Tag Archives: Friendship

Friendship ending in love

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Friendship often ends in love,
but love in friendship, never.

~ Charles Caleb Colton

 

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Friendship to share

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Friendship increases happiness and reduces misery, by doubling our joys, and sharing our sorrows.
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

 

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Dealing with friends

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Getting on well with friends
is important
as they are rare birds.

~ Marcus Ampe

 

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The rare strange birds

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Friends are those rare people
who ask how you are doing
and then wait for your answer.

 

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Intimacy!!

My Diary Pages

Photo by Shahadat Hossain on Pexels.com

The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

Maya Angelou

Being human, we always yearn for human connections, friendships, care, love, companionship to have some sense of security, worthiness, calm, groundedness, and the feeling of being loved. Socially connecting with other human beings is our natural instinct, and crucial to our existence as well. When we meet amazing people, we can exchange a lot of goodness — appreciate eachother’s similarities and differences; as diversity is always inspiring and to be respected, admired and celebrated. And that’s the beauty of being human that they connect, associate, relate and never cease to grow and expand, if they allow themselves.

There is another aspect of “social craving” as well ; to avoid the distress and discomfort of loneliness. Butwhat if we…

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Why kids self-segregate

Friendships between people of different races are common until about the age of 10, when children begin to self-segregate.

The long-standing assumption has been that children become more prejudiced at this age,”

Evan Apfelbaum and Kristin Pauker write in Time, but new research suggests that children’s hesitation to socialize across racial lines has more to do with their understanding of prejudice. In a pair of studies, researchers found that children who view prejudice as an immutable trait were less likely to interact with cross-race peers.

“Even children who showed low levels of prejudice showed less interest engaging across racial lines when they thought prejudice was fixed,”

write Apfelbaum and Pauker. In other words, talking about prejudice as a malleable quality that can be overcome may help prevent children from avoiding interracial interactions. [TIME]

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Living in peace through restoration

In times of war, there exist the danger, people getting frustrated and angry, wanting to do the wrong things against others.

In wartime, the greatest need is for friends.
Here one should not forget Who is always ready to be the Greatest Friend and the Saviour in high need. In times of fear and suffering, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah, the Most High and Only True God, is there to guide us through those dark times. Best we give Him our hand and let Him lead us through this darkness to light full of hope.

Susan Reimer

With everything that’s going on in our world the idea of living in peace might seem impossible. But what is impossible for man is possible with God.

2 Corinthians 13:11 says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Restoration. I don’t think I’ve noticed that particular word before. Restoration means bringing back to a former position or condition. Rebuilding, reconstructing, renewing or recovering. What would restoration look like in your life? Forgiving a betrayal so that a friendship can begin again? Studying every night for an hour instead of scrolling social media to raise your grades? Sitting down with a counsellor to discuss a hurt that is preventing you from moving forward?

Only you know the answer to that question but restoration is possible and the end…

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A Friend Like You

Purplerays

    .

    A Friend Like You

    There’s lots of things
    With which I’m blessed,
    Tho’ my life’s been both Sunny and Blue,
    But of all my blessings,
    This one’s the best:
    To have a friend like you.

    In times of trouble
    Friends will say,
    “Just ask… I’ll help you through it.”
    But you don’t wait for me to ask,
    You just get up
    And you do it!

    And I can think
    Of nothing in life
    That I could more wisely do,
    Than know a friend,
    And be a friend,
    And love a friend… like you.

    By Anon.

    Artist Inge Look.

            Text and image source: Snowwolfs Woodland Nook https://www.facebook.com/531188960392510/posts/2082553225256068/

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            What are friends and friendship

            Friendship.

            According to Aristotle, a Greek philosopher from ancient times, there are three types of friendship,

            I. Friendship of utility II. Friendship of pleasure, and finally, III. Perfect friendship

            But what is a friend?

            A friend is someone other than family that you share close affection with. A friend will share kindness, sympathy, compassion, loyalty, fun, common beliefs and values.
            A true friend will celebrate the good times, and provide support during the bad times.

            Ecclesiastes tells us

            “You are better off having a friend than being all alone…..if you fall, your friend can help you up.” Ch 4 v 9-10

            In the Bible there are many mentions of friends, and it is easy to see the attributes that make a good friend;

            Loving, respectful, positive, forgiving, reliable, loyal, inspirational, vigilant, supportive, non-judgemental, trustworthy, cooperative, wise, and self- controlled.

            We are told in Luke 6 v 31

            “treat others as you want to be treated.”

            Of course, the most powerful example of a friend, was Jesus.

            John 15 v 12 -13 “Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.”

            Let us all remember the example Jesus gave us, and be the sort of friend to others that we would want for ourselves.

            In a world where we can be anything, let us be kind, compassionate, sympathetic and empathetic, loyal, and fun to those around us, as we journey together towards the Kingdom. There, by God’s grace, we will meet our best friend.

             


            Dear Lord,
            Help us to be good friends to those around us.
            Help us to show love and kindness to others, as you have shown us.
            Help us to provide support and comfort to our friends as they have need.
            Thank you for being our friend and comforter,
            and for our many blessings.
            Amen 🙏🏻🙏🏻

             

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            Related

            1. Learning from others
            2. Growing Friendships, Changing the World
            3. Part 3: Why Schedule People and People People Should Be Friends
            4. Love Lust Break-up Friendship.
            5. My Cute Friend
            6. Meeting others in our mess
            7. How do you know if your friend has your back? What if they the devil you need to run from? This scares me alot
            8. rich
            9. Who are your friends at work?
            10. Slick Ways to Make Friends When You’re Targeted by Bullies
            11. Happy Endings
            12. Prioritizing Relationships
            13. Visits with Friends
            14. My thoughts to present Friends with benefits..
            15. Into every life some rain must fall.
            16. All the World’s A Stage
            17. Despite the Let Down

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            Someone needs …


            ”Someone not far from where you are,
            needs your tender touch, your simple smile, your holy hug…today.”

             

             

            ‘A friend loves at all times…’ Proverbs 17:17

            *

             

             

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            . . . he who plants kindness gathers love.

            Purplerays

            17522736_1376343539107653_638728933725064388_n

            “A good deed is never lost;
            he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and…
            he who plants kindness gathers love.”

            ~Saint Basil

            Artist~Frederick Morgan
            Text & image source: Rest in the Arms of Angels https://web.facebook.com/Rest-in-the-Arms-of-Angels-164081253667227/

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            Trouble in my brain

            Who does not want to be loved? Who is not longing for attention, recognition, acknowledgement and for being recognised as a human being, to be seen and heard and why not for receiving a hug?

            E.T.'s blog

            I’m so confused.
            There’s a big mess in my head.
            I don’t know where to start and where to end.
            There’s no problem in my life.
            The only problems are made by me.
            I’ve got no big threats against my life.
            Then why is my brain fried?
            Problems are problems, if you give them the space to be problems.
            Because the only one recognizing those problems, is you.
            It’s your brain telling you there’s a problem, but when is it really one?
            My brain is fried with problems.
            Or aren’t they such things?
            Are they just thoughts, which pass my mind too many at the same time, so that I can’t see which one is which anymore?
            I can’t differentiate between them.
            I want things but do I have the right to?
            I’m aware of my past and my failures.
            I try to stop myself from doing weird things.
            But…

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            One of the tasks of true friendship

            Sacred Touches

            Screen Shot 2018-04-12 at 9.20.39 PM.png
            **Image found on Pixabay; text added by Natalie

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            No Friendship is an accident


            No Friendship is an accident.

            Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Vriendschap gebeurt niet per ongeluk

            Friendship.

            Friendship. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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            The one who knows who you are and where you have been


            A friend is one who knows who you are:
            understands where you have been,
            accept what you become
            and still gently invites you to grow.


            Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een vriend is degene die weet en begrijpt

            Accept No Substitute

            Accept No Substitute (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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            Not walking in front of or behind me


            “Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
            Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
            Walk beside me… just be my friend”
            Albert Camus


            Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Niet voor of achter mij gaan

            Albert Camus, Nobel prize winner, half-length ...

            Albert Camus, Nobel prize winner, half-length portrait, seated at desk, facing left, smoking cigarette (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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            Further reading

            1. Stand Tall
            2. Fall in love with your best friend
            3. I was featured on my friends blog!
            4. Back in the Seattle Again*
            5. This one might go too far…
            6. Deactivating is hard to do
            7. Mature Decisions
            8. My Own Friend
            9. Signed, Your Friend.
            10. A Poem For a Friend
            11. Tuesday June 11, 2017
            12. unconditional love
            13. You Have What It Takes
            14. Affirmation 7/11/17

            +++

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            Friendship born


            “Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
            ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves


            Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Ontstaan van Vriendschap

            English: Craigellachie Span The magestic Span ...

            Craigellachie Span The magestic Span of the old Craigellachie bridge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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            A true friend is like the air…

            Purplerays

            13427846_975687549215222_818633682733563716_n

            A true friend is not like the rain
            which pours and goes away.
            A true friend is like the air,
            sometimes silent but always around you.

            Photo & text credit: “Precious World” https://www.facebook.com/ourpreciousworld/?fref=photo

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            Witnessing because we love

            Yesterday we saw how Jesus spoke about God His second commandment and how Jesus ordered us to keep to a Royal Law.

            In the readings of this week we can find an other work than the brotherly love we have to do. Though that work should be part of brotherly love. Out of love to others we should go out into the world and proclaim the Good News. Witnessing to others is a way of showing our love to them, because we want them also to be saved.

            God’s abundance is for the furthering of His will here on earth. God wants all people to know Him and to worship Him. We, when we are thankful for what God provided for us, will love to serve our God and shall do our best to be workers in the name of Jesus, following his orders to preach.

            The Lord Jesus stripped himself of everything save love, that he might more readily meet each human soul on its own level. Jesus emptied himself, humbled himself, only wanted to do the will of God, his heavenly Father and asked us also to put our own selfish will aside. That will demand some work. Like Jesus became obedient unto death, even the death at the stake, for our sakes, we should offer our selves, working hard to bring others also into the knowledge of God.

            Jesus was set on proclaiming the Gospel so that even the dying thief might enter Paradise, and that not one prodigal in all the human family should think that he had sunk too low or gone so far as to be excluded from the hope of salvation.

            One of the duties of friendship is just to lend an ear to others and our second duty is to try to give them right answers. Those answers are given by God in His Book of books, the Bible, which we should carry in our heart. To keep it only for ourself is selfish. We should share it with others around us.

            The first followers of Christ Jesus were very well aware of their responsibility. They also knew it was God Who had given Jesus authority and also given them responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming the word of God in its fullness. Paul wrote.

            Colossians 1:21-29 The Scriptures 1998+  (21)  And you, who once were estranged and enemies in the mind by wicked works, but now He has completely restored to favour  (22)  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you set-apart, and blameless, and unreprovable before Him,  (23)  if indeed you continue in the belief, founded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the expectation of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed to every creature under the heaven, of which I, Sha’ul, became a servant,  (24)  who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in Messiah’s afflictions, for the sake of His Body, which is the assembly,  (25)  of which I became a servant according to the administration of Elohim which was given to me for you, to fill the word of Elohim,  (26)  the secret which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His set-apart ones,  (27)  to whom Elohim desired to make known what are the riches of the esteem of this secret among the gentiles: which is Messiah in you,1 the expectancy of esteem, Footnote: 1See Messiah in you in the Explanatory Notes.  (28)  whom we announce, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, in order to present every man perfect in Messiah יהושע {Jehsua},  (29)  for which I also labour, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.

            Even when the mystery may have been hid from ages and from generations, now for us it should be clear, having been made manifest to the Elohim His saints. When having received the blessings of the offering of Jeshua we, out of thankfulness should be pleased that we got to know what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the non believers. Having Christ in us we do have the hope of glory and should be so overtaken by joy that we shout it out and call others to become partakers of the same joy.

            Faith belief D will do rightIt is that Messiah, given to us, without us having to do something for it, that now our turn has come to do something in return. The Grace is given for free, but now we have to act when we have come into the faith and want to make the faith alive. It is the Messiah whom we should preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, whereunto the apostles also laboured, striving according to his working, which works in believers of Christ mightily.

            The message kept secret for centuries and generations past has been revealed to God’s people. And the secret “Christ in you is the hope of glory!’”  should be sounding all over the earth.

            Our task is to get this hope of glory with Christ in us. Having his presence and power in our life, because it is the only way we will ever become all that God has created us to be. That is the great secret that is now made known to all! And this is why we we have to do the work of faith proclaiming Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully grown, mature and complete in Christ. It is to this end we like the apostle Paul have to labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in the followers of Christ.

            Like it was the great Life Lesson Philemon learned from Paul, and how it has made all the difference for him in everything he did, we too should be inspired by Jesus’ teachings and by the power of God’s Spirit should inspire others as well.

            We were made for a purpose; one that will never be realized apart from our Lord Jesus Christ. Once Christ puts his presence and power into our lives – then we can do whatever Christ can do through us if we are opening ourselves to him! Paul’s timeless words should become our very own,  so that we too can say

            ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!’

            This is our hope of glory!

            In Christ – the defeated become victorious; the weak become strong; the poor become rich! In Christ – the lame are made to leap and dance; the blind are made to see; the enslaved are set free and rejoice!

            In Christ – the lowly are raised up; the brokenhearted are healed; sinners are forgiven, and backsliders are restored! In Christ –dreamers are envisioned; builders are empowered; and all are strengthened with might in their inner man!

            To become in Christ we should give ourselves to him, which demands works.

            To bring others to Christ also demands works. Though we do have to show others others that Christ is the Way.

            We do have to open our ears so that others can open their hearts. We then should try to show them the answers God provides. Like David did not brood on his problems in solitary bitterness we with those around us should bring them before God.

            We ourselves must not be ‘puffed up’ because of the way our careful reading of God’s word has led us to increasingly comprehend the ‘big picture’ of the meaning of life and the spirit of genuine love for God that must be part of this.

            Let us be like the scribe who knew that there is only one God; and there is none other but He and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength. To love God demands action or work. But when we do love we first of all have to love His creations as well because when we do not love our neighbour as ourself, we do not show appreciation for the creation of God, because each person is a created being, allowed to live here on earth by God.

            Mark 12:26-33 The Scriptures 1998+  (26)  “And concerning the dead, that they rise – have you not read in the book of Mosheh, at the bush, how Elohim spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the Elohim of Aḇraham, and the Elohim of Yitsḥaq, and the Elohim of Yaʽaqoḇ’? (27)  “He is not the Elohim of the dead, but Elohim of the living. You, then, go greatly astray.”  (28)  And one of the scribes coming near, hearing them reasoning together, knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first command of all?”  (29)  And יהושע  {Jeshua} answered him, “The first of all the commands is, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ĕl, יהוה {Jehovah} our Elohim, יהוה {Jehovah} is one.  (30)  ‘And you shall love יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first command.  (31)  “And the second, like it, is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other command greater than these.”  (32)  And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one Elohim, and there is no other besides Him.  (33)  “And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and offerings.”

            We should clearly understand what is being said here. There is only One True God the Elohim Hashem יהוה {Jehovah} and this we should believe and practice with all our heart, offering our love for God to others.

            Do we feel as thankful as we should for the wondrous blessing of being spiritual children of God – in this godless world? Let us make sure that we do – and then – how soon will we see and experience – for ever – “the salvation of God”.

            Paul challenges us when he looks at the call of Christ to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. He expresses this responsibility in the bluntest terms,

            1 Corinthians 9:16 The Scriptures 1998+  (16)  For if I bring the Good News, it is no boasting for me, for necessity is laid on me, and it is woe to me if I do not bring the Good News!

            Youngsters listening to a preacher

            Youngsters listening to a preacher

            Let us not overlook that it is for necessity is laid on us as well.  ‘A necessity’, etc.: i.e. having no choice. The compelling force was twofold, love of god and love of Christ plus fear of being held responsible for the loss of souls. Woe: calamity, in this case, eternal death. So explicit and solemn was Christ’s commission that Paul could not retain his favour if he refused to obey it. 1 Corinthians 9:17 shows how this impending woe, and the necessity it laid on Paul, make the mere fact of his preaching no ground of exultation. For if we do this of our own will, we shall have a reward. But if not of our own will, we will have a stewardship entrusted to us.

            1 Corinthians 9:17 The Scriptures 1998+  (17)  For if I do this voluntarily I have a reward, but if not voluntarily, I am entrusted with a management.

            Stewardship “stresses obligation, responsibility, and faithfulness of the servant to his master in carrying out the entrusted task” (Rienecker and Rogers, p. 415). In other places such as Luke 16:2-4 this same term is used to describe the management of property.
            We have to do the preaching or witnessing as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted us with this task.  And this is something too many Christians forget or do not want to see.

            +

            Preceding

            Your position about materialistic desires having conquered the world

            When believing in God’s existence and His son, possessing a divine legislation

            Looking for a shepherd for the sheep and goats

            A Royal Rule given to followers of Christ

            First man’s task still counting today

            He who knows himself, is kind to others

            Luther’s misunderstanding

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

            Our life depending on faith

            Romans 4 and the Sacraments

            Is Justification a process?

            Letter to the Romans, chapter 3

            Letter to the Romans, chapter 4

            Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans

            Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4

            Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works

            Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?

            Leading people astray!

            Crisis man needed in this world

            Preaching Christ Is Not Enough

            Beautiful feet of those who announce the good news

            Preaching by example

            A Christian has to have eyes and ears and a tongue to use in good ways

            Daring to speak in multicultural environment

            Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach

            What Should I Preach ?

            ++

            Additional reading

            1. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
            2. Bible in the first place #2/3
            3. Hope by faith and free gift
            4. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
            5. The Right One to follow and to worship
            6. Illuminating our minds and watching out
            7. Those who love Jesus
            8. Follower of Jesus part of a cult or a Christian
            9. Paulus to Philemon
            10. Bringing Good News into the world
            11. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
            12. First Century of Christianity
            13. Looking on what is going on and not being of it
            14. Let us make sure we are not stiff-necked
            15. Priest, scribes and others with authority
            16. Breathing to teach
            17. Witnessing
            18. How should we preach?
            19. Showing by the scriptures that …
            20. Necessary to be known all over the earth
            21. Church sent into the world
            22. How do I know if I’m called to ministry?
            23. Not all ability to preach
            24. A Synod to speak freely and to listen without reservations
            25. Preachers should know and continue the task Jesus has given his followers
            26. Necessity of a revelation of creation 10 Instructions for insight and wisdom
            27. Risen With Him
            28. Looking for True Spirituality 7 Preaching of the Good News
            29. Missionary action paradigm for all endeavours of the church
            30. Engaging the culture without losing the gospel
            31. Counting sands and stars
            32. The Big Conversation
            33. The Big Conversation – Christadelphians in the United Kingdom
            34. The Big conversation – Antagonists
            35. What Should I Preach ?
            36. How to Choose a Bible for Preaching
            37. Positive Preaching Day 2015
            38. Soviet Witnesses
            39. Using the name Jehovah but not a witness of that name
            40. Why we do not have our worship-services in a church building
            41. Why we do not keep to a Sabbath or a Sunday or Lord’s Day #5 Not law binding
            42. Sunday 7 September service: Imitate prophets and Paul
            43. Begin by carrying away small stones to remove a mountain
            44. Signs of the Last Days

            +++

            Further related articles

            1. The Sum of our Stories
            2. The Gospel Addresses the Culture
            3. Baptism and Temptation
            4. Are You Ready For Jesus’ Return?
            5. Can you be faithful?
            6. Learn It, Do It, Teach It …Preach it?
            7. Preaching on the Subject of Heaven
            8. John Newton on the Practical Effects of Faith
            9. “forgiveness is not a legal action”
            10. Into the Wilderness
            11. 1 Peter 2:1-3, What about Milk?
            12. Preaching
            13. The Power of Place and Story in Preaching
            14. Consecutive Expository Preaching
            15. Stop Teaching
            16. What’s red and furry and climbs trees? (avoiding the Sunday School answer)
            17. Train of Thanks 14-15
            18. ‘Body Language’ in 1 Corinthians
            19. Sound Bytes or Substance? (Part 2)
            20. The Essential Element to Church Health and Success
            21. Sermon in a Sentence
            22. What’s Pastor Kevin Reading: Will Willimon’s “How Odd of God”
            23. Dulcis Loquela, Dulcis Oratio, or Un-Umming Your Speech
            24. Preaching – Prof K J Mathew – Shalom Night Vigil – February 2016
            25. Preaching – Fr. Roy Palatty – Shalom Night Vigil – February 2016
            26. “Today You Will Be With Me” – A Sermon Starter
            27. “Where is the promise of His coming?” (part 2)…
            28. Expository Preaching
            29. New Network Show; Preachers of Infernum
            30. Dressing for Church: Which Way Does One Go?
            31. How Will You Listen to Your Pastor This Weekend?
            32. 3 Essentials of A Good Sermon
            33. QotD – Speaking from the Heart – 2.11.2016
            34. Almost Spiritual, Almost Revived
            35. My Library // Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
            36. One Anothering – The Ministry of Mutuality
            37. “Powerful Preacher”
            38. 6 Ways Bible Reading Enhances Your Church Experience
            39. One wild preacher!
            40. The Dilemma of Balance in Preaching
            41. Unlawful Arrest for Preaching Gospel
            42. Post-Preaching Inscape
            43. Benefits of Expository Preaching
            44. 4 “Non-Sin” Sermon Practices
            45. Are Red Letters More Important than Black Letters?
            46. Preacher, Do You Tremble before the Word You Preach?
            47. A Christ-Centred Life And A Christ-Centred Ministry
            48. The Ministry of Reconciliation
            49. Acts 4
            50. Acts 10
            51. Challenge: Find Somebody to Love
            52. Time for a Great Poem (evangelism)
            53. Don’t just give up, give out! #Lent
            54. Faith’s Checkbook: A Constant Witness
            55. Simon Peter
            56. When We Struggle
            57. February 8th-Love your neighbor as yourself. And, our unruly society has about as much difficulty with that as did His chosen people back then. Yet, as His children, we are required to be different.
            58. Leading Souls to Christ, Part 6 (Onward Christian Soldiers #116)
            59. Are You Sitting?
            60. We Are The Body!
            61. Equipping the Saints (Part 2)
            62. Life Expectations
            63. Rude Witnessing
            64. Feb 4 – That’s What Friends Are For
            65. Thankful
            66. How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess
            67. Eleven Trust in Jesus
            68. So, What Is Good News?
            69. Parking Lot Salvation
            70. My Utmost For His Highest: The Key To The Missionary’s Message
            71. Friendship Born By God
            72. He Died For Us Let’s Live For Him
            73. Is being a humanitarian enough to convey the full love of Christ?
            74. Go Ye!
            75. Let’s Proclaim The Gospel to The World
            76. 1 John 1:3 What To Proclaim
            77. 2016- A year to teach the masses about our Lord!
            78. Rejoice, Not Criticize
            79. εὐαγγέλιον – And God Ordained Encounters
            80. The Work of God
            81. #AdventWord #Proclaim
            82. Get The Word Out
            83. Joy Never Goes Silent
            84. Good News From The Bad News
            85. Walk before many people with good tidings and the gospel of peace
            86. There Is A Fire
            87. God Energizes Our Efforts August 27
            88. Refusing to Be Silent
            89. How Beautiful
            90. A Passion To Proclaim Him

            +++

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            Filed under Activism and Peace Work, Lifestyle, Religious affairs

            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)

            *

             

            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

            ++

            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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            Filed under Being and Feeling, Lifestyle, Quotations from Holy Scriptures, Religious affairs