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

Back in 1842 Captain McKenzie of the USS Somers needed to deal with a planned mutiny that was going on under his command.  During a training mission, he learned that a young midshipman named Spencer, was plotting a mutiny against him and the officers of his ship.  The rebellious midshipman wanted to turn the fast and well-armed vessel into a pirate ship.  The only way to do this was to seize control and to usurp over the authority of the captain.  This rebellion happened in the middle of the Atlantic, and there was no way for others to help the Captain. Captain Mackenzie decided to have Spencer arrested, and each of the officers agreed that in order to save the ship, they needed to immediately execute Spencer and his two conspirators.  The three of them were executed, and the ship was saved and returned safely to New York.

Mutiny is a terrible thing. This historical event reminds me of the Christian Life, because there are numerous women who have been baptized into the Christian faith who are committing mutiny against their own husbands, and against the teachings of Jesus Christ.  When somebody is involved with a mutiny it means that they are in open rebellion against authority.  For a Christian wife, it is her husband.

Ephesians 5:23  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.

When a woman who professes to follow Jesus Christ, then chooses to depart from her husband, she is in the state of rebellion against the lawful authority in her life. She’s involved with marital mutiny. It’s no different than a child who fights or rebels against parental authority as they grow up.  When she chooses to leave, and in some cases, to take her husband’s children unlawfully from His presence, she is involved with an evil and nefarious act of mutiny against him.  This act, on the face of it, is immoral and wicked.  If there has ever been a hate crime, this one takes the cake.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

As I said the other day, those who aid her in her departure and support her in her rebellion against Christ, will be punished just as the driver of a car is punished while his buddies rob a bank.  They are just as guilty as she is in the eyes of God.  These are very serious issues that we are discussing today because those who feel this kind of behavior is acceptable, have no idea the judgment that will come upon them.  Unrepented of, they will most certainly enter damnation and be punished eternally.  In the teachings of scripture, divorce is forbidden.  I’m not alone on this belief.  From what I have read, there are approximately 2.25 billion people who profess to be Christians.  Supposedly, half of them claim to be Catholic, who forbid divorce.

Mark 10:11-12  And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.  And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Jesus Christ commands that the wife is to faithfully remain by her husband’s side.

1 Corinthians 7:10  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

A husband is like a captain of a ship.  He is the leader of his home.  He has complete command and authority over all that happens in his household.  When a wife turns away from him, she’s in a state of rebellion and mutiny.  In the military she would probably be court-martialed.  It’s direct and willful disobedience to the authority of the head of the household.  God hates prideful rebellion.  Without heartfelt apologies and reconciliation, damnation will surely follow.

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

Submission to a husband is evidence of inward humility.  Those who choose to resist their husband will only find themselves resisted by God Himself.

1 Peter 5:5  ….,.Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

What causes somebody to stop at a stop sign? Submission.  What causes someone to obey the speed limit?  Submission.  What causes someone to preach God’s Word? Submission.  What causes a child to obey their dad? Submission.  What caused Moses to turn away from the riches of Egypt to follow God?  Submission.  What caused Abraham to take his son to the altar? Submission.  If a woman is not going to submit to the authority of her husband, she is resisting the ordinance of God.  To profess to be a Christian and to remain in this state is pure hypocrisy.

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

The Christian husband has the rule over his wife, and he will rebuke, correct, and guide the wife as necessary so that she can become pleasing in all things.  If she professes to be a Christian, she is commanded by Jesus to reverantly submit to her spouse obediently.

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.

Submission to your husband shows that you have Godly fear.

Ephesians 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Mutity is open resistance to an established ruler.   Those who are involved with it resist authority or control, and will refuse to obey orders, just as some resisted Moses

2 Timothy 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

When a wife commits marital mutiny, she is she is refusing to place herself in subjection to her her husband and usurps over him and the teachings of Jesus.  Usurp is to seize power that belongs to another, or to go over their head.  Some synonyms are to oust, overthrow, unseat, supplant, and to replace.  An unbelieving wife might do this, but it is forbidden to those who profess to follow Christ.

1 Timothy 2:11-14  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.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

When a wife departs from her husband, it isn’t Jesus Christ that she is listening to. She is listening to the devil. It’s the same thing that happened in the garden of Eden when Eve chose to listen to the devil rather than God’s command.

Obedience to the teachings of Christ is the proof that we love Him.  Obedience to the commands of your husband, is the proof that you love him.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

If you fear God and truly love Christ, return to your husbands and obey them in everything.

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. ❤️

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Many years ago I used to go to play at a city park during the summer. Well, I guess I went to many different parks over the summer, but this park was different from the rest. It had an very unique feature which led to me choosing to go to this park over all of the others. Every day around a certain time (I can’t remember exactly, but sometime in the afternoon), an ice cream truck would arrive at the park, loaded with all kinds of different popsicles and ice cream. Just the sight of this vehicle would send nearly every child in the park charging towards it as fast as their legs could take them, all eager to get their hands on an ice cold treat.

Being children, time wasn’t as much as a concern to us; we could spend an hour on a swing and it would go by like a snap of our fingers. As such, we didn’t really know what time it was at any given moment. Because we didn’t know exactly what time the ice cream truck would show up, we needed to keep an eye out for it’s arrival. We knew that it was coming sometime each day, but if we wanted to make certain that we got some of that ice cream we needed to watch. We needed to be ready and waiting with money in our pockets, because if we weren’t we would miss the truck.

The coming of the Lord is like this. We do not know exactly what day or time, but we know He is coming sometime. Because of this, we need to be ready, and watching.

Luke 12:35-40  “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

If we want to go back to be with the Lord in heaven someday, we need to keep an eye out and watch for His return.

The second coming of Christ has been published and made known for nearly 2,000 years, and while we do not know this exact day, Jesus has already told us that He is getting a place ready for us and when the time comes, He will return to bring His followers back to be there with Him.

John 14:1-3  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

The next time that Jesus comes to the Earth will be the ONLY time. Like the ice cream truck, if you want to obtain eternal life you need to be ready now. That is why it is written in the Bible, “now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” The time to live for Christ is now. Today. Immediately. Tomorrow could be too late.

Mark 13:33-37  “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Each day is one day closer. 

Are you watching?

In Christ,

Andrew

Luke 6:46  “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

If a person claims to be a vegetarian, but they regularly go to the steak house and eat a rib eye, then are they really a vegetarian? If someone says that they are an excellent swimmer, but when they go into a pool they start to drown, then they really aren’t, are they?

If someone professes faith and belief in Jesus, but they don’t follow His teachings, then they are not a Christian. How can someone claim to be a Christian if they don’t do what He says? There are many people out there like this, who claim to love Jesus, who even lay claim to the name “Christian,” but in their works they deny Him. There are several verses throughout the Bible which speak of such people.

Isaiah 29:13  “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

Titus 1:16  “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

You cannot have it both ways. Either you are a Christian or you are not. Either you follow Jesus’ teachings exactly or you don’t. John explained it very clearly in 1 John 2 that those who love God will keep His commandments. And then you have the opposite, people who say that they know God, but their disobedience shows otherwise. 

1 John 2:3-11  “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

We need to be Christians in word and deed. Not just to profess Christianity, but to live it. Once again, if you say that you are a believer in Jesus, but you don’t do His commands, then you really aren’t a Christian. People are only lying to themselves if they actually believe that they can be a Christian while picking and choosing which parts of scripture that they want to keep, and throwing away the rest. That it not obediece. That is not love for Christ. 

Do you love the Lord? Then keep His words.

In Christ

Andrew

Good morning and welcome everybody.  Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture but before we do that I wanted to think about something.

There are numerous courtrooms in the world today, County, State, Federal, and even supreme courts, who are involved in making judgments and decisions each day.  This is the authority that has been granted to them by God.  Many people have committed many years of their lives learning and interpreting the laws of the land.   Some of you have never entered a courtroom before, but I guarantee you that there will be a day when everybody, small and great, will be called to appear in God’s courtroom.

Earthly courtrooms have jurisdiction over certain people in certain areas, making decisions during a certain era of time, but God’s courtroom is eternal and has jurisdiction over every soul that has ever lived on this planet.  Someday, everyone will be called to appear before Him.  There will be no avoiding your court date.  There will be no excuses to get out of it.  There will be no bias or impartiality.   It will be impossible for you to run away.  There will be no bench warrant or a contempt of court citation issued, because you will appear whether you like it or not.

Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Just as there are numerous judges on the Earth, there will be numerous judges in heaven, who will execute judgment upon all.  On that day, judgment has been granted to the saints of Jesus Christ to sit upon the greatest bench in history, judging all of the souls of men who have ever lived upon the face of this Earth.  They have been given this honor because of their faithful service to Christ while they were here upon this Earth.

Jude 1:14-15  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

To execute judgment upon all,……

Revelation 20:4 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them……

1 Corinthians 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?

1 Corinthians 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels?

Matthew 19:28 – And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

From the richest to the poorest from the highest in society to the lowest, everybody has sinned in the sight of God, and there are none who are innocent.  Eventually, everybody will appear in God’s courtroom, but even before our appearance, God has offered each of us an opportunity to get forgiven for the things that we have done wrong.  Even before we show up in the highest court in the heavens, He extends to us a gift of Mercy.  That is the most incredible thing that I have ever heard in my life.

He allows us to confess our faults and plead guilty right now.  When we do this, He is capable of blotting out all of our iniquities that we have committed in the past.  Through His grace we can become blameless in his sight, just as though we had never done anything wrong in the first place.  Our sins and iniquities He remembers no more.

1 John 1:8-9  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Through your humble plea and confession, combined with God’s incredible mercy, the sentence of future punishment is stayed and withheld for any past sins that you have committed.  God’s eternal judgment and wrath against them is vacated.  God does this so that we can begin to live a new life, making a sincere attempt to become obedient to His will and purpose for us.

The offer of God’s forgiveness is the most incredible gift that one could ever possess but you certainly don’t want to receive it in vain.  Vain means purposeless.  God grants us mercy, but true faith in your heart, will eventually produce genuine results such as a changed life, a changed mind, and a changed heart.  God sent His Son Jesus Christ as a redeemer to save us from the penalty of our sins.  Sins will ultimately be punished, this is why we need to get forgiven right now so that through His mercy, we can become obedient children and transform from a sinner into a saint.

Scriptures clearly teach us that to eventually inherit the kingdom of heaven, we need to do the will of God.  To be capable of doing His will, we must turn away from living on the wide road of sinfulness, to the narrow path of Christ.  Obedience to biblical truth is the proof of our sincerity.  The time of salvation is today.  Placing your complete faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ is something that you do not want to put off another day because eternal life in paradise hangs in the balance.

Obviously people are going to be judged according to the penitent and repentant lifestyle that they lived while here upon the Earth.  God sees that change.  God cares for us, and truly doesn’t want people to perish, but desires that they come to a place of repentance.  The kingdom of heaven will be filled with people who have turned their lives around and followed and obeyed Christ from their hearts.  Like the humble publican, the people of Nineveh penitently wept before God for the sins that they had committed.  God withheld punishment towards them because they had softened their hearts.  Some of these men will stand in judgment over others who refused to do likewise.  The saints shall judge the world.

Revelation 3:21 – To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Matthew 12:41-42  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.  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

The Lord was very upset with certain cities because He was preaching God’s Word,  but they refused to repent and humbly follow and obey the things that He taught.

Matthew 11:20-24  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

The saints shall judge the world.

Revelation 2:26-27 – And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:And he shall rule them with a rod of iron…..

The faithful saints will be given power and authority by God to judge the world.  A saint is a sinner who made the choice to follow and obey Jesus.  Are you prepared to do the same? Have you plead guilty yet?  I hope you are ready for your final appearance in….

……..God’s Courtroom.

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.

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Note: Any copies may be printed and freely distributed among those who have no internet service. There is no AI creative involvement in my writings, and must be left intact because they are very personal to me. These are not to be sold, and are made public only for the free benefit of Spiritual knowledge to those who are genuinely seeking the will of God.

What are some things that you do, and are relatively good at? As a child, a person might grow up wanting to become a great singer some day. When they first start out learning how to sing, they might not be very good. Their voice might “crack” when they try to sing, or they may have a bit of trouble trying to keep the same note, but their determination to become a great singer will drive them forward towards perfection. They acknowledge that they will make mistakes, and have many faults and shortcomings, but they strive to overcome them so that one day they will achieve their goal.

I think as children we are all naturally more adept at learning new things because as children we are still learning how everything works. We don’t really know too many things yet, and when we are taught something new we pay attention, and soak it all up. 

All of us need to have this same kind of meek, humble attitude so that we can learn the wisdom that comes from God. Humble means not proud or assuming; modest. We need to be like a child who is attentive and seeking, ready to learn something new.

Luke 18:15-17  “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

In order for us to become as a little child, we need to be born again, through the Spirit. As a newborn child of God, we need to be ready to listen and learn at the feet of the men who Jesus picked to preach His gospel. James. John. Peter. Paul. All these men of God are our instructors who are there to help us grow up into strong soldier of God.

But as I said, we need to first acknowledge that we are sinners, and are not perfect.

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.”

We need to throw out everything that we thought we knew so that we can relearn things the correct way. We need to take a moment to sit down and receive instruction so that one day we can become wise.

Proverbs 19:20  “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”

A child in a classroom doesn’t go up to the front of the classroom when the teacher is teaching something new and say, “No, no, no. That’s not how you do it. THIS is how you do it.” That would be called pride, the exact opposite of what we need to be filled with when we come to learn. We need to become fools who have need of instruction so that we can truly learn.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19  “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

Are you ready to sit down and listen?

In Christ,

Andrew

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

When I was a young child I had a very cheap pair of walkie talkies. I gave one to a friend of mine who took one down to the beach as he played in the sand. I took the other one and ran up to the house and into my room, taking a rubber band and wrapping it around the PTT button, (Push To Talk), so that the radio microphone was constantly on.  I had a beat up old record player that I would use to broadcast music to my friend down by the lake, placing the walkie-talkie right next to the speaker.  In between songs I would talk momentarily and then introduce the upcoming music, but many times my voice was unrecognizable and garbled because of the distance down to the lake and the low power in the batteries.  I learned a big lesson that day.  To truly hear what is being said you must perceive and understand it perfectly.

This reminds me of the Christian life.

We need to be able to understand God’s Word with perfect clarity in order to do the things that God wants us to do.   We must hear God’s Word and understand the message 5×5.

Matthew 13:51  Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Our hearts can be like an underpowered and garbled radio, because God sends us a message through His Word, but we really don’t understand the incoming message in our minds.  There have been many courses that I have taken in high school where I listened to somebody lecture for an hour, but when I left the room, I didn’t even remember what had been said.  This is because I didn’t comprehend and understand it.  Understanding communications is extremely important.

The term 5X5 was used in communications within military forces in World War 2.  It means  “I understand you perfectly.”  The first number represented the Signal Strength of the radio communication, and the second number represented the signal clarity.  In order for a soldier to do as they were commanded, they needed to understand the message that was sent.

This is the same for anybody who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  God communicates with us through scripture but in order to do it we need to understand it.  Understanding something means to get or perceive the meaning of; to know or grasp what is meant, or to comprehend. Comprehend means to grasp something mentally and to understand with your mind perfectly.

Matthew 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Some people really don’t understand the message of Christian teachings in their hearts.  If they truly did, they would be converted to what Christ taught.  Without conversion to biblical truth, people will come short of paradise.

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Many people claim that they believe, but believing without conversion is not really believing at all, it’s just words.  Some will quickly profess Christianity as their faith but they really don’t want to convert to what the Bible teaches because they don’t want to come into compliance with what it says.  It really doesn’t matter what you profess as your faith, it matters what you do with it.  What matters is doing the will of God from your heart.  Doing God’s will shows that you have a good understanding because this is what is required to inherit eternal life.  Obedience is the proof that we truly love Him.  Those who don’t keep His commands are liars and completely void of spiritual understanding.

1 John 2:3-4  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Solomon pleased God greatly because he asked for understanding.  God promised him that if he kept His commandments and walked in His ways that he would reward him by lengthening  his life.

1 Kings 3:7-14  And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.  And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.  And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;  Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.  And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.  And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

If you don’t understand scriptural truth, the devil will come and steal away the things that have been taught to you.

Matthew 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

To have a fruitful life we must understand the message of God.

Matthew 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

We must understand what God is calling us to do, and be transformed into what He wants us to become.

Ephesians 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Paul prayed for the church to be filled with spiritual understanding.

Colossians 1:9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

When people really don’t understand and comprehend scripture, they will have no desire to become obedient to God and apply it to their own life.  They belong to a completely different church congregation.

Proverbs 21:16  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

Understanding what God teaches us in His Word is more important than any riches that you could ever attain.

Proverbs 23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Like a walkie talkie, some people need to place new batteries deep within their hearts.  Doing God’s will shows that you have received and understood the message that has been sent to you by God.  Becoming faithful and loyal to the teachings of scripture is the proof that you heard them….

…… Five by Five

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. ❤️

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Have you ever said something but immediately wished that you hadn’t? Or have you ever done something only to regret doing it immediately or soon afterwards?

This kind of feeling sometimes happens to people who, when they see something, immediately want to buy it, but when they do and they have the thing that they so desperately wanted, soon realize that it wasn’t as good as they thought it was. They are filled with what is commonly known as “buyer’s remorse.” They didn’t stop and think it through.

The same can happen when people speak as well. During the heat of an argument sometimes people will say words that they immediately feel sorry about. They just “slip out” because they spoke too quickly, without taking the wise route and thinking before they spake.

There is a word for these two examples that you just read. Circumspect. This is not a word that many people use today, but it means “carefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent; cautious, prudent or thoughtful.”

That is how Paul instructed in his letter to the Ephesians that they should live. Ephesians 5:15  “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

Just about everything that happens is either a result of of the actions of something else, or it itself causes a reaction. Cause and effect. Stick a match into a flame, and what happens? It starts on fire. Pour water on that flame, and it gets put out. Live in sin, and you will eventually be punished; live in accordance to Christ’s command to love and you will be rewarded. 

When we walk circumspectly, it shows that we are wise. We think about the consequences of our actions before we do something.

Being circumspect is not a quality that Esau showed, was it? When he sold his birthright to Jacob, he didn’t stop and seriously consider what he was giving up. He wanted food “right now” and he foolishly gave up a very important thing for it. Afterwards when he should have received his birthright, he didn’t get it because he had given it away. He was filled with sorrow, but because he hadn’t been circumspect, it was too late.

The same applies to our speech. As I had written earlier, people will sometimes say things hastily without first thinking, and then regret it afterwards. But James wrote that we need to be slow to speak, and swift to hear.

James 1:19  “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

The same type of scripture is found in Proverbs 15.

Proverbs 15:1-2  “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Swift to hear. Slow to speak. Always be ready to listen, and always think before you speak. If you remember, Jesus, when questioned by the Pharisees if they should stone a woman for adultery, didn’t answer immediately. After they continued asking, Jesus eventually gave them their answer, and when He did the Pharisees all became convicted of themselves that they were sinners just as much as the woman. He heard them, but waited to give them their answer until after He had thought for a bit. Jesus showed wisdom, and what it means to be circumspect. 

In everything that we do we need to take a moment and consider the result of our actions. Is what I am about to do loving? Are my words going to help others or are they going to hurt them? Is my life a living example to others that shows the love of Christ? In everything that you do, take a moment, and stop, and think.

In Christ,

Andrew

Good morning and welcome in everybody.  Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 2 Peter, but before we do that I wanted to tell you a little story.

In Minnesota, many people participate in the beargrease sled dog race which is approximately 400 miles long.  Apparently it is the longest sled dog Marathon in the lower 48 states.  In order to complete this race you really must be steadfast.  In order to cross the finish line, you must stay the course and continue to get up each and every morning, completely focused on the trail that is set before you.  It doesn’t matter what obstacles may stand in your way.  You might face extremely bitter weather conditions, or your dogs might get into a fight with a wolf.  You may run into rugged terrain, but no matter what sufferings you may have to endure, each day you need to get up and do it again if you truly want to win.  A musher must be steadfast if they are going to eventually complete the course and get all the way to the end because there is no giving up, there is no quitting, and there is no turning back.  Steadfast means to continue and keep going without stopping.

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

We must continue in the doctrines and teachings of Christ Jesus, staying faithfully on our course until we eventually cross the finish line and obtain the prize of eternal life.  Although some may choose to drop out of the race, we must keep focused with a clear eye on the path that is laid before us.  

2 Peter 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

The dictionary defines steadfast as being fixed and unchanging.  To be steadfast is to faithfully continue each day in the teachings and doctrines of Jesus as we have been taught.   It’s being committed and devoted to biblical truth, incapable of being led astray by others.  It is unyielding, unwavering and uncompromising.

Some people wake up each morning, open up their blinds, and when they look out of their window, they see the sunrise lighting up a huge snow capped mountain.  Each day since they were very young, the mountain was there.  When they became a teenager, the mountain was there.  When they got married and had a family, the mountain was there.  It has been there all of their life because that mountain is unmovable, and doesn’t change.  To be steadfast in our faith is to be like an unmovable mountain that is unchangeable and constant.

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord……

In the world, people change their minds about things each and every day.  At the grocery store, they might put an item into their shopping basket but when they finally get to the checkout counter they change their mind, and get something else instead.  Someone might get dressed for work in the morning and sit down at the breakfast table but then change their mind about the clothes that they are wearing, and change into something else.  

If there is anything in this life that is completely unchangeable, it is biblical truth.  It is like a heavy anchor that you would throw off of your fishing boat and it holds you in place no matter what storms or winds may arise.  No matter how this world changes through its philosophies and teachings, God’s Word remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  To possess a steadfast heart is to remain anchored and unmovable in regard to the doctrines of our faith.  Like the extremely strong roots of a giant sequoia tree hold it firmly in place, we need to steadfastly remain well rooted in Scripture.

Colossians 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Just as a musher gives verbal commands to their dogs in order to keep them on the right path, we are given commands and teachings through the holy scriptures so that we can stay on the course of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

When you stand fast It means to “stay in or hold your position” or “don’t move”, such as to stand fast against the assault of an enemy.  It is to refuse to abandon one’s religious opinions and beliefs in Christ Jesus.  In order to complete the eternal race to heaven, we must continue in our faith at all costs because salvation hangs in the balance.

1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned……..

If someone is going to become a Christian they need to make the decision that they are going to follow Jesus loyally, and this requires that you become steadfast to the truth of His Word.  In order to remain in Christ’s love, we must continue to keep in His Commandments.  This is the proof of our love towards him.

John 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Colossians 2:5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Steadfastness toward Jesus has to do with being unswerving and extremely loyal to Him.  It means that you won’t change your beliefs, no matter what the cost.  The devil is like a roaring lion who is trying to destroy people’s faith.  He’s attempting to lead people away from Christ and the things that He teaches.  You see, he wants people to follow and listen to him rather than following and obeying Christ and the things He commanded and taught.  He’s been doing this since the Garden of Eden when he convinced Eve to go against God’s command. (Gen 3:1)

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We are supposed to resist the devil, like a musher resisting cold weather by putting on warm clothes, we must bolster our hearts and our minds with many layers of scripture. To resist means to attempt to counter the actions or effects of; to withstand the actions of and to oppose.  This is a spiritual battle, fought with the sword of God’s Word.(Heb 4:12)

The Christian life is not allowing your beliefs to be altered or changed for anybody.  It’s to continue on a fixed course, so that you can obtain the prize.   To be steadfast is firmly fixed in place and immovable.  It also means not subject to change, firm in belief, determination or adherence.  Loyal.  This is about remaining a follower of Jesus and His teachings until the day that we go to be with Him in heaven.  It’s about not allowing yourself to be led astray from the true faith. We must steadfastly remain and abide in the things that we have been taught because he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

When we become a Christian, we depart from the wide world of sin and begin to walk the narrow path of Christ Jesus.  It’s very similar to a sled dog race. In order for a musher to win, they must keep going, continuing in all the things that they have learned.  They have trained themselves for this race, and need to abide in the knowledge that they have acquired.  A faithful Christian must do the same, keeping on the course of Christ where there is no giving up, there is no quitting, and there is no turning back. Jesus has already paid the entrance fee, and to win this race is going to require staying on course, just like the rest of the mushers, out on……

.……The Beargrease.

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.

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If you sat down for a few minutes and thought really hard, would you be able to remember all of the conversations that you had with people that you talked to over the past year? And I’m not talking about just remembering that you spoke with them, but could you remember every detail from each conversation? Unless it was something of monumental importance, I think that I would be safe in saying that a very large majority of us could not.

The reason why is because we didn’t really pay a close attention to what was being said. The words of the conversation float around in your head during the actual conversation, and then when you leave those words will begin to float away and disappear from your memory.

I must admit, this has happened to me probably more than I would like to admit. I might have been working or focusing on a project when someone started to talk to me, asking me to go do something, and then leave. I may have even nodded my head in agreement and said “ok” to them, but as soon as I finished what I had been working on, everything that I had heard in the conversation just a little while earlier will have already disappeared from my mind, as I sit trying to remember what exactly I was supposed to do. I wasn’t really paying close attention, was I? I wasn’t “giving earnest heed” to what I had heard.

Hebrews 2:1  “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

To understand better what this verse means, I am going to define what two of these words mean. The word “earnest” means “to have serious purpose; intent, or fixed closely.” It also means to be diligent.

The second word is “heed,” which means “careful attention; notice; to observe, regard, or to mind.”

We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard…. This means that we need to intently pay attention to the things that have been preached to us from the Holy Scripture. We need to observe and regard everything that we have been instructed to do with great intent.

One of the things that comes with getting older is sometimes that the memory can start to become “fuzzy” as more and more memories begin to fade away. We do not want this to happen with God’s word. We do not want to begin losing our memory of what we have learned from Christ.

That is what the devil wants, however. He wants us to forget everything that we have learned from the Bible, and he will try to push other things in your mind so that you are not fully focused on storing the knowledge of God in your mind. The devil will try to distract you with the things of the world, trying to pull your attention away from Christ. We need to resist these distractions (James 4:7) and give our full, undivided attention to learning and the application of the Spirit to our lives. 

This is why daily reading and meditation of the Bible is such an important routine that we all need to have. When we repeatedly spend time reading our Bibles, we will be pushing those holy words deeper and deeper into our memories, and if you push them down deep enough, there will be no one who can erase them from your mind.

Keep the Word fresh in your mind. Read it daily, and don’t let anything become more important to you that it starts to distract you and pull you away from Christ’s words. 

In Christ,

Andrew

Good morning and welcome in everyone.  Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from Romans 3, but before we do that I wanted you to think about something.

Many people will purchase a motorcycle this season to ride around in the warm summer months. Some of them do it to simply go for a leisurely ride through the beautiful northern Minnesota woods, but there are others who purchase a motorcycle simply because they love to go fast. There are numerous street legal motorcycles that can achieve speeds over 150 mph. Many people will purchase these machines and find a quiet highway somewhere and open them up because they love the acceleration and high speeds that these bikes produce.  Why do they do these things?  Because they really don’t have any fear of the consequences of getting major road rash by hitting the pavement at that speed, or hitting an animal, or even running headlong into oncoming traffic.  Being fearful of getting hurt would prevent them from engaging in these kinds of activities. 

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

There are numerous people who really don’t have any fear of God.  They have no fear that there will be punishments and retribution for the lives that they are currently living in rebellion against Him.  They are unconcerned about punishment or consequences for the impenitent and sinful lives that they are currently engaging in.  They don’t feel that repercussions will happen for the wrong things that they do, so they don’t bother to come into compliance with biblical truth.  Godly fear would cause them to do this.

Romans 3:18  There is no fear of God before their eyes.

For an example, look at the life of Pharaoh. He really did not fear God. On numerous occasions he was commanded to release the Hebrews in the Lord’s name but he refused to hearken to the commands of the Lord. 

Exodus 10:3  And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Because he refused to hearken to the commands of the Lord, God chose to punish him for his rebellion. There are numerous things that God did to him and his countryman because of his behavior.  He eventually lost his army when they were swallowed up in the Red Sea.  God can take people anytime he chooses. I’m sure that Pharaoh’s army didn’t wake up that morning realizing what was going to happen to them later that day.  Noah feared and respected God. He knew that God was going to punish the Earth and eventually the world was swallowed up in a flood.  Just like Pharaoh’s army, that day came upon them unawares.  

Hebrews 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;

God certainly punishes people here upon this Earth.  God is not mocked, and whatever you sow is what you are going to reap.

Ephesians 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Circumspect is being very careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences for the things that you do.  To ignore or reject the teachings of Jesus Christ shows that someone does not possess this quality.

It’s certainly true that God loves and cares for this world, but salvation is about loving and caring for God in return.  We show our love towards Him by doing His will and following the teachings of His Son.  God doesn’t want people to perish; He wants them to come to a place of repentance.  He wants people to turn from sinfulness and return to Him so that we can obey Him perfectly.  Got extends to us the olive branch of mercy so that we can get forgiven and get back on the narrow path.  But those who have no desire to do the will of God are going to miss out on eternity because they really don’t love God in their heart.  We play a part in our salvation and the absence of reverence and Godly fear will result in a heart that is disinclined to obey.

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

The Apostle Paul taught Timothy to continue in the doctrine as he had been taught because he could save himself.  Those who won’t continue in the doctrine and become faithful will miss out on eternal rest in paradise, because they will come up short.

Hebrews 4:1  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.

To truly love Jesus is to lovingly serve and obey him.  

1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Just as a Christian wife is commanded by Christ to place herself in subjection to the authority of her husband, each of us are called to be in subjection to our place of authority.

Ephesians 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

The church is called to fear God.

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:

 1 Peter 2:17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Romans 11:20. Be not highminded, but fear:

God will punish those who fight against biblical truth.

Romans 2:8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Jesus taught His disciples to fear God.

Matthew 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

It is a fear of God and the punishments that will come to pass that causes a person to become obedient and reject sin.

Proverbs 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

The impenitent will be inflicted by God.

Psalms 55:19  God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

God extends pity and mercy to those who fear Him.

Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psalms 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

The Lord Jesus takes notice of those who fear Him.

Psalms 33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalms 33:8   Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

The fear of God is the very beginning of Spiritual knowledge.

Proverbs 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

To those who don’t fear God I guarantee you, that they will wish they had in the future.  If they abide in a state of impenitence, they will end up being afflicted by God and eventually end up with eternal……..

…….. Road Rash.

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