Real Christian discussion

April is just around the corner!!

While it's not quite time yet to start posting to this thread, I wanted to make sure I had it up & ready for y'all before April actually got here. ;)

I am thrilled to report that our schedule is completely full for this month!! Praise God for that! And thank you all so very much! I look forward to seeing what God will share with us this month. :)

April Schedule:
- Sunday: Lee
- Monday: Rita Faye
- Tuesday: C. Read
- Wednesday: Robert
- Thursday: Arnie
- Friday: Eli
- Saturday: S.M.


If there are any corrections that need to be made to the schedule, please message me and let me know. Thanks! :)

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Such conformation, such assurance can only be found in Jesus Christ. Many people, even Christians have lost parents or family members, but we have the opportunity, a second chance to be loved and cherished like never before. Some of us might not have earthly parents, but we have a heavenly Father who is The Comforter, our Shelter, our Refuge and Strength.

We are no longer servants, we are sons and daughters of the True and Living God. Though sometimes, we may feel down, we may lose strength, hope, courage or even faith, but God is the Hope for the hopeless, Father for the fatherless, Strength for our weaknesses, He gives us strength to overcome out fears, He gives us Gladness for mourning and Peace in our times of Despair. He's not only the Mighty God, our Saviour or out Everlasting Father, but He's our friend. And luckily for us, "A friend loveth at all times" Proverbs 17: 17.

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one.

Monday, April 3

Our society has fixated on "the one" in everything we do. The one soul mate, the one wedding dress, the one house, the one car, the one career and even the one vacation spot. There are classes, t.v. shows, and websites dedicated to matching you with "the one" you need. We are so fixated on finding "the one" that we never realize that we grow and change and what was the one in high school doesn't work in college and later in life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
The seasons of our lives are forever

There are many seasons to our lives and we may repeat some of them many, many times, but each time the season will be different because we are different. Hopefully we have learned from our mistakes and grown from our experiences.

The only thing that our society accepts as finding many of, is ironically, the only thing that has only one way, salvation.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

For a society that wants "the one" in everything, it is very sad that when they are faced with The One and Only, I AM, they turn their backs on Him.
As you go about your week, remember that we have choices and those choices change with time just as we do. A marriage that seemed perfect needs work to change as you change. A job with travel was perfect before marriage, but may cause problems after. The perfect muscle car was great in high school but doesn't work too well with car seats. Everything and everyone changes but God.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Accept the changes in yourself and those around you but be confident in your relationship with the never changing Jesus Christ.
Go with God

Hi Lee and Rita Faye,

I love that song and those passages of Scripture!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Devotional for Tuesday ~ 4 April 2017 / 9 Nisan 5777

The truth of God’s word has been, and continues to be, mixed with lies by false teachers, deceivers, and even by unsuspecting souls who have believed the lies. Irrespective of the fact that the “doctrine of Christ” has been tainted with evil by ministers of Satan, I must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

"The only thing that you can hold on to is the fact that Jesus Christ died for you, and by His mighty power, God raised Him from the dead.

And if you believe that in your heart, and claim Him as LORD, He will put the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead inside of you to lead you and guide you into the truth!

Light will overshadow darkness, and darkness will not be able to stand in the presence of God!”

Please prayerfully consider this confirmation of the gospel.

Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

I hope you will very prayerfully ponder this next passage of Scripture.

2 John 1:7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

The following verses have very unsettling implications for those who do not take God at His word.

Luke 12:42 “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?”

Another extremely important truth from God’s word to consider:

1 Peter 4:17 "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

God will surely punish those who have outright rejected Him, but God’s judgment will also be upon those who knew the gospel of Jesus Christ, but ignored it; and have thus refused to accept the great sacrifice of God’s dear Son when He gave His precious life at Calvary to save us from our sin and the power of Darkness.

Our motivation for living for Christ, must be for God's glory, and not our own. And remember, God said His people will have trouble in this world if we are truly living for Him, and proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;

2 Thessalonians 1:10 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”

I pray for that great and glorious Day when all God’s people who truly love Him and His dear Son, will be gathered together in Heaven before our God! Let us be sure that we are found faithful and true to God’s holy word! Amen!

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

P.S. Please note that I added a paragraph (in bold) after my initial posting. God bless!

Shared By Robert
04/05/17

The Hope of the World to Come

April is the month of anticipation. Anticipating Spring and flowers and the new hope that comes with the changing of the seasons.

I have several weddings of close family members this year, and they are full of hope and anticipation.

One of the more interesting metaphors in the Bible is that the church is the bride; Jesus the bridegroom.

The wedding day approacheth.

It is easy to look around and see all the ways God’s love is trashed and compromised, but that is not what I, as the church, am asked to do.

The idea is that I remain pure and holy, as the bride of Jesus, who waits patiently for the day of her betrothal.

In the weddings that I am anticipating there is little purity involved by anybody. I don’t condemn it, being fairly guilty myself, but I see that the extravagance is appreciated.

God is so extravagant with me. Why would I find condemnation in others humanity? We live in a fallen world. It is to be expected really, just not lived for.

I live in anticipation of the hope to come. The Bride of Christ.
I live for the extravagance.

The Bride is set apart for the groom. Holy. Not looking down on others, but lifting them up in her joy and love for the Groom.
The wedding day approacheth.

The Bride of the Bridegroom, how beautiful she is. It is the groom’s love that has made her so: pure, undefiled, Other-than.

Do I live in the excitement, the anticipation or have I relegated myself to fusing over the details?

Not that the details are unimportant, but what is my focus?

When we meet in the air.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides the still waters, and he restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil - for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou prepare a table before in the presence of my enemies. Thou anoint my head with oil and my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Selah. Amen.

Our Lord restores us by making us rest. Jesus leads us to a place of peace and prosperity of green pastures. We work hard during the weekday, and rest during the weeknights and weekend ends. We take naps when we need to, and get physical rest for our bodies and minds. How much more does God want us to also rest spiritually and emotionally?

This is as far as I got in my meditation on this prayer, so far. It's amazing how God shows us new things even as we get older. Praise be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep on persevering, keep on believing and keep on asking!

Eli wrote: "Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides the still waters, and he restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His namesake..."

Amen!

Monday, April 10

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

This week is the anniversary of the most important week in history! This week we celebrate our salvation and give thanks for God's mercy and grace. More people will come to church this week than any other time of the year except Christmas. Some of the people coming to church may have never opened a Bible or sung a hymn, but they are showing up. It doesn't matter what they wear or how they talk. It doesn't even matter that some of what they believe is not biblical. What matters is that something or someone got them into church. Be nice, remember to connect on what you have in common. Let the differences go for now. If we can get some of the people that come to church this week to return, they will learn what is biblical and what is not. Pray for those lost souls that find their way into God's house. Gently witness to them by inviting them into your church family and making them feel like a part of it. Ultimately that is the goal, that they accept Christ and become a member of God's family. Pray for the ministers and missionaries this week and for the messages they deliver on Sunday morning. Pray that each and every person that crosses the threshold into God's house will accept salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray that no violence is committed against any churches during this Holy week. Invite someone to church, sit next to them, introduce them to your friends. Remember you are an Ambassador to Jesus and any person that visits the church is a dignitary from a foreign land and should be shown respect and hospitality.
Be safe this week and walk in God's Blessings.

Rita Faye wrote: "Monday, April 10

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

This week is the anniversary of the most imp..."

Yes, it is Rita Faye! I hope you have a wonderful week!

My Passover Prayer

Devotional for Tuesday ~ 11 April 2017 / 16 Nisan 5777

The following is taken, in part, from a transcript of my voice recording that I recited last night after my family and I celebrated the Passover meal together. My hope in sharing my personal thoughts, and prayer to the Lord, is that it will be an encouragement for others who visit this Real Christian community.

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Today is 11 April 2017 / 15 Nisan 5777. Tonight is the night of Passover. It is 1:14 AM, and several hours ago, we celebrated this very wonderful day of Passover…

I would like to read the passage that we read tonight.

1 Corinthians 11:23 "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:

1 Corinthians 11:24 And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.

1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come.

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

Most Christians do not celebrate Passover. They may mention it, but Passover really is not celebrated in the way that it is in the Scriptures. After Jesus had His Passover meal with His disciples, He was arrested that night in the garden. He was then crucified the following day. And three days later, praise God, He was raised from the dead by God’s Spirit!

And for those who will follow Jesus, and believe in Him—first of all, we will be raised from the dead one day too. Just like He was! And that’s our hope. And that is what we hold onto. That is what I believe . And I know it’s true! And I want all of my children, and whosoever I can persuade, to believe it too! And I will know that they truly believe, when I see them live out the truth in their lives.

But as long as people wink at sin, or count it as something that’s not so horrible, then I know that they are not as committed to You as they need to be, dear Lord. I don’t know what it will take to make people get serious about their relationship with You. I don’t really know.

I am very concerned about the state of the churches. I believe many sincere Christians love You. I honestly believe they love You, but I think they’ve listened to a lot of the lies that are out there--that it’s okay to do certain things, and go certain places, and partake of things of this world. And they don’t feel like they will be affected by it.

Anything in this life, as I have always taught my dear children, if it causes you to not have a taste for the things of God, no matter how good or evil it is, if it turns you away from God in the slightest, then there is something wrong with it. If something you do causes you—like eating junk food—if it causes you to not have a taste for good food—that’s what the things of the world will do for you, for those who are willing to do it.

And I am not saying that I am exempt. Because I surely am not! And I ask You Lord, to help me to stay focused. Help me to not get distracted. Because I know I have an enemy out there that wants me to not serve You the way that I should. And I ask You to help those distractions to be disseminated and destroyed.

I want to serve You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to love You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. And I pray for the Day that I get to meet You face to face. But Lord, I want to be unashamed on that Day! And I need You to help me. I look to You Lord, for everything.

And I thank You for allowing us to celebrate this Passover. This is the absolute most important of holy days. Because if You dear Lord God, had not lived, and died for us, we would have no place in Your Kingdom. It is because of what You did on this night, many, many years ago, that has opened the Door for us to enter into Your beautiful Kingdom. And one day we’re going to get to live with You forever. And I look forward to that Day, Lord!

Strengthen me, give me the desire, give me the will to do whatever it takes to keep me on fire for You, Lord!

I pray for my children. I pray for my husband. I pray for my church family. I pray for my pastor, for our youth minister, and our music minister. And all those that truly love You, Lord. May You just work in their lives Lord. Open their eyes and show them where they need to do away with certain things in their lives, to give them the ability to see clearly. Your will be done!

I love You, Lord. I thank You, Lord. And I praise You, forever and ever. Amen!

Amen

:)

An “unapologetic” Creed:

I believe in a 1st Century Rabbi whom roamed around current day Palestine. He proclaimed the Father’s will and opened to everyone the mysteries to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Indeed, He proclaimed to be its King.

He unveiled this Kingdom by telling stories.

He asked, even urged, for repentance. “Repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand,” were His first recorded words.

This King asked for my spirit to be poor, beggar poor, that I might live in His Kingdom and let Him be King.

He raised the bar in my heart to a height I could never attain, then stood in the gap, filled it completely, and my heart was restored.

The world found Him a criminal, this King, because He exposed their hypocrisy. It told me that living for His Kingdom, and letting Him be King, had a price. A very high price indeed.

“Repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand,” was the beginning of paying the price.

Then even though a million, trillion people, before or since, have not come back from the dead, He did to validate my faith in my repentance.

He was baptized by a man who asked to be excused, but went ahead anyway at the King’s bequest. This man later had his own doubts due to the great injustices against him.

Like the man who baptized him, I often doubt due to the injustices and hurts this world so often delivers.

Dear Father, I repent of my doubts, once again, and look to Your King. Who stands in the gap, that I may be restored to a relationship to my King.

Amen

Robert wrote: "Dear Father, I repent of my doubts, once again, and look to Your King. Who stands in the gap, that I may be restored to a relationship to my King...."

Amen! God bless you!

Good News Friday

Isaiah 53:-5 "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

It's because of peace we share the gospel, live the good news, and walk in a world full of unbelief.

Acts 10:36 "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

Ephesians 2:14-18 "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

Ephesians 6:15 "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

We walk in peace, and yet sometimes walking in peace is painful. Turning the other cheek is painful. Letting a worldly person walk all over us is painful. Having one giant nail through both your feet stuck to a tree is painful. Is there a difference? I try to make them all the same. Let us even meekly humbly pray for our enemies, bless those who persecute us, bless those who mock us, deride us, and scheme against us. Then the nail is really, truly hammered into both our feet. And all I can do is cry from the pain, in sorrow sow seeds of the gospel and patiently wait for the day we leap for joy as calves newly breed, as in Malachi 4:2… and reap in joy Pslam 126:5.

Thank you all for wonderful devotions and insights. It's a blessing for me to just read and learn from all of you, and your writing talents. God Bless.

Malachi 4:2 "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves."

Psalm 126:5 "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy."

Saturday Devotional
Taken from the Little Black Book - six minute reflections on the Gospel of John

Easter Sunrise Service

For many churches, the Easter service is held early on Easter Sunday, in keeping with the Bible's account of the women coming early to the tomb of Jesus.

The first Easter sunrise service is thought to have occurred in 1732 in Germany. As Lent drew to an end, members of the Moravian Church ended their all-night vigil with a celebration of the Resurrection at the town's graveyard. The practice soon became an annual tradition and spread to other Moravian settlements around the world.

One of the best known Easter sunrise services in the US takes place at the Hollywood Bowl in CA. Begun almost 100 years ago, the non- denominational service was first held at a local park. On March 27, 1921 it was moved to its present location. In recent years the service was shifted to mid/morning.

John 19:41-42
Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

Only John tells us that Jesus was buried near the place of crucifixion, and that the tomb was in a garden.

Interesting. For it all began in a garden.

"Then the Lord planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed."

Along the way, there was another garden too."Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley to where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. Judah his betrayer also knew the place."

Now it all ends in a garden. For this garden is not just the garden of burial. It is the garden of the Resurrection, the beginning of the glorious birth of all creation into its destiny.

Garden to garden. This is a miniature of my own life - my birth, my death. . . and some gardens of Gethsemane along the way. I manage . . . With the help of God, the help of others, and some grit of my own.

This time of prayer, with the Lord present, is a garden that awaits me every day.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

I wish a Blessed Easter to you all.

Monday, April 17
We have just spent the week celebrating what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Christians as a community are at their strongest at this moment because their faith has been renewed. The enemy does not like this, so be prepared in the coming days and weeks for the devil's attacks.

1 Peter 8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The attacks will come. Don't doubt yourself or God. Be sure to fellowship with other Christians. Be watchful to help those who are new to the faith and may not know that they are vulnerable to attack. Witness to those around you who are not yet saved because they are vulnerable to the devil convincing them to turn away from seeking God. Don't let yourself be distracted by other activities. This is not the time to backslide and neglect our Bible study and Prayer time. Rely on Jesus in everything.

God Bless you.

Amanda wrote: "Please pray for my sister who has a virus"

Amanda I will be praying for your sister.

p.s. We have a different thread for prayer requests and you will probably get more responses on it. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm so sorry for the confusion here! That person has been removed from the group & their comments deleted.
If y'all notice anyone making weird (or inappropriate) comments, please message me, in case I'm not aware of it, so I can figure out what's going on & take care of any issues.
Thanks! :)

Aerykah wrote: "I'm so sorry for the confusion here! That person has been removed from the group & their comments deleted.
If y'all notice anyone making weird (or inappropriate) comments, please message me, in cas..."
Thank you, I wasn't sure if I misunderstood that person because he/she spoke English as a second language or if it was some kind of spam.

I'm honestly not 100% sure what was going on with that person, Rita, but the comments here & comments I saw elsewhere just convinced me that they should be removed from the group.

Aerykah wrote: "I'm honestly not 100% sure what was going on with that person, Rita, but the comments here & comments I saw elsewhere just convinced me that they should be removed from the group."

I think I have missed something in my absence... Hope all is well!

I appreciate the encouraging devotionals, and please know that you all, and especially Amanda and her family right now, are in my prayers! And I am so glad to see Mary Kate's comments in another section. :) Also I have missed Pastor Arnie's devotionals, and I hope you all will keep him in your prayers...

I am just a bit late on my devotional for Tuesday-18 April...sorry. I have just been so busy, as I am sure you all are too. I can't wait till we get to heaven where there will be no timelines or deadlines...

Take care!
C. Read

This is a War!


Devotional for Tuesday ~ 18 April 2017 / 23 Nisan 5777 / 8th Day of the Omer

The 19th of April, is a very eventful day in history, and also for me on a personal level. If you ever read my book “Walking With the Enemy,” you will see just how significant. As I researched the time-lines for 19 April, I wanted to highlight a few noteworthy events that took place on this day in history.

19 April 1775: The American Revolution begins - Lexington Common, shot "heard round the world."

19 April 1904:: The Great Fire of Toronto of 1904 was a great fire that destroyed a large section of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 19, 1904. It was the second of such fires for the city in its then short history.

19 April 1993: The Branch-Davidian’s compound near Waco, TX, burned to the ground. It was the end of a 51-day standoff between the cult and U.S. federal agents to include the FBI and ATF. Over eighty people were killed including women and children. Some of the Branch Davidians were able to escape the fire.

19 April 1995: The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, was destroyed by a bomb. It was the worst bombing on U.S. territory. It was reported that 168 people were killed including 19 children, and 500 were injured. Timothy McVeigh was found guilty of the bombing on June 2, 1997.

19 April 2005: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger election occurred on the second day of the Papal conclave following the death of Pope John Paul II. He took the name Benedict. Pope Benedict XVI; (born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on 16 April 1927) was elected the 265th pope of the Catholic Church on 19 April 2005, and he resigned on 28 February 2013.

Please prayerfully consider these selected passages from the Holy Scriptures.

Matthew 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias (Elijah), which was for to come.

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Here's the confirmation!

Malachi 3:1 "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Malachi 3:3 And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed...

Malachi 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Malachi 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

All of these verses have great relevance for these final days in which we are living, and it is my hope that the Real Christians who visit this community will have “ears to hear” what the Spirit is saying unto the churches…

Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The true gospel of Jesus Christ has been under attack from the very beginning, as noted in this letter from the Apostle Paul. This is a war between God and the devil! And innocent, unsuspecting souls continue to be taken in by false teachers and deceitful men.

The target of such groups are those searching for love, acceptance, and a deeper meaning to this life. Cults are on the rise, and no one is exempt from their evil influences! And even though David Koresh was violently removed from this earth twenty four years ago, his “spirit” still lives on in the hearts of some deceived and wicked men.

We are living in such difficult and trying times, and we surely need the Lord in the midst of the uncertainties of this life. May God reveal Himself to you as you seek to love, honor, and obey Him with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” He is our Rock for those who will continue to trust in Him all the way unto the end! Amen!

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Devotional for Wednesday

Been a harried week. So, time to go to my "go to" devotional: My Utmost for his Highest," Oswald Chambers
(From April 28 in this devotional. Recommended meditations.)

"I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go." (Jeremiah 45:5).

The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything--they have not been given their life "as a prize."

The way to get of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life.

If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.

4/21/17 The Power of Fearing the Lord – by Gordon Robertson

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge”. Pslam 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 1:7. This verse is repeated a lot in the Old Testament and when a verse is repeated, God is underlining the message for our benefit, for our life and for our understanding that these are not idle things. And the first time the words “The fear of the LORD” are seen in the bible is in the life of Abraham.

Abraham is not only “the father of faith”, but his life is also looked upon as a “Pilgrim’s progress or journey”. Abraham goes from one state to another state, in a spiritual journey as well as a physical journey. God tells Abraham, in Genesis 12, to leave his country, his father’s house; to a land He will show him. Which is a startling thing for God to do, to a son of an idol maker. Abraham didn’t come out of righteousness; he came out of idolatry, which is a great lesson for all of us. We come out of these things and our former life of sin because we hear God’s voice and we have an encounter with the living God.

So what did Abraham do? He took Lot, he disobeyed, in from the beginning. We have great comfort in that because if Abraham, the father of the faith, wavered in his first steps with God, on his first journey with God, shows the great patience of God and his steadfast love that never ceases. Lamentations 3:22-23. Did God say he was done with Abraham? No, because when God calls us and chooses us, He doesn’t back off from His promises.

God tells Abraham in Genesis 15 that Abraham’s offspring will be as numerous as the stars. And Abraham believed God, and God accounted it to Abraham as righteousness. Genesis 15:6. This verse becomes a key verse in the book of Romans, and a key to all of Paul’s theology, and a key to the entire Reformation. Thies is a big deal. He believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. This gets rid of all legalism. God allows Abraham to take Lot with him, and as long as he believed God, He will account it to you for righteousness.

We all believe in the justification that is by faith in Romans 4. We also know that faith without works is dead as it says in James 2. And we also believe that an untested faith is no faith at all. We can say we believe God and have it accredited to you as righteousness, but we can also mess up. Abraham’s journey takes him to the birth of Isaac, the laughter of Sarah, the name laughter becoming the name of the child, having the name change from God and the son born from a promise from the deadness of the body. Abraham has seen the miracle of the promise and has it in his possession, and God shows up again says to Abraham to take his son to the mountain in Moriah and offer him up as a burnt offering. The incredible thing here is that Abraham didn’t argue with God, he just did it.

As Abraham lifts the knife to the ear of Isaac, the angel says “Stop, do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him. For now I know you fear God, since you have not without your only son from Me.” Wow, now I know you fear God. And this is the first instance in the bible “the fear of the Lord” is mentioned. And once we have the fear of the Lord, now we can begin to walk with God and receive wisdom. Deeds in Faith. Joy in Hope. Persevere in Love.

Sorry I have no devotional for you today. Am not feeling very well. Hope you all have a blessed weekend.
S M McElligott

Devotion: Monday, April 24

Colossians 1:3-5
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel
9-14 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This is my prayer for all of you today, this week, always.
God Bless You
Rita

Hello everybody! I misssssssssssssed everyone, especially my Friend C.
I just wanted to let you know the reason why I was absent for several Thursdays, and that i am very sorry for not being able to inform you of my "absence" earlier:
The last two weeks of March and the first week of April I have graduation and closing of classes speaking engagements and responsibilities; April 10-14 was Youth Summer Bible camp; last week (17-21) was Vacation Bible school in one village church; this week in another village. Thankfully, a pastor friend let me take some break this week, and i asked this Tuesday and Thursday, so that i can have time to share a Devotional on Thursday!
Thank you so much for your prayers! and understanding too!
I keep you in my prayers even i was absent on the Thread.
Please always keep yourself strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might!

Thank you Robert, Eli, and Rita Faye! I appreciate your devotion!
And I surely missed my dear friend Pastor Arnie! Glad you are back. :) And S.M. I hope you are feeling better!

Obedience Matters


Tuesday Devotional ~ 25 April 2017 / 30 Nisan 5777 / 15th Day of the Omer

I was asked an interesting question by a dear Pastor, and I have adapted my devotional around my response. I hope this message will be as much of a blessing to you as it was for me in researching this topic.

For those who may value my opinion, I hope you will always take whatever I say, and allow the Lord to confirm it in your heart.

In regard to the question in Leviticus 12, as to why the women of Israel were considered “unclean” for twice as long when she gave birth to a female verses a male, I have to say that there are a lot of ways to look at that passage, and there are several spiritual implications that I could touch on, but for time sake I will just mention a few things that I discovered during my study.

It has been awhile since I have read the Book of Leviticus, so I took some time to read several chapters. And what really stood out to me, is that God requires specific things to be accomplished in order for His people to be acceptable in His sight. And since He is the sovereign God, what He says is all that matters.

God makes it very clear that there is a difference between males and females, between the priests and the common people, and even the rulers are held to a different standard. But sin must be atoned for by all, and God explicitly states how that is to be accomplished.

I would like to share a few relevant quotes from the Holman Bible Handbook.

“The overall burden of the Book of Leviticus was to communicate the awesome holiness of Israel’s God and to outline the means by which the people could have access to Him.

“The gulf between the people and their God could be bridged only by their confession of their unworthiness and their heartfelt adherence to the rites and ceremonies prescribed by Him as a precondition to fellowship.

“Finally, the sovereign God ordained not only principles of access by which His servant people might approach Him, but He also designated special times and places.”

All of those statements are applicable to our relationship with Christ, and what God requires. Yes, Jesus absolutely fulfilled the law, but what was written in the Old Testament still has great relevance for God’s people. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, and there is no need for another, but we can learn so much about the heart and mind of God when we seek to know and understand the laws and commands of God.

In answer to the question I was asked, in order for the woman to be in right standing with God, she was obligated to fulfill the requirements for purification after giving birth, and God made an obvious difference between the male and female child by what He commanded the woman to do. I don’t think God necessarily favors men over women, and I am sure there are other reasons why God put a difference between the male and female, but I believe it was simply a matter of obedience. Just as today, God tests us to see if we truly love Him by our level of obedience to His Word.

One thing is certain, and it is especially evident today, that unholy people do not want to obey a holy God. Just look at our society. Women want to be men, men want to be women, and some want to be both. Then there are those who claim there is no difference between either. Well, that is not what God says!

I would like to share a passage that I believe will help put it all into perspective for us as believers is Christ.

Galatians 3:1 “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

There are many "carnal Christians" among us, and that “selfish state" greatly displeases God and hinders people from being as committed to God as they really need to be. But just as God made provisions to forgive those who were under the law for their “sin through ignorance,” He is so wonderful to forgive us when we confess and repent of our sin today.

For "Real Christians," I know there is more to Christ, than when we first believed. There is a “baptism into Christ” that is separate than when we made our initial commitment to the Lord. And it is nothing like what Pentecostals / Charismatics do when they knock people to the floor when they pray/prey over them. I have no problem saying that what they do is of the devil! And I am very concerned that so many Christians don’t see the great danger of being involved with folks who are members of charismatic churches. God’s people really need to pray about this, and beware of unholy alliances!

We surely have an enemy out there, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" and his primary desire is to keep God’s people from worshiping God in Spirit and in truth! But praise the Lord God, He is our protector, our saviour, and our redeemer for those who trust in Him!

Keep the faith my dear brothers and sisters!

With the love of Christ,
Cathy

P.S. The countdown to Pentecost has begun, and I think it is so fascinating that many Jewish customs point to the Messiah of Israel, but for now “we see through a glass darkly,” and we have yet to see Him as He really is. May God reveal Himself to you in mighty and wonderful ways during this blessed season!

God bless you as you walk with Him in truth and holiness!

Devotion for Wednesday, Apr. 26th.

(So like, where did April go? I was just getting used to having switched the tread from March?)

We’ve been going through the book of Exodus and the difficulties God is having with His new possession, the people Israel.

Basically, the idea is: You can take Israel out of Egypt, but it is another problem altogether to get Egypt out of Israel.

Egypt is, of course, a metaphor for our bondage to sin. Our slavery to it. And, we can remove ourselves from our sin falsely thinking that this will help us keep from it.

God, however, continues to “test” Israel, as He often does us. He continues to put them, and us, in situations where we must choose between listening to our appetites; or trusting God to fulfill our needs.

Wait on God.

What is surprising is how quickly the people in Exodus lose faith. I mean, God has done all these amazing miracles to deliver them; and boom, being really thirsty erases their memory. They long for Egypt; as they may have been slaves, but when they were in slavery, they never got that kind of thirsty.

How short our memories are.


The fact is, they were still slaves to the gods of Egypt. Those gods are really nothing more than appetites waiting to be satisfied by our own self indulgence.

God continues to remind them, and us, to wait on God.

Only He really satisfies.

It is, indeed, a problem for us all, because:
“You can take Israel out of Egypt, but it is a whole different problem to get Egypt out of Israel.

Robert wrote: "...The fact is, they were still slaves to the gods of Egypt. Those gods are really nothing more than appetites waiting to be satisfied by our own self indulgence.

God continues to remind them, and us, to wait on God.

Only He really satisfies."

Amen brother!

Thanks everyone for the Devotionals! I love them! They are both a blessing, warning,encouragement,challenge,teaching, and a lot more... To God be the glory!
Thank you Robert for bringing to memory about my time with "My Utmost for His Highest"!
Thanx Eli for the empowerment through "The Fear of the Lord"! Abraham...our father of faith as also mentioned by Paul in my dear Friend C's Devotional; a coincidence? I don't think so...
Thanx Rita for your Prayers for us for this week...
Welcome to the group Amanda, and praise God for an answered prayers!
My Dear Friend C, Obedience really matters, and for us Real Christians, it matters most! "Obedience is the very best way to show that we believe", remember the song?
Amen Brother Robert! We too are at our "Exodus"! May we enter the Promise Land without any spot of Egypt in our lives! Whew! Phil.4:13
So glad to be back!
Praise the Lord!

Thanks for all of you alls encouragement. When working around non-believers all day, to hear words of faith and hope for a better world one day helps to keep me in love. God Bless! :-)

Devotional for Thursday:

ONE ANOTHER
Ephesians 4:13-16...
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children,tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, even the head,even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love"

Intro:
The nature and success of a True Church is by the care and contribution of each member to every other member, the supply of every joint and effectual work of every part. As member of Christ's body, we are members of each other...and we care for One Another as these passages say:
Leviticus 19:11
"Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie ONE to ANOTHER."
25:14,17
"And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbor, or buyest ought of thy neighbor's hand, ye shall not oppress ONE ANOTHER."
"Ye shall not therefore oppress ONE ANOTHER; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God."
Ecclesiastes 4:10
"For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not ANOTHER to help him up."
Mark 9:50
"Salt is good: but if the salt lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace ONE with ANOTHER."
John 13:14
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye ought also to wash ONE ANOTHER's feet."
34...
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love ONE ANOTHER; as I have loved you, that ye also love ONE ANOTHER."
35...
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love ONE to ANOTHER."
15:12
"This is my commandment that ye love ONE ANOTHER ."
Romans 12:10
"Be kindly affectioned ONE to ANOTHER with brotherly love; in honor preferring ONE ANOTHER."
13:8
"Owe no man anything but to love ONE ANOTHER: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
14:13
"Let us not therefore judge ONE ANOTHER any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
15:7
"Wherefore receive ye ONE ANOTHER, as also Christ received us to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 6:7
"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law ONE with ANOTHER. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?"
11:33
"Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry ONE for ANOTHER."
12:25
"That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care ONE for ANOTHER."
Galatians 5:13
"For,brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve ONE ANOTHER."
15...
"But if ye bite and devour ONE ANOTHER, take heed that ye be not consumed ONE of ANOTHER."
6:2
"Bear ye ONE ANOTHER's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind ONE to ANOTHER, tenderhearted,forgiving ONE ANOTHER, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
5:21
"Submitting yourselves ONE to ANOTHER in the fear of God."
1 Thessalonians 4:18
"Wherefore comfort ONE ANOTHER with these words."
Hebrews 3:13
"But exhort ONE ANOTHER daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
10:25
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting ONE ANOTHER: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
James 5:16
"Confess your faults ONE to ANOTHER, and pray ONE for ANOTHER, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
1 Peter 3:8
"Finally,be ye all of one mind, having compassion ONE of ANOTHER, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"
4:9
"Use hospitality ONE to ANOTHER without grudging."
5:5
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yeah, all of you be subject ONE to ANOTHER, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteh the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
1John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love ONE ANOTHER: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
4:12
"No man hath seen God at anytime. If we love ONE ANOTHER, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us."

These are just a few verses among about 70 others with similar nature.
Let me draw some simple conclusions that hopefully can be a blessing and encouragement for us:
1. Every Real Christian is required by the Lord to be humbly serving each other diligently in his daily Christian walk.
2. Every Real Christian should/must get out of his comfort zone to be a loving,serving Christian.
3. Your hurt is my hurt; your joy is my joy! You are a part me, i am a part of you!
We are a part of Christ! so, we can not say "Who cares?", because we care... Jesus cares!

Thank you for reading...
Blessings!
Please always be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Devotion for Wednesday, Apr. 28th.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

in my life is see how the world we live in and even the nation we live in is a spiritual Egypt. and daily and even hourly how am i aware of a spiritual battle and a fleshy battle we live and in this world, how are we too live? today after work sometimes an anger arises among my co-worker. it's never an anger i would act upon, although thoughts go into my mind to say someone is this, or they are lying. and by God's grace after i am at home and praying to God, he stops me from making those words an option for me to tell them the next morning. then the life of John the Baptist and Jesus cross my mind and how they would tell people things all the way until the point that these people killed them. granted today there are laws in place that protect that from happening, although how many non-believers would not want the same thing to happen. and then i ponder that the holy life in Christ would be for me to tell these people they are evil and going to hell. only in front of our shop of 4 people. how are we to live?
we live as the bride of Christ. and in my life as a believer i have thought about these truths a few times. but as i get older and older and closer to meeting my maker i seek to obey God's word and the mysteries of all the believers as Jesus' bride. as a male, i guess we don't think upon these things much, but of course as we grow up Christ - we follow and learn from Paul. who, i believe, may be our father in Christ as Paul said in his letters, i do believe.
which only means we are strong in Christ when we are weak. not only as we live in spiritual Egypt and just keep our clothes clean(Rev. 22:14), but come out of spiritual Egypt as well (2 Cor 6:17). on our knees everyday , doing God's work, not having money or owning property would be the true walk with Christ? may each person's walk be the will of God in our life.

Thanks for letting me post. God Bless you all in Christ!
Sean

oops Friday April 28th.

C. wrote: "I think I have missed something in my absence... Hope all is well!"

Everything is fine. :) Someone had just joined the group & started making some very strange & confusing comments here in some of the threads. No need to worry or anything. :)

S.M. wrote: "Sorry I have no devotional for you today. Am not feeling very well. Hope you all have a blessed weekend.
S M McElligott"

We've been praying for you! I hope you're feeling better!

Arniegamilong wrote: "Hello everybody! I misssssssssssssed everyone, especially my Friend C.
I just wanted to let you know the reason why I was absent for several Thursdays, and that i am very sorry for not being able ..."

So nice to have you back with us, Arnie! I'm glad to know you're doing well. :)

Hi Pastor Arnie,

Wow, that was a wonderful devotional and great collection of Scripture verses! Thank you for sharing!

Here's ANOTHER passage that I especially love!

Isaiah 42:5 "Thus saith God the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to ANOTHER, neither My praise to graven images."

It is great to see your voice here! I thank the Lord for you! And may we always be mindful to pray for one ANOTHER!

God bless and keep you and your loved ones--Always!

Take care my dear friend!

With the love of Christ,
C.

Also, thank you Eli, Lee, Rita Faye, Robert, and S.M. for your devotions. It is very encouraging to read your thoughts about God and His kingdom, and also your prayers to the Lord! And even when I cannot reply, please know that I do take time to read what is written. We have such a busy life, and it is 4:21 AM, and I just finished rearranging and cleaning up my office, and I really need to go to bed, but I just had to stop in...

Take care! And please keep trusting the Lord my dear brothers and sisters! He is faithful and true-always!

Arnie, great to have you back with us. I have missed your devotions.

Eli (Sean) I pray that you are a true disciple of God throughout the day and that God gives you the serenity you need to do your job effectively and to do His Commission willingly. Try to replace your inner thoughts with constant prayers for God to calm your anger and replace it with love for your co-workers. It has worked for me when I have been frustrated and angry in the past. God Bless You.

Hello everybody. It's been a while since I've been on Goodreads. I hope this devotional finds y'all in good spirits.

Once again, my devotional takes the form of lyrics. These lyrics are from the song "Hold My Hands" by Glacia Robinson (though it was uploaded with the wrong artist name) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPrnK... )

This song really minsters to me and i'd like to share the words with you.

[Verse 1:]
My strength is surely failing as trials come both left and right,
And in the center I'm now standing, not a trace of hope in sight,
And if tears were only rain drops the universe would be flooding now,
So Lord I call you today please don't pass me by

[Chorus:]
Hold my hand today
Less I fall, guide my steps all the way
Please hear my call, for the cares of life is all I now see,
Please walk me through them, that's all I ask of thee

[Verse 2:]
A storm of fear now surrounds me
A failing heart is all I see, broken dreams
With painful memories the quest for help abides with me
Still I know your standing near me, but I so need your hand in mine,
So Lord I ask you today please hear me cry

Have a blessed week everybody.

Hey, there... Could someone please set up a new devotionals thread for May? I don't know if it's my internet (which, thanks to the weather, has been coming & going) or if it's the GR website, but it's not letting me send messages or set up discussion threads. :/
So if someone could do that for me, I would be so grateful!!

The schedule as of right now is:

Sunday: Lee
Monday: Rita Faye
Tuesday: C. Read
Wednesday: Robert?
Thursday: Arnie
Friday: open
Saturday: open

Link to Devotions May 2017

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thank you for this
It is my daily prayer that the Lord guides me day by day.

Rita Faye wrote: "Link to Devotions May 2017

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thank you so, so much, Rita!! I really appreciate you setting that up for me! :D

My pleasure. I just had to ask my son how to link to another thread.