Several Christians fail to recognise the Chosen ones of God and are not taking on a Christian attitude

This beautiful Summer we may enjoy the fruits of the earth but we can also take so time free to think of the fruits of the spirit. In our free time we can think of what the master teacher had to tell and how he spread his message. The way of him addressing people should be as an example for us.

Since we do have a new gadget, an i-Pad, we tried to enrol at some Facebook Groups and share our thoughts about our Messiah. But at those groups we are often confronted with such vile language,  morally depraved, ignoble or wicked, disgusting, repulsive, coming from the mouth of those who call themselves Christian, we can get red ears or have to close them and sometimes even have to close our eyes for what disgusting things we can see placed by trinitarian Christians.

For those using such awful language the kingdom of God may  still look far away and we can clearly see that often they did not even grasp 10% of Jesus his teaching.

In his days Jesus could find many dens of robbers, and to day he would not find something else in many places. Everywhere we can find churches which charge the people coming along, want to give them guilt feelings if they are not given money, and try to sell many things.

Today’s reading of Matthew chapter 21 tells us about the Nazarene seeing a fig tree by the road and finding nothing on it but leaves. When he said to it,

“Let there be no fruit from you forever!”

Immediately the fig tree withered away.

This reminds us of many people who call themselves Christian but never bring forth any fruit, but also let us think of those who only produce rotten fruit.

First to the Jews a Land was promised. Now with Jesus the people, the Gentiles, also got the opportunity to come to live in that Land of God. To them too is the kingdom given. But like the Jews they too have to produce fruits for God.

The Jewish

“branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in”

the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans. But he also warns them,

“do not be arrogant toward the branches … if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” (11:17,21).

So many we hear telling us we are no Christians because we do not accept Jesus as our god, also attack other monotheist people like Jehovah Witnesses, Jews and Muslims. Those attacking the Jews for having killed Jesus and telling them they are cursed by God, do forget God promised them the Holy Country. Many of them do not see that Israel (the people) shall be united in a Land (Israel) as part of the promise to Abraham. And today we can see (part of it) already coming (slowly) in fulfilment.

Those who really love God and believe that Jesus is His only begotten son, the sent one from God and the Messiah, should do their best to produce fruit God can use and which can feed those who do not know Jesus or do not know God yet.

Seeds and weeds for being the greatest nation

Today the world seems to be struggling with seeds sown after a horrible experience which brought millions of people to end their life earlier than it should have been.

Nearly hundreds years ago everybody had said “never again”, but less than 30 years loomed the ghost ship already from the waves. soon the European battlefield was again full of blood and tears. this time one tiny man had shouted loud and had made many grand gestures getting the crowd to believe this time it would be different and he would made their nation, their own country, the greatest again and forever the greatest.

The Jews where blamed for all the poverty and misery in the country. They where considered also to be the murderers of Jesus Christ and if Europe was not going to be careful they would conquer Europe.

World War I era US poster by James Montgomery Flagg, 1918, lithograph, color; 56 x 36 cm. Columbia (female allegorical personification of the United States of America) broadcasts seeds in a plowed field. Text:”Sow the Seeds of Victory! Plant and raise your own vegetables”…”Every garden a munition plant”. Urging civilians to raise their own food to free up resources for the war effort. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today there is an other Izegrim who is telling his compatriots they should be aware for a people that supposedly would have conquered Europe already and soon would be conquering the United States of America. The bully, neatly his head being covered with his blonder peruche, wants others to believe he is the clairvoyant who knows what is best for the nation and who is the only one who can make the nation great again. Lots of people have put their hope in him. Worse is that many who voted for him say they are Christians. Though clearly they show not a Christian attitude by liking the use of weapons, killing others and spreading the hate against Jews and Muslims. Those last ones seem to be the cause of all trouble today. They are consider a very dangerous breed of people, worshipping a strange and dangerous god. Those christians mostly worship a false three-headed god, though they claim to be worshipping the Only True God. And there is what the problem of today is…..

In the contemporary world the seed of the adversary of God is sown and germinating. Thought that seed starts seeing that the seed of God, the people who want to worship the Only One True God is starting to shine more. Jews, true Christians (non-trinitarian) and true Muslims are those who follow the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, the Words of Allah, the Most Almighty Elohim Hashem Jehovah. The false Muslims and false Christians see a danger or threat in those lovers of God and try to do everything to bring them in a bad light.

First there are the ones who take Jesus as their god but do not follow the teachings of peace of that master teacher. Rabbi Jeshua was always an ear and a good heart to those who where different than others or who had difficulties. He always was there to come to help them and to be there to defend them who had no voice or did not belong to the main community.

The photo depicts the Sowing the Seeds icon from the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Hajdúdorog, Hungary. It was painted on the end of the 18th century by unknown painter (most probably by Mihály Mankovics). The painting decorates the pulpit of the cathedral. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In our Holy Scriptures we are told that this master teacher told many parables and many of them concerned our faith and our behaviour towards people around us and towards God. We also consider him as the sent one from Allah was not going to keep his mouth shut, but would open it with illustrations so that people would be able to come to see.

“هذا كله كلم به يسوع الجموع بامثال.وبدون مثل لم يكن يكلمهم” (متى 13:34)
“All this Jesus spoke to the crowds in (sayings or stories) parables; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them,” (Matthew 13:34)

In our Holy Scriptures we are told that this sent one from the Most High Allah, the son of man, is the sower of the fine seed.

“فاجاب وقال لهم.الزارع الزرع الجيد هو ابن الانسان.” (متى 13:37)

“He answered them Hm.alazara, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,” (Matthew 13:37)

Fine seed is naturally very delicate and may (perhaps) be easily damaged. That is the problem with some seeds Jesus could sow on this earth. They might have found Jesus, though not knowing their master or sower very well, they thought they knew him enough to say that they are his. We see lots of people who say they are Christian, which should mean being a follower of Christ Jesus. But what we can see is that they have that son of man made into their god and where even not afraid to make graven images of him, though Allah is very clear that we never should make any graven image of a god nor of Him.

“لا تصنع لك تمثالا منحوتا ولا صورة ما مّما في السماء من فوق وما في الارض من تحت وما في الماء من تحت الارض.” (خروج 20:4)

“”You shall not make for yourselves a graven image or any likeness of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters under the earth:” (Exodus 20:4 )

The One having to be the Only One God should be Allah, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah Who is One and Who is not a man of flesh and blood but an eternal Spirit.

“اسمع يا اسرائيل.الرب الهنا رب واحد.” (تثنية 6:4)

“Hear, Asiraial (Israel): Jehovah is Allah our Lord God; Jehovah is just (the only) one:” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

“انا الرب هذا اسمي ومجدي لا اعطيه لآخر ولا تسبيحي للمنحوتات.” (اشعياء 42:8)

“”I am Magdi Jehovah, that is my name. I will not give him (the Magdi or glory) to time or to another, nor my praise Zbhristi (Haem or glorification) to sculptures or engraved images.” (Isaiah 42:8)

“لا تنطق باسم الرب الهك باطلا لان الرب لا يبرئ من نطق باسمه باطلا.” (خروج 20:7)

“Do not pronounce the name of Jehovah your Allah in vain; for Jehovah will not acquit of His name in vain (or will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain)” (Exodus 20:7)

that is what we can see what happened in this world. Many have taken the Holy Name of Allah and changed it from Jehovah into Jesus and made sculptures, paintings and several objects with drawings of him and his heavenly Father, though this is an abomination in the eyes of that Father of rabbi Jeshua, who is the only One God Spirit.

“الله روح.والذين يسجدون له فبالروح والحق ينبغي ان يسجدوا.” (يوحنا 4:24)

“Allah is spirit, and you should worship Him in spirit and truth.”” (John 4:24)

Instead of worshipping Allah in truth many fake their devotion for god by worshipping not at all or having more interest in (or worship of) money and material possession. That love of possession brings also certain people to use the title of God to bring fear over man and to oppress those around them. Often they use Allah His Words in the wrong way, distorting or twisting them so that they can justify their wrong acts, like attacking other believers and non-believers, humiliating women, selling people, etc.

Brooklyn Museum – The Enemy Sowing Tares – Elihu Vedder – overall (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most Christians do not worship Jehovah, the Only One True God of gods, with spirit, but prefer to keep to human dogmas and therefore many became blind for the biblical truth, like we also can see in the Ummah, where several so called believers do not come to read the Holy Scriptures any more but follow just some verses, taken out of context by their teachers, which they follow without comparing their sayings with what is written in the Scriptures. Because so many Muslims and Christians not knowing their Holy Scriptures any more they can be mislead and be driven away from the truth and worse also from God.

Perhaps both Christians and Muslims should come to read Muslim scriptures where is written

And, likewise, their belief in beings or powers that are supposed to have a share in God’s divinity makes [even] the slaying of their children seem goodly to many of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, thus bringing them to ruin and confusing them in their faith. Yet, unless God had so willed, they would not be doing all this: stand, therefore, aloof from them and all their false imagery!(6:137)

There and then will every human being clearly apprehend what he has done in the past; and all will be brought back unto God, their true Lord Supreme, and all their false imagery will have forsaken them.(10:30)

It is they who have squandered their own selves-for [on the Day of Resurrection] all their false imagery will have forsaken them:(11:21)

Is Then, He who has every living being in His almighty care, [dealing with each] according to what it deserves -[is, then, He like anything else that exists]? And yet, they ascribe to other beings a share in God’s divinity! Say: “Give them any name [you please]: but do you [really think that you could] inform Him of anything on earth that He does not know-or [do you] but play with words?, Nay, goodly seems their false imagery to those who are bent on denying the truth, and so they are turned away from the [right] path: and he whom God lets go astray can never find any guide.(13:33)

And [this retribution will befall all evildoers because] they devise that false imagery of theirs – and all their false imagery is within God’s knowledge. [And never can the blasphemers prevail against the truth – not] even if their false imagery were so (well devised and so powerful] that mountains could be moved thereby.(14:46)

As it is, they ascribe – out of what We provide for them as sustenance – a share unto things of which they know nothing. By God, you shall most certainly be called to account for all your false imagery!(16:56)

And on that Day will they [who had thus been sinning, belatedly] proffer their surrender to God; and all their false imagery will have forsaken them.(16:87)

when he said unto his father and his people, “What are these images to which you are so intensely devoted?”(21:52)

But, then, did those [beings] whom they had chosen to worship as deities beside God, hoping that they would bring them nearer [to Him], help them [in the end]? Nay, they forsook them: for that [alleged divinity] was but an outcome of their self-delusion and all their false imagery.(46:28)

Instead of becoming liberated in Christ they have become slaves of a new religion not afraid to set them up against other religions. In this can be seen the reason why so many can not see what are real Christians or what are real Muslims. True Christians and true Muslims should be bringers of peace. Again they better look at Muslim writings which say

And when Abraham said: “O Lord, make this a city of peace, and give those of its citizens who believe in God and the Last Day fruits for food,” He answered: “To those will I also give a little who believe not, for a time, then drag them to Hell, a dreadful destination!”(2:126)

Except those who take refuge with a people allied to you, or those who, weary of fighting you or their people, come over to you. If God had so willed He would surely have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. If they keep aloof and do not fight, and offer peace, God has left you no reason to fight them.(4:90)

You will also find persons who, while wishing to live in peace with you as well as with their own people, turn to civil war the moment they are called to it. If they do not keep away from you, nor offer you peace nor restrain their hands, seize them and kill them wherever they are. We have given you a clear sanction against them.(4:91)

O believers, when you go out on a journey in the way of God, be discreet and do not say to anyone who greets you in peace: “You are not a believer.” You desire the gain of earthly life, but there are prizes in plenty with God. You were also like him (an unbeliever) in the past, but God has been gracious to you. So be careful and discreet, for God is aware of what you do.(4:94)

Their confidential counsels are seldom for the good, save of those who talk of charity or goodness or peace among men. Whosoever does so for the pleasure of God, We shall give him an ample reward.(4:114)

 

The seeds of Jesus do not have to worry. Because when they truly believe their master teacher they can be sure Allah will guide and protect them.

Through which God will lead those who follow His pleasure to the path of peace, and guide them out of darkness into light by His will, and to the path that is straight.(5:16)

But man has to give something in the place. They should believe. They should believe in God and today they also should believe in the the sent one from God, Ishi (Jeshua or Jesus Christ) and would not mix their faith with that of pagans, or taking part in to pagan feasts like Halloween, Yule, Christmas and Easter e.g. and may not deny the position of each character God placed on this earth.

They alone have peace who believe and do not intermix belief with denial, and are guided on the right path.”(6:82)

For them is an abode of peace with their Lord. He will be their defender as reward for what they did.(6:127)

“الحق الحق اقول لكم ان من يسمع كلامي ويؤمن بالذي ارسلني فله حياة ابدية ولا يأتي الى دينونة بل قد انتقل من الموت الى الحياة.” (يوحنا 5:24)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word and believes Him who sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)

Lots of Christians do not believe the One Who sent Jesus and said that man standing in the river Jordan was His only begotten son.

“21  ولما اعتمد جميع الشعب اعتمد يسوع ايضا.واذ كان يصلّي انفتحت السماء 22 ونزل عليه الروح القدس بهيئة جسمية مثل حمامة وكان صوت من السماء قائلا انت ابني الحبيب بك سررت 23 ولما ابتدأ يسوع كان له نحو ثلاثين سنة وهو على ما كان يظن ابن يوسف بن هالي” (لوقا 3:21-23)

“21  Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky opened up, 22 and the Holy Spirit in a bodily form as a dove descended on him; and a voice came out from heaven, saying

“You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, it was thought he being the son of Joseph, bin Hali,” (Luke 3:21-23)

Those Christians who made Jesus into their god also do not believe Allah’s Own Word, who tells mankind about the moment when it was begotten time to have that one promised in the Royal Garden to come to earth.

“ولكن لما جاء ملء الزمان ارسل الله ابنه مولودا من امرأة مولودا تحت الناموس” (غلاطية 4:4)

“But when the fulness of the time had come, Allah sent out his son, born to a woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4)

He knew very well the Law and the Word of God, but the seed of the contemporary world has so much weed between it it nearly becomes suffocated in the field.

Some days after that preaching man told about the weeds, Allah once more declared who this rabbi was.

“وفيما هو يتكلم اذا سحابة نيرة ظللتهم وصوت من السحابة قائلا هذا هو ابني الحبيب الذي به سررت.له اسمعوا.” (متى 17:5)

“While he was speaking, a bright cloud and voice from the cloud overshadowed them, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Hear him (or listen to him).” (Matthew 17: 5)

Today we have come into an age where we find again people of little faith and people of no faith and being a twisted generation, catching fear because they do not know the Word nor the people of God and how they should unite with all people of God, transferring from here to there (Matthew 17:20; 21:21; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44).

the weed Atriplex patula

We today must be aware how the adversary is working hard to bring division between man. The adversaries of God sow seeds of weed to make sure many plants will die because the weeds not giving place for them. Please let us therefore listen to the wise words of the sent one from Allah, who explains his story about the seeds and weeds.

“37 فاجاب وقال لهم.الزارع الزرع الجيد هو ابن الانسان. 38 والحقل هو العالم.والزرع الجيد هو بنو الملكوت.والزوان هو بنو الشرير. 39 والعدو الذي زرعه هو ابليس.والحصاد هو انقضاء العالم.والحصادون هم الملائكة. 40 فكما يجمع الزوان ويحرق بالنار هكذا يكون في انقضاء هذا العالم. 41 يرسل ابن الانسان ملائكته فيجمعون من ملكوته جميع المعاثر وفاعلي الاثم. 42 ويطرحونهم في اتون النار.هناك يكون البكاء وصرير الاسنان. 43 حينئذ يضيء الابرار كالشمس في ملكوت ابيهم.من له اذنان للسمع فليسمع 44 ¶ ايضا يشبه ملكوت السموات كنزا مخفى في حقل وجده انسان فاخفاه ومن فرحه مضى وباع كل ما كان له واشترى ذلك الحقل. 45 ايضا يشبه ملكوت السموات انسانا تاجرا يطلب لآلئ حسنة. 46 فلما وجد لؤلؤة واحدة كثيرة الثمن مضى وباع كل ما كان له واشتراها. 47 ايضا يشبه ملكوت السموات شبكة مطروحة في البحر وجامعة من كل نوع. 48 فلما امتلأت اصعدوها على الشاطئ وجلسوا وجمعوا الجياد الى اوعية.واما الاردياء فطرحوها خارجا. 49 هكذا يكون في انقضاء العالم.يخرج الملائكة ويفرزون الاشرار من بين الابرار. 50 ويطرحونهم في اتون النار.هناك يكون البكاء وصرير الاسنان 51 قال لهم يسوع أفهمتم هذا كله.فقالوا نعم يا سيد. 52 فقال لهم.من اجل ذلك كل كاتب متعلم في ملكوت السموات يشبه رجلا رب بيت يخرج من كنزه جددا وعتقاء.” (متى 13:37-52 Arabic)

the weed Urtica dioica, often called common nettle, stinging nettle many of which have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals

“37 He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 44  “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. 45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, 48 which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” 51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.” 52 He said to them, “Therefore, every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”” (Matthew 13:37-52 WEB)

Those who really love should do their utmost best to come to know that Divine Maker of all things and should try to please Him more than to please man around them. they should be very careful for those people who promise they alone are the one who is able to make their nation great again. they should look at the fruits of such people and check if they are living themselves according to what they are preaching.

We should make ourselves stronger in the faith by regularly reading the Whole Word of God and not to take just a few verses from scripture out of context.

As lovers of God we should also show that we are really willing to be His children, living under His Fatherhood, enjoying the diversity in His family, people from different cultures with different skin-colour, different tongue, with different attitudes, ways of dressing and talking, but all united under His Holy Name.

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Preceding

Seeds to be planted soon

Seeds of promiseSeeds, weeds and kingdoms

Unbelief, faith and mustard seed

Seeds from the world creating division and separation from God

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Additional reading

1. Belonging to or being judged by
2. Follower of Jesus part of a cult or a Christian
3. Evangelisation, local preaching opposite overseas evangelism
4. Looking for a biblically sound church
5. Luther on Being a Theologian: Oratio, Meditatio and Tentatio
6. Back from gone #3 Giving worries to God and believing in His promises
7. 2014 Religion
8. Silence, devotion, Salafists, quietists, weaponry, bombings, books, writers and terrorists
9. Not liking your Christians
10. Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
11. A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
12. Relying on the Love of God
13. Unconditional love

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Further related articles

1. Hitler and the Original Conspiracy Theory
2. Know Your Enemy
3. Nationalists’ approaches to Jews, Israel and Zionism: Complex relationships
4. A former skinhead explains why it’s a mistake for the US to stop targeting right-wing extremists
5. FBI Opens Hate Crime Investigation Into Dozens Of JCC Bomb Threats
6. Netanyahu’s silence on Trump and anti-Semitism
7. French scholar prosecuted for “incitement to racial hatred” for noting the culturally inherited anti-Semitism of French Muslims
8. France’s Jihad against the truth | Yves Mamou
9. Israeli Police Prepare for the Coming of the ‘Messiah’
10. What’s Holding the Arab World Back?
11. Use of the word Pharisee
12. This Man
13. A Christian’s Job Interview
14. God Knew Me When
15. The ungodly
16. Is Trump the Antichrist?
17. What is Dignity?
18. Courage is Believing
19. The Well-Balanced Christian
20. Walls that Divide, Pt. 1
21. Walls that Divide, Pt. 2
22. Our Resolutions or God’s Promises?
23. In the dust of the Rabbi- Day 66
24. Mission Trips
25. Saving Faith is Present Tense and Active – Part 5: He Who Stands Firm to the End Will Be Saved
26. Got Weeds?
27. Parable of the Weeds (sermon)
28. The grass is always greener….
29. June 21, 2016: 5th Tuesday after Pentecost

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Looking at an American nightmare

It looks like the United States has awakened not from a bad dream but in a next night mare.

Having spent the majority of his adult life as a theatre artist throughout the Southeast, John Ellis as columnist of the American online media company PJ Media (originally known as Pajamas Media) an operator of an eponymous conservative news, opinion and commentary collaborative blog that was founded in 2004, has some good comments you should have a look at.

He knows

We are called to show our love for each other by surrendering our rights to each other. {4 Really Bad Reasons to Quit Your Church}

Running up to the 2016 election of the 45th president of the United States John Ellis found himself in a national nightmare which he taught would conclude on the 8th of November. At that time many were holding their breath in worried anticipation that an even worse nightmare was about to begin.

On November the 2nd he wrote

Sadly, the late hours of November 8 may very well find me in agreement that a new national nightmare is imminent. Unlike many, if not most, however, I believe that whatever nightmare is looming, it will be short-lived and may very well give way to a new and improved conservative movement. Strangely, my optimism is a product of Donald Trump. {Divisions Over Trump Reveal Integrity Within the Conservative Movement}

 

(AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

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After it got know that the president elect was going to be Donald Trump in several places of the different states people came together on the streets to show their disgust and anger about the outcome of this election.

For many all over the world it looked really surreal and for some this Kafkan story was to be expected whilst others never thought it would be ever possible to have Donald J. Trump being the President-Elect of the U.S.A. Because of the unjust political system in the U.S.A., not giving those with not enough money the possibility to come up as presidential candidate and not taking into account the populist vote, but giving everything in the hands of the College of Electors, the one with the biggest mouth and making the people afraid most, got the victory. Trump with his vile words and vitriol gained the seat of presidency.

The man who does not dare to look a person straight in the eyes, not even the president of America, himself looked surprised with his victory and had calmed down for his first speech as president–elect.

The President-elect met the current Awesome President Obama in the White House. It’s interesting to see a captured shot of a handshake between two wildly different men. One of stoic principle, defined career, grace, majesty and presence. The other, a man who can’t or won’t straighten his shoulders and who won’t look his President in the eye for the handshake. Obama, the pinnacle of underdog achievement in America stared straight into the face of the pillar of white, moneyed elitism and the latter closed his eyes and dropped his chin by an inch. {Acknowledgement} – Photo; AAP

The man who did not show any interest in decent morals, principles, compassion or empathy who managed to saw division and hate now got the stings in hand to lead one of the biggest nations of the world.

In The America where so many call onto their Constitution and Free Rights, lots of people call themselves Christian but do not seem to show a real Christian attitude. In the country which came big on the work of many slaves, from Africa (black people) and Europe (light coloured, Spanish, Italian and Polish people) those so called Christians do not seem to have a place in what they call “their country”, though they robbed it form the indigenous peoples, the “Red Indians“, for what they call foreigners and coloured people. Once more the U.S.A proved how the colour of skin is going to make it if you are liked or disgusted. When Hispanics, African-Americans, Latinos, tend to be more racist towards white people, for some, they have to look for the reason or the cause of this problem. When you look at the sheriffs or how police often treats Afro-Americans you can imagine how taken by fear such people  may be when they are pulled at the side of the road.

Some may think

the media dramatizes everything, playing it up, making it seem as if everyone is out to get the minorities. {To The Trump America (The Truth About Racism)}

but in the rest of the world enough awful stories are heard how people are still discriminated and what impression should we get when even a candidate, who now has become president elect, spoke about “monkeys” when he was talking about the “black people“, “jigaboos“, “niggers” or “Negroes“.

Naturally we may never generalise, but throughout the election campaign we heard so many sayings, so many statements that can not let us think otherwise that the discrimination is still deep seated in the heart of many Americans, also in many so called Christian Americans. Lots of those so called Christians also made it clear in “their country”, there is no place for an other religion than theirs. And for them Islam is something of the devil (by which they mean a sort of torturous being from beneath the earth or from outer space). For lots of white Americans all evil comes from those Muslims who dare to come to live in their sacred Christian country.

For many it was heaven to hear how Trump would make done by the threat of terrorism which became an opportunity for an extended global vision. But Americans do not need a global vision now. They are mostly concerned about their internal affairs and want to protect their own goods and make sure to earn as  much as they can, even if they have to use such things which are very demanding for the environment.

From “News For The Blind“

Trump brought for many the solution with the change he promises, making their country great again. How, Trump never clearly explained, but they will trust him because he is a good business man and knows how to handle things.

Though when we know that this election was all about ethnic nationalism and racial and religious intolerance we in the West wonder how the wounds now shall be mended.

A 29 year old African American male living in the United States, there since 1995 when his family and he immigrated to the US at the age of 9 years, wrote about this November 2016 election and Trump

His election was the work, almost entirely, of white people. More than 90 per cent of Americans who voted for Mr. Trump were white, and most white U.S. voters, both men and women, cast a ballot for him (even though his opponent got more votes over all). And at least 90 per cent of non-white Americans did not vote for him. This was a white riot – an angry, rejectionist turn by a deeply pessimistic majority within the white population against the far more hopeful and inclusive politics of the rest of the country. {The real reason Donald Trump got elected? We have a white extremism problem (Thanks To White Idiots)}

In that light all have to remember that not all white people are falling into political extremism and not all coloured people take aversion for the white people.

Those who are accepting the differences of skin colour, gender, religious beliefs, should now clearly let their voice be heard as well. But not by lowering themselves on the same level as Trump, by taking on an indecent attitude, using violence or awful words.

John Ellis, like many American Christians adamantly believes in two distinct genders.

We believe that God created men and women to reflect who He is in different ways. Telling women to “suck it up” or passing off jokes about sexual assault (which I don’t believe were mere jokes, for the record) as guys being guys and locker room talk lets them know that the liberal lie about gender being a social construct will be co-opted by Christian men when convenient. Men who defend Trump have abdicated their God-given role to stand up for and protect women. And for that, I am angry, almost sinfully so. Apart from God’s grace, it will hard for me to consistently live out Romans 13:1-2 these next four years. {There Are Some Important Tests Ahead for #NeverTrump Christians}

Many American Christians do not seem to see how denigrating Trump thinks about the woman being, so if Trump would be the right guy to defend women, we doubt. Many Americans also seems to forget that all human beings are created in the image of God and that we all should respect all sorts of people, from whatever gender they may be.

For Donald Trump, who told the press he even doesn’t trust his wife with her vote:

“The lines outside polling stations were much shorter when women weren’t allowed to vote.” {Donald Trump on many occasions}

Christians also should ponder about their place of diversity, on what it means to have a president who is endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan. They with us in Europe should be on our “quivive”, be alert, noticing that this election, both the campaign and the result, will make it harder to defend democracy when talking to authoritarians. the Capitalist world has a real problem. Though in the United States lots of the people may call themselves Christian, they have gone far away from the Biblical teachings and do not show that they are following the teachings of the man whose name they use for their group. The Nazarene rabbi, was a humble teacher of peace, who instigated a peace movement, what was called the sect the Way, and was not the founder of a hate carrying excluding community.

Today we do find a divided country where people who say they are Christian want to exclude those who are different from them. They may feel a man should copulate with a woman and have children, but do not want to accept two men or two women living together to have children. They want to feel good in their skin, but do not want others to feel good in their skin and want to forbid others changing their ‘outer’ looks or gender.

As Trump expressed he “loves the poorly educated”, “keep people dumb so that you can use them”, which also shall make it that Trump shall be able to do whatever he wants, with the knowledge that

“I could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and I wouldn’t lose any votes.” {saying of Donald Trump}

Donald Trump enters the Oscar De LA Renta Fashion Show, New York. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We in the West could see a sexist, racist fascist, though got the impression in the States of America not many saw that. We also noticed that in the States many Christians promoted Trump instead Jesus or instead for calling good common sense and to go for the person who does not go in against the value of freedom and democracy.

In the land where so many hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so much hate the Word of Allah or God, and where there has to be a new scapegoat for all the troubles that come over America, because they cannot pick so much any more on the blacks, people could find some one who doesn’t give a rip about others nor about religion, who promised change and to push out that motley crew, and they thought he would be worth to vote for.

Now the dices cast, we shall have to see how it is going to turn out.

The democratic voice has to allow protesters to retort. The state shall have to show it allows riposting, but those who do not agree with the outcome should examine how it could come so far.

In case

Adding a taunting “us” versus “them” in regards to American politics drives an unbiblical wedge between the gospel witness of the Church and unbelievers. {Christians Should Be Promoting Jesus, Not Donald Trump}

Trump (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

American Christians should also examine their heart and check if they are prepared to take on such an attitude Jesus took on for those around him. are they (at last) willing to accept that there may be people who think differently than them, or who want to live differently than they? Should they also not give to the Caesar what belongs to the ruler and respect the regulations that ruler has taken to govern the country? Christians know, as long as they do not go in against the rules of God, they should respect and follow the rules of the country they are living in. They, who claim to be Christian should keep to the Christian laws, of which the golden rule is to love one another, no matter what he or she  has done or how he or she feels or want to be.

The last few moths we have seen many so called Christians who enjoyed the mud throwing Trump and joined him too. Now we also find other Christians who go on the streets fighting, instead of expressing themselves with respect for other man’s goods.

Instead of taking the opportunity to demonstrate love and grace by extending the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it appears that American Christians are instead kicking mud in the face of their vanquished foes. If this applies to you, fellow Christian, shame on you! {Christians Should Be Promoting Jesus, Not Donald Trump}

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Preceding articles

On the 11th hour…

Children of Men

Freedom and amendments, firearms and abortions

Responses to Radical Muslims and Radical Christians

Entry 2. Unite our voices

Mountains of information, disinformation and breaking away

Max Lucado: I Had a Dream That Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Reached a Truce

Leaders in disguise

Looking at man’s closest friend

Study says highlighting gender leads to stereotypes

Happiness mapping and getting over gender mapping

Gender connections

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Additional articles

1. 150 Years after the 13th Amendment
2. Walls,colours, multiculturalism, money to flow, Carson, Trump and consorts
3. Scepticals of the Bible
4. Refugee crisis, terrorist attacks and created fear
5. Coming closer to the end of 2015 and the end for Donald Trump as presidential candidate
6. Islamophobia Must be Fought and Defeated
7. God Isn’t a Republican
8. American Christianity no longer resembles its Founder
9. Fearmongering succeeded and got the bugaboo a victory
10. Blinded crying blue murder having being made afraid by a bugaboo
11. Some quotes Americans should remember when going to the ballot office
12. When so desperate to hold onto power
13. The clean sweeper of the whole caboodle
14. A strong and wise fighter who keeps believing in America
15. Brexit No. 2 Blow-up
16. Voted against their system
17. Nigel Farage called Donald Trump’s victory ‘bigger than Brexit’
18. Stand Up
19. Gender roles and Multitasking parents
20. Avoiding the big questions
21. Gender Roles, What?
22. Belonging to or being judged by
23. Growing rift between observant parents and their children

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Further related articles

1. The Simpsons Predicted Trump’s Presidency 16 Years Ago
2. Final election 2016 Numbers: Trump won both popular ( 62.9 M -62.7 M ) And electoral college votes ( 306-232)…
3. Trump team rivalries spark infighting
4. 2016 Election Aftermath: Mending Relationships
5. First thoughts on the election of Donald Trump
6. Donald Trump: American Legend
7. Pitiable and dangerous face of EU where is so-called civilization center of human kind
8. Great American Harry Reid Says “Trump’s Election Does Not Feel Like America” — Where’s Hillary?
9. Supporters to Trump: break campaign promises at your peril
10. The real reason Donald Trump got elected? We have a white extremism problem (Thanks To White Idiots)
11. Boss says employees who agree with Trump’s rhetoric should resign
12. Spurs’ Popovich on Trump’s election: ‘That’s disgusting.’ (Good!!!)
13. Elite vision
14. To the Trump America (The Truth About Racism)
15. Memo to Trump
16. Clinton Wreckage
17. Trump and Brexit Part Two
18. The End???
19. Identity Politics Doubles Down
20. Acknowledgement
21. The Civics Lesson: Voting Matters, yo!
22. The 2010 Midterms And The 2016 Presidentials: The Lessons Not Learned
23. Yo Donald! Please Deport Me, Too! (99 Word Blog #068)
24. When Life Intervenes with Wrestling
25. How will President-elect Donald Trump affect Obamacare?
26. Bring In the Clowns
27. Don’t give Trump so much credit, America
28. Donald Trump: The Hypocritical-Narcissist Elect
29. What Comes Next With President Trump
30. Ku Klux Klan to Hold Donald Trump Victory Parade in North Carolina
31. Ku Klux Klan announces Trump victory parade in North Carolina
32. The Ku Klux Klan says it will hold a Trump victory parade in North Carolina
33. North Carolina GOP Condemns Ku Klux Klan’s Plans to Hold Parade Celebrating Trump Win
34. First responders to Trump’s election
35. Anti-Trump protests, racist attacks in the USA
36. Ku Klux Klan plans ‘victory’ parade to celebrate election of Donald Trump, who ‘united my people’
37. Weekend Reading: November 11, 2016
38. The Fight
39. White supremacists and EU far-right leaders praise Donald Trump election win
40. After the fall….what kind of protest follows?
41. David Duke Flips Out at Louisiana Senate Debate, Says Clinton Deserves the ‘Electric Chair’ for ‘Treason’
42. Pepper spray flies as students protest white supremacist David Duke’s remarks at black college
43. Right-wing extremism bigger threat in USA than radical Muslims. KKK strength doubles in one year
44. All The News You Klan Stand
45. Mr. C’s Dad- Avoiding the big questions
46. #InsteadOfBacon Miley Cyrus – Hillary shows the progress we’ve made towards gender equalit…
47. Come Outside, Mabel, and play on your gender-neutral bike
48. That’s not going to happen
49. Lonely – 12/11/16
50. Death and Taxes: A Road Trip, A Funeral, and Election Results
51. The Deadliest Year For Us!
52. And So It Begins…
53. Temporary Closing
54. The Left and transgender: “work with trans people, not against them”?
55. ‘Mom and dad’ among phrases banned under university’s new gender guidelines
56. Fleeing To Canada
57. Caring for Yourself as You Parent After a Trump Election
58. There is Light in the Dark: #TransLawHelp Connects Lawyers With Trans Individuals
59. Make America a great Horror again!
60. 2016 Post Election Prayer
61. Trumpland: white women, why, and where to now
62. Time to Act
63. Can we talk about Gender on Sunday?
64. Post Election: Daring to Hope?
65. Is Trump bad for trans people?
66. Day 1 of President of hate.

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Facing our existence every day

Every day we are confronted with ourselves again. Every day again we are again confronted not only with ourselves but also with those around us. Everyday we do meet again new challenges, have to affirm again our values.

Attitude / Golden Gun (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This world which challenges us brings us day in day out some new adventures. We can try to tackle them or try to escape those things which we do not want to see. But covering our eyes is not helping us nor getting such things we do not want to see away. Living in this world we should be aware of what is going on in it. We can not stand at the side, not wanting to be involved or just letting everything happen. Those things which we consider wrong demand an action. And we should take action. Though there are several Christians who think we do not need to do any works, because we are saved, we should not let everything pass along like nothing wrong happens. That what is not according to the Law of God, that what cannot be justified demands reaction. We should open our eyes to what happens in the world and should react appropriate.

Having us to react will demand strength and courage. It shall also demand an attitude to be taken. And that attitude should always be in accordance to the attitude our master teacher Jeshua wants his followers to have.

Attitude (EP) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every day we do have to face our inner self and find the core of our own business, our own being, our own strive, our own goal. Every day again we do have to face how we are wanting to build up our own life and our own future. It is naturally so that in case we do nothing we cannot do something wrong (we think). Not doing anything, letting it all pass, is witnessing of taking an attitude, which is not the right attitude. Rabbi Jeshua and his disciples taught about the essence of taking action and doing things. The master teacher gave several examples how people lost their opportunity to take part of the celebrations, the wedding or the entrance to the Kingdom.

The grace of salvation has been given to the whole mankind, but each individual has to do something with it. When we are willing to receive that marvellous free Gift, we do have to be thankful for it and do something with it. When we just leave in the cupboard, untouched it shall be of no service for us.

It is an Immeasurable Grace bestowed on humanity but lots of people do not see or appreciate the value of it, or take it for granted that now they have received it they do not have to do anything any more. Oh, how are they mistaken.

Each day we are confronted again with many ideas … our mind wandering about. Even a baptised person can have thoughts which are not in accordance with God His Will. Though they may be convinced that they have done away with the old life, that old life simmers slowly and little tinkly lights may be very attractive. More than once in our life bitterness, wrath, and even anger, does want to come along our path. We also can have moments where clamour and evil speaking may be lurking around our own corner. All those things we are asked to put away from us, with all malice. And that requires an action, which is a work to be done.

There are also days that we wake up and feel as if we have a broken heart. Though we may know that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul. Each time we left our mind wandering in the wrong way we do know we can repent, i.e. take an action, making the effort to see that we were wrong and that we do have to ask for pardon. It demands an action to see what we did wrong (i.e. doing a work) and when we know what we have done wrong we have to repent about it (again doing a work).

Painting “Kampen for tilværelsen” (Struggle for existence”) by Christian Krohg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Often because we ourself do have to endure so much pain we want others also to have pain. Often we also want to have many good things others may have and desires others to have some of our bad things. Such desires are often around us to cause pain. We can have feelings which hurt others or can bring them into distress. Yes, we must be aware that we can get up in the morning with allowing to grow in our mind the

“intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuse.”

This makes our own self the sick self. The self what needs healing. the healer is always around, but we have to come to him (which demands an action or work).  Without coming to the Saviour Jesus Christ we shall be nothing and will have it so much more difficult in our life. he is the Way to God and he is the one who can guide us through difficult times, putting our hands in the hands of his heavenly Father.

Every day we wake up we should know that God is willing to be close to us and that He is really concerned with what is going on in our heart and mind. Be aware, He knows much more than we allow others to see, hear or feel, what we think or want to do. Even when we do not carry out malicious acts against someone, but carry such thoughts in our mind, God knows it.

You ought not to secretly wish that something bad would happen to any person. Rejoicing in some misfortune that befalls someone else is also evidence of malice. And that is something God detests.

The dispensationalist Plymouth Brother Harry A. Ironside

The Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author Harry A. Ironside said every Christian has an obligation to put away all malice.

“If you do not live up to that, you are not living a real Christian life. This is Christianity lived in the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Gospel Light Society writes

You might feel like the malice in your heart is justified because of what someone did or said to you. But, you must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and bring your feelings under the authority of Christ. You must choose to put on the new man who will not walk in maliciousness, but in a spirit of love and forgiveness toward all. {How Not to Walk, Part 26 (Revive the Family, Revive the Church, Awaken the Nation, O Lord #272)}

Every day we have to face the new life lying in front of us. Having done away with the old life, we should try to do our utmost best to live in accordance to God His Wishes, not following man’s doctrines but following Biblical doctrines.

George Cuff wrote:

There are sins from the former life that simply must be denied,
Things the godless revel in, that a believer must sweep aside.
Immorality of every kind, impurity, lust and greed;
You will be bound to idolatry if scripture you fail to heed.

You must also rid yourselves of anger, malice and rage.
Watch your speech carefully. Do not in profanity engage.
You threw off the sinful man who reveled in foul deeds;
The new man is renewed in mind, empowered by Christ indeed. {How Not to Walk, Part 26 (Revive the Family, Revive the Church, Awaken the Nation, O Lord #272)}

Empowered by Christ Jesus we should find every day the fresh living water, empowering to continue in the right way, trying to finish the race, lying in front of us.

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Preceding articles

Our existence..

You Matter

Running challenge and the City build by the Most High Maker

For mams and dads it is also back to ‘normal’

Benefits of Positive Thinking

What IF you’re only driven by stress?

Failures, mistakes and Initiatives for Excellence and success, Working towards turning a Dream of yours into reality

There can only be hope when there is a will to be and say “I am”

The Goal

Our life depending on faith

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Additional reading

1. Life is like a ten-speed bike.
2. Suffering produces perseverance
3. Your purpose explains what you are doing with your life
4. If we view the whole world through a lens that is bright
5. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
6. Thought for September 8 Weak but standing strong in the ground swell
7. 30 things to start doing for yourself – #6 is vital.
8. Choices
9. Live …
10. Luck
11. Who are the honest ones?
12. Being prudent – zorgvuldig zijn
13. Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
14. Not liking your Christians
15. If there is bitterness in the heart
16. Sow and harvests in the garden of your heart
17. Don’t Envy the World
18. Blindness in the Christian world
19. Blinkered minds
20. Never making mistakes because never doing anything
21. The Immeasurable Grace bestowed on humanity
22. Infinite payment of sin by the son of God
23. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
24. Only I can change my life
25. The inspiring divine spark
26. If you think you’re too small to be effective
27. If we, in our prosperity, neglect religious instruction and authority
28. Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
29. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
30. Grow strong in weakness
31. Being aligned with above
32. Points to remember of philosophy versus spirituality and religion
33. It is a free will choice
34. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace
35. Your life the sum total of all your choices
36. Believe and speak and act in ways which show we have life in Christ’s name
37. Behold, My mother and My brothers!
38. Saved through grace not through keeping rituals
39. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
40. God’s will is that all sorts of men should be saved
41. A goal is a dream with a plan
42. Looking for a primary cause and a goal that can not offer philosophers existing beliefs
43. Inculturation today calling for a different attitude
44. Coming to the end of the year
45. Dynamic goals must always rise out of authentic needs
46. Being Religious and Spiritual 7 Transcendence to become one
47. Faith antithesis of rationality
48. Faith, storms and actions to be taken
49. A Living Faith #2 State of your faith
50. A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
51. A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus
52. Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal
53. Try driving forward instead of backwards
54. Priority to form a loving brotherhood
55. Discipleship to look at
56. Don’t be the weakest link
57. The Big conversation – Antagonists
58. Reasons why you may not miss the opportunity to go to a Small Church
59. Williamsburg Conference 2015 December 27-31 Joy and Gladness
60. We should use the Bible every day
61. Religious people and painful absence of spring of living water

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Further related

1. Grace
2. Salvation – He [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it
3. Instantly Healed, Saved and Baptized
4. “Looking For Jesus” – “Dead Works”
5. (Part 2) Can A Christian Lose Their Salvation?
6. A New Life of Righteousness
7. saved to serve
8. Breathe in, out!
9. How Vulnerability Can Bring Us Beyond Ourselves
10. The Power of a Grateful Heart – Weakness Gratitude
11. Afraid Of The Unknown
12. No Retreat, No Surrender!
13. Excerpt from a novel
14. FFfAW: Promises
15. 100 Days of Happiness and 90 Days of Kicking Fear in the Face ….
16. No Complain November
17. The Sandbox Writing Challenge #50 — No fair peeking!
18. Week 6: Opinions-Opinions-…oh No!
19. He Tries
20. If At First You Don’t Succeed
21. What Fills Your Personal Lamp? Personal Gratitude Challenge-day 2
22. “Start the daily practice of not letting the little things bother you! If the little things ruin you, what’s going to happen when the big things come along? Start practicing now for your big challenges in life.”
23. Skirting the hard stuff
24. Message from the Universe: Becoming the person you’ve dreamed about!
25. A Night To Dismember
26. Remembering to Pause
27. First Things First…
28. Easy
29. Quote Notes
30. Are you okay?
31. True Power
32. Bad Reaction
33. Good Grief!
34. Are You Ready?: Part 3
35. When God gives up
36. Daily Verse
37. Sin Makes You Sick
38. A Change In Perspective
39. We Are Dust
40. Daily Bread – Draw Nigh
41. Daily bible passage – 11/3/16
42. A Warning of God Concerning the Ungodly
43. Ezekiel 28-30; John 10
44. My hope is in the Lord
45. Christ’s Blood Shed for All Men
46. I cry for you 
47. For God So Loved The world…
48. Come to Me
49. How Not to Walk, Part 26 (Revive the Family, Revive the Church, Awaken the Nation, O Lord #272)

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• Christians will suffer from this half-baked ‘gay cake’ law
• Anti-Christian LGBT Blitzkrieg Closes Down Sweet Cakes by Melissa
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• AZ School Sends Girls to Mandatory Christian Abstinence Assembly, Boys to Voluntary Dating Seminar
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• Christians having the right heart to call others to go to God
• Jewish and Christian traditions of elders
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How to set your mind

Colossians 3, 4

Paul said,

The first of the Epistles to the Colossians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3 v 2).

This is all very well to say, but how do we do it? Paul gives us some great advice to achieve the goal.

1. Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, … anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. (Ephesians 3 v 5 – 8).
2. Do not lie. (v 9).
3. Don’t be racist. (v 11).
4. Practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (v 12).
5. Forgive. (v 13).
6. Love. (v 14).
7. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. (v 15).
8. Be thankful. (v 15).
9. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (v 16).
10. Teach and help others to do the same. (v 16).
11. Sing with thankfulness. (v 16).
12. Do everything with Jesus in mind. (v 17).
13. Love your family. (v 18 – 21).
14. Work hard for your employer as if you were working for Jesus. (v 22 – 25).
15. Treat others fairly. (4 v 1).
16. Devote yourselves to prayer. (v 2).
17. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. (v 5).
18. Always show grace in the way you speak. (v 6).

If these actions become habits in our lives then we will be doing what Paul said to do. We will have set our minds on the things above, not on earthly things.

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Related articles

• Why a ‘soft’ view of sin will only get the church into trouble
• Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• Christians need discipline, not excessive deliverance – Rev. Attih
• Grace and Peace
• Acts 15 and Salvation by Grace Alone
• Declarations For Identity In Christ
• 4 Questions that will test your spiritual fitness
• One Great Creator
• DIG for Friday the 9th of September…..one offering, one sacrifice…..Hebrews 10 v 12

Careful not to have God’s wrath poured out upon us taking on the right attitude

Today Saturday August the 20th in our afternoon meeting and worship service we’ll look a the anger in the world and the attitude we do have to take in these times of difficulties.

We’ll look at the real challenge which comes over all the lovers of God in these times where there are people who try to give a bad idea of that God (Allah, God the Elohim Hashem Jehovah) and try to bring division and war between those who have a religion for worship in name of the Divine Creator. Today’s and tomorrow’s readings brings us the words of the people of Judah in Jeremiah 42:6, which says,

Jeremiah 42:6 The Scriptures 1998+  (6)  “Whether good or evil, let us obey the voice of יהוה  {Jehovah} our Elohim to whom we send you, in order that it might be well with us when we obey the voice of יהוה  {Jehovah} our Elohim.”

Can we say these words with true meaning and purpose of heart, that whether Jehovah’s commandments are what we want to hear, or if they are not what we want to hear, we will obey them regardless? Are we willing to follow the Words of the Holy Scriptures and keep to the tasks given to us, are shall we be too afraid to be doing those tasks Jesus asked us to do? Or shall we hide to others Who we want to worship and consider our Lord Most High? Are we prepared to keep all commandments given by God or do only partly those which comes alright for us?
Judah could not say the above mentioned words with their full heart. And even as they spoke those seemingly pious words, God knew the emptiness of them. God who searches the heart of man, tells them in verse 20 that

Jeremiah 42:20 The Scriptures 1998+  (20)  “For you deceived yourselves when you sent me to יהוה  {Jehovah} your Elohim, saying, ‘Pray for us to יהוה  {Jehovah} our Elohim, and according to all that יהוה  {Jehovah} your Elohim says, so declare to us and we shall do it.’

Jehovah of armies, God of Israel, had His anger poured out, and His wrath was upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. We today should be careful not to have God‘s wrath poured out upon us in our going in this world which is coming closer to the end times. We should be careful not to err in our souls, not taking on the wrong attitude to others around us. Even when they do not believe we do have to treat them well and show the better way of life, our life in Christ which should bring us and others around us closer to Jehovah our God.

At all times we should not be hold up to give our hand to those who are cross with us and to those who show their anger in this world. At the same time we should not stop pray for them to Jehovah our God.

When we look at the word “dissembled” meaning to err, to go astray, and to wander away, we should wonder if we are not wandering away in these times. Are we keeping our attitude in line with the Wishes of God? do we keep ourselves in control?

We should be careful not to become like people in the ancient times who draw near God with their mouth, and with their lips to honour their god or God, but have removed their heart far from the God of Israel.

Without drawing near to God with our hearts as well as our mouths, we will not be able to complete the challenge of obeying the Voice of God, whether it be good or evil. Throughout the book of Jeremiah we have references that show the people did not obey God’s voice, because their hearts were evil. (Jeremiah 7:23-24, Jeremiah 11:7-8, Jeremiah 18:10-12).

The true test of whether we have drawn near to God with our hearts is if we obey His commandments, even when they are not what we want to hear. As 1 John 5:3 says,

1 John 5:3 The Scriptures 1998+  (3)  For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands,1 and His commands are not heavy, Footnote: 1See 5:2, 2 John v. 6, John 14:15.

When we do really have love for God and the love of God in us we shall do our utmost best to keep ourselves in control and take can to to be taken by anger so that it could happen we would do something against God His commandments which are not grievous. Judah would gladly obey God’s voice when the things they heard pleased them. However, they refused to obey God’s voice when it caused them to give up those things that they loved. Their worship of God actually became idolatry, as it was really the worship of self.

In our life we should be a copy cat of our master teacher rabbi Jeshua.

Jesus told Pilate that he had no power to order the death of Jesus unless it was God’s will.

This leads us to one of the most profound truths, contained in the best-known verse in the Bible. Jesus said:

John 3:16-17 The Scriptures 1998+  (16)  “For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only brought-forth Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life.  (17)  “For Elohim did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

When we do know that Jesus managed to put his will aside, which he would not have done in case he was God, to prepare the way for all to come closer to God and that the world through him might be saved, we should fulfil the task to show others to show the great and unchangeable purpose of God for everyone who believes to have everlasting life in Christ Jesus.

Like Jesus was not of this world we too should not be of this world, not be afraid of man, like Jesus was not afraid of man.

Separated from the world, and denying ourselves all ungodliness and fleshly lusts, we are nevertheless not in prison, nor restricted within narrow bounds and should not be afraid to go to others who have an other belief than us.

When others try to bring others into chains of fear, we should show others the liberator of those chains. When others try to have our mouth shut we should walk at liberty, talking about our hope.

Real believers in Christ have nothing to fear because they have hope because God “gave” His Son. It was planned from the beginning of time and the first mention is in the promise to Eve. Although she had failed, God was showing that there could be hope. Those simple words:

“whosoever believeth in him”

are the condition. Though today there are still not many who really believe what God and Jesus have said about each other. There are still those who want to make Jesus into their god, instead of believing Jesus his own words that God is greater than him.

John 10:29 The Scriptures 1998+  (29)  “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 14:28 The Scriptures 1998+  (28)  “You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you did love Me, you would have rejoiced that I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

The verse that people have to believe in Christ Jesus has been translated into most, if not all, the languages of the world. It is well-known yet perhaps only partly understood.

More people should come to that believe in Christ and should recognise that he is the Way to God (and not to him as God himself) and that in Him we should unite becoming all brothers and sisters of each other.

In remembrance of him, who was known by his heavenly Father long before, having “given” his body we should try to become like him. That knowledge that God planned it so that you and I might be saved, is precious to us and the way of life is opened up in front of us. It is for us to seize every opportunity to show that we believe.

We have been called unto the fellowship of God his Son, Jesus Christ our master.

1 Corinthians 1:9 The Scriptures 1998+  (9)  Elohim is trustworthy, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, יהושע  {Jeshua} Messiah our Master.

By the name of our lord Jesus Christ we are exhorted, in order that we all may be of the same voice, going for the same truth and saying the same thing. Together showing to the world that there are no divisions among us; but that we are perfected in the same mind and in the same opinion by the teachings of the set-apart Book of books.

Notice how that sentence of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians begins:

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called…”.

We are special because He has seen something in us that pleases Him. We have work to do, as Peter reminds us:

1 Peter 1:15 The Scriptures 1998+  (15)  instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour,

It is God Who calls man. Those who are called should show that in their behaviour. Even when their might be enough reasons to show anger they still should master their anger , have themselves under control and show the peace of God to all around them.

“In all manner of conversation” they should show others how they have given themselves in the hands of God and trust Him.

Peter’s tongue gave him away in a bad sense when Jesus was being tried. Our tongues can give us away in a good sense because people notice how we speak and what we speak about. The light which has shined into our hearts shows itself in the things we are interested in and the way we conduct ourselves. We should be set-apart or are holy, we belong to God, and our thoughts and words should show that.

This is hard to do all the time and that is why we have words of exhortation to encourage us and help us to let God’s will be done in us. Peter continues:

1 Peter 2:9 The Scriptures 1998+  (9)  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,

Let us show to others that because of our faith we have something different or that we are different than those who are atheist or an other faith. In our actions and reactions others should be able to see the difference between a Christian and somebody else.

In 1 John 4:11, we are told “we ought also to love one another”. In fact, this is a command to be obeyed. Why should we obey such a command? How do we get such love in order to show it to one another? Well, the verse before tells us.

1 John 4:10-11-12 The Scriptures 1998+  (10)  In this is love, not that we loved Elohim, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning offering for our sins.  (11)  Beloved ones, if Elohim so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  (12)  No one has seen Elohim at any time. If we love one another, Elohim does stay in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

The greatest motivating force in our lives, is that which we remember week by week in the emblems of bread and wine. We remember that great love of God towards us, shown through the sending of His Son. This love should affect our hearts. It should motivate our lives and in thankfulness for what He has done for us, we should obey Him.

If we keep on believing, we are showing that we love God:

Romans 8:28 The Scriptures 1998+  (28)  And we know that all matters work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Being Christian we have to keep his precepts.

Come, reader, this evening walk with God in his statutes. As friend met friend upon the city wall, so meet thou thy God in the way of holy prayer and meditation. The bulwarks of salvation thou hast a right to traverse, for thou art a freeman of the royal burgh, a citizen of the metropolis of the universe.

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Preceding article

Careful not to fuel the anger in this world

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Find also to read

1. Does God stands behind all evil on earth
2. Objects of God’s final wrath
3. He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger
4. From Despair to Victory
5. Exodus 9: Liar Liar
6. Understanding God’s Wrath
7. Not everyone in the churches of Christ are “ungodly”
8. Reflect on how much idolizing happens
9. 8 fears caused by the fear of Man

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Further reading

1. Tina on – Anger
2. Would God
3. On Not Forgiving
4. Time: Down and Dead
5. have been so angry……..
6. When it’s time to stop fighting and ask for help
7. Is Sin a Burden
8. Of Faith and Unbelief
9. Out of Focus
10. Are You Walking In Darkness?
11. Overlooked
12. Running The Race

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Related articles

• Part Five: What Does Qur’an Command?
• Grace alone
• Morning Direction From Scripture 8-18-16
• Romans 8:37-39
• For this holy house, we offer worship and praise
• Scripture Verse Of The Week ‘1 Timothy 6 Verse 11’
• Do you purpose that your mouth will not transgress
• Countless miracles each day
• Sunday, 14 August 2016 : Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Homily and Scripture Reflections)
• Your Word for This Day: “Living with the Knowledge of God”

The works we have to do according to James

 

“2  You must consider it the purest joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3 for you surely know that what is genuine in your faith produces the patient mind that endures; 4 but you must let your endurance come to its perfect product, so that you may be fully developed and perfectly equipped, without any defects.
5 But if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God who generously gives to everyone and never reproaches one with its lack, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without a doubt, for the man who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is whirled and swayed by the wind. 7 Such a man, indeed, 8 a person with two minds, unreliable in every step he takes, (1:7A) must not expect to get anything from the Lord.

9 Let the poor brother of lowly station rejoice in his exalted station as a Christian, 10 and the rich brother rejoice in his being on a level with the poor, because the rich will fade away like the flower of the grass.” (James 1:2-10 Williams)

“12 Blessed is the person who endures trial, for when he stands the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

13  No one must say, when he is tempted to do evil, “I have a temptation from God to do evil,” for God cannot be tempted to do evil, and He never tempts anyone to do so. 14 But anyone is tempted to do evil when he is allured by his own evil desire and enticed by a bait. 15 Then evil desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin is completed, it brings forth death.” (James 1:12-15 Williams)

“19  You must understand this, my dearly loved brothers. Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to get angry; 20 for a man’s anger does not produce the uprightness that God requires.
21 So strip yourselves of everything impure and all the evils prevailing around you, and in humble spirit welcome the message which when rooted in your hearts is able to save your souls.

22 Keep on obeying this message; do not merely listen to it, and so deceive yourselves. 23 Because if anyone merely listens to the message without obeying it, he is like a man who looks in a mirror at his own face, 24 for he looks and then goes off and at once forgets how he looked. 25 But the man who looks at the flawless law that makes men free, and keeps on looking, proving himself to be, not a forgetful hearer but an actual doer of what it requires, will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives himself, his religious worship is worthless. 27 A religious worship that is pure and stainless in the sight of God the Father is this: To look after orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep one’s own self unstained by the world.” (James 1:19-27 Williams)

“1  My brothers, stop trying to maintain your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious presence of God on earth, along with acts of partiality to certain ones. 2 For if a man with a gold ring, dressed in fine clothes, comes to your meeting, and at the same time a poor man clad in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the man who wears the fine clothes, and say to him, “Sit here in this fine place,” and say to the poor man, “Stand up, or sit there on the floor at my feet,” 4 do you not make improper distinctions among yourselves and prove to be critics with evil motives?” (James 2:1-4 Williams)

“8  But if you really observe the law of the King in accordance with the Scripture, “You must love your neighbor as you do yourself,” you are doing right; 9 but if you show partiality, you are committing sin, because you are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever obeys the whole law, except to slip in a single instance, is guilty of breaking it all.

11 For He who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but you do commit murder, you are just the same as a lawbreaker.

12 You must continue talking and acting like people who are to be judged by the law that treats them as free. 13 For merciless judgment will be the portion of the merciless man; yet mercy will triumph over judgment.

14  My brothers, what good is there in a man’s saying that he has faith, if he has no good deeds to prove it? Such faith cannot save him, can it?

15 If some brother or sister is thinly clad and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to him, “Blessings on you, keep warm, eat until you have a plenty,” without giving him the things that are needed for the body, what good does it do?

17 So faith by itself, if it has no deeds to back it up, is dead. 18 But someone may say, “You have faith, and I have good deeds. Show me your faith without any good deeds, but I will show you mine by my good deeds.”

19 Do you believe in one God? Very well; the demons, too, believe that, and shudder. 20 But, O senseless man, are you willing to learn that faith without good deeds is worthless?

21 Was not our forefather Abraham shown to be upright by his good deeds, namely, by offering Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 You see that faith co-operated with his good deeds, and by his good deeds faith was made complete; 23 and so the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham put his faith in God, and it was credited to him for uprightness, and he was called God’s friend.”

24 You see that a man is shown to be upright by his good deeds, and not merely by his faith.

25 Was not even Rahab the prostitute shown to be upright by her good deeds, namely, by entertaining the scouts and sending them off by a different road? 26 Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without good deeds is dead.” (James 2:8-26 Williams)

“13  Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show by his noble living that his good deeds are done in humility, which wisdom prompts. 14 But if you cherish bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop being proud of it and stop being false to the standard of truth. 15 This is not the kind of wisdom that comes down from above; no, it is earthly, human, demoniacal. 16 For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there will be confusion and all sorts of evil practices. 17 The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of compassion and good deeds, free from doubts and insincerity. 18 The harvest of uprightness is grown from the seed of peace by those who are peacemakers.” (James 3:13-18 Williams)

“1  What causes wars and quarrels among you? Is it not your different desires which are ever at war within your bodies?
You desire things and cannot have them, and so you commit murder. 2 You covet things, but cannot acquire them, and so you quarrel and fight. You do not have them, because you do not ask for them. 3 You ask and fail to get them, because you ask with evil, selfish motives, to spend them on your pleasures.

4 You faithless wives! Do you not know that the friendship of the world means enmity with God? So whoever wants to be a friend to the world puts himself down as an enemy to God. 5 Or, do you think that the Scripture means nothing when it says, “He jealously yearns for the Spirit that He causes to dwell in your hearts”? 6 But He gives a greater spiritual blessing. He says, “God opposes haughty people but blesses humble people.”

7 So then, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will fly from you.

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Get your hands clean, you sinners. Get your hearts purified, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable, mourn, and weep aloud. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you high.

11  Stop talking against one another, brothers. Whoever is in the habit of talking against a brother or of criticizing his brother is criticizing and condemning the law. But if you are in the habit of criticizing the law, you are not a practicer but a critic of the law.
12 There is but one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who has the power to save and to destroy; then who are you that you presume to judge your brother?” (James 4:1-12 Williams)

“7 So be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer keeps on waiting and waiting for the precious crop from his land; how he keeps up his patience over it until he gets the early and the late rains.
8 You must be patient, too; you must put iron into your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is close it hand. 9 Stop muttering against one another, brothers, so as to keep from being judged yourselves.
Look! The Judge is standing at the very door. 10 As an example of ill-treatment and patience, brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:7-10 Williams)

“12  Above all, my brothers, stop swearing, either by heaven or by the earth, or by anything else. Let your “Yes” mean Yes, and your “No,” No, so as to keep from falling under condemnation.

13 Is any one of you suffering ill-treatment? He should keep on praying. Is anyone in a happy mood? He should keep on singing praise to God.

14 Is anyone sick among you? He should call in the elders of the church, and they should pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer that is offered in faith will save the sick man; the Lord will raise him to health, and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

16 So practice confessing your sins to one another, and praying for one another, that you may be cured. An upright man’s prayer, when it keeps at work, is very powerful.” (James 5:12-16 Williams)

“19 My brothers, if any one of you has wandered away from the truth, and someone brings him back, 20 you may be sure that whoever brings a sinner back from his evil ways will save the man’s soul from death, and cover up a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20 Williams)

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Part of Dutch version / Gedeelte van de Nederlandstalige versie: De aanduiding door Paulus en Jacobus van de werken die wij horen te doen

Preceding articles

1. Leading people astray!
2. Restitution
3. Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works
4. Luther’s misunderstanding
5. January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
6. Our life depending on faith
7. Romans 4 and the Sacraments
8. Is Justification a process?
9. Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
10. Faith itself not the cause of justification – Louis Berkhof
11. Letter to the Romans, chapter 3
12. Letter to the Romans, chapter 4
13. Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans
14. Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4
15. Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
16. James 2:14-23 — Justified Dynamic Faith & works
17. James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
18. James 2:25. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
19. Paul giving notice of the works we have to do

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Read also other articles as:

1. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
2. Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
3. The way of salvation
4. A “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham
5. God works faith
6. Faith is the belief that god will do what is right
7. Christ’s ethical teaching
8.  Being Justified by faith
9. Faith is knowing there is an ocean because you have seen a brook.
10. Faith Requires a Basis
11. Walking in love by faith, not by sight
12. Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
13. A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
14. A Living Faith #2 State of your faith
15. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
16. A Living Faith #4 Effort
17. A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
18. A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
19. Faith and works
20. Sharing your faith
21. Bearing fruit
22. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
23. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
24. Be holy
25. 1 Corinthians 15 Hope in action
26. Chief means by which men are built up
27. Not to play at Christianity
28. To be established in the present truth
29. She who sows thistles will reap prickles
30. Love for each other attracting others
31. Share your faith
32. Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
33. Faith, storms and actions to be taken
34. The longer you wait

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Related articles

• Respect For All
• Faith is the Key
• Scripture Verse of The Week ‘Romans 5 Verse 1’
• LISTEN: You Can Handle the Truth! (Gospel Light Minute X with Daniel Whyte III)
• “You will forget the shame of your youth.” Isaiah 54:4
• The Character of the Christian: A One-Woman Man
• Heart of Power
• Mark 06v06-13 The Global Mission of the Church
• Sermon: Building Stronger Marriages #3: Developing a Spirit of Mercy
• Hope

January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works

In the past there have been many discussion about the possibility man being good. When we look at the world today it seems not much has changed. Along all sides we can see people who do not want to share the luck they have with others. This has come to a high point with the refugee crisis. It is understandable that people want to protect their own goods and culture, but often they are too much afraid that their way of living would be in danger by others from far away coming to live in their regions.

Several people are convinced that people who are fleeing from war-zones can not be good and trustworthy people. According to several Christians it is even impossible for a human being to be good from himself and as such no one can be reliable.

A17th century Calvinist print depicting Pelagius. The caption says “Accurst Pelagius, with what false pretence Durst thou excuse man’s foul concupiscence, Or cry down Sin Originall, or that The love of God did man predestinate.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The controversial British monk Pelagius in the fifth century had taught that man’s nature was essentially good. This was not to the liking of the Catholic Church leaders who found that because of Adam’s sin all men were born with a strong tendency to sin. It is even for that reason that lots of Christians do say it is impossible for Jesus to be a man. Because he was without sin he should be God, according to them. This naturally is not at all true and makes of God a horrible Creator, having created human beings who can not decide for themselves to do good or bad. Worse it would also mean that God gave man commandments He knew they would never be able to follow.

Pelagius rightly said that an individual had the power to do right by choosing to do right and by beating the body into submission through ascetic practices. Traditional Christianity said that men could defeat their tendencies to sin only by the working of God’s grace in their heart. According to the churchleaders Pelagius‘s ideas meant that Christ‘s death on the cross served more as a moral example than as an atonement able to transform the soul from within by divine force, which meant against going their doctrine of sola fide.

Those who think that Old and New Testaments alike teach us that we cannot change ourselves have not very well read the Holy Book of books. In the many books which form the bible we do have many examples of people who have gone from bad to good but also from good to bad and sometimes returning to good.

Saint Augustine from a 19th-century engraving

The Christian philosopher and theologian St. Augustine or Augustine of Hippo (354-430), best known for “The Confessions” and “The City of God” was responsible for the excommunication of Pelagius.

While in Rome, Pelagius first heard of Augustine through his reading of a prayer from Augustine’s Confessions: “Give what Thou commandest and command that Thou wilt.” To Pelagius, the philosophy expressed in this prayer sounded like the total abandonment of human responsibility and a denial of the ethical dimensions of the Christian faith. If all moral action, thought Pelagius, depends solely on God — both the commanding as well as the ability to obey — God is either an arbitrary tyrant or else man is a creature deprived of free will. Pelagius conducted his teaching along these lines while he was in Rome, and it was to this teaching that an able lawyer, Caelestius, responded, leaving his profession of advocacy and becoming Pelagius’s disciple, companion, and the popularizer of his views.

Caelestius’s Pelagian views continued to spread, and soon Augustine was preaching and writing with intense fervour against this what he called a new heresy, arguing that the whole lump of humanity is infected with sin and that only the grace administered in baptism can wash away the guilty stain.

In spite of these admonitions from the Doctor of Grace, the controversy continued, and it was not long before the articulate bishop of Eclanum, Julian, stepped in to argue the Pelagian cause, forcing Augustine, by the clarity of his logic, into positions regarding the doctrines of grace and predestination that have been burdensome to Western Christendom ever since. {Encyclopedia of World Biography | 2004}

Today we still find many who do not want to see that man has a lot in his own hands. Today there are still lots of Christians who think it is impossible for man to live according to God’s Wishes and that he does not have to do any good works to enter the Kingdom of God because it is just impossible for him to do such good works.

According to Augustine it is not possible to lead a sinless life, with (for whatever reason, probably she had to carry the god son according to the Catholic Church) the exception of the Virgin Mary. For Augustine divine grace must precede every virtuous act and today many Christians are also still convinced we are all saved whatever what we have done and whatever we do in our life.

For such Christians who try to put sand in the eyes of searching people, the saying that we need works to enter the Kingdom of God is heresy. For them it is not only possible for man not to sin, they are not able to bring any change in the salvation of themselves.

The caricature of Pelagianism found in many orthodox textbooks and devotional manuals is hardly one that Pelagius would recognize. He never, for instance, denied the need for grace or for infant baptism; he never accepted the position that man can, by his own moral efforts, achieve his salvation. On basic doctrinal issues, Pelagius was certainly orthodox; and on matters of Christian morality his chief concern was to foster among Christian people a right regard for the ethical responsibilities he saw as inherent in the Gospel message. {Encyclopedia of World Biography | 2004}

The Christian attitude is a very important issue which was been tackled by rabbi Jeshua (master teacher Jesus Christ) with a lot of delicacy. The Nazarene Jew, who was not afraid to bring others to see they had no right to judge others, told his listeners many parables in which he tried to get them to understand that we must be very careful not to loose the right to enter the Kingdom of God.

Lots of Christians are mistaken to think they do not have to do any good works to enter Gods Kingdom. It is true that they are saved and have nothing to do to get under the Grace of salvation. But what they forget is that, though they received salvation for nothing, they can loose it when they do not work at themselves. The leaders of the Protestant Reformation, 1,500 years after the last books of the Bible were written wanted their flock to believe that Jesus paid the full prize or penalty for our sins, so that nothing had to be done or paid any more. They added their human doctrine, which is nowhere written in the Bible, saying that

Jesus paid the punishment for our sins, he having fully atoned for our sins and by saying “it is finished” he did what no human could do, make up for their sins and made an end to everything what had to be done.

But it was not finished by having to come to God (a work) or to follow God’s commandments (again demanding works).

It is totally wrong to think once new born and/or being baptised, we are cleared and have a free way to enter into God’s Kingdom, or what some are thinking to go to heaven. In case a person has fund Christ and has come to God several works are needed. First of all before finding Christ work has to be done to come to know him and his God. Once a person believes in Jesus Christ, the son of God, that person has to convert to Christianity which again is a work to be done. But once baptised it is not finished. Than the person has to work at his or her character and try to stay on the right track, following God’s commandments, which shall require again some, not to say ‘lots’ of works.

Every Christian must work to control themselves. Once having become a Christian that person should try not to lie, to steal, to betray, to fornicate, to murder and many other things he or she should avoid doing (which demands work). If none of these works are needed for salvation the person could have sex with as many persons or animals as he or she wanted no matter the gender. If no works have to be done a person could also continue to do fraudulent actions, without having to worry.

It is for the reason having so many Christian preachers trying to convince others they do not need to do any works, and because of the reaction by Grow Pastor, Minister to Men, Ken Miller to us, at his article That’s the Spirit!, that we think it opportune to warn people of the lack of understanding of the given grace.

Christ Jesus died for all people, sinners or not. By the works of faith he has done, we received the Grace of Salvation, but when we ignore his calling or his heavenly Father’s calling than we shall not be allowed to enter the Kingdom of god when we did bad things and did not repent about them. It is not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with the mercy of God, Him willing to accept the ransom offering of His son. Through Jesus Christ our Saviour we are been justified by his grace and are we allowed to become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

When Saul had become a follower of the Messiah he looked at the work of the master teacher and at the sacraments which were given to those who followed Jesus. The apostle wrote

Romans 3:27-31 The Scriptures 1998+  (27)  Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. By what Torah? Of works? No, but by the Torah of belief.  (28)  For we reckon that a man is declared right by belief without works of Torah.  (29)  Or is He the Elohim of the Yehuḏim only, and not also of the gentiles? Yea, of the gentiles also,  (30)  since it is one Elohim who shall declare right the circumcised by belief and the uncircumcised through belief.  (31)  Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.1 Footnote: 1See 7:12.

and gave the Romans to know that they thought or hold that a man is brought into right standing with God by faith and that observance of the law has no connection with it.

Saying that he did not confirm that

“by faith apart from deeds of the law” as meaning, “by faith alone”

but him affirming that we then not through faith make null and void the law; instead, we confirm it. It is by our faith that we shall do certain works according to the faith. Pelagius considered that sacraments are elements believers should keep taking throughout their life. For him it was like it is for us, that faith should be expressed and perfected in works. Submitting to Jehovah His works in the proper disposition, which is that of faith, is an action or a work to be done.

Too many Christians forget the importance of the feeling we should have about what we have done. If we do not feel bad by the wrong things we have done and do not repent for them, for sure the Bible shows us, we shall not receive an entrance in God’s Kingdom. Repentance and teshuvah demands a work. Staying a good person also demands work. All those that say we do not have to do any work of faith, are either forgetting what the Bible tells about it and are insinuating we can do whatever we want and shall still be saved.

On the other hand it is very strange that it are just such preachers who talk so ferociously about salvation and no works needed for salvation, who also preach about damnation in a hell, a place of eternal fire.

Luckily the Bible speaks about the end of our life by death, and that we once we die shall not be able to feel anything any more. No frustrations, no pain, no sorrow any more when we die. Then it shall all be finished, but then it shall also be too late if we did not choose for God and did not work at our own self.

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Please do find also to read:

1. Salvation and Righteousness
2. Elul Observances
3. God’s wrath and sanctification
4. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
5. Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
6. Back from gone #4 Your inner feelings and actions
7. Being Religious and Spiritual 8 Spiritual, Mystic and not or well religious
8. Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket
9. Good and bad things in this world
10. Establish your hearts blameless in holiness
11. Myth 12: The Hyper-Grace Gospel Makes People Lazy
12. Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
13. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
14. A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
15. Humbleness
16. A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
17. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong
18. Being of good courage running the race
19. Bearing fruit
20. To Soar In The Spirit You Have To Be Hard Core
21. Our stance against certain religions and immigrating people
22. Religion, fundamentalism and murder
23. Daring to speak in multicultural environment
24. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
25. 2014 Religion
26. Disobedient man and God’s promises
27. From pain to purpose
28. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #17 Sorts of prayers
29. God’s forgotten Word 5 Lost Lawbook 4 The ‘Catholic’ church
30. Daily Spiritual Food To prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God
31. Evangelisation, local preaching opposite overseas evangelism
32. When not seeing or not finding a biblically sound church

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Further reading

1. No one is saved by the law. Salvation is by faith through Grace.
2. The Justification of Abraham
3. St. Paul Didn’t Say Faith Alone
4. The Law of Diminishing Returns
5. A Call to Dare God
6. The Tangible Presence of God
7. Devotion for Monday After the Second Sunday in Lent, Year C (ELCA Daily Lectionary)
8. Grace is a soft gospel for soft Christians & The Hyper-Grace Gospel Makes People Lazy
9. Did God really say “Prevenient” Grace
10. Can someone who genuinely loves the God of Israel, prays to Him and trusts him go to hell? The New Testament says…
11. I was wrong – but I am right – Calvinists preach a false gospel.
12. The pain of radical grace
13. The power of grace
14. Seeing Christ
15. (12/04/2015) By More Than Believing
16. Faith Child – Forget the poor!
17. (01/13/2016) How To Treat Unbelievers?
18. Repent so that you can understand
19. Faithfulness
20. Faith Without Works (Pastor Joe Taylor)
21. Faith without Works ??? (1 Way to live)
22. Spiritual Insights for Everyday Life: Faith Alone Does Not Save
23. The Works
24. Faith in Action
25. Put Your Faith Into Action
26. Fashion advice?
27. Intentional God
28. The Sower of Seeds: A Parable of Jesus
29. Matthew 23:23 [Coming Soon]
30. Studies in Mark (Pt. 8)
31. Galatians 5:4 [Unfinished]
32. Galatians 6:7-9 [Unfinished]
33. Ephesians 2:8-9
34. Titus 3:5-7
35. NT Reading – October 5
36. James 1:14-20 — Faith that Works!
37. James, Part 2
38. The Book that Almost Wasn’t: Faith, Lists, and Works ~ James 2
39. Tuesday Devotional: Revelation 2
40. Faith Without Works Is Dead
41. Putting Legs to Their Faith
42. Are You a doer???
43. Are You Willing to do more???
44. Mincing no Words
45. Epistle for September 6, 2015
46. Tell it Tuesday w/ B.Parker|How To Pray When Life Isn’t Going Your Way
47. Tell it Tuesday w/ B. Parker| It’s 2am and No One is Answering…Who To Call?
48. Childish Thinking
49. Are You A Weed?
50. Sneaky Subjectivism
51. What Future?
52. Intentional Avoidance, Disconnected Ignorance, or Disinterested Forgetfulness?
53. We Are All Damaged Goods…
54. Just Sitting There
55. The Subnormal Christian Life
56. 14 How to Work Your Way to Hell
57. Faith Life Congruence
58. We pray and plead with you…”Do You Job!”
59. Gospel Doctrine 2015 – Lesson 42 – “Pure Religion”

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• Did the Catholic Church Just Say That Jews Don’t Need Jesus?
• Jews for Jesus Denounces Vatican Statement on Jewish Evangelism
• Does the Pope Know Something The Rest of Us Don’t?
• News: Orthodox Rabbis Say Christianity is God’s Plan, Vatican Says Stop Evangelizing Jews
• Messianic Jews, Mission and the Vatican
• Receiving Christ no matter the season
• The Spirit Speaks – of the One Greater than the Church
• Anti-Christian persecution isn’t all about Islam…
• Thoughtcrime? College Professor Put on Leave for Saying Muslim & Christian God Are the Same – David Pakman Show
• Christian Genocide. Why is our govt ignoring the plight of Christians in Iraq?

About a human being or not and life

For many the argument against abortion may be in the answer to the question

“Is the foetus a human being or not?”

Rev. Richard C. Eyer, D.Min., who spent twenty years as hospital chaplain counselling, Concordia University Wisconsin, wrote  in his reading for the Lutheran Conference about abortion and the Gospel in 2000

Of all the women I counseled who were considering abortion I never had one tell me she did not believe the foetus within her was a human being. In fact, she would have thought it naive of me that I would even press the point. She would have said, “Of course, it is human, but I don’t want to be pregnant.” {Abortion and the Gospel, 2000}

too many people overlook that those women considering abortion are usually in crisis and that in first instance the crisis needs to be addressed with attempts at healing.

If addressed with compassion and truth spoken gently in the name of Christ who gave himself for desperate sinful men and women, the heart might be won over. Even if not, the path has at least been prepared a way for repentance to follow later. The Church needs to speak boldly against abortion, but more boldly still about the love of Christ for sinners considering and perhaps even participating in abortion. {Abortion and the Gospel, 2000}

writes Rev. Richard C. Eyer.

Not all those who look for abortion are people with a faith life. Lots of them are not having an active religious life, but that does not mean they will not be able to come to such a position that they would like to enjoy worship of God with many others. For them the church has to be ready to receive them with open arms.

Anti-abortion demonstrators taking part in the 5th Paris March for Life (Marche pour la Vie) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God’s temporary permission of evil has afforded all of us the opportunity to show him what is truly in our hearts. We may see lots of evil in this world and we may encounter lots of things we personally do not like. How we cope with them is very important. Concerning abortion we do see in certain countries pro-life groups which manifest such a lot of hate against those people who want to visit or work in an abortion clinic that we can not call that an exemplary Christian attitude.

It is great to see that there are such people who have their mouth full of Jesus, but we would like to see them also taking on the same attitude as Jesus did. They should better know that Jesus is the Way to life and the Way to God and the way to salvation and God’s Kingdom. Jesus did not come for the good ones in this world alone. He came to bring salvation for all people and certainly was there and is there for those in big need.

Jesus was fully aware that he cannot do anything without his heavenly Father, the Only True God, Who is the One Who decides about the giving and taking of life. We do agree that it is not up to man to decide about life. But man is weak and has a spot on him that makes him fallible.
The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as He is, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord above all lords, He is the Greatest and Most Almighty of all. Jesus who knew very well that this God is much grater than him and does not dwell in handmade temples, wanted all people come to know his heavenly Father, the God of Abraham. It is He himself Who gives to all people life and breath {+} and all things. This God made out of one every nation of men to live all over the face of the earth, determined their appointed seasons, ordaining prescribed epochs and the limitations of their residence. {Acts 17:26}

Instead of condemning those who are questioning themselves what to do with  that they  feel in their body, the pro-life groups better would talk to them lovingly and show them how God is the Source of life. {Psalm 36:9}

(Psalms 36:9 [CPDV]):  (35:10) For with you is the fountain of life; and within your light, we will see the light.

Not always we do know the reason why those women are faced for such a difficult decision. We do not have to judge them but should have to give them an ear and let them know that there are times in our spiritual experience when human counsel or sympathy, or religious ordinances, fail to comfort or help us, but that we still can try to come into contact with the Only One Who has all the answers. We can show them some answers and guidance God has given mankind to cope with the difficult situations.

Even those with a broken heart shall have to know that there will come a time that the tears they have will dry up and that they shall be able to rejoice again.

(Revelation 7:17 [CPDV]): For the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will rule over them, and he will lead them to the fountains of the waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

All should know that Jehovah views the life of a child as precious even during the very early stages of development after conception.

Psalms 139:13-16 (CPDV): 13  (138:13) For you have possessed my temperament. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. 14  (138:14) I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well. 15  (138:15) My bone, which you have made in secret, has not been hidden from you, and my substance is in accord with the lower parts of the earth. 16  (138:16) Your eyes saw my imperfection, and all this shall be written in your book. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them.

Not only sees God the imperfection of the unborn baby but also of the bearer of the child. God also sees the heart of the woman with lots of questions and doubts. For her He is there to help if she wants and loves to hear His Voice. God has given man also brains and has also given talents to people. Those talents should be used rightly and in honour of God His creation.

The Pro-life or anti abortionists the same as the one arguing for abortion should also listen to those skilled in the medical field. But we also should know that not always medical opinions are right. It is not bad sometimes to ask an other opinion. We also should question if it would be right to kill a fellow human because that one might harm his fellowman? If at the time of childbirth a choice must be made between the life of the mother and that of the child, it is up to the individuals concerned to make that choice and not to outsiders who often do not know the situation. However, advances in medical procedures in many lands have made this situation very rare.

When ending the presence of the foetus in the mothers womb it is as ending a human life and taking part of God’s creation in own hands. Every human being should be fully aware that anyone taking life a way from a human being could be considered shedding man’s blood.

(Genesis 9:6 [CPDV]): Whoever will shed human blood, his blood will be poured out. For man was indeed made to the image of God.

It is true that the Bible says that every fatal striker of a soul should be slain as a murderer, but it also presents circumstances where there may not take place a killing of that person who took life from somebody else.

Numbers 35:11-15 (CPDV): 11 discern which cities ought to be for the protection of fugitives who have shed blood unwillingly. 12 And when a fugitive is in these, the kinsman of the deceased shall not be able to kill him, until he stands in the sight of the multitude and his case is judged. 13 Then, among those cities which are separated for relief to fugitives, 14 three shall be across the Jordan, and three in the land of Canaan, 15 as much for the sons of Israel as for newcomers and sojourners, so that anyone who has shed blood unwillingly may flee to these places.

Every person is responsible for his or her own body and for those around them. So often today our rights are trampled on by others; many just don’t care what happens to other people or they are very quick to judge the other person and do not mind condemning him or her. Only Jesus has received the authority to judge the living and the dead concerning life. The others who may judge in this world are the judges, which is a profession also instituted by God. As long as Jesus did not return it is their right to bring civil judgement.

People should trust the decisions made by judges who are given latitude to investigate and consider motives and attitude of violators, along with the circumstances surrounding the violation and who are not to oppress the people placed under them, nor widows and orphans, who seem to have no protector, for Jehovah is their fatherly Judge and Protector. (Le 19:33, 34; Ex 22:21; 23:9; De 10:18; 24:17, 18; 27:19; Ps 68:5)

It is good to know for us and for the one who has questions concerning life and abortion that the Bible provides guidelines that can protect us. To receive the benefits, though, we must also accept the responsibilities.’

In the past many mothers have been abandoned by the men who fathered their children. Throughout history we also find many cases of women who were the victim of sexual violence, got pregnant but did not want to loose that life which they felt in them. In the end we also can find women who decided not to have an abortion and were very happy they did make that decision. Others who got an abortion regretted it afterwards.

We always best avoid to have people brought in front of this terrible choice. The best way to do that is by creating an environment where many love the Word of God and are willing to live by Bible standards. In such places we can see that children will have respect for others and that people shall not use their sexual lusts to harm somebody else. In such places where from young age people grow up with the Word of God as guide we shall find more people with respect and genuine love for others. In such communities the husband will really love his wife and children and loyally stay with them and provide for them. (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 5:28-31)

 

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Preceding articles:

1. Fruitage of the womb
2. Abortion: The expulsion of an embryo or foetus before it can live on its own
3. The Risk Factors Associated with Abortions
4. Should I Have An Abortion
5. My Choice (by Jezabel Jonson)
6. The Real ‘Choice’
7. “They Told Me What I Wanted To Hear” – Real Abortion Stories
8. The Things We Carry, by Penny
9. Not an easy decision to make
10. Whoopi Goldberg commandments and abortion
11. Stop Burning Rape Survivors at the Stake
12. How to heal after childhood sexual abuse
13. “Til It Happens To You” by Lady Gaga
14. Abortion — Not a Trouble-Free Solution

Next: The Catholic synod on the family and abortion

 

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Additional reading:

1. Youngsters, parents and the search to root in life
2. About lions and babies
3. Westboro Baptist Church and Catholic Truth against Nelson Mandela
4. Always a choice
5. A philosophical error which rejects the body as part of the human person

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 Further reading:

1. The Church of the Inappropriate
2. Watch “The Silent Scream (Full Length)” on YouTube
3. Dr. Ben Carson Opposes Abortions In Cases Of Rape Or Incest
4. Ben Carson compares abortion to slavery
5. Ben Carson Misogynist
6. Ben Carson says women who have had abortions are like “slave owners”
7. Desperate Ben Carson Resorts To Tired Abortion & Slavery Argument In Grab For Votes On Religious Right
8. “Ben Carson: I would ‘love’ to see abortion ruling overturned”
9. Richard Corriere’s “In Their Own Words.” FBI director clashes with Obama
10. Putting on Monday Morning Combat Boots
11. Homo-Lobby comes out in support of child butchering
12. Heaven & Miscarried (+Aborted) Babies Part I
13. Responsibility
14. Lady Bits episode 35: Feminism is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
15. Abortion, Homosexuality, Prostitution: Amnesty International Loses its Way
16. Freakonomics Abortion Chapter
17. He Told Me I Needed To “Get Rid of It” – Real Abortion Stories
18. Hot Topic #3, Abortion!!
19. Ways To Stop Abortion!
20. Random Headlines — 10/25/15
21. Random Headlines — 10/16/15
22. GOP Inbreeding
23. If you want to know what’s ahead for America, look north to Canada
24. trajectories and closed loops
25. “21 Thoughts” by Dr. Jerome Lejeune, the father of modern genetics
26. How America Is Inured to Violence and Immorality
27. The Tree of Life
28. We Need To Change The Way We Deal With Abortion
29. The Problem with Pro-life Politics
31. Mis-shaped fruit is just as good for you
32. Will America listen to this baby’s story?
33. Abortion Rants From A Pro-Abortionist
34. Why I’m Pro-Abortion
35. #ShoutYourAdoption! Pro-lifers fight back against repulsive pro-abort hashtag [pics]
36. How do Pro-Lifers care for the born? Let me count the ways….
37. Abortion Advocacy Is Extremisim
38. The #StandWithPP Roundup: Shutdown Narrowly Averted
39. Court Rules to Keep Clinic Open
40. When Choice Is Not An Option
41. Anti-Abortion Attackers & Protesters of Planned Parenthood Exposed (Resources)
42. I agree with Karl du Fresne… but not in the way you think
43. Forensic Analysis Shows the Real Planned Parenthood Scandal Is the Videos Themselves | The Nation
44. Rep. Elijah Cummings is Ready to FIght for Women
45. Media Release: Politicians Must Act Now
46. Why We Need to Talk About Later Term Abortions
47. 4 November 2014. This Is Why I Oppose ALL “Personhood” Amendments Absolutely and Without Question

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Related articles

• Unreal: Pelosi promotes abortion and gushes over popes in same interview
• Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
• Psalm 24 version C21st
• Invented Traditions: No, Christianity doesn’t forbid Abortion
• Abortion and forgiveness: what is the Pope really saying?
• Sunday Reflections, Sept. 20: Delight of the World
• Catholic Clerics, Knights Warn Youths Against Abortion
• Peace for Your Soul
• The viability myth
• Joe Biden says ‘life begins at the moment of conception’ – won’t stand up for that life, though

Crisis man needed in this world

On Saturday the 10th of October Christadelphians come together at Dudley College in the United Kingdom to talk about the diminishing congregations in the United Kingdom. But it is not only there ecclesiae are struggling to make the ends meet and to have enough believers in Christ and in God in their meeting.

Many denominations in Christendom are victim of these times of ungodliness. It is also mainly that ungodliness that shows up in the families and in the behaviour of man. the difficulties people have in conversations and the wrong going communications have provided our world with many difficulties and lots of broken families and divorcees.

Lots of people who call themselves Christian are afraid to show others who they love and what they are standing for. Lots of Christians are afraid to let others know they are Christian. Less people are even willing to proclaim the Word of God and preach the Gospel of the Good News.

Our world urgently need men of God who are willing to go out in the world and preach that Gospel of peace and of hope in the future.

This world in crisis needs many “crisis man”. In this world where many want to be famous we need people who want to be more than a very well know figure and more than just a milepost-a marker on the road to destruction. A real follower of Christ should love it that people would be able to see Jesus in them.

Real followers of Christ should not be afraid to face the confrontation with non-believers or haters of God. They want them to be confronted with the decision to accept or reject the furious love of God.

A missionary to Ethiopia, Ramon Mayo, pastor of a multiethnic Vineyard church, has now become a writer/editor in the South Suburbs of Chicago and probably sees a lot of problems in the poorer communities over there. Being rooted in blackness, following Jesus and embracing the world he is very well aware that everyone in the world is not like him and that the Church may be a bunch of people who are not like him worshipping the same God.

Like him we should know that everywhere may be different cultures and that around us we may find people who are not like us, act and behave differently than us. But somehow we should come to see that we all part of this world and that we all come from the same origin, the Base and the same divine creation.

In this world we may live and come to do things. We also have feelings for those around us and even for the place where we live in. But we should not forget where we want to place our loyalty.

Is it towards your country of origin or towards the new citizenship you have in God’s kingdom? {Are you an American or a Christian?}

Too many people have lost track of the main or the right road. It would be best if we could see some more people who are willing to help others to get back on track. Guides are needed to show people the Way again.

When the rubber hits the road and the values and priorities of America (or whatever country. You fill in the blank.) clash with the values of Jesus who wins out.

For me my loyalties lie with Jesus. The hard part is sorting out which values are his and which ones are part of the current government and culture I live in.

It’s hard to be in the world but not of it. {Are you an American or a Christian?}

We have looked hard for interested people who would like to join this platform writing about the way of life and preaching about the future hope, the Kingdom of God. But no other preachers showed up, who did not want to get paid like the other writers presented from the start. Most people want to receive a reward now and want to get paid for their writings. But preaching demands the love of giving to others without willing to receive something for it. Preaching is a free gift, for the free gift of grace we all have received. It is a way of showing thankfulness and appreciation for what Christ Jesus has done for us. Preachers should know and continue the task Jesus has given his followers.

In this ungodly world it is high tie we get more preachers on their feet and that those who call themselves Christian really show to the world what it means to be a follower of Christ.

if I believe Jesus is the way,the truth, and the life and without Him our lives are condemned and we are doomed then easy or hard the choice is simple. {Make me a crisis man}

We wonder who wants to come up for Christ and show others the Way. How many want to answer the call of Jesus Christ? how many want to be an encourager?

Do you want to just be a milepost or a fork in the road? {Make me a crisis man}

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Continue reading: The Big Conversation

Preceding: 72 Synod Fathers on the topic “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world”

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Additional reading:

1. World Agenda for Sustainability
2. Not many coming out with their community name
3. Atonement And Fellowship 3/8
4. Challenging claim 2 Inspired by God 1 Simple words
5. God who knows the heart
6. An anarchistic reading of the Bible—(1) Approaching the Bible
7. Why we do not have our worship-services in a church building
8. I remember you in my prayers
9. Meet the atheist … who believes in God
10. Called Christian
11. Be an Encourager
12. A Synod to speak freely and to listen without reservations
13. Let us make sure we are not stiff-necked
14. Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus
15. Preachers should know and continue the task Jesus has given his followers
16. Commitment to Christian unity
17. Fellowship
18. The Ecclesia
19. The Ecclesia in the churchsystem
20. The ecclesia or Christadelphian church
21. Who are the Christadelphians
22. Keeping an ecclesia in modern times
23. Christadelphian people
24. Christadelphians
25. Christadelphians or Messianic Christians or Messianic Jews
26. My faith
27. A Living Faith #8 Change
28. Priority to form a loving brotherhood
29. Small churches of the few Christadelphians
30. What Christadelphians teach
31. About the Belgian Free Christadelphians
32. 19° Century London Christadelphians
33. Faith and works
34. Breathing to teach
35. Breathing and growing with no heir
36. Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach
37. Belonging to or being judged by
38. Good or bad preacher
39. Jehovah’s Witnesses not only group that preach the good news

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Related articles

• A Perfect Inheritance
• We stand together proudly
• Jesus Christ is not REAL to most Christians
• Victory
• Reflective Moment ‘The Greatest Gift Is Free’
• World Change
• Speech Paints Your Future
• Gospel group Iband Incorporated set for UK tour
• Are You an Unsalted Christian?
• I’m Sorry, Christian, But You Don’t Get to Make That Move

Refugees At The Border- A Blessing Or Burden?

We may wonder, why the ex-Communist Central European countries display such an intolerant, negative and rigid approach to the plight of the refugees. KTG was one of the first to question the ex communist EU states approach even though on the example the lack of solidarity of Eastern Europe towards Greece’s debt crisis.

For sure the fear of having an other culture taking over theirs is ungrounded when each of the asylum taker states is fierce in making it clear those coming into their country have to accept the values and way of life of the guest country.

Lots of fear in our regions is by not knowing enough of the other culture and not by understanding the real actual facts of the inhumane conditions that ISIS creates, against Koran teaching.

Revealing themselves to be intolerant, illiberal, xenophobic, and incapable of remembering the spirit of solidarity that carried them to freedom a quarter-century ago, the Eastern European countries should seriously reconsider their position they want to take in the European Union, which has to be one of democratic liberty and solidarity.

Europe is a mixture of different cultures, people and tiny states. It has to look for an consensus, finding a way so that all those different cultures, religions can live together without harming each other or standing in the way of the other.

Debates like the one in Belgium taking place know by the complaint of the commission of equality that burkina’s should be allowed in the swimming pools are not helping to the matter. When this would be allowed women’s right could be in danger again for Muslim women. The same nudist should then have the right to demand being able to swim naked in the public baths at any time.

All sorts of religious, philosophical and ethical groups should find a way to have everybody respecting other ones thoughts, but knowing that in the private sphere everybody should be able to do what they want, as long as they do not bring damage to each other, but that in public places all have to put water in their wine, allowing a way of life where the majority can find itself at ease.

Therefore no yelling from mosque towers at the rising or setting of the sun, and no bell ringing from Catholic or Protestant churches early in the morning.

On the examples of Hungary’s government “mistreatment of thousands refugees in front of the eye of the entire world” and Poland’s storm of comments full of hate towards the refugees, we should ask with urgency to those ex-communist countries:

“Have Eastern Europeans no sense of shame? For centuries, their ancestors emigrated in droves, seeking relief from material hardships and political persecution. And today their leaders’ heartless behaviour and callous rhetoric play to popular sentiment. “

Throughout millennia people have been hoovering all over the world to find liveable pastures, let those who claim to be Christians show the right Christian attitude worthy to be called after Jeshua, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who preached love and openness for each other.

*

To remember:

• flow of people from war torn regions of the world in particular Syria, North Africa & Afghanistan is continuing this week and is likely to continue over the next few weeks
• refugees will go to the region where they are likely to find employment and a better livelihood
• millions have moved within the middleast to Africa and to South America
• struggles within Europe = dominating the headlines
• Southern Europe has been seen to carry out harsh tactics against the suffering people > tear gas, blocking routes, laying down barb wire
• previous slogans of “open Europe” seems like a distant memory
• many European countries are squabbling with each other on how many and where the suffering people should go to
• Europe’s population is near the five hundred million mark, even if there was one million people entering Europe this would be only 0.02% of the population, hardly a huge increase in numbers.
• Europe’s economic output represents close to 25% of global output.
• reluctance is founded in a enshrined principle that the identity needs to be protected regardless
• arrival of the suffering people are seen as a threat to its identity
• the “defend your culture and identity by no interaction or leave your culture at the border policy” isn’t working
• allowing refugees in => interaction, discussion, exchanges of views and opinions => beneficial for everyone
• culture good for one group of people = good for all groups of people
• worry of compromising their culture and closing the borders = weak position
• world sees it as outdated and Europe needs to move on.

+

Preceding articles

Poster: Please Help The Refugees

The World Wide Refugee and Migrant Crisis and a possible solution for it

++

Additional articles of interest:

1. Sharing a common security and a common set of values
2. Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket
3. Faith related boycotts
4. Mocking, Agitation and Religious Persecution
5. Economic crisis danger for the rise of political extremism
6. Americans wrongly informed about situation in Europe
7. Fitting the bill in the North and in the East
8. Continues Syrian conflict needing not only dialogue
9. Can We Pay The Price To Free Humanity?
10. Are people willing to take the responsibility for others
11. If Europe fails on the question of refugees, then it won’t be the Europe we wished for
12. State of Europe 2015 – Addressing Europe’s crises
13. Schengen area and Freedom for Europeans being put to the test as never before
14. Europe’s refugees just follow the ancient routes for the peopling of Europe in the Neolithic
15. Why Russia backs Assad: a view from Russia’s anti-imperialist left
16. Meeting to focus on humanitarian issues for Syria
17. Propaganda war and ISIS

+++

Related articles

• Thousands of sheeple flock to anti-migrant demonstrations in Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia
• Eastern European countries may be forced accept quotas for migrants
• EU Forces Through Refugee Deal
• Poland Criticizes EU Refugee Quota Plan Ahead of Summit
• Poland Criticizes EU Refugee Quota Plan Ahead of Summit
• Poland warns of institutional crisis in EU if migrant quotas imposed
• European Union Scraps Plan for Mandatory Acceptance of Migrants
• Does the Migrant Crisis Represent the End of the European Union?
• Hungary shuts EU border, taking migrant crisis into its own hands
• Mandatory Muslim Immigration in the EU

Leaven

Patience in life is something difficult to master. Mastering what we see might look easier but often we let our eyes wandering to far away in our fantasy world. today too many want to make their fantasies felt and to be tried out in reality. Without screpules they use a person of the other sex or even of the same sex as a sex-object, an instrument to satisfy their own lusts.
A Christian is different against those who we may see around everyday boasting of their sexual adventurous, by not being of this world, choosing to live a pure life of pure love, where sex is only part of but not the main meal.

Everywhere around us we can see sexual misconduct and on the television screen such sexual conduct and having more than one partner, no matter what sex, is presented as something quite normal.

We should make the right choice and go for a proper relationship respecting the other. Once chosen for a sincere inner connection we should not look any more to find other intimate relations. Today we do find too many who like to flirt with the idea of searching for again an other partner.

Once the line is crossed, sin seems to almost have a power of its own, which drives us. If you have started investing in a relationship with someone who is not your spouse, or begun looking at things that you shouldn’t, or become physical with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancé; it is time to Stop!

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Preceding articles:

Part of a great team but also of gender discrimination

Reactions against those of the other sex

+++

Related articles

• Attitudes Of American Motion-Picture-Actors-Turned-Directors Toward Transexuality: A Brief Survey
• Calvin And Hobbes Embodied the Voice of the Lonely Child
• Buhari’s government and resurgence of Boko Haram
• Let’s be real
• Muslim shooter of US Marines writes blog posts with insight into ‘Jihad for Allah’

Jim Gallagher

1 Corinthians 5:1

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!”

God designed sexual intimacy as part of the marriage relationship. It is the most intimate of all acts and plays an important role in the love relationship between man and wife. In the book of Hebrews we are told, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled.” (Hebrews 13:4)

However, like so much of what God designed, men have distorted sex into sin. Today, a person that waits until marriage to be sexually active is ridiculed, women are treated as something to be conquered, and men revel in their vast number of sexual partners. Pornography is a multi-billion dollar enterprise, and with the advances in technology, is available at the touch of a button.

While we should…

View original post 455 more words

Reactions against those of the other sex

Lust in the Dust (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you’re genuinely born of God, you’ll be growing to be an overcomer as you deal with the temptations around you — the world, the flesh, and the adversary.

When becoming a Christian you decided to become a child of God and to live according His statutes. You have put your old life aside and made the decision to take on an other life, one in accordance to God’s Law.

As a Christian you should try to please God and have your thoughts focused on the right things.

According to 1 John 5:4,

“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

The word overcome implies a struggle, getting over something. that what is not easy, that what tempts us, that what can bring us from our position and get us on the wrong path. Also having the wrong ideas like Peter had, can make us being called ourselves an adversary or satan.

Human race is a weak one. And men are for sure not the strongest of the humans. In many religions that is taken in consideration. In some Muslim cultures it goes so far that they say women have to hide their contours and faces for men, because otherwise they would tempt them too much and man is not able to be counted for his deeds in such instances.

In our western culture you would think men and women would respect each other. But still too often we hear stories of men going too far and taking women as a subject or just an object to be used. The previous posting is a good example of this.

“Idle Thoughts”, 1898 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It can well be when a man sees a woman that his mind goes off dreaming and fantasying. The same for women, when they see certain men, they also can have their thoughts going into fantasy world. In such circumstances it is important that we know how far we can have our thoughts linger away. For sure our physical reactions may not bring the other person in shyness or quandary.

Being confronted with ‘toppling thoughts’ we should come to our senses and remember the lesson about the eyes and fornication. We may look at the other sex, but how and how long we look in which way makes a difference

We’re faced with an adversary whom we must overcome. Our adversary is identified in 1 John 2:14 as the wicked one:

“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

John went on in the next verses to say:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. . . . For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-17).

Life has to offer a lot of lust. Daily we can be confronted with lust and temptation, of all sorts. How we cope with it is important.

You may not be victorious over every temptation every time, but you’ll make progress in gaining more victories and losing less battles as you grow stronger in Christ and in the power of the abiding Word of God.

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Preceding article: Part of a great team but also of gender discrimination

++

Find also

1. Because men choose to go their own way
2. Epicurus’ Problem of Evil
3. Satan the evil within
4. What others think about the tree of knowledge of good and evil
5. Object of first woe
6. Gainsayers In Apostolic Days
7. A look at materialism
8. Material gain to honour God
9. Summermonths and consumerism
10. Savouring pictorial entertainment
11. Belonging to or being judged by
12. Male domination and tyranny giving opportunities to defile the Name of God
13. Temptation in matrimony
14. Subcutaneous power for humanity 2 1950-2010 Post war generations
15. The Cares of Life
16. Wondering
17. A love not exempting us from trials
18. When the wind blows hard on a tree
19. The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places
20. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
21. It continues to be a never ending, exhausting battle for survival.
22. Signs of the Last Days
23. Salvation and Righteousness
24. Hebraic Roots Bible 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 – Flee fornication and be joined to our Master
25. Nazarene Commentary 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 – Flee from Immorality

Related articles

• What Does John 3:16 Teach?
• Sunday the 2nd of August…..conquerors, overcomers and victorious; your identity in Christ…..Romans 8 v 37
• Self-Control Is A Real Thing and Men Are Not Animals.
• Those Who Are For Homosexual Marriage, Are Enemies Of Christ And Enemies Of Civilization
• Love vs Lust
• “I’m a Christian” Would You Define That Please?
• World View of an Unbeliever
• Jesus Christ the Perfect Example
• The Consequences of Sin
• Stubborn sheep and goats: What makes the difference?

Summerholiday season time to read the Bible

At last the sun has shown her face and people can really get a feeling of Summertime.

Summertime also includes the time to have pleasures to do whatever one chooses, and finding the pleasure one enjoys from his or her actions.
It is a time when lots who have have faith in themselves take time to be on their own at the swimming pool or some relaxing place. Under Christians we also can find those who have been told by well-meaning but errant advisers, “God helps those who help themselves.”
They spend their lives dependent upon their own abilities, or wisdom, or knowledge expecting that God will stand by as a faithful servant to bless all of their endeavours whether it be His will or not. Others may look at others, thinking they can be the way to success. They prefer to put their faith in others. We may wonder why they do not trust themselves not more. Did they get blinded by the fact that certain individuals possesses great knowledge, or apparent wisdom, power, or even anointing? In our society we can find many who look up at others, like they are gods and lift them up more highly than they ought and bestow their faith in a human being.{1}

Too many people put all their faith in the world, instead in the Creator of the world. Summertime is often a time to reflect. It is the time to take a rest and to forget all the worries of daily stress and work.

In the Summertime (Thirsty Merc song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People can put their daily worries about work and getting some income aside. It is time for relaxation and meditation. Not bad to take time to reflect on different matters. It is also some time to consider what is worthwhile in life and which direction to take further.

Summertime is also an ideal time where people have time to do some reading and to take time to go and see things. Many go abroad and look far a way from home for better pastures.

Like Caroline Kepnes there may be people thinking

“There is no better boost in the present than an invitation into the future.”

In this present time lots of people totally lost connection with the Maker of the universe. But why not making use of the free time now to go and read His own Words, which are recorded for mankind so that they can progress and learn the way to go. In the book of books is the way shown to come closer to the Maker of everything and to find eternal happiness.

When taking time to read the Bible you will be surprised how it can open your eyes and give a clear picture of this present world and how you can have a better life than this world is trying to present you.

There is also the calling sound

And the “invitation into the future” goes out right now. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20) {2}

Jesus saves net writes:

Let us not question God our creator, but let us embrace His salvation plan given to us through His Son Jesus, many say, you have a mind of your own and you should decide for yourself. {3}

Lots of people have decided to go for the world’s temptations and to enjoy whatever they can get today. They are not so much interested in the future and prefer to live the day like it comes. They do not see the folly of man which is greater than man’s wisdom.

Now we can find time to meditate on the way the world is evolving and the way we want to go in this world. We should consider taking time to investigate the matters of life and the way we want to go. Do we want to cling to the materialistic world or rather cling to Him Who gives life and surrender to His will than rely on our limited perception of life. {3}

Summertime is an ideal time to reflect if we in our lives, our works or even our conversation, could shine and bring blissful rays over unto others. It is a good period to question ourselves and to check if we managed to bring honour to God throughout the previous year. It is time to reflect if we have not failed to do the Will of God. {4}

When we do what God desires, we will naturally Glorify Our Lord and Our Friend, which will bring honor to The Father. {4}

To be able to do what God desires from us, we should get to know what He really wants. We should take time to find that out. Now in Summer, when we do not have to go to work, we can use the free time to take some moments to read in the Bible. The extra free time should not only give us opportunity to see other places, travelling to widen our horizon, but also to educate ourselves.

Going other places, meeting different people, we should make use of the free time to enlarge our knowledge about others and about God. It is also time to show others the right attitude of a Christian and to let them feel and see that we are Children of God.

Let everything we do brings honor to His Name. {4}

Looking at all the marvellous things we can encounter on our voyage or on our Summer-holiday we can see the Hand of God in all of this. then we also should take some time to thank Him for all this, we can enjoy.

In the place of difficulty, one is thrown off balance and then people find they need help and often than they call unto God, but when at pleasure time and when everything seems to go smoothly, many forget The High One. Also now when at ease it is a good time to take time for our Creator and to turn to God in humility and need.

The walk of faith is not a journey of those who have it all together. (One might suggest that too often, we have acted otherwise.) {5}

One act of faith is doing works of faith, because without works faith is death. To keep the faith alive we also have to nourish it. Now you can sit back and relax, please to take time to pick up the Bible and to read in it daily. Even if it was only for reading one chapter a day and to meditate on it, you shall find it shall give you spiritual food, which shall make you wiser and stronger.

*
Notes + elements discussed in other writings:

{1} The Faith Life (Part 4: Faith’s Direction and Location)

{2} An Invitation into the Future

{3} God is in control

{4} Reflective Moment “Glory To Our King’

{5} Column: Giving words to our prayers

+

Preceding:

Summermonths and consumerism

Psst! Spread The Good Word!

++
Additional readings:

1. Relapse plan
2. Making time for prayer in Summerholiday
3. Holiday tolerance
4. A tongue to speak slowly and well-considered
5. Humility and the Fear of the Lord
6. Wisdom lies deep
7. Looking for something or for the Truth and what it might be and self-awareness
8. Not able to make contact with God because to busy
9. A question to be posed
10. A Living Faith #2 State of your faith
11. Actions to be a reflection of openness of heart
12. Growth in character
13. Those who make peace should plant peace like a seed
14. How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace
15. Appointed to be read
16. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
17. Glory of only One God Who gives His Word
18. Bible, helmet of health, salvation and sword of the spirit
19. We should use the Bible every day
20. Feed Your Faith Daily
21. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
22. Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it
23. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
24. The manager and Word of God
25. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
26. Even in tough times remembering the blessings
27. Get up in the morning and pray for the Lord’s blessings
28. Aim High: Examples of Godly Characters to follow
29. Happy who’s delight is only in the law of Jehovah
30. Youth has difficulty Bible Reading
31. Be an Encourager
32. An ecclesia in your neighbourhood

+++

Related articles

• Raising A Godly Child – Things Parents Can Do (empowermentmomentsblog.com)
• The Origin and Purpose of the Bible (dailybibleplan.com)
• Fear what is it good for? (activeinspiration.wordpress.com)
• Tuesday’s Sound Off (pottsmerc.com)
• The Faith Life (Part 4: Faith’s Direction and Location) (theeyesoffaith.wordpress.com)
• Things we say as Christians. And why it’s imperative that we stop. (chrismartinwrites.com)
• God’s Touch (franciscanflowers.wordpress.com)