Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. Acts 9:31 NIV
The Church has always been subjected to "war" from "worldly" quarters who disagreed with the teachings/faith of Christians! This is not new! But, God alone is Able to Bless the Church with a time of refreshing and a time of peace! Only God Can encourage and strengthen the Church through His Holy Spirit (not a ghost). Only God Can Cause Church growth, with members of the Church living in Holy Fear of the Lord! What do we have today? We have men and women taught various worldly strategies of Church growth with people living how they want and encouraged to do so and told not to let anyone condemn them! Hmmm! Be careful who you follow/serve! Serve/follow the Living ONE, Jesus Christ, the ONLY ONE who shed His Blood for you!!!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:1,2 NIV
Why do we think we are urged in the Holy Scriptures in view of God's mercy to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God and told that this is our spiritual act of worship? Please note that we are not told to live as we please and not let anybody judge us! We quote that there's now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus completely out of context without adding "who live not according to the flesh but the spirit!" We are told not to conform any longer to the standards /patterns of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds! If you want to know God's Will, obey this Scripture; then you will be able to test and approve God's good, pleasing and perfect will!!!
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 NASB
We are to put aside all evil/sinful thinking/idea(l)s and their consequent behaviors/attitudes; and like new born babies crave the pure milk (foundation) of the Word of God and let God Help us to build on that. This would enable us to grow in terms of salvation, especially having tasted the Kindness of the Lord! Salvation is not simply about believing in your heart and proclaiming with your mouth! Salvation is a continuous pathway to eternity; I mean Eternal Life in Jesus Christ! It's a way of life!!!
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'
Matthew 4:12-17 (NIVUK)
Why didn't Jesus Christ intervene in the unjustifiable brutalisation of John the Baptist? Hmmm! That is God for you! God Does not necessarily intervene in every matter! He Allows some things (including very sad and unpleasant things) to happen to us in life! Hmmm! You may not accept this; but that is God! Please note that likewise, God Allowed the evil and unjust brutalisation of Jesus Christ Himself (His Death on the Cross) a little bit later! Does that make Him wicked and liable? NO! Not in my view! Humans are fully responsible for their actions; and yes you can say that God is responsible for natural disasters! But then, He is God! Who are we the created to question the Creator ehn? Don't be deluded; have faith and keep the faith in Jesus Christ alive!!!
(10) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10
There is a reward for diligence in the Lord! Perseverance that is referred to here is about obeying the Word of the Lord against all odds/obstacles/persecution etc.! This is not about repeatedly sinning and coming back to say sorry! May God Help us to fully commit to obeying His Word! Then we shall be kept safe in the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world/earth! May God Help us to pass this great test to come in Jesus' Name. Amen!!!
The Church has always been subjected to "war" from "worldly" quarters who disagreed with the teachings/faith of Christians! This is not new! But, God alone is Able to Bless the Church with a time of refreshing and a time of peace! Only God Can encourage and strengthen the Church through His Holy Spirit (not a ghost). Only God Can Cause Church growth, with members of the Church living in Holy Fear of the Lord! What do we have today? We have men and women taught various worldly strategies of Church growth with people living how they want and encouraged to do so and told not to let anyone condemn them! Hmmm! Be careful who you follow/serve! Serve/follow the Living ONE, Jesus Christ, the ONLY ONE who shed His Blood for you!!!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:1,2 NIV
Why do we think we are urged in the Holy Scriptures in view of God's mercy to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God and told that this is our spiritual act of worship? Please note that we are not told to live as we please and not let anybody judge us! We quote that there's now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus completely out of context without adding "who live not according to the flesh but the spirit!" We are told not to conform any longer to the standards /patterns of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds! If you want to know God's Will, obey this Scripture; then you will be able to test and approve God's good, pleasing and perfect will!!!
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3 NASB
We are to put aside all evil/sinful thinking/idea(l)s and their consequent behaviors/attitudes; and like new born babies crave the pure milk (foundation) of the Word of God and let God Help us to build on that. This would enable us to grow in terms of salvation, especially having tasted the Kindness of the Lord! Salvation is not simply about believing in your heart and proclaiming with your mouth! Salvation is a continuous pathway to eternity; I mean Eternal Life in Jesus Christ! It's a way of life!!!
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'
Matthew 4:12-17 (NIVUK)
Why didn't Jesus Christ intervene in the unjustifiable brutalisation of John the Baptist? Hmmm! That is God for you! God Does not necessarily intervene in every matter! He Allows some things (including very sad and unpleasant things) to happen to us in life! Hmmm! You may not accept this; but that is God! Please note that likewise, God Allowed the evil and unjust brutalisation of Jesus Christ Himself (His Death on the Cross) a little bit later! Does that make Him wicked and liable? NO! Not in my view! Humans are fully responsible for their actions; and yes you can say that God is responsible for natural disasters! But then, He is God! Who are we the created to question the Creator ehn? Don't be deluded; have faith and keep the faith in Jesus Christ alive!!!
(10) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10
There is a reward for diligence in the Lord! Perseverance that is referred to here is about obeying the Word of the Lord against all odds/obstacles/persecution etc.! This is not about repeatedly sinning and coming back to say sorry! May God Help us to fully commit to obeying His Word! Then we shall be kept safe in the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world/earth! May God Help us to pass this great test to come in Jesus' Name. Amen!!!
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