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
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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
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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
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