During times of conflict or war, military forces may create what is known as a no fly zone, and what this means is that inside of that predetermined area of airspace, no other types of aircraft other than military are allowed to fly, so that includes both personal aircraft and commercial jets. That airspace has been prohibited to anyone other than the military.

Likewise, there is something that has been prohibited in the church for women to do, while it is allowed for men. And that is the role of teaching.

1 Timothy 2:11-12  “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

To suffer something, as used in this verse, means to allow something to happen. So obviously to suffer not something means that it is not allowed. It is prohibited–not permitted. 

The role of teaching/preaching has been given to men. Plain and simple. There is no other way to look at it. Woman are not suffered to teach, or usurp authority, over the man. It has been prohibited, like a no fly zone. 

This has been something that I have studied for many years, and over the years my belief in this has not changed. Take a look online at those who try to defend the practice of woman preaching, and nearly all of them cite the same thing: that this writing was meant for a specific church, where the women were unruly, and that it doesn’t apply to modern Christianity today.

You cannot say that a certain part of the Bible only applies back when it was written, and that it doesn’t mean the same thing today. That is basically saying that not all of the Bible needs to be followed because the “times have changed.” The Word of God does not change meaning. Just as God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, His Word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His Word says what it means and means what it says. And it says,

1 Corinthians 14:34-35  “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”

Why is this such a difficult thing to understand? Why have a vast amount of professing Christian denominations chosen to disregard and dishonour God by allowing and even promoting the practice of women teaching? It is a disgrace, and they should be greatly ashamed of themselves.

One more time, women are not permitted to teach, preach, or speak in the church. That role has been given to men. Was Jesus talking to any women when He said, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”(Mk 16:15)? No, He was speaking to His disciples, who were all, yes, men. No where in the Bible is it allowed for the provision to women to teach the scriptures. It is time for people to realize this. 

Do you believe that you are spiritual, and that you are a Christian? Do you believe that the entire scripture is Spirit- inspired and that is should be followed? Do you believe that the words that Paul taught are of God?

1 Corinthians 14:37  “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”

Enough said.

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.

Wherever we go on this Earth, there is always going to be a place of authority somewhere over us.  Authority is a fact of life.  It begins when we are born into this world.  We start to learn it at a very young age, becoming obedient to a mother or ultimately, a dad as the head over his household.  Sometimes children don’t want to be ruled over by a parent.  Sometimes a wife doesn’t like to be ruled over by her husband, calling it controlling, but God is a God of order, and He created these places of authority so that we would have order on the earth.  Many people continue to resist those who they should submit to.  They would rather choose rebellion and anarchy which is a chaotic and confusing absence of any authorities or an authoritative governing body.  Those who resist the authority that God has placed in their life will receive damnation.  

Romans 13:1-2  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Resist means to withstand, strive against, or oppose.  It means to actively fight against being controlled by another.  Moses had authority that was given to him by God, but there were people who resisted him.

2 Timothy 3:8-9  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

There are people today who resist the truth of Holy scripture.  Instead of being filled with a meek and obedient heart, they are filled with prideful insubordination. Like a disobedient child rebelling against their dad, they fight against the one who created the earth and everything in it.

Hebrews 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Rebellion is an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler, or a refusal to obey.

1 Samuel 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Govern means to rule over something with authority.  Someday God is going to punish the unjust who hate government.  

2 Peter 2:9-10  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

God is a God of order and He wants us to obey not only Him, but the authorities on this Earth that He has created.  We are supposed to obey the traditional teachings found in the scriptures, and separate from those who refuse to adhere to them.

2 Thessalonians 3:6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

When something is unruly it is disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control.  Unruly means lacking in restraint and not submitting to authority.  The church was to warn people who resisted submission and obedience.

1 Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Subjection is the state of being subject, or under the power and control, of another.  It’s a state of obedience and submissiveness.  Submission is the action or fact of accepting and yielding to the will, control, and authority of another person. It’s the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

If you are compliant, it means to agree and obey an authority, especially to an excessive degree.  Compliant is to be submissive, conformable, disposed and willing to comply, lamblike, and offering no resistance.  If you say that someone is compliant, it means they willingly do what they are commanded to do.

Children learn obedience in a home by a wife’s obedience to the husband.  He’s like the commander of a submarine and she is the XO.  She is supposed to show the children perfect obedience to her husband in everything, because it is their first exposure to biblical submission.  Disobedience does not please God or her husband.  When she refuses to model obedience to the children, she brings upon herself disgrace and dishonor.  

Colossians 3:18  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Even if her husband is an unbeliever or doesn’t obey the Word of God, she proves herself worthy by meekly being in complete submission to him.  The children watch her as an example, and learn meek submission to authority by her behavior towards their dad.

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.

Christ Jesus has chosen the husband as the place of authority in the home.  A woman who truly fears God will obey her husband in everything.  Those who are wilfully rebellious and disobedient, are not going to inherit the kingdom of God.  

Ephesians 5:21-24  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

So as I said at the very beginning, authority is a fact of life. All places of authority were created by God and for His purpose.  God is a God of order, and to wilfully reject submission and obedience to His will is going to result in disgrace and eternal punishment for…..

……. Disorderly Conduct

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

Have you ever watched two male tomcats meet each other for the first time? It usually is not a very peaceful meeting, and it often ends with the flying of fur and high pitched snarls. Tomcats are very territorial and don’t receive other male cats into their area very well, and just the slightest provocation, whether it is an angry growl or a swipe to the face, will quickly escalate to an all-out brawl. 

The quality that they do not seem to possess is the quality of love. Instead of just walking away from the confrontation they go and avenge themselves when they are wronged or mistreated.

But this is not the Christian way. Christians are not supposed to return evil back for evil. If someone hits you in the face the Christian route is not to walk up to that person and smack them back, because that is not the way of our Lord. It certainly is the feeling that we feel in our carnal man, but we need cannot allow that to control our actions. When we “put on Christ” we don’t leave any room for the lust of the flesh to control us.

Romans 13:14  “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Vengeance belongs to the Lord. He is the Judge who will give out the punishments for sin and wrongdoing. It is not our place to avenge ourselves of the sins that are committed against us, because to do that would be to usurp God’s authority, and we certainly do not want to do that. So, like Christ, we need to be able to undergo sufferings and persecution.

How many times was Jesus persecuted by the Pharisees?! How many times did people falsely accuse Him of evil things that He never did? Throughout all of those wrong things that He endured at the hands of others, how many times did Jesus avenge Himself? Zero. He never spoke lies about others who lied about Him. He never sought the death of those who crucified Him on the cross, after He was risen. Our Lord is a God of love, not hate. 

Romans 12:17-21  “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

In order for us to resist the urge to avenge ourselves when we are wronged, it takes self control. We need to be able to control our actions so that we do not allow ourselves to “payback” others when they sin against us. Instead, as the Lord teaches, we need to do the exact opposite of what we would normally feel. We need to overcome that evil, overcoming it with good. 

Luke 6:27-29  “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.”

Avenge not yourself, but do good. Love your enemy, and let God do the repaying.

In Christ,

Andrew

Galatians 5:25  “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

A person can join themselves to many different groups, organizations, clubs or societies. For a few examples a child might become a member of some kind of youth group, or an athlete might join a sports team. Someone might join the military, a cook might join a restaurant. Whichever it is that a person decides to join, the expectation is that they do the things that is required by all of the other members. A cook prepares the food for the restaurant patrons because that is their job– they aren’t there to fix the electrical problems. A soldier isn’t in the military to bag groceries– they are there to train and fight.

What I am trying to explain is that whatever career life choice that someone makes, they need to do the things which are a part of that job, and the life of a Christian is no different.

So what are the things that a Christian needs to do? How does a Christian live? As we read in the topic verse at the top of the page, if we live in the Spirit, we need to walk in the Spirit. But what does that mean?

To “walk” in something means to pursue a course of action or way of life, or to conduct oneself in a certain manner.

If you are going to say that you are a Christian, then you need to walk in the manner that Christ would walk. You need to live as Christ taught. When Jesus told His disciples, Follow me, they left what they were doing. As fisherman by occupation, that was their livelihood, but they left it all at His words and followed Him. Instead of fishing for actual fish, Jesus used them to “fish” for the souls of men. Their job was to try to convert sinners from the errors of their sins, and to turn to the truth found in Jesus.

Ephesians 4:1  “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

The vocation which Paul speaks of is not a worldly occupation, such as a carpenter or a doctor, but has to deal with the Spiritual occupations in our faith like evangelists, pastors, teachers, and apostles (Ephesians 4:11). Not everyone has the same gifts of abilities, and not everyone has the same role in the church. But whatever the role that God has put you in, we need to walk worthy of it.

Colossians 2:6-7  “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

To understand what we need to do, and how we can know that we are walking in the Spirit, we just need to search God’s Word. Everything that we need to know is found in the pages of the Bible, in the teachings of Christ and His Spirit-filled apostles. 

So what role have you been placed in? What is the will of God for you, and are you doing it? The Lord’s army needs obedient soldiers, soldiers who know how to listen to instruction. Is this you?

In Christ,

Andrew

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

When somebody is on active duty in the military, it means that they perform military duties on a full-time basis, as opposed to being on reserve, where one only occasionally performs military duties.  

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

A Christians faith must be on active duty.  Not on reserve, not part time, but ready to go into action and obediently serve.  Like serving in the military, we are called to serve and obey Christ, accepting His divine guidance and authority taught in scripture.  Just as they train you in the military to become an obedient soldier, we are being trained in the church to become obedient servants of the Lord.  Just as they follow training manuals in the military, we have a training manual we follow too, God’s Word.  In order to become completely transformed into spiritual soldiers for Christ, we have to believe and have faith in the manual that God has given us.  When we believe it completely with all of our heart, we can become the person that He wants us to be.  God’s Word can only have an effect in your life when you believe it.  Genuine faith in what it says will result in action, and action is the proof that your faith is on active duty.

1 Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

When something is effectual, it affects your life and the things that you do.  It affects your decision making and your actions.  To become a Christian you must believe in your heart.  If you truly believe, changes in your lifestyle will result because of it.  Scripture teaches that we are saved by grace, but it is through faith. Faith is so important, that without it, people will come up short of paradise.  We have the promise of eternal life, but in order to obtain it, certain things are required; conversion being one.  To truly convert, you must possess faith because It is faith that causes you to become a doer of God’s will. It is faith that results in becoming obedient to His purpose.  Results happen because of faith in what the Bible teaches.  No matter how much knowledge you may have, the thing that matters most is acting on that knowledge, and applying it to your life.  You must become an active doer of the will of God.  If you don’t desire to do what it says, you’re only lying to yourself. You become your own worst enemy.

James 1:21-22  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.

Eternal life is a prize that is obtained by doing the will of God, rather than your own.

1 John 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

In order to change from a sinner into a saint, God’s Word must be mingled with faith.  When you believe something it causes a reaction.  If I believe it’s going to rain I will go up and shut my windows on my truck.  Genuine faith results in action as the Apostle James teaches.

James 2:15-26  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Christianity is more than just saying what you believe, its living what you believe.  In order to walk in the perfect will of God, we must believe in scriptural truth.

Hebrews 4:1-2  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 

To be sanctified and freed from our sins, we have to stop sinning!  When we accept the truth of scripture, believing what it says and applying it to our life, we truly can go and sin no more.  Praise God for the riches of His grace to be able to change and walk in His will.

John 8:30-36  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  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.

When we receive scripture into our hearts and our minds, we can be purified by doing God’s will rather than living in sin.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Being born again is not symbolic, but a reality for those who faithfully intend to follow and obey God is Word.

1 Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Do you trust the manual the God has given us? Are you becoming obedient to it and allowing it to convert your soul? Its more than hearing it, its more than reading it, its about believing what it says and doing it.  

You can only actively do God’s will when you decide to enlist full-tme and put your faith on….

…….Active Duty

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 Philippians 3.

Philippians 3:11-15  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

First of all, the Apostle teaches, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  The word “might” indicates that it hasn’t happened yet, but could.  It is used to indicate conditional or possible actions.  We haven’t passed judgment day yet.  Eventually every knee shall bow at judgment before the Lord Jesus Christ, but we are not there yet.  This world is a training ground, where we are learning, where we are transforming, and where we are undergoing a change, so that we are prepared for that day that we go to judgment before Him. Obviously we have great hope that we will be with Him in paradise, but our lives need to go through a change in order to get there.

Some people who profess to be Christian like to award eternal life to themselves.  That’s like obtaining the prize before you complete the race. If that was the case what would be the point of running?  Paul didn’t live his life like that.  He didn’t live as though he had already attained.  Some people want to judge themselves worthy of eternal life, but the truth is they are not in charge of making that call.  They choose to judge themselves as righteous, rather than preparing for the judgment that’s coming later.  It was the same attitude the proud Pharisee had, who exalted himself in religious pride.  People can be very lenient on themselves when they judge themselves, but when you are judged by others, that’s a different story.

Paul also didn’t live as though he was already perfect.  Perfect means that you never make a mistake.  If you think that you are perfect, you are not going to want to continue to improve yourself.  Why would you, because in your own mind, you are perfect already.  That’s one of the problems with feeling that you’re already perfect. You really don’t look inside your own life and locate things that need to change or be corrected so as to become even better.  A student might go in for a lesson in the band room thinking that they have got their part down perfectly, but then the band director finds some faults.  He points out things that they could improve on, so that the piece is even better than it was before.  Self-improvement is a daily thing but what prevents that from happening is thinking that you’re already perfect.

The Apostle didn’t count himself to have apprehended. The word apprehend actually means to understand something, or to completely grasp with your mind.  In elementary school a child learns two plus two equals four. Although they have apprehended that simple equation, there is still much more math to learn.  The problem is that once somebody feels that they have apprehended everything, they feel that there is nothing else they can learn.  When that happens, you essentially close yourself off to gaining any other knowledge or spiritual growth from the scriptures. Why study anymore if you think you know it all already? Paul didn’t count himself to have apprehended because like I just said, once you feel you have apprehended and you understand everything, that is the end of growth.

The Apostle focused on forgetting what was behind him.  At one time of his life he was persecuting churches, even throwing some Christians in prison.  He had done a lot of things that he regretted deeply and needed to forget the past when he converted to Christianity.  There is an old saying that yesterday is gone. There’s grace available through Christ Jesus so that we can come to Him and do His will.  We can’t focus on the wrongs that we have done in the past, but focus on a new relationship with Him and becoming obedient to His purpose for us.  That’s exactly what Paul did, instead of destroying churches he was now planting them.

Another point is that If you are constantly looking behind you, you can’t keep focused on what’s in front of you.  Try driving a car down the highway by only looking in the rearview mirror and see what happens.  You’ll drive right into the ditch. You have to keep focused on what’s in front of you. Paul didn’t live his life by looking behind him, but reaching forth for what was before him.  Christianity is about focusing on one day at a time.  We are to focus on the here and now with our eyes on the path directly in front of us.  How can you press forward if you’re constantly looking behind you? The apostle was running a race for the prize of eternal life.

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.

Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are supposed to strive for perfection, walking in God’s perfect will.

Hebrews 13:20-21  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:9  …..and this also we wish, even your perfection.

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.

Remember, that although we are called to perfection, the Apostle Paul didn’t live as though he was perfect already, because once you get to that point, it leaves no room for any more growth.  He didn’t live as though he had already attained salvation, otherwise there would be no need to run the race.  We have the promise of eternal life, and the hope of being with Him in paradise someday, but obviously to attain that world, it requires doing the will of God, because he that does the will of God abideth forever.  We need to continue to grow in grace day by day, with the understanding that we haven’t crossed the finish line yet.  We need to prepare ourselves now for what is coming because this is just our….

…….Training Ground

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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When was the last time that you watched a game of American football, either in person or on the television? Because it is a very contact type of sport, with multiple collisions and tackles throughout the game, it is inevitable that at some point during the game that a player will pull a muscle, twist an ankle, or recieve a hard blow to the head and result in a short delay in the game as medical personnel attend to the injury. 

Writhing in pain and in clear need of help, the team doctor and other aids will quickly work to ease the discomfort enough so that the player can safely exit off of the field. With one or both of their arms draped over someone else’s shoulders they can lean on others in their time of need. 

And there are some times in our faith when we too will need the help of the Lord to get us through difficult times. Not everyone in the world are Christians, and there are evil workers all over who hate Christians and who will try to bring affliction to those who believe in Christ. Evil speaking, false accusations, rumors, lies, and the like, just as is what happened to the Apostle Paul. Paul was persecuted several different times by several different people, but Paul knew that whatever he went through, and persecution that he had to endure, the Lord would deliver him.

2 Timothy 4:14-18  “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

But the soldier of God is never alone. If we are pressed and persecuted we just need to call out to the Lord and we can have the confidence knowing that He is with us. 

Psalms 18:2-6  “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”

We all need help at different moments in our lives, and it is especially true in our faith, because it is only through the grace of God that we are saved. We can’t save ourselves. There is nothing that can be done to earn salvation. Drowning in our sins we would have no escape, were it not for the love of Christ. We need to call out to Him, asking Him to save us. Praying to Him, because He is the only One Who can deliver us.

Psalms 55:16-18  “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”

The Lord will always hear the prayers of His people, and is always waiting to let you lean on Him. 

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 5:9-11  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The Apostle Paul talks about being accepted by the Lord, but what’s it mean to be accepted?  Accepted means doing something that’s acceptable or having acceptable behavior.  If you accept someone, it means to receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.  It also means to be found worthy. 

Acts 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

When you do good, God approves of that.  When you obey Him and do His will, this pleases Him.  A Christian should greatly desire to live their life in a manner that is accepted and approved by God.  This requires having actions and deeds that line up with the truth of biblical teachings.  The disobedient are certainly not accepted by God.  They are only proving themselves to be unworthy.  People who live in fornication and lasciviousness and other wicked behavior, are not acceptable in God’s sight.  The impenitent, who chose to rebel against God’s will, do not find favor with Him.  We must prove what is acceptable to Him.

Ephesians 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Paul was warning the church day by day to repent, and turn away from their sins and do works that’s show that you are repentant.  Paul preached that message all across the countryside.

Acts 26:19-20  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

John the Baptist taught the same thing.

Matthew 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Doing works meet for repentance means to change your behavior so that it is acceptable to God.  Its about doing a 180, and doing what is right in His sight.

Imagine if your dad told you to do something after school, but you tell him no, refusing to obey His authority.  Do you really believe that this disobedient behavior pleases your dad?  How foolish.  God is the greatest authority that their is.  Do you think that disobedient behavior to His commands and teachings please Him? Of course not!

How do you think a school teacher feels when they tell you to sit down and put your hands in your lap, but you stomp your feet and refuse to obey. That’s called rebellion and it’s completely unacceptable.  Paul was preaching that people should repent of their sins, which means; to turn away from displeasing behavior; turn to Christ; and do works that were appropriate for a professing Christian.

Hebrews 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

There are some who profess Christianity today, who are no different than the religious leaders of Jesus day, because they want to keep their Christianity, but refuse to become compliant to God’s will.  This behavior is unacceptable.  True conversion and repentance is about submitting to God’s purpose rather than your own.  It’s about denying yourself in order to please God perfectly. Its about having obedient outward evidence of an inner change.

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Someone might go out and rob a bank, but later on, becomes a Christian.  Now, instead of stealing, they become a heartfelt giver.  Moses was a man who was a leader in Egypt and could have inherited the throne, but he turned away from it all to faithfully serve God, and became a leader of the Israelites. The Apostle Paul was very high up in Judaism but he walked away from it, to become a Christian, and became a leader of the Christian faith.  Genuine repentance has to do with a course correction in your life.  If we confess sin, we can find forgiveness with God, but God gives us grace so we can alter our direction and become obedient to His will.  If that change really never takes place, it is unacceptable with God.

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.

Lasting repentance its turning around and going the opposite direction.  Its about leaving sin behind you, and striving to please God.  If there’s no desire to do the will of God, lasting repentance can’t happen.  Not everybody is going to be accepted by the Lord, otherwise there wouldn’t be a place of punishment called the lake of fire. 

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.

Some will be castaway because they never truly repented and changed from their sinful behavior to do God’s will, and they’ll miss out on paradise because of it.  A truly repentant heart will not want to live the way they used to in the past, but will undergo a complete change, transforming into a new person.  Christians are called to depart from iniquity, not to live in iniquity.  Sin is anything that is against the will of God found in the Scriptures.  

….,…..Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

The Apostle Paul was trying to persuade people to turn from sin because he was well aware of the terror of the Lord, knowing that God will punish the impenitent.  This is why John the Baptist was preaching to people to turn from their wickedness.  God is going to punish sin, and the time to amend your way is right now.  Someday there is going to be weeping and gnashing of teeth at the final judgement.  This will happened to those who never truly transformed and converted to the will of God.  They never really went through a change and became obedient to scriptural truth.  Genuine repentance begins by admitting the truth and confessing the error of your way, leading to a changed mind and a changed life.

Remember, if we confess our sins, we can find forgiveness with God, but if there is no lasting change, if their is no obedience to the will of God in the future, a lasting conversion cannot take place, and those who do not convert to the will of God are not going to inherit the kingdom of heaven.  They will only be found…….

……. Unacceptable

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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Romans 6:3-10  “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.”

When we are born, we are automatically under the curse of death because of sin, but through baptism we can be set free from the reins of sin.

The act of baptism is the representation of an individual’s decision to no longer be a servant to sin, but instead to become a servant of Christ. The dying of the “old man” and the rebirth of the new. And while some people believe that baptism is a sprinkling of the head with water, I believe that true baptism is when someone becomes fully submerged under water. The reason why I believe this is simple: Paul used the words “buried by baptism.” When you bury a seed into the earth, you sink it down until it cannot be seen anymore, while a sprinkling of dirt will not do that, just as when a deceased body is buried it is covered completely as it is lowered into the grave.

It is this act of “burial” that marks one of the first steps that needs to be taken in the quest of attaining everlasting life. I say one of the first steps because baptism by itself will not save you. Many people can become baptized and not fully believe in the teachings of Christ. It takes true faith as well.

So the submersion under the water during baptism is the death to the sins of the flesh, the death to the carnal man inside of each of us. And the rising up out of the water is the beginning of a new man and a new life. No longer a slave to sin, but set free to go and serve Christ.

Colossians 2:12-13  “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

Belief, and baptism. These are things that we need to possess to attain that promise from Christ of life, as it says in Mark 16:16,

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

Leave the old man in that water grave. Leave that sinner behind, and rise up to be a new creature. Like a sand castle washed away by the waves, let yourself become reborn, in the spirit of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

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.

Many times people will purchase a Bible that has both the Old Testament and New Testament in one book, but one must remember that the old Testament is Judaism and the new Testament is Christianity, and they are two different belief systems.  You can’t combine the two religions as many people have attempted to do.  As a Christian, we can look back at the Old Testament for reference and from a historical standpoint, but the Lord Jesus completed everything required in it.  We are completely set free from being in bondage to those things, yet there are many people who profess Christianity who are still attempting to keep them. Those who do have fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:1-4  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

To abolish something means to end a law, system, institution, custom or practice, or to cancel or nullify.  This is what Jesus did when He died on the cross for sins.  He abolished the things of the Old Testament, and instituted the New Covenant through faith in Him. 

2 Corinthians 3:13  And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

The Apostle Paul describes the difference between the two covenants

Galatians 4:21-31  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Circumcision was something that was done on the exterior, while in the new Testament we are circumcised inside our hearts.

Romans 2:28-29  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

God opened the door of eternal life to the Gentiles, abolishing even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.

Ephesians 2:11-15  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

He took the Old Testament ordinances out of the way when he died at the cross, and is the mediator of the New.

Colossians 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Hebrews 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Certain Pharisees who professed to be Christian wanted the other Christians to be circumcised after the manner of Moses.  The apostles took issue with this because we are freed from the yoke of the law of the Old Testament.

Acts 15:1, 5-11, 24  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.  

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they…….

………Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Just as certain laws in our society can be repealed and abolished, Jesus did the same with the requirements of the Old Testament.

Hebrews 8:7-8, 13  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

If anybody knew about the law it was the Apostle Paul, a converted Jewish Pharisee who taught the church that through Christ Jesus, we are no longer in bondage to the Old Testament and its ordinances.  Because of God’s grace and mercies they have been completely……

……….Abolished

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!