him on Earth and in His Kingdom of Heaven according to His Holy Word and will. May He give us the peace and endurance we need each day, and may He use this time to help us grow in His wisdom and strength and to grow in our walk and relationship with Him. May He make us more into the person that He not only created us to us to be, but called us to be from the very beginning.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for securing a place for all true Christian believers as followers of Christ and spiritually reborn children of God in His eternal Kingdom. Each day, the sun rises and its light and warmth, and the Holy Bible gives us a glimpse of the promised eternity to come. May we continue to walk in the love and light of Christ with our heads held high and our eyes on the finish line. May we lead others to His Gospel Truth and to His light as well throughout this journey with Him. Let us all humble ourselves before God daily, asking Him to forgive us and to strength and teach us to view life through the lens of God and His promises. May He guard our hearts against Satan and the temptations of this world and our flesh. May He give us the peace to find full satisfaction in God and His peace and promises, so that we may live our lives daily in ways that honor and pleases Him. As we seek Him daily, may He reveal Himself to us through the words He has provided and use it to conform the desires of our heart to Him and His love and compassion and grace.

As true and spiritually reborn Christians, we love, trust and believe in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ. We choose to keep Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ first in our hearts and lives and all other worldly desires behind us. He extends salvation to everyone, and we want to show the world the freedom, hope and peace they can have in accepting and following Him. We must ask Him to help us grow spiritually in our relationship with Him and strengthen us and the bonds of love that He has given us, so that our unity may glorify and testify to His power and goodness. Thank Him for calling us to faith and imparting us with salvation and righteousness. May He empower us to live in His will and righteousness, so that we may testify to His soul-saving power as our faith carries us past all doubt, fear, and failure. May He grant us the grace to forgive others who have wronged us, and the humility to seek forgiveness where we have caused strife. May we follow and serve God daily with love, trust, awe and wonder. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ strengthen our faith, lift our spirits, protect our hearts, and show us opportunities to help bring others to Him and His Gospel Truth daily. May we do this duty boldly, humbly and faithfully. Seek, follow and trust in the LORD God Almighty always! To God be all the honor and praise and glory!

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Calculate your Spiritual Gains and Losses

by William Mason

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

Oh happy, happy soul, who can say with Paul, “in life, in death, Christ is my gain!” Truly, if you believe on the Son of God, you may. You also have the same right and the same reason [to do so] as he had. Paul was a poor sinner, even as you are; but Christ was all his gain: so he is to you, and to everyone who believes in him. Come Christian, let us, like the wise merchant, calculate our accounts of loss and gain, and see the sum total. In self-righteousness before God, peace with God, love to God, hope in God, power to please God, enjoyment of God, the life of our souls, yes, our souls by themselves are totally lost. We are all a lump of sin, bankrupt sinners, insolvent debtors to law and justice, and are in danger of lying for ever in the prison of hell. Awful loss!

What is our gain? Inestimable riches! Nothing less than precious Christ, and a precious salvation! Oh is his dear name enrolled in the book of our hearts? Can we read Jesus there? Then in Christ we have perfect righteousness before God, full acceptance with God, free access to God, love from God, peace with God, hope of enjoying, yes, present fellowship with God; we are his children in Christ Jesus; all that he has is ours; every attribute and perfection of Jehovah is engaged for us; his Spirit is ours, to make us holy and happy here, and to lead us to eternal happiness hereafter. “But,” says the poor believing sinner, “I am brought to a standstill in my calculations; though Christ is my gain, yet I have not entirely lost my burden, sin: sin is still alive in me.” Don’t stop, oh soul: continue balancing your books.

Though we have sin and feel sin raging and rebelling, what then? In Christ we have gained a sacrifice for it, and redemption from it. His precious blood has taken away all the guilt of sin from us, and all the wrath due to us from the justice of God. So it stands upon record in the court of heaven, and the Holy Ghost is witness of it on earth. Therefore, record this in the court of conscience: Faith can show a discharge from the guilt of sin and the curse of the law. “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin” [Romans 6:11]. Dead indeed, how emphatic! Yes, as much dead to sin as a corpse buried underground; and as much alive to God in Christ, as though you had never committed one sin, nor have any sin in you. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:2 NASB). Thus in Christ we gain a perfect victory over sin and the law. But say, will sin destroy our mortal bodies? let it; this is all it can do; it cannot hurt our immortal souls; for, thanks be to God in Christ, we have a complete victory over death; Christ is our gain in death. We shall lose nothing by death but sin and sorrow: but we shall gain eternal glory. We shall be with our Jesus (John 17:24).