Good morning and welcome in everybody.  Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from Matthew chapter 18, but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a question.

Has there ever been a time in your life when someone tried to convince you to do something that you knew was wrong in your heart?  After you told them numerous times that you didn’t want to do it, they continued to try to convince you to go against your conscience and even your religious beliefs.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

“Offend” means to sin against the will of God, to cause to stumble or to cause to fall into sin.  It’s one thing to sin yourself, but it’s completely abhorrent to teach and educate little children who have been raised in the teachings of scripture, to sin with you and go completely against the way that they were raised.  They are taught the will of God, but someone tempts and convinces them to go in the opposite direction and disobey the commands and teachings of Jesus. There is one person who does this, and his name is Satan.  

Matthew 18:6-7  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

The devil can show up in many different forms, even as an angel of light, but you can quickly identify Him.  Satan doesn’t want you to obey the commands of Christ.  He doesn’t want you to follow biblical truth.  A true man of God will warn the unruly to turn away from sin, even his own children.  It’s the responsibility and the authority that God has given him over his household.   He leads God’s little sheep to become faithful and obedient to the one who laid down His own life for us at the cross.  

A spiritual man will lead you into biblical truth, not away from it.  Obedience to a dad pleases Christ, and this is why he is to instruct the children to obey him in everything. He was charged with the responsibility of educating them in the truth so they can do the will of God.  On the other hand, the devil devil readily attempts to get little children who have been baptized into the Christian Life, to go against their knowledge of God’s will.   After all, this is what the devil does, because the devil is a liar.  He is opposed to biblical truth and doesn’t want you to obey the commands and teachings of Christ.  In the Garden of Eden the devil tempted Eve and advised her to do this very thing.  As the Lord instructs in our passage, those who teach these little children to go against scripture, tempting them to disobey the commands of Christ, might as well jump into a lake and drown themselves. It would have been better off that they had never been born in the first place.  Now their fight is with the Lord Christ, and it is guaranteed that He will avenge these little ones.  God is watching, and He certainly is not mocked. 

Whenever you have little children or little young believers who have been raised in their faith, and have been instructed in the will of God, then somebody comes along and tries to educate them to go against the known will of God that they’ve been educated in, this is complete and utter wickedness in the sight of God.  It is so bad that Jesus advises them to go kill themselves.  They are not worth the air in their lungs.  The devil tries to intervene, and convince younger believers to go against what they have learned.  They want them to believe a lie instead of the truth of scripture.  The only lot in their life is being ordained to damnation.

The work of the devil is to try to come in between someone who is serving the Lord Jesus, by educating them that it’s acceptable to disobey God’s will.  Some of these people are in modern day churches, not only in the congregation, but up in the pulpit, attempting to dissuade these young believers.  If they support women who teach God’s Word, or allow them to speak in the church, they are unspiritual, ignorant and unlearned.  They sure can spout scripture and give good speeches, but then secretly desire to lead you away from obedience to God’s will.  

Romans 16:17-18  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Do you really believe that the devil is going to show up in a red cape and horns?  Like a wolf, he wants to get in the barn to steal the young sheep.  The devil doesn’t want you to follow Christ, but wants you to follow him.  He wants to lead them away from obedience to Christ and His Word, and serve him. In certain countries, stealing sheep reaped the death penalty, just as horse thieves were hung.  Those who lead these little believers to rebel and disobey Jesus, are worthy of the same.  Like Judas, they would be better off ridding the Earth of their wicked presence.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The Apostle Paul commanded Timothy to preach the Word, both to the adults and these little children who believe in Jesus.  There will be those from within the church who turn away from the truth, and try to lead even the little children away from the teachings of Christ that they have been raised in.

2 Timothy 4:1-4  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Paul was the very first one to preach the gospel to them, like a dad who gave physical life to his own children.  He was the first to guide them onto the narrow road of obedience to Christ.  Everything that the Apostle believed was instilled in the heart of Timothy, who became a blueprint of Paul’s life of faith. 

1 Corinthians 4:15-17  For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

So the message today is to those who would attempt to lead children away from the truth of scripture that they have been raised in.

Matthew 18:6-7  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

It would be better off for everybody involved, if they would simply go find something heavy, and jump…..

……..Into the Lake

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

When a vehicle’s engine breaks down and becomes ruined, sometimes, if the the body of the car is in good condition, someone will open up the hood and take the old engine out, replacing it with a completely new one. The outside of the car itself might look like the same old car, but under the hood is something completely new different and new.

I have seen the homes of people who have done the similar thing to the insides of their home. The home might have been originally been built nearly a century ago, so it had the older look of the homes from that era, but if you walk inside you wouldn’t believe how modern and nice it looks. Just completely re-done. It went through a complete internal change.

This is the kind of change that each person needs to go through when they place their trust and faith in Christ.

Galatians 2:20  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

It doesn’t matter the age of a person. Some people come to the knowledge of the truth found in Jesus later in life when they are old and grey, and some people accept Christ as their Lord and Savior when they are just a young child. We don’t know exactly how old some of the disciples were when they started to follow Jesus, whether they had all been younger men, or if some of them were older, but what mattered is that they had chosen to undergo that change. They needed to be made new men in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17  “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

We need to become born again. We have been physically born once into sin, but when we believe in the Lord and place our faith in Him we are reborn into the Spirit of Christ. If it wasn’t for sin we would be perfect and blameless, but the truth is that we are all sinners. We all have transgressed against God’s command, bringing this death upon ourselves, “the wages of sin is death.” That is why we need to be born again, so that we might have life.

John 3:3-7  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

Just like a car that has it’s engine replaced so that it is brand new, each of us needs to let our spirit be renewed in Christ, and the time to do it is now. Not tomorrow, but today and right now. Open up your hood–what’s inside? 

In Christ,

Andrew

Spring, summer, autumn and winter, there is a time for each season of the year, and with each season goes the accompanying weather and activities. Spring is the season that brings the new, green growth, rain, and the rising of temperatures leading up to summer. Summer is the season of playing outdoors on the lakes, biking, camping and the hot summer heat. Autumn marks the end of summer, as the temperature cools down the leaves will begin to change colors and fall, leading to winter, the coldest season of the year, bringing snow or rain depending on your location.

Whatever the season there is a time for it. There is a time for preaching God’s word as well, but it is not limited to a defined or specific time of year. It is not limited by holidays, or the weather. It is all the time. Each day, every day.

2 Timothy 4:1-2  “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

If something is instant, it is at once, it is done immediately. It is right now, just as when you mix a drink powder into a glass of water, you can make it immediately at any time you choose.

In season, out of season, there is no set time to when preaching is limited to. Many people only go to church on Sunday morning, but the preaching of God’s word is not bound to a certain day. It is of course reserved for men, as women cannot preach, but there is no off season. It’s always on. Preaching can be done every day, because today is the day of salvation. Today is another day in which a person might come to Christ and believe in Him.

2 Corinthians 6:2  “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

So men, preach whenever and wherever you can. Everyday is a day from the Lord, and He has placed you on the Earth to bring glory to Him. You can do this by preaching.

Be like Paul and Peter, who traveled everywhere telling others about the love that Christ has for them. Even in prison, Paul never ceased to write his letters to the churches exhorting them to be strengthened in their faith, to love one another, forgive each other. As Paul said, the word is not bound. 

Even in the face of persecution, and with the threat of beatings and stonings, the apostles did what they had been commanded to do by Christ.

Mark 16:15-16  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Morning, noon, or night, rain or shine, the time does not matter when preaching. It doesn’t matter if you are looked at as “weird” or “strange” by the unbelievers out in the world. What matters is that it is done. The laborers are few as Jesus taught, so as much as you can do, as often as you can, whenever you can, preach the word. 

In Christ

Andrew

Goodmorning and welcome in everyone.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 2 Peter.

2 Peter 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The father of falsehoods is the devil, and he knowingly attempts to lead people away from the truth of scripture.  False means intentionally untrue.  It is Intended and planned; done deliberately and voluntarily,  it is designed to mislead others from the truth. It is unfaithful, disloyal and treacherous.  Someone who is false, purposely tries to deceive others.  This is what the devil did to Eve in the Garden of Eden, and continues to do the same thing today in modern day churches.  A true man of God leads people to obey the truth of scripture, while the devil preaches lies, and tries to get people to rebel against doing God’s will.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Matthew 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Just as the Lord prophesied, there are numerous false prophets in the world today. They claim Lord, Lord, but refuse to come into compliance with the things that He taught.  They claim Christianity as their faith but live a lifestyle that is completely contrary to what it teaches.  They even claim to be brothers in the faith, while the real truth is that they are false brethren. The Apostle Paul was fully aware of these counterfeits.

2 Corinthians 11:26  ….in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

False teachers intentionally go against scriptural truth.  This is why the best defense against the lies of the devil is to be completely filled with God’s Holy Word.  We are not supposed to allow ourselves to be deceived by their heresies.

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

True men of God want to lead people to serve Christ, so that they can overcome this world which happens through complete submission and obedience to the faith.  False teachers need to be avoided, because they are purposely disobedient and rebellious and hate Jesus.  The devil doesn’t want a church to grow, he wants to break it all up and steal the sheep.

Romans 16:17-19  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Heresies happen in the church so that you can recognize those who are obedient and faithful to God and His Word

1 Corinthians 11:19 – For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are 

approved may be made manifest among you.

False teachers will bring in damnable heresies.  Heresy is a belief or opinion that is contrary to scriptural truth.  They will try to educate you to go against the will of God. In order to enter eternal life, one must possess a love for the truth. God’s Word is truth.  If they do not accept the teachings of scripture, they will believe a lie instead.  If they abide in that state, they will most certainly be damned.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-13  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

In the church, you are supposed to warn people about the error of their way, but there are many who will refuse to listen.  If they willfully choose to arrogantly reject the teachings of scripture, without having any desire to repent of their heresy, they are to be completely rejected.

Titus 3:10-11  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Some people are going to be led away by the false teachings of these heretics, believing their lies and false unbiblical doctrines.

1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Sexual relationships were meant between a man and his wife in their bedroom, but these people get involved with fornication, adultery and other sexual sins, yet they claim to be walking in the grace of God.  Like a snake filled with poison, they secretly creep in, to deceive others.  

Jude 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you deny something, it means to assert that something is not true, just as the devil does.  This same group of people deny the Lord Jesus Christ by refusing to come into compliance with the things that He commands and teaches.  Because of their rejection of the truth, they are calling Gods Word a lie.  Women are not supposed to take authority over a man, nor are they supposed to teach the Word of God.  These are some of the biggest heresies that are going on in the world today.  Any woman who professes to be a follower of Christ and is involved with such things, take note of them.  They don’t worship and love Christ, they usurp over Him and the men that he has placed in charge of the church.  People can and will choose to live whatever way they want to in the world, but within the church, these kind of activities are forbidden, just as Eve was forbidden to partake of the tree in Eden.  They mock God by their rebellious behavior

Jude 1:18 – How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Punishment is what awaits the impenitent, and I guarantee you, their destruction by Christ will come upon them……

……. Swiftly.

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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Maybe you read one of my stories a little while ago about how our chickens had a specific nest in which they would only lay their eggs in. Out of a dozen nesting boxes, they would only lay in two of them. As I was unable to get them to start laying in the others, I would have to go out to collect the eggs every couple of hours, otherwise there would be a gigantic pile waiting for me at the end of the day, and that was something that I tried to not let happen. Why, you ask? Because with so many eggs in a single nest they had a tendency to get crushed as a new chicken jumped up into the nest to lay their own.

Well one day I went out to collect the eggs just as any other day, but to my surprise I found none. Not a single egg in any of the nests! But as I looked closer in one of the nests I noticed the remains of an egg yolk coating the straw bedding. Immediately I knew what had happened; we had an egg eater. 

An egg eater is the name to which we gave a chicken who, yes, ate their own eggs. Chickens will eat most of the food scraps which you throw to them and at some point they viewed the broken eggs in the nests as food. Unfortunately there is little that you can do to get them to stop eating eggs, and when one of these problem chickens showed up they were quickly “retired” into a soup pot. They were no longer fit to be with the other chickens and lay eggs anymore.

When something is fit it means that it is suitable for use, or that it is worthy of something. Well Jesus taught that no man who “puts his hand to the plough” and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:57-62  “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

When a person decides to serve Jesus and give the control of their life to Him, it is a commitment that lasts a lifetime. The Lord needs full time soldiers, not weekend warriors. He needs people who understand what it is that they are doing when they answer His call to “Follow me.” 

The life of a Christian is a journey that needs to be walked day by day, one after the other. It is a journey away from the old sinful life that we used to live, as each step is another day in our life for Jesus that brings us one step closer to be with Him.

The Apostles of Christ were the first ones to make this journey as they followed the example of the Lord. From the time that Jesus called out to them, they lived each day with their hand to that plough in their labor of love, faith, and devotion for the Lord. They made Christ first in the things that they did because they knew that to be worthy of the name of Christ they needed to always be looking and moving forwards, and away from the old man of sin which they used to be. 

Hebrews 10:38  “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

To be pleasing to Jesus we need to continue in His word, in faith. We need to keep the commands that He taught and keep ourselves from sin, keeping ourselves “fit for the master’s use.”

2 Timothy 2:19-21  “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.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

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.

Back in the mid 1800s, one of the greatest difficulties for large city firefighters was reaching people in multi storey buildings.  Some inventors tried to invent ladder trucks to reach those who were trapped on upper floors, but because they were too heavy and unstable, they often killed firefighters who climbed up them.  But then in 1868, Daniel Hayes developed a truck with an aerial ladder that could reach as far as 85 feet.  In less than 40 seconds, six men could raise the ladder simply by turning a crank.  Created and built completely by himself, it has been dubbed the hayes aerial, the first successful aerial hook and ladder truck to be used in the service of firemen.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

Like a ladder, God sent His Son Jesus Christ as a Savior to this world to reach and rescue us who are trapped in our burning building of sin.  All of us have sinned and gone astray, and just like people who are stuck on the upper floors, we can’t get out, and there is nowhere to go.  We are completely boxed in because of our sins.  Sins will only lead to death, so in order to be saved from them, we must reach out to Jesus as our Savior, who was sent by God to rescue us.  We must confess faults, reach out to Him in faith, and step onto His ladder of grace.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession is one of the very first steps onto the ladder of salvation.  It’s having a penitent heart and reaching out to those you have wronged.  Confess means to admit the truth about something wrong that you have done.  It’s an acknowledgement of your faults, both to God and to others.  if you cannot admit and confess them with a contrite heart, you will never be able to turn away from the things that are displeasing to the Lord.  You will never be reconciled to the truth, so that you can walk in His perfect will. King David was a great man of faith, but even he encountered sin issues later on in his life.  He humbly confessed his faults to God.

Psalms 51:1-19  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit, Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Confession must happen, not only to be forgiven, but so that you can turn away from sin and do the will of God from your heart.  If you cannot admit the truth of your sinful condition, conversion really can’t happen.  It’s like being in a burning building but you refuse to step on to the first rung of the ladder.  In your own mind, you are believing a lie that what you are doing is acceptable behavior, while the actual truth is, it’s completely unacceptable with God.  Just as King David, it’s a matter of acknowledging and accepting the truth.

Psalms 32:5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Confession must happen towards God and towards others in the church that you have wronged.  If you don’t love a brother enough to apologize and reconcile with them, you don’t love Jesus because these are the things He teaches must be done.  Those who genuinely don’t love a brother enough to do this, are the same as a murderer, filled with a hateful and bitter heart.  The most fearful part is that you cannot obtain forgiveness with God if you treat others in this manner.  This is why in the church, you need to admit your sins to each other when you wrong them, or transgress against God.  Confession is stepping onto the ladder, which opens the door of reconciliation with God.  We can be in a restored relationship with Him again.  This is why He demands reconciliation with each other in the church.  Some people want a relationship with God but they refuse to confess faults to others and reconcile with them.  This is abhorrent in God’s sight and it’s false Christianity.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

In the wilderness, John the Baptist was listening to the confessions of sinners.  

Mark 1:4-5  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

When you confess your faults to others, they become aware of your issue, and can begin to pray for you for healing.

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Like being in a burning building of sin, Jesus was sent as a ladder to save us.  In order to begin walking out of the fire, we must acknowledge sin, both to God and to others that you have wronged.  Only then can the cool water of grace wash over your soul so that you can be healed.  It requires humility, and taking that first step of confession as you reach out for the ladder of salvation. 

Many people have been saved from fire because they too, took that first initial step, and placed their foot onto the first rung of…..

…….The Hayes Aerial

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 all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.

tlkjbc.com♥️

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Psalms 36:5-9  “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”

Did you know that it is estimated that there is something like 340 or 350 quintillion gallons of water in the ocean? That is (approx) 340,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons! Even if you had a giant bucket the size of a basketball court it would still take several hundred thousand years to drain it all. The ocean is practically an infinite water source.

And that is something similar to what us residents in Minnesota live with all the time, only on a bit smaller scale. Even though Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” there are actually over 15,000! So something that we have no shortage of are lakes. You could literally put your boat onto 40 lakes a day up here and not even visit all of them in a year. While not actually infinite, you get the idea.

Like the gallons of water in the ocean (but even more so) God’s love and mercy is unending, it is limitless and lasts forever. You see, God knows that we are sinful creatures and that we will need a lot of forgiveness given to us so that we can continue trying to strive for and attain perfection. That is why Jesus came down from Heaven to save us. He came and has given us His infinite mercy and forgiveness.

Hebrews 4:16  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we’re may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

He is always ready to forgive and show mercy to those who come to Him seeking for forgiveness. 

What is something that everyone on Earth needs? Water. Besides oxygen, water is probably the largest need for the human body. On average, most humans should consume anywhere from a half to a whole gallon of water each day, multiplied by 365 days in a year, and the average life expectancy of 75 to 80 years (more or less) and you will roughly consume 29,000 gallons of water in your lifetime. God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided all of the water that the entire world will ever need, and it is something that we just do not run out of.

Jesus has provided us with water as well, but this kind of water is different. It is living water, as Jesus explained to the woman at the well in John 4, and when we ask the Lord for it He it willing and ready to give it, just like His mercy and love.

Ephesians 2:4-6  “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Rich in mercy. Our God is an amazing, merciful God, with an unlimited amount of forgiveness, we just need to go and ask Him for it!

In Christ,

Andrew

Goodmorning and welcome in everyone.  Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10  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.

When someone possesses true sorrow, contrition, and genuine penitence in their heart, repentance can take place.  Sincere sorrow for going against God’s will, is one of the first steps towards turning away from sin and becoming a changed person.  Before you can repent and do the will of God, you must accept the truth that you are living in sin.  You must acknowledge that you are not walking according to God’s will and purpose.  Once you accept the truth, Godly sorrow and a penitent heart for misdeeds can lead you to change.  Repentance is about undergoing a conversion from your will to God’s will.  Lasting conversion leads to salvation.  Conversion has to happen because you will not inherit the kingdom of heaven unless you convert and change from your sinful living.

1 John 2:17 …,….but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

It really doesn’t matter if you profess to be a Christian. I could profess to be a mechanic, but not have any desire to do what a mechanic does.  It’s more than just saying what you believe, it’s living what you believe. Repentance is so important that the disciples and Apostles were constantly warning and preaching that people turn from their sins.  The city of Nineveh was one such city that we’re filled with contrition and repented of their hearts.

Jonah 3:4-10  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

There are many people who profess to be Christian today, who are not turning from their sins at all.  They continue to live in their sins and feel like they are on their way to heaven.  What a  ridiculous thought from the carnal mind. They are only deceiving themselves. Willful sin is egregious with God. What makes people think in this day and age that they don’t have to repent, and turn from sin to the will of God? Why is it that some have to repent and change their ways, while others feel that they don’t have to do the same? It’s because of the combination of arrogance in their life, and no fear of any consequences with God.  No one is above repentance, and those who refuse to repent, will certainly perish.  

Matthew 12:41  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

In the following passage, people were finding fault with the Galilaeans rather than recognizing that they needed to repent themselves.

Luke 13:1-9  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Even in this passage, some felt like they were better than other people, just as the proud Pharisee felt he was better than the humble publican.  The humble publican was actually the one who was filled with contrition and felt bad about what he had done.  In his own eyes, the Pharisee could do no wrong.  Jesus teaches that repentance is a requirement to obtain eternal life.  Those who mock this are only going to find themselves thrown into a lake of fire.  God is no respecter of persons, whomever they may be. No one is above repentance.  They might not believe it now, but they certainly will believe it later.   In order to obtain lasting conversion and repentance, contrition and penitence must take place in a person’s heart.  Those who can’t weep over their sins are spiritual frauds.

James 4:8-10  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  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.

The Lord Jesus draws near to those who are contrite, and He resists the arrogant.

Psalms 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  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Genuine repentance will cause you to go in a different direction.  Instead of walking the wide road of sin, it will cause you to follow the narrow road of Christ.  It is a change of your heart and your mind that leads to conversion and to doing the will of God.

Matthew 21:28-32  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

This story teaches us that repentance is about a change.  Christianity is about conversion and turning around to do the will of the Heavenly Father.  Without genuine sorrow and heartfelt feelings about the sins that one commits, repentance cannot happen. This is why the apostles warned repetitively about damnation of the soul.  To those who reject contrition and purposely sin against God’s will, don’t love Him or the things that He taught.  To abide in that state will only result in one thing……

………Game over

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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Jeremiah 23:29  “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

The word of God is a powerful weapon. With it we can resist the all of the evils of the devil. But just as a weapon can be used with great skill, a weapon can also be used in an improper or unskilled way and actually be used to harm the user or others. 

For an example, a skilled bowman will know that they need to be certain that there are no bystanders in the path of the arrow. But a foolish person who doesn’t think before they shoot may shoot an arrow straight up into the air and watch as it disappears into the sky, oblivious to the fact that arrows will eventually come back down to the Earth, and there is the potential possibility that someone could be killed because of their foolishness.

That is why it is very, very important that you know what you are talking about when you teach others from God’s word. You do not want to be the cause of leading someone else or even yourself astray from the true meaning of the word of God because you don’t understand it.

Used properly, the Word of the Lord can save a soul from death, converting a sinner from the error of their ways.

Hebrews 4:12  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

One thing you need to remember is that not everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is. They might be able to accurately quote large portions of the Bible by heart, but that doesn’t mean that they are truly a Christian in spirit. Remember how the devil, in his failed attempts to try to get Jesus to fall to temptation, quoted the scriptures? The devil knew what was written, but he obviously didn’t believe in it. He instead only used it to try to cause Christ to sin.

To be certain that we fully understand the Word of God, we need to continue to study it, meditating on it’s meaning. Like a craftsman perfecting his chosen profession, we need to carefully study the Bible, because it truly is our sword against the devil.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:14-17  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Just like a physical sword, the Bible is a piece of the armor and weaponry that we “go to battle” with in the instruction and defense of our faith

Ephesians 6:17  “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Keep the Word of God close to you, and study it well, so that it may save both you and those who hear it.

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.

All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  Some of us have sinned more, some less, but if you have only sinned just one time, you are as big a sinner as everyone else.  Some people feel that they are better than others because they only stole the milk money at school.  The truth is, it only takes one sin to keep you out of heaven.  If they have stolen, they are also an adulterer or a murderer because all sin reaps the same reward, the lake of fire.

James 2:10-13  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

In the Christian Church we are under the law of liberty, which means we can access forgiveness with God.  To stand in judgment over a penitent brother in the church, refusing to forgive them from your heart, only condemns yourself.  If you cannot forgive others after asking God for forgiveness for your sins, it’s going to boomerang right back at you because God will show you no mercy at the judgment.  They expect mercy from God, but they refuse to reconcile and show mercy to others.  That is a complete denial of everything that Christ did for us on the cross.  Jesus severe warnings about being unforgiving with penitent offenders.

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 somebody wrongs you it certainly doesn’t feel good, but if they apologize, if they say I repent, you must forgive and reconcile with them, otherwise you risk damnation to your own soul.  Biblical forgiveness will cease to hold any resentment against the offender, completely forgetting the wrongs that were committed, wiping them clean from their memory. True forgiveness results in reconciliation. Imagine one of your own children doing something wrong to you, but they regrefully apologize.  What are you going to do?  Throw them out the front door and tell them not to come back, or will you give them a big hug and completely forgive them?  Some people will treat their children this way, but treat adults in the church completely differently.  This shouldn’t be so.

It’s a hard and unmerciful heart that refuses to extend grace to others who request it.  Instead of forgetting the past as God does with us, they simply cannot get over it.  This results in bitterness and a malicious disposition.  Genuine forgiveness and reconciliation can only take place, if the offended party possesses charity in their heart.  It is charity that covers a multitude of sins.  Without charity, merciful kindness cannot take place.  It is replaced by animosity, resentment, and hatred towards the penitent offender.  Everybody makes mistakes and needs grace from time to time in the church, otherwise the Apostles would have never taught the church to be forgiving with each other.  The problem is, people don’t want to forgive others because in their own mind, they are better than them.  Lofted up in pride, they feel that they can do no wrong themselves.  It’s the same attitude that the proud Pharisee possessed, exalting himself over others, when the truth was that he was just as guilty as everybody else.

When someone refuses to forgive a confessor, a bitter grudge develops.  A grudge is deep-seated and/or long-term animosity or ill will about something or someone, due to a past bad deed or mistreatment.  Even though they apologized, they refuse to forgive and forget as God does with them.  Keeping a grudge goes against everything in the Christian faith because it is completely opposite of forgiveness.  If we confess our faults, God can forgive us. If you can’t forgive others, you condemn yourself.  God will punish that behavior.  It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

James 5:9  Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Leviticus 19:18  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Bearing a grudge is the result of an unforgiving and bitter heart towards a confessor.   

Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 

Hebrews 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

When someone is bitter, they are hateful and hostile, cynical and resentful.  The love and charity that they once possessed, is removed far from them because they refuse to forgive the penitent.  There are no blessings for such people, only God’s wrath, because they have allowed their heart to become defiled, void of divine charity.  If they choose to be unmerciful, God will surely be unmerciful towards them.  Their lack of forgiveness with others is going to to return right back on them just like a……

…….. Boomerang.

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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