Tue, Feb 28th - 7:20AM

Facing the challenge of the emotions, dearly beloved, can be a daunting task for some, and perhaps unthinkable for others. Nevertheless, we either learn to manage our emotions or our emotions will manage us.

Friends of Jesus, I think it would not be hard for many of us to identify some of those being managed by their emotions. You know, those persons that seem hard to get along with; whom everybody walks on egg shells around; those persons who seem “moody”,  edgey,unstable-hot heads, hair triggered. It seems you can run afoul of them no matter what you do. They can find a bone to pick with you, real or imagined, and not let go of it.  Yet there are others who are not easily known, and seem calm, quiet, collected-yet in reality are ticking time bombs.

Obviously, saints (G40hagios), we can look into the developmental and psychological issues related to managing our emotions. However, most importantly is what God has to say about it throughout the Bible.

³² He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Prov 16:32 (KJV)

³² Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.

Prov 16:32 (HCSB)

Self-control is superior to the attainment of  power, success, and conquest. Many have lost all that they have due lack of self- control; some are also in danger of losing all for this same reason.

God commands His people to have self-control. God says further in His word:

²⁸ He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Prov 25:28 (KJV)

²⁸ A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.

Prov 25:28 (HCSB)

Brothers and sisters, self-control is a wall for defense and protection. Those without it will experience severe  consequences due to their own failure to seek it.

Love

Serola

Mon, Feb 27th - 3:28PM

THE CHALLENGE OF THE EMOTIONS

Road rage; explosive violence from little or no provocation; persons lashing out in anger in many places; persons seemingly having it “all together” literally losing their heads by inappropriately acting out. We live in a world that worships the “bad boy” image, and those who spew out their feelings, regardless to whom they do it to.The world says It’s sooo good to let it “all hang out”, to stoke a primal rage and let it erupt. Yeah, Oh yeah, it’s so good to not hold anything in-let it blow!  

We see the results of this world’s philosophy-ruined lives, lost lives, and destruction of futures without remedy.

On the surface, the world claims to value self- control; but actually justifies acting out the emotions in certain situations. Christians are not to be conformed to the world’s standard.

Love

serola

Comment (0)

Fri, Feb 24th - 9:34AM

Beloveds it is amazing to me that some Christians think God’s wrath is and/ or will be directed towards His children. The question then is to whom is God’s wrath directed?

God Himself answers absolutely: ³⁶ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36 (KJV)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

     ¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse…

Romans 1:18-20 (KJV)

Dear friends of Jesus, those who reject Jesus, the sole Saviour, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Messiah, and High Priest, will face the wrath of God, and everlasting torment and damnation in the lake of fire prepared for the devil, his angels, and all who follow the devil. This is God’s absolute standard for the whole world, there is neither compromise, neutrality, nor excuses that anyone can hide behind. Lord Jesus tells everyone quite bluntly:

²³ He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Luke 11:23 (KJV)

This is God’s absolute standard. It is irrelevant, and wholly unimportant that anyone does not like it, those who reject Him, will nevertheless be judged by it.

The second is will God’s people escape the wrath to come?

Again God, Himself answers absolutely in His word:

⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:8-9 (KJV)

⁸ For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. ⁹ For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; ¹⁰ And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 1:8-10 (KJV)

⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Thess 5:7-10 (KJV)

God comforts His people with absolute strong assurances, that He loves us, and is not mad with His people. For this cause, as dearly beloved children, we can greatly rejoice in His love, even that through His Son, Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved from the wrath to come. For this cause, let us take the opportunity to tell the Gospel to as many as we can, for time is running out with each passing day.

Love

Mon, Feb 20th - 9:23AM

In the past brethren, God spoke by the prophets. Today, however Lord Jesus Christ is God’s sole  everlasting, eternal, mouthpiece, in these last days.

¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:1-2 (KJV)

Look, saints (G40 hagios), the wicked are not going to “play nice”. They intend, look forward to do, and will take pleasure in their evil acts, including those against God’s people, and God Himself. Keep these things in mind, do not fail to remember these facts, laid out for us, even by Lord Jesus Himself. Wicked people will have an agenda to pervert every right way. Even now, backed by the devil, they want to do everything they can to corrupt the Gospel.

2Peter 3:3   ³ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, ⁴ And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. ⁵ For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: ⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: ⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:3-7 (KJV)

These wicked, evil people, willfully, attack God Himself. They willfully seek to undermine the faith of God’s people, and to cast doubt on the validity of God’s eternal truth. Listen, beloveds, these things are coming, and are already here. These wicked persons will be like a relentless, implacable, roiling cauldron of hate and maliciousness, against everything righteous. They seek to pervert the Gospel, and falsely claim authority to speak for God.

Dearly beloved, they have no shame, and even come into churches, slipping in by stealth with the evil purpose of subverting believers. They seek to make every abomination of men into something that should be acceptable by the saints (G40 hagios.). They are promoters of sexual immorality as a life style, and seek to incorporate witchcraft, and many heresies into worship life of the church. But we have been warned by God, our Sovereign Lord,  that these things will take place. God has told us, alerted, warned, and absolutely defined the behaviors that will clearly be consistently seen in the wicked.

 ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:19-21 (KJV)

Beloveds, only God knows when the end shall be, but He gave us ample warnings of the signs of the last days, leading to the end. Therefore, children of light, those tempted to sleep, those tempted to think there is no rush, wake up, wake up, wake up, for we are now living in the last days, that will lead to the end.

We are not to be surprised. We are not to be caught off guard, we have been fully warned. God, our Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent Potentate,  will absolutely and utterly destroy His enemies in the end.

Know this, children of light, we are absolutely neither to be afraid nor anxious. We are to keep on working in behalf of God’s kingdom, and tell as many as we can the good news of the Gospel. Beloveds, let us work to the end knowing that our God is with us. See Mt. 28:20. Our victory is already won, therefore we do not fight for victory, but from the victory of Lord Jesus Christ.

Love

Thu, Feb 16th - 6:52AM

The last days are prophesied throughout the scriptures. The book of Acts proclaim the last days began after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came upon all believers at Pentecost. The last days will continue until Christ's second coming. Brothers and sisters, this means that we are living in the last days. So we must make the most of the time that God has given us See Acts 2:17-21.

God warns us that the last days will be perilous, difficult and dangerous for

Christians, because of the flagrant, explicit rise, and acting out of the wicked.

 ¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ² For men

shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,

 disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ Without natural affection,

trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce,

despisers of those that are good, ⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of

pleasures more than lovers of God: ⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying

the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Tim 3:1-5 (KJV)

The “form” includes religiosity-going to church, ability to use Christian

 clichés, following mere church traditions etc.. These things can make a person

look good. However, without the Spirit, inner belief, love, and worship of God,

 external appearance is meaningless. The character  of these wicked persons is

well described by the scriptures, and will give such persons away in their

consistent daily behaviors. God commands that all Christians avoid them.

Love

serola

Mon, Feb 13th - 5:45AM

Beloveds, we take great care in who we allow into our homes. It would be unthinkable to allow anybody at all to just wander into our homes. It would also be unthinkable to allow them in to say and do whatever they wanted to us. When somebody knocks on our doors, I would think we would peep through the keyhole, or lacking that, certainly want the person(s) to identify themselves. In this way we would determine, whether or not we wanted to allow them entrance.

Brothers and sisters, I think  if anyone tried to or gained entrance into our homes without our permission, we  would, no doubt, take  prompt steps to stop them

.

It’s the same way with the telephone. Certainly some of us don’t bother to take calls from unknown callers. All of us at some point in our lives are taught to be discerning about who we allow into our lives and to what extent, based on how much we trust them or not.

Interestingly the scriptures warns us to be just as careful with what kind of thoughts  we allow in our minds. God has set His eternal standard over the lives of His people, even including our thought life.

Thu, Feb 9th - 8:19AM

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:4-7 (KJV)

Every saint (G40 hagios), can lay aside, murmurings, complaints, fear, terror, and anxiety, through trust, faith, and belief that God has set a clear standard for His people to follow, in trials, sufferings and in all things. We walk by faith and not by sight. Walking by faith means that we have settled the fact that God alone is to be trusted and obeyed out of love, no matter what.

  ¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)

That sums it up, beloveds. It is not at all complicated, let us consistently, willingly, obey God out of love, and He will bountifully cause us to produce fruit despite our trials and sufferings.

Love

serola

Comment (0)

Sat, Feb 4th - 4:14PM

God should never be the last place we turn to for help. We must put Him first. No Christian has to stumble around in the dark looking for answers, looking for wisdom.

God gives us His absolute truth and instruction for dealing with our trials and suffering:  ² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ⁵  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2-8 (KJV)

Do you want to be perfect?  Perfect meaning (G5046 teleios) complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with <G3588> (ho)) completeness :- of full age, man, perfect.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Do you want to be entire? Entire meaning (G3648 holokleros)  from <G3650> (holos) and <G2819> (kleros); complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body) :- entire, whole.

 Do you want to be in need of nothing?

Do you want wisdom and discernment in making wise decisions and choices in difficult circumstances of  your life? Then hear God and obey His word, be patient in your trials and sufferings. Seize, lay hold on these trials and sufferings as your opportunity to co-operate with the will of God to develop you in godly character, integrity,  understanding and wisdom; these are the things He is working out as the reward for all the saints (G40 hagios) in these matters.

Love

serola

Brethren, please look up Strong's numbers on your own, in the Strong's exhaustive concordance, those posted here will not be available on line.

Fri, Feb 3rd - 9:12AM

Some might say, but what if I am overtaken in a fault? God has plenty of spiritual, mature, Christians whom He will employ to help other Christians in these kinds of situations:

¹ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ² Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gal 6:1-2 (KJV)

All Christians are dependent on God, and interdependent on one another. Therefore, no brother or sister should think of themselves as totally independent and not in need of help from another. No Christian is excused from helping others. The body of Christ His church functions for His glory-and shows forth His love when members work together for the good of all. Beloved God does not get mad with us in our struggles, but employs every and all means of His help to us. Look, beloveds, he loves you and me so much, look here at the kind of High Priest our Lord Jesus is:

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Heb 2:14-18 (KJV)

Knowing that Christ suffered pain and faced temptation helps us face our trials. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, understands our struggles because he faced them as a human being. We can trust Christ to help us survive suffering and overcome temptation. When you face trials, go to Jesus for strength and patience. He understands your needs and is able to help.

Love

Serola

Comment (0)

Wed, Feb 1st - 7:03AM

I thank my God and yours, brethren, for His strong assurances under trials. God alone, is our confidence, solace, and peace in the midst of our tests and trials: Say it with me saints (G40 hagios):

¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Cor 10:13 (KJV)

GO BACK AND SAY 1Cor. 10:13  AGAIN WITH ME BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Amen, our God is faithful to carry us as we co-operate with Him in our trials, no matter how often these trials come. He builds up His warriors to be battle hardened, nevertheless compassionate. Out of our weakness; our God  makes us strong in Him. God is the ONE who will sustain every one of us during our trials. God NEVER leaves us alone in our trials, and will bring good out of it, nevertheless.

Love

Serola

Comment (0)