My Bible Study is in Romans. It is quite serious...

-internet meme

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Romans 2:1-16

..."Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.

But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek [everybody else], but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For there is no partiality with God.

For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus."...

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God so Loved the World

John 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

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Glory to God!

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The Deadly Desert of Life

~internet photo

 *We must be very careful with whom we follow*

Time to Look in the Mirror

 2 Timothy 2

"...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

It is a trustworthy statement:

-For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

-If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

-If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

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The LORD's Holy Name

-Martyn Lloyd-Jones 

Luke 21:29-36 NAS

..."Then He told them a parable: 

“Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.

But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”...

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Martyn Lloyd Jones ~ Those who know their BIBLE should not be surprised at the state of the world as it is.

Luke 21:33 - 36 KJV

..."Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY WORDS shall not pass away. 

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the SON of MAN."...

For HIS GLORY and His Holy Name!

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New Songs of Praise with Sweet Accord

 Come, let us sing unto the Lord,

New songs of praise with sweet accord;

For wonders great by Him are done;

His hand and arm have victory won.

The great salvation of our God

Is seen through all the earth abroad;

Before the heathen’s wond'ring sight,

He hath revealed His truth and right.

He called to mind His truth and grace

In promise made to Israel’s race;

And unto earth’s remotest bound,

Glad tidings of salvation sound.

All lands to God lift up your voice;

Sing praise to Him, with shouts rejoice;

With voice of joy and loud acclaim,

Let all unite and praise His Name.

Praise God with harp, with harp sing praise,

With voice of psalms His glory raise;

With trumpets, cornets, gladly sing

And shout before the Lord, the King.

Let earth be glad, let billow roar

And all that dwell from shore to shore;

Let floods clap hands with one accord,

Let hills rejoice before the Lord.

For lo, he comes; at his command

all nations shall in judgment stand;

In justice robes and throned in light,

the Lord shall judge, dispensing right.

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Psalm 95

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Tell the Truth

From Got Questions .  (please read the whole subject at this link and find the scripture links there also)

The last paragraph from "Got Questions" on Truth:

..."The Bible says that God delights in truth. 

“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth,” declares the psalmist" 

(Psalm 145:18, NLT).

 Because of truth’s high value, Solomon counsels,

“Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well”

(Proverbs 23:23). 

God takes pleasure in seeing His truth reflected in the character of His children 

(Psalm 15:1–5; 51:6). 

He calls believers to worship Him in truth 

(John 4:24), 

love others in truth 

(1 John 3:18), 

and always speak the truth 

(Ephesians 4:15, 25; Zechariah 8:16)."

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Let's be careful out there and pay attention to what is real truth  :o)

God Speaks the Truth.

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It Is A Green Weekend

 

Oh, Boy...Somebody is in Trouble...

 

Advice for a daughter from her father

The Improving of the Mind

..."I hope you will also find time to read and improve your mind. 

Read history, works of truth, not novels and romances. 

Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. 

It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret."

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-General Robert E. Lee, letter to his daughter.

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The LORD Gives Wisdom

Proverbs 2

..."My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver

and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones."...

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I must remind you again! Ravenous Wolves are among us!

 Yes! I must!

Christians, in general, believe they are safe in life and in their churches. After all, we belong to the LORD!

*But Christians can be deluded to believe almost anything, can be tricked into anything - especially when God's Precious Word is twisted by other people (the Ravenous Wolves), Christians can listen and be deceived.

Ravenous Wolves "hide" in the Christian church, among the people. The Ravenous Wolves find converts among unsuspecting Believers. Meanwhile, we all feel safe among the Believers, RIGHT?

But the Ravenous Wolves among us only seem godly, until you enter into their space, until you learn their way of thinking, and, perhaps, until you are seduced into their twisted scriptures and their evil lies.

Watch out for these Ravenous Wolves in sheep's clothing!  

Be careful with whom you become friends. 

Be careful with whose teachings you listen and learn.

*If ANYTHING seems 

unbiblical, 

odd, 

weird, 

different,

scary, 

strange, 

legalistic,  

controlling,

crazy, 

manipulative, 

peculiar,   

unusual, 

fake,

abusive,

eccentric, 

bizarre, 

wacky, 

nutty,

dividing,

alienting, 

opposite, 

dissimilar,

"Red Flags", 

or contrary 

to what the Bible, God's Word really says; 

from what your trusted Biblical pastor says; 

you need to leave, become untangle, get away from those wrong teachers, those Ravenous Wolves!!

*Perhaps others around you have already been deceived by this Ravenous Wolf. Then get away, get in your bible, find a church which preaches the Word rightly, and seek God's Truth among these Righteous believers.

*God's Word is our measuring device*

Matthew 7:12-27

 ...“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”..."

*Let us ACT,  be WISE, and BUILD our faith on the ROCK, Jesus Christ!*

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The LORD will have His final say

"The heretics were never dishonest men; they were mistaken men. 

They should not be thought of as men who were deliberately setting out to go wrong and to teach something that is wrong; they have been some of the most sincere men that the Church has ever known. 

What was the matter with them? 

Their trouble was this: they evolved a theory and they were rather pleased with it; then they went back with this theory to the Bible, and they seemed to find it everywhere. "― Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (As quoted by Marsha West) post on Midwest Christian Outreach, The Religion of Man.

This quote is from a post of Don and Joy Veinot, The Religion of Man, at Midwest Christian Outreach. Their article begins with this quote of Martyn Lloyd-Jones and ends with their own:

..."Everything that has happened or will happen in the future is in the hands of Almighty God. 

He controls the weather – man does not. 

No man or group of men will wrest control away from Him, and He will have the final say. 

For our part, we must keep ourselves from hating others, even if we may find ourselves hated. 

Many of us born into earlier generations enjoyed the great blessing of being taught about God and true faith in our homes and churches. 

We were not sent out into the world without that faith in God underpinning us. 

In these times, people without God desperately need our love and prayers, especially the young, who do not have the tools to evaluate whatever information they are given. 

Please, let us pray for them.Ω

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Please read their whole article to grasp this important issue and how we as Believers are to live with others in this fallen world.

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Common Sense

Common Sense

-the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions.

-your natural ability to make good judgments and to behave in a practical and sensible way.

-sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.

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Synonyms

good sense 

sound judgment 

level-headedness 

practicality 

prudence 

soundness 

reasonableness 

gumption 

horse sense 

native intelligence 

mother wit 

smarts 

wit 

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More than just you

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

..."Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. 

But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. 

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."...

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The Creation Glorifies the LORD!

 

Internet Photo:  Magnificent Blue Jays

Psalm 98

O sing to the Lord a new song,


For He has done wonderful things,


His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.

The Lord has made known His salvation;


He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered His lovingkindness 

and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;


All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;


Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,


With the lyre and the sound of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn


Shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar and all it contains,


The world and those who dwell in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,


Let the mountains sing together for joy

Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth;


He will judge the world with righteousness


And the peoples with equity.

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Divisions/Cults/Manipulations/Control

The Border of US and Canada 

What a spectacular photo. When you notice the delineated line it really gives you reasons to ponder divisions.

Divisions: We live in a fallen world. A world which is full of divisions.

Of all the various divisions there is a main division which cuts families apart all through time.

The Divider is sin and exclusive groups like cults and cult-like people are the great dividers. 

These people desire more followers to justify their own made-up rules of how life should be lived or just to control and manipulate others. Thus, they will do any thing devious to get their way with people. 

To achieve their goals they do not care who they destroy, and in fact, relish their power to destroy and control others.

Colossians 2

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 

“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 

(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?

These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Colossians 3:1-4

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory..."

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What About Your Beliefs?

"People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs 

not on the basis of proof, 

but on the basis of 

what they find 

attractive."

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Blaise Pascal

1623-62

French Mathematician

Physicist

Inventor

Philosopher

Writer

Theologian

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Stumbling Blocks, Lies, Control, Abuse, Gas Lighting, Spiritual Danger, and Manipulation

Now this photo shows a true Stumbling Block.  Nothing can get around this one! It is way more than "loose gravel".

In every day life we can have Stumbling Blocks just as HUGE even though no one can see them. 

These Stumbling Blocks are usually smooth talking, pernicious lies, false doctrine, savvy talking...

Matthew 18:1-7 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 

“Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

And He [Jesus] called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, 

“Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  

And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! 

For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!"

*Beware the person, family or friend or foe, who tells you one thing when God's Word always says the right things.*

Luke 17:2 "Now He [Jesus] said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come! 

It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin."

*There is always safety in God's Word* 

Do not be taken captive in empty deceptions

-Schulz

Colossians 2:6-15
"...Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, 
so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being 
built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you 
were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy 
and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, 
according to the elementary principles of the world, 
rather than according to Christ. 

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the 
head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also 
circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, 
in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision 
of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in 
which you were also raised up with Him through faith 
in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the 
uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together 
with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of 
decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has 
taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He 
made a public display of them, having triumphed over 
them through Him..."

Psalms 118:5-9, 14, 22-29
"...From my distress I called upon the Lord;

The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.

The Lord is for me; I will not fear;

What can man do to me?

The Lord is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those 
who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in princes...

...The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation...

...The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief corner stone.

This is the Lord’s doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day which the Lord has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O Lord, do save, we beseech You;

O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!

Blessed is the one who comes in the 
name of the Lord;

We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

The Lord is God, and He has given us light;

Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the 
horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I give thanks to You;

You are my God, I extol You.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting."