The Lord is Honored by our Self-Sacrifice

-Iowa Back Road

*

"When you see corruption 

being rewarded 

and honesty 

becoming a self-sacrifice, 

you may know

that your society is 

doomed."

-Ayn Rand

*

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

 -T-shirt on line

*

Ephesians 5:1-16

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

11. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    

rise from the dead,
    

and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."...

*

Love and Grief: You Will Never be the Same

-internet meme

*

Romans 12:9-21

..."Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

*

 

The Christian Buddy System: Honor and Loyalty

Hebrews 10:19-25

..."Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."...

*

1 Corinthians 12:25 

(please read all of 1 Cor. 12!  :o)

..."if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."...

*

Romans 12:9-21

..."Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. 

Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. 

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

*

Galatians 6:1-5

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

For each one will bear his own load."...

*

"A Manner in Time"

-PLUGGERS

*

We are blessed to live in an area where many, many people have grown up around here learning to live and act with good manners.

Joy!

We were raised with manners also even though in a different state so learning manners can happen with lots of people which is really a good thing! :o)

When people, young or old, behave badly around others we all know: 

#1 they did not grow up here

and/or 

#2 they were never taught proper manners

'Tis a real shame and a sorrowful one. Life has been becoming more rude and mean. 

Our only hope is in Jesus!

2 Timothy 4:1-5

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

preach the word; 

be ready in season and out of season; 

reprove, 

rebuke, 

exhort, 

with great patience and instruction.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 

but wanting to have their ears tickled, 

they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 

and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 

But you, 

be sober in all things, 

endure hardship, 

do the work of an evangelist, 

fulfill your ministry."...

*

The LORD alone is our Refuge from Treachery and Oppression

Psalm 62

"My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold; 

I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will you assail a man,


That you may murder him, 

all of you,


Like a leaning wall, 

like a tottering fence?

They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;


They delight in falsehood;


They bless with their mouth,


But inwardly they curse. 

 

My soul, 

wait in silence for God only,


For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,


My stronghold;

I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;


The rock of my strength, 

my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;


Pour out your heart before Him;


God is a refuge for us.

Men of low degree are only vanity 

and men of rank are a lie;


In the balances they go up;


They are together lighter than breath.

Do not trust in oppression


And do not vainly hope in robbery;


If riches increase, 

do not set your heart upon them.

Once God has spoken;


Twice I have heard this:


That power belongs to God;

And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,


For You recompense a man according to his work."

*

Bondage in False Teachings as a Choice

This is a subject I have heard many times over these years where men or women have chosen to follow after wrong thinking into a life of spiritual bondage. 

Each instance has had Bible Believing individuals who have trusted the LORD and followed Him biblically in their life only to be swayed by certain "christians" on the "edge" of biblical theology into aberrant beliefs and ways of life. This usually turns into controlling rules, abuse, false righteousness, twisting God's Word, wrong thinking and beliefs, and damaged relationships.

The LORD has never been wishy-washy about what is required of His people, and, really, He did not give us behaviors we could not manage. 

We all need to look humbly at our Christian behaviors and make very sure we are not making up our own rules or following someone else's rules.

The LORD God is whom we should be following.

Micah 6:8

..."He has told you, O man, what is good;


And what does the Lord require of you


But to do justice, to love kindness,


And to walk humbly with your God..."

*

The Devotion of a Father

In a world which, in general, denigrates men and thus, fathers--it is always a joy when I see men stepping up to the plate to truly love their wives and love their children and also their parents.

Some fathers lovingly raise up their children to be godly men and women, but this world is full of sin and evil which can certainly turn grown children away from the truth and also from their parents. 

These children may not know that their fathers continue to dearly love and pray for them to turn back to the real truth--even though they have treated him cruelly.

Even this does not discount a father's love and devotion to his wayward children. No matter how poorly his children choose in life, he will always be there for them when they finally remember who they are in Jesus and who they should be for their father.

I know a certain father who will be waiting at the road, looking for them.

Psalm 32:7-8

You are my hiding place; 

You preserve me from trouble;


You surround me with songs of deliverance. 

I will instruct you and teach you 

in the way which you should go;


I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 103:13

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

Proverbs 3:3-4

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good repute.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, 

act like men, be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

~Yellowstone FB

*

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

does seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right Man on our side,

the Man of God's own choosing.

You ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same;

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God has willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo! his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers

no thanks to them abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours

through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill:

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!

~Martin Luther

*

The Evil in Deception

"Deception is a sort of seduction. 

In love and war, 

adultery and 

espionage, 

deceit can only succeed 

if the deceived party is willing, 

in some way, 

to be deceived."

~Ben Macintyre, Operation Mincemeat, pg.232

*

A Guilty Conscience

1 Peter 1:13-16

..."Therefore, prepare your minds for action, 

keep sober in spirit, 

fix your hope completely

on the grace to be brought to you 

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, 

do not be conformed to the former lusts 

which were yours in your ignorance,

but like the Holy One who called you, 

be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

because it is written, 

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”...

*

Romans 12:1-2

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, 

acceptable to God, 

which is your spiritual service of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, 

so that you may prove 

what the will of God is, 

that which is good and acceptable and perfect."...

*

Never Give Up

"We mothers put up such a good fight--

--But we don't always win."

*

The one thing we do have--

The LORD GOD is on our side

and He never gives up.

*

LIfe goes by so very fast...

 Ephesians 5: 1-2,15-17

..."Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma...

...Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."...

*

Just like a trail of leaves - Sorrows Follow me...

"Oh grief hath changed me 

since you saw me last."

- Shakespeare

*

 

Woe unto them...

 Isaiah 5:15-21

..."So the common man will be humbled 

and the man of importance abased,


The eyes of the proud also will be abased.

But the Lord of hosts will be 

exalted in judgment,


And the holy God will show 

Himself holy in righteousness.

 

Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture,


And strangers will eat in the waste places of the wealthy.

Woe to those who drag iniquity 

with the cords of falsehood,


And sin as if with cart ropes;

Who say, 

“Let Him make speed, 

let Him hasten His work, 

that we may see it;


And let the purpose of the 

Holy One of Israel draw near


And come to pass, 

that we may know it!”

Woe to those who call evil good, 

and good evil;


Who substitute darkness 

for light and light for darkness;


Who substitute bitter 

for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes


And clever in their own sight!"...

*

What a warning!

*

Yes, Evil Preaches so prepare yourself w/the Word

 Ephesians 5:1-21

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
 And arise from the dead, 
And Christ will shine on you.”

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,

making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."...

*

Are you wondering where all the "Prayers for Prodigals" posts, by B. J. Reinhard, are?!

1

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-1.html

2

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-2.html

3

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-3.html

4

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-4.html

5

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-5.html

6

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-6.html

7

https://fromthepiperswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-prodigals-by-bj-reinhard-7.html

======

*thank you, "anonymous", for asking :o)

**thank you, to my computer staff for your help :o)

The Hatred for Others Brings out the Worst in You.

 "When you hate certain people for your own warped reasons, you actually have no humane respect or dignity for them."

*

-Anonymous

*

Calculated Cruelty

"There are few actions meaner than ending all contact with one’s parents and depriving them of access to their grandchildren."

--Dennis Prager

*

"Sin is So Exceedingly Sinful"

 "Sin is so utterly sinful"

Romans 7:13 KJV

..."Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."...

Romans 7:4-13

..."Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? 

May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.

So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."

*

Sisters in Christ:  

The World is Evil.  Be so very careful to live your life righteously for the LORD, not legalistically for the LORD, for this is in itself sinful. 

Live faithfully, righteously in everything you do, because we know from His Word that sin is exceedingly, utterly sinful, and we can so easily be caught up in it.

If you find yourself enveloped in sin, get up, choose righteousness, and change your path to one in which you walk with the LORD.

*