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metrodonut-blog · 8 years ago

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A Worshipper's Life: The musical

[A Worshipper's Life: The musical] The life (Ecclesiastes 12:13) of a worshipper [elect; remnant] (Matthew 22:14; John 6:37, 39, 44, 15:16; Ephesians 1:4) is like a musical (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19) in the crowd (John 4:21-24). Dressed in a costume of Christ(Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10) shielded with armor of faith (Romans 13:12-13; Ephesians 6:11-18), as one is set on a stage (Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:26-27) - with scenes of everyday life [I.e. living room, car, pavement, shop, road, métro, city hall, pub, pool table] - like a city on the hill (Matthew 5:14-16). Performing(Matthew 25:14-30 ; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10) one's calling (Isaiah 60:1; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11-13) with ordinary, everyday prayers as new lyrics (Psalm 33:3, 96:1-4, 98:1)like fragrant incenses (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4) before the Lord with music(Psalms 1-150; Habakkuk 3:1) - of reverence, of praises, of thanksgiving, of love, of needs, of afflictions, of despairs, of mercies, of graces, of confessions, of forgiveness, of pains, of joys, of battles, of victories, of supplications, of hopes, of healings, of remembrances - solving life’s most perplexing problems with music (Psalm 49:4), in one's own styles of creatively spoken and unspoken dialogues with God [Father, Son and Spirit] (Romans 8:26-27).

Across the vast theatre hall of heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1), one is surrounded by beautiful voices, songs, music and dance of 144,000 (Revelation 14:3), angelic choirs(Revelation 5:11-12), heavenly hosts (Luke 2:13-14), creatures of the air, fields and seas giving thanks, praises and glories to the Lord (Revelation 7:12). It is as though one is in the midst of a symphony of instruments (1 Chronicles 15:16, 23:5; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Acts 9:15; Romans 6:13). A breathtaking musical experience with God in His Presence (Revelation 14:2). It is a city's view from the hill (Matthew 5:14-16) that is stark different from the one on a very high mountain where Satan tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:8-11) with the kind of the world which belongs to the audience of darkness (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:15-16; Luke 11:35; 2 Corinthians 4:4) now living as Devil's slaves (John 8:34, 44; Acts 13:10; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:26; James 3:14-15; 1 John 3:8, 10, 5:19) and perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:9), making up of a neighborhood (Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:9-10, 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 6:4) of the ignorant, hypocrites, liars, adulterers, LGBTs, robbers, murderers, greed, arrogant, selfish, poor and suffering. The audience is not sitting still but moving around like waves that toss to and fro restlessly in the night, committing sins. Will one's bearing of His illumination (Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, 6:14) save them?

As Christ (Revelation 19:5-9, 11-16) - Musical Director, Maestro, Principal Conductor - does His Father's will (John 6:38), motions His double-edged baton (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16, 19:15) with constant speed and acceleration as His orchestra [workers of the fields](Matthew 9:37) translates His love, joy, anger into stirring, life-giving music (John 1:1-3; Romans 11:36). "Come and be saved!" (Isaiah 45:22; 1 John 1:9) Hearing (Romans 10:17)with a surrendered heart (Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 16:24-27), with the veil stripped off and taken away (2 Corinthians 14-16), once a fallen face (Romans 3:23) now so shine in His glory(Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 5:8). One feels strangely warmed as Holy Spirit descends, comes floating in like a gentle, cooing dove (Luke 3:22; John 1:32), filling the theatre hall with His presence. Pulsating through one's heart of worship with supernatural heartbeats yearning to live a blameless life (Proverbs 20:7; Philippians 2:15) of consistent service (1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:17, 23-24) made possible with the sought help of Holy Spirit (John 14:26) in one's residence (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20) Who daily circumcises [spiritually](Colossians 2:11-12) and transforms oneself from within out of the darkness: to soak in, get saturated and immersed oneself in one's musical [calling, purpose of]. A Maker's diamond in the rough waiting to be revealed in His glory, honor and power.

Whatever one's former allocated resources - time, energies, funds - for illicit affairs of worldliness [i.e. Putting a false front and hiding facts from others (Proverbs 6:16-19; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Luke 8:17; Colossians 3:9-10; Hebrews 4:12-13), pursuit of others' expectations, of others' approvals, of pleasures, of wants, of successes, of riches, of advancements] have now been set free by Holy Spirit. As one journeys on a new life in Christ (Galatians 2:20), the new pace of life slows one down to one's comfortable pace. There is no chasing after the wind [i.e. With the help of Holy Spirit, one spiritually cultivated a strong confidence of sufficiency in Him: A sense of being able to live uncomplicated, contented, stress-free, anxiety-free, worry-free and financially burden-free (Colossians 2:20-23) with most basic life essentials - to survive - fully met: Food, water, clothing and shelter. In contrast, the following is optional and requires one to work and pay for it regularly: to live an evolving and advancing man-defined lifestyles with non-essentials: Man-made ecosystems, devices, related services including taxes.] (Ecclesiastes 1:14). This is the key difference between those living in the Light and those [lukewarm Christians (Hosea 12:8; Revelation 3:15-19, 21:8) and the unsaved] living in the audience of darkness, God has shut one's ears - heart, mind and soul - away from the sinful noises of this world [world orders, powers, politics, laws, cultures, false churches, media, web and print, pains - of distrust, of suspicion, of betrayal, of backstabbing, of lying, of murdering, of stealing, of adultery - inflicted by one's foes, yoked and fellowship with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)] that none of it should send worries, anxieties, stresses, terrors and quakes to permanently depress, destroy and shatter one's soul - self-esteem, moral, equilibrium - to pieces. One has slows down one's pace of life, becomes still in His Presence (1 Peter 3:4) as one goes about with light activities of each day and night. For one relies on, trusts in, adheres to one's faith in Him with expectations of such possible outcomes with readiness. "Be still (Exodus 14:14; Psalm 37:7; Romans 12:12; 1 Peter 3:4), and know that I am God [Ancient of Days; Alpha and Omega; the First and the Last] (Isaiah 43:10-11, 44:6, 48:12; Revelation 1:17, 2:8, 21:6, 22:13)," He said (Psalm 46:10).

Living becomes simple, contented, colorful, enjoyable, richer and weighty in meaning. One's new vision, mission and goals in life centered on God. One becomes focused and devoted to glorify, honor, praise, exalt, please and commune with Him. Oh what an excellent investment (Luke 19:12-27) of one's time, energy and resources for eternal rewards (Isaiah 40:10; Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 22:12) which will never decayed nor robbed (Matthew 6:20)!

On the dark side, one might not notice, on the stage, in the audience and within the theatre hall, the whole realm is a spiritual military theatre (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:17) with one's location being actively monitored and in the cross hairs as Devil's mobile ground zero(1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 5:8). Everyday one may not sense any unseen, yet spiritual battles of evil spirits (Mark 5:9; Luke 11:24-26; Revelation 12:7-9) and angel armies (1 Samuel 17:26; 2 Kings 6:17-20; Job 25:3) - locked in ferocious conflicts with God's Word (Joel 2:11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, 11:13-15) - are continuous without ceasing through one's days and nights [eventual cease on the day of Christ's Second Coming]. With perseverance and endurance one waits patiently for God of Banner's (Exodus 15:3, 17:15; Isaiah 11:10)roar (Jeremiah 25:30; Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2, 3:8) that sends one's foes to flight (James 4:7)!

Today is the day (Song of Solomon 2:12; Psalm 118:24; Mark 1:15). A full house. Tickets are sold out. With opening music rolling in, lights dimmed, audience quiet down, figures on stage making their entrance. With God's Word (Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 55:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) as one's role script (John 5:30; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 1:9), one performs elegantly - in thought, in word, in deed (1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:17; James 4:17) - in one of these life scenes: "Métro Alps, Switzerland: 2017, mid Summer, Day 73 [Scene 1, Acts 14:….]…"

[Musical commences. Doors close.]

Highlight verse

"But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God." - 1 Peter 3:4, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

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metrodonut-blog · 8 years ago

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Living and suffering for Christ

[Living and suffering for Christ] It was Eve. Then, Adam partook the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). Ever since, all the time, everywhere, sin - the object of, presence of, partake of, sight of, act of, sound of, taste of, feel of, word of, desire of, fellowship of, partnership of - happens, multiplies, gradually get worse and worse (Mark 13:21-22; Luke 21:8-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10; Revelation 13, 16) as the returning of Lord Jesus Christ get nears(Revelation 19:11-16) but not decimate. Occurring before the Lord (Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 4:3), His many-eyed cherubim (Ezekiel 1:18, 10:12), His twenty-four elders Sanhedrin (Revelation 4:4, 5:8) and those who are writing the record books of what each man, each woman has done - in thoughts, speeches and deeds (Revelation 20:12-13)including secret things, idle words spoken, hidden thoughts conceived, hasty and premature judgements made (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Luke 2:35, 8:17; Acts 17:30, 31; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5). But the Lord, His cherubim and His elders are not swayed by [e.g. the sight of, sound of, desire of] sin. Includes the remnant living on earth.

A Second Coming era [Christ's third day ascension - Present] is an era of living and suffering for Christ - of God's daily tests (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Psalm 11:5), of discipline(Lamentations 3:37-40; Hebrews 12:1-17), of fiery trials (James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12-13). As remnant's faith matured through living and suffering for Christ, those who have seven-fold Holy Spirit (John 14:26; Revelation 1:4, 3:1) dwelling within them will not be easily swayed and taken captivity to sin (Psalm 37:30-31), nor bend [give in / compromise cowardly, reluctantly, by force], nor bowed [give up, surrender, worship] under constant pressures and influences (Mark 7:13) - [values and priorities of] Self, relationships, education, careers, wants, world orders, powers, politics, laws, cultures, media, web and print - which daily oppose God and His intent - to save everyone (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). Instead during the everchanging seasons - of suffering, of affliction, of tribulations, of calamity, of distress, of persecution, of hunger, of destitution, of peril, of sword, of trials and of temptations(Romans 5:3, 8:35; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11) - remember Christ (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 22:19; John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12, 20:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4), pray and sing hymns of praise to God (Job 2:9-10; Acts 16:19-25), [read, receive, trust in, adhere to, rely on, hold fast to] God's Word(Matthew 4:4; Luke 8:11-15), forgive (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13), fast (Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14), endure (Matthew 10:22; 2 Timothy 2:3), persevere (Galatians 6:2-3, 9-10; James 1:12), without murmuring (Philippians 2:14), without judging (Job 36:17; 1 Corinthians 4:5, 5:12-13; James 4:12), without fighting back(Matthew 26:50-56; John 19:10-11), without running away (Matthew 27:26-50; Mark 15:15-37; Luke 23:24-46; John 19:16-30), rather stand tall in the face of sin, resolved to continue living quietly (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) bearing fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), fulfilling God's Will (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, 5:16-18), running own race [life journey] of faith(1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 12:1) and illuminating lives (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:5) with God's Word (Psalm 119:105).

For the remnant is the light of the world. giving light [revealing of Truth; offering hope] to all (Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16) living in the perishing darkness that through good works: - which sharpens (Proverbs 27:17) one's faith - the use of one's 1) God-given natural abilities [e.g. Able to carry items, push and pull, hold tools], 2) God-given talents [e.g. cooking for the poor and needy, sewing to mend or make neighbour's new clothing, gardening and sharing fruits generously with others.] (Matthew 25:14-30), 3) God-given resources [e.g. sharing spare clothing (Luke 3:11), using own money to buy food for the poor (Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42), sharing goods (Acts 2:44)], 4) with genuine love for others [e.g. loving one another (1 Peter 1:22), bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2-3), never compete with one another (Philippians 2:3-4; James 3:14), never compare with one another (Galatians 6:4), showing hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9), visiting and helping and caring for orphans and widows - unable to have work to support themselves and are poor - in their affliction and need (James 1:27), caring for the sick, visit the prisoners(Matthew 25:36-40), providing shelter for the homeless]. That those living in the darkness might be saved through Christ. As the remnant lives and suffers for Christ, continues to "believe in Him Whom He has sent," Jesus said (John 6:29).

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metrodonut-blog · 9 years ago

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Pastor, the shepherd

[Pastor, the shepherd] A pastor is a shepherd: A shepherd is a gentle and loving person who tends to the lambs and meet their spiritual needs. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.” (Isaiah 40:11) The works of a shepherd: Given the nature of shepherd’s responsibilities, shepherd don’t hold an office. A shepherd is someone whose primary role is to be a caretaker, ensuring safety and welfare of the flock. “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds;” (Proverbs 27:23) A shepherd is someone who is a ground-level Christian worker tending to the lambs and is not a designated church leader with an office; who seeks to serve, not be served. Being a Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself is a Servant of the Lord (Zechariah 3:8; Isaiah 42:1) “Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].” (Matthew 20:28) The only known offices (general administration) of bishop (or, Overseer) and deacon (or, Church officers) - basically, administrative manager / supervisor - are found in 1 Timothy and Titus. A shepherd is the one who is always on call for the lambs around the clock, endures hardships and weathers the storms of life together with the lambs and works with other ground-level shepherds who have spiritual gifts of caretakers received by faith through Holy Spirit. “And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8) A shepherd is someone who don’t normally teach or equip others (these tasks belong to those with such spiritual gifts), Jesus did for He is the Word (John 1:1,14 ), the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and a Master (Matthew 23:10; Luke 17:13; John 13:13). The goals of a shepherd: A shepherd is someone who desires to be more devoted to Jesus Christ through demonstrating one's love for Christ at a personal level. "When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do - with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs." (John 21:15) A shepherd is someone who modelled after Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), and is willing to sacrifice oneself for the lambs. "I am the Good Shepherd, The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep." (John 10:11) A shepherd is someone who desires to be a greatest pastor by becoming last and servant of all. "And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) A shepherd is one of the many parts of the body of Christ, not the head of the body of Christ: Like one body but many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), eyes, hands and legs are interdependent on each other with none greater or of more importance than the rest but rather operate together as one team and within this one body, there is no hierarchical level of authority, office, responsibilities of spiritual gifts for all the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). A shepherd is someone who has the same standing as those of different spiritual gifts for there is only one body of Christ (Jews and Gentiles) with Jesus Christ Himself as the head of the body (Colossians 1:18). "For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, so we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].” (Romans 12:3-5) What God spoke of shepherds and certain lambs today: Just like the shepherds of Israel, the Lord will bring eventual judgement to the pastors and their flocks “And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep. The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them. And they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts of the field. My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill; yes, My sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth and no one searched or sought for them. Therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord God, surely because My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food for every beast of the field because there was no shepherd—neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep— Therefore, O you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My sheep at their hand and cause them to cease feeding the sheep, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more. I will rescue My sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself, will search for My sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his sheep in the day that he is among his flock that are scattered, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them out of all places where they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them to their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie down in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed My sheep and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong [who have become hardhearted and perverse]; I will feed them with judgment and punishment. And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between the rams and the great he-goats [the malicious and the tyrants of the pasture]. Is it too little for you that you feed on the best pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? And to have drunk of the waters clarified by subsiding, but you must foul the rest of the water with your feet? And My flock, must they feed on what your feet have trodden and drink what your feet have fouled? Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I Myself, will judge between fat sheep and impoverished sheep, or fat goats and lean goats. Because you push with side and with shoulder and thrust with your horns all those that have become weak and diseased, till you have scattered them abroad, therefore will I rescue My flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will raise up over them one Shepherd and He shall feed them, even My Servant David; He shall feed them and He shall be their Shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God and My Servant David a Prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.” (Ezekiel 34:1-24) Further note: [What does a shepherd’s ministry looks like? Jesus Christ’s ministry: 1) does not have a physical facility of its own nor required physical facility expansion (instead taught on the side of a mountain (Matthew 5:1), at the lake (Mark 4:1), at God’s Temple (Luke 21:37)) 2) does not travel by chariot or other luxury transport, instead Jesus travelled by foot via public infrastructure (in Today context, included public transport) from place to place 3) does not own a luxury private transport, e.g. animal-drawn vehicles or chariots 4) does not enlist paid third party.

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metrodonut-blog · 10 years ago

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A mechanical faith

[A mechanical faith] It is one of a two-part Christian faith: 1) Essential faith (Spoken Word of Christ sown in the hearts of the elect before the foundation of the world): Essential faith is conceived from the Word of God: “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” (John 1:1) which is spoken through Jesus Christ, the Messiah “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).” (Romans 10:17) Essential faith is an unmerited favour from Sovereign God: “Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.”Ephesians 1:4) Essential faith is only found in the elect: “For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) How does God know who are His genuine elect? By judging how elect demonstrate their faiths in their daily activities (good works). Are they rude to waitstaffs when ordering meals? Do they show arrogance or ignorance at the poor begging nearby? Do they bully others on social media? How do they regards their coworkers? They have spare necessities at home and they know of someone in genuine need, how do the elect respond? These are some of good works God judges His elect. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) Possessing an essential faith alone is not a guarantee to life eternity. That is where mechanical faith comes in. 2) Mechanical faith (one’s good works): Like an old bicycle’s dynamo that powers the bicycle light, the moment one stops peddling (doing good works), the bicycle light gradually dim out completely. That is when we cease to live by faith, we cease to live in the Light. As our lives gradually fade into darkness, temptations and former ways begin to creep upon us invisibly and draw us away from God. Doing good works enable us to practice what we believe, imitate after Christ, walk in maturity in Christ and keep us steady on the narrow paths that lead to eternal lives. Importance of mechanical faith: It distinguishes and separates true elect (disciples of Christ) from the false ones. “But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.” (James 2:18) “You see that a man is justified(pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith[through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].” (James 2:24) “And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].” (1 John 1:5-7) Mechanical faith lights up and powers one towards life eternity: As one consistently pedals on, the glowing bicycle light continues to beam onto one’s track ahead so that the direction towards one’s designated destination remains actively in sight. “What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]? If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, and one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do? So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).”(James 2:14-17) Therefore, “Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];” (Matthew 3:8)

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metrodonut-blog · 10 years ago

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God’s irrevocable gifts and calls

[God’s irrevocable gifts and calls: God, the Owner, makes, chooses, gives and sends out Métro Donuts into the world to illuminate lives] God’s irrevocable gifts and calls: Do you know? “Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4) “But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning as His firstfruits (first converts) for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth. [It was] to this end that He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) Irrevocable gifts and calls are given beginning with God’s grace alone: “For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]”(Ephesians 2:8-9) Father’s will: “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sentMe attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.” (John 6:44) “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]” (Romans 11:29) We define our own limits on our God-given gifts and calls: Like Moses, we too have our shortcomings. “And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say.” (Exodus 4:10-12) Our limits on our God-given gifts and calls are enlarged by the works of the Holy Spirit: Instead let us choose to begin our God-appointed, life-changing journeys with surrendered, worshipful hearts and as we travel further, our Holy Spirit continues to work through us in mysterious ways we never thought of before. “And Moses said to the Israelites, See, the Lord called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and wisdom, with intelligence and understanding, and with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, for work in every skilled craft. And God has put in Bezalel’s heart that he may teach, both he and Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with wisdom of heart and ability to do all manner of craftsmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, of the embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet [stuff] and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do or design any skilled work.” (Exodus 35:30-35) Eternal consequences await for the self-willed: However in the midst of us, there will be some of us who remain stubbornly insistent on our own ways of feeling and acting, our aims and endeavors. If we are so damned insistent on our own ways, where can we hide on the day we all stand before the throne? (Revelation 20:12) “So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking [to you now]. For if they [the Israelites] did not escape when they refused to listen and heed Him Who warned and divinely instructed them [here] on earth [revealing with heavenly warnings His will], how much less shall we escape if we reject and turn our backs on Him Who cautions and admonishes [us]from heaven?” (Hebrews 12:25) Pursuit the higher purpose of irrevocable gifts and calls: Come, O ye people of the Most High God. Let us pick our crosses and soldier on. “For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Today if we hear God’s voice once more, let us not close our ears of hearts. For “so faith comes by hearing[what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself)” (Romans 10:17). Let us all the more hold on to our faiths, knowing that “[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].” (2 Timothy 1:9) So then, let us be ever ready when the Lord calls for us. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

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metrodonut-blog · 10 years ago

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The Lord is in His holy temple

The Lord is in His holy temple (Psalm 11:4): Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? (1 Corinthians 3:16) What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (2 Corinthians 6:16).

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metrodonut-blog · 10 years ago

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Homecoming

[Homecoming] Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

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metrodonut-blog · 10 years ago

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That day

[That day] What passed off as a fallacy, that very day comes unexpectedly. “So also [it was the same] as it was in the days of Lot. [People] ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the [very] day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed [them] all. That is the way it will be on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28-30) Listen again, all people of races, multitudes, nations and dialects (languages). “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark, and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:36-39) “Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.” (Matthew 25:13)

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metrodonut-blog · 11 years ago

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The pilgrim’s choices

[The pilgrim’s choices] Assigned by our Sovereign God in His Glorious Will for us, according to our individual purposes we are called to serve in our pilgrimages, some of us light up lives as artists, designers, doctors, while others as managers, cooks or laborers. At each end of our pilgrimages lead to two final destinations: eternal life or eternal condemnation. Which of the final destination shall we go, depends on which everyday choices we have been making during our walks with God. At every trials, tests and temptations we faced daily during our pilgrimages, each one of us is offered with two choices - to choose the ways of the world or the ways of the righteousness. On this new Today, which choices shall we make? “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” - (James 1:12). “For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.” (1 Corinthians 10:13). “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).” (Matthew 6:24). In the midst of our trials, tests and temptations, we aren’t alone in our struggles and battles against evil ones. “Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought.” (Revelation 12:7). “For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we]refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

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metrodonut-blog · 11 years ago

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Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming

[Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming] “After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness(holiness, justice, and uprightness). His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God. And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent). And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS(Revelation 19:11-16)."

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