Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
6. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Well, reached the 60 something club this month.
Doc found a mass in my bladder, got diagnosed with basal carcinoma and had a chunk cut off my nose last month. They said I got fat guy liver disease and had chronic kidney disease….
Wish there was a guidebook giving instructions for the 50 and 60 something club, I’d have stayed in the 40 something club a bit longer if I knew there’d be this many breakdowns đ..
All things aside, I thank and praise the Lord for both the good and the bad. As John wrote above this is love, that we walk in the commandments of our Savior.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Here we read that after Paul’s conversion, after he regained his sight he tells us he went to Arabia for three years. Yes there will be Neverending arguments whether Sinai was considered part of Arabia in Paul’s day, I’ll give this link for my opinion, Arabia in Paul’s time. With that said, why or where in Arabia did he go?
Personally, I think he went to Arabia to be taught about Christ by Christ himself.
Paul’s ministry, his style of communicating and the breadth of his ministry is astounding. He and the 12 apostles who knew Jesus changed the world in ways no others have. Their faith in a risen Savior, their love and humility, and their perseverance through persecution set the world fire with the Spirit of God.
To know more simply open a New Testament and ask God for wisdom to know Him. I’m sure your heart and mind will learn much that will change your life.
“…8. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9. On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10. But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 13. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth...”
Sometimes in our life with GOD, as with Job during his trials of faith, it seems that the Father is nowhere to be seen. Yet we can read here that in whatever trials people of faith have to endure He is always there, allowing us to learn, trying our faith to make us stronger. If we persevere and come through faithfully then when it’s all said and done we shall come forth as gold, pure and untarnished.
It’s recorded that our Savior said in Luke 6:22. “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” In several passages we can read where our standing is in this sinful and wicked world, yet if we remain faithful we know where this leads and how it ends.
In Ephesians 2 18 through 22 we read thus: 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Through Christ we can see our beginning and end, that being part of the household of Father. So if you do not think or feel the Father working in your life, rest assured, if you remain faithful and persevere to the end our destiny is guaranteed.
There are times when your heart and mind seems to get lost in the morass of everyday trivialities, whether you begin to be numbed by the increasing waves of news and fake narratives constantly being thrown in your face or just the repetitious workloads required to just make a living in todays inflationary world. Sometimes it’s necessary just to step back and disengage from the world, to give both your mind, body, and spirit a little respite.
Being a Christian and have a Biblical worldview I always revert to my guidebook when “things” in life need clarification, whether through the Wisdom provided by Scripture or just the assurances we as believers have.
In Romans 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:15. “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
In these verses I found some proverbial succor in my time of need. In a renewing of my mind I find in Romans 12:2 the admonition to not conform to this world, ie. not giving in to the anger or bitterness and outright sin that permeates so much of todays society. By renewing our mind we can be prepared to assertively prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of GOD.
Some will cry out that you cannot know the perfect will of GOD… To those I point to Romans 12, if Paul taught believers they could then why can’t we also?
Knowing the will of the Father for our lives is a growth type of event, like an earthly father letting their children grow and learn, teaching them as the need teaching, but loving them enough to let them learn life at their own pace without spoiling them.
In 2 Corinthians 4, I find in verse 16 and 17 that regardless of our physical conditions, whether be disease or persecution or just extremely bad events in life, as our outward man of flesh will perish daily our inward man, our soul is renewed day by day. Whatever it is that numbs our life, dulling our senses or our heart, we can overcome that dulling of our spirit daily by turning to our Savior Jesus the Christ. This is renewing is done through both an active prayer life and reading of Scripture, also through continually sharing the Gospel with a fallen world.
As believers we should remember that everything in this world will pass away but we live forever in Christ. In whatever condition this body is in our inward man remains faithful.
The world wants people to be focused on their version of civilization, thinking that civilization is what lasts, but as believers we need to remember that the civilisations of this old world will perish and that it’s man that will last, eternally with the Father.
Both you and I are eternal beings as are all other people we meet and interact with. When you look into the eyes of your newborn child or dying parent you’re looking into the eyes of an eternal being. Graced by GOD to live forever, either in His presence as a believer and faithful child or not in His presence as a rebellious and wicked person.
Christians are taught in Scripture that regardless of our condition in this life its just a pin prick of time compared to the life coming after this temporal tent we call a body is gone.
I’ll end with this audio from CS Lewis…
12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
Throughout His ministry our Saviors primary detractors were the religious hypocrites in positions of authority, the educated, those religious wealthy and leaders who always appeared righteous but were inwardly full of death and darkness.
In our day we have the same and similar groups taking a stand against righteousness, people who profess knowing GOD but have never known Him.
Religious leaders around the world, of all faiths, are following the dictates of corrupt governments, turning in those who stand against the Governments narrative of fear and lies. Churches shut their doors because they were ordered to while liquor stores remained open. Whether it was masking đˇ or the mRNA shots the world, including Christianity bought into the fear porn of something that has a 99.7% survival rate.
Am I taking this in an awkward direction, not really, because the belief system of those who follow the dictates of the Covid narrative do so with a mind that is deceived with half truths and outright lies. They blindly follow whatever the narrative is with what some could define as faith based assumptions.
Those faith based assumptions are whatever the talking heads are screeching in their ears đat the moment.
So in regards to the Scriptures noted above, Christians are being separated, the wheat from the chaff, the world is being separated also, the mindless from those who could respond to the Gospel.
A Great Winnowing in occurring and we are witnessing it, if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ I would recommend that you begin praying for the Lord to open your heart to His Spirit.
2. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
In our society today it’s becoming increasingly popular in Churches to follow the fads of the Day, to give up their moral clarity to follow sin and wickedness. In His day Jesus introduced pure and undefiled religion to the people, going against the norms placed by the religious rulers of His day, those who corrupted the faith of an entire nation.
Nowadays in the west Christians who goes against the so-called norms or fads of the Day are ridiculed and condemned by an evil society. Some face jail time for expressing their faith. In England a ruler in a church turned in a congregant because he expressed views opposite to the popular fad, that being the acceptance of the LGBT XYZ garbage.
Just as our Savior was killed by the religious leaders of His day, in our time in the west the Lord is separating the wheat from the chaff, the goats from the sheep, and we are seeing the fulfillment of the words of Christ when He said, The world hated me without a cause, so now the world still hates Him without a cause, th world hated Him, the world hates those who follow Him.
Don’t be afraid when persecution comes knocking on your door but praise GOD in that you are counted worthy to suffer for His sake.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Some people seem to not understand the idea of brotherly love, since the word love itself is bantered about as if it’s a plaything. Here is a good definition of brotherly love I found today…
Meaning of Phileo
If you’re already familiar with the Greek term phileo ( pronunciation: Fill – EH – oh), there’s a good chance you heard it in connection with the modern city of Philadelphiaâ”the city of brotherly love.” The Greek word phileo doesn’t mean “brotherly love” specifically in terms of males, but it does carry the meaning of a strong affection between friends or compatriots.
Phileo describes an emotional connection that goes beyond acquaintances or casual friendships. When we experience phileo, we experience a deeper level of connection. This connection is not as deep as the love within a family, perhaps, nor does it carry the intensity of romantic passion or erotic love. Yet phileo is a powerful bond that forms community and offers multiple benefits to those who share it.
So brotherly love, as per this definition, implies the continuation of community, if believers then Christian communities or congregations or Churches. So as Scripture defines itself, we can see in those four words the concepts of church and community, built on the Rock of Ages.
Also reflecting Hebrews 10 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Allowing phileo to continue in our lives we aren’t suppose to stop going to Church as the manner of some is đđ “read above verse“, we are to participate in the Christian community in which we live, our sphere of influence if you will, encouraging and helping other believers as well as being full of good works, not that the works save anyone, but good works are generally a reflection of our changed heart which leads to a changed life. Yes people often fake their faith with good works thinking as long as others see them doing good then they’re all good, but those kind of people generally show their true colors indue course. True phileo doesn’t discriminate with whomever it helps, it’s focus is on humility in love with the Spirit of God directing the believer.
So let brotherly love continue, keep going to Church, seek out like-minded believers as friends, build a sense of community with fellow Christians, help one another, encourage one another inlove and humility. Most of all, holdfast the faith in Christ which saved you.
9. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12. And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13. Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Morals and norms are out the door, they’ve left the house a long time back and now perversion is mainstream. You often hear vaccine pimping self-professing Christians repeating the secular mantra “… well I love them regardless of their orientation…“. Nothing is ever said about not loving them, what should be said is their perversion is sin, reflecting the wickedness in their heart.
But no, nowadays its anathema to even speak contrary to the official narrative. If you do then you’re ignored, castigated as a hater and phobe of some kind, canceled and harassed even to the point of facing prison. All for taking a Biblical worldview and standing up with the light of Christ against the descending darkness of sin.
Living by faith in Christ, believers need to remember our history, the history of what it is to be counted worthy to suffer for our Savior. Whether we are witnessing to the lost or living our faith as the Spirit is directing us to, persecution is coming, and it’s going to be that winnowing fan which will separate the wheat from the chaff.
Getting your spiritual house đ in order needs to be done asap, pray without ceasing and walk that straight & narrow. Do not let your passions, ie anger, lusts, desires, and vices control you, let the patience that comes from a clean heart and spirit take control of your heart and mind. Ask for help and wisdom from the Father, His love is greater than anything this old world can throw at you.
Is it Christians responsibility to take a stand against a publicly held narrative if that narrative is wicked? Yes, without a doubt, but that stand has to be based on Christian ethics and biblically based love. Yes we can hate the lies and deceit, we should witness to those lost in sin, we are told to pray for their salvation and if possible plant those required seeds. We are also told to brush off the dust of those who reject the truth and to move on to others.
Should we take our faith into the political? We were given the example by Jesus, give unto God the thing of God and Ceasars what is Ceasars. Jesus chose to remain neutral in earthly politics except where people of faith were concerned, as in the religous/political factions of ruling Pharisees, there He called them out for the hypocrites they were.
Keep your faith, live that new life you received from Christ as believers and try and not get caught up in those things that ail the political scenes. Just because the left has moved all moral issues into the political realm doesn’t mean they have to drag you there too.
So in the end, sexual orientation is an excuse to sin, nothing more, regardless of one’s politics.
4. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
Proverbs 12 4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
The organizers of the September 25 March for the Martyrs hope to raise awareness of the plight of the most persecuted religious group in the world.
Gia ChacĂłn, the founder of the non-profit organization For the Martyrs, is on a mission to spread the word that the Christians are dying for their faith in unprecedented numbers.
To that end she is organizing a âMarch for the Martyrsâ to be held in Washington, DC, on September 25.
âWe believe knowledge inspires actionâ the more people who are aware of the crisis of Christian persecution, the more that can be done to aid the suffering faithful,â she told Aleteia.
That knowledge is based on what ChacĂłn has witnessed in her travels to the worldâs most dangerous places to be a Christian, from East Africa to the Middle East.
Itâs also founded in the work that humanitarian organizations have done to document persecution and violations of religious freedom around the world.
Christians, the worldâs most persecuted religious group
According to a recent report from Aid to the Church in Need, almost 340 million Christians â thatâs one in eight â suffer some form of persecution, ranging in severity from harassment to murder.
In 2017, at the age of 20, ChacĂłn was working in the cosmetics industry when she felt a need to find a greater purpose in her life. She took some time off and joined her grandmother, Michelle Corral, in Egypt where she was engaged in humanitarian and missionary work.
John Burger reported in Aleteia that while living among Egyptian Christians, ChacĂłn was inspired to devote her life to helping persecuted Christians:
âIt was in Egypt, traveling with my grandmother, that I experienced the face of the persecuted Church for the first time. I realized that there are Christians suffering for their faith, and that these were not just the older generation, but people my age were willing to risk everything for their faith, willing to risk their lives to go to church, to serve Christ and live their lives for the Gospel,â said ChacĂłn.
Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen marches
On September 20, the first March for the Martyrs was held in Long Beach, California. Hundreds of people from many Christian denominations took part, including the actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the popular series The Chosen.
Roumie addressed the marchers, recalling Americaâs founding and his own familyâs experience as Christians in Egypt.
âThe United States was founded by men and women who fled religious persecution,â he said. âMy own father left Egypt in the 60s because of religious persecution. He brought his family over in search of a better life.â
âThe fact that we can be here praising Jesusâ name together without apology deserves a round of applause. God called you here to celebrate with us, to march with us,â said Roumie.
A Laymans Discourse 
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