1 Corinthians 7:

15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

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Nine times, Paul stressed that God called us to believe in this passage.

Kindly pray that I will pass my training at work today and have good rapport with all my supervisors Amen

^

Silence - a sonnet

As introvert I must confess to be
A one who tends to shun the madding crowd,
And often in soft morning reverie
Enwrapped in sweetest silence can be found.
The Word that aptly lays upon our minds
Tall visions of the sweep of grandest deeds
May also, in the silence, choose to bind
Our hearts to stillest voice among the reeds.
Our souls may quake when Horeb’s thunder churns,
May look for hail and fire from the sky,
But then from cave of hiding may discern
The gentle sound of Heaven drawing nigh.
In silence and in solitude I wait
To hear those shuffling sandals at the gate.

Dispensationalism usually consists of people who see a distinction between Israel and the church. Some feel this distinction happened at Acts 2, others at mid Acts, and some at Acts 28. What is called "right division" usually takes a mid Acts position and can see an overlap between the gospel of the kingdom offered to Israel and a revelation of the mystery of the age of grace offered to gentiles. The idea that there can be two gospels seems to be supported in Galatians.

Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

That the gospel of grace was called a "mystery" may be because if the nation of Israel had received the kingdom, the church would not be needed.

This perspective can aid in bible study in that many have had difficulty trying to apply some of what is written to Israel to Christians today. A book like Romans can be seen as written to mostly Jews trying to understand the gospel of grace. The first letter to the Corinthians can be understood as written to mostly former pagans who were still attempting to use their practices in a Christian context.

We live in a day and time in this world of ours when I believe we are seeing these things now revealed before our very eyes in real time. Are we living in a time of massive rebellion against our Lord and against law and order and against what is morally pure, upright, godly, honest, faithful, and obedient to our Lord and to his commands? Absolutely! If you don’t see that this is where we are, and you are a Christian, please pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to see what all is going on in the world and in our nations.

Now please understand what this is saying here. The coming of this lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.. So if you are one who is just playing “Christian” but you are not on fire for the Lord and dedicated to serving him with your life, you may be among the deluded.

The ones you may think are godly and on your side and telling you the truth may be exactly the ones serving Satan and lying to you and deceiving you into believing their lies. The ones you are convinced are the ones coming to “save you” may be the ones truly coming to destroy you. That is what deception does. That is what a strong delusion does. It convinces you that the lies are the truth and the truth is the lie and the good guys are the bad guys and the bad people are the good people. So pray for open eyes!

And don’t look to other human beings to solve your problems or to save your nations from what ails them. For what ails this world and the people who live in it is sin. And sin is running rampant in our day and time so that we now live as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and the days of Noah. And the only Savior that this world has is Jesus Christ. So we need to be looking to him and calling on his name and following him in obedience to his commands if we want to escape being deceived and going to hell.

For even though the lawless one opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God, he is going to come by the activity of Satan with false signs and wonders and with wicked deception, and so he may disguise himself as an angel of light and a servant of righteousness and a follower of Jesus Christ in order to draw you to himself so that you will believe him, and so that you will put your faith in him to save you.

And then realize that the temple of God has not been a physical building ever since Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Jesus is that temple and all his followers (in truth and in righteousness) are his temple, which is the church, the body of Christ. And Satan’s lawless one has already set himself up to be worshiped as though he is God, and has seated himself already in the temple of God, the church, via the 501c3 corporation status of “the church” under the state. Now most “churches” are businesses.

And all he has to do is to put on a false persona that he is indeed a Christian and many Christians are following him as though he is of God when really he is of Satan. And this evil spirit has infiltrated these gatherings of “the church” for some time now and have convinced most to dilute and alter the gospel to make it more attractive to the world, and to pattern their gatherings after the world to attract the world to their gatherings in order to blend the world in with Christianity so that they are partnered as one.

The Holy Spirit is still constraining this lawless one to a point, but he has been let loose on the church for some time now, I believe, under disguise, because so much of what is called “church”, which includes professing Christians, has rejected the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in their churches to make room for the ungodly and in order to market their gatherings to the ungodly so that the ungodly will want to attend their gatherings, feel at home there, and come back for more worldly “church.”

So, it is “the church” who is pushing the Holy Spirit out of the way in order to make way for the lawless one so that their gatherings will attract the people of the world so that their numbers and their businesses will grow. And so many of these market-driven churches are shutting out the Holy Spirit and any who take God and his word seriously, for they are being warned about people like us who have “strong convictions” that they should invite us to go somewhere else where we will be “a better fit.”

And so we have all these gatherings of “Christians” which are called “churches” which have become houses of entertainment to attract the world, which are following marketing schemes and tricks and goals for how to “draw in large crowds” of people from the world into their gatherings. So they alter and dilute the character of Christ’s church, his body, and himself, and the character of his gospel to make them more acceptable to human flesh and to the people of the world. The lawless one is on the throne!

So, please pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see all the deception and all the lies and the liars in the government, in the news media, on social media, and within the gatherings of the church so that you don’t end up following after the lies and not the truth, and so you don’t end up in hell and not in heaven because you refused to love the truth and so be saved, and because you did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

For Our Nation

An Original Work / September 11, 2012

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.

Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.

Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.

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Sincerity of faith, what does that look like? –
Believing in Jesus, doing what He says.
Looking in your mirror, what do you look like?
Walking with Jesus Christ? Or spiritually dead?

From your sins repented? Or still live in sin?
Walking in obedience? Saying “No!” to sin?
Walking the narrow road? Or on the broad way?
Doing things the right way? Or doing your thing?

What does your life look like? Pleasing Jesus now?
Or choose you your own way? Not to Jesus bow?
Jesus died for your sin, so you would repent,
So you’d walk in His way, now in righteousness.

If you want His heaven, have your sins forgiven,
You must turn from your sin, walk in obedience.
No more time for playing. Sin is not a game.
Let Him change your life now, never be the same.

An Original Work / September 12, 2022

This is a picture of what the church and its leadership should look like. We who profess faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior should be those who are walking by faith in Jesus Christ in obedience to his commands in holy living, and no longer in sin. And we should be growing to maturity in Christ in our walks of faith, and not be stagnant, and not be those who are going backwards and who are falling back into sin and into worldly desires.

And we should be those for whom God’s love is growing in us to where we are now loving God and the people of God and the people of the world more and more like Jesus and according to the Scriptures. For this is agape love which prefers to live through Christ, choosing his choices, and obeying them in his power. This love prefers what God prefers which is what is holy, godly, morally pure, upright, honest, faithful, and obedient to his commands.

And the leadership of our churches should be those who are honoring and encouraging those who are living holy, morally pure, honest, upright, and godly lives to the glory of God and in obedience to his commands in steadfastness of faith. When they see a believer in Jesus dedicated to the Lord and to his service who is ministering to the body of Christ and who is sharing the truth of God’s word, they should be praising the Lord for that.


Sadly, in our day and time, it appears that the truly righteous in God’s sight are being treated with disdain while those who are still walking in sin are often those who are being honored and lifted up. For it has become a badge to wear if you profess faith in Jesus Christ while you still walk in sin. But if you literally are one who is not walking in sin and who is following the Lord in obedience, then they often will chide you as being overly religious.

I am not saying it is this way in all cases, but it does appear that it is in the majority. The gospel has been so altered and diluted to appease human flesh, and to not offend the ungodly, that holy living is not something much honored, but those who confess that they are still “struggling” (regularly giving in to sin) are often the ones honored, instead. It is like everything is being turned upside down these days, flip-flopping good and evil.

And so those who are living righteously, in obedience to the Lord, who are walking in his ways and in his truth and righteousness, are the persecuted, even within some (or many) of the gatherings of what are called “churches.” For we take God and his word seriously, and because we are following the Lord in obedience, and because we are speaking the truth in love to the people of the world and to our fellow professers of faith in Jesus Christ.

But those of us who follow our Lord in obedience to his commands in holy living, and who are not walking in sin, are considered by God worthy of (fitting to) the kingdom of God. We will inherit eternal life with God if we remain steadfast in such faith until the very end. But those who are still walking in sin, and not in obedience to our Lord, will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, even if they do profess his name with their lips.


Now this is the kind of prayer that our spiritual leaders should have for their people who are walking in obedience to the Lord. For the Christian faith is a walk of faith which is supposed to last until we die or until Jesus returns to take his faithful bride to be with him for eternity. So we have to keep on in these walks of faith, which require walks of obedience to our Lord, and that we no longer walk in sin. And God requires works of us, which he prepared in advance that we should walk in them, as his workmanship.

[Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; John 15:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 2:11-14; Titus 3:8; James 2:17; 1 John 3:4-10]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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If the Lord is your portion, he is your inheritance, your source of security, your all sufficiency, your Lord (Owner-Master), your Savior (from bondage to sin), and your all-in-all. He is the love of your life, your husband, your Father, your brother, your friend, and your companion. For the Lord is God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. So he is your counselor, guide, teacher, encourager, and helper, too, who teaches you God’s ways.

And if the Lord is our portion, then we are those who want to obey his commands, but not “want” in the sense of just saying we want to obey him, but in the sense of we will make obedience to our Lord our practice, our lifestyle, our habit. And we should be those who are thinking on the ways of the Lord every day, throughout the day, who then turn our feet (our walks of faith and obedience) to obey our Lord’s New Covenant commandments.

We should not be people who put off obeying the Lord, who neglect the commands of the Lord, who become lazy and slothful, and who go after the things of this world and of the flesh rather than us chasing after the Lord and his commands, with the full intent to obey them and to put them into practice in our daily lives. Even if the Lord gets us up at midnight to obey him in some way, we should do that and not resist him.

Even if we have enemies surrounding us, treating us as their prey, who are the wicked who are against us and our walks of faith and obedience to our Lord, we should not give in to them out of fear. We should not forget the Lord and his commandments. But we must obey them, even if it means being hated and rejected and cast aside as worthless, even by family members, friends, neighbors, and others who profess faith in Jesus Christ, including some pastors who are worldly and not godly, but of the flesh.

So, we should then seek out others who can say that this passage of Scripture describes their commitment to the Lord, though perhaps not in absolute perfection. I am not absolutely perfect in every way. But I am walking in obedience to my Lord and not in sin. And all of us should be dedicated to our Lord and to his service and to walking in obedience to his commands in holy living and no longer in sin. These are our companions.

We who are described here, who love the Lord Jesus, who are following him in obedience to his commands in holy living, are those who can claim God’s promises. Again, this is not saying we are perfect people or that we may never sin (see 1 John 2:1-2), but that we are those who are honoring Jesus Christ with our lives and who take God and his word to heart to obey it in his power. We are the ones who can claim the promises of the Lord.

For the Scriptures are clear that if we walk in sin, in deliberate and habitual sin against God and against our fellow humans, we will die in our sins. We will not inherit eternal life with God unless we turn from our sins to now follow Jesus Christ in walks of obedience to his commands and in holy living. For Jesus died on that cross that we might die with him to sin and live to him and to his righteousness in obedience to his commands.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

Video Talk

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Teach Them

An Original Work / May 24, 2012
Based off various scriptures

Open up the blinded eyes of
Those who walk in sin’s darkness.
Turn them to the light of Christ
And to His righteousness.
Turn them from the pow’r of Satan.
Turn them to the peace of Christ,
So they may receive forgiveness
And eternal life.

Teach them to put off their old selves
And their former way of life,
And to put on their new self,
Reborn to be like Christ;
To not copy worldly customs;
Be transformed in life and mind;
Obey freely His word in them,
Pleasing unto God.

Teach them how to love their neighbors
Truly as they love themselves;
Be a witness; share the gospel;
Satan’s lies dispel;
Comfort all who mourn in sadness;
Share Christ’s love and joy today.
Do this through your life and witness
For your Lord always.

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Nick Zentner is a geology professor at Central Washington University. I often watch his videos and learn a lot of Pacific Northwest geology from him. In this video, only about 14 minutes long, Nick showcases the Frenchman Coulee in central Washington which was carved out by the Ice Floods some 12,000 years ago. The basalt the makes up the Coulee is about 16 Million years old and came from Eastern Oregon roughly 150 miles away.

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PARASHA: “Pinchas” (mouth of the serpent) NUMBERS 25:1-29:40.

Yes, this is another "long-winded" message. Take your time. No one reads a book in one sitting. read a little, then come back to it later and finish. There is a lot of information here that I would like to look at.

The name "Pinchas" can be derived from the letter (Peh) which means "mouth" and "Nachash" (serpent).

This Bible study portion starts with somewhat of a surprise, a promotion in rank for an execution committed, and rather suddenly. Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron was a Levite. During the time of the “weakness and falling away of the men of Israel, He took matters into his own hands and slew Zimri and Cozbi, who were committing fornication in the sight of all Israel, yet Adonai rewarded him for this and gave him an “everlasting covenant of peace (Brit Shalom) and an everlasting priesthood” because he was “Zealous” for his God because he made an “atonement” for Israel”.

to understand this, we must go back to Parashah Balak. King Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel, yet Adonai did not do this, as Adonai prohibited this. Adonai already blessed Israel, and who Adonai has blessed, no man can curse. However, as many past rabbis and sages believe, what happened afterward was indeed a tragedy. Even though the Torah does not record this, because of the events that followed, we can conclude that this is what might have happened afterward.

Perhaps, Balaam went to Balak and told him that even though he could not curse Israel, the children of Israel could bring a curse among themselves by disobeying God’s commandments and going after other gods. The Torah says that b’nei Israel went after the Moabite prostitutes and went to worship their god “Baal-Peor” thus bringing down the wrath of YHVH. The result was a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites until Pinchas took action and took a lance and thrust it through the bellies of Zimri and Cozbi, thus “staying” the plague. As Adonai called it, “making an atonement for the children of Israel’ “Blood” for “blood”

How can we relate this action with Yeshua/Jesus? Man has sinned against God, and sin separates us from HIM. There had to be an atonement, "blood for blood" HIS sinless, pure blood which was shed, for our sinful blood. The blood of Zimri and Cozbi "satisfied and ended the "wrath of God" (even though they were not in any way "holy") Pinchas thrusted the "lance" through their bodies. The Roman soldier "thrusted" the lance into the side of Yeshua! Out poured blood from both Zimri, Cozbi, and Yeshua. The blood of Yeshua, though, poured out pure and sinless, yet HE paid the price of sin for Zimri, Cozbi, and all of us who have fallen short of the glory of God.

Yeshua/Jesus thus made a "Brit Shalom"(A covenant of Peace) between the Father and mankind with his own sinless blood, taking our punishment and giving us eternal life with HIM. All we have to do is accept it by accepting HIM as LORD and Savior, being "born again" (John 3:3)

We can see why this action might reflect his name "Pinchas." (Mouth of the Serpent). When a serpent opens its mouth, one can see the fangs which yield poison. The serpent will strike and the fangs will be embedded into the victim, causing death. The "fangs" of Pinchas was his lance, which he used to end the lives of Zimri and Cozbi and to stop the plague.

We find this a very “rash” thing to do, yet, we need to understand that Israel was under a “theocracy” and not a “democracy”. Their ruler, King, commander-in-chief was YHVH himself. God calls the shots, makes the rules, and decides outcomes. Under our “democracy,” we have presidents, kings, senators, governors, etc. who make rules and vote on rules and outcomes. Try being “zealous” for God today the same way Pinchas did would land us in prison very quickly.

Another thing we must remember is that we ALL have two natures, the “Yetzer Hara” (The evil inclination, or the sin nature) and the “Born again” spirit-filled nature that comes when we accept Yeshua as Messiah and LORD. Both live inside us, and some things can “trigger” that old sin nature and cause havoc and misery in our lives. In the case of the Israelite men, it was the arrival of the Midianite and Moabite prostitutes, and not only did they bring a curse upon the encampment of the Israelites, but they also brought death to 24,000 of the population.

Now, it seems like a large number, but if we realize that the Israelites probably numbered 2 or 3 million, then that number is quite small. We need to also realize that not ALL of Israel went after “Baal-Peor” only the ones that went after the prostitutes. One can also ask a question; “Can one change his or her nature of being?” To answer this question, we need to look at a story.

A king once had two sons. To test them, he asked them that question. The first son said; “Yes, one can change his or her nature.” Yet the second son said; “No, one can never change his or her nature.

The king said; “Go out and prove your statement, you have a week.” So, both sons went out and after a week, they returned to the palace. The first son came near the king and queen with a large cloth bag. He put it on the floor and out came a cat. The cat was dressed in fine linen and had a servant’s hat. The cat got up and walked on its two hind legs and lifted a small silver tray towards the king and queen. On the tray were two chocolates. The king and queen smiled and marveled at the cat and accepted the two chocolates. Everyone applauded! How wonderful!

The second son said; “wait a minute.” Then he took a small cloth bag and emptied it on the floor and out ran 5 mice. When the cat saw the mice, it dropped the tray and ran after them on all four paws. “You see,” said the son, “the cat went back to its old nature, it only needed a “trigger”. You can dress a cat in fine clothes and teach it a few tricks, but it will always be a cat, and cats chase mice according to their feline nature.

We will always have our “old nature of sin” with us, and it will rear up its ugly head, as Rav Shaul (Apostol Paul) testifies in Romans 7:14-25. Only physical death will free us from the “old sin nature” Every day it is a constant battle. The spirit against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit.

Now back to the action of Pinchas. His faith and love for the Torah and God were backed by “action”. We could take other examples. A cat lover walks by a group of mean kids who are teasing a cat, pulling its tail, and just giving it a hard time. The cat lover could just say; “poor cat” and start to cry over it and continue walking…or…the cat lover could run up to the mean kids and push them aside, grabbing the cat and taking it to safety. The cat lover not only showed love and compassion for the cat but also showed an active and positive “action”.

The same can be said about protesting against the murder of the unborn through abortions, many people will write letters and let their voices be heard, instead of just feeling sorry for the unborn who are murdered inside female wombs.

Later on, in this Parashah, we see that Moshe intercedes for Israel when Adonai tells him to go up Mt. Abiram and take a look around because he will die there. Adonai appoints “Yehoshua” as Moshe’s successor, to lead the people into the promised land. We see two leaders now, “Pinchas” who is granted the title and inheritance of “High Priest” for his action, he symbolizes the “Kana” (Zeal) for Adonai, and Yehoshua, who is given the “Ruach Elohim” to lead the people. Yehoshua is the same as “Yeshua” for HE is the one who leads US in our lives today. Yeshua also showed “Kana” when he drove out the money changers in the temple, he used a bit of violence, yet not for “religious” reasons, but for the “love” of HIS father and for respect for HIS HOUSE. Today HIS HOUSE consists of all “Kehilot” (assemblies) of born-again believers all over the world, not buildings

There are other ways one can show “zeal” for YHVH today; Loving his Torah, obeying his commandments, teaching his Word to those who would listen, loving our neighbors, supporting our local body of believers, voting for government officials who also uphold biblical standards. Pointing out sinful ways to sinners (in a loving, not condemning way) and pointing them to a personal relationship with Yeshua our Messiah. We can also show zeal when we lead believers away from false teachings, from false doctrines and there are many out there. Many young believers and trapped inside false cults that "claim" to be Christian.

Chapters 28 and 29 deals with the review of the sacrifices and offerings that the Israelites would offer to YHVH. Remember that they are about to cross over the Jordan to possess the promised land. There they would be “permanent residents” and the fight would continue to cast out the Canaanites (another reason for the census) to see how many “fighting men” the nation consisted of. Every element of the offerings and sacrifices illustrates who YESHUA is and what he stands for;

2 lambs per day, fine flour with oil; Yeshua who is the Lamb of God, who is the BREAD of Life, who has the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) within him. The oil symbolizes the Spirit of Elohim and the “anointing by the Spirit on ALL believers. Wine was also used to pour over the sacrifices, the “wine” symbolizes the blood of Yeshua that ran down the cross, out of his veins for atonement for all who believe and accept his sacrifice for sin.

Bullocks were also sacrificed, the bullock symbolizes “strength” as the ancient symbol of the letter “Alef” was in the form of a bull. Adonai is “strength” yet he allowed himself to become “lower than the angels” to walk as man and be a willing sacrifice for sin. The goats remind us of Yom Kippur, one was set free and the other sacrificed, reminding us that our sins were “cast away” from us as well as dealt with on the cross. The sacrificed rams remind us of the “ram” that was in the thicket when Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. That ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, just as Yeshua was offered as a blood sacrifice in our place.

Have a blessed week all of you who have finished reading this.

Harris will make the choice before August 7th.

Which VP choice would help Harris most in winning the presidency and why?

Which candidate would hurt her chances?

The following seem to have the inside track: Cooper, Shapiro and Kelly.

As an aside, the VP debate should be fun to watch.

This link says it all in a clear and concise way.
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As far as becoming a Christian I believe it is as easy as... If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9

After that the Holy Spirit will guide the new Christian to... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

From there the new Christian is encouraged to obstain from fleshly desceptions and to pursue the will of God, encluding... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

And to the end to see a wonderful Spirit formed within the Christian... - My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. - Galatians 4:19

I personally have no denominational recommendations and personally visit a variety of churches. It is always nice, though, to run into someone who has progressed well along the way. Here is a gentleman who has worked his way into a conference superintendent and continues to study and in Christian Ministries.

Terron Gentry serves as the North Georgia District Superintendent of the CHC. He has served as Christian Education Director, Church Planter, and Senior Pastor. His ministerial experience totals over 31 years serving in these areas. He is pursuing his MBA at Lee University and is currently enrolled in the undergraduate program as Christian Ministries with an emphasis on Business. Terron feels that because of our rich Pentecostal Heritage along with our Common Ground Initiative, we will advance the Kingdom of God together! - About - North Georgia Congregational Holiness Church

My mother had a breathing emergency when she was in the doctor’s office. I had to take her into the walk-in connected with the hospital today because it’s Sunday. She almost stopped breathing in the office today. She caught a virus and she has pre-existing conditions. Thanks be to God that it happened there. I really thought she was going to die before my eyes. I ran out and said there was an emergency and they rushed in to help. After she was stabilized we had to go to the hospital for x-rays and lab work. We got the x-rays but we will have to get the labs tomorrow as they were overwhelmed with a 5 car pile up. It was terrifying and we are all exhausted. Prayers appreciated.

Thank you!

The following scripture seems to quite clearly be talking about salvation, and man's free will. Why is it that some people insist that Jesus was not speaking about it in that context.

Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Irenaeus [A.D. 120-202] who wrote many passages on the free will of man, in the following he states man is a free agent regarding salvation, and God does not force or coerce a man into either a saved or damned state, writting:

1. This expression [of our Lord], “How often would I have gathered thy children together, and thou wouldest not,” (Mat 23:37) set forth the ancient law of human liberty, because God made man a free [agent] from the beginning, possessing his own power, even as he does his own soul, to obey the behests (ad utendum sententia) of God voluntarily, and not by compulsion of God. For there is no coercion with God, but a good will [towards us] is present with Him continually. And therefore does He give good counsel to all. And in man, as well as in angels, He has placed the power of choice (for angels are rational beings), so that those who had yielded obedience might justly possess what is good, given indeed by God, but preserved by themselves. On the other hand, they who have not obeyed shall, with justice, be not found in possession of the good, and shall receive condign punishment: for God did kindly bestow on them what was good; but they themselves did not diligently keep it, nor deem it something precious, but poured contempt upon His super-eminent goodness. (Translated by Rev. Rambaut W. H. 1867, Against Heresies - Book 4 Ch 37)

Ah, a classic from the 2000s. Tenth Avenue North was on the Christian Radio back in the late 2000s and early 2010s. No autotune, just emotional chords and wholesome lyrics.

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By Your Side (2008) Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

[Verse 2]
Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching
As if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child?
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run?

[Chorus]
Cos I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

[Verse 3]
Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

[Chorus]
And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

[Bridge]
Cos I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, yeah I'll love you
I'll never let you go, no, no

[Chorus]
And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side
My hands are holding you, oh

Still using GIMP. This is the second attempt. Using layers simplifies things but doesn't allow for blending with colors on separate layers. The latter would be more for a Bob Ross style. That said, cost and the possibility of not continuing with painting is why I never tried it. This is a cheap option.

Hello folks. Today marks the 3rd installment in the Hymn Per Week Series, which will happen on most weekends. Today is a 17th century hymn known as O Holy Spirit, Enter In. All hymns are freely available from the Open Hymnal Project.

Open Hymnal Project (2014 Hymnal PDF): http://openhymnal.org/OpenHymnal2014.06.pdf




Video (Lutheran Hymn, but applies to all denominations including Catholics):
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Did you hear the “big news”? Barack and Michelle Obama endorsed Kamala Harris for President! Yes, it was Earth-shattering and really a game-changer…or something, at least according to the media. In reality, it was staged bit of political theater that exposed just how phony Harris and the entire Democratic Party establishment truly are.
Does anyone really believe that a phone call took place like that? If it did, the Obamas hate Kamala Harris. If it didn’t, the Obamas hate Kamala Harris.
First, Kamala is walking backstage somewhere with a film crew weirdly recording her walking with a junior staffer who carries her phone when the call comes in. The junior staffer hands the phone to Harris with it on speaker, for reasons unknown. Then she’s shocked both Michelle and Barack were on the call at the same time.
Michelle gives a completely fake, “Hey there,” to which Harris replies, “Aw, hi, you’re both together!” Is that how a human being answers a call? These aren’t the Clintons, is them both being on the phone out of the ordinary?
Then, in one of the worst and most awkward cuts in campaign ad history, Kamala is out of the theater and in a parking garage, standing by her SUV. Then Michelle, after literally only having said “Hey there,” launches into, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
Literally, that’s every word Michelle Obama says in the video of the call the Harris campaign released. What does it mean? Nothing. “This is going to be historic”? Every presidential election is historic. Was she trying to say this would be different because she’s a black and Indian woman? Black has been done, woman has been done, and Democrats don’t really care about the Indian part, so what? Why couldn’t she have that phone call without saying that?
Even more confusing was all Barack said was, “We called to say Michelle, and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office.” Neither of them utter another word or even make a sound in the call, nothing.

Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27 were different parables on different occasions.

1 talent = 60 minas

What is the significance of this difference?

Matthew used a more substantial unit of money. Both taught stewardship, responsibility, accountability, and judgment. I don't see much significant difference between the two parables.

2 Peter 3:9 KJV:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Haggai 2:9 KJV
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts."

Matthew 5:15-16 KJV
'Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. '

My Respond:

I have faith in God's promise- to be set free from sin 2 Peter 3:9KJV. in God's house , God house is peace even as it is in mine house- Haggai 2:9 KJV. Allowing me to have what I want . That the word of God will not return unto to me void.(Matthew 5:15-16 KJV) The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Ephesians 4:9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that He might bring you to God,
after being put to death in the fleshly realm
but made alive in the spiritual realm.
19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison

Ephesians 4:8 For it says:

When He ascended on high,
He took prisoners into captivity;
He gave gifts to people.
9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?

Did the Holy Spirit of Christ Descend into the literal Realm of the Dead (Sheol)​

and jail break Souls from the Realm of the Dead, In your Opinion?​

I only put them on for people to listen to, what good is music if no one hears it?
john webb 6

Adoption
Christians Receive the Spirit of Adoption

Rom 8:14 For as many (Christians) as are led by the Spirit of God, they (Christians) are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you (Christians) have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we (Christians) cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our (Christians) spirit, that we are the children of God:

We are Waiting for the Adoption

Rom 8:23 And not only they (whole creation), but ourselves (Christians) also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Gentiles Receive the Adoption

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Christians Receive the Adoption

Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal 4:5 To redeem them (Christians) that were under the law, that we (Christians) might receive the adoption of sons. Gal 4:6 And because you (Christians) are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Gal 4:7 Wherefore you (Christians) are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Predestination Adoption of Christians

Eph 1:4 According as he (God) has chosen us (Christians) in him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we (Christians) should be holy and without blame before him (God) in love: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself (God), according to the good pleasure of his (God) will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his (God) grace, wherein he (God) has made us (Christians) accepted in the beloved (title of Jesus). Eph 1:7 In whom (Jesus) we (Christians) have redemption through his (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;