#Discipleship and you

[igate777]

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/14

What am I feeling today?

Overwhelmed. There’s so much for me to do this weekend and even just today and I’m not sure how I’ll be able to accomplish it all. I’ve been praying for strength and I hope to be diligent in all I have to do.

Bible Plan: Wisdom in Dating

(I’ve fallen pretty hard for a guy in my church and I’m trying so hard not to get delusional, obsessed, or jealous and I have definitely made improvements from my last interest but it’s still a struggle every day that I have to pray over so to avoid him becoming an idol for me. In the meantime, I’m trying to gather as much wisdom and advice as I can!)

How Do We Deal With Different?

Anyone you date is going to be different from you. They’ll likely have some interests you don’t share and some opinions you might not see eye to eye on. And that’s good news! Why? Because differences can help us discover so much about ourselves and the kind of person we want to spend our life with. But how different is too different?

Dealbreakers

What are your dealbreakers? You know, the things that would instantly shut down your dating relationship? Maybe it’s a differing worldview or some other strongly held belief you can’t get on board with. Or maybe they have a bunch of pet tarantulas, and you’re not willing to be a spider-stepparent.

Dealbreakers are healthy, and we should all have a few. They’re healthy boundaries to help us avoid potential disasters. But they can hold us back. Why? Because it’s possible to have a few too many dealbreakers.

How Selective Should We Be?

We want to have high standards, but how do we know when our standards are too high? The answer is different for everyone. But there are risks at both extremes:

If our standards are too low, we might risk missing red flags, resulting in an unhealthy relationship.

If we set the bar too high, we might sabotage what could otherwise have been a healthy and fruitful relationship.

So what’s the answer? Well, Scripture doesn’t give us an exhaustive list of how to find just the right person. Instead, it offers us wisdom to help us see what matters most.

Can I Date Someone Who Doesn’t Follow Jesus?

God has called us to live differently from the people around us by embracing forgiveness, grace, generosity, and sacrifice. It’s a beautiful and life-giving journey–and it’s even better when you get to share it with someone else who’s pursuing the same high calling. You get to spur each other on in faith, helping each other get closer to God rather than drifting away. So doesn’t it make sense to choose someone to date who shares your desire to be more like Jesus?

What Are Some Other Dealbreakers?

Your values, goals, and personality all play a role in choosing who to date. That means everyone’s list of dealbreakers will look different. So consider what kind of person you want to date, and what factors might get in the way of a healthy long-term relationship. But avoid making the list too long. After all, differences aren’t always bad. In fact, they can be healthy.

God created you with a unique calling, personality, and passion. So what qualities and values in a future partner might complement and amplify those gifts from God?

Challenge: Consider some of your dealbreakers. They should reflect your deeply held values. But remember, keep the list short. This can help you focus on the most important things.

fully committed to Christ (this is in a sense a no brainer! but I want a man who consistently has his quiet times, prays frequently, leads bible studies, serves in the church, shares his faith, and is just an all around good example of a disciple and good leader)

dating to marry (he doesn’t just want to be married and have a wife, but he desires to be a biblical husband.)

wants a family/children (in that same vein, he should be good with children, kind, compassionate, have that fatherly instinct)

higher education (I’m on the last year of my degree and plan to continue on my education in grad school. I want us to be equals in the intellectual sphere so he should have at least a bachelor’s)

Prefer for us to have the same political views (I need someone who shares the same morals and values I do and a lot of that is revealed in politics - even though I really dislike following politics. I just want him well informed but also wise in his choices)

This may be silly but he has to like dogs and cats (I have two cats and a dog and there is absolutely no way I’m ever giving them up. They’re like children to me and I need a partner who equally shares my love for them.)

Colossians 3:1-10 NIV

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

It can be difficult, especially when you’re physically attracted to someone, to put to death lust and desire. I know that I’ve been struggling a bit more with it lately thinking about him but I have to consistently correct myself over it!

God does not at all want us to be in sin, especially if I’m lusting over another disciple. Also, it negates love on my side, I’m not doing that brother or myself any favors by having this desire for him!

Anyways, this is such a solid reminder that we must rid ourselves of all of this since we have been made new in Christ!!

2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

THAT PART! I truly don’t understand how you can identify with being Christian and yet be with someone who doesn’t share those same fundamental beliefs that you revolve your entire life around. It doesn’t make sense to me, you should want to desire to be with someone who is godly and righteous and pursues God more than they pursue you!

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This is not just a good reasons for dating a Christian but also for fellowshipping with other believers! We hold each other accountable and we help each other improve in our walks with God. You should want a partner who is going to sharpen you and encourage you in your relationship and desire to have God be at the center of it all!

[momentsbeforemass]

“Mine”

(by request, my homily from earlier today)

If you were going to summarize the Gospel we just heard [the parable of the wicked tenants, linked at the end], how would you do it?

For me, it comes down to one word – “mine.”

What we see in today’s Gospel is ugly. And it is nothing other than the end product of “mine,” the most dangerous idea our species has ever come up with.

When I say “mine,” I mean all mine.

Not just me first. It’s not enough that I win. You have to lose.

Taken to its natural conclusion, that is where “mine” ends up.

We’ve all seen it happen, maybe even in our own families. When mom dies. And one of the kids says “mine” about something in the estate. Something that mom left to someone else.

Whether it’s been a long time coming, or it’s a complete surprise, as that estate plays out you get to see a side of someone you thought you knew. A part of them that is truly ugly. And one that has no room for anyone else.

That is “mine” in action.

Or maybe you’ve lived it.

You worked there for ten years. You’re a top performer. Nobody does the job as well as you do. And everyone knows it.

When the chance for a promotion opened up, you were the obvious choice.

And then they gave it some kid who hadn’t even been there for a year.

That was your opportunity! You put in the time. No one was more qualified than you. It was yours. You deserved it. You were robbed!

That is what “mine” feels like.

And that is what we see playing out in today’s Gospel. “Mine” has gotten its claws into the tenants. And once it starts, it doesn’t stop.

That’s why it keeps ramping up, and why it gets completely out of hand. So that they can finally say “mine” – about the vineyard.

The thing is, the parable stops before “mine” is done having it’s way with the tenants.

If the owner hadn’t stepped in, if the tenants had taken over the vineyard?

“Mine” would have kept going. And they would have turned on each other, until only one of them was left to say “mine.”

Because that is how “mine” works. “Mine” means all mine.

It’s not enough that I win. You have to lose.

Taken to its natural, unavoidable conclusion, that is where “mine” ends up.

If you want to know what can destroy the strongest bonds of family, love, and friendship, this is it.

If you want to know what can separate us from God, this is it.

If you want to know what got us tossed out of the Garden, this is it.

“Mine” is the original sin.

And you’re thinking, “That’s not me, my sister was the greedy one when mom died. Besides, I’ve never beaten up a messenger, much less killed someone. None of this applies to me, right?”

I wish.

What Jesus is showing us is where “mine” ends up. But that’s not where it starts.

For most of us, it usually starts in disguise. And you and I are the ones camouflaging it.

We disguise “mine” in all kinds of ways. But whether we clothe in the language of success. Or power. Or influence. Or wealth. Or anger. Or even fear. They’re all just different ways of saying “mine.”

And no matter how we disguise “mine” at the beginning, if we let “mine” get its claws into us, this is where it ends up.

So, what can we do about it?

First, we’ve got to be honest about our limitations. You and I both know that we can’t just tell ourselves to not do something. And then pretend like that’s going to work.

If nothing else, we’ve been through enough Lents, where we’ve tried to give up even the most trivial things, to know better.

If we’re going to keep “mine” from sinking its claws into us, you and I need to do something. We need a concrete, positive way to respond.

This is what discipleship and stewardship are all about. How?

Discipleship is practical. It’s accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And then? Actually living like Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

As our diocesan synod put it, discipleship means making “a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action,” to be a follower of Jesus Christ – no matter the cost to yourself. It’s “a committed approach to living a Christian life within the Catholic Church.” That’s the official stuff.

What it really means is being who you are, as a Christian.

And stewardship? It’s how we put discipleship into practice. In every part of our lives. From how we treat ourselves, to how treat others. From how we use the influence that we have, to how we use the things that we have.

It’s living out who you are, as a Christian.

So, how do you and I do that?

I’m going to tell you something you already know. This is not easy.

And it’s not a one-and-done. This is something that has to be done over and over.

In every interaction. In every decision. In every action.

In every day. In every hour. In every thing.

If you’re serious, here’s the roadmap. From C.S. Lewis,

Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it.

Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end. Submit with every fiber of your being, and you will find eternal life.

Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.

Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead.

Look for yourself [say “mine”], and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.

Sunday’s Readings

[mjrimando]

Forever God is Faithful

Are you feeling hopeless? Are you pressured into reaching your dreams? Let's take a look at the faithfulness of God to us. Click on the title to read the whole article. Enjoy reading! :)

[confessionsofcalling]

We are the disruptive disciples. We are the ones who make noise, who ask questions. We are doubting Thomas and denying then devoted Peter and the mess in between.

We are the followers who are not content with sitting still. We are rebels and runaway ready to live our faith not just play-act it. We have a fire burning within us for revival and we are willing to put the work in to realise that.

We are the children who gurgle and babble in church, we are the autistic believers swimming without shame during the sermon. We are the brokenhearted who are still showing up.

There is something so profoundly special about the idea that the church is most authentic when it viewed through our lense. We are the disruptive disciples because we are challenging the status quo, the insitualaised church and making congregational life more like Jesus.

I can't imagine Jesus speaking in market square was quiet and subdued. I don't imagine he shyed away from people who use corse language or aren't quite sure when not to interrupt. He didn't find Zacheus up in the tree and say - you're causing trouble - but invited him to eat. Weird and wacky and wonderful would have described the crowds gathered round the Son of God. Where did we lose our way and start pushing away anyone who disrupts the picture perfect middle class church?

When did we decide that we didn't belong in the body of Christmas that our sharp corners and messy lines weren't welcomed with open arms, that our concerns didn't deserve a place at the foot of the cross?

We are the disruptive disciples. The ones who know that detours in the liturgy and moment of laughter belong in church just as much as silence and contemplation. We are the disciples that force the accepted narratives to be addressed.

Jesus came that we may have life and have life abundantly. If you ask me, abundant life has no place for suppression and perfection, but rather is an invitation to authenticity as disciples.

Jesus did not say, come all you who are perfect and knowledgeable what to say - he said come all who are weary, and I will give you rest.

Disruptive disciples - keep being yourselves, keep making suggestions and communicating in your own way. Keep getting the church the think about getting back to the heart of God. Never let anyone change you - let you change the world.

Breathe in the Lord and dance in your unique footsteps. You are what the church needs, you are what the world needs.

I have no doubt that your faith will move mountains ♥️

- M xx

[feedingthefaithts-more]

Today we’re going to talk about deliverance (casting out unclean spirits.) 

What is deliverance and who needs deliverance?

Let’s dig deeper today with deliverance

meaning: liberation, freeing, rescue, or salvation. Set free from bondage.

Deliverance -Greek Soteria

definition is deliverance, salvation.

The usage: welfare, prosperity, deliverance,preservation, salvation, safety.

Hebrew - teshua

Definition: deliverance, salvation, rescue and relief.

Deliverance means to cast out evil spirits (unclean spirits, demons, devils.) helping fellow believers overcome negative thoughts, negative behaviors, and feelings not only through the Holy Spirit but Jesus too.

Jesus asked us to not only spread the good news but to cast out devils:

Mark 16:17

These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name, shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ;

So now we broke down deliverance and it is being set free from the unclean spirits that cause to be bound. (Strongholds)

When we are saved, baptized, and received the Holy Spirit. Jesus does deliver us. We have some strongholds that we are not aware of; open doors that need to be closed.

So do we need deliverance? The answer is yes. Do Christians need deliverance? The answer is also yes. This is part of cleaning ourselves.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

So in this verse, we can see it’s just not cleansing flesh but our spirit too.

Cleansing the flesh and spiritual cleansing :

Galatians 5: 19-21

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time, which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

Revelations 7:14

 and I said onto him, sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

Psalms 51:10

Created me a clean heart, O GOD; and renew a right spirit within me. 

We have to clean our house (flesh, and spirit) because these unclean spirits think of us as their homes. so we have to do some deep cleaning with ourselves. Remove all the clutter, and like the word says, have no room for the devil.

Ephesians 4:27

Neither give place to the devil.

We have to clean our hearts of the world. (Repent) going back to Palms 51:10  create me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew a right spirit within me.

Mouth:Remember to be mindful of the words we use. This includes what we say to others and ourselves. For example, we should avoid using foul language, gossiping about others, and constantly complaining. 

Matthew 15:11

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which comets out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Our minds are battlegrounds, with negative and intrusive thoughts launching attacks from the enemy. We must eliminate these ungodly thoughts and thought processes to emerge victorious!

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; )

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity, every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Any hidden sin, unforgiveness, bitterness, and what you struggle with that you know that is ungodly. Example: porn, lying, being prideful etc.. we need to let go.

Ephesians 4 :21-32 

If so, be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off concerning the former conversations, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of the mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Never give place to the devil. Let him that stole still no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the things which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby you are sealed into the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and calmour, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice: and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, for giving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.

Spiritually we can struggle a lot and not even know it. Here’s a few examples:

Soul ties -1 Samuel 18:1 / 1 corinthians 6:16

Now soul ties can be caused by sexual lust.

Lust- Hosea 5:4

Anger- Matthew 5:22

Hatred-  Ephesians 4:31

Depression - Isaiah 61:3

Infirmity - Luke 5:13

Unforgiveness- 2 corinthians 2:10

Fear - 2 Timothy 1:7 

Suicide (should not kill) - Exodus 20:13 / Matthew 27:5

Witchcraft- revelations 9:21 / exodus 22:18

Inner vows : proverbs 20:25

Generational curses exodus34:7, 20:5-6

Joshua had stated whoever rebuilt Jericho they cursed their first born son and youngest son. Joshua 7:26-27 and God was with Joshua. In 1 kings 16:34 Hiel disregarded Joshua’s curse and rebuild Jericho. So his sons paid the price of the curse. These generational curses could be various of things. You will notice ungodly patterns (anger, drugs etc) from your grandma, your mother, even your aunts and uncles to you and your children. 

so how do we get deliverance? Throughout the Bible it will tell you how to be delivered. Psalms 34:17,50:15,107:6,34:4 2 Samuel 22:2

We have to have a firm foundation with Jesus. We have to be in his word daily, prayer, fasting, and make Him the center of our life. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be baptized. We have to repent of any sins in Mark 6:13-14: noticed they said men must repent the next verse says and they cast out many devils. 

Repentance:

psalms 51:1-6

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to the lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of the tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions.: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned , and done this evil in the sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen In iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceived me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shout make me to know wisdom. 

We have to be forgiving. We can’t have any unforgiveness because that gives legal right to the unclean spirit to keep that door open Matthew 18: 32-35.

Then we start renouncing our strongholds

2 Corinthian 4:2 

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Renouncing means letting go of attachments and aversion.

Greek -apeipon

Definition: to forbid, renounce

Usage: I renounce, disown, forbid, and refuse.

This is where we can use the authority. Jesus gave us in HIS NAME . Luke 10:19 

So biblically we need fellow believers to do this because these unclean spirits don’t want to leave us that easy. So we need additional help. Example: prayer during the renouncing and deliverance.

Now you can renounce stuff on your own, but remember you are asking Jesus to deliver you and you are going to tell these unclean spirits to LEAVE IN JESUS NAME. Sometimes these unclean spirits can be stubborn. So that’s when you need a fellow believer to be there with you to help you. Prayer and fasting are what’s going to help the best.

Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:19 

After you renounce everything you will get filled with the Holy Spirit in every vacant place in your body and we have to keep our house clean. As it says in Matthew 12:43-45 they will try to come back and they will bring seven more with them. 

Jesus called us to do this. He gave us that power ( authority).  Matthew 10:1, 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18

Remember, it's not us doing it, it's all happening in the name of Jesus. We are merely open vessels for Him to work through. Jesus is always the answer for deliverance. He is the deliverer. All glory be to God.

Romans 7:25

I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then with the mind, I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 





[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by James Williams | We call the lion “The King of the Jungle” for a reason. Its speed, strength, and stalking abilities strike fear into the rest of the animal kingdom. However, many of its prey are larger or faster, forcing the lion to compensate for these disadvantages through strategy and patience...

[terrapin-holm]

And don’t say the “Bible has been rewritten many times” because it never was. But, it has be translated many times FAITHFULLY and ACCURATELY.

The verse above does not mean a man should not lay with a child, whatsoever. In Hebrew (which was the original language), Greek and Aramaic, it was never a child. It’s a man should not lay with a man.

Jews don’t even share beds on overnight trips. They’re not even allowed to sleep in the same bed. That’s how serious this is.

You can’t call yourself a Christian and be a homosexual. It’s an abomination in God’s eyes. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

(Proverbs 16:18)

.

.

💠“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”

-Leviticus 18:22

💠In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

-Romans 1:27

💠Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

-Jude 1:7

💠“A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the LORD your God.

-Deuteronomy 22:5

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God only created Two genders. Male and Female. Not 1,556 genders. Even animals have two genders.

💠But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

-Mark 10:6-9

💠You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female;

-Genesis 7:2

💠two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.

-Genesis 7:8

[lionofthegoldsun]

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

-Romans 1:16

[garymillar]

God does not change; he is always the same. But we have the privilege of getting to know him more and more throughout our lives. So our "I love you!" should not be a reaction to the current situation, but simply a response to all that we see in God. We have to learn to adapt our "I love you!" to our knowledge of him, not to the circumstances of life at the given moment.

If our love for God becomes dependent upon circumstances, then it will quickly evaporate when things get tough - along with our discipleship and our worship. But that is not the idea; our love should not flow out of a steady stream of gifts from God or the fact that things are going well. Instead, our love for God is the only reasonable reaction to the fact that God is God. This is epic. It is often those difficult situations that drive us to start looking for God in earnest. That brings new shades to our "I love you!"

Andreas Boppart, Newlandic

[yeslordmyking]

Acts 14:21-22 — Today's Verse for Tuesday, June 13, 2023

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/10

What am I feeling today?

Pretty tired😅 I start nursing clinical again this morning and I didn’t get to sleep as early as I wanted to last night. But! That’s because my family wanted to celebrate my birthday🥹 they bought a tiny cake and made my favorite food and sang happy birthday to me. I felt a little bad bc I was practically gone all day with school and errands and only got to spend an hour with them and today I’ll be gone for a while too ☹️ but I love and appreciate them and honestly kinda felt a bit overwhelmed from all the birthday love yesterday😅

JOB 31 NIV

‭‭Job‬ ‭31‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For what is our lot from God above, our heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step?”

Basically what Job is saying here is that God sees everything that we do and we cannot hide anything from Him. Therefore if we act in wicked ways (any way that goes against His desire for us) then the lot as a result is ruin and disaster.

Keep in mind this is Old Testament, but it still applies to us if we do not repent.

Practical: confess to sin to other people in your life to hold you accountable and repent of it!

‭‭Job‬ ‭31‬:‭5‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit— let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless— if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted. “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest. “If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? “If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow— if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments, and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. “If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him— I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life— if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’— but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler— if I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside— (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)— “if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.”

Here Job is going on to list all these things and that if he ever committed a certain sin or didn’t act accordingly in a righteous way, then yes he deserves the judgment and punishment for those sins.

A list of what he spoke of that still applies to us:

Walk in falsehood and deceit

Stepping away from the “path”

Letting our hearts be led by our eyes

Hands being defiled

Heart being enticed by another woman

Denying justice to his servants

Deny the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary

Keeping bread to himself and not sharing it with orphans

Not warming the needy by withholding clothes/garments

Putting his trust in money

Worship the sun or the moon (astrology)

Rejoiced or gloated in an enemy’s misfortune

Cursing against someone

Concealing his sin

Using something without payment

Practical: to be mindful of all these things and to be sure that we don’t fall victim to these acts! We must act accordingly by God’s standard even though it can be incredibly difficult or desire to do the opposite 🙏🏼

[lady-stormbraver]

brother finished a book about Bonhoeffer yesterday, turned to me, and said “y’know, he reminds me of you” ???

[t4tstarvingdog]

soooo so upset SORRY you cannot tell i am talkign about the holy spirit when i mention god's influence SORRY i did not use the exact words "holy spirit" and "discipleship" SORRY you cannot INFER from my discussion post whag i am saying. for real.

[igate777]