Christianity, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Fighting For My Faith Within Myself

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. (Philippians 2:12)

I, like many, struggle within their faith in God. Not that I question my faith, but not being happy being stagnant in my faith. Today, many are happy being where they are in their faith. That goes for the majority of Protestants (who believe in once saved always saved), Catholics, and Orthodox. But the above verse tells us not to be satisfied in our faith where it is, but to strive to move closer to God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I do as many do. Daily scripture readings, Church attendance, prayers. And as a Catholic, the Eucharist is the crowning moment of the week. But there is always that longing for more. Not more in the idea of those things are not enough, but more in the idea is understanding how faith in God has to be nurtured, grown, and built within the human soul. This is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit who gives discernment. I’m never satisfied with just daily readings or with a small devotional reading.

As a Protestant, we are told to say that little prayer and its all taken care of. But scripture says so much about how that isn’t true. The above verse is a good one to start with. Work out your own salvation is where most Protestants stop. The seem to forget the last part of that verse. The whole fear and trembling part. They go to church and talk among their friends and say how they know beyond doubt they are headed to glory. But they forget what Christ said, 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? (Matthew 7:22). And they also don’t seem to see the warning in the next verse, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23).

Many in the Catholic Church are the same in many ways. They believe they sin, go to reconciliation, say their penance and all is done. And while confession is required (read my article on Reconciliation), it takes repentance. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19). But many don’t understand what repentance means. It is the conviction of the heart, true contrition (truly deep sorrow for the offense, and the changing of the mind and heart toward God and away from the thoughts and actions that led to the sin.

Since becoming an Orthodox Cathecumen, I have found the study of Scripture, the Church Fathers, and those that have held to the faith of the first century (Catholic and Orthodox), I always tend to find myself judged and wanting. I find my prayers lack in substance many times. And yes, go determine a prayer rule, it helps focus the mind and heart on God in that time of preparing oneself.

I find that no matter how much I seek forgiveness or guidance, He is silent. Does that mean I believe He isn’t answering or care? No. It means, to me, that I have to still work on being able to know His still voice. Like most, I’m inpatient. I want an answer. I am coming to understand that He doesn’t always answer. That at times He lives it for me to find His light in the darkness that I created. Sometimes, He answers and I don’t receive as I should, or refuse to acknowledge the answer because it wasn’t the one I was looking for.

I, like many others, am working out my own salvation. The hardest part is getting my mind from always looking at things academically to metaphysically. Academically is looking at things in a formula style understanding. I am learning that the study of my faith, when going beyond the academics, takes me out of my comfort zone. Understanding the faith through the eyes of men like St Thomas Aquinas is fairly easy. He teaches like the great philosophers. And academically, its easy for me. Then I read great saints from the east like John of Damascus or modern saints like St Paisios, it understanding of faith is on a much deeper level.

I am finally starting to get those little nuggets of understanding. But only through extreme difficulty of learning outside of the box of theology that many Christians are happy to stay in. Why do we stay in that little box of understanding? Because it is comfortable. Because its known. Because outside of it, we are made to look into darkness of our own creation. Not through anything other than a self imposed ignorance.

I’ll end this article with a quote that has stuck deeply into my mind as I continue on this journey of faith. From Saint Silouan the Athonite ‘Keep your mind in hell and despair not’. I understand this to mean, for me, to fully recognize that no matter what, first I am a sinful man and second, that Christ is still there as my anchor and refuge.

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

I Went Back to the Well

Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love”.

We have all seen followers of Christ that have veered off course, started to follow the money and fame, or even left the faith. Something can happen to cause doubt and wandering in a Christian. Whether its the cares of this world, the money that can be had by fame, or simple a wrong turn. The losing of the first love, the fire and zeal one has for the study and preaching/teaching of Jesus and the only means of salvation, the Cross.

That was where I found myself for about the last year. I didn’t walk away or follow some money scheme.I just lost the fire and zeal of the love of Jesus the Christ. A couple years, I left the Catholic church and set out on what turned out to be a journey. I went from the Catholic church back to my Protestant roots.

I went from Roman Catholic to a local Pentecostal church, the Healing Ministries Church of God of Mountain Assembly. I had been there a few times, saw my oldest son saved and baptized there. But felt it wasn’t for me.

And I ended up being a partial Calvinist. I say partial because I could get behind all of the points of TULIP (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Preserving Grace). The petal of this flower I had issue with was the Calvinist view of election. I could merge this with the concept of freewill and the words “Whosoever” from verses like John 3:16 and Acts 10:43. So I knew I could no longer be a Calvinist.

Now I was at at point that I tried the Healing Ministries church again. This time it was an older pastor who had been pastor at the church before. He is an old-timey preacher. Everything in his messages leads one back to the cross. I knew people that went there and figured I need a church, so why not. Pastor Wright became a mentor to me. I suppose you could say more of a grandfather to me, although we are only 30 years apart.

But even that, after awhile, I felt like I needed to be there. So I left the board and church and found myself back in the Roman Catholic Church. I think it was more because I knew the mechanics of the faith. By mechanics, I mean the set prayers (Rosary, Magnificat), the procedure of the service (the ups, downs, kneels, etc), and the celebrations (required Holy days, the Eucharist). But after a time, I found myself being pulled to the Eastern Churches (Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox). Having already determined that the Pope is the Bishop of Rome and not the prime ruler over Christendom, I became an Orthodox Catechumen in the Antiochian Church.

It still had the mechanics (although a slightly different style) and the belief were almost the same as the Roman Church. So I traded the Rosary for the Jesus Prayer, which I still recommend people to pray from time to time because it is the prayer that gives all 4 main points of a prayer and is scriptural. “Lord Jesus Christ (name and position on the faith), Son of God (who He is), Have mercy on me (what we seek), A sinner (what we are)”. But in time, I found myself praying for something more than mechanics.

I found myself prayer for the zeal and the fire I had when I gave myself to Jesus in 1996. During my prayer regime (the Orthodox call it a prayer rule), the point of prayers when the Jesus prayer is said, it is 10 prayers followed by a personal prayer. This is done 5 times for a total of 50 Jesus prayers and 5 personal prayers said in a prostate position. For those who don’t know, the prostate position is face to the ground, forehead touching the floor. A position of submission to God’s sovereignty. During the personal prayers I cried out to God to fix in me what was broken so I could have that fire for Christ and the Cross that I had decades before. It consumed me, this longing for the walk I once had. And while there were times over the decades that it would flicker, it never became full flame again.

This last week, before Sunday last, I was told that Pastor Wright was having health issues, so I decided to o to Healing Ministries so that I could check on him after service. Something in me started to make itself known, so to speak, during the sermon. Not much because of the message, although Pastor Wright always had a way preaching that makes one think the message is for them (that’s the prodding of the Holy Spirit).

Those under the umbrella of Pentecostal faith believe in healing. I also do because I have seen it in my own family. At the end of the service I walked down to see how Pastor Wright was doing. I didn’t even get to ask. I got to the point where I said how great the message was and how I felt like I belonged there (at least for that day) and that’s when things took a different turn. The floodgates opened and I found myself unable to talk.

Pastor Wright laid his hand on my shoulder and started praying. I felt a heat inside that I hadn’t felt in almost three decades. By the time he was done, a small group (including a dear friend) were at my side praying jointly with Pastor Wright. I went to check on his health and the Holy Spirit used him to heal my struggling soul.

The stories of well’s in scripture are a metaphor and symbol of the life giving water that is Jesus. “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)   Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:6-14).

I found on that Sunday that sometimes, the best place for a Christian to go is back to the well. For us country folk, going back to the well means going back to the beginning. For me, this meant going back to my Protestant roots to a place and person that are so dear to me. While the fire is still starting to reignite, its no longer smoldering in ash. I had forgotten the Cross and replaced it with church mechanics. I had to be shown the thing that matters in this life. The Cross of Christ, the cleansing blood, and the empty tomb. The Cross and the cleansing blood washes away the sin and the empty tomb is the sign of hope of redemption in Christ. Something I needed reminded of.

People today expect concert style entertainment and a soft message in church. And God may use those (He is Sovereign and does as He wills). But never putdown a grandfatherly Cross/Sin/Hellfire/Need of redemption preacher in a backwoods little throwback church. Because I found that the well in those old country walls has the most refreshing Living Water of Christ one can ever drink.

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Christianity, faith

Our Dark Nights

All Christians go through a period of wondering why things go bad for them when the world gets what it wants or when they pray and those they prayed for are helped. I have gone through it more times than I care to count. So we ask, why? I have come to realize that reasons vary.

One of the greatest stories to illustrate this question is the story of Job. After having everything, he lost it. The story goes through friends and his wife trying to give advice. His friends told him that it must be because he had unforgiven sin. His wife said to curse God and die. We all feel like Job at some point. Try to do what we should and still get the worst end of it.

The reason Job was harshly dealt with was through no fault of his own. In this instance, Satan wanted to prove to God that man would disavow Him if everything was taken from them. God allowed that trial to prove that there are people that would not deny God, no matter the trials they faced. (Job 1:6-12, Job 2:1-7)

Another view is that God allows His children to suffer, because what comes from it is better. Take Joseph, the son of Israel. Sold as a slave by his brother’s. (Genesis 37:12-36). Accused of rape by the wife of a high ranking official in Egypt (Genesis 39:7-20). Had Joseph not been allowed to suffer, Egypt and the family of Israel would have died from famine. (Genesis 41, Genesis 45:3-7).

Then there is the reason of chastisement (Hebrews 12:6-11). This can best be seen in the Babylonian exile. (Kings, Chronicles, the prophetical books). They moved away from God by idolatry and by foregoing the laws of a rest for the land every 7 years. They were taken by Nebuchadnezzar, a Babylonian king (who destroyed Solomon’s temple) and returned by the Persian king, Darius. (Ezra 6:1-22). The total of the time in exile from Israel was 70 years. This was to make up the time the land needed to be come usable again.

The one that is hardest to understand is when God says NO. In modern Christianity (especially the Evangelical and Prosperity movements), it is said that with enough prayer and faith, God will answer all your prayers and give you what you ask for. They take a simple set of verses out of it true understanding (John 16:23-24). If we ask for anything, it does not mean it will be given in all circumstances. Sometimes, the request goes against the edicts of God. Sometimes, the request is not what God wants for us. What is meant by the verses in John is simple. The request must fit within God’s plan and not be against the laws and dictates He has given.

Jesus asked for the coming crucifixion to be taken from him. (Matthew 26:39). He understood that God, the Father, knew best. God told him no. And he was crucified. The reason was that the unanswered prayer was the best decision for all of mankind.

In 2019, I ended up 49 and divorced. I went through the emotions and finally did what I had not done in 20 years. I hit my knees and cried out to God to fix my family. It was not to be answered the way I asked. Nineteen years early, I married and because of that, left the church and my faith. After the prayers and tears, and a re-dedication to God, I came to realize that the one thing that kept me from him needed removed. And that my prayers received a NO from God, because it was what was best for me. It took away the things that had been placed between me and him.

Just because things are going the way you think they should, or that God has said No or is delaying an answer, does not mean he has left you. Sometimes, bad happens for good reasons. It is to get us back on the right track, the devil is allowed to try and draw us away, or there is something better coming.

We can learn a couple lesson about how to deal with it. We can let it destroy us and turn from God’s grace and care. OR we can be like Jacob wrestle God. (Genesis 32:22-32) until our breakthrough and blessing comes.

Nobody said becoming a follower of Christ made life easier (except for the prosperity gospel preachers). Nor is that walk with God going to be fair (Matthew 5:45). But we can always be comforted no matter what the darkness seems like to us at the moment, that something better is coming (Psalm 30:5).

I saw this in a post somewhere and it fits this issue when you think God is not answering your prayer. I hope it helps.

5 Things to do when it feels like God isn’t listening

Check Your Heart (Psalm 24:3-4).

Check Your Motives (Matthew 6:10).

Check Your Focus (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Ask for a Belief Increase (Mark 9:24).

Keep Praying (Luke 18:1-8).

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Christianity, faith

ہم سب وقت سے وقت تک گر جاتے ہیں


میں عام طور پر اپنے مضامین میں ذاتی گواہی نہیں دیتا ہوں. لیکن آج تھوڑا سا مختلف ہے. امید ہے کہ جو لوگ اس مضمون کو پڑھتے ہیں وہ اس میں دو چیزوں میں سے ایک تلاش کرتے ہیں جو روح القدس کو ان میں کام کرنے کی اجازت دیتا ہے.
غیر مومن کے ل I ، میں امید کرتا ہوں کہ آپ یہ سمجھنا شروع کردیں گے کہ یہاں تک کہ عیسائی بھی اب بھی پیدا ہونے والے شیطانی مسائل کا مقابلہ کرتے ہیں. ہم کامل نہیں ہیں اور جب تک مسیح واپس نہیں آتا تب تک نہیں ہوگا. ہاں ، منافق ہیں جو ایک بات کہتے ہیں اور دوسری چیز کرتے ہیں. لیکن بہت سے لوگوں پر آپ کو یقین ہے کہ ایسا ہی ہے ، صرف مسیح کے پیروکار ہیں جو اب بھی ناکام اور زوال پذیر ہیں.
مومن کے ل it ، یہ میری امید ہے کہ جب آپ گرتے ہیں یا ناکام ہوجاتے ہیں تو آپ کی حوصلہ شکنی نہیں ہوتی ہے. جیسا کہ اوپر بیان کیا گیا ہے ، ہم اب بھی انسان ہیں اور گوشت سے لڑتے ہیں. کچھ جنسی مسائل کے ذریعے ، کافر ازم سے بقیہ تعلقات ، یا اس معاملے میں غصے کے ایک لمحے کے ذریعے. اس کا مطلب یہ نہیں ہے کہ ہم ایمان میں ناکامی ہیں. اس کا مطلب ہے کہ ہم نے ابھی تک اسے کامل گھر نہیں بنایا ہے.
میں تمباکو نوشی کے معاملے سے نمٹ رہا ہوں اور اس نے نیکوٹین فری ( کی تاریخ طے کی ہے جس میں ماہ کے آخری دن تک ) واپس لینا بھی شامل ہے. لہذا جب میں کام میں داخل ہوا تو مجھ پر سگریٹ نہیں تھا. میں ایک اسٹور پر کام کرتا ہوں جس کی تزئین و آرائش ایک نئے مالک کی وجہ سے کی جارہی ہے. لہذا ہمارے پاس مختلف منصوبوں کے ٹھیکیدار موجود ہیں ، اور کم سے کم یہ کہنا کہ اسٹور مصروف ہے اور معاملات پیدا ہوتے ہیں.
میں ہیڈ وصول کرنے والا ہوں اور اپنی ملازمت کے لئے کمپیوٹر کے سامان پر انحصار کرتا ہوں. میں آج اندر چلا گیا اور اپنا پورا نظام نیچے پایا. اسٹور میں موجود دیگر تمام سسٹم آپریشنل تھے. اسے ہلکے سے ڈالنے کے لئے ، میں چلا گیا. میں رات کے معاہدہ کرنے والے عملے سے پوچھنے گیا تھا کہ کیا ہوا ہے تاکہ میں اس معلومات کو آئی ٹی ڈیپارٹمنٹ کو بھیج سکوں. چیزیں ٹھیک نہیں ہوئیں. میرا غصہ بھڑک اٹھا اور میں نے کچھ ایسی باتیں کہی جو مجھے نہیں کہنا چاہئے تھے. اس تکرار کے بعد ، ان کے براہ راست سپروائزر نے اپنے کارکنوں کا دفاع کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا. یہ گرم ہوگیا.
میرے غصے نے کچھ سالوں میں اس طرح بھڑک نہیں اٹھایا ، اور میں نے سوچا کہ یہ ختم ہوچکا ہے. میں غلط تھا. اس کے بعد صرف چند منٹ کے بعد ، میں جانتا تھا کہ مجھے توبہ کرنا ہے ، خدا سے معافی مانگنا ہے ، اور معافی مانگنا ہے. دعا کے بعد ، میں اپنے معمول کے پرسکون نفس پر واپس آگیا. میں اس مسئلے کو سامنے لاتا ہوں ، کیوں کہ میں جانتا ہوں کہ میں واحد شخص نہیں ہوسکتا جو مسیح کی پیروی کرتا ہے اور پھر بھی ، تھوڑی دیر میں ، اس بوڑھے کو ایک لمحے کے لئے واپس آتا ہوں. ایسا نہیں ہے کہ یہ اکثر ہوتا ہے ، لیکن ایسا ہوتا ہے.
جب میں گھر پہنچا تو میں نے کچھ صحیفے کارڈ دیکھے اور غصے میں ایک پایا. کارڈ پر پہلی آیت امثال 15: 1 ‘ ایک نرم جواب قہر کو دور کرتا ہے ، لیکن ایک سخت لفظ غصے کو بھڑکاتا ہے۔ ’ سپروائزر کا رد عمل اس کے عملے کے ساتھ میرے غصے کی وجہ سے تھا. اگر میں سوچ کر پرسکون ہوتا تو ، یہ اس مقام تک نہیں بڑھتا تھا.
افسیوں 4: 26-27 ہمیں بتاتا ہے ‘ ناراض رہیں اور گناہ نہ کریں: سورج کو اپنے قہر پر نیچے جانے نہ دیں ، اور نہ ہی شیطان کو جگہ دیں۔ ’ عطا کی گئی ، ایک بار صورتحال ختم ہونے کے بعد ، میں نے دعا کی اور پرسکون محسوس کیا. لیکن اس لمحے میں ، شیطان کی صورتحال میں اپنی جگہ تھی. وہ جانتا تھا کہ اس وقت میری ذہن کی حالت اس وقت نہیں جا رہی تھی کیونکہ اسے ( ہونا چاہئے کیونکہ کوئی بھی عادی بھی ) کی تصدیق کرسکتا ہے اور صرف میرے سامنے کی صورتحال کو گھٹا سکتا ہے اور میں نے لے لیا بیت. اس کا رجحان مسیح کے پیروکاروں کے ساتھ ایسا کرنے کا ہے. وہ ہماری کمزوری اور ہماری ماضی کی زندگی کو جانتا ہے. وہ جانتا ہے کہ صحیح حالات کے پیش نظر ہمیں کیا ملے گا.
پولس ہمیں بتاتا ہے ، ‘ آخر کار ، بھائی ، خداوند میں اور اس کی طاقت کے اختیار میں مضبوط ہوں. خدا کے پورے کوچ کو رکھو ، تاکہ آپ شیطان کے پردہ کے خلاف کھڑے ہوسکیں. کیونکہ ہم آسمانی مقامات پر شرارت کے روحانی میزبانوں کے خلاف ، اس عمر کے اندھیرے کے حکمرانوں کے خلاف ، جسمانی اور خون کے خلاف نہیں ، بلکہ سلطنت کے خلاف ، طاقتوں کے خلاف ، لڑائی کرتے ہیں. لہذا ، خدا کا پورا کوچ اٹھائیں ، تاکہ آپ برے دن میں برداشت کرسکیں ، اور سب کچھ کرنے کے بعد ، کھڑے ہوں۔ ” “ لہذا ، اپنی کمر کو سچائی کے ساتھ باندھ کر ، راستبازی کی چھاتی پر ڈال کر ، امن کی خوشخبری کی تیاری کے ساتھ اپنے پیروں کو ہلا کر رکھ دیا۔ سب سے بڑھ کر, ایمان کی ڈھال لینا جس کے ساتھ آپ شریر کے آتش گیر ڈارٹس کو بجھانے میں کامیاب ہوجائیں گے. اور نجات کا ہیلمیٹ ، اور روح کی تلوار لے لو ، جو خدا کا کلام ہے۔ روح میں ہر دعا اور دعا کے ساتھ ہمیشہ دعا کرنا, سنتوں کے لئے تمام ثابت قدمی اور دعا کے ساتھ اس مقصد پر نگاہ رکھنا. ( افسیوں 6: 10-18 )
پولس ہمیں یہ بتانے دیتا ہے کہ اگر ہم نے اسے جانے دیا تو شیطان کی دنیا اور لشکر ہمیں کیل لگائیں گے. اور آج میں نے کیا. لیکن گزرنے میں ، پولس ہمیں خدا کے کوچ اور خدا کی تلوار سے ملبوس لڑنے کے لئے بھی کہتا ہے. میں ڈھال کا ایک ہار پہنتا ہوں جسے میں ہمیشہ دشمن کے حملے کے مطابق رکھنا یاد رکھتا ہوں. آج میں بھول گیا تھا. اور اس نے شیطان کو گھس کر حملہ کرنے کی اجازت دی.
ہمیں یہ سمجھنے کی ضرورت ہے کہ جب پولس رومیوں 3:23 ‘ میں بیان کرتا ہے تو سب نے خدا کی شان سے گناہ کیا ہے اور اس کی کمی واقع ہوئی ہے ’ وہ بچ جانے والوں سے بات کر رہا ہے. اگرچہ بہت سے لوگوں کا خیال ہے کہ اس آیت کا مطلب یہ ہے کہ گرنے والوں کے ساتھ سخت نہ ہوں ، اور یہ ایک لحاظ سے ہوتا ہے. ہمیں یہ یاد دلانے کے لئے بھی موجود ہے کہ ہم ابھی تک کامل نہیں ہیں. کہ ہم وقتا فوقتا چھیڑ چھاڑ کریں گے. لیکن ہم یہ بھی جانتے ہیں کہ مسیح ہماری پناہ گاہ اور چٹان ہے. کہ ہم گر سکتے ہیں ، لیکن جب ہم توبہ کرتے ہیں اور اس کی رحمت اور مدد مانگتے ہیں تو وہ ہمیں گناہ کی لہروں سے نکالنے اور کھینچنے پر راضی ہے. جان ہمیں یاد دلاتا ہے ، مسیح کے پیروکار جتنا وہ ان لوگوں کو کرتا ہے جنہوں نے اس کی تلاش نہیں کی ہے ، ‘ اگر ہم اپنے گناہوں کا اعتراف کرتے ہیں تو, وہ وفادار اور صادق ہے کہ ہمارے گناہوں کو معاف کرے اور ہمیں تمام بے رحمی سے پاک کرے۔ ’ ( 1 جان 1: 9 )
کبھی عمل نہ کریں ، کیوں کہ آپ مسیح کی پیروی کرتے ہیں ، کہ آپ اتنے متقی ہیں کہ آپ گناہ نہیں کرسکتے ہیں یا نہیں کرسکتے ہیں. جب تک ہم اس مانسل شکل میں ہیں ، اور ہمارے آسمانی گھر میں نہیں ، شیطان آپ کو مار سکتا ہے اور کرے گا. بصورت دیگر ہمیں خدا کے کوچ کو رکھنے کی یاد دلانے کی ضرورت نہیں ہوگی. میرے والد کہتے تھے ، بچانے کے بعد ، ‘ لیکن خدا کے فضل کے لئے ، میں ” جاتا ہوں. یہ ایک پرانی قول ہے لیکن سچ بجتا ہے. ہم دنیا کے گنہگار سے بہتر نہیں ہیں. ہمارے قابل نہ ہونے کے باوجود ہمیں ابھی فضل اور رحمت دی گئی ہے.
لہذا ، جب ہم مسیح کے ساتھ اپنی سیر میں گر جاتے ہیں یا ناکام ہوجاتے ہیں تو ، فورا. توبہ کریں ، اس کی مغفرت اور رحمت کی تلاش کریں. پھر یہ مت بھولنا کہ ہمیں اس کی رحمت کی ضرورت ہے. میں واقعتا believe یقین کرتا ہوں ، کہ بعض اوقات ہم غیر محفوظ دنیا کو جو بہترین گواہی دے سکتے ہیں وہ رحمت ہے جو ہم خدا کی طرف سے گرتے یا ناکام ہونے کے بعد وصول کرتے ہیں. رحمت اور انسانیت کی ضرورت کو سمجھنے کے لئے زوال کو دیکھنے کی ضرورت.

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Christianity, faith

Todos caemos de vez en cuando


No suelo poner testimonio personal en mis artículos. Pero hoy es un poco diferente. Es de esperar que quienes lean este artículo encuentren una de las dos cosas que le permite al Espíritu Santo trabajar en ellas.
Para los no creyentes, espero que comiencen a comprender que incluso los cristianos aún luchan contra los problemas demoníacos que surgen. No somos perfectos y no lo seremos hasta que Cristo regrese. Sí, hay hipócritas que dicen una cosa y viven otra. Pero muchos de los que parece creer son como tales, son solo seguidores de Cristo que aún fallan y caen.
Para el creyente, espero que no se desanime cuando cae o falla. Como se indicó anteriormente, todavía somos humanos y luchamos contra la carne. Algunos a través de problemas sexuales, lazos restantes con el paganismo, o en este caso a través de un momento de ira. No significa que somos fracasos en la fe. Significa que aún no hemos llegado a un hogar perfecto.
Estoy lidiando con el tema del tabaquismo y he establecido una fecha libre de nicotina ( que incluye retiros ) el último día del mes. Así que no tenía cigarrillos cuando llegué al trabajo. Trabajo en una tienda que está siendo renovada debido a un nuevo propietario. Por lo tanto, tenemos contratistas para varios proyectos en curso, y por decir lo menos, la tienda está ocupada y surgen problemas.
Soy el receptor principal y confío en el equipo informático para mi trabajo. Entré hoy y encontré todo mi sistema abajo. Todos los demás sistemas en la tienda estaban operativos. Para decirlo suavemente, me fui. Fui a preguntarle al equipo de contratación nocturna qué sucedió para poder transmitir esa información al departamento de TI. Las cosas no salieron bien. Mi ira estalló y dije algunas cosas que no debería haber dicho. Después de ese altercado, su supervisor directo decidió defender a sus trabajadores. Se calentó.
Mi ira no ha estallado de esa manera en unos años, y pensé que se había ido. Estaba equivocado. Después de unos minutos de tiempo a solas, supe que tenía que arrepentirme, buscar el perdón de Dios y disculparme. Después de la oración, volví a mi estado tranquilo normal. Menciono este problema, porque sé que no puedo ser la única persona que sigue a Cristo y aún así, de vez en cuando, encuentro que ese viejo yo regresa por un momento. No es que ocurra a menudo, pero lo hace.
Cuando llegué a casa, miré algunas cartas de las Escrituras y encontré una sobre la ira. El primer verso en la tarjeta es Proverbios 15: 1 ‘ Una respuesta suave rechaza la ira, pero una palabra dura despierta la ira. ’ La reacción del supervisor se debió a mi ira con su tripulación. Si hubiera estado tranquilo en sus pensamientos, no se habría intensificado hasta ese punto.
Efesios 4: 26-27 nos dice ‘ Enojarse y no pecar: no dejes que el sol se ponga sobre tu ira, ni le des lugar al diablo. ’ De acuerdo, una vez que se hizo la situación, recé y sentí calma. Pero en ese momento, Satanás tenía su lugar en la situación. Sabía que mi estado mental en ese momento no iba a ser como debería ( como cualquier adicto también puede dar fe ) y simplemente colgó la situación frente a mí y tomé el cebo. Tiene tendencia a hacer eso a los seguidores de Cristo. Él conoce nuestra debilidad y nuestra vida pasada. Él sabe lo que nos llegará dadas las circunstancias correctas.
Pablo nos dice: ‘ Finalmente, hermanos, sean fuertes en el Señor y en el poder de su poder. Ponte toda la armadura de Dios, para que puedas resistir las artimañas del diablo. Porque no luchamos contra la carne y la sangre, sino contra los principados, contra los poderes, contra los gobernantes de la oscuridad de esta época, contra las huestes espirituales de maldad en los lugares celestiales. Por lo tanto, tome toda la armadura de Dios, para que pueda resistir en el día malo, y habiendo hecho todo lo posible, para ponerse de pie. ” “ Por lo tanto, párate, ceñiéndote la cintura con verdad, poniéndote el peto de la justicia, calzando los pies con la preparación del evangelio de la paz; sobre todo, tomando el escudo de fe con el que podrás apagar los dardos ardientes del malvado. Y toma el casco de salvación, y la espada del Espíritu, que es la palabra de Dios; orando siempre con toda oración y súplica en el Espíritu, estar atento a este fin con toda perseverancia y súplica para los santos. ( Efesios 6: 10-18 )
Pablo nos hace saber que el mundo y las legiones de Satanás nos clavarán si lo dejamos. Y hoy lo hice. Pero en el pasaje, Pablo también nos dice que luchemos vestidos con la armadura de Dios y con la espada de Dios. Llevo un collar de escudo que siempre recordaré para vestirme para el ataque del enemigo. Hoy lo olvidé. Y permitió que Satanás se arrastrara y atacara.
Necesitamos entender que cuando Pablo declara en Romanos 3:23 ‘ Todos pecaron y no alcanzaron la gloria de Dios ’, él está hablando con los salvos. Si bien muchos piensan que este versículo significa no ser duro con los que caen, y lo hace en un sentido. También está ahí para recordarnos que aún no somos perfectos. Que fallaremos de vez en cuando. Pero también sabemos que Cristo es nuestro refugio y roca. Para que podamos caer, pero él está dispuesto a alcanzarnos y sacarnos de las olas del pecado cuando nos arrepentimos y pedir su misericordia y ayuda. Juan nos recuerda a los seguidores de Cristo tanto como a los que no lo han buscado, ‘ Si confesamos nuestros pecados, Él es fiel y justo para perdonar nuestros pecados y purificarnos de toda injusticia. ’ ( 1 Juan 1: 9 )
Nunca actúes, porque sigues a Cristo, que eres tan piadoso que no puedes o no puedes pecar. Mientras estemos en esta forma carnosa, y no en nuestra casa celestial, EL DIABLO TODAVÍA PUEDE ATACARTE Y LO HARÁ. De lo contrario, no necesitaríamos que se nos recordara ponernos la armadura de Dios. Mi padre solía decir, después de ser salvo, ‘ Pero por la gracia de Dios, ahí va I ”. Es un viejo dicho pero suena cierto. No somos mejores que el pecador del mundo. Se nos acaba de dar gracia y misericordia a pesar de que no somos dignos de ello.
Entonces, cuando caemos o fallamos en nuestro camino con Cristo, arrepiéntete inmediatamente, busca su perdón y misericordia. Entonces no olvides que necesitamos su misericordia. Realmente creo que a veces el mejor testimonio que podemos dar al mundo no salvado es la misericordia que recibimos de Dios después de caer o fallar. La necesidad de ver la caída para comprender la misericordia y la necesidad de la humanidad.

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Christianity, faith

Lahat tayo ay Bumagsak Mula sa Oras Sa Oras


Hindi ako karaniwang naglalagay ng personal na patotoo sa aking mga artikulo. Ngunit ngayon ay medyo naiiba. Inaasahan na ang mga nagbasa ng artikulong ito ay makahanap ng isa sa dalawang bagay sa loob nito na nagpapahintulot sa Banal na Espiritu na magtrabaho sa kanila.
Sa hindi naniniwala, inaasahan kong simulan mong maunawaan na kahit na ang mga Kristiyano ay nakikipaglaban pa rin sa mga isyung demonyo na lumitaw. Hindi kami perpekto at hindi hanggang sa bumalik si Kristo. Oo, may mga mapagkunwari na nagsasabi ng isang bagay at nabubuhay sa isa pa. Ngunit marami sa tingin mo ay tulad ng, ay mga tagasunod lamang kay Cristo na nabigo at nahuhulog.
Sa mananampalataya, inaasahan kong hindi ka masiraan ng loob kapag nahulog ka o nabigo. Tulad ng nakasaad sa itaas, tao pa rin tayo at lumalaban sa laman. Ang ilan sa pamamagitan ng mga isyu sa sekswal, natitirang ugnayan sa paganism, o sa kasong ito sa pamamagitan ng isang sandali ng galit. Hindi ito nangangahulugang kami ay mga pagkabigo sa pananampalataya. Nangangahulugan ito na hindi pa namin ito ginawa sa isang perpektong bahay.
Nakikipag-usap ako sa isyu ng paninigarilyo at nagtakda ng isang petsa upang maging libre ang nikotina ( kasama ang pag-alis ng ) sa huling araw ng buwan. Kaya’t wala akong sigarilyo sa akin nang gumulong ako sa trabaho. Nagtatrabaho ako sa isang tindahan na na-renovate dahil sa isang bagong may-ari. Kaya mayroon kaming mga kontratista para sa iba’t ibang mga proyekto na nangyayari, at upang sabihin ang hindi bababa sa, abala ang tindahan at lumitaw ang mga isyu.
Ako ang tagatanggap ng ulo at umaasa sa kagamitan sa computer para sa aking trabaho. Naglakad ako ngayon at natagpuan ang aking buong sistema. Ang lahat ng iba pang mga sistema sa tindahan ay pagpapatakbo. Upang ilagay ito nang banayad, umalis ako. Nagpunta ako upang tanungin ang mga tauhan sa pagkontrata sa gabi kung ano ang nangyari upang maipasa ko ang impormasyong iyon sa departamento ng IT. Hindi maayos ang mga bagay. Nagalit ang aking galit at sinabi ko ang ilang mga bagay na hindi ko dapat sinabi. Matapos ang pag-alis na iyon, nagpasya ang kanilang direktang superbisor na ipagtanggol ang kanyang mga manggagawa. Nag-init ito.
Ang aking galit ay hindi lumabo nang ganoon sa loob ng ilang taon, at naisip kong wala na ito. Mali ako. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ng nag-iisa pagkatapos, alam kong kailangan kong magsisi, humingi ng kapatawaran mula sa Diyos, at humingi ng tawad. Pagkatapos ng panalangin, bumalik ako sa aking normal na kalmado sa sarili. Itinataguyod ko ang isyung ito, dahil alam kong hindi ako maaaring maging isang tao lamang na sumusunod kay Kristo at pa rin, minsan, hahanapin na ang dating sa akin ay bumalik nang ilang sandali. Hindi ito madalas na nangyayari, ngunit ginagawa nito.
Pag-uwi ko, napatingin ako sa ilang mga kard ng banal na kasulatan at natagpuan ang isa sa galit. Ang unang taludtod sa kard ay Kawikaan 15: 1 ‘ Ang isang malambot na sagot ay lumiliko sa galit, ngunit ang isang malupit na salita ay nagpukaw ng galit. ’ Ang reaksyon ng superbisor ay dahil sa aking galit sa kanyang mga tauhan. Kung ako ay mahinahon sa pag-iisip, hindi ito lalakas sa puntong iyon.
Sinasabi sa atin ng Efeso 4: 26-27 ‘ Magalit at huwag magkasala: huwag hayaang lumubog ang araw sa iyong galit, o magbigay ng lugar sa diyablo. ’ Ipinagkaloob, sa sandaling tapos na ang sitwasyon, nanalangin ako at nakaramdam ng kalmado. Ngunit sa sandaling iyon, si Satanas ay nasa kanyang lugar sa sitwasyon. Alam niya ang aking estado ng pag-iisip sa sandaling iyon ay hindi pupunta tulad ng dapat na ( dahil ang anumang adik ay maaaring patunayan din ang ) at pinatong lamang ang sitwasyon sa harap ko at kinuha ko ang pain. May posibilidad siyang gawin iyon sa mga tagasunod ni Cristo. Alam niya ang ating kahinaan at ang ating nakaraang buhay. Alam niya kung ano ang makukuha sa amin na bibigyan ng tamang mga pangyayari.
Sinasabi sa atin ni Pablo, ‘ Sa wakas, mga kapatid, maging malakas sa Panginoon at sa kapangyarihan ng Kanyang lakas. Ilagay ang buong sandata ng Diyos, upang maaari kang tumayo laban sa mga wile ng diyablo. Sapagka’t hindi tayo nakikipagbuno laban sa laman at dugo, ngunit laban sa mga pamunuan, laban sa mga kapangyarihan, laban sa mga pinuno ng kadiliman sa panahong ito, laban sa mga espiritwal na hukbo ng kasamaan sa mga makalangit na lugar. Samakatuwid, gawin ang buong sandata ng Diyos, upang ikaw ay makatiis sa masamang araw, at magawa ang lahat, upang tumayo. ” “ Kaya’t, sa gayon, ang pagbigkis ng iyong baywang ng katotohanan, na nakasuot sa dibdib ng katuwiran, na hinimas ang iyong mga paa sa paghahanda ng ebanghelyo ng kapayapaan; higit sa lahat, pagkuha ng kalasag ng pananampalataya na kung saan magagawa mong pawiin ang nagniningas na darts ng masama. At kunin ang helmet ng kaligtasan, at ang tabak ng Espiritu, na siyang salita ng Diyos; nananalangin palagi sa lahat ng panalangin at pagsusumamo sa Espiritu, pagiging maingat hanggang sa wakas na ito sa lahat ng tiyaga at pagsusumamo para sa mga banal. ( Efeso 6: 10-18 )
Ipinaalam sa atin ni Pablo na ang mundo at mga legion ni Satanas ay ipako sa atin kung papayagan natin ito. At ngayon ginawa ko. Ngunit sa daanan, sinabi rin sa atin ni Pablo na makipaglaban sa nakasuot ng sandata ng Diyos at sa tabak ng Diyos. Nakasuot ako ng kuwintas ng isang kalasag na maaari kong laging alalahanin upang umangkop sa pag-atake ng kaaway. Ngayon nakalimutan ko. At pinayagan nito si Satanas na gumapang at atake.
Kailangan nating maunawaan na kapag sinabi ni Pablo sa Roma 3:23 ‘ Lahat ay nagkasala at nahulog sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos ’ nakikipag-usap siya sa naligtas. Habang iniisip ng marami na ang talatang ito ay nangangahulugang hindi maging malupit sa mga nahuhulog, at ginagawa ito sa isang kahulugan. Nariyan din upang ipaalala sa amin na hindi pa tayo perpekto. Na tayo ay humihina mula sa oras-oras. Ngunit alam din natin, na si Cristo ang ating kanlungan at bato. Upang tayo ay mahulog, ngunit handa siyang maabot at hilahin tayo mula sa mga alon ng kasalanan kapag nagsisisi tayo at humihingi ng kanyang awa at tulong. Ipinapaalala sa atin ni Juan, ang mga tagasunod ni Cristo hangga’t ginagawa niya ang mga hindi naghahanap sa kanya, ‘ Kung aminin natin ang ating mga kasalanan, Siya ay matapat at matuwid na patawarin ang ating mga kasalanan at linisin tayo mula sa lahat ng kawalang-katarungan. ’ ( 1John 1: 9 )
Huwag kumilos, dahil sinusunod mo si Kristo, na ikaw ay napaka-relihiyoso na hindi mo o hindi maaaring magkasala. Hangga’t nasa loob tayo ng laman na porma na ito, at hindi sa ating makalangit na tahanan, ANG DEVIL AY MAAARING MAG-ISIP SA IYO AT AYAW. Kung hindi man ay hindi natin kailangang paalalahanan na ilagay sa sandata ng Diyos. Sinabi ng aking ama, pagkatapos niyang maligtas, ‘ Ngunit para sa biyaya ng Diyos, pumunta sa I ”. Ito ay isang lumang kasabihan ngunit totoo ang singsing. Kami ay hindi mas mahusay kaysa sa makasalanan sa mundo. Binigyan lang tayo ng biyaya at awa sa kabila ng hindi tayo karapat-dapat dito.
Kaya, kapag nahuhulog tayo o nabigo sa ating paglalakad kasama si Kristo, agad na magsisi, humingi ng Kanyang kapatawaran at awa. Pagkatapos ay huwag kalimutan na kailangan natin ang kanyang awa. Naniniwala talaga ako, na kung minsan ang pinakamahusay na patotoo na maibibigay natin sa hindi ligtas na mundo ay ang awa na natanggap natin mula sa Diyos pagkatapos nating mahulog o mabigo. Ang pangangailangan upang makita ang pagkahulog upang maunawaan ang awa at pangangailangan ng sangkatauhan para dito.

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Christianity, faith

We All Fall From Time To Time

I don’t usually put personal testimony into my articles. But today is a bit different. It is in hope that those who read this article find one of two things in it that allows the Holy Spirit to work in them.

To the non-believer, I hope that you begin to understand that even Christians still fight the demonic issues that arise. We aren’t perfect and won’t be until Christ comes back. Yes, there are hypocrites who say one thing and live another. But many you seem to believe are as such, are just followers of Christ that still fail and fall. 

To the believer, it is my hope that you be not discouraged when you fall or fail. As stated above, we are still human and fight the flesh. Some through sexual issues, remaining ties to paganism, or in this case through a moment of anger. It doesn’t mean we are failures in faith. It means we haven’t made it to a perfect home yet.

I’m dealing with the issue of smoking and have set a date to be nicotine free (including withdraws) by the last day of the month. So I didn’t have cigarettes on me when I rolled into work. I work at a store that is being renovated due to a new owner. So we have contractors for various projects going on, and to say the least, the store is busy and issues arise.

I am the head receiver and rely on computer equipment for my job. I walked in today and found my entire system down. All other systems in the store were operational. To put it mildly, I went off. I went to ask the night contracting crew what happened so that I could relay that information to the IT department. Things didn’t go well. My anger flared and I said a few things that I should not have said. After that altercation, their direct supervisor decided to defend his workers. It got heated.

My anger has not flared that way in a few years, and I thought it was gone. I was wrong. After a few minutes of alone time afterward, I knew I had to repent, seek forgiveness from God, and apologize. After prayer, I was back to my normal calm self. I bring this issue up, because I know I cannot be the only person that follows Christ and still, once in a while, find that old me come back for a moment. Not that it happens often, but it does.

When I got home, I looked through some scripture cards and found one on anger. The first verse on the card is Proverbs 15:1 ‘A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ The reaction of the supervisor was due to my anger with his crew. Had I been calm in thought, it would not have escalated to that point.

Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us ‘Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.’ Granted, once the situation was done, I prayed and felt calm. But in that moment, Satan had his place in the situation. He knew my state of mind at that moment wasn’t going to as it should (as any addict can attest too) and just dangled the situation in front of me and I took the bait.  He has a tendency to do that to followers of Christ. He knows our weakness and our past life. He knows what will get to us given the right circumstances.

Paul tells us,Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Paul lets us know that the world and legions of Satan will nail us if we let it. And today I did. But in the passage, Paul also tells us to fight clothed in God’s armor and with God’s sword. I wear a necklace of a shield that I may always remember to suit up for the enemy’s attack. Today I forgot. And it allowed Satan to creep in and attack.

We need to understand that when Paul states in Romans 3:23 ‘All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’ he is talking to the saved. While many think this verse means to not be harsh with those who fall, and it does in one sense. It also is there to remind us that we are not yet perfect. That we will falter from time to time. But we also know, that Christ is our shelter and rock. That we may fall, but he is willing to reach out and pull us from the waves of sin when we repent and ask for his mercy and help. John reminds us, the followers of Christ as much as he does those who have not sought him, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ (1John 1:9)

Never act, because you follow Christ, that you are so pious that you do not or can not sin. As long as we are in this fleshy form, and not in our heavenly home, THE DEVIL CAN STILL ATTACK YOU AND WILL. Otherwise we would not need to be reminded to put on the armor of God. My father used to say, after he got saved, ‘But for the grace of God, there go I”. It is an old saying but rings true. We are no better than the sinner in the world. We have just been given grace and mercy despite us not being worthy of it.

So, when we fall or fail in our walk with Christ, immediately repent, seek His forgiveness and mercy. Then don’t forget that we need his mercy. I truly believe, that sometimes the best testimony we can give to the unsaved world is the mercy we receive from God after we fall or fail. The need to see the fall to understand the mercy and mankind’s need for it.

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Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Didache repost part 2

This is part two of my Didache series. The Didache is the teachings of the original Apostles of Christ. It is also the second oldest Christian writings, only second behind Holy Scripture. Original printing issues are not replaced. All Scriptural references have been moved to bottom of article.

DIDACHE 8 — II — INSTRUCTION FOR CATECHUMENS

CONCERNING FOOD N ow concerning eating, observe the traditions as best you can. But do not eat meat sacrificed to idols,  for it is the worship of dead gods.

CONCERNING BAPTISM concerning baptism, baptize in this way. Having instructed him in all of these teachings, baptize the  catechumen in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water.v  But  if you do not have running water, then baptize in other water. And if you cannot in cold water, use warm.  But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,  and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let both the baptizer and the catechumen fast, and also any  others who are able. And be sure that the catechumen fasts a day or two before.

CONCERNING FASTING d o NoT let not your fasts fall on the same days as the hypocrites,w for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Keep your fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

CONCERNING PRAYER d o NoT pray as the hypocrites either,x  but pray as the Lord commanded in His Gospel:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on  earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those  who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one; for thine is the  power and the glory unto ages of ages.y Pray this way three times each day.

CONCERNING THE EUCHARIST N ow concerning the eucharistic thanksgiving,z  give thanks in this way. First, as concerning the cup: We give you thanks, our Father, for the holy vine of your son David,a  which you made known  to us through your Son Jesus.b  Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Then as regards the broken bread: We give you thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge  which you made known to us through your  Son Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one,  u . so may your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. For yours is the  glory and the power through Jesus Christ unto ages of ages. Do not let anyone eat or drink of this Eucharist who has not been baptized into the name of the Lord,  for concerning this the Lord has said, “Do not give the holy things to the dogs.”d And after you have been flled, give thanks as follows:  We give you thanks, holy Father, for your holy name, which you have made to dwell in our hearts,e and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which you have made known unto us through your Son  Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. You, Almighty Master, created all thingsf  for your name’s sake, and gave food and drink to men for  their enjoyment, that they might give you thanks. And you have given us spiritual food and drink and  eternal life through your Son.g Most of all, we give you thanks that you are powerful. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Remember, Lord, your Church,h  and deliver it from all evili  and to perfect it in Thy love. Gather it— the sanctifed one—together from the four windsj  into your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For  yours is the power and the glory unto ages of ages. May grace come and may this world pass away.k  Hosanna to the God of David.l  If any man is holy, let  him come; if any man is not, let him repent. Mar‘anatha. m Amen. But permit the prophets to ofer thanksgiving as much as they desire.

CONCERNING THE OINTMENT aNd concerning the ointment, give thanks as follows: We give you thanks, our Father, for the fragrant ointment which you have made known to us  through your Son Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE APPROVED TEACHER whoever comes and teaches you all these things that have been taught before, receive him. But if  the teacher himself turns aside and teaches a diferent doctrine that subverts what has been taught  before, do not listen to him.n  If his teaching fosters righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive  him as the Lord.o .

Scriptural references:

U Acts 15:29. v Mat. 28:19. w Mat. 6:16. x Mat. 6:5f. y Mat. 6:9f. z 1 Cor. 11:23-25. a John 15:1. b Acts 3:13, 26. c John 3:15, 5:26, 6:68f

d Mat. 7:6. e John 1:14, 6:56-57. f Rev. 4:11. g John 6:27. h Mat. 16:18. i John 17:15. j Mat. 24:31. k Rev. 22:20. l Mat. 21:9, 15. m Hebrew: “Our Lord has come.” 1 Cor. 16:22. n Gal. 1:6-9. o Mat. 10:40; John 13:20

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Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

A Personal Reflection

Having taken a sabbatical prior to Lent, I realized that the call of God was stronger. So I threw myself into Lent, giving up social media and television to focus on reading and studying. It led me to start a diploma course in Divinity studies and strengthened my desire to be in God’s Holy Scriptures.

While I attend Catholic mass and am a confirmed Roman Catholic, the readings and studies have drawn me closer to my Evangelical roots. I was washed by the blood of Christ in 1996 as a Seventh Day Adventist. I was confirmed Catholic in 1999. But for almost 20 years did not attend mass on a regular basis. Because of rules of the church, I was not allowed to take Eucharist. So for that 20 years, I went to various churches.

Since 2019, I was allowed to receive Eucharist again, but from time to time felt the need to step away from the building of the church but not my faith. So I since that time, I have taken a few personal sabbaticals to immerse myself into scripture and prayer.

That leads me to today. At Easter, me and some of my children went to the local Methodist church that my daughter attends. My 22 year old son was to go but had been placed in the hospital with a life threatening issue. At that point, I did what I could do. I opened up payer warriors from everywhere and everyone I could. Having seen the power of miraculous healing before (during my Evangelical years) I knew it was the only way to fix the situation.

My son was born with a congenital heart defect where he was born without the main pump chamber of the heart. He had various surgeries that remedied it but still lives with complications at times. This night, he was admitted for a saddle embolism and clots in the lungs, A saddle embolism is a massive clot that blocks the aortic entry into both lungs.

I knew that only God Himself could deal with the problem. He was transferred to another hospital where he had his surgeries and was the place his cardiologist was. When they took more x-rays and another CT scan the next day, the prayer had worked. There was no sign that he had ever had the clots or embolism. The doctors could not explain it. There was nothing there. He went from an 80% chance of death to a full removal of all clots and the embolism. There will be nobody that will ever tell me it was not a healing of Divine intervention.

That week, he asked something he had never asked. He wanted to go to church that next Sunday. So, we found a church but something led me to take him to one that I had been to a couple times a few years ago. It is a Pentecostal church. We went.

Another prayer was answered this last Sunday. My son, an avowed Odinist was touched and made the altar call. We were both crying. Me from happiness and him from finally understanding God’s love and forgiveness. Why we went there and not my normal Catholic church or the church we had decided on was because at that time on that day, God was going to deliver my son’s soul only a week after delivering his physical need.

Those two acts by Christ Jesus and the pull on me to go back to the well, so to speak, have led me to a point of not only reaffirming my faith in God through the power of Christ’s cleansing blood, but has started to rekindle that fire I once had inside me.

Praise be to God, in Christ, through the Holy Ghost.

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Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Commandment 2: No Graven Images

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV)

While most know the first part of this commandment but don’t go on to read the second part. This has led to various concepts of the verses and the commandment. The Amish have no images (pictures, faced dolls, statuary, etc) because they believe that these can lead to false worship and ego. But then you have the Catholic Church which allow it in certain ways.

The Catholic Church has combined the 1st and 2nd commandments and split the 10th commandment into two commandments. This allows them the use of statuary in private and parish worship. So in this concept, we will look at how not every man made image is an idol or god and how some are within Christendom.

The first part of the commandment leads directly into the second part. What makes a man made image a sin is the person’s giving it adoration given only to God. So the pictures of your kids, a concert poster, an star’s autographed picture, the garden gnome are NOT what the commandment is referring to. These are just images UNLESS you bow down to them and give them the adoration and praise allowed only to God.

The Catholic Church has statuary, prints, reliefs, etc that correspond to those they deem saints, the blessed mother of Christ, the walk to the cross, etc. What makes them sin is the prayers and adoration given them. The catechism states that worship is given only to God (which is true). The part that is in defiance of the 2nd commandment is giving prayers to the saints that these statues and prints that represent them. No where in the Holy Scriptures does it say to pray to the dead (which the saints and mother of Christ are).

It actually says not to pray to them because they can’t hear prayer. For the living know that they will die,but the dead know nothing;they have no further reward,and even their name is forgotten.Their love, their hateand their jealousy have long since vanished;never again will they have a partin anything that happens under the sun. Eccl 9:5-6 (NIV)

Now, they will bring up Moses and the making of the image of a serpent. But as you will see, that image was ordered by God and not worshiped, but only looked upon.  They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. Numbers 21:4-9 (NIV). Jesus later told what this action actually was.Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. John 3:14 (NIV).Prayer is a form of worship (https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/blog/prayer-is-an-act-of-worship/). Worship is to God alone. So not matter what you pray to or worship, if it is NOT God alone it is a violation of the commandment of God. This would include pagan gods and deities. As well as the saints, the mother of Jesus, and any image of them.

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