#fellowship with God through confession

[thinkingonscripture]

Confession of Sins for the Christian

The Bible mentions two kinds of forgiveness: judicial forgiveness, which removes the eternal penalty of sin at salvation (Eph 1:7), and parental forgiveness, which restores fellowship with God when believers confess their sins (1 John 1:9). At the moment of faith in Christ (John 3:16), the benefits of the cross are applied to us, and we receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Scripture…

[walkswithmyfather]

Jesus Saves!

John 3:16-17. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Luke 19:10. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Acts 4:12. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Acts 16:31. “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Mark 16:16. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Acts 2:38. “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 10:9-10. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Romans 10:13. “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

John 5:24. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

John 3:36. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:21. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1 John 1:7. “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 cleanses us from all sin.”

Matthew 7:21-23. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

John 3:3. “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Hebrews 7:25. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Romans 5:8..“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Hebrews 9:28. “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

1 Timothy 1:15..“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

John 1:12. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

Acts 16:30-31. “Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1 John 2:2. “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

From: “Carry The Light” (FB)

[steddieunderdogfics]

Need Brooks no Delay, but Late is Better Than Never by etlagiapet

@etlagiapet

Rating: Explicit

20,620 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warnings

Tags: fifteen years later, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Eddie Munson Lives, POV Steve Harrington, Misunderstandings, Angst and Feels, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Love Confessions, Idiots in Love, Platonic Soulmates Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Smut, The Lord of the Rings References, Angst with a Happy Ending, No beta we die like Barb

Summary:

The year is 2001. The Fellowship of the Ring is out in theaters, and Steve is being dragged along to the supposed most important day of Dustin's life. The thing is, Eddie Munson's coming, too, and Steve hasn't spoken to him in nearly six years. Not since misaligned feelings and an ill-timed love confession created a rupture Steve didn't know how to repair. - “We just drifted apart, man. That’s all.” Dustin sighs dramatically. “Was it because you figured out you liked dudes and freaked out?” Steve winces. It’s a joke. He can tell by Dustin’s tone, knows he likes to poke fun about Steve’s sexuality after he identified as a self-proclaimed ladies' man for so long, but it’s never come up this way before. Steve could deflect, but something in him shifts and instead he says, “More like because I figured it out too late.” “Ooooooh,” Dustin breathes, and Steve can all but imagine the lightbulb flashing to life above his head. It makes Steve think of Dustin’s old hat with THINKING CAP on the front. “Oh my god, that makes so much more sense."

Thanks for the rec!

This rec is a part of our Birthday Celebration! The theme this weekend is Time Skips.

Know a fic that deserves extra love? Submit through our asks or the submission box!

[fluentmoviequoter]

Constant Faith and the Life it Brings

Part 2 of Constant Faith | Requested Here!

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!worship pastor!reader

Summary: After your church is robbed, Tim learns how you got into faith and helps you learn to share your story.

Warnings: mentions of armed robbery and past arrests, basically a testimony based on the request, fluff and comfort

Word Count: 1.8k+ words

A/N: I loved writing this!! The worship pastor!r dynamic is right up my alley and I definitely sprinkled little parts of my own testimony and time in church in here.😊

Masterlist Directory | Tim Bradford Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

The days following the robbery are strange, but you believe in promises and know that God and Tim keep them. As Tim helps the robbery unit work the case, you meet with different church members to pray together.

When Sunday rolls around, and the sanctuary is still treated as an active crime scene, your pastor welcomes everyone into his home for service and fellowship. You lead worship as usual, but hearing all the voices mixing and praising God together, trusting that He has the situation in His hand and would use it for His purpose, is a unique and beautiful experience. One you wouldn’t have had without a walk through the valley of the shadow, you think as you finish a song.

As you go home Sunday afternoon, you think about everything that has led you to this exact moment in your life and your faith. There are parts of your testimony you don’t like sharing with just anyone, not because you doubt what God has done for you or want to keep His message to yourself, but because it brings up memories that remind you of a painful time. Living through an armed robbery and experiencing how much your church family loves and cares for one another, however, gives you strength and encouragement that your story could help others who are in similar circumstances. That inherent need to help others who are hurting, to be there for them, is precisely what led you to become a therapist when you’re not singing at church.

Tuesday morning, your pastor sends out a video message with excellent news. He tells you and the rest of the church members that the offering collected on Sunday not only met their usual numbers but replenished the money that had been stolen. You’re unsure if God encouraged everyone to give a bit more and support His house or if one generous donor knew what had happened. Regardless, the church isn’t in fiscal danger, which is great but not the best part.

“The L.A.P.D. contacted me this morning to inform me that the thieves were apprehended and offered a full confession,” he adds. “In addition, they have recovered everything stolen from the safe and it will be returned to us in due time. Now if that isn’t proof that our God still works miracles, I don’t know what is!”

“I think that was the best run-through we’ve had in weeks!” Jerry applauds. “Not that they’re usually bad, you know.”

“We do,” you promise with a smile. “But, I agree, that was great! We’re back in the sanctuary Sunday, so let’s have a great service and welcome everyone back into church.”

You watch the worship team gather their things and leave, but you look up at the empty cross on the wall. Your Bible is lying with your things, and you squat to pick it up as Jerry exits the audio booth.

“You alright?” he asks softly.

“Yeah, I’m good. I think I’m just…”

“I understand. You’ve got keys, so take your time. We’re all here if you need us.”

You nod your thanks and wait until he leaves to sit in the front pew. Holding your Bible in your lap, you close your eyes and begin praying. You thank God for everything, including Tim, and you pray for him, too. He’s a big part of your life, even if he doesn’t know how much he’s done for you.

“Can I help you, Officer?” Jerry asks as he exits the church. “Or are you here on personal business?”

Tim is waiting beside his truck, dressed in his patrol uniform. He looks up when Jerry exits, and Jerry hides a smile at Tim’s disappointed look. Most of your church family knows about Tim, and Jerry knows who the officer before him is and what – or who – he’s there for.

“Just waiting for her,” Tim says.

“She’s in the sanctuary; may be a few minutes. You’re welcome to go in if you’d like.”

Tim looks over Jerry’s shoulder to the door and nods. He thanks Jerry and watches him walk away. You’re more at home here than anyone else, yet Tim doesn’t feel as if he’s trespassing when he walks through the front door and navigates to the sanctuary entrance.

The pew dips beside you, and you look up from your Bible quickly and see Tim looking at the stage. He doesn’t speak as he joins you, but his hand is stretched toward you.

“Sorry,” you murmur.

Your finger holds your place in the New Testament, the fitting story of Jesus and the “den of thieves.” Tim shakes his head and tells you to take your time. He sits back and closes his eyes. Maybe Tim is praying or giving you the privacy he thinks you need. Either way, you appreciate him and are glad he’s beside you.

“I- thank you for working so hard and catching them,” you begin. “On Sunday, we received enough money from tithing to make up for what was stolen. Between that and the arrest, I should be, I don’t know, jumping for joy or something.”

“But?” Tim presses kindly.

“It reminded me of my past,” you whisper. “And I’ve just been thinking that I can do more- that I should do more.”

“Do more how?”

You look at Tim, and his eyes are already on you. His focus on the here and now is appreciated, but he can’t understand what you mean until you tell him about your past. More than Tim, you can’t do what the Lord is calling you to do without learning to share painful memories.

“I had a really bad childhood; my upbringing, I guess you could say, was rough, Tim. Growing up, I never felt like I belonged or was loved, even in my own house, around people who were supposed to love me and protect me. So, I learned how to look out for myself and provide for myself, but I didn’t always do it right.”

Your eyes drop from Tim’s to look at your Bible instead. Tim keeps his eyes on your face as you speak, and his hand inches closer to your side.

“When those men came in here and demanded to know where the money was… part of why I stayed so calm is because I’ve been that person before. I was behind the gun once and it landed me in juvie at 17. I didn’t know why they charged me as a minor. I didn’t understand anything until I found this.”

You point to your Bible and pause. Tim doesn’t press, though you’re sure he has questions about your previous arrest. Because you went to juvie and were a minor with no prior record, everything was expunged, and most people would never know it happened.

“Someone introduced me to the Bible,” you continue. “I was carrying around so many sins, and they were a burden that never lightened. Initially, I thought it was desperation or boredom, anything other than a need for a Savior. I started reading and it felt like every sentence was written to me specifically. The thief on the cross beside Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness of sins while healing physical infirmities… everything Jesus said and did felt like an invitation. I started praying and I felt that burden start lifting. After I confessed every sin, even the ones no one else knew about, I gave my life to Christ. At that moment, I started praying that God could use me and my past to help others who are hurting.”

You take a deep breath and apologize again. Tim finally moves his hand into yours, and your eyes drift to his.

“That’s what led you to become a therapist? LA’s best grief counselor,” Tim guesses.

You smile and chuckle as you nod.

“You’re good at your job, I’ve always known that. But the fact that you let a situation like that lead you to help others is exceptional. Not many doctors pray for their patients; I’d charge extra for that.”

You push against Tim’s shoulder as your smile grows. “If they’d told me that reading the Bible would lead to having two jobs without facing the price of sin, I wouldn’t have believed them. The worship pastor idea came in later. The day before I was released I read Acts 16. Paul and Silas sing praises in prison, and then there’s an earthquake and the doors are opened. No one leaves, but the jailer sees the doors and prepares to kill himself. Paul and Silas stop him and lead him to repent and be baptized. So, after nights of praying and praising in a cell, I knew I needed to keep doing it.”

Tim has been quiet since the moment he walked in. Though you don’t regret sharing your testimony with him, you begin to worry that he won’t want anything to do with you now. Learning that your girlfriend went to juvie for armed robbery isn’t easy for most people to move on from.

“I understand if you want some time,” you murmur.

Tim’s eyes are still straight ahead. You realize he’s looking at the pulpit in the center of the stage. He squeezes your hand gently, and you take a deep breath. You won't blame him for needing space, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt.

“I had a rough childhood, too. My dad was angry, and he got violent because of that. I actually thought for a while that he killed someone," Tim says.

His voice is rough, but you know why and you're here for him. You lay your other hand over Tim’s and turn to face him. His eyes are still forward, and you understand it can be easier to talk about stuff like this without looking at your audience.

“He was having an affair with a woman who was being abused. She killed her husband and my dad covered for her. That- that moment when he confessed and he seemed like a good man… it went against everything I had ever seen. He was a monster, and everything that I am is despite what my dad did.”

Tim turns toward you, and you see tears gathering in his eyes. It hurts to relive past pains, but your entire life is founded upon a belief that you don’t have to do it alone.

“I don’t want time or space. Your past made you the woman I love, and the strength and love you found during your darkest night… your story is special.”

“I could do more,” you whisper. “I don’t tell enough people.”

“You told me. That’s a start, right?”

You nod and lean your head against Tim’s shoulder. Your Bible folds closed with your movement, and you remember that your unshakeable faith will get you through the hard days to come, and telling your story may allow someone else to see the strength Christ offers.

“You’re amazing,” you say against Tim’s shirt. “Everything that you are, all that you do, shows that your past doesn’t define you.”

Tim turns to kiss your head and wraps an arm around your back.

“Did you come to give me a ride and a hug?” you ask.

“Yes. A ride home and more than one hug.”

[solidrockistand]

Complete Cleansing and Forgiveness

1st John 1:5-10

1st John 1:5: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.

1st John 3:11: This is the message you heard from the beginning we should love one another

1st Timothy 6:16: He alone can never die d he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him no one has ever seen him nor ever will. To him be honor and power forever. AMEN!

1st John 1:6: And knowledge with self-control and self-control with steadfastness and steadfastness with godliness.

John 3:19-21: and this is the judgement the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light let his work be exposed. But whoever what is true comes to light so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

John 8:12: Again, Jesus spoke to them saying "I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

2nd Corinthians 6:14: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers for what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? For what fellowship has light with darkness.

Ephesians 5:8: For at one time, you were darkness but now you are light in the Lord, walk as children of light.

1stJohn 2:11: But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going because of the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1st John 2:4: whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.

1st John 4:20: If anyone says I love God and hates his brother is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot! love God who he has not seen.

1st John 1:7: 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 cleanses us from all sin.

Isaiah 2:5: O house of Jacob, come let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Hebrews 9:14: How much more will the blood of Christ who through eternal spirit offered himself without blemish to God. Purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God

Revelation 1:5: And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness. The first born of the dead and the rulers of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

1st John 1:8: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Proverbs 20:9: Who can say, "I have made my heart pure I am clean from my sin?"

Jeremiah 2:35: You say "I am innocent; Surely his anger has turned from me, Behold I will bring you to judgement for saying "I have not sinned"

James 3:2: For we all stumble in many ways and if anyone does not stumble in what he says he is a perfect man able to bridle his whole body.

John 8:44: You are of your fathers the devil and your will to do your fathers desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with truth because there is no truth in him when he lies, he speaks out of his own character for he is the father of lies.

1st John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 32:5: I acknowledge my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."

Psalms 51:2: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Proverbs 28:13: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes they will obtain mercy

Micah 7:18-20: Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in steadfast love. He again will have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquity under foot. You will cast our sins into the depths of the sea you will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Hebrews 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

1st John 1:10: If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not un us.

1st John 5:10: Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself whoever does not believe God has made him a liar because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his son.

John 5:38: And you do not have his word abiding in you for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

1st John 2:14: I write to you, fathers because you know him is from the beginnings. I write to you, young men because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one.

[lawrenceop]

Parrhesia

HOMILY for 3rd Thu (I) per annum

Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24; Mark 4:21-25

Every morning we gather for Holy Mass, and whenever we receive Holy Communion, we “enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus”, through his flesh, we come before God, the Triune God. It may seem like we receive the Eucharist into our own bodies, and so God comes to us, or that we unite him to ourselves. But recall these words of the Lord recounted by St Augustine, “You will not change me into yourself like bodily food; but you will be changed into me”. The Eucharist, therefore, makes us like Christ, it unites us to him and so he is the Agent, it is Christ who changes us, elevating our relationship with God, so that together with him, “through his flesh”, through this “new and living way” that is the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we can enter into communion with the living God. And we do so with confidence. This word, parrhesia in Greek means, in the words of the Catechism, “straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved.” (CCC 2778)

How marvellous it is to ponder again this wonderful and beautiful truth: Because of Christ’s incarnation, and his coming to us in the flesh, in this Sacrament of the Eucharist; because Jesus unites us to himself in this Sacrament, so he has opened for us the way to God, and now we have access to God through him. Baptism into Christ has washed us and purified us of sin so that we can now come before God “in full assurance of faith”, and we come before God as his own beloved sons and daughters, with confidence, with parrhesia. Again, because I think we all need to hear this repeatedly, through Christ and with Christ and in Christ we can come to God with “straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved.” 

This certainty, this faith, this assurance of God’s loving mercy and the gifts of his grace to sanctify us and save us from sin is not the same as presumption. But rather, it is the lifting of our eyes and our hearts to God our Father, turning to him with “filial trust” so that we desire more and more to conform our lives to Christ’s, and show by our way of living and acting that we are God’s. As St Ambrose says, “Suddenly you have received the grace of Christ: all your sins have been forgiven. From being a wicked servant you have become a good son… Then raise your eyes to the Father who has begotten you through Baptism, to the Father who has redeemed you through his Son”. For we have been restored to his likeness by grace, and so we must respond to this grace. We respond by drawing near with confidence, with parrhesia, and asking the Father for his gifts, confessing our weaknesses and failings but so remembering our utter need of the Saviour. And “he who promised is faithful”, and so he acts through the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, and through the gift of his Spirit to save us, to change us into himself. We can hope in the promises of Christ. So, in this passage there is reference to the virtues of faith and of hope. 

And finally, in the final sentence there is reference to the virtue charity, to the works of love that we should find among us, within the communion of the Church: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works [and] encouraging one another”. May this reminder from God’s holy Word of what God does for us daily, and may this daily Liturgy and our prayers together, and our fellowship in the refectory and elsewhere increase true charity among us. 

[hiswordsarekisses]

“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-13

Whenever there is a “Therefore,” it’s important to back to to what was before the “therefore” - so to find out why Paul is saying we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling we have to go to the previous text:

“If, then, there is any encouragement in Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, one in being and of purpose, doing none at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each one should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. For, let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a matter to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men. And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a cross. God, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2‬:‭1‬-‭11‬

The verb κατεργάζομαι is used in the New Testament to convey the idea of working out or bringing something to completion. It often implies a process of labor or effort that results in a particular outcome. This term can refer to both physical and spiritual endeavors, emphasizing the active role of individuals in achieving a result or effect.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, labor and work were integral to daily life, with a strong emphasis on productivity and the completion of tasks. The concept of working out or accomplishing something was not only relevant in economic and social contexts but also in philosophical and ethical discussions. In the New Testament, this term is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual growth and the manifestation of faith through actions.

It is my understanding that Paul is encouraging us to press on and not to give up on ourselves, because God has supplied the power necessary to make the changes that need to be made in us. He says in another place “we have given everything we need for life and godliness.

We should be checking ourselves for proof that God has given us a new heart by our actions - are we bearing the fruit of a new heart in a process of consistent growth?

Are we dying to self and laying our lives down for others and putting their needs above our own?

It can be stressful wondering about whether our salvation is true or whether we are self-deceived, and I can relate to the fear and trembling.

I believe that God has caused it to be this way on purpose so that we do not become comfortable in this world or become full of pride in ourselves on account of growth.

It should be no light thing for us to be ““Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?” 2nd-Corinthians‬-13‬:‭5‬

And what is that test?

Verse 8 explains that the test is are you living by His Word? “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”

And the number one test, and of a true follower of God will be love. Are we growing to love like Jesus?

This is not something we can do on our own. God’s love is miraculous and it is the organic fruit of the new heart He gives us.

When I fear I do not love enough, which is always - I pray that He will perfect His love in me so that I can love with His love. Then I have no choice but to trust Him to do just that - since it is “HIM Who causes us to will and to act according to His good purpose.”

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 18, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 28:13-14 (KJV): 13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 28:13-14 (AMP): 13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. 14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears (the Lord) at all times (regardless of circumstances), but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Thought for the Day

Verse 13 - Anyone who thinks he has not sinned is deceived. The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of God's glory. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:23-25). By His death, Jesus made atonement for the sins of all mankind. Anyone can be pardoned if he turns to Christ and repents. When two Christians cannot fellowship, it is because one or both of them are walking in darkness in some area of their lives. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (John 1:5-10).

We can have fellowship with Christ only by dealing with our sins. When we sin, we are not to hide, ignore, or excuse it. We are to confess and turn from it. Only then will we be cleansed from our unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus.

Verse 14 - The reverential fear of God brings blessing, but a hard heart brings ruin. If we do not respond to God in obedience when He speaks to us, our hearts will begin to harden. Each time we refuse to obey God, our hearts become a little harder. A person who continues resisting the Holy Spirit will make their hearts insensitive to God, and they will have no rest in their souls.

"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, they do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So, I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:7-14).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, we are grateful that we can always come to You and confess our sins, and You will never turn us away, but will always extend mercy to us and deliver us from evil. Father, may we always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings, and obey You when You tell us to do something. We never want any hardness in our hearts toward the things of God. May we always stand before You with a reverential fear, knowing that You are all powerful and all wise. Lord, we declare, we will have no fear of what man can do to us, because our faith and trust are in You. We are grateful we can call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Father. Amen.

[faeriefully]

If God knows what choices we’ll make and that we’re going to sin, why does He let us be tempted? Why didn’t He help me when I told Him it was beyond me not to sin and begged Him to deliver me?

Anon, it sounds like you need to talk to your pastor, not a random girl on the internet—fellow believer or not. You need someone who knows you, knows the Word, and you can confide in beyond two sentences about the whole situation. That’s part of the means of grace given to you to deliver you from sin. Pray. Dig into the Word. Seek your pastor or elder’s wisdom.

That being said, what I can do is point to scripture—

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

—

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

—

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

—

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

—

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

—

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Not Invited

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Psalm 46:5 God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

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VERSE OF THE DAY

========================

+ 1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth

=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM REVOKING THE INVITATION

I AM STRONG

I AM LOVING

I AM STANDING ON JESUS

********************************

THOUGHTS:

=======================

  Spirits can enter in any way, but we must stay under God's protection, and when we are weak, they will find a way in. Sin is something we must confess every day to God , at any moment we can deny what we are dealing with is a real problem. The more we continue to deal with sin and be in denial about what we are dealing with we will always not confess because we don’t see it as sin some of us see it as having a good time or just who we are but every day, we have the chance to say to God, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to do this. I didn't mean to do that. Could you remove it?

   Sometimes, he removes things because it's our heart, our humbleness to know we have disappointed him, and we don’t want to do it again. Sometimes, he lets whatever we are dealing with stay because he sees we don’t it removed and we are comfortable with that sin. The truth of the matter is we shouldn’t be comfortable with any type of sin; society wants us to look at some sins as well this happen so this is why they are this way or this caused them to do this or that, but when we keep compromising with sin, we will always invite it in.

  No one can come to my home unless I invite them. That’s just like any of you. No one can come into your homes unless you say to them, hey, you can come by, but the moment someone shows up unannounced, we first ask who you are. Why are you here? They aren’t invited. This is just like a spirit. A spirit cannot just come upon us without an invitation from us, without our permission. The enemy is standing at the door every day, waiting for us to let him come in, and some of us are inviting him in without even realizing what we are doing.

 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. 7 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.

   If we claim we are of Christ and that we walk in him, we won't walk in darkness; if we do walk in darkness, the truth doesn’t live in us, but if we walk in the light, we are in the light of God, and we have the blood of the lamb in our lives; we have to allow the light we have in us to shine, we have to make a choice, and every day our choice should be living a life in Christ, our life should always be filled with the presence of God.

  Our life as Christians won't thrive without him in it, and when we allow sin to come in, it makes us weaker and weaker. Yes, I am saying that we will die spiritually if we aren’t holding on to God and making him what we need; some of us don’t understand this yet;BUT we need him to survive, just like the people who play this tv show called Survivor they need water and flint to make it through, and that’s why they give them a chance to win flint as a reward in the game. Fire is the most import thing in the wilderness just like having the fire of God is important in our life long with the living water.

  How many of us miss the mark because we are still dwelling in the dark place, and there's no light in it? It has no place in the kingdom of God; his word says that those who do certain things won't inherit the kingdom of God.

  Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

   We can’t conceal sin; we can hide it from man as long as we can; we can deny what we are doing is a sin, but as long as we are in denial , we won’t forsake SIN we will keep inviting it in over and over ; we must forsake the sins we are doing to obtain mercy, some of us we don’t won’t mercy when we are in that sin we just want to do the sin we just want to dwell in it ,let’s just be honest it gets like that sometimes. Still, if we are in this mindset of accepting this sin and allowing it to dwell, we won’t have mercy, but the moment we say, God, I’m tired of allowing this sin to take control over me and allowing it to be my master , and inviting it in , we will have victory in God.

  Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice

  Put it away from you, all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. We have to put it away and not invite it in; a lot of times, we invite it in because we have had this same mindset all our lives; we have been taught how to deal with people and how to act if someone offends us, but when we are children of God we must turn the other cheek we can’t get angry like we use to ,we can’t pour wrath on anyone the lord says I will take vengeance, I will handle it. Hence, our actions are small compared to what God can do.

  ***Today, we learned that we have to revoke the invitation we have given to the spirits in our lives, we have to revoke the different mindsets we are used to carrying to take up the ways God wants us to have, we have to walk in a different light, sometimes we forget that God is all-powerful and he’s bigger than the problems we are dealing with he’s bigger than the anger and bitterness we carry. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same spirit that can help us conquer what we are dealing with if we believe.

  We also learned that we must put away the things that are in us that are not like God, and we can’t do this alone; some of us have open invitations to places we shouldn’t be going, but we must deny those invitations we have to say no to the world. Yes, to God, it’s no more dancing on the line, my friends; we have to say no and stand on it; people are going to see you as the same when you walk in the light of God but ignore their opinions and accept Jesus’ invitations to a better way of living. Accept Jesus' new way of handling everything; accept him today! ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

========================

PRAYER

========================

Heavenly Father, thank you for everything we ask you today to help us to deny our fleshly ways and pick up our cross; we ask you to help us through our moments of our weakness lord, help us also to put away bitterness and malice, lord continue to pour into us a new mindset. Lord, we love you so much, and we thank you for our salvation, mercy, and grace, in Jesus' Name, Amen

========================

REFERENCES

========================

+ Romans 3:13-14 Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

 

+ John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

+ Mark 3:5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

========================

FURTHER READINGS

=========================

Proverbs 28

Matthew 14

Leviticus 3

2 Chronicles 28

=========================

[steveezekiel]

AN EXTENDED TIME OF PRAYER

5 AND HE [Jesus] SAID TO THEM, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';

7 and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?

8 I SAY TO YOU, THOUGH HE WILL NOT RISE AND GIVE TO HIM BECAUSE HE IS HIS FRIEND, YET BECAUSE OF HIS PERSISTENCE HE WILL RISE AND GIVE HIM AS MANY AS HE NEEDS.

9 "SO I SAY TO YOU, ASK, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK, AND YOU WILL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.

10 FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES, AND HE WHO SEEKS FINDS, AND TO HIM WHO KNOCKS IT WILL BE OPENED."

Luke 11:5-10 (NKJV)

• This pattern of prayer is also known as being importuned or insistent in prayer, or tarrying in the presence of God (Luke 14:5-10; 18:1-8).

- Staying in God's presence for an extended period of time to seek His face for help, mercy, grace, wisdom, direction, favour, or strength; should be part of your life—what you do regularly or steadily (Exodus 34:28-30).

- Tarrying in God's presence is known to be the usual practice of Jesus Christ in His earthly Ministry: "BUT JESUS OFTEN WITHDREW TO THE WILDERNESS FOR PRAYER" (Luke 5:16 NLT).

"NOW IN THE MORNING, HAVING RISEN A LONG WHILE BEFORE DAYLIGHT, HE [Jesus] WENT OUT AND DEPARTED TO A SOLITARY PLACE; AND THERE HE PRAYED."

Mark 1:35 (NKJV)

"NOW IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS THAT HE [Jesus] WENT OUT TO THE MOUNTAIN TO PRAY, AND CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER TO GOD."

Luke 6:12 (NKJV)

- When you cultivate the habit of tarrying in God's presence for an extended period of time:

a. Grace and Anointing would be released on your life.

b. God will direct your path and order your feet—you would get to know how to go by whatever God wanted you to do, that is, clear directions for the assignment at hand.

c. You will be defended or protected by God.

- If praying and watching is what you often do or practice, the devil, the believers' adversary, would find it difficult to get you down or prevail over your life.

• Praying for an extended period of time or tarrying in the presence of God is not a wasted effort or time.

- Those who are human agents of the devil do believe that If a believer is praying, he or she would soon round off.

- At such a time they send, through demons or demonic powers given to them in the dark kingdom, different distractions and mind wanderings.

A neighbour might be stirred to come up with a distractive noise and a number of other things. This is one of the reasons why you should always look for a solitary place to pray and fellowship with God: "NOW IN THE MORNING, HAVING RISEN A LONG WHILE BEFORE DAYLIGHT, HE [Jesus] WENT OUT AND DEPARTED TO A SOLITARY PLACE; AND THERE HE PRAYED" (Mark 1:35 NKJV).

• At times, an answer to your prayer might not come on time—the result may tarry. However, If you can keep on or be persistent in your prayers, you would eventually wear out the opposer, the adversary—the devil and the assigned demons (Daniel 10:12-14; Luke 11:8-10).

- Your determination to stay put, being consistent in prayer, wears out the enemy, the devil. This prayer pattern wearies the devil: "YET BECAUSE THIS WIDOW TROUBLES ME [because this widow is insistent] I WILL AVENGE HER, LEST BY HER CONTINUAL COMING SHE WEARY ME' " (Luke 18:5 NKJV).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' mighty name.

- Whatever the hold of the enemy in your life, such is completely broken in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION

• Take notice of this:

IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).

a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).

b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).

c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Testing the Spirits

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. 4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. 5 They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them. 6 We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us. 13 By this we know [with confident assurance] that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given to us His [Holy] Spirit. 14 We [who were with Him in person] have seen and testify [as eye-witnesses] that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. 17 In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him. — 1 John 4 | Amplified Bible (AMP) The Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 22:2; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Kings 13:18; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 9:34; Matthew 10:15; Matthew 24:5; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:31; John 6:51; John 6:56; John 6:69; John 8:23; John 8:32; John 8:47; John 9:3; John 15:27; John 12:31; John 12:34; John 13:35; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:15; Romans 8:31; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:7; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:10-11; 2 John 1:5

[childofchrist1983]

Every hair on our head, every cell and every chemical in our bodies, has been carefully and purposefully assembled by our Creator. He breathed His life into us and imbued us with the personality traits, aptitudes and skills that make each of us who we are. His knowledge of us is intimate and limitless, and His love and care for us is unmatched. for creating us with such care and purpose. We are overwhelmed with awe, knowing that He put so much attention into just one person. And it brings us peace and joy to know that we are truly loved and fully known by the Almighty God and LORD Jesus Christ, our loving Creator and Heavenly Father and Savior. Seek, follow and trust in the LORD God Almighty always!

As Christians, 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. 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. 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!

[newprophets]

Why does John say that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves

"Freedom in Admitting Our Flaws: A Look at 1 John 1:8"

We live in a world that tells us to always put our best foot forward, to pretend we’ve got it all together. But what if the key to real freedom isn’t in pretending, but in admitting our flaws? That’s exactly what 1 John 1:8 teaches us: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

This might sound like a harsh truth, but it’s actually an invitation to real freedom. Let’s break down how admitting our flaws leads to a deeper relationship with God and others.

Why Do We Resist Admitting Our Sins?

No one likes to admit their faults. It’s uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassing. But in trying to cover up our flaws, we end up deceiving ourselves. Here’s why we resist admitting our sins:

1. We Don’t Want to Appear Weak

In a world that values strength and success, admitting our flaws can feel like weakness. But in God’s kingdom, admitting our need for grace is a sign of strength. It shows we’re humble enough to rely on Him.

2. We Fear Judgment

We worry about what others might think if we confess our sins. Will they judge us? Will they look at us differently? This fear can keep us trapped in secrecy. But God’s judgment is full of grace and mercy, not condemnation.

3. We’re Comfortable in Denial

Sometimes it’s easier to deny that anything’s wrong. Admitting our sin requires change, and change is uncomfortable. So we stay in our comfort zones, even when it means living in self-deception.

The Power of Admitting Our Sins

1 John 1:8 is clear: denying our sin is self-deception. But here’s the beauty of admitting our flaws: when we confess, we’re met with grace and freedom. The very next verse, 1 John 1:9, promises: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Admitting Our Sins Leads to Freedom

When we admit our sins, we release the weight of self-deception. We stop pretending and start living authentically. This leads to a life of freedom, where we no longer carry the burden of trying to appear perfect.

Admitting Our Sins Deepens Our Relationship With God

God knows our hearts. When we’re honest with Him about our flaws, we deepen our relationship with Him. Confession is an act of humility and trust, and it opens the door to deeper intimacy with God.

Admitting Our Sins Strengthens Our Relationships With Others

When we’re real about our struggles, we create space for deeper connections with others. It’s in our vulnerability that we find true fellowship. By admitting our sins, we build relationships based on honesty, grace, and mutual support.

How to Start Admitting Your Flaws and Walking in Freedom1. Confess to God Regularly

Make confession a regular part of your prayer life. Don’t wait until things pile up—talk to God about your struggles daily. He’s ready to listen, forgive, and help you grow.

2. Find Safe People to Confess To

Sometimes we need to confess to others, not just to God. Find a trusted friend, mentor, or pastor who can walk with you through your struggles and hold you accountable.

3. Let Go of Perfectionism

You don’t have to be perfect. God’s grace covers your imperfections. Let go of the pressure to have it all together, and embrace the freedom of admitting that you’re a work in progress.

4. Celebrate God’s Grace

Each time you confess, remember that God is faithful to forgive. Celebrate the grace

[albertfinch]

A GREAT HIGH PRIEST

Hebrews 4:14 -- "Having, then, a great High Priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."

A GREAT HIGH PRIEST, JESUS THE SON OF GOD

The name JESUS speaks of His humanity, and of His work as a Savior from sin.  This is is the first work of the priest -- the cleansing , the putting away of sin.

Secondly, the name SON OF GOD speaks of His divinity, and His power as High Priest, really to bring us to God, into the very life and fellowship of the Holy One.  It is in His Son that God speaks to us about His purpose for out life in advancing His Kingdom;  it is to the perfect fellowship and blessedness of the ever-blessed One that our great High Priest having passed through the heavens can, and does indeed, bring us.

HAVING, THEREFORE, A GREAT HIGHT PRIEST, LET US HOLD FAST OUR CONFESSION 

We become partakers of Christ, IF WE HOLD FAST.  Our faith in Christ must be CONFESSED.  The knowledge of what He is affirms our strength to hold fast our confession. 

If we have Him as our great High Priest,  He is worthy of it;  our souls will delight in rendering Him this homage;  without it failure will speedily come;  without it, the grace of steadfastness and perseverance, cannot be maintained.

WHO HAS PASSED THROUGH THE HEAVENS

Having passed through the heavens beyond all thought of space and place, into the mystery of the divine glory and power.  

And why?

That He might in divine power breathe that heavenly life into our hearts as we go throughout the day keeping our thoughts attuned to the spiritual life of others.  His whole priesthood has, as its one great characteristic -- heavenliness.

He communicates the purity, the power, the life of heaven to us.

We live in heaven with Him.

He lives with heaven in us as we manifest it to others.

With Him in our hearts we have the Kingdom of Heaven within us, in which God's will is done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Let us not fall short of the rest, as partakers of our heavenly Christ calling, so we aggressively bear fruit that remains for His Kingdom  -- consider the Apostle and High Priest of our CONFESSION -- Jesus.

Having Jesus, let us HOLD FAST.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[psalmonesermons]

Unanswered Prayer Part1/4

Why do some prayers seem to be unanswered?

Recently we covered a three-day mini-series called ‘Teach us to pray’. We covered a few practical aspects of prayer including, who do we pray to, and in what position etc. We also looked briefly at the 5 types of prayer, which include 1) confession of sins, 2) praise 3) thanksgiving 4) intercession and 5) petition. One aspect that we did not cover was the subject of unanswered prayer which we will now consider, is apparently unanswered prayer. We often do not talk about the prayers that appear to be unanswered.

Here are the first two of four potential reasons our prayers might be unanswered.

Reason 1. Being out of fellowship prevents God from answering prayer.

When we enter salvation through Jesus Christ, we form a life-long family relationship which is very robust. However, our day-to-day communion with the Lord is fragile and can be easily broken through our sin.

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Reason 2. God has said no because your prayer was not in the will of God.

My grown-up children sometimes say that as a grandparent we let the grandkids away with much more than we did when they were kids. This is true because we have different roles as grandparents.

But God is not a kindly old uncle or grandad but a zealous loving heavenly father.

God has no grandkids only kids.

Each generation must directly connect with him.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

The implication here is that if we ask anything that is not his will then there is no reason to suppose we should be successful in our petition.

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. God promises to meet our need not our greed!

Jesus, when in the Garden of Gethsemane said, Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.

The Father said ‘no’.

We must allow for God to say ‘no’ as He surely knows what is best in any given situation.

We need to remember that the Kingdom of God is in a warzone, there is a huge battle raging between God and his army, and Satan and his troops. Sometimes the Lord needs us to step up to the plate.

Also, we need to remember that God’s silence is not his absence…

Amen

Closing Prayer