#Deuteronomy 30:6

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Faith's Checkbook

by Charles Spurgeon

Mark of Covenant Grace

And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. — Deuteronomy 30:6

Here we read of the true circumcision. Note the author of it: "The LORD thy God." He alone can deal effectually with our heart and take away its carnality and pollution. To make us love God with all our heart and soul is a miracle of grace which only the Holy Ghost can work. We must look to the LORD alone for this and never be satisfied with anything short of it.

Note where this circumcision is wrought. It is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. It is the essential mark of the covenant of grace. Love to God is the indelible token of the chosen seed; by this secret seal the election of grace is certified to the believer. We must see to it that we trust in no outward ritual but are sealed in heart by the operation of the Holy Ghost.

Note what the result is-"that thou mayest live." To be carnally minded is death. In the overcoming of the flesh, we find life and peace. If we mind the things of the Spirit, we shall live. Oh, that Jehovah, our God, may complete His gracious work upon our inner natures, that in the fullest and highest sense we may live unto the LORD.

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

Nobody Cares. Period.

I said this to my daughter once.

That was a mistake, even though mostly true. Because I really did care, and I don't think she quite picked up that I wasn't talking about myself but of the World - "Out there".... However, even so, nobody else would have listened to either of us - her or me regarding her problem. That's why she was telling me about it, and I was helpless. It had to do with school, and interpersonal relationships, and I knew from experience that bullies don't care what others feel. It is completely beyond them - whether school administrators who were the problem, the garden variety playground bully who was the other problem, or corporate managers who were my most recent problems - nobody cares.

I think it might have been one of the things that damaged, broke even, our special father-daughter relationship - that failure to make clear that I didn't include myself among the 'nobody'.

Nevertheless, it's true. We live in a society where caring is institutionally useless, dangerous even. Nobody cares.

My family isn't rich or powerful. We don't give large amounts of money to prominent organizations or peddle influence to get friends and acquaintances into positions of wealth or power. We are nothing. We are representative of the nothings that have built pretty much everything that has defined every civilization since the dawn of man, while the credit has gone to our more powerful and connected superiors. Our Kings, Emperors, Caesars, and CEOs.

Nobody cares except God. He cares.

Scoff.

Feel free.

I believe in a God who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him would have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

People get bogged down in details - what does "believe" mean, what about people who don't know to "believe", etc…

All nonsense.

"…the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:37-40)

Also,

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Some scoff at the idea of an "invisible Church".

Fine.

Scoff.

God will know his own.

"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." (Romans 2:14-15)

And the rest?

Well, there's the river of fire, the lake of fire… There's other imagery that various Christians use, some Biblical, some from Dante, some images come from other sources. But at the end of the day those who did not, or do not care, their self-absorbed entitlement, their narcissism, will be all they have to cling to in whatever future there is.

I believe that because of Christ's work on the cross, the infusion of divinity into the human condition, these people will live for eternity in the tatters of their self importance. Others believe in a different outcome. It really doesn't matter. None of it is good.

None of it will be punitive, as in, a transgression of a moral law, but will be entirely based upon the orientation of an individual's heart (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Our role on earth is to care as Christ did, when no one else will.

That's what makes Christianity so radical.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)

[touchofgoddotworld]

Be Led by His Cloud by Day, Fire by Night (255) - July 20 2024

Play on other Podcast Apps The Lord endeavors to lead His creation away from evil and captivity and into a better place in relationship with Him. Out of the Kingdom of Darkness and into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, Jesus (Colossians 1:13). He led His chosen children of Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire day and night. His Spirit led His Only Begotten Son into the wilderness to be tried…

[bojackson54]

Courage Isn't Just Something You Can Have; It's Also Something You Can TAKE

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24, NASB) Courage is an interesting thing, and people try to define it in different ways. Many of us probably first considered courage when we watched “The Wizard of Oz”, and listened to the cowardly Lion wish that he had some. As I recall, he felt having courage would open all kinds of doors for him and create…

[storytour-blog]

The Magic Pomegranate Seeds

The pomegranate eaten on Rosh Hashanah has great significance, The most outstanding aspect of the pomegranate is its seeds. As we say before eating the pomegranate on Rosh Hashanah, “May it be Your will, G-d and G-d of our fathers, that we be filled with mitzvot (good deeds) like a pomegranate is filled with seeds.” The times were bad, a poor woman was having a hard time finding food for her…

[statisticalcats2]

Seven Cat Calls fandom event

What is this event about?

This event is for celebrating your favorite Cats performers!

What types of works are allowed?

Anything you'd like! Gif-sets, fanart, meta posts or essays, anything! Anyway you'd like to share your love for your favorite performers!

When does this event start and end?

This event will begin the week of May 11th and end the week of October 26th (treat these dates as the beginning of their respective weeks.)

General rules/info:

This event is for any and all productions of Cats!

Each prompt/character gets a week and you can post at any time during that week.

Don't worry about being late! I mean for this to be a fun, casual event. If you miss a certain week, you can still make a post for it!

Please tag your event posts with #sevencatscalls2024 Since tumblr can be glitchy with tags at times, also feel free to tag me @statisticalcats2 in your posts!

I will not reblog from people who are anti-fiction/anti-ship.

If you have any other questions, my ask box is open!

Event schedule (below the cut):

Week 1 (May 11-17) - Grizabella

Week 2 (May 18-24) - Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus

Week 3 (May 25-31) - Rum Tum Tugger

Week 4 (June 1-7) - Coricopat

Week 5 (June 8-14) - Asparagus/Gus the Theatre Cat

Week 6 (June 15-21) - Jellylorum

Week 7 (June 22-28) - Rumpleteazer

Week 8 (June 29 - July 5) - Bustopher Jones

Week 9 (July 6-12) - Bombalurina

Week 10 (July 13-19) - Carbucketty/Pouncival

Week 11 (July 20-26) - Alonzo

Week 12 (July 27 - August 2) - Old Deuteronomy

Week 13 (August 3-9) - Victoria

Week 14 (August 10-16) - Mistoffelees

Week 15 (August 17-23) - Demeter

Week 16 (August 24-30) - Admetus/Plato

Week 17 (August 31 - September 6) - Jemima/Sillabub

Week 18 (September 7-13) - Cassandra

Week 19 (September 14-20) - Jennyanydots

Week 20 (September 21-27) - Tantomile

Week 21 (September 28 - October 4) - Macavity

Week 22 (October 5-11) - Mungojerrie

Week 23 (October 12-18) - Munkustrap

Week 24 (October 19-25) - Skimbleshanks

Week 25 (October 26 - November 1) - Rare characters/swings/production specific characters

[techramonic]

More commentary on the religious aspect of Vlad's ideology

ideology of death

I find it very interesting that Vlad's ideology of death is nothingness because while this may be influenced by nihilistic ideology, where death is defined as inherently meaningless as life itself, the fact that he says "If I wanted to kill myself I would have done it a long time ago." suggests that he still finds a purpose to the present time he was currently living. He still actively has a purpose in life and looks forward to it as much as he seeks death.

Similarly, Jehova's witness, being a separate sect from Christianity, believe in nothingness after death. Unlike the standard belief of "life after death" or eternal life bared from the acceptance of Christ and redemption of self, Jehova's witnesses believe not only does death affect the physical body but also the soul attached to its vessel. This means the complete cease and erasure of life. There is no immortal soul that survives after it detaches from the body and there is no predestination. In terms of such thing as "everlasting life", according to Revelation 14:1-4, an exact number of faithful disciple-like believers will attain the right to enter heaven and serve alongside God.

I personally believe that Vlad might have been subconciously or even conciously clinging unto this idea. Seeing that he was quite involved alongside his mother's religious life, where he would accompany her a lot to sermons. It seems as if he has an attachment to the religion, despite hating it. As if it's this binding string that he desperately tries to sever.

evidence

Another piece of evidence that is able to support this theory is that in an interview, Vlad's neighbor said that her and her husband caught Vlad burning literature books along with religious sectarian books on the day of the tragedy.

rough translation of pages:

Though it is hard to trace the exact copy of the verse since bibles tend to vary from the wording, they do retain more or less the same message. The scriptures below are from the New World Translation of The Holy Scriptures (NWT/NW) since Jehova's witnesses commonly use this version of the bible. NIV is also included to maintain accuracy.

left page (1433)

"The payment of sin. And therefore, not to reign, but allowed the bodies, so that in their own mortal sin they can meet with each other and do not give away the rech,” making themselves unrighteous to God."

I assume this is Romans 6:12-14, which reads,

" Therefore, do not let sin continue to rule as king in your mortal bodies so that you should obey their desires. Neither go on presenting your bodies to sin as weapons of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, also your bodies to God as weapons of righteousness." (NWT)

right page

"Your God, He will return and give mercy to drink, He will gather you among whom the Lord your God ... was scattered to the edge, the Lord will gather you, from there he will take you, the Lord, God, will lead you to the land that you owned and you will receive it to rule over you and with ... Do they say to heaven that we should hear her?"

I assume this is Deuteronomy 30:6-14, which reads,

"The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. You will again obey the Lord and follow all his commands I am giving you today. Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." (NIV)

For the last one, I purposefully used NIV since it's the most compatibly written in a similar fashion to the referenced text.

[artsymumof5]

A LETTER FROM YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER! The following words come from the heart of God. After all God loves you, and He is the Father you have been looking for all your life. This is His Love Letter to you! My Dear Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned the creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry but am the complete expression of love. (I John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (I John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (I John 3:7) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) For if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) So, Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5;18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (I John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved so that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (I John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-29) When it’s time for you to Come home I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15) My question is….Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32) With Love, Your Father, Almighty God

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Lord Has Told You

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8 | New King James Version (NKJV) The Holy Bible; New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 30:15; Proverbs 21:3; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Isaiah 56:1; Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 33:14; Hosea 6:6; Hosea 12:6; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:9; Zechariah 7:9; Luke 12:14

[freebiblestudies]

The Three Angels Messages Lesson 02: No Sympathy for the Devil

Revelation 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

The second angel’s message seems very complicated at first.  It definitely deals with a lot of symbols.  In order to understand this Bible verse, let’s take a closer look at the following keywords:

Babylon

Fallen

Wine

Wrath

Fornication

Let’s read together Genesis 9:7-17; Genesis 10:10; Genesis 11:1-4; Isaiah 14:13-14; and Daniel 1:2.

If we are to talk about Babylon, we need to also discuss Babel. Both kingdoms were founded in the land of Shinar.  Babel can be considered the archetype for all the worldly kingdoms that followed it.

The story of the Tower of Babel is one of the most famous stories in the Bible.  Have you ever considered the builders’ motivations for building the tower in the first place?

 The builders did not trust God’s promise to never destroy the world again with a flood.  They wanted to survive another flood on their own power. 

The builders also did not want to follow God’s command to be fruitful and multiply across the earth.  Rather, they wanted to build a tower whose “top is in the heavens”  and make a name for themselves.  The builders seem to be motivated by pride and perhaps to even take the worship of God for themselves.

Let’s read together Exodus 20:2-6; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Jeremiah 16:18; Jeremiah 50:38; and Daniel 3:1-7.

The story of Daniel’s three friends and the fiery furnace is another well-known Bible story.  Have you considered what was Nebuchadnezzar’s motivation for setting up the golden image in the first place?  He wanted everyone in his empire to acknowledge Babylon as supreme, even over any god his subjects might be worshiping.  If anyone refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, they were to be killed by being tossed into a fiery furnace. 

Nebuchadnezzar had essentially set up a false religious system of worship enforced by civil authority.   This system forced people to choose between dying for their religious faith or to compromise that faith in order to live.

Let’s read together 2 Samuel 1:27; Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 51:8-9, 47; Daniel 5:25-30; and Revelation 18:2.

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”  God ultimately judged Babylon for its idolatry and persecution of God’s people.  Babylon was conquered by the Medo-Persians in 539 BC.

Let’s read together Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:3-5; and Jeremiah 51:7.

Alcoholic wine in the Bible is always viewed in a negative light.  Alcoholic wine clouds and even perverts judgment.   Note that the Bible does talk about unfermented non-alcoholic wine more positively, but that is a Bible study for another time.

Let’s read Psalm 75:8; Jeremiah 23:15; and Hosea 4:11-12

Prophetically speaking, wine also represents God’s judgment against wickedness and  idolatry.  You definitely do not want to drink this wine!

Let’s read together Exodus 15:6-7; 32:9-12; Numbers 11:33; 16:46; Deuteronomy 9:7-8; 2 Kings 22:13-17; Ezra 5:12; Jeremiah 44:7-9; and Romans 1:18.

What is wrath?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers two definitions that are relevant to our Bible study today.  Wrath can be defined as a “strong vengeful anger or indignation (anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean).”  Wrath can also be defined as “retributory punishment for an offense or a crime; divine punishment.”

God’s wrath is His response to sin.  In the Old Testament, God’s wrath consumed the Egyptian army chasing the children of Israel.  God’s wrath was also aroused when the children of Israel committed sins or fell into idolatry.  God’s wrath led to the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.

Let’s read together Psalm 21:8-9; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; and Colossians 3:6.

God’s wrath is also associated with judgment.  God’s wrath will be poured in full on the unrighteous at Judgment Day.

Let’s read together Numbers 16:46; 2 Chronicles 12:6-9; 32:25-26; Psalms 78:32-39: 85:2-4; and 106:23.

Despite what many people believe, God does not want to pour His wrath on people.  In the Old Testament, Aaron and Moses both interceded on behalf of the children of Israel to avert God’s wrath.  God is willing to spare sinners from His wrath when they humble themselves before Him.  Whether it was the people of Israel or a king like Hezekiah, God was willing to grant mercy to all who came to Him earnestly and asked forgiveness of their sins.

Let’s read together Isaiah 53:4-6, 10; John 3:16, 36; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; and 1 John 4:10.

God has done everything He could to shield us from His wrath.  God loves us so much that He gave His only son Jesus to die for our sins.  Jesus is our ultimate intercessor.  We only have to confess and repent of our sins and call upon Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Let’s read together Ezekiel 23:16-18; Hosea 4:11-12; Isaiah 23:17; and  John 8:41.

What is fornication?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives the definition as “sexual intercourse between two persons who are not married to each other.” 

The Bible likened God’s people (the church) to a woman (Jeremiah 6:2).  Paul the Apostle described the church as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33).  Therefore, spiritual fornication would be the church embracing someone or something other than Christ.  In the Old Testament times, the people of Israel strayed from God and worshiped various idols and other false gods.

Let’s read together Matthew 24:24; John 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-23; Revelation 17:1-6; and Revelation 18:3, 9.

The book of the Bible describes a harlot woman who represents a false worship of Christ. This church outwardly seems Christian, but in actuality, it does not follow Jesus in spirit and truth.  Many people will be deceived and fall into Babylon.

Let’s read together Deuteronomy 31:19 and Revelation 18:1-8.

What does the second angel’s message mean?

All false systems of worship will be judged.  Salvation by works, the idea you can make it to heaven on your own merits, cannot save you.  Salvation in sin, the idea that once you are saved, you are always saved, will lead you to be lost.  All these forms of worship will lead you to Babylon.

Even if you are worshiping at the “right” church the “right” way, you can have Babylon in your heart.  If you harbor pride in your heart or you esteem anything in the world more than God, then you are in spiritual Babylon.

If you find yourself in Babylon, what are you to do?  God wants you to leave Babylon right now!  Jesus is calling you to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  He does not want you to face God’s wrath.  Repent and turn to Christ your Savior!

Friend, will you share the second angel’s message with others?

[poweredinpeace]

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed;

God give each human a choice not victim hood! Satan the Father of the lie steals individual choice by the god of government!

The blasphemous lie that God creates dictators is from the children of Father of the lie advancing their one world Globalist take over where individual choices is sacrifice on the demonic Altar of Government collectivism!

God allows us to experience what we plant and the fruit we must eat good or bad, God has never created evil Government we do!

Gal.6:7 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

[touchofgoddotworld]

Follow His Cloud by Day, Fire by Night (195) – May 27 2023

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST The Lord endeavors to lead His creation away from evil and captivity and into a better place in relationship with Him. Out of the Kingdom of Darkness and into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, Jesus (Colossians 1:13). He led His chosen children of Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire day and night. His Spirit led His Only Begotten Son into the wilderness to be tried and…

[theprayerfulword]

August 17

John 5:24 Jesus said, “Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

John 17:16 Jesus prayed, “[Those whom You gave Me] are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 NIV But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

May you respond joyfully and with alacrity to the Spirit's call, seeking you out and drawing you together with others for celebration and dedication in the work of His kingdom. Nehemiah 12

May God remember you and not blot out what you have so faithfully done for the dwelling of God as you cleanse the temple, your heart and your mind, driving out that which has no part or right in the work of God's service or the bounty of God's blessings. Nehemiah 13

May God remember you and show mercy to you according to His great love, for shutting out and rejecting those distractions which pull you away from honoring the Lord, and turning away from those activities that prevent you from sanctifying Him in the beauty of His holiness. Nehemiah 13

May God remember you with favor as you set the house of God, your thoughts and feelings and will, in order, cleansing them of everything foreign, which is not of His kingdom, accepting the discipline and chastening of the Word through the Spirit. Nehemiah 13

May you willingly, with deep, joyful acceptance, embrace and desire the call to assemble as the bride of Christ, acknowledging Jesus as head over you, learning to minister to fellow-members in prayer and prophecy, uplifting and encouraging each other, under His authority and not your own or any other's, understanding that you are to show forth His glory, for you came from Him and are made for Him. 1 Corinthians 11

Rejoice in My mercy, My child, and exult in My grace in your life. Be thankful for My compassions toward you and express your praise to Me for My acceptance of you. The truth of your sin and weakness has been met by, and reconciled in, My loving gift of salvation which brings you into My righteousness and delivers you from the power of the enemy. Let worship spring up from your heart as a result of My faithful love which never fails and My steadfast kindness which never ceases. Before Abraham was, I am. Because I am the eternal God, My tender mercy is without end, as well. For every mercy you see in your life, if you look closer, you will see a dozen more that accompany it. These are undeserved on your part, but they are My pleasure and joy to give. I do not recall your sins, once forgiven, My child, or hold them over your head; you are accepted in Me before the Father, and given the privileges of family. Never forget, though, to give the reverence due to the One Who created you, died for you, and undeservedly saved you. Let not these magnificent gifts and this unparalleled love be disdained or become common in your sight, but give honor to the One Who bore the pain and paid the price which you could not, then sought you when you resisted Him, and accepted you when you stood in enmity against Him. Let My acceptance bear fruit in your life, My precious one, and walk confidently in the knowledge of My care and provision. Learn ever more of Me from My Word and walk ever deeper in the wisdom and understanding from My Spirit. Know My voice and be led by My heart; speak life and encouragement to others as I use you in My work. As you ask of the Father in My Name, humbly secure in My righteousness and meekly obedient in My authority, I will watch over My word to perform it in your life. Thus will you be My witness to the world, bearing the light of My glory as the shadows gather and lengthen during this time of great harvest.

May you call to the Lord in times of trouble, for He will contend with those who contend with you, fighting against those who fight against you, and the Lord will be the salvation of your soul. Psalm 35

May your soul rejoice in the Lord when the angel of God drives away those who plot your ruin, like chaff before the wind. Psalm 35

May you delight in the salvation of the Lord as the angel of God pursues those who seek your life, making their path dark and slippery. Psalm 35

May your whole being exclaim to the Lord, “There is none like you!” for He rescues the poor from those too strong for them, causing His foes to fall into the pit they dug without cause. Psalm 35

May you turn to God when you are attacked by the spiritual powers who rob the poor and needy, for He will cause those principalities to be entangled in the net they hid without cause and ruin will overtake them by surprise. Psalm 35

May you humble yourself with fasting when illness strikes those who slander you, who gather in glee when you stumble, for God will vindicate you before those who repay you evil for good. Psalm 35

May you be rich in the joy of the Lord and may the wine and the oil of the Spirit be your heart's desire, for there is nothing of earth that is half so precious. Proverbs 21:17

May you seek to walk in the way of righteousness through Christ and allow the Spirit of God to transform your heart with uprightness, for then you will not suffer the wrath of God which is reserved for the stiff-necked and rebellious who persistently and unyieldingly reject the wooing and drawings of God. Proverbs 21:18

[hiswordsarekisses]

The best way to view the Bible when you are reading it, is to realize you are having a conversation. The fact that He is speaking to you through those words is as real as if He were sitting beside you and the words were coming out of His mouth instead of from the pages.

However we view or handle - or possibly dismiss - The Word of God, we have to keep in mind Who we are viewing and handling and dismissing. John chapter one explains that God and His Word are one and the same. And He says He never changes. And He never has. We are warned not to add to it, not to take away from it, not to change it, not to neglect it - we are commanded to heed it, to study it, to abide in it… and we are encouraged to love it, and tremble at it.

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting” 2ndTimothy 1:10

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”1stCorinthians 2:13

“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” Psalm 119:89

“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.”Proverbs 30:5-6

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Titus 1:9

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”2Timothy 3:16-17

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2Timothy 4:2

“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.” James 1:17

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2

“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” Deuteronomy 12:32

“Repent at my rebuke - then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you - when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.” Proverbs 1:23-27

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

God loves us so much that he created Hell just in case You don't love him back.

Compulsory, obligatory, commanded love.

Matthew 22:36-38

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

Mark 12:30

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

John 15:12/15:17

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 30:16

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments

Love cannot be demanded, compelled or expected.

[albertfinch]

PUTTING ON LOVE - PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES

I love You, God, because You first loved me. (1 John 4:19)

You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus, to this earth out of Your love for me and for others.  I have believed on Him and now, I will not perish  -  I have everlasting life.  You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but to save me, and I thank You for that!  (John 3:16,17)

God, if You loved me that much, I should give love to others. (1 John 4:11)

So, I will love others.  It's a sign that I've been born of You, because You are love.  But if I fail to love others, I fail to love You.  Help me to always love!  (1 John 4:7,8)

I put on love each day, as if it's a coat, because I know that You consider it the highest of all virtues  -  Your love binds every other good virtue together  and makes them one.  (Colossians 3:14)

Love is the most important sacrifice to another person that I can make.  I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and all my strength, Lord, and I will love my neghbor as myself. (Mark 12:33)

Help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me.  I do this in obedience to You, my Father in Heaven.  (Matthew 5:44)

I love others because You have loved me, and people will know that I'm a disciple of Yours because of the love that I show.  (John 13:34-35)

Circumcise my heart, God.  Consecrate me and help me to love You with all my heart and soul so that I may truly live well!  (Deuteronomy 30:6) 

Father, help me to remain in Your love just like Jesus.  He always obeyed Your commands and always remained in Your love.  (John 15:10)

Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit!  Through Him, You have poured Your great love into my heart!  (Romans 5:5)

God, I know the Your love matters the most  -  though I speak many words, including the tongues of angels,  if I don't love others, my words are nothing but a lot of noise!  I can prophesy, understand everything there is to know, and have faith enough to move mountains.  I can give everything I have to feed the poor, even if I give my own body as a sacrifice to You, but without love, none of these things do any good at all:  Love matters most!  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Help me to see Your love for what it is  -  patient and kind, never envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered.  You love stops me from keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in what is evil.  Your love helps me to rejoice in truth and always protect, trust, hope, and persevere!  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Whatever I do, Lord, help me to do it in love!  (1 Corinthians 16:14)

The covenant I have with You, God, is not because of something physical, like circumcision.  My covenant was made through Jesus Christ  -  and my faith works by love!  (Galatians 5:6)

The fruit of your Spirit is love.  (Galatians 5:22)

I was called by God to be free!  But, I don't use my freedom as an excuse to live in sin and do only what I want.  Instead, I serve others in the way of love.  (Galatians 5:13)

God, You are rich in mercy and because of Your great love for me,  You have made me alive with Christ!  Even when I was dead in sin, you made a way of grace so that I could be saved!  (Ephesians 2:4-5)

I am being rooted and established in love.  I'm gaining the power to grasp the amazing measurements of Your love.  I realize that it surpasses all knowledge, but in "seeking" to find its measurements, I am being filled with the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:17-19)

I'm a volunteer prisoner of You and I will live a life worthy of Your calling.  In humility, gentleness, and patience, I will bear what others do in love.  I will strive to always keep the unity of Your Spirit and keep the peace.  (Ephesians 4:1-3)

I speak the truth in love and it causes me to grow up in all things  -  I'm a part of the body of Christ and we serve under the Head of the Church,  Jesus Christ!  We work together in love and this unites the whole body of Christ!  (Ephesians 4:15,16)

Like a child imitates those he admires, I imitate You Jesus, and live a life of love!  Because You loved me and gave Yourself for me as a good-smelling offering to God,  I will give myself to others, as an offering to You.  (Ephesians 5:1)

I will speak peace, love, and faith over all my brothers and sisters today!  (Ephesians 6:23)

Thank You for correcting my heart when I do wrong.  I know that You discipline those You love.  (Hebrews 12:6)

I will live in harmony with others and be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble.  (1 Peter 3:8)

Above it all, I will love others deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.  (1 Peter 4:8)

I have known and believed in the love that You have for me.  You are Love and I make my life in You.  Your great love is being perfected in me day-to-day.  I will be able to have boldness in the day of judgment because I have a life of love!  1 John 4:16,17)

I won't fear!  Your love in me casts fear out!  I'm being made perfect in Your love day by day!  (1 John 4:18)

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY