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I wonder----while waiting for my bride to get ready to go the grocery, I sat at my desk and just flipped open my Bible, it opened in Mark where Peter was 3 times denying Christ....As I read I wondered if maybe, not being judgmental just wondering, if maybe folks should think more on the crucification than we do, maybe I am just thinking of me, IDUNNO...Like I said just a passing thought while waiting
GOD BLESS
Looking For A Fight
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~ Romans 12:21
In all the superhero stories, there is a fine line that is very difficult for the hero to walk. On the one hand, the hero is called to fight for justice and goodness. On the other hand, a fight is a fight. Villains are not vanquished with good manners. In the fight itself, it can be difficult to discern the difference between the two. Both are fighting, and the fighting is violent and difficult.
Superheroes are born to fight. It is their purpose. But they lose their way when they can no longer distinguish their behaviors and motives from the bad guys. Their goodness is found in the purpose for which they fight. The true superheroes fight for freedom.
The struggle is the same for us. Faith superheroes also need to fight for the right things, and the right reasons. God does not call us to “get our way.” We are not called to achieve what the world values. The Marvel villains inevitably seek to control the world. Their motive is a tyranny where all must bow to their will. The superhero risks his life so that people can make their own choices. The superhero fights for freedom.
We are attracted to Marvel superhero stories because in the deep recesses of our heart we long to follow the ultimate faith superhero - Jesus. The Bible tells us “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” Our freedom was purchased with his life. On the other hand, Satan is a tyrant, seeking to bend all to his will. What he calls freedom is slavery. Jesus calls us to true freedom, the freedom to serve others as faith superheroes. A cause worth fighting for.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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On hearing, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
—Matthew 9:12 💝
Thanks for sharing
Good morning ...for whatever reason this morning I was looking back over post on the Bible board from back in late 2019 and early 2020… Just to see some of the stuff that we were posting back when the Covid thing was going on… and I came across this post from 2019 that I had posted and copy / paste to put here this morning…just to show anybody that may be reading here…i don't care what you're going through…i don't care how tragic and unnecessary and lost your life may seem… or maybe you have a family member that their life is falling apart…there is always hope…and that hope is the Lord Jesus Christ always and forever!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4
God is still in the answering of prayer business. Just talk with God, He already knows everything, He knows what is on your mind before you speak, so why not just go ahead and just talk with God like you would a friend. ----1 Corinthians 2:9----"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."------You can find this also in Isaiah 64:4---How many times I have read this, how many times I have heard this preached on, how many times did I really not grasp the true message, I have no idea....everyday in my morning coffee time chatting with God I always ask for wisdom, I, being really thick upstairs, just want to understand, I think I understand only to find that I know nothing----Now back to God answering prayer, this morning not knowing where in my Bible I wanted to go next I talked with God in all seriousness and I felt led to 1st Corinthians, I got to 2:9 and got to reading several resource things and developed an understanding I never had before, I'll not try to explain. Reckon my point is----God truly answered my prayer, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit teaching me....Think on this, if you will, All throughout the N.T. we are taught that "ALL" learning comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Now I understand that God uses man to spread His word, But the Spirit is what draws us near.
May I ask why you visited the Bible Board this morning ? May I suggest to you that you are right hear reading different post because you are right where God wants you to be, doing exactly what God wants you to be doing. Truly, to be caught in the presence of God, His Son Jesus & the Holy Spirit is an awesome experience------God is still in the Prayer answering business---give it a try
The Purpose of Our Trials
~ In the midst of our struggles, we may feel overwhelmed, but God will carry us through.
Scripture Reading:
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” ~ 1 Peter 4:12-13
Some believers like to portray their life as ideal and carefree. But in reality, being a Christian isn’t easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in God.
In today’s passage, Peter refers to times of testing as a “fiery ordeal.” He says we shouldn’t be surprised when adversity comes. It’s important to remember that God has a purpose for our difficulties and will see us through them (Romans 5:3-5). Here are some of the goals He may have for painful experiences:
• At times the Lord uses hardship to cleanse us. Trials drive us to Him. And as we focus on God, we’re increasingly able to see things from His perspective.
• A difficulty in our life may be the Lord’s way of testing us. He could be trying our faith, endurance, or devotion to Him.
• God uses suffering to demonstrate His power to sustain us. When He brings us through challenging times, He glorifies Himself. In turn, this encourages others, because they have witnessed God’s sustaining power in our life.
Ultimately, hardships strengthen our testimony. In the midst of our struggles, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see the Lord’s providential hand carrying us through.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-purpose-of-our-trials
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Love 2 all in Jesus!! http://mobilesavior.com
You got that right brother - me too…
In my reading of Billy Graham's book on the Holy Spirit he wrote "There is a difference between sin and sins. Sin is the root, sins are the fruit." I read that, over and over again & again...Man that's heavy, going to take me some time on this, be carrying this around for a while. Yes, I get it, just never before gave it any thought . My 1st thought was sin is like an apple tree, and then sins are all the apples on that tree. Well got your attention,
GOD BLESS & have a very blest day
Well there's some truth for you right… I remember one of pluggers post he was talking about Flip Wilson and one of his famous lines… The devil made me do it… And I think that's something that we believers have to keep in mind… Just like you said brother....saying satan get thee behind me and then the Holy Spirit convicting you and saying that that's your flesh… I think what we often do just like Flip Wilson we often times give satan too much credit when it's our flesh that we should be paying more attention to… And trust me I'm speaking from experience...now dont get me wrong...i from time to time speak the words satan get thee behind me but just like you...almost instantly or shortly there after my spiritual light bulb lights up and i say...i hear you Lord that was me....but....still in the heat of battle...sin...im not taking a chance to call out to satan and tell him to take a hike just in case it is him!
Good morning....a deep subject indeed....because...and im just going to throw this out there for something to think on....who are my enemies...well like you say there is satan and his demons. And i guess i can in some way throw in there wolves in sheep clothing...false prophets...unbelievers and yes believers also that try to cause me harm...those that harbor unforgiveness towards me....and i know y'all can add to that list. But then...outside of satan and his demons Jesus tells me to love my enemies...WHAT!
And then of course lets not forget who can often times be my worst enemy...myself...sigh!
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:27-31
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Psalm 109:2-5
And again...this who are our enemies and loving your enemies is a deep subject that can go in different direction in conversation...and all be biblical...if you finish reading Psalm 109 David ask God to come down hard on his enemies....
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20109&version=NKJV
Hope in God's Nearness
~ As we make space for His presence today, I pray that He fills us with a new measure of hope and life in His nearness.
As sons and daughters of the living God, faith founded on God’s nearness should be at the core of our hope.
Psalm 139:7-12 says:
“Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol [the grave], You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.”
There is no greater source of hope than God’s resounding declaration of His nearness. Jesus paid the ultimate price that you and I might be no longer separated from God. His presence now dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. And that fact brings a pervasive hope that has the ability to profoundly impact every aspect of our lives.
As you look forward, know that the God who dwells within you knows every little thing that will happen next. He dwells within all of eternity. Time for Him is not as it is for us. And He promises to be with you in the midst of any trial, pain, victory, or defeat. He longs for you to know His presence moment by moment in everything you will do.
Your heavenly Father says:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” ~ Isaiah 41:10
You can have the fullness of hope because the God who fashioned time is “your God.” He will help you and be there for you. He will never “leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
While the rest of the world sits in fear and worry over what the future holds, your God is leading you in the path of peace that comes from trusting in His presence. But the choice is yours. Will you place your hope in yourself, others, the world, or in God? If you try and build your hope on the foundations of this world, you will find yourself tossed about by the ever-changing waves of man’s opinion. But if you choose to found your hope on the rock of God’s nearness, your life will be filled with all the goodness and mercy of God’s steadfast love.
Take time right now to place your hope in the loving nearness of your heavenly Father as you enter into prayer.
• Why do we live as if God isn’t near to us?
• Why do we fumble through life on our own when Jesus paid the ultimate price that we might have restored relationship with our loving Creator?
God has made available a better way of living and has called us to walk in it. He wants us to know His will, love, and power moment by moment. He wants our thoughts, emotions, and actions to be fully founded in His unshakable nearness.
Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:13 is my prayer for you today:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
May your day be filled with the peace that comes from trusting in God’s nearness.
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~ excerpt of an article published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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I am slow, lol,,, I had to read this twice, then caught on, I have to remember this lesson
When you read stuff in the Scripture to you kind of understand it as in our world today. That ain't very clear, but maybe this will help.....David in the Psalms writes so very much about his enemies, from the O.T. Scriptures we understand who & why those enemies exist .....Yesterday in reading my 5 Psalms I got to thinking on David's enemies which led me to think "who are my enemies"....The devil and his demons or helpers, they are my enemies, now don't get me wrong, I am not talking about the BOOGIE MAN, or the MONSTER under the bed but just as I believe in the Holy Spirit and angels I also believe in the devil and his helpers----Great big ole subject there.....I best leave this alone for now----but think on it----remember ole Flip Wilson, he often would say "the devil made me do it", a real top-notch comedian he was and joking he was-----but so very true
As usual, you be right on. OH !!! may I say it has been a real blessing for others to start posting more often, never know the smallest word may seem like nothing yet God through His Holy Spirit can take that little thought and touch a sinner's heart, we just never know, probably best we don't know because then that opens the door for the devil to put pride in, then I or we think it all happened because of us. Such and easy trap for us humans to fall for
Trust me plugger...God thru David was speaking loud and clear to me as well....almost 29 years that i have been born again Jesus has brought me a long long ways but i can still have my moments if im not careful! What i guess i mean...even if im just thinking it in my head and not speaking it and showing my hind end....God is still hearing it sooooooooooo!
Good morning...i remember...i think...you saying something about that...however...even though i didnt think my memory could get much worse im finding out that it can. Anyway... if i remember right at the end of that post you said you were reporting for chair duty so i didnt bother replying because i didnt want to wake you up knowing that your wife was getting a little peace and quiet!
So i mentioned my memory because to go with what you are saying here. Sometime i hear and read stuff and im not sure if it is really new to me or if it is just a memory thing. Outside of that as we know with the word of God. God is going to give us so much at a time concerning His word and when we get that He will reveal more to us....Just like with other things in life...right? Then..as we know...Gods word is living and active. I can read a passage this morning and God speak to me a certain way thru it....then....a few months or years He can speak to me totally differenty thru that same passage....so...what we learned thru that passage before...and now something reavealed to us differently...can maybe make us think it is something new?....and in a way that is true...or...but...God is just allowing us to interprete it differently? Like i can listen to Adrian Rogers...John MacAurther...Charles Stanley....David Jeremiah...thats the guys i listen to regularly....i can hear them preach on a passage and make a awesome sermon from it....then down the road they preach that same passage and use it in a different context...so to speak...to make a totally different message...point from it. They are not changing God word...they are not contradicting themselves...its just in my belief Gods word is living and active and He speaks to us thru His word or preachers for what we are going thru at the time. I mean....if what a preacher is preaching is truly Holy Spirit inspired....there could be 100 people sitting there listening and all 100 people hear smething different led by the Holy Spirit....right? So yes...we keep learning and like you say because i feel the same way at times about what have i actually learned...or... is it really sticking to me with spiritual head knowledge but most important heart knowledge. And of course....i believe when a person is born-again....those times that we read the Bible or listen to a preacher preach....those times we dont feel like we learned anything or really got anything out of it. I believe the Holy Spirit even in those times stores it away in our head and heart to have when we need it.
And of course on the Hitler and Stalin being baptized thingy....like you said we must be born-again before we show a public testimony of faith and are baptized and of course a person can be saved and go to heaven without being baptized but if we are saved we of course want to be baptized. What did just say...lol...
Being baptized before real and true salvation is just a bath...wink!
I found in Palm 141 this and it hit me right upside my thick head---How did David know thousands of years ago to say this to me here in 2024, lol....Probably doesn't apply to any of you but maybe 1 or 2---anyway struck home here-----"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing. To practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies."-------The footnote says--"David prayed that God would protect him from the kind of evil that characterized his enemy.".......Think maybe I need to put this passage to memory
GOD BLESS
Jesus - the Light
~ Our Savior came to illuminate our lives and enable us to shine for Him in a dark world.
Scripture Reading: John 1:4-5; John 1:9
In the Bible, God’s first spoken words are “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). O Oriens, the next antiphon from “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” is translated “O Dayspring.” Originally meaning the dawn of a new day, the term refers to the illuminating presence that God’s Word brought to the dark and formless world.
The same language describes the new creation that the Lord brings to us. John says that in Jesus — the eternal Word — is life, which is the “Light of mankind that shines in the darkness” (John 1:4-5). The other Gospel writers don’t miss the connection either. When Jesus moves to Capernaum after John the Baptist’s arrest, Matthew recalls Isaiah’s prophecy about the light coming to a dark place. People “sitting in darkness … sitting in the land and shadow of death” were visited by that light (Matthew 4:16).
Though parts of the world remain in shadow, we know that the Light has come — and He shines brighter than any sun. Today, ask God to illuminate every corner of your life “to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). And remember: As we “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7), we receive God’s forgiveness and are reconciled to Him. Then He makes us shine in a dark world.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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I made mention the other day that I was reading a book by Billy Graham on the Holy Spirit, he got on this "Born Again" subject, and here after reading & studying my Scripture since 1990 or even maybe before that-- Man I thought I was beginning to know something, I can honestly say "I KNOW NOTHING", well maybe know enough to get me in trouble. Anyway, he got on the subject of being born again he got to writing on this very subject which lead to writing on "regeneration"....So interesting that after breakfast I came back to read those several pages again and got to looking in Scripture-----NEVER--EVER---EVER stop learning, just as soon as I think I know a little something I learn -- I KNOW NOTHING...now that does not make me feel bad because in Billy Graham's senior years he basically made the same statement that all his reading & studying he constantly keeps learning things he did not previously know.----Check this out, you may have known this, but bet 10 to 1 many did not know----Baptized, both Hitler and Stalin were baptized----I wonder, not judging, just curious, how many Christians think they are on safe ground because they were baptized---being born again involves way more than being baptized....yes the preacher may ask a few questions and one will answer, but that is no regeneration----amazing subject, I will be on this for a couple of days
GOD BLESS
One day last week...i think...we talked quite a bit about the soul and spirit...and im going to mention that again but to make a different point i was thinking on this morning. For those of us that are born-again believers...we understand the fact that we have a spirit and a soul that are going to live forever. And in that spirit and soul...is who we are as a person...our character...our personality...emotions...the way we think...everything about us consist in that spirit and soul. And that of course lives in this human body...yes...this human body is just a vessel carrying us around as we walk this Earthly path here on planet Earth. And when the human body dies that spirit and soul is going to leave this vessel and step foot into eternity in one of two places...Heaven or Hell. And for those of us that are born-again believers we have that awesome promise from Jesus...that he has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven...paradise! But what i really want to talk about this morning is as a person... being perfect. I actually did a quick search and found that in at least five scriptures...that i posted...we are told to be perfect. Now...we humans know theres no way we can be perfect...there was only one perfect human in all of creation and all of time...and of course that was Jesus...who was both fully man and fully God and still is God. And im not speaking for God but im pretty sure God also knows that we cant be perfect thats why he sent Jesus to die in body and pay our sin debt in full...yet...He tells us to be perfect..so..why is that? My thought is this...everyday God wants to mold us more and more into the likeness of Jesus...and...as a human living in this earthly vessel..our goal every day...even though we will never achieve it...we should be striving for perfection. And what is perfection. Could it be as simple as letting Jesus live his life through us...think about it.
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4
Remaining in Jesus
"I will build My church, and the forces [gates] of Hades will not overpower it.” ~ Matthew 16:18
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
A fire burned Balsora Baptist Church to the ground. As emergency workers and community members gathered after the blaze subsided, they were surprised to see a charred cross standing upright amidst the smoke and ashes in the air. A firefighter commented that the fire “took the structure, but not the cross. [This is a reminder] that the building was just that, a building. The church is the congregation.”
The church is not a building, but a community united by the cross of Christ — the One who died, was buried, and rose again. When Jesus lived on earth, He told Peter He’d build His worldwide church, and nothing would destroy it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would gather believers from all over the globe into a group that would continue throughout time. This community would face intense difficulty, but they’d ultimately endure. God would dwell within them and sustain them (Ephesians 2:22).
When we struggle to establish local churches only to have them stagnate and sputter, when buildings are destroyed, or when we’re concerned about believers struggling in other parts of the world, we can remember that Jesus is alive, actively enabling God’s people to persevere. We’re part of the church He’s building today. He’s with us and for us. His cross remains.
~ By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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Reflect & Pray:
• In what ways might you support fellow believers?
• How does sharing the good news relate to God’s plan for the church?
"Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You. Amen."
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Scripture Insight:
How are we to interpret Jesus’ reference to “the gates of Hades” (Matthew 16:18)? The setting for Christ’s great question to Peter, “Who do you say I am?” (v. 15) is Caesarea Philippi, which lies at the southern base of Mount Hermon. The area in and around Caesarea Philippi had historically been known as Bashan, which scholars and the Scriptures connect to the worship of several false gods and to child sacrifice. People commonly believed this region to be the entrance to the underworld — the place of the dead. Jesus knew that the phrase “the gates of Hades” would be understood as our great enemy — death. Christ’s statement is a declaration that He’s the Messiah who overcomes even death. Peter answered Jesus’ question by saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Christ called Peter “blessed” for this response (v. 17).
~ by Tim Gustafson
https://odb.org/2024/09/09/what-remains
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You have said a mouth-full there brother…
I understand you brother. Pray that you are having a blessed Sunday!
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We don’t fall a part, for our hope is to be with The Lord , like someone who doesn’t believe in The Lord . We are on His time not our time . We know if our love one’s believe Paid for there sins on the Cross shed his blood for them and Rose again, We know we will see them again!
I wish very much that organized religion would speak more of the Holy Spirit than they do, just an opinion here. I am reading a book by Billy Graham--"The Holy Spirit...Activating God's Power In Your Life."----In here I hi-lited this and think it sort of fits in with your post and what Tenac & I were chatting about---"God the Holy Spirit can take the humblest preaching or feeblest words of our witness to Christ, and transform them by His power into a convicting word in the lives of others."
Just my thoughts here, many Christians fail to speak up for Christ, not of being ashamed, or afraid of what someone may say----but because they do not feel qualified to share the gospel---now I say do not worry about it, I don't care how bad you screw up your words, I don't care how uneducated you are, whatever your excuse I don't care because I know the Holy Spirit will take your good intentions and turn it into beautiful music for God. I have many times depended upon the Holy Spirit for one thing or another, so much so that I can honestly say the Holy Spirit is there just like Jesus promised, The Holy Spirit is there to walk beside each of us to help out in our hour of need-----Once again my opinion here---the only way to really experience this is to give it a try, find yourself in a hole with noway out, don't keep digging, speak out to the Holy Spirit & ask for help, after all that is why Jesus ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit here for----to help us out---I think the Greek is "Paraclete"---The one who is called along side. Also called the "comforter" the "Helper". the "Counselor". & I think we find this in John 13 or 14, somewhere along there I think. I never understood the Trinity, all the reading I have done on the subject shows that no-one else does either, when I was a little boy I ask my mom about this, knowing a mom ain't gonna lie to their boy she said honestly she could not explain it, but be good and one day when you get to heaven you can ask------as a young boy and now as an old man I have no idea to explain the Trinity, but at 81 yrs. young I am getting close to the time of asking and getting my answer
God Bless and behave yourselves, you got angels watching
Good morning folks… I am replying to the post that I put on here last night because whether I need to or not I want to clarify something just to make sure that what I said isn't taken the wrong way. I was NOT saying that a person has to have gone through something…been there done that…to minister to someone.…i hope I didn't give that impression. As believers we are to minister to everybody…the saved and the unsaved...regardless of what they are going through and regardless of whether we've been through something like that or not. It's just that we need to choose our words carefully when we are talking to folks…just looking them in the eye and being sincere showing them love and letting the light of Jesus shine from us. I was just saying that when we are talking to someone in our time of trouble knowing they have first hand experence makes a difference to me but also knowing that it was Jesus who made the difference in their successful journey back from a dark place into the light again. OK that's all I've got…wink… Y'all have an awesome day… soon be time to head toward the church.
Our Help in Prayer
~ The Holy Spirit intercedes for us and shows us what petitions to bring to the Lord.
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Does this sound familiar? Determined to spend more time in prayer, you kneel, open your mouth to speak to the Lord, and — draw a blank. Sure, you manage a few words about what you need Him to do for you and your family, but you should be praying for more than that, right?
Yes, you should. Believers’ needs are indeed the Father’s concern; nothing escapes His notice. However, He tells His children to imitate Jesus — they should “not merely look out for their own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Selfless prayer likely isn’t natural to us, but thankfully, God has supplied a Helper. The Holy Spirit, our willing and able partner in praying effectively, intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
How should we cooperate with the Spirit’s intercession for us?
• First, we must recognize God’s authority, holiness, and glory.
• Then, we need to submit to His leadership.
• Finally, we must entrust our future to Him, believing that He will bring great good out of negative as well as positive events in our life.
In submission to the Holy Spirit, we’ll discover greater peace and joy. And as we bring petitions inspired by the Spirit, we’ll also find new words for praying to the Father. Even more importantly, we will develop a deeper understanding of God’s greatness.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/our-help-in-prayer
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I know exactily what you are saying and i got your point completely and i so totally agree! I hear church folks say that to other folks quite often..."i know what you are going thru"......"i know how you feel"...and in reality...MOST of the time they dont have a clue....i mean...i know they MAYBE mean well...but im hear to tell you....most of the time when someone tells someone that...that person knows pretty well whether they have been thru something like that and if they havent....well...its just wrong....its not being nice....its just wrong!
Let me go off in the weeds a minute...Another one is at the funeral home when a person tells a grieving person....well...they are in a better place..or...they are better off....well...if they are sure they are in heaven that is true...BUT....you still dont tell a grieving person that...my opinion!
Now back out of the weeds.....When it comes to life and the good and especially the bad stuff....who do i want to talk to....somebody that has been there and done that...right?! I want to hear from someone that Jesus and the Holy Spirit showed them the light and brought them thru that valley and they can encourage me that i can lean on that truth and can call them anytime to talk it out....i mean...i can do all things thru Jesus who gives me strength but having another brother or sister or two goes a long ways to! I mean...that is why all believers in the body of Christ...we all have different and the same spiritual gifts...different talents...to minister to each other. God has allowed all of us in different ways to survive this that and the other to reach out to others that are going thru those same things. So.... i say Amen brother plugger!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
I replied to this once, but went to my Barn to do some wood work on my Chess Board & Pieces for grandson....what a job I undertook, anyway, I had to come inside for 2 reasons, 1--this was heavy on my "P" brain---2--I got out there and was like everything was going around & around, been over a week since my last treatments and that crap just won't let me do what I want....talk about our human side wanting to be in control...lol
OH!! Where was I, lol----oh yes----Has to do with your post and all you went through-----Back years ago I had issues with folks in Sunday School Class, Christian folks really mean well, but at the same time can really screw a situation up....My point to the class was that when a person is struggling with whatever we should never say I understand what you are going through, simple reason, if you ain't never been there how in God's earth can you say-- I know what you are dealing with....We as Christians can "sympathize" and pray but no way we can "identify" unless we have suffered that person's problems. Now God can take someone who has been the devil's right hand and turn that person's life around, then that person is way more than qualified to say "I know what you are going through, I been there."-----This---In my opinion----is exactly what God has done with you,--you can identify with other who have struggled as you did in your past----I can identify with folks who missed the mark as I did for so very long----Probably not being real clear here, but, anyone given thought to this understands,-- folks do a little should searching, see where you missed God's mark and witness to others like you before you came to Christ
Now I got to repot to chair duty, something I know a lot about, I mean when it comes to Chair Duty --I DA MAN !!----God Bless
All that hell you went through God now uses all that bad stuff so that you can be a witness to others. Way back in time God called the poor, the uneducated, the outcast, then God placed in them His desire to go out into the world and be fishermen of men-----God Bless, "You a good man -Charlie Brown"
Thank you---excellent....Chatting here on the Bible Board, getting other thoughts really help-
Entertaining Angels
“Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ~ Hebrews 13:1
We often think life in the plains is mundane, boring, or uneventful. If we measure our behavior on what gains us the praise of fickle mankind, we can easily overlook things like hospitality, simple acts of kindness.
When, instead, we chose these everyday behaviors, they are neither boring nor meaningless. They delight the angels. They bring heaven into applause.
Chapter 13 of Hebrews begins with an admonition to love one another. It implores hospitality, remembering prisoners, healthy marriage, and stewarding good character. All of these things are fascinating to the heavenly hosts. To watch us exercise a life of faith, trusting in God, taking what is unseen and bringing it into vision.
We may not know it, but the angels are tuned in. They are watching from Heaven. And they are watching from Earth. Our choices are powerful and awe-inspiring. They have an effect (and a reward) in the heavenly realm.
The author of Hebrews reminds us the angels are witnesses on our account. Celebrating our choices the way a soccer fan does when his team scores a goal. Rooting us on in the kindness we show to one another. Amazed by the incredible opportunity we have and astonished when we take advantage of it exactly the way God designed. It is our great opportunity.
Let’s give the angels something to cheer about.
__________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/
•
Like you...this scripture and what you said brought this to my mind. My 25 years of helter skelter living as one of satans right hand men and all the dope and booze i put thru my body. I didnt give a hoot about myself and maybe...maybe...gave a little hoot for a handful of people during that time...but...i could live with them or without them...didnt much matter. How many times i woke laying in my own puke....blood....so much stuff in me that i had peed and crapped on myself...that close to death....overdosed two times....in and out of jail a few times.....and everyday i would wake up and beat my head against the wall and head out and do it all over again and again and again. How many times i would hit that proverbial rock bottom and i would claw and claw my way back to the top and before i knew it jump right back in again without missing a beat. And in hindsight...and in that last verse you quoted...."But His hand is stretched out still"...i know that every stupid thing i did over those 25 years...everytime i laid close to death...His hand was stretched out calling me and waiting for me to grab hold and each time in my own way im guessing i cussed and laughed and continued on in my twisted way of life...but...Jesus never gave up. "But His hand is stretched out still". And finally November 27th 1995... 40 years old... He finally got thru my hard heart and thick skull and i fell to my knees in my bedroom about 11 pm all by myself....higher than a Georgia pine as i had been for 25 years and i said YES forgive me and save me Jesus! And here i am...soon to be 29 years of zero dope and zero booze and i know from deep in my soul...the only way that happened was thru my relationship with Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit!
THANK YOU JESUS!
Good morning brother....As we know a great deal of the time at funerals Psalm 23 is used and i think that often times people...especially unbelievers... maybe get it in their heads and associate this verse with ONLY death....and i get that to a point because of verse 4.....and the fact that it is read at funerals.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me........
.......that is what puts people in that frame of mind...especially at funerals....but....i totally look at Psalm 23 as a passage of hope and encouragement thru our relationship with Jesus. All so often when something hits me the wrong way....when anger trys to set in....problems.... aggravation....anything in the negitive frame of mind....i go to Psalm 23 and read it 2...3...5 times until i get my emotions back on track. I mean...the totally awesome promises in this passage......
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not ]want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Psalm 23
And i agree with you plugger....i look at that verse 4...... the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.....of not just being the unknown ...so to speak.......the unknown of life after death. But yes...as you said....from the time we are born till the day we die we are walking thru some sort of "valley of the shadow of death"....but of course there are those mountaintop experiences we talked about the other day....but....and im not being negitive but walking this path here on planet earth we know that ANYTHING can walk into our path at anytime that brings us anything from a little problem to a tragedy....hey folks...im not being negitive....thats just a fact of life.
I often talk about that verse saying to people that that is just everyday life....when the world and satan and his demons are throwing all sorts of stuff at us. When God is maybe testing us or sending correction and discipline our way...and then there is our own worst enemy trying to mess our life up...that be OURSELVES....we have this asesome passage of Psalm 23 to remind us....putting our faith and trust in the good Shepard is going to see us thru 100% of the time!
I also tell folks from time to time that i believe that at times when we find ourselves in that valley of the shadow of death thats its for something different...that Jesus has sent us in there to help someone else in need in whatever way and to help retrieve them...so to speak...to help lead them to the other side.
Here are some things i went back and found just for y'all to think about and as always...open your bible and see where the Holy Spirit leads you.
The valley of the shadow of death it is purported to be between Jerusalem and Jericho and is the location of the actual road where the story of the Good Samaritan took place. Considering where Bethlehem is, David would likely have led his sheep through the valley of the shadow of death as he was growing up.
The valley of the shadow of death is a place of scarcity, danger, pain, and the unknown. This is uncharted charity for the sheep, but not for the shepherd. We can be encouraged knowing that God uses the valley to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to him.We have nothing to fear in the valley because God is with us. God gives us his presence, not pain relievers. We can be confident that God is well-equipped (rod & staff) to protect and provide for us even in the most formidable situations.
However, “valley of the shadow of death” is possibly not the most accurate translation of the original Hebrew text. The NIV, NLT, and HCBS translate the phrase as “darkest valley,” resulting in Psalm 23:4 reading as, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley . . . .” The Hebrew word for “shadow of death” is sal-ma-wet, which means “darkness” or “dark shadows.” It contains the same root as the Hebrew word for “death” (ma-wet), so it is easy to see why some Bible translators include the mention of death in Psalm 23:4.
New King James Version---Isaiah 5:20-21 and 25b
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
For all His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still
_________________________________________________________
I have always liked this passage and several places in Scripture (Isaiah, I think) it is written "But His hand is stretched out still"----Maybe I like this passage so much because it is a story of my younger life, I was quite capable of making evil acceptable so I could live my life to all my wants and desires and then one day I lived the final verse---"But His hand is stretched out still."----You know if you have a friend who is drowning and you toss him/her a life-saving device and they take hold they survive, if they do not take hold, no matter what you say or plead, they sink to the pits. Quite simple ain't it-----God's Hand is always stretched out, it is our choice to take hold or not----I thank God each and every morning for another day this side of the green and thank Him that His hand was stretched out for me.
GOD BLESS & SHARE THE FAITH--------Rumor has it that the Captain is going to sound liberty early this afternoon---be safe
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This is the BEST explanation I have EVER heard to one of the toughest most asked question of you if you are a Christian you NEED to listen to this dudes TRUTH so when others ask you the explanation you give will make sense to them.
No matter if you are a Christian or not the evil one LOVES to use this question.
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