#Philippians 3:12-15

[martyschoenleber]

Calling and Passion (and Crushing) Companions in Gospel Advance

Calling and Passion. We often see them side by side in the lives of those whose make a real difference in bringing the good news of Christ to the world. But often, we make the mistake of thinking that such a life of blessing comes with 24-hour joy, 365 days a year. It is not so. There is often a third companion in the journey of faith—a crushing of the ambassador of gospel joy. My artistic…

[mindfulldsliving]

Trusting the Lord in Times of Suffering: An Expository Study of Alma 14

In our journey of faith, suffering can often feel insurmountable. It's in these moments that we must remember Christ's example and His ultimate sacrifice.

Alma the Younger and Amulek are led away from the fire that has consumed the believers in Ammonihah. Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for believers striving to walk the path of righteousness. In Alma 14, we find a profound example of enduring faith amidst unimaginable trials. Alma and Amulek faced severe persecution and witnessed the martyrdom of the faithful,…

[bojackson54]

The Best News About the Past is That It's Really a Present

If there is anything to be learned from history, it’s that we should learn from the past. George Santayana famously said, “Men who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” So history can be educational, but there is another observation about the past that we should remember: we can’t live there… The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Brethren, I do not count myself yet to have…

[re4med]

The Morning Devotional: WCF 32.1-2

The Morning Devotional for October 12, 2023 The Westminster Confession of Faith 32.1-2 I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption;a but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence,b immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they…

[nerdygaymormon]

Mormon thoughts on circumcision?

Many Latter-day Saints are circumcised because it is a social norm in the United States, but it is not medically necessary or even recommended, it is merely a social tradition.

The Book of Mormon specifically states that the law of circumcision "is done away" in Christ (Moroni 8:8).

The Doctrine & Covenants explains that in the early church (meaning the time of the apostles Paul, Peter, and so on) there was "contention" over the practice of circumcision, and it was done away with so that people knew to put their faith in Christ and not in the Law of Moses (D&C 74:2-7).

In the Bible, the Apostles and Elders at the Council of Jerusalem decided to stop circumcision as a requirement for Gentile converts to Christianity (Acts 15:1–35).

Some other New Testament passages that say circumcision is no longer required include: Galatians 2:1–3; 5:1–11; 6:11–16 1 Corinthians 7:17–20 Colossians 2:8–12 Philippians 3:1–3

There is no religious reason for Mormons to be circumcised.

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

One in Christ

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort oun ei tis paraklēsis en Christos ei tis paramythion

from love, if any fellowship in the Spirit, if any affection and agapē ei tis koinōnia pneuma ei tis splanchon kai

compassion, make my joy complete by being like-minded, oiktirmos plēroō egō ho chara hina ho autos

having the same love, united in spirit with a single purpose. echō ho autos agapē sympsychos ho heis phroneō — Philippians 2:1-2 | Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE) The Mounce Reverse Interlinear™ New Testament (MOUNCE) Copyright © 2011 by William D. Mounce. All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Isaiah 16:11; John 3:29; Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 3:12; Philippians 4:2

Read full chapter

Five Incentives for Christian Unity: Philippians 2:1–2

[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

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/11

What am I feeling today?

A bit overwhelmed and tired, I just feel that I have a lot on my plate at the moment. Also frustrated at myself, I have feelings for someone in my church and I don’t want to like him. Not because there’s anything wrong with it, but I can get so obsessive and it’s distracting for me and that’s not what I need right now. I don’t want to be thinking about him and caring so much what he thinks of me or whether he likes me back or not so I’m just frustrated with myself.

First Principles: The Art of Moving the Heart

2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

if you master elementary teachings, you won't be ashamed!

know that it’s possible to handle the Bible (word) incorrectly (false doctrine)

James 3:1

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

those that teach will be judged more harshly!

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.”

"taught all over again" - Bible conviction to teach! train yourself self - go on to maturity!

Repentance is the foundation!

2 Timothy 1:13

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Sound Teaching!

Philippians 3:17

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Follow the example as a model to do what we do

Romans 6:17

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.”

form of teaching everyone followed + entrusted!

SOLIDIFY

Ephesians 4:14

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

UNIFY

John 17:23

“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

MULTIPLY

Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Habakkuk 2:14

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Proverbs 20:5

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

the heart is deep but it’s also clogged (sin)

Matthew 12:33-37

““Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.””

let people sit in the questions you ask them during studies, give them time to think and observe and come to an answer on their own

Matthew 13:1-9, 13

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

they may hear you but don't understan

you have to be able to break up a calloused heart

the goal of it all is to heal the heart!

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

↳ am I becoming more like Jesus and less like myself?

Luke 3:7-14

“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.””

We baptize disciples ONLY!

→ different people have a different process

[lionofthegoldsun]

[Maintaining A Clear Conscience]

Believers in Christ must strive to maintain a clear conscience: we must remove any pollution or defilement in our minds, hearts, and souls. That includes being cautious of what we say (Matthew 15:11), what we hear—practically anything NEGATIVE our soul absorbs, which can pollute it. And whatever we absorb can cause us to behave in a not so pleasing way to God (Romans 12:1).

This can happen without us being aware. For instance, if you run to the internet to answer your questions and to solve your problems, instead of God’s truth, you’re not going to have peace because the world is full of lies and ruled by spirits of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

-1 John 5:19

These are deceiving spirits who want to take our focus off God and drag us down. They want us to feel as if there is no hope. It’s all a distraction.

The devil will use our emotions to toy with us. Therefore, trusting other sources, our hearts, and people instead of God and His word will only birth fear, paranoia, and anxiety, which are not fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Not only that, the human heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). And as Proverbs 28:26 says: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will escape.”

As Believers, this will only make us stumble and our faith wobble. That is why we need to root ourselves in God and in His word.

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

-Jeremiah 17:8

<Extra Verses>

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”

Psalm 118:8-9

“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”

-Isaiah 2:22

“Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.”

-Proverbs 14:15

<Bonus Verses>

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

-Philippians 4:8-9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 4:6-7

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

-2 Corinthians 10:5

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

-Isaiah 55:8-9

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

-Romans 12:2

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

-Isaiah 26:3

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

-Colossians 3:2

[martyschoenleber]

Four Descriptors of the Man or Woman of God

I have two objectives with this post. To be biblical To not be overly complicated. What are the best descriptors of someone who walks with God?  It would hard to do better than the description of Job given three times in the early chapters of the book of Job. Let’s try them on. “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job;and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning…

[10yrsyart]

What does Jesus and the Bible teach about being a “good Christian”?

at the request of @iridescent-glass-bubbles, i wrote some scriptural advice. and i apologize for being long winded, but i wanted the verses to do a lot of the talking 😂🙏

The most important thing in learning to set a good example as a Christian is to continually read God’s Word. 

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know Me,” (NLT). And in the KJV, it says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” It means, how can we know God and His ways if we’re not actively reading about them? It’s much easier to be confused and led astray when you’re not familiar with what He’s said and how He works. (If you can read a novel, you can read Matthew or John or Romans.)

Similarly, what you’re constantly focusing on will affect how you think and act. Jesus says, “But the words you speak come from the heart- that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander,” (Matthew 15:18). This is why Paul says in Colossians 3:2, “Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth.” And in Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Fill up your heart with things of the Lord, and that’s when your actions will start to follow.

As for how Jesus wants us to act, it’s all through the New Testament, especially His “Sermon on the Mount” speech in Matthew. Among some are: don’t hate anyone (5:21-22), don’t seek revenge (5:38-42), love and be kind to those who hate you (5:43-48), forgive everyone without holding a grudge (6:14-5), and don’t let pride convince you you’re better than everyone else (7:1-5). He says in Matthew 22:37-38, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” The Golden Rule: treat others the way you’d want to be treated, is actually from the Bible (in Matthew 7:12). 

A good summary is found in Colossians 3:12-15 which says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with Love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” (Also see the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23). 

Jesus didn’t just teach these things, He lived them. Every account of a situation He was in is an example of how He honored these principles.

It sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? The truth is we aren’t capable of being perfect examples of Christ. We mess up all the time. But the Holy Spirit can help us with these things. Jesus wants to grow us into bright lights that shine His love on everyone, but we need to be willing. I didn’t see that much change in myself until i started regularly reading the Bible and thinking on how He wanted me to act. And then i started putting in the effort to obey, and He provided the increase.

We can’t be “good Christians” if we’re relying only on our own efforts. But we’re called to listen to and obey the Lord and He will change us more and more into His image. As Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” So let God’s promises fill you with peace, stand for the truth, and love others even in difficult situations. 💙

[bojackson54]

The Best Thing About the Past is That It's Really a Present

The Best Thing About the Past is That It’s Really a Present

the past on a cycle If there is anything to be learned from history, it’s that we should learn from the past. George Santayana famously said, “Men who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” So history can be educational, but there is another observation about the past that we should remember: we can’t live there… The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Brethren, I do not count myself…

[influencingforjohn]

· Unlimited Power: Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18)

· Healing: Jesus healed every disease and sickness (Matthew 4:23, 9:35)

· Lord over all: Jesus is Lord of all, including sickness, disease, and infirmities (Matthew 15:30)

· Spirit World: Jesus has all power over the spirit world (Mark 5:2-13)

· Nature: Jesus has authority over nature (Mark 4:37-39)

· Provision: Jesus will provide for those who love and serve Him (Matthew 14:19-21)

· Creator: Jesus is the Creator of all things (John 1:3, 9; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-16)

· Intercession: Jesus continually offers salvation and intercedes for believers (Hebrews 7:25, 13:8)

· Omnipresent: Jesus is present everywhere, and his power is limitless (Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24)

· Eternal: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus is all-powerful, and his power is unlimited, transcending human understanding. According to Philippians 2:10-11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

[creativewaygrace]

Bible Verses on Guilt and Shame

1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able with the tempatation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 6:18- Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.

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

1 John 2:1- My little children, I am writing these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advoacate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.

1 John 2:2- He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but for those of the whole world.

1 John 4:1- Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Timothy 2:4- No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life, he seeks to please the commanding officer.

2 Peter 3:9- The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Acts 2:21- Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:38- Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19- Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.

Acts 8:22- Therefore prepent of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your hearts intent may be forgiven.

Hebrews 12:2- Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 12:6- For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he recieives.

Isaiah 50:7- The Lord God will help me, therefore I have not been humiliated, therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will be put to shame.

Isaiah 54:4- Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame, don't be humilated, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, and you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.

John 3:16- For God love the world in this way. He gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:17- For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Micah 7:19- He will again have compassion on us, he will vanquish our iniquites. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Philippians 4:13- I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalm 22:5-They cried to you and were set free, they trusted in you and were not disgraced.

Psalm 34:5- Those who look to him are radiant with joy, their faces will never be ashamed.

Revelation 21:4- He will wipe way every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

Revelation 3:20- See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Romans 10:13- For everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:9- If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 2:15- They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts either accuse or even excuse them.

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

Romans 8:28- We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

[hiswordsarekisses]

“Imagine standing before a tightrope that stretches across Niagara Falls.

You’ve been given a guarantee by God himself that you’ll make it across safely.

The life he intends for you is on the other side, so remaining where you are is not an option. You have to go.

Still, even with his rock-solid promise, you’re shaking. A nervous wreck. Every step of the way, every downward glance, you’re both exhilarated and terrified.

Finally on the other side, you collapse in joy and nervous exhaustion. You made it. Just as he said.

That’s a taste of what scripture means when it says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

It has nothing to do with earning it, and everything to do with being aware of how unfathomable it is — how utterly scary your situation was without its promise.

You don’t question the outcome of your journey; like tight-roping across the falls, you walk it out with acute awareness of the magnitude.

You live your salvation with awe.

Aim to live with that sense of sacredness, that exhilaration of the treachery of the journey, on one hand, and the certainty of the promise on the other.

Without God’s guarantee, fear and trembling are only terrifying.

With it, they are a cause for worship and gratitude every moment of the day.”

~ Chris Tiegreen

The phrase “pass the test” is translated from a word that also means “reprobate” “unapproved” “counterfeit” “disqualified” “rejected”

(“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?” 2ndCorinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬)

So, we are told to examine ourselves “to see that we are in the faith,” and to see that none of those “pass the test” things apply to us!

How can we tell? How do we know if we “pass the test?”

We can definitely know - and will be able to tell, with certainty, if we are consistently reading and studying in the Word of God because He has made these things clear in His Word so that we can have assurance to Know beyond a doubt that we are right with God and headed for heaven. God wants us to have assurance - that’s part of the reason He left us His written Word.

Salvation requires only faith in what Jesus did on the cross - that He died and shed Hos blood as our substitute - in our place - so that we can be forgiven and set free from a life of sin. Yet - Even this we are not required to have on our own, but God will give us this faith if we ask Him. We are required to have it - but not required to produce it. God’s Love always supplies whatever His Love demands.

The following 6 things are just ways that we can know for sure - by symptom - that we have truly passed from death to life - and that we do indeed believe and have this faith that God requires.

These are not ways to “BE saved” - these are ways we can see that we truly do belong to God.

These things will all be happening in our lives as a “result” of this faith.

If we do not find these things in our life, then we can still pray that God will produce faith in us, and with it the “fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)

1)

We have assurance of eternal life if we believe "in the name of the Son of God" (I John 5:13; 4:15; 5.1)

2)

We have assurance of eternal life if we love the Father and the Son rather than the world, and if we depend on God's guidance and power to overcome the world's influence - by resting in HIS ability and not our own - as He writes His Word on our hearts, it literally becomes a part of us, and a part of who we are.

3)

We are brand new creations. The old has gone and the new has come. (2ndCorinthians 5:17)

We are sincerely trying to live by his principles and obey his commands.

“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him" (1 John 2:3-5; 3:24; 5:2; John 8:31, 51; 14:21-24; 15:9-14; Heb. 5:9).

This “keeping of His commandments” is a FRUIT - and not by a legalistic effort.

It’s a natural fruit - or symptom - of being right with God - if there is change, and we are progressively becoming more like Him and less like our old self, and this is happening sincerely and genuinely BECAUSE of being His.

4)

We consistently and persistently try to do what is right by God's standard.

“If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who “practices” righteousness has been born of him" (1stJohn 2:29

…Whoever “makes a practice” of sinning is of the devil"

1st John 3:7-10

…We have assurance of eternal life if we show true love for others. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him" (1 John 3:14, 19; 2:9-11; 3:23; 4:8, 11-12, 16, 20; 5:1; John 13:34-35).

5)

“Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.” (1stJohn‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 John 2:6; John 8:12).

6)

We have assurance of eternal life if we believe, accept and remain in a right relation to the "word of life - We base our lives on His original message.

“As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.” (1stJohn‬ ‭2‬:‭24)

Part 2 - A Note:

It’s still shocking to me in many ways to read all of these words that I never even knew were there the first years that I was saved. I used to rely on preachers and teachers in books, in churches, and on tv in order to learn.

I assumed they knew more than I did, so I never realized the importance of knowing the Word on my own. Many more of them than I ever could have imagined are in error and deception.

As a result I was deceived so many times, and eventually became so confused about Grace and sin and forgiveness and righteousness, and all of it.

I Thank God for putting a deep love for the truth and for His Word in my heart that keeps me digging when things don’t make sense. I want to understand - even if it shakes up everything I think I know.

One thing I have come to know by understanding and revelation of the truth of His Word - is that I am saved. And it’s all His doing, and none of mine.

And when this body I am in dies, I will merely change my mode of transportation into spiritual mode, and I can say with complete God-given faith, with Job, “As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.” (Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬)

Part 3 - A Reminder when the devil tries telling you that you do not belong to God…

First of all, we should absolutely use that as an opportunity to examine ourselves.

2nd of all, read the 6th chapter of The Gospel of John. You will find in there plenty ammunition to fight back with.

You will find there the truth that we cannot even want to be God’s unless He draws us to Himself. So if we want you to be saved it’s only because He deposited that desire into our heart. It says in there, that no one can come to Jesus unless God draws them, it that no one can snatch you out of His hand either. Check it out. ⚔️📖⚔️ The truth will set you free!! Bury His Word down in your heart, it’s your sword because it is the sure weapon against the enemy!!!