"Unfettered"

1. Let your praise be unfettered.

2. Let your worship be unfettered.

3. Let your prayers be unfettered.

4. Let your reading of the word be unfettered.

5. Let your service to God and others be unfettered.

6. Let your acknowledgement of His Presence be unfettered.

7. Let your sharing of His goodness be unfettered in your time, talents, and giftings.

(*) Unfettered

A fetter is a chain or shackle for the feet (such as the kind sometimes used on a prisoner), or, more broadly, anything that confines or restrains. Fetter and unfetter both function as verbs in English with contrasting literal meanings having to do with the putting on of and freeing from fetters; they likewise have contrasting figurative extensions having to do with the depriving and granting of freedom. The adjective unfettered resides mostly in the figurative, with the word typically describing someone or something unrestrained in progress or personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

[message from the Internet]

John 8:36 ...  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

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Lot's Wife...

Don't look back. You're not going that way.

Genesis 19:23-26 ... The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Luke 17:32 ... Remember Lot's wife. ❤

Seek! Strive!

Every day seek to lose yourself more in Christ, to live more completely in him, by him, for him, with him. Seek greater heights of holiness, deeper self-denial, braver service, more intense love, and more burning zeal. Strive to be more Godlike and Christlike. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Proverbs 8:17 ... I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Matthew 6:33 ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Colossians 3:1 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ❤

Old Toledo Blade!

The old Toledo blade cost the warrior much at first, but when he had once procured it, he knew that it would cut through joint and marrow in the day of battle. So, he was not afraid to dash into the thick of the fray, trusting to its unrivaled temper and keen edge. Could he not find a cheaper sword? He could have found it easily enough, and with small expense, but then in the moment when his sword smote upon his enemy's helmet instead of cleaving through the skull, it would snap in the warrior's hand and cost him his life! 

In the same way, many professors of the gospel take up a cheap religion. There is, no self-denial in it, no forsaking of the world, no giving up of sinful amusements. They are just the same as the world. Their religion costs them nothing and at last when they need it, it will fail them it will snap like the cheap, poorly made sword in the day of battle, and leave them defenseless. 

Oh, if you want that which will endure the conflict, you must expend cost upon it. Many professing Christians never separate from the world no, not they! They fall in with the fashions of the day, as the dead fish floats with the current! Have they any cross to bear? Does anybody mock them for living a holy life? Oh, no! for theirs is the easy religion which the world praises, and consequently the religion which God abhors. "If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him!" (1 John 2:15) He who has the smile of the ungodly, must expect the frown of God. No man has truly committed himself to Christ, unless he has also said, "My Lord, this day I give to You my body, my soul, my talents, my goods, my house, my children, and all that I have. Henceforth I will hold them as Your steward. As for me, I have nothing. I have surrendered all to You." 

You cannot be Christ's disciples at any less cost than this. If you possess a farthing that is your own, then Christ is not your Master. It must be all His, every single jot and tittle, and your life also or you cannot be His disciple. Oh, count the cost! If any of you have taken up a religion which costs you nothing then throw it down and flee from it, for it will be your curse and your ruin. But may we not get to Heaven without all this cost? No! You may be counterfeits, you may be hypocrites, you may be brethren of Judas, but you cannot be real Christians. 

The cost of the cross is unavoidable, it cannot be lessened one solitary mite. Salvation is not merely deliverance from Hell and eternal suffering. It is deliverance from this world's vain and wicked ways. If you would have justification, you must have sanctification. If you would have pardon of sin, you must have holiness of life. If you would walk the streets of gold above, you must walk the road of holiness below. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

Luke 14:27, 33 ... And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple ...  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

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His Lions

The devil wants to discourage the flow of love in order to bring death and defilement. Speak love to yourself and others. Rise up with His soundness of mind. Self-control is a fruit of His Spirit. A mind fixed on Him moves with power and great courage. And the fear of man has no hold on His Lions. 

The righteous are as bold as Lions. You were not created for fear and foolishness, but for bold righteous love. ‘Lights’ to affect a darkened world. Turn to Him and He will awaken your heart and mind to your true identity. He blows away the fog of fear and despair and warm your soul in the light of His love. Clarity, hope and perfect love are His rewards, and He longs to give His fullness. 

"I HAVE MADE YOU STRONG... I HAVE MADE YOU FAITHFUL... I HAVE MADE YOU FEARLESS... I HAVE MADE YOU BOLD... I HAVE MADE YOU DISCIPLINED." He has made you in His image…PERFECT LOVE. 

 Now, RISE UP! Fall into agreement and alignment with His Word, for Truth has spoken. Do not shrink back from this truth with an evil, unbelieving heart. He clothes you in His Righteousness! He washes shame and guilt away in His sacrificial love and acceptance of you. Awake Child and shake off the lies that separate you from His love. 

He is The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. RISE UP in His power and love. NEVER back down and never give up! Bold courageous love! You are His standard, BANNERS of His perfect love to a desperate world. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

Proverbs 28:1 ... The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. ❤

"Will of God"

There is the permissive will of God and the perfect will of God. Know the difference between the two and try to walk in the latter. 

[Christopher Gregory]

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1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 6:5-6 ... Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ... In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Peter 2:15-16 ... For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

Micah 6:8 ... He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ❤

Beware of Splitting Upon This Rock!!

If Christ is truly precious to us, we shall be ready to deny ourselves for Him. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23) 

Jesus Himself has been pleased to give us a safe and proper rule of judgment in this case: "If you love Me keep My commandments." (John 14:15) "He who has My commandments and keeps them he it is that loves Me." (John 14:21)

His Word and will have a prevailing, governing influence on the hearts and lives of those to whom He is precious. A steady desire and endeavor to avoid those things which are displeasing in His sight is a practical proof that He is dear to us. To deny ourselves is to give up our own supposed wisdom, that we may be entirely under the guidance of God; to resign our own wills that we may be subject to His will; and to yield our passions to His government. To deny ourselves is to forego everything sinful to which self is inclined; to practice every holy thing to which self is averse; and to be ready to give up everything dear to ourselves at the call of God as our ease, our friends, our goods, our health, or even our life. It is a disowning or renouncing ourselves for Christ; making us nothing that He may be all. 

This cannot be sincerely done unless Jesus is truly precious to us; or which is the same thing unless He is the object of our supreme affection. But if this is the case, we shall give up ourselves, with all that we have, to Him, without making any reserve. We shall, on a deliberate counting of the cost, choose the religion of Jesus, with all its difficulties just as Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin which are but for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. 

This is what our Lord means by the strong figurative expressions of plucking out the right eye and cutting off the right hand. That is parting with everything dear to us when it stands in competition with Him or is opposed to His service or His honor. For He justly reminds us, that "no man can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

He constantly teaches us the necessity of preferring Him and His interest and service to the dearest objects on earth. "For he who loves father or mother, son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:37-38)

When matters come to such a crisis that a man must either break with his nearest and dearest relations and friends or break with Christ he who prefers their favor and friendship to Christ's, and will not give up temporal endearments for His sake is not worthy to be owned as one of Christ's real disciples, nor can he partake of the spiritual and eternal blessings which belong to such. He who prefers his own ease and safety in this world to the truths and the service of Christ, cannot be justly deemed one who sincerely loves Him, or one to whom He is precious. 

The same lesson has taught us by the parable of the treasure hidden in a field, which, when a man has found it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. And likewise, by that of a merchantman, seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price he goes and parts with all, that he may possess that pearl. He is willing to give up the riches, the honors and pleasures of this world for the enjoyment of that inestimable treasure which he has discovered. Self-denial, in respect to things in themselves sinful, should be universal; otherwise, we do not give proper evidence of the sincerity of our love for Christ. 

Many go very far in a profession of religion and yet live in the habitual indulgence of some sin either great or small, secret or open. O reader, examine yourself, and beware of splitting upon this rock! Let us labor then, to mortify corrupt passions, inclinations and affections; and not willfully indulge ourselves in any sinful habit, custom, or practice!

[John Fawcett] 

1 Peter 2:7... Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

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The Rules for Domestic Happiness

1.  Be humble. "Pride only breeds quarrels."

2.  "Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit."

3.  Find your own happiness in trying to make others happy.

4.  Mind your own business. Do not be meddlesome.

5.  Beware of a fretful, suspicious, or censorious temper.

6.  "Overcome evil with good." "Bless and curse not."

7.  "Love one another deeply, from the heart."

8.  Do not magnify the trials or afflictions of life.

9.  Beware of sloth. There is no greater enemy of peace and happiness.

10. Make it your business to serve God.

11. Keep out of debt. "Owe no man anything." Loans breed bad tempers and harsh dispositions.

12. Keep the ultimate purpose of life in view to glorify God. This will repress many vain wishes and chasten immoderate desires.

13. Let your prayers be frequent and fervent.

14. Never listen to scandal nor backbiting.

15. Do not grieve or worry over things which cannot be helped.

16. Set the Lord always before you. Seek His glory. Do and suffer His will with readiness. Let Christ be all and in all. Trust in the Lord forever.

[William S. Plumer]

Psalm 37:4 ... Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. ❤

Who's Your Real Shepherd?

This question may be the most important question any of us can ask ourselves. It’s not only a matter of good vs evil, life vs. death, it’s a matter of eternal heaven vs eternal hell. There is only One True Shepherd of the human soul, all other voices need to be sifted and wisely identified. Knowing The Good Shepherd’s voice is not a disposable option for the true Christian. It is literally the distinguishing feature of being one of ‘His Sheep’. Jesus says, “My Sheep know My voice and they follow Me (John 10:27) and a strangers voice they will not follow.” (John 10:5)

KNOWING is the first and foundational part being a Christian. Knowing is more important than going simply because it is key to being led by the actual Holy Spirit of God. If we miss this 1st Love, we can easily ‘go’ in the wrong spirit. It is also important to note that every demon in hell wants to ‘enter and take their seat in the temple of God’(you)) and proclaim that he/she/they/it ‘is’ God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) 

Demons feel 100% comfortable in religious circles and using religious labels, even using scripture to deceive the naive into being led by them instead of God. If they can pervert the Christian experience, destroy your faith in God, shipwreck your faith and get you to blame it on God, when all along it was deceiving spirits taking full advantage of your lack of mature discernment…then hell gets a victory. It is also important to note that familiar spirits speak through ((family members)), fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. If those family members are not led by the Holy Spirit and A LOVE of the Truth, you can be sure they are being led by some level of blind darkness and demons of every sort. 

Often it is the influence of multiple spirits(attitudes), like we see in Luke 8:2, “Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;” or in Mark 5:9, “Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” Demons often come in packs. Demons want to harm, pervert, twist, deceive, kill, steal and destroy, not only the human soul, mind, body and spirit, they want to disrupt and devestate the atmosphere of LOVE. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and becoming ((daily)) familiar with the Word of God, the Ways of God, the character of God, including the many nuances of His loving voice and presence is what makes you [become] one of His true sheep. Learning how to distinguish and recognize voices of all types is just as key as valuing His voice more than any other voice on earth. Gaining the skillful discernment and wisdom to identify blind, ignorant, unbelieving self-talk, arrogance, bitterness, manipulation and control, as well as all manner of demonic chatter, even when being cloaked in twisted scripture or sacrificial religious concepts. 

These voices can echo in your own head, which can often come as self-talk, or they can come through friends or close family members. These thoughts can quickly lead to powerful feelings that compel us to do something rash, disharmonious, awkward, foolish or harmful. It is most important to look at the most powerful and influential voices in our life. Where are they coming from? What is the state of their walk with God? Are they filled and led by the Holy Spirit? Do they love Truth? Do they love the things of God?? Does this make sense? Nothing on earth is more important than getting this lesson right. God’s Sheep “WILL NOT FOLLOW” demonic voices. 

Even if they have been familiar spirits speaking through generations of family members. Learning to say, “HELL NO” to these deceiving influences is part of walking in godliness, righteousness and moral courage. Today… let us honestly evaluate the voices we are allowing to influence us. Turning away from evil influences of every sort and turning to and (((tuning into))) the voice of The Good Shepherd is the only way to truly LIVE.

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

John 10:11 ... I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ❤

True Conversion

 The true Christian consists of:

1. Repentance

2. Self-denial

3. Following Christ

4. Obedience

These are nor "works."

This is what happens when a true conversion has taken place.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; (2 Corinthians 7:10)

He must increase, but I must decrease.  John 3:30)

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)

 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9)

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"Work"

Nothing helps more to develop the transfigured life in us, than work. Some people chafe because they have so much to do. Their days are filled from morning to night with dreary, monotonous task-work. With men it is the never-ending work of the farm, the office, the store, the shop, the mill. With women it is the thousand duties of the household, the care of the home, the tending of children, the weary chores of domestic life. 

There are many people who think their greatest obstacle in the way of spiritual growth and transformed character is in the drudgeries to which they are indentured by their condition. They imagine that if they could be freed from these and could have leisure for reading, for study, and for fellowship then they would grow into far more radiant beauty of character. But this is a mistaken impression. The only one perfect life the world has ever known, was not spent with a book but with a hammer and a saw! 

The school of common task-work, with its perpetual round of dreary duties is the best place in the world in which to attain noble spiritual culture. There is no other way in which one's life will be so surely, and so quickly transfigured as in the faithful, cheerful doing of every-day tasks. We need to remember that this world is not so much a place for doing things as for developing character. 

Household life is not primarily a sphere for good cooking, tidy keeping of rooms, thorough sweeping and dusting, careful nursing and training of children, hospitable entertainment of friends, and the thousand things that must be done each day. It is a sphere for transforming women's souls into radiant beauty. The shop, the mill, the factory, the store, the office, the farm are not primarily places for making machines, selling goods, weaving cloths, building engines, and growing crops. They are, first of all, places for making men, building character, growing souls. 

Right in the midst of what some people call drudgery is the very best place to get the transformed, transfigured life! The doing of common tasks patiently, promptly, faithfully, cheerfully makes the character beautiful and bright! 

[J.R. Miller]

Colossians 3:23-24 ... And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

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Your Calling ...

 You cannot be thin-skinned in your calling.

You will be gossiped about, severely betrayed, stolen from, falsely accused, left out, etc...

Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow God to fight your battles.

Your assignment is not for the weak! 

Matthew 10:22 ... And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Hebrews 12:2 ... Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.   ❤

"The Work of Christian Charity"

 1. The Character of Christian Charity.

Christian charity is, as the name indicates, a specifically Christian virtue, the fruit of saving grace. It is Christian love extended to those that are in misery, a love that reveals itself in a voluntary and unselfish devotion to those that are subject to the ills of life, particularly, when they are in straitened circumstances.

The Christian, in his work of charity, seeks those that are in misery, of whatever rank they may be, and aims at promoting the glory of God.

Christian charity differs even from the charity that was exercised by Israel under the Old Testament. This was limited almost exclusively to the poor of their own nation. Moreover, it was carefully regulated by an external law. Christian charity, on the other hand, is inspired and regulated by an internal principle and is universal.

2. The Motives for Christian Charity.

The primary motive is found in the fact that the Word of God calls upon us to show forth the image of God also in this respect. "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). This is a very high ideal.

In the second place the Christian love that fills our hearts prompts us to exercise charity. This charity will reveal itself in all its tenderness and compassion where misery is greatest, as, for instance, during a pestilence, or a famine, or on the battlefield.

Moreover, it is necessary for our own spiritual development that we exercise charity. This is not selfishness, but merely a part of the law of our spiritual existence.

3. Opportunities for Exercising Christian Charity.

There is always abundant opportunity for exercising this virtue. We can do it wherever we come in contact with misery.

[Louis Berkhof]

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Live It!!

 It's not how much Scripture you know.

It's how much Scripture you live.

[Toby Mac]

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2 John 6 ...  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Galatians 5:25 ...  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

James 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. ❤

Counted Loss...

 Loss for Christ.

This includes the loss...

  of all your fancied holiness,

  of all your vaunted strength,

  of all your natural or acquired wisdom,

  of all your boasted knowledge.

in a word, of everything in creature religion of which

the heart is proud, and in which it takes delight.

All, all must be counted loss for Christ's sake all,

all must be sacrificed to His bleeding, dying love.

Our dearest joys,

our fondest hopes,

our most cherished idols,

must all sink and give way to the grace,

blood, and love of an incarnate God.

[Joseph Philpot]

Philippians 3:7 ... But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

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What Are We Focused On?

Our daily thoughts and meditations become the building materials for the mental homes we live in. What we focus on will grow. Many of us stand on the devils' scripture of, “Whatever is fearful, false, vile, wrong, impure and ugly, whatever is treasonous and treacherous, or highly offensive, think on such things.” 

Thoughts produce feelings. Depression, anxiety and all manner of mental torment can often be traced to our daily thoughts and meditations. There's a reason God commands us to ‘Guard our hearts’. “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) 

Are we dwelling more on the latest bad news or abusive inner voices of our past? Do we gravitate towards the superficial and negative rather than the life-giving words of True Love? There are good reasons apostle Paul writes to the Church, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)  

God has come to cleanse and wash us of the defiling effects of this sinful world. Repentance is ‘coming clean’ by the washing of the Word. But rebuilding with far better mental materials is part of the process of true transformation.  “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) 

Guarding our hearts becomes a matter of mental, emotional and spiritual survival. It’s not a disposable option. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

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Your Poor, Silly Sheep

It is not the least important duty of the Shepherd to go in quest of the stray ones of the flock the fickle sheep wandering from the fold. The spiritual history of the believer is a history of declension and revival, of departure and return, of his backsliding and of the Savior's restoring. 

The regenerate soul is bent upon backsliding from the Lord. The sun does not more naturally decline, than does the believing heart wander from God. "O Lord, how many and hidden are my soul's departures from You, you only know! How often my love chills, my faith droops, my zeal flags, and I grow weary, and am ready to halt in Your service. Mine is a sinful, roving heart as fickle to You as the changing wind, as false to my vows as a broken bow. 

But You, O Lord, are my Shepherd, and You restore my soul. Pitying my infirmity, knowing my wanderings, and tracking all my steps You recover, heal, and pardon Your poor, silly sheep, prone to leave Your wounded, sheltering side in quest of that which can be found in Yourself alone." 

Oh, the love of Jesus in curbing our waywardness, checking our wanderings, arresting, healing, and restoring our souls! He never forsakes His people, though they forsake Him times without number. How can He turn His back upon one bought with His sufferings, groans, and tears? How can He forsake the work of grace wrought in the soul by His Spirit? 

He may withdraw Himself for a time, gently to awaken us from our slothfulness and slumber yet He returns again, and our lips gratefully sing, "He restores my soul!"  (Psalm 23:3) 

[Octavious Winslow] 

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

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Stand For God.

Dear Christian, 

 Your biblically convictions will divide you from the world.

 

 You will be called bigot, hater and all sorts of names for following Jesus. 

 Your friends and family will hate you for standing firm. 

 Stand firm.

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Luke 12:51 ...  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

Mark 13:13 ... And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

John 15:19 ... If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Ephesians 6:14 ...  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  ❤

Think For Yourself.

Be careful that your spiritual leader doesn’t become your spiritual source. If you follow anyone to the point that you promote their teachings, their beliefs, their ideas, their commentaries about spiritual matters and substitute your own critical thinking skills, then you are in danger of following a man and not Christ. 

I see too much of this lately of people who follow their popular pastor's words, or worse, their “study bible” and subsequent commentaries, and quote their leader by what HE believes and not what God says. 

I don’t care who it is; no one has arrived at their theology and has it all perfect in knowledge. Church folk need to stop being spoon-fed with their favorite preacher's ideas and instead get their beliefs rooted in the gospel. 

Populism is a cult in politics, so it is in religion. Know better and think for yourself. 

 [Christopher Gregory]

2 Timothy 2:15 ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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The Way to Be Like Jesus!!

To render evil for evil, is brutish; to render evil for good, is devilish; to render good for evil, is Christian. "Blessed are the meek." (Matthew 5:5) 

Meekness is a grace whereby we are enabled by the Spirit of God to moderate our angry passions. Meekness has a divine beauty and sweetness in it. This meekness consists in three things: the bearing of injuries, the forgiving of injuries, the recompensing good for evil. Meekness is opposed to anger, malice, revenge and evil speaking. 

Meekness is a great ornament to a Christian. "The ornament of a meek spirit, which is so precious to God!" (1 Peter 3:4) How lovely is a saint in God's eye, when adorned with this jewel! No garment is more befitting to a Christian, than meekness. Therefore, we are bid to put on this garment, "Put on therefore as the elect of God, meekness." (Colossians 3:12) 

Meekness is a noble and excellent spirit. A meek man is a valorous man. He gets a victory over himself! Anger arises from weakness of character. The meek man is able to conquer his fury. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; controlling one's temper is better than capturing a city." (Proverbs 16:32) 

To yield to one's anger is easy, it is swimming along with the tide of corrupt nature. But to turn against nature, to resist anger, to "overcome evil with good" this is truly Christian! Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy. Meekness melts and thaws the heart of others. The greatest victory is to overcome an enemy, without striking a blow! Mildness prevails more than fierceness. Anger makes an enemy of a friend. Meekness makes a friend of an enemy. Meekness is the way to be like Jesus, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." (Matthew 11:29)  

It is not profession which makes us like Jesus, but imitation. Where meekness is lacking, we are like brutes. Where it is present, we are like Jesus!

[Thomas Watson]

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