Sun, Aug 23rd - 7:34PM

RECOVERY

Dearly beloveds, kings and priests under our Great High Priest Jesus Christ,( (Rev 1:6), perhaps some  among us feel that pulling the verse: Rom 6:14 , is a condemnation of them, stings their consciences, and somehow, diminishes their struggles with controlling their weight.   However, no Christian can be condemned we are to trust the word of God and never any feelings that in error contradict scriptures.

The everlasting truth and counsel of God clearly declares to us that we are not slaves to or helpless victims powerless against sin, it is impossible for God to lie. (UNDERSTAND/ACCEPT/BELIEVE) FAITH IN GOD IS THE NON-NEGOTIABLE COMMAND OF GOD FOR ALL CHRISTIANS FOR ALL TIME. 

Our motivations for accomplishing things in this light ought to rest in pleasing, trusting and obeying God out of love.

Brothers and sisters, there is no need to fear openly addressing obesity among believers. Again, NO Christian is condemned ever, but the truth remains that obesity, as aforementioned has serious consequences to one’s health, and most certainly does not please God. There are a great many diets given and books written about how Christians can control their weight, and more coming for the population even in the secular world.

We know, holy people, that more than a few Christians have tried virtually everything they can to lose weight and failed. Some binge and purge, some eat a lot and then self -starve, some use laxatives a lot to try to control their weight, some make vows yearly or whenever to lose weight, etc., and none of these things “work”. Some have had medical interventions such as certain types of surgeries/medications and these have failed too.

Our motivations for doing anything must arise out of love and obedience to God. Christians have all kinds of reasons for wanting to lose weight, to be more attractive, fit better into their clothing, be more appealing to their spouses etc., but only what we want to do for God will work or last.

Self- control, and power over habitual sin is given to every believer through the power of God:  2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

But all praises be to the glory of God, He can rescue the humble even in their ashes. This will be the break -through that the obese Christian can freely obtain to gain the control over their weight that they have greatly desired, yet have not obtained through secular counsel. I pray that the obese among us would come to God with the correct motivation to please God:  Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 John 15:1 (God’s word trans), 4Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me. 5"I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me.

Jas 1: 5If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn't find fault with them. 6When you ask for something, don't have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. 

7A person who has doubts shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord.

love

serola

Sun, Aug 16th - 1:41PM

RECOVERY

Holy people, we know that we are all needed in the body of Christ. We are not in competition with one another, but in co -operation with God, working together for the cause of our great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Every Christian has something to teach and its important not to falsely think that what one knows is too small to present as opposed to someone else who seems to know more. All faithful teaching is valuable and useful to the body. The more we learn and the more we teach one another the more deeply rooted we become in the faith, and are protected against false teachers that arise in the body of Christ. This is a part of the general ministry of the body of Christ, besides that specific to the overseers.

For this reason, dearly beloveds,  while all Bible study is helpful I recommend interactive Bible studies, not those where just a lecture is presented with no room for input to contribute to our knowledge in Christ. Much biblical understanding, spiritual growth, correction and refinement of our knowledge of Lord Jesus Christ is gained in such studies. We have to dispense with the lie that only so called -well educated people can or should teach scripture. This is not against educated people, but it is not a biblical qualification at all for teaching scripture, seeing that it is the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ who opens up the scriptures to every believer. Let us also continue in private Bible study as well.

Brothers and sisters, let us  always thank our Lord and Saviour for His everlasting love, truth, and faithfulness. Many among us are under fiery trials, and can’t seem to catch a break, although they take great care to serve God out of love in every way that they can. Yes, dearly beloveds, all the righteous shall suffer, but we stand upon the word of our Lord and Saviour who first suffered for us and all who believe in Him, that He is with us in all of our tests and trials of our faith. Not one of our tests and trials are in vain, but will strengthen us more and more in faith, and has no power to destroy us:

Nevertheless, dearly beloveds, we have victory in Lord Jesus Christ:  1Co 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Jo 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Initially, holy people, again I thought this study would only concern the gentleman who frankly admitted that he had destroyed his life and found himself sitting in the ashes he had made of it, looking for a way to recover. However, Lord Jesus caused me to understand that we have the responsibility to look at ourselves too in His body. I have shed many tears in this study, for others and myself too as I also gratefully found recovery and correction for myself too, as the Lord opened my eyes.

No Christian can lose their salvation, brethren, but anyone who persists in pride without repentance never had it. For again and again, we know that the righteous will repent and receive correction but the wicked never will. Let us thank God, saints (G40 hagios) for every brother and sister  among us who has repented and recovered from the sin of pride out of love for our great  and only Saviour Jesus Christ; Head of the church, High Priest over the house of God, the only Mediator between God and men, King of kings, Lord of lords, Omnipotent Potentate, Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, the Word of God, Author and Finisher of our salvation, Prince of peace, Counsellor, Mighty God and everlasting Father, in that through faith in His sinless blood He begets many children unto God and gives us the right and authority to call His Father, even our Father. Dearly beloveds, we know that every accolade that can be given in heaven and earth can barely begin to ascribe to Lord Jesus, Son of God, the  Christ our humble yet all powerful Saviour all the worship and praises due to Him. Brothers and sisters go back over the titles of our Saviour Jesus Christ, say them aloud often, then add to them as many of the other titles that He holds for all eternity.

love

serola

Fri, Aug 7th - 2:33PM

The Attitude of Christ

(Isaiah 52:13-15)

Phil 2: 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Brothers and sisters, to any among us holding on to pride the answer is clear, repent. Repent meaning changes of mind, turning away from inserting one’s personal beliefs in error above the word of God, and come believing, obeying, and doing even as Christ our Lord and Saviour has done, who is our supreme example of what humility is and how humility operates.

The message is urgent! Disobedience in the house of God, who has installed Jesus Christ as Head, will not and cannot be ignored, for the hand of God lovingly disciplines His people for His glory and our good. The church has authority to look after itself. Let us be diligent to look at sins among us to bring recovery, correction, and not allow sin to corrupt others and bring shame on the ministry of Christ.

Again, saints (G40 hagios), recovery from pride is easy, look to please the Lord: serve, value, build up and look out for others besides ourselves, love our brothers and sisters. Humility is not asceticism, or being a door mat, or allowing ourselves to be abused, or taken advantage of. Practice humility actively, practice makes perfect.

Obviously, holy people, let us keep in remembrance that humility is first a do it yourself deal. If we don’t do it ourselves, obviously it means we need help; therefore, God will employ His discipline for us directly, and/or through the church ministry, brothers and sisters. How much more, brethren, do we show our faith in God when we choose to humble ourselves in His sight out of love and trust in Him.

Look, dearly beloveds, we know that it is impossible for God to lie, the only exaltation that counts and has eternal value is the exaltation given by God to believers who trust and obey Him.

Brothers and sisters, God’s clear message is that while some sins are worse than others, no sin is acceptable to Him. We, then must be careful not to give a false message that God only condemns certain sins that appear worse in the eyes of people, or to develop “classes” of sins that it is acceptable to ignore, because no sin is acceptable to God

Dearly beloved, don’t let anyone fool you, no Christian is a hapless victim of sin. :   Rom 6:14   For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

love

serola