Christians bible study

September 16, 2023 3:57 pm

Once again everyone exit this group ive lost my account i made it with thanks

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September 1, 2023 9:04 am

In the Eyes of God, what is my Identity? Does He see me as being a son (a daughter) or does He see me as a person enslaved by Religion? Three important questions: 1. Who am I? 2. Why am I here? 3. ... View MoreIn the Eyes of God, what is my Identity? Does He see me as being a son (a daughter) or does He see me as a person enslaved by Religion? Three important questions: 1. Who am I? 2. Why am I here? 3. Where am I going? These three questions have plagued man throughout all humanity. There is something inside of us that is continually crying out for the answer to these questions. In truth, The only people on the face of the earth who know the answers to these questions are "born-again" believers. Because as a born-again believer I know who I am and it is not an Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, or Lutheran, nor any other church denomination. I am a child of the living God. That is who God called me to be. The philosophy (religion) makes me a person of religion but not a child of God. Who am I God called me out of my religion and gave me Sonship. "To as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12)." That is our new identity when we are born again of the Spirit of God. Now, you know who I and you are if we are in Christ Jesus. Personally, I am retired from marketing and sales. Selling is what I did, but that is not who I am. I am a child of the living God just like any other born-again believer. I just happen to be a child of the living God who happens to be retired from marketing and sales. You might be a child of the living God, who just happens to be a housewife, a doctor, farmer, or any other occupation you might be in. So, we must understand that our identity is not in what we do. Our identity is not in the various denominations or religions. Our identity is in who God called us to be. So now you have the answer to that question. So, you do not have to wonder 2 who you are; you know. If Christ is in you, then you are a child of the living God. Why are you here? We are here to make our bodies available for the living Christ to live His life in and through us. Do you remember when Jesus told His apostles, "It is to your advantage that I go away " and you may say to yourself; how can that be to our advantage, for Jesus to go away? Jesus answered that same question to His disciples, saying; "Unless I go away, then I cannot send My Spirit to live in you (John 16:7)." So, He's saying it is good for you that I am going away (physically) because when I do, I am going to send My Spirit to live in you and you are going to be My body (of believers) here on earth. If He remained with us rather than ascending to heaven, we would never be born again of the Spirit (It is the Holy Spirit that confirms Jesus into our lives). He continued, I am going to go away and send you My Spirit who will infuse in you My very life, My mind, and you are going to be My body and My representative here on this earth.” (Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God, that is what it means to be “born-again” of the Spirit). What was Jesus here for? To be available and represent His Father! "I don't do anything unless the Father tells Me to do it. I do not say anything unless the Father tells me to say it and incidentally as the Father sent Me, so send I you.” So why are we here? To be available to the living Christ; to live His life in and through us! Consider, for comparison. a tree branch. Why is a fruit tree branch there? To bear fruit! To be available to the life of the vine; to produce fruit in the branch and to allow the branch to bear fruit to others! "The branch that bears fruit (Jn.15:2)" is the believer who is growing more like our Lord Jesus. John 15:8 says, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you be My disciples." What it is saying is; as the children of God exhibit the likeness of Christ to the world, the Father is glorified. We have been transformed from being sinners separated from God into being children of God. Others who have known us can see this transformation, this change in our lives, in how we behave and in how we act. People start to notice that there is something different about us, a real positive change of attitude and love towards others. 3 Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol." Please notice that in the three previous verses, Paul describes the works of the flesh as such: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentious, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murderers, drunkenness, revelries, and the like........such people will not inherit the kingdom of God." It is significant that Paul distinguishes between the works of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit. Works are produced by human energy. The fruit is grown as a branch abides in the vine (Jn.15:5). They differ as a factory and a garden differ. Note that the fruit is singular, not plural. The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit that is Christ likeness. These virtues are pleasing to God, beneficial to others, and good for our selves. But how is this fruit produced? Is it by man's efforts? Not at all! It is produced as believers live in communion with the Lord. As they gaze upon the Savior in loving devotion, and obey Him in daily life, the Holy Spirit works a wonderful miracle. He transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. They become more like Him by beholding Him (2 Cor. 3:18). Just as the branch derives all its life and nourishment from the vine, so the believer in Christ derives his strength from the True Vine and is thus able to live a fruitful life for God. Now that we are free from the law, we can bear fruit to God (Rm.7:4). Where am I, where are you going? Heaven – to be with God for all eternity. There is no doubt, it is already assured. We are told with all the assurance that one can get...."Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." The moment we die physically we are immediately present with the Lord. The moment our eyes close and we open our eyes we are in the presence of God. So, now all those age-old questions that people are seeking and searching for throughout their lives are answered in becoming a child of God. Personally, I know who I am. I know why I am here, and I know where I am going. Now, if this reality does not bring you peace; then you are in sad shape because that is where peace comes from. My past is over and 4 done with and I can’t change it. Whatever happened has happened; now let us go on to this new life in Christ Jesus. The future is God's country and so Jesus said to us..."Live one day at a time." The only time that you can experience faith is right now. You cannot exercise faith yesterday; it is gone. You cannot exercise faith tomorrow – it is not here yet. But you can exercise faith right now and without faith it is impossible to please God. Let’s Recap – “Who Are We In Christ?” Our identity is determined by who or what we are identified with. Discovering who we are is a basic need of every human heart. God has given you a new identity. If you are in Christ, you are a CHILD OF GOD (Galatians 3:26)! Because we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, we are children of God. That is our new identity. In this world there are all types of people with all types of different labels attached, but from God's vantage point there are only two kinds of people: those who are in Adam, and those who are in Christ. To "be in" someone may sound strange to you. But to be in someone means that he is our family head. As such, he has left us his name, his nature, an inheritance, and a destiny. The twofamily heads in this world are Adam and Jesus Christ. They determine who we are, our nature, our inheritance, and our destiny. The two stands in total contrast to each other. Through spiritual baptism, God has changed our identity. In Adam, I was Oscar Leske without God's spirit – spiritually dead and a guilty sinner. Galatians 2:22 tells me that I have been crucified with Christ. That old person is dead and gone. Today, I am a new creation in Christ. Today I am Oscar Leske with God's spirit living in me – spiritually alive and totally forgiven. If you are in Christ Jesus, you, too, are a new creation in Christ – not because of what you do, but because God has placed you into His Son. In Christ we are children of God. We are loved perfectly, accepted totally, and seen as perfect in God's eyes not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done for us. This is our identity in Christ. When we 5 grasp who we are, we will go free. We will be free to serve others and to look after other people's interests; not just our own. There we will find true meaning and purpose to life. Our Relationship With God Churchgoing Christians sometimes get confused about living the Christian life? They go to church and often hear messages from a performance-based speaker as he speaks about the socalled “Does and Do nots” of Christianity but it is time to blow off all these barnacles and just re-discover the real thing. What Jesus has called us to is a personal, intimate, dynamic relationship with the living Christ. And when we are in a relationship with Jesus our lives get transformed and that is just the way it is. All those years that we spent time in this world apart from Him we were being was conformed to the world’s philosophies But now when we are spending time with Jesus and getting to know Him, growing in His love and grace, we're going to see a transformation that takes place in our hearts and souls. We are going to begin to think differently. We are going to begin to believe differently. We are going to begin to look at life from a totally different perspective – through God's eyes, not man's eyes and when we do that, then our actions are going to follow suit and we're going to experience peace. We are going to experience unbelievable joy. We are going to experience a whole new outlook on life. And if that is something that you are interested in, then I would say to you, "Start off by reading the New Testament – ask God to open your eyes to His truth and go to a bible believing church or study group to learn, interact and fellowship with other believers." Life is too short to miss the real thing….an everlasting relationship with God. Oscar Leske F/B – Signs Of Our Times Understanding The Signs Of Our Times.co

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Steve Lampman

August 25, 2023 4:12 am

Weekly Devotional 8-28-23 Accountability Being Christian is wonderful, there is no greater blessing. We have been brought into fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have the indwelling... View MoreWeekly Devotional 8-28-23 Accountability Being Christian is wonderful, there is no greater blessing. We have been brought into fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit of God who previously convicted us of our unrighteous standing before God, who softened our heart toward repenting of our sin and a willful surrendering of our lives to Jesus’ lordship. Presently, He aids our understanding and enhances within us a desire to serve our Lord. In the traumatic times we live; He gives us peace and assurance. Assurance that our sins have been forgiven and that we are indeed God’s children. He continually reminds us that even though we are beset with many calamities of life, God has everything in control. He reminds us that we will someday (perhaps soon) be in His presence and will be there for eternity. An eternity where God will have wiped away all tears and there will be no more death, nor sorrow and no more pain (see Revelation 21:4). God has done a wonderful work on our behalf. The amazing thing is these things are unmerited by us. There is nothing we could have done to deserve such blessings. The Apostle Paul wrote of this blessing in his letter to the Ephesians, consider: “1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians2:1-10). According to verse 1 God made us spiritually alive even when we were spiritually dead toward Him… (spiritually separated from Him). With these things in mind I now want to get to the intent of this devotional, our accountability. Even though our salvation is free and secure, God has purposed that we produce good works (Vs.10) among which is doing our part in maintaining the purity of the church. One of the best places of determining our part in the maintaining such purity is found in Jesus’ letter to 7 representative churches found in Revelation 2 & 3. In that letter Jesus commended certain of their practices but also condemned certain practices. Consider… “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’ 18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Chapter 3: 1And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ 14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” These 5 churches were bringing dishonor to the Lord and were poor witnesses of His person and glory. The Ephesian church had lost their love for Him, putting other things first. The church at Pergamos allowed false teaching. The church at Thyatira allowed people of the flesh (non-Christians) to infiltrate with their worldly lifestyles (including immoral living). The church at Sardis acted like they were alive and productive but inwardly it was dead, and non-productive. The church at Laodicea was indifferent to the cause of Christ and in fact had turned Him out. Of the seven churches, only two (Smyrna and Philadelphia) received no condemnation for their conduct, they instead received commendations. To be pleasing to the Lord and effectual witnesses we must be like those two churches. Blessings Steve

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Steve Lampman

August 18, 2023 8:09 am

Weekly Devotional 8-21-23 Extraterrestrials Do Extraterrestrials exist? Many have wondered about this for decades and it seems that there is a movement in the world of our day to convince skeptics th... View MoreWeekly Devotional 8-21-23 Extraterrestrials Do Extraterrestrials exist? Many have wondered about this for decades and it seems that there is a movement in the world of our day to convince skeptics that extraterrestrials do exist. The movement is gaining momentum, spreading even into Christian circles. The Christian however must not readily accept the claims of those who are propagating said movement. All things for the Christian must be measured by what is written in God’s handbook, the Bible. The Bible for the Christian is the bottom line of suggestions and if what is being stated in a suggestion is not found in the Bible it should not be considered as factual. So what does the Bible say, or what does the Bible not say? It says that in the beginning, God created all that was created (See Genesis 1 & 2). This included the earth, the moon, the sun, the stars, the planets, the galaxies, and solar systems. In that He is God alone, no other true God exists (See Isaiah 45:18). He was the creator of all that exists. Not only was He the creator of all that exists but He is also sovereign over all creation. As to the earth, Isaiah 45:18 also says that God created the earth not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited by man. It is interesting that God created all that was necessary for mans habitation before He created man. This of course included a necessary atmosphere to envelop the earth, the moon, which has many purposes i.e., it reflects the light of the sun, it moderates the earth’s wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. It also causes the ebbs and flows of oceanic tides, creating a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years. Speaking of the sun, it is the source of earth’s light but also, it’s necessary heat. The stars provide a navigational system for man and also displays God’s handiwork, as do the many galaxies and their solar systems. Considering all these things it is interesting that extraterrestrial beings are not mentioned in the creation account nor in any of the 66 books of the Bible. There can only be two reasons for this; either they do not exist or if God did create them, it has been and is, His intention to keep them and man separate, unknowing of each other. What would be the importance of this? There are several reasons ……. Reason one: Satan must be figured into the answer. God created him and the angelic realm eons ago. He, lifted up in pride of his countenance and position sought to rise above the throne of God and be worshipped as God. We read of this rebellion and attempted overtake of the government of God in the book of Isaiah. “13How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High (Isaiah 45:12-14). Ezekiel 28:11-16 further describes this being and of God casting him out of His government. Jude 6 and Revelation 12:4 states that Satan led a third of the angelic realm in that rebellion. Satan and his band of fallen angels are not restricted to time or space as are we humans. They are spirit beings, appearing here and there as directed by Satan, and are bent on bringing dishonor on God. (This is not possible of course but this is his and their intent). They brought sin into the world of man and in that they are not restricted by time or space would they not have brought sin to all intelligent beings, if they existed? The answer can only be yes, even the beings of the farthest galaxies. In His love for man God provided a remedy. He gave His only begotten Son that who-so-ever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, in His humanity, shed His blood to redeem fallen man. The writer of Hebrews confirms “That by the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Nothing is said in the text, or any place else in Scripture of His blood being shed for other planetary beings. Reason two: At the at the end of the millennial (The 1,000 year) reign of Jesus a new Jerusalem will come down out of Heaven in which all who have been redeemed will dwell. Revelation 21:9-14 says of that city that the bride of Christ (the church) will reside within and that it has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 foundations named after the 12 apostles of Jesus. Revelation 21 thus tells us who will populate the new Jerusalem. The Old Testament and New Testament saints and in addition, the tribulation saints. There is no mention of extraterrestrials. Reason three. Revelation 21 tells us that God will destroy the old heaven and the old earth as He creates a new heaven and a new earth. The old heaven speaks of the atmosphere that envelopes the earth and planetary space, it does not speak of the 3rd heaven (See 2nd Corinthians 12:3 & 4) the abode of God. In that God is going to destroy the old planetary space (the moon, the sun, the stars, the planets, the galaxies, and solar systems) it carries that the inhabitants of the planets, galaxies and solar systems would also be destroyed yet nothing is written about them being destroyed. Why, because such inhabitants do not exist. Reason four: God’s purpose of creating all that there is, was to glorify Himself; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To bring this about He allowed Satan to rebel, He allowed man to fall and gave the life of His begotten Son to restore man. In that sin is universal it carries that sin would also be affected wherever life might be, necessitating the death of Jesus, repeatedly. It just does not fit! So why is there such promotion of extraterrestrials today? There are probably many reasons. Reason one: Satan wants to lead people away from God and creates delusion. People are subject to his lies and distortions. He is able to and causes people to see things other than they are. Reason two: Many people want notoriety and believe that pro-moting the concept of UFO’s and extraterrestrials is a means to that end. Reason three: Some seek power and think that by installing fear into the populace they will achieve it. Reason four: Some seek financial gain and have found that such promotion will bring them that gain. Reason Five: Some want to deny the existence of God and persuade others to the same. The promotion of UFO’S and extraterrestrials aids them in their pursuit. Well, there it is. Based on what Scripture says or does not say I would caution Christians to not readily accept what is being propagated by many today. Steve Stevelampman.com Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man

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Denise Black

August 16, 2023 12:45 pm

I need everyone to leave this group its my old one

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Steve Lampman

August 11, 2023 7:20 am

Weekly Devotional 8-14-23 Discipline “When, how, and why does the Lord God discipline us when we sin?” A writer at GotQuestions.Org answers: The Lord’s discipline is an oft-ignored fact of life for ... View MoreWeekly Devotional 8-14-23 Discipline “When, how, and why does the Lord God discipline us when we sin?” A writer at GotQuestions.Org answers: The Lord’s discipline is an oft-ignored fact of life for believers. The Bible teaches that, as our loving Heavenly Father, God disciplines us. His discipline is not doubtful; it is assured: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:5–6, quoting Proverbs 3:11–12). God’s “discipline” (“chastisement” in the NKJV) and “rebuke” come to “everyone.” His correction is, in fact, a sign of His love for His children, and we are to “not lose heart” when we experience it. Human fathers have a responsibility to train their children (see Ephesians 6:4), and part of that training is to administer discipline. Just as human fathers wisely discipline their children, so does God: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:7–8). As we undergo God’s discipline, we can rejoice in at least one fact: God is treating us as true children of His (see Deuteronomy 8:5)! Discipline is not the same as condemnation. God disciplines His children, but He does not condemn them. Romans 8:1 makes this clear: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (cf. Romans 8:33–34). Discipline has to do with training and growth; condemnation has to do with punishment and guilt. When does God discipline us? Discipline is training, and that training involves both positive and negative aspects. Part of discipline is simply guiding someone to follow certain rules or to observe certain behaviors. Another part of discipline involves reproof to correct disobedience. Both aspects of discipline can be tough. The trials Job endured were not a punishment for sin (see Job 1:8), but they were training in righteousness (see Job 42:3, 6), and Job emerged from his trial a better man. God’s discipline begins when we are born again into His family. We immediately begin to learn and understand the Word of God and adjust our lives accordingly. This is a blessing in our lives: Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble” (Psalm 94:12–13). This type of discipline is more preventative than corrective. Troubled days are coming, and the Lord would spare us. God’s discipline also comes when we sin. In such cases, the chastisement is meant to be corrective. David, in one of his penitential psalms, expresses his desire that God moderate the severity of the punishment: “Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:1–4). In this psalm, David admits his guilt and thus acknowledges that God’s punishment is just; at the same time, the sharp and crushing nature of the discipline seems more than he can bear, and he asks for help. Charles Spurgeon’s note on Psalm 38 includes a paraphrase of David’s appeal: “Rebuked I must be, for I am an erring child and thou a careful Father, but throw not too much anger into the tones of thy voice; deal gently although I have sinned grievously. The anger of others I can bear, but not thine. . . . Chasten me if thou wilt, it is a Father’s prerogative, and to endure it obediently is a child's duty; but, O turn not the rod into a sword, smite not so as to kill. True, my sins might well inflame thee, but let thy mercy and long-suffering quench the glowing coals of thy wrath. O let me not be treated as an enemy or dealt with as a rebel. Bring to remembrance thy covenant, thy fatherhood, and my feebleness, and spare thy servant” (Treasury of David, Volume II, Funk & Wagnalls, 1885, p. 220). How does God discipline us? God can and does use various methods of discipline. He may use trouble at work, hardship at home, or travail in the ministry; Paul had many difficulties in life (2 Corinthians 11:23–29). God may allow us to experience loss, as David did (2 Samuel 12:13–18). God may send physical ailments or even death, as the church of Corinth learned (1 Corinthians 11:17–22, 30–32). Often, God will simply allow the natural consequences of our sin to run their course. We are forgiven, but we are corrected “so that we will not be finally condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). Why does God discipline us? He is a good Father who wants what’s best for His children. Humanly speaking, no child will reach his or her full potential without training and discipline. The virtuoso violinist would never have reached the concert hall without discipline. The record-setting athlete would never have excelled in any sport without discipline. Following that principle, here are some reasons that we experience God’s discipline: God disciplines His children because He loves them. God disciplines His children to make them more mature. God disciplines His children to increase their capacity for virtue. God disciplines His children to keep them on the right path. God disciplines His children to grow their faith. God disciplines His children to purify them from sin. The result of God’s discipline is holiness and maturity: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4). The Lord continues to work with us, as a potter does the clay, and His discipline is for our good and His glory. GQ.ORG Steve stevelampman.com Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man

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Denise Black

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1 August 15, 2023

Steve Lampman

July 21, 2023 9:10 am

Weekly Devotional 7-31-23 Fire and Brimstone Years ago, I overheard a conversation about television preachers and Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power was mentioned. One of the group said that out of the... View MoreWeekly Devotional 7-31-23 Fire and Brimstone Years ago, I overheard a conversation about television preachers and Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power was mentioned. One of the group said that out of the many television preachers that he has heard on television he preferred Mr. Schuller above most of them. Another of the group said, “Ah yes, he is not one of these fire and brimstone preachers.” Immediately I thought of Jesus words recorded in Mathew 16:26, “26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Many people today are like my friend mentioned above, they would prefer a message that soothes their conscience or builds them up psychologically rather than a message that speaks of their plight; that man without God is lost and headed toward eternal separation from Him. Now, I am not ridiculing Mr. Schuller since I don’t know what he was doing behind the scenes. He may very well have been ministering to people’s spiritual needs, serving the Lord in a way that was pleasing to Him. However, in the weekly broadcast of the Hour of Power there was a great potential for many to be misled into thinking that they were right with God. People need to know that because of sin they are separated from God and will be cast forever out of His presence unless God’s judgment against that sin is satisfied. Schuller’s broadcasted messages centered on God’s love, seldom on His holiness which demands that sin be paid for. Back in Genesis, God warned Adam that if he disobeyed His command he would on that very day, at that very moment, die toward Him. The record tells us that Adam did disobey, and that he did die spiritually toward God at that very moment. The record reports that Adam, and his wife Eve, having disobeyed God tried to hide themselves from Him. They were not only separated from their creator because of their disobedience but wanted to be. Mr. Schuller seldom dealt with that truth in his sermons. While one may have felt good about himself after listening to Mr. Schuller, the content of his sermons did not lead one to an understanding of his sin and the need of forgiveness; of his need of being made right before Holy God, his creator. Paul in his letter to the Romans testifies that…… “ 10There is none righteous, no, not one;11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12) People need to know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). They also need to be told that by their own efforts they cannot measure up to God’s demand of holiness, only Jesus can accomplish that for them. Paul writing of this in his letter to the Ephesians, wrote; “8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). With this same truth in mind the writer of Hebrews wrote, “9:28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.’ 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ 8Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’(which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 9:28-10:14). This is the message that all preachers and teachers of God’s word must proclaim. This is the only message that will deliver men from spiritual death. Steve stevelampman.com Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man

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denise Black

December 26, 2022 6:50 am

I hope everyone had a good Christmas thank God for jesus

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Sheila Black

August 17, 2022 2:20 pm

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