PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Jul 31, 2019 12:09:09 GMT -5
A personal testimony...
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Post by John on Jul 31, 2019 12:47:13 GMT -5
Good message and wisdom gained from experience. I hope a lot of people will watch this and consider it. I am reminded of the warning from scripture about when we think we stand, take heed lest ye fall.
What was your Uncle's first mistake? It could be the Africa trips, but maybe not. Souls were saved. Putting African trinkets that were likely something connected to idolatry was a mistake. The thing that seems most obvious was getting lifted up in pride and taking our adversary the devil lightly. A lot to think about, and I too have seen people that were once on fire for God fall away. I will probably watch this again.
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Post by Tabitha3319 on Jul 31, 2019 17:07:27 GMT -5
When you talked about praying, it resonated with me.
I want to pray more effectively.
Sometimes problems will effect me and I just feel defeated --- like I have to just live with them.
I want to believe God for more.
I want to pray more effectively in my own life, for my husband, and for others.
As a Christian, I don't have to let Satan have victory over my mind. I have to fight.
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Cletus
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Post by Cletus on Jul 31, 2019 23:25:28 GMT -5
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
our sin is how we give the enemy a foothold in our life. God lumps liars in with murderers.
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Post by justinadams on Aug 1, 2019 4:35:42 GMT -5
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. our sin is how we give the enemy a foothold in our life. God lumps liars in with murderers. .. and the evil heart of unbelief, plus gossip and those that bear false witness. God gives faith because of His grace and mercy, because He loves us (Ephesians 4—5). Faith comes from God in the form of a gift (Ephesians 2:8). A gift is not earned by some good deed or kind word, and it is not given because the giver expects a gift in return—under any of those conditions, a gift would not be a gift. Heb. 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2019 5:37:35 GMT -5
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. our sin is how we give the enemy a foothold in our life. God lumps liars in with murderers. .. and the evil heart of unbelief, plus gossip and those that bear false witness. God gives faith because of His grace and mercy, because He loves us (Ephesians 4—5). Faith comes from God in the form of a gift (Ephesians 2:8). A gift is not earned by some good deed or kind word, and it is not given because the giver expects a gift in return—under any of those conditions, a gift would not be a gift. Heb. 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. God gives faith to whom he will that they may believe and be saved, but I am not sure how that relates to the message in the video. If anyone can relate to being victims of false witnesses, we can. Even so, I am not sure how that relates to the message either.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Aug 1, 2019 5:50:50 GMT -5
.. and the evil heart of unbelief, plus gossip and those that bear false witness. God gives faith because of His grace and mercy, because He loves us (Ephesians 4—5). Faith comes from God in the form of a gift (Ephesians 2:8). A gift is not earned by some good deed or kind word, and it is not given because the giver expects a gift in return—under any of those conditions, a gift would not be a gift. Heb. 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Just because there are people with fear of losing salvation it does not mean that they have an unbelieving heart.
Actually, the fear of losing salvation in this case is a good thing because:
“In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” - Proverbs 16:6
“...I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever...” - Jeremiah 32:39
In my opinion, it is more preferable than people who think they can sin as much as they want and claim they will still be saved.
Now, the question is: Who is bearing good witness (especially to lost sinners)?!
“...exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” - Hebrews 3:13
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - Hebrews 10:31
Sin is dangerous. If people want real peace it is better they give up on sinning.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape
all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36
Blessings!
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2019 6:00:49 GMT -5
.. and the evil heart of unbelief, plus gossip and those that bear false witness. God gives faith because of His grace and mercy, because He loves us (Ephesians 4—5). Faith comes from God in the form of a gift (Ephesians 2:8). A gift is not earned by some good deed or kind word, and it is not given because the giver expects a gift in return—under any of those conditions, a gift would not be a gift. Heb. 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Just because there are people with fear of losing salvation it does not mean that they have an unbelieving heart.
Actually, the fear of losing salvation in this case is a good thing because:
“In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” - Proverbs 16:6
“...I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever...” - Jeremiah 32:39
In my opinion, it is more preferable than people who think they can sin as much as they want and claim they will still be saved.
Now, the question is: Who is bearing good witness (especially to lost sinners)?!
“...exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” - Hebrews 3:13
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - Hebrews 10:31
Sin is dangerous. If people want real peace it is better they give up on sinning.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape
all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36
Blessings! Amen Letters.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12
Christians living in a lifestyle of willful sin need to fear losing their salvation.
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2019 7:53:38 GMT -5
I was looking at this video again this morning, and what sister Candance was saying about people coming to us with needs, and we can't help them because our life is a mess too stood out. How can we help others with sin problems if we are in bondage to sin? How can we help others with issues in their personal lives if our life is in shambles. It made me think of Jesus' words in Matthew 7:3-5
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Most people will stop at that. They want us to think that the entirety of the message is that we are not to judge others, and we have our own mote and always will, but Jesus doesn't end it with that.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
It is true that we can't do much to help others when our lives are a mess, so we need to take a look at where we are, take inventory, and seek to set our spiritual house in order. Then we will be able to help others. Then we will have a testimony that doesn't bring shame to Christ.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 1, 2019 8:57:05 GMT -5
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. — Matthew 5:13-16
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 1, 2019 9:33:30 GMT -5
Outsiders are not only watching to see how legalistic/religious we are. They’re watching to see if we are good for anything. Do we care about the poor? Do we help anybody beyond our own household? Do we go against the establishment? Are we different at all? Or was Jesus just kidding when He said those pretty words?
There is a growing segment of the Christian church that is absolutely allergic to good works. Any endeavor to be a better person is viewed with suspicion as some sort of works-based-salvation scheme. Buy some food for a neighbor who’s broke? Nah man, I’m too busy being saved by faith. Now I’m gonna go watch Stranger Things on my Netflix account so I can be relevant with my co-workers. That’s called evangelism!
I don’t know when this began, but I saw it in the 90s. Now it’s even worse. Sure, we’ll mutter about how the Holy Spirit should produce good works in our lives, but no one is ever actually expected to prove this. Pastor had an affair? Don’t judge him. Worship leader treats her husband with contempt? That’s their marriage. What, should we expect them to do any better and thus “earn” their salvation?
Jesus saves us from the toil of “our own” works. Not from anything and everything that smells like a good work. Works of the flesh, works of the law, works of corporate business, works supposed human ethics — we are delivered from all of these works. We should be entering into the works of Christ, which are perfectly good and spiritually fruitful.
Spiritually fruitful works? Boy aint that a long-gone idea.
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2019 10:07:28 GMT -5
We do need to care about doing good works, and people do watch us, but many that are watching are just fault finders. They want to justify theirs sins by comparing themselves to others. That will make a person feel better as they remain in the hog pen, but it will get them nowhere with God.
As far as evangelizing in the way you mentioned goes, look at books like one I had to read to get a minister's license called "How To Be A Contagious Christian." I never went for such methods.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 1, 2019 10:17:59 GMT -5
It isn’t a matter of appeasing fault-finders. Scripture tells us the Lord draws men to Himself when He is lifted up. When we give Him space to work, He is glorified in our midst, and outsiders gather round. Jesus told us to shine our light for this purpose.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. — Acts 2:46-47
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? — Acts 16:27-30
We can’t reach out to sinners with a powerless, self-centered message and expect them to be impressed. Yes there will be always be fault-finders, but that doesn’t excuse us from demonstrating the Holy Spirit.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 1, 2019 10:34:38 GMT -5
And really, as far as the fault-finders go, we ought to be leaving people with no good excuse or plausible accusation. Our conduct should be so blameless that they can’t find a way to attack us.
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. —1 Peter 2:12
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. — 1 Peter 2:15-16
This is also something that was not said as a suggestion!! But today I doubt if a third of church members have even read this.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 1, 2019 10:40:43 GMT -5
Wives are even told to evangelize their husbands with good works.
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. — 1 Peter 3:1-2
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