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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Devotionals / Mel's Weekly Study Welcome Guest
    Mel's Weekly Study
          Just a simple place for me to put a scripture or two. My plan is to have one here a week or so. I was trying to do one a day, but think I need to go slower. Maybe I'll comment, maybe you will...

          Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

          Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

          Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

          Examine what I say, challenge me if I seem wrong, rebuke me if I am way off the mark...

    Fri, Dec 30th - 11:29PM

    Genesis 11:1-9 (NIV)



     1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

     3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

     5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

     8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.



    Comment (9)

    Fri, Dec 30th - 2:36AM

    Galatians 3:9 (NIV)



    9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.



    Comment (2)

    Thu, Dec 29th - 2:45AM

    Hebrews 12:6 (Amplified Bible)



    6For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.

    Comment (2)

    Wed, Dec 28th - 4:57AM

    Psalm 90 (NIV)



      1   Lord, you have been our dwelling place
           throughout all generations.

      2   Before the mountains were born
           or you brought forth the earth and the world,
           from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

      3   You turn men back to dust,
           saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

      4   For a thousand years in your sight
           are like a day that has just gone by,
           or like a watch in the night.

      5   You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
           they are like the new grass of the morning-

      6   though in the morning it springs up new,
           by evening it is dry and withered.

      7   We are consumed by your anger
           and terrified by your indignation.

      8   You have set our iniquities before you,
           our secret sins in the light of your presence.

      9   All our days pass away under your wrath;
           we finish our years with a moan.

      10 The length of our days is seventy years—
           or eighty, if we have the strength;
           yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
           for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

      11 Who knows the power of your anger?
           For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

      12 Teach us to number our days aright,
           that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

      13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
           Have compassion on your servants.

      14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
           that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

      15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
           for as many years as we have seen trouble.

      16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
           your splendor to their children.

      17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
           establish the work of our hands for us—
           yes, establish the work of our hands.



    Comment (2)

    Mon, Dec 26th - 5:44PM

    Micah 7:9



    NIV

    9 Because I have sinned against him,
           I will bear the LORD's wrath,
           until he pleads my case
           and establishes my right.
           He will bring me out into the light;
           I will see his righteousness.

    New Living Translation

    9I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and punish my enemies for all the evil they have done to me. The LORD will bring me out of my darkness into the light, and I will see his righteousness.



    Comment (1)

    Mon, Dec 26th - 12:15PM

    Micah 5:2 (KJV)



     2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.



    Comment (0)

    Mon, Dec 26th - 12:13PM

    Luke 2:11 (Amplified Bible)



    11For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) the Lord!

    Comment (0)

    Sat, Dec 24th - 3:10AM

    1 Corinthians 12 (NIV)



     1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

     4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

     7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

     12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

     14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

     21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

     27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
          And now I will show you the most excellent way.



    Comment (1)

    Fri, Dec 23rd - 1:14AM

    1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (NIV)



    13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.



    Comment (3)

    Fri, Dec 23rd - 1:12AM

    Matthew 25:14-21 (NIV)



     14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

     19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

     21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'



    Comment (0)

    Fri, Dec 23rd - 1:08AM

    John 7:16-18 (NIV)



     16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

    Comment (0)

    Thu, Dec 22nd - 9:51AM

    Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)



    11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

    Comment (0)

    Thu, Dec 22nd - 9:49AM

    Proverbs 31:31 (NIV)



     31 Give her the reward she has earned,
           and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

    Comment (0)

    Wed, Dec 21st - 4:37AM

    Ephesians 2:3-10 (NIV)



    3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

    Comment (2)

    Tue, Dec 20th - 1:15AM

    Matthew 6:31-34 (NAS)



     31"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

     32"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

     33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

     34"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.



    Comment (0)

    Tue, Dec 20th - 12:52AM

    Proverbs 10:22



     Amplified Bible

    22The blessing* of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow& with it [neither does toiling increase it].

     

    *  The term בְּרָכָּה (bÿrakhah, “blessing”) refers to a gift, enrichment or endowment from the Lord.

    Heb “of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yÿhvah, “the Lord”) functions here as a genitive of source.

    Heb “makes rich” (so NASB); NAB “brings wealth.” The direct object “a person” does not appear in the Hebrew but is implied by the Hiphil verb; it is supplied in the translation.

    & Heb “toil.” The noun עֶצֶב (’etsev) has a basic two-fold range of meanings: (1) “toil; labor” which produces pain and sorrow, and (2) “pain; sorrow” which is the result of toil and labor (BDB 780 s.v.). This is the word used of the curse of “toil” in man’s labor (Gen 3:17) and the “pain” in the woman’s child-bearing (Gen 3:16). God’s blessing is pure and untarnished – it does not bring physical pain or emotional sorrow.

    (these notes are from the NET Bible http://www.bible.org/netbible/)

    Holman Christian Standard Bible

    22 The LORD's blessing enriches,
        and struggle adds nothing to it.

    The Message

     22GOD's blessing makes life rich;

        nothing we do can improve on God.



    Comment (2)

    Sun, Dec 18th - 10:24PM

    The Prayer of Jabez



    1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)

    9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

    Luke 11:1-10 (NIV)

     1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

     2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
       " 'Father,
       hallowed be your name,
       your kingdom come.
     3Give us each day our daily bread.
     4Forgive us our sins,
          for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 
       And lead us not into temptation.'
    "

     5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

     7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

     9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

    Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)

     5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

     9"This, then, is how you should pray:
       " 'Our Father in heaven,
       hallowed be your name,
     10your kingdom come,
       your will be done
          on earth as it is in heaven.
     11Give us today our daily bread.
     12Forgive us our debts,
          as we also have forgiven our debtors.
     13And lead us not into temptation,
       but deliver us from the evil one.' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

    Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV)

     21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

    Mark 11:22-24 (NIV)

     22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

    John 16:23-24 (NIV)

    23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

    James 4:1-5 (NIV)

     1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

     4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?

    1 John 3:18-22 (NIV)

    18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

     21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

    Jude 20-25 (NIV)

     20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

     22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

     24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.



    Comment (1)

    Fri, Dec 16th - 12:10AM

    Luke 2:20 (NIV)



    20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

    Comment (5)

    Thu, Dec 15th - 2:00AM

    1 Kings 8:27-30 (NIV)



     27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

    Comment (2)

    Wed, Dec 14th - 1:15AM

    Proverbs 13:16 (NIV)



     16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
           but a fool exposes his folly.

    Comment (1)

    Tue, Dec 13th - 12:58AM

    1 Corinthians 11:3 (Amplified Bible)



    3But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.

    Comment (7)

    Mon, Dec 12th - 2:01AM

    Daniel 12 (NIV)



     1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

     5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"

     7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

     8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"

     9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

     11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

     13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."



    Comment (3)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 3:14PM

    Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)



     15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

    Comment (3)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 1:34AM

    2 Corinthians 10:1 (NIV)



     1By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!

    Comment (10)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 1:23AM

    Matthew 5:22-24 (NIV)



    22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

     23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.



    Comment (6)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 1:14AM

    Matthew 18:21-40 (Amplified Bible)



    21Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?

        22Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!

        23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.

        24When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000],

        25And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

        26So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.

        27And his master's heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [cancelling] the debt.

        28But that same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

        29So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all !

        30But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt.

        31When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master.

        32Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.

        33And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

        34And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

        35So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.



    Comment (1)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 1:09AM

    Proverbs 10:12-14 (NIV)



     12 Hatred stirs up dissension,
           but love covers over all wrongs.

     13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
           but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

     14 Wise men store up knowledge,
           but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.



    Comment (6)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 1:05AM

    James 1:19-20 (NIV)



     19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

    Comment (1)

    Sat, Dec 10th - 12:48AM

    Psalm 26:3-5 (NIV)



     3 for your love is ever before me,
           and I walk continually in your truth.

     4 I do not sit with deceitful men,
           nor do I consort with hypocrites;

     5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
           and refuse to sit with the wicked.



    Comment (1)

    Fri, Dec 9th - 1:01AM

    Matthew 5:9 (NIV)



     9Blessed are the peacemakers,
          for they will be called sons of God.


    Comment (4)

    Fri, Dec 9th - 12:59AM

    John 17:11 (NIV)



    11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

    Comment (0)

    Thu, Dec 8th - 3:05AM

    A pile of verses on division in Christ's Church



    This is mainly in answer of what has burdened C'Anne's heart on the divisions she sees in the Church.  I will make some comments here, but mine is not the last word.  Let the scriptures speak.

    Galatians 2:11-12 (NIV)

     11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

    An example of a division that was nipped in the bud.  This is something we should oppose.  It also points out that divison can be for silly reasons such as our fear of what others, even our brothers, may think.

    2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

    3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

    This will cause another kind of division.  I do not say simply let them go away in their sin.  Oppose it also!   But understand that your opposition while standing on sound doctrine is certain to divide those away that refuse to listen.

    1 John 5:16-17 (NIV)

     16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

    James 5:19-21 (NIV)

    19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

    Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

     1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

    Restoring a brother is God's desire.  Indeed, restoring everyone that will listen is part of the core of the Gospel of Christ.  We are fallen people.  Jesus restores us by his sacrifice, death and resurection that enables us, through faith, to claim God's abundant Grace as his children.

    The last includes a warning to even those "who are spiritual" so that we can see that there is a danger here!

    1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NIV)

     1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

    We are told to do this for his own good.  Interesting.  However, I have seen it enough to know that some people are content to stay in the condition they are in, comfortable in their current state, unless something changes.  I think this is for an unrepentant brother, as opposed to one who sins but struggles with it.  Since this could be a group of people trapped in the same sin, I can see this as spinning off another group that claims to be Christ's church.  I can not say that they are or are not.  I can say that I would treat them the same way as an unrepentant brother.  My hope would be to change their stubborness, although I might be the one who needs to change, so that we could be retored to each other's fellowship.  I am not, however, willing to act like everything is all right, when I am convinced that it is not.  Be careful what you are willing to do this over.

    2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)

    23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

    Although this is only subtlely different, I wish to point out that this seems to be a person who is not just stubbornly unrepentant.  I may be reading this wrong, but the distinction I see is that they might not be convinced that anything is wrong.  If you have children, you will understand that there are times they know what they do is wrong, but insist on doing it anyways, while at other times, they may not understand that you said it was wrong or not to do it or whatever.  The light has just not come on in their little heads.  We are also children along those lines, and suffer the same problem.  I think we treat that a little more gently (although sometimes we have to fight frustration -- my daughter is bright, but can sometimes miss the point -- it drives me nuts)

    2 Corinthians 12:20-21 (NIV)

    20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

    Remember what Paul said in the first letter?  A specific type of sin is their problem.  He told them how to deal with it.  I see other stuff being the fruits of allowing that sin to remain, and I think Paul is acknowledging that since they didn't get down and do what needed to be done, he expects to see things that will bring him great sorrow.

    2 Timothy 3:1-9 (NIV)

     1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

     6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

    Romans 16:17-19 (NIV)

     17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

    Keep away from them.  Have nothing to do with them.  Seems pretty clear.

    This is heavy, I know, and how to make the distinctions along these lines has befuddled many people far wiser than I.  I'll try to put down some examples.

    Truely,

    Mel



    Comment (6)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:32AM

    Revelation 1:4-6 (NKJV)



     4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

    Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
    To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

    Comment (6)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:28AM

    1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV)



     13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

    Comment (0)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:26AM

    Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)



     1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

    Comment (0)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:24AM

    1 Timothy 6:12-16 (NIV)



    12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

    Comment (0)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:22AM

    Colossians 1:16 (NIV)



    16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

    Comment (0)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:18AM

    Ephesians 6:10-16 (NIV)



     10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

    Comment (1)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 1:14AM

    Ephesians 3:8-11 (NIV)



    8Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Comment (2)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 12:12AM

    Matthew 28:18 (NIV)



    18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

    Comment (1)

    Wed, Dec 7th - 12:06AM

    Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)



     6 For to us a child is born,
           to us a son is given,
           and the government will be on his shoulders.
           And he will be called
           Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
           Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.



    Comment (1)

    Tue, Dec 6th - 2:21AM

    Psalm 2 (NIV)



     1 Why do the nations conspire
           and the peoples plot in vain?

     2 The kings of the earth take their stand
           and the rulers gather together
           against the LORD
           and against his Anointed One.

     3 "Let us break their chains," they say,
           "and throw off their fetters."

     4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
           the Lord scoffs at them.

     5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
           and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

     6 "I have installed my King
           on Zion, my holy hill."

     7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
           He said to me, "You are my Son;
           today I have become your Father.

     8 Ask of me,
           and I will make the nations your inheritance,
           the ends of the earth your possession.

     9 You will rule them with an iron scepter;
           you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

     10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
           be warned, you rulers of the earth.

     11 Serve the LORD with fear
           and rejoice with trembling.

     12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
           and you be destroyed in your way,
           for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
           Blessed are all who take refuge in him.



    Comment (1)

    Sun, Dec 4th - 6:04PM

    Genesis 45:9 (NIV)



    9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay.

    Comment (4)

    Sun, Dec 4th - 12:51PM

    Acts 4:18-20 (NIV)



     18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

    Comment (4)

    Fri, Dec 2nd - 11:56PM

    Exodus 11:6-8 (NIV)



    6 There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. 7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. 8 All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that I will leave." Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

    Comment (1)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 11:02PM

    Proverbs 1:27 (NIV)



     27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
           when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
           when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

    Comment (1)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 10:58PM

    Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV)



     9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;
           I am God, and there is no other;
           I am God, and there is none like me.

     10 I make known the end from the beginning,
           from ancient times, what is still to come.
           I say: My purpose will stand,
           and I will do all that I please.



    Comment (1)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 2:14AM

    James 1:2-5 (NIV)



     2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

    Comment (2)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 2:12AM

    1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)



     10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

    Comment (1)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 1:42AM

    Psalm 118:17-19 (NIV)



     17 I will not die but live,
           and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

     18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
           but he has not given me over to death.

     19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
           I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.



    Comment (4)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 1:27AM

    1 John 3:16 (NIV)



     16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

    Comment (1)

    Thu, Dec 1st - 1:26AM

    John 11:50 (NIV)



    50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

    Comment (1)

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    About Me

    Name: Mel Miller
    ChristiansUnite ID: lylemelford
    Member Since: 2005-08-26
    Location: Aurora, Colorado, United States
    Denomination: Christian
    About Me: I've been a christian for some time, but squandered my time and talents 'in a foreign land' I have been in the military (active and reserves) for just a couple of years shy of 30. I have two lovely daughters, and life seems to often be strange to me... more

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