My Journey through Romans 12:9-21

 

An Exercise on How to Overcome Evil with Good- Walk Daily with the Spirit of God           

Get on your Nike’s on because we are going to “Just Do It.” as the slogan says. I personally prefer Under Amour sneakers. We are going to practice our walk daily with the Lord as one in the body of Christ. Let us begin.

Exercising Our Personal Behavior (vs 9,19) Read Luke 10:30-37; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-18

• Let love be without dissimulation (pretense). We should be what they call “Keeping it One Hundred” real with one another in the sincerest of ways. Let us not be two-faced but genuinely one-faced. If a person refuse to acknowledge your sincerity, do as Paul said do not regard them as an enemy. Be not in your heart an avenger. That’s love. Keep walking in the Spirit of God and stay focused on the love you have inside for God. I find myself walking away from people because I am so against fakeness. It’s a childhood thing. 🙂
• Abhor that which is evil. From our experiences we know that hate is a heavy-duty dislike for things and people and it separates the best of us, more importantly it separates us from God when dealing with those in the body of Christ. Note it says hate “that” which is evil, not the person that is evil. That person can always “turn again” to the Lord whether or not you’re a part of their life. Forgive yourself and forgive them if you harbor any spirits of hatred towards them. I’m still waiting to hear present day keeping it one hundred sermons on this matter. 😛
• Cleave to that which is good. The best vivid picture I can give here is one of baby animals clinging to their parents as they move about, even in rough terrain. Those little creatures hang on for dear life. If they fall off through rough terrain or attacks on parent, notice that the parent will either pick them back up or the baby KNOWS by the parent’s bodily stance to cling to them again. (TYHS) We should have enough love for others to treat them in this way when they are going through some stuff and the person should be comfortable enough to want to cling to us in such a time. They are only going to cling according to our sincere stance. It amazes me that some animals are more caring of their self and their own than most humans.

Exercising Our Behavior towards Family Members & Church Members – brotherly/ affectionate (verses 10-13) John 13:34-35; Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 12:26

• Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love… We should show members of our family and our church family that they are of great importance to us. I must reiterate as I have done in several posts…Don’t tell people that “everybody is going through something” especially when they confide in you about their issues. That is so not Christ-like and it shows no affection whatsoever towards the person(s); to them it is as though you are casting whatever they are going through to the wind without any cares.  Please understand this. 
• Be not slothful in business; be fervent (passionate) in spirit serving the Lord. Serving others is a business.  A spirit of slothfulness is a difficult spirit to work with. It comes down to you either don’t know how to or you don’t want to work with others because of past dealings. If you find serving in your church is not for you, then be sure to serve others on your own as God leads you to do so. I’ve found there are many out there who do not want to be affiliated with a church because they have been asked to attend the church in return for their service. This should not be so. As a Christian, just do your part. Either way, we are told to;
• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and continue instantly in prayer for others. Yes, one can hope, be patient, and pray on their own. However, when we sense something is not right with someone, we need to call them up or visit with them to let them know they are not alone. Pray with them. It may give them hope to rejoice in. Don’t say what to them? “_____________________”When one feels left out or alone, regardless of who or what caused it, what hope do they have to rejoice in?  What hope do they have to pray?  Some people are just not at a spiritual level to see the unseen. This is real stuff that affect families in the body of Christ a lot more than we are willing to admit. What are you going to do about it as a member? Warning!!!! Avoid gossip, church cliques, false prophets and false doctrine.
• Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. If we see a need, fill it, especially for the homeless, the poor, the widows, the sick, the jobless, your family and church members. This type of hospitality has fallen to the wayside with that bad seed mentality planting by thinking “I gotta worry about me and mine.”

Exercising Our Behavior towards Others- (verses 14-21) John 10:16 says And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

• And this is why we should bless and curse not those that persecute us in Jesus name. There are still others out there who need to be brought to Jesus.
• We should rejoice with them because there is a way God will reach them through us.
• Be of the same mind toward them, because we don’t know what others have been through and why they may not believe in God. Hence, we are not to be wise in our own conceitedness. Yeah, we think we know everything about why a person is this way or that, when the truth of the matter is we know nothing of the sort. We can’t fit in their shoes to know their walk; which is why we as Believers need never to look down on others and gossip about the things they are going through. Hell is never full.
• Return to no man evil for evil. Separate yourself from people that do you harm or just flat out bring you down all the time. Let nothing separate you from God. Live peaceably with all, and let the Lord take care of the rest. The Lord knows better than us on how to stop an enemy in their tracks.

Because we are not perfect, we will get a leg, mind, or heart cramp during our walks. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good(vs21). Get back up, overcome and “Just Do It.” Read Proverbs 16:1-9 and let the Lord God our Master direct your steps. If people don’t want to communicate and/or be cooperative, walk away. I pray that we all choose to walk daily with the Lord, because we are all on the Devils’ hit list.

Thank you for visiting.

 

Friends

Lately the Lord has put on my heart the meaning of the word friend and the actions of a friend. Over a month ago I ran into an old high school friend at a funeral. We used to be best buds in high school. I left and went off to college and ran into her once when I returned home. As a matter of fact, she is the one who introduced me to my ex-husband, some 36 years ago. Oh my Lord, I am old. So I got to thinking about the people I thought were friends over the years. I have one friend who have been a friend since the fourth grade and one friend I’ve had since first grade that share the same date of birth as I. I still keep in touch with these two people. My mom was funny about us having friends period, and now I sort of understand why.

About 30 years ago, I became friends with a co-worker and their new family. That friend had gone through a divorce from an abusive alcoholic, so they were still attending Al-Anon meetings as a former spouse of an alcoholic. One day, that friend gave me a book titled One Day At A Time In Al- Anon.  I didn’t see the need for that book, because I’ve never been an alcoholic. You know I love to read, period.

I came across the book the other day and began reading it again, this time more so, reading with the Holy Spirit.

Knock! Knock! I ran across that old friend and their spouse last year while out shopping at Lowe’s. They were the most loving people. I asked them how they were doing and they said in unison “living in Christ, one day at a time…”  I shared this experience to say that some friendships are only for a moment and there are some people that God places in our lives for a reason, even if temporarily.

 

And then…there are those that we thought were friends, but find out otherwise. For those people, I have learned that we can move on and forgive when we have a heart like Jesus. We can continue to pray for them and love them from afar, yet be there for them when they need help. 

We as humans have a difficult time rekindling failed friendships without bringing up, you did this or you said that. People will not admit to their deceit and try to blame it on others while at the same time having others believe awful things about you. When you discern people treating you distantly, it is usually because of the ills of a badly chosen friends lip service.  I’ve seen and heard stories of such things going on in the church. (sad) Therefore I believe that being around such people can interfere with one having a heart like Jesus. As Christians, we do not need distractions that will take us away from God.

Sometimes, we use work, family, and even church duties as an excuse for not making time for those we consider a friend. Everything is rush, people stop communicating, demeanor changes, or they say “I don’t have time” or “let me get back to you later” and later never comes. Sigh!

I’ve learned that even those who call themselves friends in Jesus can turn out to be the wrong friends because of deceitful webs weaved and travelling gossip tendencies. Now that is really sad! I have discovered that permanent friends like Elijah and Elisha’s friendship are a very rare relationship. I have also discovered that you do not fry green tomatoes using Jiffy cornbread mix when you are out of cornmeal.  😛

 

Now, let us take a look at the word and then I shall share a few scriptures I think relative to the actions of having and being a friend.

Friend- noun: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations : a person who acts as a supporter of a cause, organization, or country by giving financial or other help:

 

Proverbs 27 Be ATTENTIVE to verses; 3-6, 9-10, 17,and 23(this one’s the booger we need to apply in friendships!) (TYHS)

John 15:11-15 –I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Job 2:11-13- When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Exodus 33:11 –The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

(Friend Application – “face to face, as one speaks to a friend” not back to back, learn to communicate. We all get hurt feelings.)

Meanwhile, back at the friend cave let us pray: Psalm 141:4 -“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” In Jesus name, Amen.

Excerpt from  One Day At A Time In Al- Anon-Jan 5

This day I will concentrate on the inner meaning of the Commandment “Thous shalt love they neighbor as thyself.” I will accept myself, for that is the primary condition under which the good in me can grow. Unless I am at peace with the child of God I am, I cannot love and help neighbor. Regrets are vain. They interfere with the good I could do today, the making of the better person I want to be tomorrow. “Today I pray for wisdom to build a better tomorrow on the mistakes and experiences of yesterday.”

In Jesus, may you remember that you will always have a friend if you do what He commands.

Extra Reading Credit

I Love You

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

Obedience to Government Leaders – Ecclesiastes 8

Thar she goes!

I’m afraid this is going to be my soapbox moment blog. I am not one to go top-over about how this country or any country is run. When reading this chapter last night, I became somewhat angry about the lack of love in obedience in this world from both Christians and Non-Christians alike. I have always been puzzled about people who are selected to represent a county, city, precinct, state, and country. Throughout the bible it is evident that whoever is elected to rule is not without sin; have prejudices; appear self-serving; ineffective communicators; make bad decisions; can’t consciously commit to a yea or nah; and are quick to bend instead of standing firm on issues biblically after they are sworn into office putting their hand on a Holy Bible of their choice. At least that is what goes on in America.       What’s wrong with that picture? Everything! The problem…leaders have taken an oath on the Word of God and all of them have fallen short on adhering to that oath. Why then are we instructed to be obedient to our elected leaders? Take a look around, governments are being run by many people who seem to have no deep fear of God. Ok, kick me, but it is truth. Solomon says “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Another problem – most of us plain folk have no knowledge or care of what is going on in our own backyard, much less in the big Washington D.C. front yard unless it is about throwing up THE hand sign, somebody jumping the fence or fighting against sexual orientation and marriage issues. It is true that we cannot keep up with every law made or changed. You’d be amazed at some of the laws and cases available for you to read at a law library. OBSERVE. This is where wisdom comes in handy knowing what you need to know that affect your way of life according to God’s purpose. PRAY.

Most of us don’t even want to admit that the church, which is the Body of Christ, is being ruled by and under some form of government as a non-profit agency, adhering to government non-profit rules, yet some churches are bringing in more money than a for profit agency and are the last to help those truly in need. How did that happen? There is biblical foundation for government rule( 1 Corinthians 12:28-kjv) if I understand this verse correctly. I need to do more research on the church being under subjection to man-made laws. Something is awry here, yet we are still to be in obedience to our government leaders???

Per Solomon- “I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him…”

Here is the good news I’ve found in this chapter – “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.” (TYHS) Let this be a remembrance to those who are in Christ and to those who make an oath to lead while laying their hands on the book that has the Word of God. Your job is to serve while leading.

Since we are to be obedient, we need to become wise in our voting choices. Stand against oppression. Let us give some serious thought here – Why is there always billions upon trillions of dollars available to fight wars and to keep others from entering into certain countries, yet illegal drugs and murderers get through? Why is there not enough government money to help other countries dig wells for clean water? Why do most panic when there is a government shut-down or hear-say of one? Why is there always a lack of money to help with unemployment, poverty, homelessness, elderly care, childcare, medical care, permanent job creations, war veterans, and basic needs to live?

Welfare is NOT the answer.

What is being done with the so-called money set aside to stop human trafficking and drug trafficking? When you look beneath the selected government leaders, you will find that we the people ARE the government. Come Lord Jesus. (Read John 16 for an uplifting message- Joy is coming)

When you see or hear about all these things going on, we who seek wisdom can agree with Solomon and say “Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.”

I imagine that discerning time and judgment are keys to unlocking disobedience from our hearts and mind to be in alignment with God’s purpose. God’s people need to pray for and choose leaders who want to work in alignment with His purpose. Throughout the Holy Bible, we are instructed to be obedient to our governing leaders.  Solomon’s writing always mentions the word “purpose.” That word carries a lot of power for any government and its leaders. God is the TRUE GOVERNMENT LEADER of this world and it is His purpose that matters. (TYHS)

http://rcg.org/articles/scstga.html -Something I found interesting after writing this post. I’ll read more in-depth later to see if the scriptures provided are in line with what they are saying. Let me know your thoughts.

I Love You

Knowing and Accepting Your Lot – Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

 

Tombstone Image- Courtesy of Wikimedia.Org

Lot-(n)- an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance : the use of lots as a means of deciding something: the resulting choice : something that comes to one upon whom a lot has fallen : (share): one’s way of life or worldly fate : (fortune)

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We as God’s children often times forget the many gifts He gives to us. I personally had never thought much of a LOT being a gift of God. Solomon confirmed it by his observations. The Holy Spirit stamped it in my heart just now on this great blessed New Years Eve. Wow! I am becoming wiser. 😛

It is a fact that “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,and as everyone comes, so they depart.They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” (vs 15)

On a serious note, I wish that those who are hoarders of their riches (LOT) given to them by God, would stop thinking that they are going to take their riches with them when they die. I also wish that they would realize, whatever they have is a gift from God. God is a giving God that supply all of our needs. (Philippians 4:19-And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.)

Since we are made in His image, aren’t we suppose to be giving beings that do the same? After all, it is through some of us that the Spirit of God works in our heart to give to the less fortunate so that their needs are met. We are NOT taking anything with us in death. God even takes our soul from our bodies that He breathed into us. It belongs to Him when we die. All things belong to Him. This too is something we need to know and accept. It’s a – (dash ) period.

When death occurs it seems to be customary to put the date of birth – (dash) date of death on the marker for the deceased and/or to list it in an obituary. I’ve never heard an explanation for the -(dash) but what would you think if I said that -(dash) represented ‘one’s way of life or worldly fate’…the things that took place in between life and death? Yeah, their LOT. Hmmm, thinking too much again, I am. (TYHS)

“To eat, drink, and to find satisfaction” in our labor under the sun during our life is a LOT that God has given to all. We all share in that LOT… the -(dash) That is now one of my New Years resolutions after reading the scriptures…Knowing and Accepting My Lot for it is a gift from God. That will be my – (dash). I will choose to “seldom reflect on my life” because I will trust in what God gives me and be totally “occupied with gladness of heart.” Amen (TYHS)

And I close with verses 18-20:

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

I pray that all get to work in Knowing and Accepting Your Lot.

JOYFUL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

I LOVE YOU

Ecclesiastes 1- The Realization of Vanity In Our Lives

Three things are clear concerning life experiences in the human race. (1) Humans learn from experience. (2) Humans learn from the experience of others. (3) Humans have a hard time breaking form or habit. There are four things that stood out to me as I studied Ecclesiastes on this go round with the Holy Spirit. Let us remember, He is our helper. Amen. The four things done under the sun are:

1. We toil
2. We die
3. Generations come and go
4. The earth remains

I’ve become more conscious of these four facts and how it relates to our life experiences.  It occurred to me that these are spiritual events that take place in life. Most of us accept these events as just being physical events. Even through global warming, wars, damaging storms, life and death, and disobedient man…the earth remains through it all. It had never crossed my mind that the earth remains when I read or hear so much about the earth being “slowly destroyed.”

Realization Point– What the Lord, Our God formed first is what remains…”the earth”. (Genesis 1) The four things listed above takes place while the sun, wind, and water continue to do its circuitous tasks assigned by God. Why is it so hard for us to do our tasks assigned?

Vanity Point– excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit: lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness: something worthless, trivial, or pointless.

Taking these points into deep spiritual consideration, we should understand what King Solomon was sharing from his life experiences throughout the verses in Ecclesiastes 1.  Take a real look at your life, both physically and spiritually while reading these verses:

5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

Did you notice the pattern? The sun, wind, and water works according to God’s will.  It’s a never-ending cycle until God commands it to end. I also noticed according to the KJV, the sun and wind is referred to as being male …“his” and “he”. Never noticed that before?

If one is a believer in Christ Jesus, each day should begin and end with His circuitous presence. Yes we have to work. No, every day will not be hunky dory. No, we do not need to think daily about death. No, we cannot control the weather. Moses, Job, & Elijah can confirm that.

I had to ask myself…Is there anything that I can do over the sun that is done under the sun? No. Why not? I ask myself. Beloved, we have been given dominion only over the earth. (Genesis 1:26) Needless to say it is dominion that has run amuck. Running amuck is vanity and it is something most of the human race excels in doing. As the group Queen use to sing… “another one bites the dust.”

Another important thing to realize is found in verse 15:  That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

Wow! We can only say, we’re sorry for messing up or putting a bend in things with others and with God. We cannot go back and make anything the way it was. Women cannot go back and enter a child into their womb once it is born deformed or sickly in some way hoping to make the child come out as a healthy child; divorced people cannot go back and change events that took place that caused the divorce; people, in general, cannot go back and relive a moment to change something done or said in the wrong way that affected others. Even in accounting, an accountant has only the power to erase, re-insert some number to make things look good on paper. If you go behind the scenes of accounting, it is then you will find many “crooked” things that could not be made straight by a person trying to go back, back and back to straighten it out. Got it?

Wanting means there is a lack or absence of something and/ or a not measuring up to standards. Let us ask self….Self what is “wanting” in my life? Make your list and talk to self in the mirror a lot. It works. When the day comes that self is face to face with God, will self be tried and found wanting?

To realize what vanity in our lives is, one must reevaluate ones priorities. Those who are believers must align their priorities with God’s will. I know and I don’t know what has come over me this last year and a half, but things and some people I use to consider important are not important at all. I have finally realized that you can’t help with, do for, nor please everyone.

The Lord has allowed me to share His messages in many ways with others these last three years. If not received by others, I’ve learned to keep smiling and shake the dust from my feet as instructed in Matthew 10:14. My mind and heart set has become an “I don’t care” attitude in a good way with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I’ve reached the spiritual phase in realizing the vanity of it all and the time wasted. Solomon’s thinking is right on the mark. We learn from experience. I recall what my pastor had said once “…fish or cut bait.” I’ve learned the art of cutting bait and suggest that others cut bait as well when the fishing is past your season.

Yes, there is some value among all these things that take place in our lives. However, some of us fail to realize that the value increases when God is ever-present in our lives.

Solomon has put forth some serious issues about life in this first chapter. Just as God has a circuitous pattern for the sun, wind, and waters to work on one accord… He also has a circuitous pattern for us to all be on one accord. We backslide and fail to see and do according to His purpose. Even Solomon backslid and failed God…But God’s Grace!

Personal Moment– I’ve always wanted to live in a log cabin on a mountain, writing books, living as God wants me to live helping others in need, getting around on a horse named Pegasus, and live off the land God gives me. I’m sure the Lord will put me there soon enough, because this is something He has not removed from my heart. He knows best. I’ve always had hermit like tendencies.

When I would read Revelation, I would be envious of John being exiled on the Isle of Patmos.  It is said, that God’s people are a peculiar people. (1 Peter 2:9) I share this because I have realized the importance of spending time alone with the Spirit of God to be more attentive of the four things listed above. As King Solomon stated, all is vanity and even wisdom has its limits.

I also want to encourage those here to spend time with the elderly and homebound. They are a forgotten group. If your area has Christmas trees set up in various venues to buy presents for the elderly, please take a name or two from the tree and make the purchases for them.  They do not ask for much at all. Purchasing toiletries, adult diapers, sweaters, and socks will not break your pockets.  Get your church to sponsor a few people. Isn’t that what the church is for, helping others with their needs? I repeat… the value increases when God is ever present in our lives, especially when we are helping others with basic needs.

Please realize that no matter what is going on in life, the “earth remains” and God is in control. May you become inspired to avoid wasting time on worthless things and realize the vanity of it all.

I LOVE YOU

Father’s- There Are Too Many Children Crying

A Father’s role never changes regardless of the times. We have become so modernized with the role of being a man and a father. Children need to be fed, clothed, and trained/instructed. This seems to be what some men forget after they participate in seeding a child. I pray that many blessings are upon all fathers who have put into action the role of being a father by using God as their role model. Happy Father’s Day 2014 to You! When he made Adam and Eve, in His image, did he not feed, clothe, and train/instruct them?

Fact- A baby gets 23 chromosomes from his mother and 23 from his father.

I wanted to share with you an article I came across, in line with my thoughts.

The Father’s Role in the Family We often hear so much about the importance of mothers in children’s lives and many people even consider it the mother’s exclusive role to raise the children. But is this really true? Surely fathers play a much more important role in the family than this. Through the way they live their lives and treat others, fathers influence the lives of the entire family. They are role models and set examples through their relationships with their children and the children’s mother. From fathers sons learn how to be men and how to treat women. Daughters learn from their fathers what a man is, how to expect to be treated by them and what to look for in a husband. Given this, how well a father performs these roles effects not only his children, but his grandchildren and the generations that continue to follow in his footsteps.   A father shows his sons through their father son relationships and his relationship with their mother how to be a man. He does this through how he handles different situations and circumstances, by setting the example of being honest and responsible as well as how he treats women with love and respect. Every time he shows his son how to get up, dust himself off and keep going, he is teaching him how to keep moving forward in life in spite of setbacks. He helps to raise sons that will exhibit the same character traits and that, through his positive influence, will be much more likely to have healthy relationships with others including women. His influence also increases the likelihood that his sons will be good fathers to their children as well.   The father is the head of the household and this means he is responsible for the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of his family. He is responsible for loving and being loyal to his wife and through his respect insuring that she has the respect of the children. This teaches his daughters through their father daughter relationships and his relationship with their mother how to respect themselves, how to expect to be treated by men as well as what makes a good husband and father. He helps his daughter to understand how to test what men tell her against what their actions tell her about them.   It should be obvious that the absence of a father or father figure affects children and the adults that they become. Playing such important roles in the family means that fathers help determine the health of the relationships within and the happiness of the family. In so doing, it can also be argued that fathers have a strong influence on society as a whole. By Velica Galaud

 

Ephesians 6:4 – And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. – A father cannot do this if he is not spending time with his child/children.

1 Timothy 5:8 – But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. – A father who lacks in his responsibilities toward his child/children can in no way claim to know God.

If you know of a man, who is not being a father to his children, pray for him and please share the following scriptures with him from the mouth of Jesus. Remind him that he will be cursed into an everlasting fire for not feeding, clothing, and spending time with his child/children training and instructing them, that the Lord blessed him with.  If you are that man, REPENT. Too many people want to stay away from fire and brimstone Word of God. I choose to believe in His Word.

Men, have you ever looked at a child and saw their heart crying? Father’s, there are too many children crying. If a child exists it is because of your seed. Take care of what the Lord has given you. Be wise like Eve and KNOW that you have gotten a child from God. (Genesis 4:1)

Matthew 25:35-46 (KJV)

 

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Quotes I Love About Respect

Guten Abend Beloved! I shall share a few quick thoughts of mine before presenting the quotes. I decided to research some quotes about RESPECT for one of my workshop presentations. I have learned over many years that RESPECT is a mixture of genuine love and truth and that my life is no more important or less than another persons life. I’ve seen so less of it these last 30 something years and the lack of RESPECT towards God, self, others, and things have become worse. Disrespect is no longer kept on the DL (Down Low) by many Christians.  It can been seen as clear as spilt dark oil upon dark waters and the moon doesn’t even have to be shining upon the waters.  Now that’s very reflective!

A lack of RESPECT appears to be one of the reasons, if not the main reason, that people in the workplace, in church, in families, and in relationships fail to get along, fail to experience joy, fail to prosper and grow, fail to communicate effectively, fail to be on one accordance in loving and doing for one another, and basically fail in life goals planned for one by God Almighty. People avoid even greeting certain people while in church. Over the years, I have witnessed people in a church sanctuary turn 1 aisle into a 4-way emergency pew exit. They will look directly at a person and skedaddle off in another direction to avoid speaking to that person, or start talking to a person closest to them that they normally sit by. And… they even have the audacity to think that it goes unnoticed by others and the avoided person.  It’s a sure sign of disrespect towards others as a Christian while at church. I don’t like reading or seeing such signs of disrespect especially in the church realm.

Let’s go deeper…. A person that does this in church is also showing a lack of reverence for God in a place of worship. Now that’s sad. What’s even more sad, is that people (Christian or Not) inside the church still don’t comprehend that God is watching their actions INSIDE His house of worship. My advice to those who do such an evil deed in church need to realign their heart with God and communicate with the person they are avoiding about any issue(s) that makes them avoid speaking to them. Disrespect among Christians causes ground for Division.  (yeah something similar to that which causes ground for a divorce)  Listen closely….There is only 1 aisle to the Kingdom of  God and it is through Jesus Christ. I know…The Truth Stings and Saves!

What’s that idiom?  A house divided against ITSELF cannot stand… easily translated into Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.  Beloved, have we not yet learned as humans, that even the apple respects the worm and the cow jumped over the moon while the dish ran away with the spoon?  Think about it!

A Respectful Apple

That’s all that I have to say on the matter, and to back up my thoughts, I ask that you meditate on this bible verse of which you’ll have to figure out with deep thought and conviction on your own why it is referenced. TYHS! 

Genesis 1:28 – Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Learn and Live the Need – RESPECT and know your ROLE  as a COG – Shelia  

*************************************************************

“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” – Frederick Douglass

“If you spend your life sparing people’s feelings and feeding their vanity, you get so you can’t distinguish what should be respected in them.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson

“What is the quality of your intent? Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine the reasons of our true intent. My intent will be evident in the results.” – Thurgood Marshall

“I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“In my day, we didn’t have self-esteem, we had self-respect, and no more of it than we had earned.” – Jane Haddam

“No one respects a talent that is concealed.” – Desiderius Erasmus

“The tragedy is that so many people look for self-confidence and self-respect everywhere except within themselves, and so they fail in their search.” – Nathaniel Branden

“Respect is love in plain clothes.” – Frankie Byrne

“A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.” – Abraham J. Heschel

“People think we had a love-hate relationship. Well, I did not love him, nor did I hate him. We had mutual respect for each other, even as we both planned each other’s murder.” – Werner Herzog  

“It’s very dramatic when two people come together to work something out. It’s easy to take a gun and annihilate your opposition, but what is really exciting to me is to see people with differing views come together and finally respect each other.” – Fred Rogers

“Don’t rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can’t love and respect yourself – no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are – completely; the good and the bad – and make changes as YOU see fit – not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”- Stacey Charter

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” – Benjamin Franklin

“For the multiculturalist, white Anglo-Saxon Protestants are prohibited, Italians and Irish get a little respect, blacks are good, native Americans are even better. The further away we go, the more they deserve respect. This is a kind of inverted, patronising respect that puts everyone at a distance.” – Slavoj Žižek

“A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?” – Confucius

“Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.” – Albert Einstein

“An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.- Martin Luther King, Jr.

“This world of ours… must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of — for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates

“RESPECT THE ROLL” – Cottonelle Tissue Advertisement

Proverbs

He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.- Persian Proverb

When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us. – Native American Proverb

Should even one’s enemy arrive at the doorstep, he should be attended upon with respect. A tree does not withdraw its cooling shade even from the one who has come to cut it. – Mahabharata 12.146.5

The way to overcome the angry man is with gentleness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with generosity and the liar with truth.– Indian Proverb

Respect out of fear is never genuine; reverence out of respect is never false. – Chinese Proverb

African Proverbs  

It is unwise for one to think that a hen will ever be accorded respect in the land of the hawks.

Negotiate with your enemy whilst you are a strong and formidable force, and he will always fear and respect you, but negotiate at the brink of defeat, and he will trample you down.

The Holy Bible

Leviticus 19:32– ‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.

Philippians 2:3  – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1 Samuel 2:30– Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

Titus 2:7 – in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13– And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Matthew 7: 10-12 – Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

I LOVE YOU (Ich liebe dich)

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS

Are You Conscientious About the Presence Of God in Your Life?

Please read Exodus 32- 34. I’ve been studying the Books of Exodus and Genesis once again over the last month or so. I had and still have so many questions proliferating within my cranium and heart. I’m positive that when God is ready to reveal more to me, He will in His time. He loves talking to me and I love talking with Him. His strong suit is dealing with the hard headed, talkative, and inquisitive ones. Lately, He has been revealing a lot to me about people wearing veils in His presence.

As a child I use to envy the people in the bible who were in God’s presence and those who spoke directly with him. I did not understand how or why people would behave so badly by worshipping other gods or possessing a less than righteous behavior when they knew God was right there, like next door, face to face, back to face, etc.  He was there in the Garden of Eden speaking directly to and with Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. He spoke to and with Cain, Noah, Abram, Job, Moses, to name a few. Even Enoch “walked with God.”  

Judging from the biblical events I’ve read, I’ve concluded two things about God’s Presence. Some of the beings in the bible were somewhat conscientious and some were wholly conscientious about His presence in their lives. And yet…the majority of beings were not perfect but found ______ in His sight. (Fill in the blank)

In Genesis 4:26, it says that Seth (the appointed seed instead of Abel, who Cain slew-vs.25), to him was born a son named Enos and it was at this time “then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” (AKJV) Truly amazing!  Let’s call!

Here is where we skedaddle on to Exodus 33: 1-22. No Veils Allowed!   First some key pointers and definitions:

• With – used as a function word to indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement; in opposition to.
• God told Moses to “Depart, and go up hence”(away; from this place) Notice how he said it twice using different words…(Get= go up; Skeedaddle= depart)   😛
• God told Moses that He would not be in their “midst” (the interior or central part of a point) because “thou are a stiffnecked people.”
• The stiffneckers believed God’s message via Moses to them to be “evil tidings.”(news) They mourned.
• Consume- to do away with completely; destroy
• Dung- Used as manure (Luke 13:8); collected outside the city walls (Nehemiah 2:13). Of sacrifices, burned outside the camp (Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11; 8:17; Numbers 19:5). To be “cast out as dung,” a figurative expression (1 Kings 14:10; 2 Kings 9:37; Jeremiah 8:2; Psalms 18:42), meaning to be rejected as unprofitable. Note- you’ll understand why this was used below.- Courtesy of Easton’s Bible Dictionary

I love Moses, for he pleaded his case for his people to God. He reminds God, that these are His people too.  I also love it when God is direct and communicates effectively.  What would you do if God told you to depart? What would you do knowing He is waiting to make a decision based on your “stiffnecked” behaviors? How would you feel if He told you that He would not be in your presence or “midst”?  How would you feel if He told you, ok, I’ve definitely decided I am going to “consume thee”?

It seemed that God had become fed up with the Israelites and their she-nanigans and he-nanigans, and decided to just send them on their way, while keeping His promise to Abraham. 

People have forgotten how to communicate with each other to eliminate division amongst the body of Christ and to eliminate the stench of ignorance floating around in homes, businesses, and churches. I have learned from my inquiries and from an observance of everyday life, we as people and as Christians are lacking more and more in patience and communication with each other. We have begun to ignore each other more because of feelings, one tracked minds and hearsay. 

Who are we?  A “stiffnecked people” who quite often forget whose presence we are in which is why we behave the way we do WITH one another.  We can’t seem to talk to each other one on one anymore. That allows 1 of the top 5 sins from my List to grow and cause more division among us on our jobs with co-workers, in church with our members who claim to be on one accord with Christ, and in our homes with family, we so dearly claim to love. I have penned it as Micro-Managed Gossip or MMC if you prefer.  

Personally I don’t have a problem with any person approaching me if they have an issue with me, for I realize I am not perfect but in the works of being about my Father God’s business. I am not easily hurt by any person’s words or thoughts.  Let me tell you beloved, when you keep going through fires, being tested and overcome test after test, you are on a whole other level that people not in His presence don’t understand. Job’s friends didn’t understand him. Thank you Holy Spirit!

FACT- Unless one is reprimanded and convicted by the Spirit of God, one does not really pay attention to being in His presence.

If I am correct in my study, after being reprimanded by God, the Israelites temporarily paid attention to His presence. Throughout the bible, they were a backsliding people, forgetting whose presence they were in, until warned again and again.  Well, hit me with a hammer! Isn’t this the same thing we do to this very day? Exodus 33:7… And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation. Before this, what were they doing? You guessed it! They were line dancing, boot scooting, and worshipping false gods all the while, while in His camp.

We need to be more aware of our presence with others mainly in a body of Christ setting or within His camp.  Ask self…How can I put and keep myself in God’s presence?  What does it take for me as an individual to be conscientious about the presence of God in my life? Do I realize I am in God’s presence when I avoid speaking to or greeting others while in His house, aka church, at work, or with family?

The Ashtoreth poles, i.e. some individuals, need to be removed from church pews and pulpits. A limbless tree trunk without roots have no use but of that to be burned to ashes. Of all places, nowadays, with so many claiming to be Christians, the devil should not have to be rebuked inside the church. I guess he will get in where he feels he can fit in though. His days are definitely numbered.  “Dung” belongs outside of the church, not inside.

In the bible “dung” is referred to as being unclean, evil, falsity, a nakedness fully clothed and styled with a stench…you know….NOT CHRISTLIKE.

The spiritual gift of seeing through others is a beautiful gift when you know you have planks as well being removed.

Spend time with God alone and just focus on Him. Do as the Israelites did. Seek Him. You are not perfect. You’ll stumble quite often, but you have to get back up and go hence. Beloved, find out what will distinguish you “as His people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”- (Ex 33:16) He will bring Himself into your presence. I know this to be so true, along with some witnesses.

• Be very aware that God knows you by name out of zillions of names.
• Be very aware that it is God who finds the ultimate grace in His sight, not men, friends or foes.
• If you are chosen to do His will, ask God to show you His ways, so that you too may “know thee” and partake of His glory.
• Ask God for forgiveness, plead your case before Him, not just for you but for others so that you all will find grace in His sight and know it.
• Be determined, be prepared, and be expecting God to do something. This, in my opinion is called having FAITH.

Moses was determined to move God’s people from bondage. He prepared himself with the help of God to do God’s will.  He expected God to do something, when they came to the Red Sea; when they were left wandering for 40 years; when he came face to face with God. Go ahead and SHOUT!  Expecting God to do something?…PAUSE…. Ok, that’ enough shouting Hallelujahs! After all, He did decide and told Moses. “My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest.”

Moses asked Him to show him His Glory. God did, did He not?

Ask Him to show you His Glory. He will. He will communicate with you one on one. If your heart is not hardened, it will help you communicate better with others and help you be more about our Father God’s business and status instead of your own business and status.

Let’s close it. I am very conscientious about His presence in my life and how He has placed others in my presence this past year…definitely these past three months. Others…that believe in Him who are relying on His promise that we will on one day be glorified and be face to face with Him. But first, beloved you should practice being more conscientious about His presence.

As of this moment, are you conscientious about His presence being in your work life, in your church, and in your home? If not, remember what He told Moses (Exodus 34:20)…. “And none shall appear before me empty.” Remove the veil when you are in His presence.

 

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS

Consider This –Taking Another Look At Our Mind and Heart

As I was studying the Book of James in the bible, I became inquisitive about other verses that states “Consider….” I shall list a few of the verses for your reading pleasure.

Judging from the bible and history books, we are a nation quick to act without giving things much thought.  We are a people quick to point fingers, and criticize before giving others a careful examination. Yes, there is some good done here and there.  I have been guilty of being inconsiderate. Gasp! I know, it’s a shocker.  🙂  We have become a nation of self-appointed judges. This world is being run by King Tongue who dictates to and happens to rule over Queen Heart.

Consider this, who has the power over his or her tongue and heart; who is in control of every breath you take; how is it the norm that the mind makes decisions w/o the heart and how do we distinguish if whether decisions are made with the mind or the heart or w/o any thought at all. (TYHS)

Consider this, who is to blame and who will account for their actions before God. From some of the verses that I’ve read I’ve come to a conclusion that consideration is also a form of encouragement and love and by no means should you worry when considering this or that. I’ve learned through research and experience that considering something can even keep one from sinning.  

Consider the power of consideration. I want to encourage all, including self, to consider taking another look at our own mind and heart and to “Think on These Things” as one of our great fellow bloggers here states in his posts.

Let us take a look at the word CONSIDER. 

My simple definition —-> to fix the mind upon using the heart as your guide to do what is right.

From the American Heritage Dictionary- Consider (verb)- con·sid·ered, con·sid·er·ing, con·sid·ers  verb, transitive

1. To think carefully about.

2. To think or deem to be; regard as.

3. To form an opinion about; judge: considers waste to be criminal.

4. To take into account; bear in mind: Her success is not surprising if you consider her excellent training.

5. To show consideration for: failed to consider the feelings of others.

6. To esteem; regard.

7. To look at thoughtfully.

• James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
• Luke 12:24-26 – Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
• Luke 12:27-29 – “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it
• Hebrews 10:23-25- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Hebrews 13:7-8 – Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
• Deuteronomy 32:7 – Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

Isaiah 1:2-4

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!  For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know,    my people do not understand. Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Psalm 8

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?  You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Even if you give no consideration to anything written in this post, I pray that you consider this:

2 Peter 3:8-9

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins

Get Your Blessings!

Confirm Your Calling and Election through A Heart Baking Process

Guess what I was reading? You’re right. High Five!   2 Peter 1. His thoughts are right on point, so I’ll let those be my thoughts as well for this blog. The heart is a powerful baking tool. Allow me a few thoughts, please. After reading this, the Holy Spirit has shown me that I (we) have been given the ability to confirm our calling and election through the knowledge of God. It truly and faithfully lies within us. Heed the message in verse 3-4 & 19 underlined below.

In all the confirmation stages we experience throughout life given to us by God, there is always diligent work to be done and it starts from within our heart. Work….that comes from the heart which in turn transmits the want to become righteous to the mind and body. However diligence to do God’s will appears to be an important stage in that of us confirming our calling and election. To me it is like baking a cake or pie. The aroma is pleasing to us, just like our goodness is pleasing to God, when it is well-done. Sometimes the product doesn’t turn out right due to its baker leaving out ingredients, making shortcuts, or by not following the right steps, you know add this next or add this after such and such time. If you know how to bake things, you know the steps. If it is well-done, it smells good. If it is under cooked or burnt, there is a lingering stench.

Like it or not, we too will have to go through a baking process to become well-done. I know that I’ve got work to be diligent in doing. I want to hear these words when facing My Lord – “Well Done”

Diligence- (n) constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.

2 Peter 1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Let’s get out our mixing HEART bowl and fill with the 7 ingredients below. The more you measure out, the better it will be. Let us BE DILIGENT in kneading these things together, adding as needed to confirm our calling and election:

• add to your faith virtue

• add to virtue knowledge

• add to knowledge temperance

• add to temperance patience

• add to patience godliness

• add to godliness brotherly kindness

• add to brotherly kindness charity

Peter reminds us in verses 10-11 the result of our baked product:

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, YE SHALL NEVER FALL: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Are you working towards being sure you will be well done? A baked good falls when it is not prepared thoroughly, i.e. diligently and when taken out of the oven too soon or too late. Let us be sure “Ye shall never fall.”

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins