Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.

Up here in northern Minnesota, a lot of people sure enjoy going fishing.  A lot of us, including myself, like to use a fishing lure, which is an artificial bait designed to attract predatory fish.  You can’t help but find all kinds of them, in different shapes and sizes in the sporting goods section at your local box store. Some of them are very real looking, and they mimic the appearance and movements of a real fish.  They are designed to attract prey, adorned with bright reflections, flashy colors and shiny spinners which lures a fish to take notice them.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

Unlike an expensive and shiny fishing lure that one might possess in their tackle box, Christian women are not to attract attention to themselves at all.  A godly woman is supposed to be a plain woman, both in her attire and her shy demeanor.  

1 Timothy 2:9-10  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

First of all, to adorn something means to try to make it look more beautiful or attractive.  For example, in certain homes, people might have plain white walls in their living room, but for some, it just isn’t enough for them.  They want the room to stand out when people enter it, so they begin decorating the walls with expensive paintings or other fancy ornaments, so that people will stop and take notice.  A woman who professes Christianity is supposed to be modest and plain, which means she avoids wearing anything that might cause other people to take notice of her because of her clothes, or the inappropriate lack of it for that matter.  She is to possess an attitude of humility and decency, not only in the way she dresses, but in her grooming, her speech and her behavior.

There’s also a great difference between public and private matters. Marriage was created by God to avoid fornication and the bed is undefiled. Sexual desires and pleasures can be enjoyed with your spouse in private, but not expressed in a public manner.  It is meant to be used in the bedroom, not to be paraded or displayed publicly to the world by sexually explicit clothing you might wear. Even kissing a spouse in an overly heated moment in public, can draw attention to what is meant for the bedroom only. You are not supposed to act in a manner that incites or might provoke others to sensual or sexual thoughts.  When you do this, you are leading others into sin.  After all, if you didn’t dress in such a manner, people wouldn’t have these feelings in their minds.  Sexuality is meant to be used privately within the bedroom not to be displayed openly in public.  A Christian woman is to wear shapeless, formless clothes that don’t reveal her figure or her physical sexual appearances.

A modest woman must be reserved, and not draw undue attention to themselves.  In fact, some common synonyms of the word “modest” are chaste, decent, and pure.  Modesty is completely void of what is lewd or salacious.  Lewd meaning, suggestive of, or tending to moral looseness. A Modest woman must not appear publicly in a matter that shows, or is intended to excite, lust, sexual desire, or lasciviousness. Salacious is appealing to, or stimulating sexual desire in others.  This is done through one’s appearance and behavior in public.  The Christian woman is supposed to be bashful and shy, and must focus on displaying the qualities of inward beauty, such as a meek and quiet spirit.

1 Peter 3:1-6  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

The word shamefaced means extremely modest, shy and bashful. Some women are completely embarrassed to wear certain clothing that is too revealing because they are shy in heart. That’s a very good quality to possess. On the other hand, pride and vanity because of one’s looks and appearances need to be shunned.  A truly modest woman who serves Christ, will focus on the will of God rather than the mirror.  A modest woman who serves Christ will care more about prayer, than her hair.

Like a fishing lure, many women try to draw attention to themselves by wearing expensive jewelry or other trinkets, but the Christian woman will care more about providing for her own family, or others who are poor and need.  Instead of decorating herself with costly items, people take notice of her because of her selfless kindness, devoting herself to winning others to the Christian Life through her tenderhearted deeds.

1 Timothy 5:9-10  Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

In Joppa, there was an example of a Godly woman who was filled up with goods works.

Acts 9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

Although we live in world that is preoccupied with the public display of the human body and it’s external features, Christian women are called out of the world.  They are called to a transformation and a conversion from a worldly woman, to a Godly one.  This is going to require a change, literally, beginning with the things that you wear in public. Granted all of us have lived the way that the world does at one time or the other; each of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but now through faith in Christ, and an allotment of His divine grace, we are called to a different function and purpose.  

Any woman who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ needs to shun any sensual appearances, in what she wears or how she acts, that might cause somebody else to be drawn to them, just like….

……The Fishing Lure

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

tlkjbc.com

The grenade has been a device used in warfare for centuries, dating back to the 8th and 9th century. Starting out as gunpowder-filled stone and ceramic jars, to glass jars, to the iron grenades we all know today, the design has been relatively the same as they all performed the same purpose of exploding and dealing massive damage to the human body.

From what I have read, the modern grenade today has a detonation time of approximately two to six seconds after the pin is pulled and the grenade is thrown. That is not a lot of time, so soldiers would need to be certain that they threw the grenade far enough away so that they would not get hit by the shrapnel and be killed.

Sin can be like a grenade, in the way that both can kill, albeit differently. A grenade can cause death to a body but sin can cause death to the spirit of a man. Just like a grenade that needs to be thrown and gotten far away from yourself, sin needs to be “thrown away.”

Romans 8:6-14  “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Paul taught that we need to “mortify” the deeds of the flesh, but what does that mean? Well, if you mortify something it means to nullify; to deaden, neutralize. To “kill off.” If you think about it, that is what a mortuary is, a place where dead bodies are stored prior to burial.

So as we read from Paul, if we live after the flesh, we will die. If we live in sin, we will die. But if we (through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit) mortify/deaden those sinful actions and put them away from our lives, we will have life. That is the thing which keeps a person out of heaven; their sins. The desire to live after the flesh will lead to death.

Sin is like a road that goes halfway over a giant canyon and just ends there right in the middle, and everyone has driven on that road. Car after car might drive up to the edge of that road and go over the edge down into the canyon below and perish, but more still continue to stay on that road. To save oneself from that fate one needs to get off of that road. They need to deaden the sins and the lusts that has caused the unfortunate death of all those before them.

Put those sins away. Mortify the sinful deeds of the flesh and you shall have eternal life. Let go of that grenade.

In Christ,

Andrew

Would you go to learn from a construction worker on how to perform surgery? In probably nearly all cases that answer would be no. I certainly know that if someone came up to me and asked a question about the best way to perform a medical procedure I would go and tell them that I have no clue what I am doing, and that they should go and ask someone else who does.

But some people just love to have the appearance that they are smart, and that they know things that you don’t know, or that they are better. This feeling will sometimes manifest itself in a person when they see someone else fail at something, and cause them to be filled with pride and say, “No, no, no. This is how you do it.” When in fact they themselves can’t do it correctly. 

That is called hypocrisy, and it means “the practice of engaging in the same behaviour or activity for which one criticises another.” Which leads up to the verse passage for today.

Luke 6:39-42  “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.”

Like a person trying to instruct somebody else how to do something when they themselves have no clue what they are talking about. Trying to act like you have everything all figured out, like you don’t have any problems, and that you think you can tell others how to fix their own issues, while being blind to the fact that you have just as big of a problem to work on.

A different way of putting it is if you have two people who each have, say for example, a drug addiction. If they are both addicts, how could one of them help the other to overcome the addiction if they themselves can’t? 

We are called to exhort and encourage others to defeat the sinful urges and temptations that everyone goes through, to be certain. But to actually help someone we first need to correct ourselves first.

Romans 2:21-23  “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”

To help someone find their way through the dark you need to have a flashlight. If you don’t you both will be blind. That is why we need to be filled with the light of Christ. Jesus is the Light, and as children of light we need to live as an example to others how a Christian lives.

Matthew 5:14-16  “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

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.”

We need to be able to diagnose and fix our own problems first. We need to correct our own mistakes first. It is like our bodies are locked in a jail cell of sin. To help someone get out of their cell you need to get the key to unlock your own cell first. Because once you have that key you will be able to unlock all of the others as well.

As a former Pharisee, the apostle Paul went through a great change in his life. Once a persecuted of the faith, he went through an amazing transition and became a champion of the faith that he once sought to destroy. Readily admitting that he was a sinner, “the chief of sinners,” Paul went through that change, and because of that he was able to help others with their shortcomings. 

So, look to yourself. What do you need to fix? What sins do you need to overcome? Once you have answered and completed those questions then go and help others.

In Christ,

Andrew

Good Morning and welcome in everybody.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a question.

Have you observed people as they competed in a foot race?  During the competition, you watched as one of them struggled very hard to pull away from the rest of the pack, putting forth a strong effort to overcome the others, because of which, they successfully achieved the prize at the end.

This reminds me of the Christian life.

Scripture clearly teaches us that Christians are running a race, only this one is Spiritual.  Many earthly coaches will teach students that winning isn’t everything, but in the Christian Life, it most certainly is!  In order to inherit eternal life, we must defeat and overcome the sinful deeds of the carnal nature.  We must win against sin.  Success is the name of the game.

Revelation 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

An overcomer is a person who succeeds in dealing with, or gaining control of some problem or difficulty. In the Christian realm, this is about overcoming sin. Like being in a race, we must be victorious over the carnal nature and its desires. God grants us a precious gift of grace in our time of need, but we need to utilize His mercy to free ourselves from the sinful lusts of this world.  We must run to win!

1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Each of us in the church have to deal with certain struggles or temptations in the flesh, but we can help each other by not being a stumblingblock as we each walk the path to successful Christian living.  We must support and encourage each other to abide in biblical truth, and to focus our minds on the Spiritual things of God.  This is why it’s so important to surround yourself with people who love and fear God.  We must separate from those involved with sin, and join with others who are shunning sin.  In order to obtain the crown of life, we must depart from sin.

James 1:12-15  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Temptations can be overcome, by simply turning away when the opportunity to sin presents itself, and then, refusing to allow yourself to go any further by committing the physical act. The decision to do what’s right comes down to what you love the most in this life.  Do you love Jesus enough to do His will, or do you love sin and the things of this world more? Salvation depends on making the correct choices.

1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We can know that we are capable of overcoming sin, because God doesn’t allow us to be tempted above our ability to resist it.

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

To overcome means to defeat an opponent or to prevail and succeed.  Some synonyms are to conquer, defeat, or  triumph over something through great effort.  We must put the death any sinful desires, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:12-14  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Although many people profess to be a child of God, Scripture clearly teaches that true sonship is revealed in those who hear God’s Word with their heart, and obediently follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.   

1 John 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

John 8:47  He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Those who have been Spiritually reborn through precious faith in our lord Jesus, will overcome sin, that is a fact.  Jesus is the perfect, sinless Son of God, and those who truly believe in Him will strive to attain complete freedom from sin.  

1 John 5:4-5 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We can overcome sin by the power of the Holy Spirit, given to those who believe in Jesus Christ and are born of God.

John 1:12-13  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Revelation 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Some peoples names that we’re once written in the book of Life, can be blotted out, because they never truly overcame the sinful nature.  The eternal security that we can possess in the Christian Life is knowing that we have done God’s will,  and kept the faith. 

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Overcoming the sinful nature is a requirement of God if you really want to win the prize of eternal life.  Failure is not an option.  For a Christian, success is…..

…….The Name of the Game

Let’s think about these things for right now, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow.  Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

tlkjbc.wordpress.com

Please take note that we have absolutely no affiliation with any advertisement you might find on our posts. Thanks!

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Goodmorning and welcome in everyone.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 1 Cor.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Fornication is having consensual sexual relationships with somebody else whom you’re not married to. Consensual means both parties agree to participate.  Those who profess Christianity as their faith are not supposed to have anything to do with this kind of behavior.  We are taught as Christians to abstain from certain things, one of which is fornication.  Abstain means to choose not to do, or not to have something.  

For example, John the Baptist completely abstained from consuming any alcohol.  Although there is nothing sinful in partaking of alcohol when enjoyed in moderation and not overdoing it, some people choose to abstain from it and not have it at all.  Abstain means to refrain from deliberately, and often with an effort of self denial from a certain action or practice. Unlike having the choice to eat or drink what one chooses, being involved with fornication is completely outside the realm of the Christian Life because it isn’t love, it’s lust.  This may happen out in the world, but not between people who profess to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s sexual gratification of earthly desires, driven by the carnal nature. When people are involved with this kind of licentious behavior, they become extremely puffed up with pride, even boasting about the details of their promiscuous relationships with others. It is evil and wicked and God will certainly punish this behavior.

Jude 1:7  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Those who profess to be Christian and get involved with fornication, are going to be punished as disobedient children, because it stirs up God’s wrath.

Colossians 3:5-6  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

In a Christian marriage the bed is undefiled.  Those who live in fornication defile themselves.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Broadly speaking, a whoremonger is anyone who engages in a sexual relationship, outside of marriage.  Before we became a baptized believer, we may have been involved with these kinds of things, but as a Christian, it is forbidden.  Instead of being ashamed because of this wicked behavior, some people will arrogantly glory in their sin.  This is some of what was happening within the Corinthian Church.

Philippians 3:18-19  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Romans 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

The Christian Life is a marriage to Christ, and like an earthy marriage, our bodies belong to Him.  When we partake of Holy Communion in the church, we become partakers of Christ’s body. This is why sexual sin is so evil because those who commit sexual fornication are committing adultery against Jesus.  What you are doing is sinning against your own body, which is yoked to Jesus through the marriage of Holy Communion.

1 Corinthians 6:13-20  Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.  And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Fornication is so serious that you are not ever supposed to be involved with it.

Ephesians 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

In the Corinthian Church, they weren’t sad about the sin that was going on among them but were puffed up and proud. They actually believed that it was a praiseworthy thing, like people who sit around and boast about robbing a bank.  Getting involved with sin should cause you to weep.

Luke 6:21  ……..Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Matthew 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Sinning should make you feel sad and grieve your heart for doing the wrong thing. The humble publican was so sad that he was beating on his chest. If those feelings are not there, if you are incapable of crying about what you have done wrong, its because you lack the Godly sorrow required to lead to a changed life.  Sincere humility will cause you to mourn and weep in the presence of God.

James 4:9-10  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,……..

When you are contrite, it means to feel or show sorrow for a sin or short coming.  it is to express remorse, and to be affected by guilt.

PS 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 66:2……. but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

Once again, Godly sorrow is true sorrow that is led by the heart, that will eventually lead to a changed life.  Some people are only sorry because of consequences resulting from poor decisions.  That isn’t the same kind of sorrow that causes you to become a changed person. Godly sorrow results in heartfelt contrition and penitence, that ultimately leads to reformation from sinful deeds and behaviors.

1 Corinthians 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Fornication is grievious in the sight of God, so keep your distance from it, and from those who claim to be followers of Christ, who arrogantly and impenitently participate in it.

Let’s think about these things for right now, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow.  Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

tlkjbc.wordpress.com

Please take note that we have absolutely no affiliation with any advertisement you might find on our posts. Thanks!

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I don’t know how common this is in other parts of the world, but at certain grocery stores if you want to use one of their shopping carts you need to first unlock them. In an effort to try to get people to put their carts back where they belong, some grocery stores have shopping carts each fitted with their own lock that will connect to all of the other carts when you replace it. In order to unlock a cart you first need to insert a coin into a slot, usually a quarter, and that coin acts as a key to unlock your cart. You can then go shopping through the store, buy the things that you need, and as soon as you are all done if you take that cart and return it to the place you got it from, the quarter that you used to unlock it will be returned to you. You get back what you put in.

And that is how forgiveness should work. Because we are sinners, having imperfections in our lives, it is an inevitable fact that we will sometimes fail. We will eventually do something that is a sin, either towards God or towards others. 

We need forgiveness to have those sins taken away, so we go to the Lord and ask Him for it. The Lord, because He is a kind, loving, and merciful God, readily gives us the forgiveness that we so desperately need. He “unlocks” the door of forgiveness for us, forgiving us with the condition that we do the same for others.

“Matthew 18:21-35  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

When God gives us that forgiveness, it is like we are putting in that quarter to release that lock on the cart. If we want to get that quarter back, if we want to continue to receive forgiveness, then we need to be able to be forgiving with others as well. We need to “put the cart back,” forgiving others “from your hearts.” This is not someone who only says the words “I forgive you” when you can tell that they really didn’t feel that from their heart. It is a full and true release of all anger and wrath.

So please, always remember the words of Christ:

Luke 17:3-4  “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

As Jesus is forgiving with us, we need to be forgiving with others. To be like Christ, we have to live like He did, and follow the teachings that He left for us to follow. That includes having the ability to forgive. If we don’t, we won’t ourselves will not receive the forgiveness that we need. We won’t get our “quarter” back.

In Christ,

Andrew

Have you seen how condominiums look once they are finished? They look all the same. Each window, door, sidewalk– all in the exact same place. Identical. Ever buy something from the grocery store and notice that all of the packs of pop have the same amount of cans in them? If one pack had 12 cans then all of the other packs have 12. They are all equal, and the same.

If things are equal it means that they are the same in all respects. They are even, fair, uniform and equivalent. 

It was Paul’s wish that there be an equality in the church. That those who had an abundance help and supply those who were lacking. 

2 Corinthians 8:10-15  “And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”

All the things that we have are things with which the Lord has blessed us. Whether it be money, possessions, food–it is God who created all things and it is He Who bestows upon us the things that He wills. 

If someone in the church had need of something and there were others in the church that had the ability to give them or help them with that thing, Paul wanted them to have an equality. Maybe a member of the church had a bad year growing crops to feed his family, and they were in need of food. Those others in the church that had a great year with their crops were supposed to give of what they had been blessed with and help their brothers and sisters in the faith.

There were times when Paul had a need of some things, but certain churches didn’t help to give him what he needed, whatever those things were. Paul didn’t want to make himself seem as a burden to others, and could make do with what he had, but whatever things that one church failed to provide for him another church took care of. If Paul needed food or clothing, that church was there to help him. If he needed things to further the word of God, they were there giving of the things which they had to help Paul, and it showed their love for him.

1 Corinthians 16:17  “I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.”

2 Corinthians 11:9  “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.”

When we see someone in the church in need, help them! Show them that love. Give to others in the church if you see them in need and can help them. In the church there shouldn’t be people starving and others who have so much food that they are throwing it away. There shouldn’t be people going without proper clothing and basic everyday needs while there are others who have so much that they could never use all of the things which they have. No super rich and no super poor. Equality in the church.

In Christ,

Andrew

Goodmorning and welcome in everyone.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to ask you something.

There are numerous fighter jets in the military, including the F-18 hornet that carry a price tag of well over 65 million dollars.  Its been claimed that the B-2 Spirit Bomber is valued at a whopping 2 billion dollars a piece, and is believed to be the most expensive aircraft in the entire world.  Do you really believe that they are going to allow someone to fly these planes without any kind of adequate training?  How many of you have owned something really expensive, such as a brand new pickup?  Would you hand the keys over to a 10 year old who really doesn’t know how to drive yet?  It can take many years of testing and training to eventually learn to fly a fighter jet, and before anybody is going to hand over a 100 million dollar aircraft to your care, you must first show that you are capable.  Before you ever sit in the cockpit and taxi down the runway, you must first prove yourself worthy of being chosen for the machine seat.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

To inherit eternal life, we also must first prove ourselves worthy of God’s coming kingdom, and it requires many years of training.  It’s a day by day process of walking in obedience to Christ.  God is watching our progress, and will someday reward His faithful with the gift of eternal life.  It’s given to those who have used God’s grace to transform into a completely new man.  It’s a prize awarded to those who have redeemed the time, and proved themselves worthy of salvation.  Are you a Christian? Then you must prove it to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:9-10  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

To prove what is acceptable to God, means to show by your actions that you are capable of turning away from sin, and are worthy of the calling that God has bestowed upon you.  When you obey Him and do His will, like a pilot, you are proving yourself to be capable and faithful.  For example, at a job, the employer might give the workers a short list of things to do while he goes to eat lunch, but as soon as he walks out the front door, it’s party time.  What’s the old saying, when the cat is away, the mice will play? Instead of being gone for an hour as usual, today he returns after only a few minutes, finding his employees doing nothing at all.  To truly be a Christian, you must prove you are a Christian, through your obedient actions. It’s more than just saying that you are a follower of Christ, but becoming a doer of His will.

James 1:21-25  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Naughtiness is being mischievious and tending to misbehave and act badly.  It is also defined as being evil, wicked, and morally reprehensible.  The Apostle warned the church about this kind of behavior.  To eventually enter into eternal life someday, we need to submit to the teachings of scripture.  God’s Word cannot save your souls if you choose to rebel against it.  In that mindset, a person isn’t following Jesus, they are following their carnal nature. To truly inherit a blessing from God requires obedience to His will, a quality that the Philippian church was filled with.

Philippians 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Paul didn’t have to stand over them and straighten them out, because they did it to themselves, proving through their obedience, that they truly believed in God with their hearts.

2 Corinthians 6:12  Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

The Spirit-filled life is about proving ourselves to God, not living the way the world does but completely changing your mind and fulfilling God’s will.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To prove ourselves, we must be transformed from the teachings of this world and its philosophies.  We must transcend above and beyond the sinful nature to achieve the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  We must strive daily to attain Spiritual perfection, walking in God’s perfect will, found throughout the teachings of Holy Scripture.  It’s a matter of proving ourselves and pleasing Him perfectly.

1 Thessalonians 4:1  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Through God’s grace, and a submissive obedient heart, we can become a completely new creature, prepared for a new kingdom.  An entrance into paradise awaits such people as these.

2 Peter 1:10-11  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.

It comes down to a daily matter of examining yourself, to see if you truly are walking in the true faith.

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

We prove what we are by our actions. Someone proves that they can drive a car, through practice and eventually obtaining a license.  Someone proves that they are capable of flying a jet fighter through years of obedience to the things that they have learned and been taught.  Someone proves that they are Christian, by their obedient lives towards Jesus and the gospel.  Are you proving yourselves worthy of being chosen for the….

……The Machine Seat?

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

tlkjbc.com

Revelation 21:6-7  “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

If you turn a faucet on and place a cup beneath it the cup will eventually fill up. Once the water gets filled to the top, what happens? The water will flow out into the sink. As much as flows into that cup will flow out again, similar to a water fountain with several tiers. As the water pours into the top basin it fills up until it begins to overflow, each level after the other filling up in an endless cycle.

In a different sort of way, the lower basins of that fountain kind of “inherit” the water from the top. They are the recipient of the water given to them. Kind of like a gift, or an inheritance. Both a gift and an inheritance are somethings that are attained, not by earning them, but are gifts. They are free (obtainable without any payment.)

Most of us like to receive things for free. When I was younger if I saw someone giving out free candy, such as at a parade, I was there holding out my hand. Free candy? Free chocolate? Where?! I want some!

We each have access to things for God that we can receive for free, if we want them, and they are things far more significant than a piece of candy. They are the gifts of mercy and forgiveness. The gift of eternal life. These gifts are the greatest gifts that we could ever hope to receive. Do you want these free gifts? All you need to do is ask.

John 4:10  “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

The living water that the Lord Jesus offers us is not like the water that we drink here on the Earth. You can drink as much of the purest water that you can find, but you will die eventually just the same. But if you ask the Lord for the living water that comes from Him only, then you may inherit that eternal life. Free, without charge.

An inheritance is something that you do not earn, but it is something that you are given. Not purchased with money or labor, but a free gift for which you did nothing to attain. The sun in the sky shines down on everyone, and the clouds release the rain to all under them. These are things for which we do nothing to receive. They are free.

Jesus wants to give you that free gift of eternal life. He wants to be with Him in Heaven someday. That is why He offers us His mercy and forgiveness, so that we may use them and receive that eternal life. He sends us His Holy Spirit as a small piece of Heaven that will dwell inside and guide us during our time here on the Earth.

1 Corinthians 2:12  “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

Have you received these gifts yet? If not, what are you waiting for? They are there, they are free!

In Christ,

Andrew

Goodmorning and welcome in everyone.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to share something with you.

One summer our famly went camping for the weekend.  It just so happened, that the primative site we stayed at was loaded with blueberries.  If I remember correctly, we didn’t eat anything but pie all weekend long!  After picking the berries in a bucket, we had to go through them.  We would pick out the best ones, and throw the others away.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

Someday the Lord Jesus will do the same.  He will chose those who faithfully served and obeyed Him in this world, and allow them entrance into the next.  Those who never truly transformed and followed His will, are going to be cast away from His presense.

Luke 13:22-24, 27  And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

There certainly are going to be many people who are going to desire to enter into eternal life, but some of them are not going to be able to enter in, even some who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.  It will be outside of their grasp because of unrepented sin issues.  God’s grace is available to everyone through faith in Jesus Christ, but the Christian life is about using God’s grace to undergo a complete conversion.  There will be those who neglect God’s gift of forgiveness, who never sincerely turned away from sin after professing faith in Christ.  Even though they received God’s grace, they never loved the Lord enough to do His will, transforming from a sinner into a saint.  Changing from our way to God’s way is not optional in regards to salvation, it is mandatory, if you truly want to inherit eternal life. Sinful living is not going to be happening in heaven, and this is one of the reasons why we must turn away from it right now.  Someday, the Lord Jesus is going to tell people to depart from His presence, because they never truly departed from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Essentially, at judgement day, God is going to choose the ones who are going to receive eternal life.  He chooses them based on their love and obedient lives towards Him.  Many are called to eternal life, but some will come short of it because of impenitance and disobedience to God’s will.  As it teaches in the parable of the sower, the seed that was sown in their hearts, never came to fruition.

Matthew 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

To obtain eternal life and the world that is coming, we must be found worthy.

Luke 20:34-36  And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:  But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Many people are not going to make it to heaven because the path that they chose on earth was the wide and liberal road.  We are given grace through our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is given unto us so that we can become transformed and obedient to His will.  God’s precious Son sets us free from our sins, by preaching God’s Word to His disciples.  True freedom is complete freedom from sinful living through the acceptance of biblical truth, and not getting involved with it anymore.

John 8:31-36  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Genuine discipleship has to do with continuing in the things that Jesus taught.  God’s Word is there to correct us when we are going the wrong direction.  We have God’s grace available in time of need, but if you don’t ever except the truth of your sinful condition, how can you ever change and amend your ways?  How can you ever repent if you really believe that what you are doing is acceptable in the eyes of God?  Getting involved with sin is very dangerous to the soul because it can harden your heart and deceive you.  It can make you feel that what you are doing is allowable, while the truth is, it’s complete wickedness.

Hebrews 3:12-14  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

So once again, those who choose to live in their sins, and never undergo a conversion, will be cast away from the presence of Christ at the judgment.  It doesn’t matter the amount of good works one may do, it comes down to becoming obedient to the teachings of our faith.  

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To obtain eternal life one must strive to enter in at the straight gate. Straight is defined as something narrow and restricted, righteous and strict.  There will be many people who try to live the Christian Life, but they simply won’t make it to heaven because the path is to restrictive and certain teachings are far too strict for them.  They don’t want to be controlled by the truth so they try to hold on to the world with one hand and eternal life with the other.  They only deceive themselves.  You have to choose between the two, because you can’t have both.  The first commandment is to love God, and as Jesus taught, to love Him it’s to obey His commands.

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The truth is, many will desire to get into heaven but simply won’t make it.  We must choose the narrow path of obedience toward our precious Savior, if we truly want to become one of the…..

……The Chosen Few

Let’s think about these things for right now, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow.  Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

tlkjbc.wordpress.com

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