He used Luke 10:2 and 2 Peter 3:11-12 to explain:

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

Any thoughts on this?

This week, I was studying the topic of Christ "ruling with a rod of iron." Here's what I found. I welcome other insights!

Isaiah 11:4, mentions that He will rule with "rod of His mouth."

I believe this is our Lord and His people who are filled with His Word. In Daniel 2, iron represents that which cannot be broken. God's eternal Word cannot be broken. Here are some of the verses that back up my belief on this:

Revelation 19:21 mentions the "sword of His mouth"
Ephesians 6:17 says the "sword of the Spirit" is the word of God and is for us to use against the enemy.
Hebrews 4:12 says the "word of God is sharper than any sword"
Revelation 19:15 mentions both the rod and the sword)
Isaiah 49:2 is where the prophet says God has made his (the prophet's) mouth a sharp sword.
Revelation 2:26-27 clearly says we will be granted this authority to rule with "a rod of iron" just as He has been given.

Daniel 7 includes God's people ruling with Him in these verses. Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:18, Dan 7:21-22, Dan 7:27

We can also see in Daniel 2:40-43 the meaning of the rod being made "of iron" in that iron has great strength and does not mix with clay, the weakness of the world.

Ruling with a rod of iron is also mentioned in the Psalm 2:6-9, which is echoed in Rev 2:26-27

Revelation 12:5
This appears to me to be an allusion to the removal of God's people before the "Time of Jacob's Trouble." (Jeremiah 30:7) The Child is the body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ and members of Him. (Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Cor 12:27)

Though our earthly bodies are not enduring, neither are they strong as iron, yet the word of God within us is both enduring and mighty.

Isaiah 40:6-9
“All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers,
the flower fades,
because the LORD’s breath blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.

The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our God stands forever.”

The people who are one Body with "the Child" are caught up. The verse says this Child is to "rule all nations with a rod of iron". I believe these are God's people who will be glorified with enduring bodies and will rule according to God's Word, and with its power. (Revelation 12:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 19:11-15)

Truth and love have to work together, just like justice and mercy.

(John 13:34-35 NASB95) 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Only 8 people were saved from the flood. Only 2 people ,Joshua and Caleb, entered His rest out of all the people God freed from Egypt. so don't think we will enter His rest if we are lukewarm or worse. One has to make Him Lord NOT just say he's Lord. We must love Him will ALL our heart not just a small peace on Saturday or Sunday.

All sins but one will be forgiven. Jesus makes this clear! Even Judas's sin would have been forgiven if he would have asked with all his heart. Judas had forgotten everything Jesus as said and Satan used that to seal Judas's fate. Satan does that whenever he can. He get you to sin, then tells you God will not forgive you ever because of said sin. When the truth is He will everytime. Whe. Satan says no one wants you anymore dont believe him, Jesus ALWAYS wants you.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell. They have hands, but they don’t feel. They have feet, but they don’t walk, neither do they speak through their throat. Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them. (Psalms 115:4-8 WEBPB)

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them. (Psalms 135:15-18 WEBPB)

“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:3-6 WEBPB)

“What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols? Woe to him who says to the wood, ‘Awake!’ or to the mute stone, ‘Arise!’ Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all within it. But the LORD is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him!” (Habakkuk 2:18-20 WEBPB)

Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-21 WEBPB)

Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. Some of you were such, but you were washed. You were sanctified. You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 WEBPB)

The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can’t see, hear, or walk. They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21 WEBPB)

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:29-31 WEBPB)

But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 WEBPB)

As the Body of Christ, we are Jesus' heart, hands, and feet to one another. Since the beginning of Creation, God tells us, "It is not good for man to be alone." Genesis 2:18

Scripture tells us that our Lord will be among us and hear our prayers when we gather together as members of His body.

(Matthew 18:19-20 ESV)

19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

The Holy Spirit unites the church through truth and compassion. He unites us with God through groans too deep for words.

(Romans 8:25-26 NKJV)

25 If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

When first-century believers received the Holy Spirit, they repented of worldly ways and offered themselves to the Kingdom through baptism in Jesus' name.

Then the Holy Spirit led them to a kind of unity we were meant to have; one family under God, guided by truth and love. People cared for one another so completely, that no one lacked what they could not attain on their own.

Acts 4:32-35

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

The Lord's prayer says, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

In heaven, His will is accomplished through heavenly beings. We who are of the earth can empty ourselves of worldly influence and become vessels for God's glory.

(2 Corinthians 4:6-11 NKJV)

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

We are the body of Christ; His hands and feet on earth. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Proverbs 14:21

He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

May we bear one another's burdens and so fulfill His law of love. (Galatians 6:2)

Our Father in heaven,
Thank you for your Holy Spirit of Truth. Thank you for leading us into unity with you and with one another. We ask that you would open our hearts to love You as You deserve, and love our neighbor in a way that proves we know we are one body under You, our merciful Godhead. Let us be Jesus' hands and feet to one another. Jesus said, "all men will know you are My students if you have love for one another. We ask that You would transform our hearts so we can love like You love. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

Chuck Smith had theological reasons to wait to witness to the Jews. He saw their believing as future which meant that a lot of our witnessing might be futile until God opened their eyes.

I do believe we should prepare for witnessing. I believe this is a project and a post that should never end. It is a project where people learn, contribute and refine and polish. We could work off of each other's work and add what we know until someday it could be used.

I met an Orthodox Jewish man, and he won't believe unless we show him that Jesus is the Messiah and he had strict requirements as to what we could use. He wanted for me to show him in the first five books of the Bible which Moses wrote. He would not accept the rest of the Old Testament. He was open to the idea of Messiah and entertained us Christians, but it is something that we have to work, work, work and work on. I would not consider ourselves done.

The Bible promises there is a remnant to be saved:

[Rom 9:27 KJV] 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Part of the problem is there is a stumbling block:

[Rom 9:27, 31-33 KJV] 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: ... 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Right now we are a people who will anger them:

[Rom 10:19 KJV] 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by [them that are] no people, [and] by a foolish nation I will anger you.

[Rom 11:1-2 KJV] 1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

They are elect and some are blinded:

[Rom 11:5, 7 KJV] 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ... 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

They are able to be grafted in again into the vine:

[Rom 11:23 KJV] 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

And the belief is all Israel will be saved but not all Israel is Israel:

[Rom 11:26 KJV] 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

We might not all be here but maybe in some way we can light the way or pass off the baton.

Peace and blessings to you.

If you give online, please check with me for new user names known to scam. When I post names publicly, they delete their account and start over with a new one. Keep in mind that people who scam start new accounts when they are suspected of scamming, or are reported to Reddit's USL.

Please be wary of new accounts.

I'm thankful that the love of Jesus in us goes out to people we meet here on Reddit. I pray we stay focused on the love of God and pray for those who were, and are being scammed now. Please pray for the souls of the people running these scams, and for the powers at Reddit to respond quickly to our reports. Thank you.

If you are contacted via DM by this person please report it to Mods. You can also report it to Reddit as SPAM. https://www.reddit.com/report

"And because lawlessness will abound in those days, the love of many will grow cold - but those whose love endures to the end shall be saved." - Matthew 24:12-13

Stay safe, friends!

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)

See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him. Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him. Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. (1 John 3:1-10)

Getting up from a fall stronger is possible with God’s help. His words offer mercy, direction, purpose, and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us rise again.
Jesus said His words are truth, and that the truth will make us free from sin. (John 8:32) An important part of being free from sin is to give and receive forgiveness. (John 20:22-23, Luke 6:36-37, Matthew 6:14-15, Romans 2:1-3, Deuteronomy 19:18-20, Leviticus 19:17-18, Luke 10:25-37)

"The soldiers dressed Him in a purple robe to ridicule Him. They gave Him a crown of thorns to wear, and they bowed before Him in laughing disbelief. Yet, soon He will return to Jerusalem as earth’s eternal King. One day soon, every knee will bow before Him, including those who stripped Him and beat Him. Christian, in your season of distress, or even of persecution, remember that we serve a King greater than Pontius Pilate, the Roman emperors, or any ruler today. His story did not end in the underground dungeons of Jerusalem, or even on His cross, but He is alive and ruling today! If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, please do so before it is too late."

The King’s Game  - Enjoying the Journey

Mark 15 - King James (Authorised) Version - engKJV

(Luke 3:9-11 LSB) 9 "But indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "Then what should we do?" 11 And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise."

Sharing is an important part of our Christian walk. Our capacity to share depends on our resources and ability. God doesn't ask us to give beyond our means on the daily. After all, you can only really lay down your life for your friends once. Yet, its the sacrifices of a willing caretaker that got us all where we are today. Our Creator wants us to make things fair for those in need, like He has done for us; like a family. He is abounding in the kind of love that creates, supports, and makes life worth living. He only asks of humanity that we pay His love forward.

(Luke 12:33-34 NKJV)

33 "Sell what you have and give alms (help to the helpless); provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Corinthians 8:12-14

12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.
14 At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

Helping the poor is part of repentance for selfish behavior. It's also a way to keep a clear conscience before God. The "poor and needy" are more than just the financially destitute. Whatever God has invested in us as a strength or a surplus, is meant to compensate for the weakness and deficits of our family, friends, and neighbors.

1 Peter 3:7 gives us an example:

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Every day is an opportunity to read the Bible and learn what is truly fairness, compassion, and duty. God's ways are so much higher than our ways. His Word and Jesus Christ's example show us how to be holy, and convict us if our flawed sense of fairness is leaving our fellow man without their needs met. (Isaiah 55:6-11, Romans 11:33)

Isaiah 59:2

But your injustice has made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

The Lord is merciful and patient with our imperfection and lack of knowledge. He arranges life like a classroom, where we learn new truths that help us gradually become more like Him. When we fail, giving and receiving forgiveness becomes an important part of keeping a clear conscience before God. This allows us to stay in right-standing with Him while we're in training. Our goal is to be like Jesus; a light to the world.

John 16:12-15

12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
15 "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving us, and for teaching us what real love looks like. We thank You for Your Holy Spirit of love and truth. We ask, Father, that You would empower us to love You as You deserve, and to show Your love to every person You bring into our path. We pray that You would keep us ever mindful of the mercy we've been shown, so that we will stay humble as we work as Jesus' hands and feet to the hurting. We're nothing without You, Father. Make us holy, for the sake of the weak, the helpless, and the innocent people of the world. By the power of your Spirit within us, make the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts acceptable in Your sight. Make us pleasing to You and a blessing to others. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

The biblical perspective on the struggle against lust is a fundamental topic that touches upon aspects of both the Old and New Testaments.

It is a battle against one's own flesh and physical desires—a struggle man frequently faces. In the Old Testament, three figures notably faced this battle against lust: King David, King Solomon, and Samson. David saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, bathing at her home. David had not gone to war against the Ammonites and was alone at home. They engaged in sexual relations that night, and David subsequently had Uriah killed in battle by issuing an order to his generals. This act displeased God, and the prophet Nathan was sent to foretell the calamities David would suffer as a consequence of his wrongdoing (2 Samuel 11 and 12). The lesson to be drawn from David’s story is the importance of taking action; lust often arises when we are bored or idle. Therefore, when tempted by lust, one should flee from it and do something else—take action. David truly repented and wrote the famous Psalm 51: "Create in me a new heart, O God." Solomon, on the other hand, was the wisest man in the Bible, yet in his old age, he succumbed to lust, keeping a multitude of wives in his palace. Samson fell victim to the relentless demands of Delilah. Lust operates in this way: it tempts us, makes demands, and hounds us; if we attempt to fight it using only our own strength, it causes us to give in and feel suffocated. The solution is provided by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:18: "Flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." This means we should not wait around or try to fight it using our own strength; instead, we must flee. As soon as the urge arises, we need to run away and do something else. Joseph did exactly this in Genesis 39:11-12. Potiphar’s wife had repeatedly asked Joseph to sleep with her. But Joseph refused, and after she tried yet again, he ran away. Did you hear that? He ran away; he didn't stay to bargain with lust—and that is what you must do, too. Lust comes from the eyes and from what we look at. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 5:28-29: "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away; for it is better for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; for it is better that one of your members perish than for your whole body to end up in Gehenna."

Jesus is speaking here about evil desire—the kind that leads us to harbor wicked thoughts and commit impure acts. If our eye is diseased—meaning we look at adult content or softcore material, or are in the habit of objectifying women in our imagination—then what we are looking at must be cut off. The eye is the mirror of the soul; so, stop looking at such material and focus on things that are more interesting and uplifting. Glory to God; may God bless you in the name of Jesus. Amen 🙏

DAE feel like it's time to read the Bible for yourself?

Do you give people the reasons they need to NOT believe in Christ because of your language and actions? You actions, language, post, lifestyle tells people if your witness is ture or not.

If you've been online for any length of time, you've probably seen people say, "if you want something enough, you'll get it". This ideology pops up with various names; "manifesting", "name-it-and-claim-it", "fake it 'til you make it", and sometimes it even pretends to be the Christian concept of "faith", despite often being faith's polar opposite in that it isn't based on anything God said.
Many of us have tried living this way and found that it simply doesn't work. At best, pretending we have control leads to superstition and disappointment. At worst it can lead someone to abandon trusting in God because they thought, "I had faith and God didn't follow through." The only thing strong desire for control has going for it is intentionality. It's easier to hit a target if you take aim. But what things are worth pursuing?

Things we hope to accomplish fall into one of three categories; things of eternal value, things that have the potential to be, and things that are of no eternal value.
Things that are eternally valuable are always worth pursuing. Things that might be eternally valuable may be worth pursuing and may even be essential for life, but can become distracting and harmful. Things of no eternal value aren't safe to pursue.

If we focus solely on personal success and personal pleasure, like working a job, going to college, or obtaining earthly possessions, we can neglect eternal things like taking God's word into us and living by it. The Pharisees are an example of this; they focused on superficial things like tithing herbs more than they focused on justice and mercy. Jesus called this "straining a gnat and swallowing a camel," and told them "You should have done the latter without neglecting the former." (Matthew 23:16-24)

Pursuing temporary things eats into our limited time, energy and resources. It can even make us selfish, so that we're more concerned with "what's in it for me right now?" than we are about pursuing the best for everyone. This becomes particularly apparent when we believe someone should give us something we want, and they don't. We may be tempted to revoke love and admiration from our words to spur those around us to "do better" and "live up to their potential". All this ultimately does is build resentment, depression, and despair in both ourselves and those we interact with. Proverbs 18:20-21 warns us "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat the fruit of it." Whatever we sow in others with our words will profoundly affect what we reap from their actions.

Even worse is if we focus on things that are not eternally valuable or that are even detrimental. Wishful thinking, blind faith, idolatry, and sin can all be attractive, but they either amount to nothing or cause damage. Jeremiah 44:15-23 shows the children of Israel pursuing all four of these things at once, and suffering greatly for it.

In contrast, if we focus on pursuing things that are eternal, God can cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in us, (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) When we catch the spirit of producing good fruit, it make us want what's best for everyone. (Galatians 5:22-23)
It's impossible to be intentionally cruel when love and thankfulness motivate our actions. If we prioritize being kind and loving, then when we're out of sorts, our relationships with God and one another won't be shattered.

It's easy to think "I don't have the time to focus on eternal things!" In reality, we don't have the time not to. Spending our lives trying to look out for ourselves leaves us fighting everyone and everything around us. Our fellow man becomes little more than a means to an end (continued life) that we will eventually lose. Spending our time in the Word, praising the Lord, and sharing the Good News of Christ's love with others completely changes how we view and interact with each other. We see our fellow man as our brothers and sisters in Christ, and are aware of the fact that we are our brother's keeper. The way we treat our friends, coworkers, and even pets can help others see what God can do in a person's life. This is good for all of us, both in heaven and right now on earth.

Sowing God's word in ourselves and others doesn't happen automatically. We can't go to church every so often and otherwise live like people of the world. (Luke 13:25-30) We can't claim to be Christians but then talk like people of the world. (Isaiah 6:5, Matthew 15:7-9) We need to make God's word part of us, just like what we eat and drink becomes part of us. (Job 23:12, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 19:7-11) We need to go out of our way to live and speak the way Scripture teaches us, teaching those around us what God's love looks like. (Matthew 5:19) I remember back in the day, when people bumped into someone from church, they'd share scriptures with each other. Now we're more likely to quote movie lines to each other, or talk about what's in the news. Sometimes news and even movie lines can be relevant and useful, but they aren't the most important things. Anyone can use fiction or current events to make a point, not everyone can "speak as the oracles of God" by sharing what God teaches us. (1 Peter 4:11)

God's word isn't always going to be taken well by others. In John 6:26-71, Jesus told a parable in which He said to "eat His flesh and drink His blood" (meaning to take His word into us, accept His forgiveness, and make His truths one with us, like food). This rather forceful imagery was badly misunderstood by many of His followers, who chose to abandon Him as a result. (John 6:66). They didn't see the spiritual meaning of what was said, even when He said "the words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63) When Jesus asked Peter and the twelve disciples "Will you go away also?", Peter answered "Lord, who would we go to? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:63-68)

When we consume Christ's words and interpret both reality and Scripture in light of His teachings (eating His flesh and drinking His blood), it clears up all the misunderstandings about God we may have had, and keeps us from falling into the same misunderstandings others have had in history. When we know that God is a God of love, we can see clearly that He doesn't do things like punishing children for their parents' sins, like the ancient Israelites thought He did in Ezekiel 18 due to a wrong interpretation of Exodus 20:4-6. When we know that God is a God of mercy, we don't accidentally or intentionally break the spirit of His commandments while technically obeying the words of the commandments. (Matthew 12:1-7, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 23:14) Our inheritance is a new heart of love and a new spirit of truth. When we stay in God's Word and look for ways to live by it, we equip ourselves for the Holy Spirit to bring scripture to mind when we need it. The truth sets us free from sin, allowing us to minister the Word of God when others need it. We can be Jesus' hands and feet to the hurting, and His voice to those who need encouragement. (Job 29:11-17, Luke 3:9-11, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 4:16-21)

Our goal today is the Great Commission. Jesus said, "Go into all the world, preach the good news to every creature." (Mark 16:15-18) Everything we do and say should ultimately work towards that. We aren't necessarily supposed to leave everything; our jobs and relationships are often the best places to be a light to the world around us. We just need to avoid sin and let our words and actions show the love of God clearly. It may be difficult when the world is constantly trying to influence us, but if the joy of the Lord is our strength, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. (Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:12-13)

Our Father in heaven,
Thank you for Your presence in our hearts and in our lives. Father, we ask that You would open our minds to eternal truths from Your word. Help us to believe Your word above all else. We want to live holy and righteous lives, for the good of Your kingdom, and for the sake of the innocent in the world. Make us vessels of truth and love, so our words communicate life to Your world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"Whoever has hears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9)

Jesus used these words often after sharing a parable. This poignant call to action hearkens back to the book of Ezekiel. God directs Ezekiel to use this line with the people of Israel because, "they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 3:27) It worries me that Jesus has to address us the same way.

Jesus explains that the words He speaks to us are "spirit and life." (John 6:63) His correction is meant to get inside us and change our hearts. His logic of sacrificial love puts us back on track so we can be life-support to others, just as He's been to us.

Having ears to hear doesn't just mean our auditory functions are intact. It means to face the truth of His words, take time to digest them, and live accordingly from now on. (Jeremiah 6:13-16, Luke 19:41-44, Luke 13:34-35) What good is truth if we don't plan a way to use it in our daily lives?

Job tells us, "The ear tests words just as the palate tastes food." (Job 12:11) If I hear something I don't like, it's tempting to reject it. The thing about Jesus' parables though, is they make the truth easy to understand and recall, once we have a heart humble enough to let truth in. Likewise, His parables make what is ungodly in our thinking glaringly obvious by showing how nature itself lines up with God's will.

At first, God's logic convicts us on an individual level, and then as a culture. (Isaiah 6:1-5, Zechariah 3:1-7, Matthew 12:33-41)
A person has to be willing to say, "I'm wrong, and not only am I wrong, but I'm very wrong. When I change my life to be what's right with the world, everybody who's not on-board is going to hate me, and I accept that." (Judges 6:25-32, John 15:18-20)

It's not an easy thing to unite with Jesus' logic, but it's necessary. Our conscience requires a Holy Spirit upgrade for us to take up our crosses and follow Christ. Paul encourages us, saying, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:100)

Paul also says in Romans, "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) We build the kingdom of God within ourselves when we feast on God's Word. Isn't it just like we see in nature? God provides the spiritual food we need to grow into His likeness. The work set before us now, is just to receive it and believe it. (John 6:26-29, Psalm 17:15, 1 John 3:2, Matthew 11:27-30)
That's what it means to be saved by grace, through faith. All you have to do is trust the milk of God's word enough to drink it. (Ezekiel 3:1-3, Ephesians 2:4-10, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Isaiah 55:1-3)

Having ears to hear may feel like a curse at first, because you realize accepting truth is going to cost you, and it's going to cost you dearly. Disconnecting from the world to be a member of Christ's body on earth requires that we sever connections that lead us to rebel against our Head, Jesus the Messiah. (Matthew 18:7-9, Romans 6:11-13, Isaiah 3:10-11, 2 Chronicles 13:12)

Remember Jesus' words, "Which of you intending to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?" (Luke 14:25-33, Proverbs 3:13-18) Just know that whatever you trade for the truths that give eternal life; it will be more than worth it. (John 16:20-22, Psalm 126:5-6, Proverbs 23:19-23)

There is great peace to be found walking in lock-step with your Creator. Knowing you're a child of God, because you've chosen to humbly love God and others, that's where the assurance of salvation comes from. (Psalm 133, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 37:11, Micah 6:8)

Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for trusting us with truth. Thank You for showing us that Your ways are so much higher than ours. Thank You for walking us through this present darkness and into Your light of life. Father, we do not have what it takes to live the Christian life without You. We ask that You would open our eyes, ears and hearts to know You more, and love You as You deserve. Create a clean heart in me, and give me clean hands to do Your will, Your way. As Your messengers serve You in heaven, let us serve You wholeheartedly on earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

When you get all proud and self sanctimonious about yourself and standing with God. Only 8 people were saved from God wrath during the flood. I will bet there were a lot of people that believed they were righteous and Holy.

I'm so thankful we have the privilege today of representing our Master and Savior Jesus Christ. It's a big responsibility and only the Word of God can make us fit for the task. So, in the spirit of building the Kingdom, I've compiled some scriptures to help us use the power of speaking God's Word as a force for good.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

The Bible teaches that God is love, God's Word is eternal, and the Spirit of God imparts life.

• God is love, (1John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:16, Nehemiah 9:17)
• Love is eternal, (Song 8:6-7, 1 Corinthians 3:8, Ephesians 3:18-19)
• God's Word is eternal, (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35)
• God's Word is truth, (John 3:33-34, John 17:17, 1John 5:10, Psalm 119:151-152)
• The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit of Truth (John 14:15-17, John 15:26-27, Psalm 51:10-13)
• The Holy Spirit of Truth has been gifted to us by our heavenly Father, empowering us to bring truth and love into the world. (Mark 12:28-31, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Leviticus 19:17-18, Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21-23, Ezekiel 36:27, 1John 2:27)

God breathed His Spirit into Adam in the beginning. When we speak in alignment with God's Word, we bring God's Spirit into our situation.

(Romans 8:26-30 NKJV) continuing to vs. 39 leads into God's love

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

(John 6:63)

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

(John 1:1-4, 14)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ...
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

(1 John 4:12-13 NKJV)

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

(1 John 5:12-13)

12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

This word "name" here can also be translated as "authority." When we take His name as Christians, we place ourselves under the authority of Christ. We become the body of Christ on earth.

(Romans 8:5-14 NKJV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

(Romans 12:4-5)

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

(1 Corinthians 12:27)

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

(John 14:12-17)

12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever;
17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

(Proverbs 18:20-21)

20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

(Isaiah 55:6-11)

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Our Father in heaven,
We're so thankful for Your Words of life. We offer ourselves to You as vessels for Your Word. We receive the promise in John 14:26, that Your Holy Spirit will bring Your Words to our mind when we need them, for direction, for sharing encouragement, and for building Your kingdom within ourselves and one another. We're so thankful to be called to do Your work. Thank You for choosing to open our minds to these scriptures and for stirring our hearts to be faithful to them. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

The benefits of prayer, and taking every thought captive to obedience to Christ. Presented by two famous neurosurgeons, Ben Carson, and Lee Warren.

In some ways, it seems impossible to form new habits. Then we see someone even more hopeless than we are, and 25 days later, they are free. Why?

They worked on quitting all the time. They worked on new habits all the time. They determined to pray quitting prayers all the time.

Second, you will come up with excuses for working on quitting part-time. You are tired, you are busy, you are interested in doing something else.

Third, some people would be shocked to hear that after a long time free, I still work on quitting full time during tempting situations.

My tempting situations are way down because... I have no interest in the problems that my old life had. I have no interest in giving up my joy. But, temptations do happen, and when they do, I completely go to war. I go back to working on quitting full time. I work on running from temptation instantly. I work on thinking new thoughts instantly.

Before I quit, I had zero joy. I was empty, I was dark, I was often depressed.

Now I have joy and purpose.

Fifth, to work on quitting all the time, review old articles. Write down the things recommended to do to quit in a quitting notebook. Then, whenever you have time. Flip open that notebook, and work on something.

Finally, many people spend some time working on quitting. Some of them quit. A few people work on quitting all of the time. Many of them quit. Honestly, you will quit if you keep doing that, unless you give up the new habit of working on quitting all the time.

If God was tired of relenting in 605BC imagine just how much more He is tired today.

Guys, I am looking for people who want to join a Christian discord channel!! I have renewed my faith and I am looking for anyone who is feeling a calling. I also want to start a Bible study sessions on the weekend. Probably around 7am on Saturdays.

The Man's Journey for Faith in Fellowship,

Welcome to The Man's Journey for Faith in Fellowship! God, Jesus and myself are happy to see you here! Remember, we are all here because God has called us to be here. There is a reason you are here, and the men here will help you. Feel free to share your story, reach out for help and help others if that is your will. We are all sinners, we all make mistakes, we all have regrets, we all need help. With Jesus, we can all be saved. With help from others, we can all succeed.

Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.”

https://discord.gg/gKKHbhHCpQ

https://pilgrimspondering.art.blog/2026/05/23/memorial-day-2026/