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THE A&L LETTERS
About The A & L Letters, it has been said, "Nothing is as helpful as the advice of an Elder" Written or Penned as one writer's attempt to further the Gospel and spread God's words of love, wisdom, compassion, and more, it uses fictional character's to carry out conversation of advice and instruction. A little of a treatise on human nature, a little as a learning tool for evangelism, a little as a means of building reader relationships, it is always an effort to glorify Jesus Christ Our King!
Herein we see fictional characters such as ABBIE and LUKE and their friends, Christian students and future teachers, Disciples and friends to the world, allowing themselves to be at the forefront of social media and literary work for the entertainment of the Christian reader. Readers should note that the names used within are not any actual person, although they may take on similar roles and events that you and I would find ourselves to be in from time to time.
In conclusion, it is Jesus Christ, the greatest that ever was, is, and is to come, that is the main character. Our blessing, our friend, and our love! In the following letters there is the hopeful thinking that one will be blessed by what they read, that at each short letter a Bible study might ensue, and to follow along with God's words that are also
(Insert Audacity Of Faith Cont..)
AUGUST
TO THE A&L BIBLE STUDY GROUP: Abbie, Luke, James, Debra, John, Susan, Kim, Mark
NO YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER, IT'S THE WAR WITHIN!
"For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." Romans 7:15-17
I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do what I hate. Friends this past week many good Christians, and myself also, determined to overcome the flesh, no matter if the issue was anger, hunger, lust, foul language, stretching the truth, and more. For me as a single man, it is even more difficult to pray and study, and to keep my mind on things above. Anyone that is single will understand where I am at. For this cause God has for many generations said, "It is not good for man to be alone." So it seems that while we are around other people at work or at church the struggle is less, but the challenge comes when the work week is over and we are home alone. This sense of freedom is finally here, "It's Friday!" The work week is over and freedom rounds the corner. Now kicks in what we were all taught throughout life, "Everybody's working for the weekend" This is not so bad, because God whats us to rest, but when this time of rest is confused with a time to relax our faith, to put our guard down, and to allow our adversary to take advantage of us, then we at risk for sin! You might say it's ok, I will fill my house with the things of God, maybe GodTV and then devotions, prayer, and study, but still the war is there! You are no safer from the effects of this war within that if you were to do none of those, because you are alone! Sure there is the grace of God, and his grace is certainly able to help, still it is not good for man to be alone. Do not fool yourself to believe that God says being alone is good, or to believe that being alone is ok. What happened to the time where we believed that 1 would put a thousand demons to flight, but 2 or more 10,000? (TO BE CONTINUED...)
http://souls-for-christ.com/id11.html
TO THE A&L BIBLE STUDY GROUP: Abbie, Luke, James, Debra, John, Susan, Kim, Mark
NO YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER, IT'S THE WAR WITHIN! (CONT...)
"For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." Romans 7:15-17
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Psalm 91:7
Now comes that terrible time of "Alone" if you are single then you know what I am talking about, it is not good for mankind to be alone! "It's Friday!" they say, it's ok I will fill my house with the things of God, with prayer, devotions, study, and such. Hey they studied the word all through the week, did all to have their mind stayed on Him, but now the work week is over, it's time to relax, "It's Friday!" The crowd is gone, and it's now time to be alone and rest. How could this be anything but good? That answer can be devastating for the single Christian that is doing all to live free from their sin nature! For our adversary who walks about the earth seeking whom he may devour this "Alone" time is perfect! That has been his plan all along, this is why he destroys marriages, relationships, and church families, so that the strong Christian can be divided and thereby easily conquered. Why is this possible? Because one can only put a thousand to flight so he will send 1001 of his nasty demons to tempt us to sin! While one thousand have been put to flight still one is left to badger us! It's that one demon that we lose to when we are alone, "No one is watching, no one knows" he tells them! Why can't they remember that God is watching, that God knows? Because it's time to relax, it's time to rest, and therefore their guard is laid low! They forget that all through the week while surrounded by the crowd of witnesses who are watching to see that good Christian behavior, they have kept their mind stayed on Jesus and thereby have avoided the thoughts that they can have when they relax their witness, they were on guard so to speak, and thereby avoided falling into sin, yet sin is with them, even in their members. "I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me." Romans 7:21 Feeling successful at their efforts to be a good Christian witness they get home and relax, "alone" just where the enemy wants them to be! We know that where two or more are gathered together that Jesus is in the midst with them, as it is written, "For where to or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mathew 18:20, herein we begin to see the real importance of relationships, of having each other, herein we begin to see a different battle being waged against us, it is the war within!, and it is a battle that is easily lost when we are "alone". Why? Because when we are alone, imaginations, temptations, depressions, and a myriad of demonic emotions run wild, and are left to harass the believer in Christ. There is no two or more when we are alone, so therefore our mind works hard to be stayed upon Jesus, who is always in the midst until we are divided. So if we live, and move, and have our being in Christ as we see in Acts 17:28 "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." how is it it that we forget that Jesus is with us, in us, and around us? We forget because we let our guard down, not remembering that our adversary is happy to be silent, to be forgotten, and to take the back burner as they say, so that we fail to be sober and to be vigilant. How can we stay focused knowing that he who endures unto the end shall be saved? Yes, we press on despite this battle, we pick ourselves up after falling, we implement new tactics of vigilance, that removes all vulnerability. How can we endure to the end and be saved? Yes, It is the end of the work week, "we are physically alone" but it is also the beginning of a greater work! The war within is a work that requires vigilance in having our mind stayed upon him, in surrounding ourselves with family and friends, and making sure that our thoughts are not giving place to the devil. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 For when we do this we are casting down these imaginations, temptations, depressions, and the like that exalt themselves against our God, taking his rightful place in our heart, and dividing us from Him and from others! Friends we need God, we need each other, it is not good to be alone! (TO BE CONTINUED...)
http://souls-for-christ.com/id11.html
TO THE A&L BIBLE STUDY GROUP: Abbie, Luke, James, Debra, John, Susan, Kim, Mark
NO YOU'RE NOT A MONSTER, IT'S THE WAR WITHIN! (CONT...)
"For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." Romans 7:15-17
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Psalm 91:7
Knowing that our enemy is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." We must be sober, we must be vigilant and press, press, press forward! "Brethren, I count myself not to have apprehended:; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before; I press forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13,14 Friends I am hurt, and seek revenge for the disobedience within me, because like all who have ever fallen short of God's glory, the devil, my enemy has sought me out, seeking whom he may devour, and he has tried so hard in my life to sift me! Appealing to the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and the pride of life, he sought to use these demons against me. He seeks this for my friends too! I hate him, I hate sin! We are not monsters, yet he wants that the world labels us as such instead of lovers of Jesus, he has his label that awaits us! I refuse to accept his label, refuse to take his mark, and will never lay down my cross! It's ok, as a single, alone, noone is watching right? WRONG!!! GOD IS WATCHING! God is watching and hurting as we forget him, as we walk in the lust of our flesh, as we forsake his commandments! This war within is not against any other than our adversary, the devil! "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 Friends the blood that Jesus spilled as payment for our sins and our testimony, is revenge, is power, and it is overcomes these principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world that thinks that they are free to take our soul at their liberty. Just because it's the weekend and it seems no one is around, it seems that you are alone, don't be fooled! Our enemy has dispatched his soldiers to find you in that secret place, and if they find you alone, without Jesus, then they will come in and kick your tail! Remember your adversary is seeking to bring accusation against you, to ruin your Christian witness, and to convince you to lay down that cross and turn to him! We must be sober, we must remain vigilant! Understanding and remaining alert to what is really going on! The bible tells us, "Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame, for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore." Isaiah 54:4 ANYONE WHO TRUST IN GOD WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME! Friend, Jesus in you overcomes the war within! You are not defeated!
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Psalm 91:7
http://souls-for-christ.com/id11.html
TO ABBIE: HI ABBIE HOW ARE YOU? YES, WE ARE LIVING IN SOME CRAZY TIMES! NOW IS THE TIME FOR PRAYER! NOISOME PESTILENCE, DISEASE, WARS, RUMORS OF WAR, PERSECUTIONS AND THE LIKE, WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO FOCUS ON PRAYER? OH HOW WE LONG FOR THE DAYS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY AND YET THEY SEEM SO FAR REMOVED. FRET NOT MY FRIEND, LET US USE THIS TIME AS A CATAPULT TO LAUNCH OUR PRAYERS FROM, AS WE KNOW THAT IF GOD'S PEOPLE WILL PRAY GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HEAR THEM AND HEAL THEIR LAND. LET US TAKE ARE BURDENS TO THE ONE THAT CAN SUSTAIN US FOR HE IS ABLE TO BLESS US FROM ON HIGH!
"If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." Psalm 37:1,2
http://souls-for-christ.com/id11.html
TO MARK: HOW ARE YOU MARK, SOME OF THE CONCERN THAT YOU AND OTHERS HAVE REGARDING A PHYSICAL OR LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THIS PASSAGE VERSUS THE SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION IS CERTAINLY VALID. JESUS GIVES TO US HIS WORD TO PROTECT US FROM A DANGEROUS WAY OF LIVING. SINCE WE ALL FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD WE WOULD FIND IN THIS CASE THAT MANY WOULD BE WALKING AROUND WITHOUT THEIR RIGHT EYE OR THEIR RIGHT HAND IF THIS PASSAGE WERE TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY, BUT HERE JESUS IS TEACHING ABOUT THE MATTERS OF THE HEART. AS ALWAYS HE TELLS US OF THE SPIRITUAL, JESUS IS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN THAT COVERS SPIRITUAL HEALING OF THE SOUL AND BODY. WHERE OTHER PHYSICIANS FOCUS ON THE PHYSICAL BODY, AND ALMOST ALWAYS THIS ALONE, HOWEVER JESUS REVEALS TO US A MUCH DEEPER HEALING, STARTING WITH THE SPIRITUAL MATTERS OF THE HEART. JESUS NEVER TELLS US TO STOP EATING FOOD (Physical), BECAUSE IF HE DID AND WE FOLLOWED THIS, WE WOULD DIE, BUT JESUS DOES TELL US TO STOP SINNING (spiritual), BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT OBEY HIM IN THIS WE WILL DIE. SIN COMES FROM THE HEART AND DEATH THROUGH SIN, AND JESUS IS REFERING TO THE SINS OF THE HEART, WHICH CAN BE HAD WITHOUT A RIGHT EYE OR A RIGHT HAND.
“And if thy right eye offend thee pluck it out, and cast it from thee for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members perish, and not that the whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that the whole body should be cast into hell.” Mathew 5: 29, 30
“But if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13
“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 http://souls-for-christ.com/id11.html
TO ABBIE AND SUSAN: OH I’M JUST OUT PICKING UP A FEW THINGS, HOW ARE YOU? GOD NEVER CEASES TO DO THINGS THAT ASTOUND US, HE IS ABLE TO DO MORE THAN WE CAN EVER IMAGINE, TO GO WAY BEYOND ALL THAT WE CAN COMPREHEND, AND TO SURPRISE US WHEN WE LEAST EXPECT IT! WHEN GOD SHOWS UP HE CHANGES OUR LIVES, OUR DESTINATION, OUR FUTURE, AND EVERYTHING THAT WE EVER KNEW! GOD IS RICH IN MERCY! OUR GOD IS MIGHTY! GOD’S PURPOSE IS TO SHOW TO THE WORLD THAT HE IS GOD AND THAT HE IS OUR GOD THAT LOVES US!
“Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20
“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4,5
SEPTEMBER
JAMES
TO JAMES: VERY INTERESTING JAMES! A SEED OF FAITH GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS BUILDING THE FUTURE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE. MANY TIMES SOMEONE WILL SAY, “I DIDN’T DO MUCH, OR SAY MUCH” STILL THEY CAME TO LOVE JESUS AND WENT ON TO GREAT THINGS. WE DON’T HAVE TO DO MUCH! JESUS DOES THE DOING, WE SIMPLY BRING THE LIGHT, HOLD THE LIGHT, AND WATCH HIM AT WORK! JUST A LITTLE DAB WILL DO IT! SO JAMES THE LITTLE THAT YOU SAY OR DO FOR JESUS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD A LOT! I KNOW IT’S AMAZING, BUT THIS IS HOW JESUS IS! AMAZING!
“Another parable put He forth unto them saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Mathew 13:31, 32
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Mathew 17:20
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: WHAT SHALL A MAN SAY TO THIS? THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A GODLY WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE IS SO OFTEN UNDERSTATED! ALL WELLNESS OF A MAN’S SOUL CAN BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THIS, AS IT HAS BEEN SAID, “BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN IS A GREAT WOMAN!” THE MAN WHO FAILS TO LOVE HIS WIFE IS DOING A GREAT DISCREDIT TO HIS WIFE AND TO HIS OWN WELL BEING. A WOMAN RECENTLY TOLD ME TO STAY WELL, IF SHE ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH HER ROLE IN THAT MIGHT BE FOR SOMEONE! A WOMAN DOESN’T NEED TO BE A MEDICAL DOCTOR TO BRING GOD’S HEALING TO A MAN OF GOD! ALL OF THIS WELL BEING AND HEALING LIES WITHIN THE ABILITY OF A WOMAN TO HEAL! AND THERE IS NONE GREATER AT THIS THAN A TRUE WOMAN OF GOD!
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
“She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life!” Proverbs 31:12
“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” Ephesians 5:28
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
LUKE
TO LUKE: HEY WHAT’S UP LUKE, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? I’M GLAD YOU ARE NOT LOST, BUT I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS LOST, LOST IN SIN, CAPTIVE TO THIS WORLD’S WAYS! THANK GOD WITH ME FOR JESUS CHRIST WHO CAME TO SAVE THE LOST! HOW MANY OF US WOULD BE WANDERING THROUGH THIS WORLD STILL IN DARKNESS AND WITHOUT A CLUE OF WHICH WAY TO GO TO FIND LIGHT! PRAISE JESUS FOR HIS GIFT OF SALVATION! FOR I WAS ONCE LOST BUT, NOW I AM FOUND, WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE! AND THANK GOD FOR THE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD LADY THAT TOOK THE TIME TO HAND ME THE TRACT AND TO TELL ME ABOUT JESUS, IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THIS STRANGER THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO TELL THIS STORY!
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” Luke15:4
“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: HI ABBIE, WHEN WE ARE FEELING DOWN OR DEPRESSED YOUR QUESTION OF WHAT TO DO IS NOT ONE THAT FEW PEOPLE WILL HAVE, ACTUALLY A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT WE REALIZE GO THROUGH THESE TIMES, BUT HOW WE SHOULD HANDLE THEM IS SELDOM LOOKED AT AS A FORM OF HOLINESS OR GODLINESS. INSTEAD IT IS MORE COMMON THAT OTHERS WILL THINK THAT ANYONE THAT IS FEELING DOWN OR DEPRESSED MUST HAVE SIN IN THEIR LIFE AND IS THEREFORE NOT AS GODLY AS THEY OUGHT TO BE, THIS IS WRONG. WE CAN AND WILL HAVE DEPRESSION AS A CHRISTIAN, WHAT MAKES IT EASIER IS HOW WE HANDLE IT, THAT WE SHOULD HANDLE IT BY FAITH AND IN KNOWING THAT JESUS IS WITH US ALWAYS!
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
LUKE
TO LUKE: GOD WILL YOUR PRAYERS MY FRIEND! HE HEARS ALL THAT WE ASK OF HIM. WHEN WE TALK TO GOD WE ARE TALKING TO OUR BEST FRIEND, SO LIFT UP YOUR CHIN AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD YOUR FRIEND AND FATHER, AND THAT HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! LUKE GOD LOVES US SO MUCH THAT HE WILL NEVER FAIL US, HE WILL ALWAYS COME THROUGH, THOUGH WE WAIT ON HIM, AND THOUGH IT SEEMS SOMETIMES HE DOESN’T DO IT, HE WILL ANSWER YOU MY FRIEND, WE CAN BE CONFIDENT IN THIS!
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35, 36
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.” 1John 5:14, 15
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
JAMES AND DEBRA
TO JAMES AND DEBRA: HI JAMES IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, HOW IS EVERYONE? OUR FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT, AND YOU HAVE ALL BECOME SUCH A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS TO MANY, WE LEARN THIS THROUGH JESUS AND HIS LOVE FOR FAMILY. FROM CHILD UNTO FATHER AND MOTHER, AND FROM FATHER AND MOTHER UNTO OUR GRANDPARENTS, EACH PERSON IS VALUED SO MUCH IN CHRIST. WE MUST ALWAYS BE AN EXAMPLE OF CHRIST’ LOVE FOR FAMILY. I COMMEND BOTH YOU AND DEBRA FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THIS. NOW AS TO YOUR QUESTION; IT IS TRUE THE BOOK OF ACTS TELLS US SO, HOW THAT IF WE SHALL BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST THAT OUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL BE SAVED!
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 “Honor thy Father and thy Mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
KIM
TO KIM: HI KIM. IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE LAST TALKED. HOW ARE YOU? HOW IS EVERYTHING WITH YOUR DATING LIFE? YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT, BEING SINGLE ISN’T AS GREAT AS SOME WOULD MAKE IT OUT TO BE. I THANK GOD THAT WE CAN CONFIDE IN HIM, AND THAT HE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US! CERTAINLY JESUS IS THAT EVER PRESENT HELP IN OUR TIMES OF LONELINESS AND WHEN WE FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH SOLITUDE. BECAUSE OF JESUS WE ARE NOT ALONE SPIRITUALLY, HE IS WITH US ALWAYS. KIM IT IS SO GOOD TO HAVE LIKEMINDED FRIENDS AND TO HELP EACH OTHER THROUGH TOUGH TIMES. GOD IS SO LOVING TO UNDERSTAND THIS, AND HE EMBRACES US RECEIVING US WITH OPEN ARMS!
“And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. Hosea 2:19
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called everyone, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” 1Corinthians 7:8 “But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 1Corinthians 7:33, 34
MARK
TO MARK: GOOD MORNING MARK, HOW ARE YOU? WHERE WILL YOU ALL BE TODAY? WELL TRACTS HELP, BUT MORE THAN THAT A GOOD EAR WITH LISTENING PATIENCE WILL WIN A SOUL. SO MANY TODAY NEED JUST A FRIEND THAT WILL LISTEN. BE PREPARED TO GIVE THEM THE REASON FOR OUR HOPE AND TO TELL THEM OF THE ONE LIVING INSIDE OF YOU, JESUS OUR BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR! BEFORE GOING OUT TO WIN SOULS IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO PRAY AND TO TALK TO THE ONE WHO SAVES AS WE KNOW THAT HE DOES THE SAVING WHILE WE SIMPLY TELL OTHERS.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior.” Titus 3:5, 6
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2: 4, 5
JOHN
TO JOHN: HI JOHN, HOW DID IT GO YESTERDAY? I WAS TALKING TO MARK YESTERDAY ABOUT WINNING SOULS. THAT’S GREAT TO HEAR! WE HAVE REASON TO REJOICE WITH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN ANYTIME A LOST SOUL RECEIVES JESUS AND ACCEPTS HIS OFFER OF SALVATION. OH! SO YOU ALL ARE GOING BACK OUT AGAIN TODAY, HOW AWESOME IS THAT? TOGETHER WITH MARK AND THE OTHERS, YOUR WITNESS AND TESTIMONY IS BRINGING A GREAT LIGHT INTO THIS WORLD FOR OTHERS TO SEE! REMEMBER TO PRAY BEFORE YOU GO AND MAKE A NOTE OF ALL THE NEEDS OF THOSE THAT YOU TALK TO WHILE YOU ARE OUT THERE, BRING NOTES BACK TO US SO THAT THE PRAYER TEAM CAN ASK JESUS FOR HIS FAVOR AND WISDOM ON HOW TO BEST HELP THIS COMMUNITY AND IT’S PEOPLE.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2Timothy 1:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
"And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:47
ELIJAH AND OLIVIA
TO ELIJAH AND OLIVIA: WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR OF YOU FAITH CONFESSION FOR JESUS AND WE ALL WANT TO PERSONALLY WELCOME YOU BOTH TO OUR FAMILY AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT YOU BOTH. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE AT THE A&L STUDY GROUP WE SHALL PRAY FOR YOU AND HOPE TO BE A BLESSING. YEA, JOHN, MARK, LUKE, AND JAMES WENT OUT ALL THIS WEEK WITNESSING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, THEY HAVE BROUGHT BACK MANY GOOD REPORTS AND NOW WE HAVE ALSO A GREAT ADDITION UNTO THE KINGDOME OF GOD THROUGH YOU ELIJAH AND OLIVIA TOO, IT WILL BE WONDERFUL TO GET TO KNOW YOU BOTH AND TO HEAR FROM OLIVIA WHEN SHE MEETS THE OTHER WOMEN HERE, ABBIE, DEBRA, KIM, AND SUSAN ARE SUCH A WONDERFUL BLESSING TO US, I HOPE THAT YOU BOTH FIND YOUR FAMILY HOME HERE.
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1John 1:3
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Corinthians 1:9
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: HI ABBIE, HOW ARE YOU? WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP, AND GOD IS GREAT IN OUR INCREASE! THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU AND THE PRAYER TEAM ARE DOING IT IS OBVIOUS THAT YOUR PRAYERS FOR NEW SOULS ARE BEING HEARD AND REWARDED, AS WE HAVE RECENTLY MET AND WELCOMED ELIJAH AND OLIVIA, WE HAVE SO MANY BENEFITS IN THE LORD AND OUR FAMILY HERE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST! ALSO IT IS GOOD EVERYDAY TO GET CLOSER TO JESUS THROUGH OUR CONVERSATION WITH HIM, HE IS ALWAYS READY TO LISTEN AND TO ACT FOR THE GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. MAY JESUS FOREVER BE GLORIFIED!
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation, Selah. Psalm 68:19
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:28
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5
OCTOBER
LUKE
TO LUKE: GOOD MORNING LUKE, MANY PEOPLE ARE IN SEARCH OF THIS. FINDING THE WILL OF GOD IF IT WERE A SEARCH QUESTION OUT IN CYBER SPACE I BELIEVE IT MIGHT CAUSE SOME SORT OF CRASH! MANY PEOPLE ASK THIS SAME QUESTION, “WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR MY LIFE?” THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION MUST BE ANSWERED BY GOD HIMSELF, NOW REST ASSURED THAT GOD WILL ANSWER! WE SIMPLY NEED TO ASK, AND YOU MIGHT BE AMAZED BY HOW MANY ASSUME WHAT IS GOD’S WILL WITHOUT EVER ASKING GOD! LET US NOT ASSUME THIS MOST IMPORTANT MATTER, BUT RATHER LET US GO DIRECTLY TO GOD IN PRAYER AND ASK HIM. WHEN WE DO WE WILL RECEIVE OUR ANSWER.
“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.” James 1:5
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
KIM
TO KIM: HI KIM, WHERE ARE YOU HEADED TODAY? I HAD TO DROP OFF A WORK SHIRT FOR A FRIEND AND NOW I’M HEADED HOME. THAT’S RIGHT, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD WE WOULD LIVE IN IF EVERYONE’S FIRST THOUGHT OF THE DAY WAS TO FIND SOMEONE THAT THEY COULD SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD WITH. WE ARE GIVEN SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THIS THROUGH JESUS AND ARE TAUGHT TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE ALL OF OUR LIFE. LOVE IS SUCH A POWERFUL ACTION, IT IS BY FAR THE MOST PRODUCTIVE THING THAT WE CAN DO IN OUR LIFE FOR OTHERS AND FOR OURSELVES! SO THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE HEADED? TO FIND SOMEONE TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE WITH? LET US ALL DO THIS TODAY!
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1John 4:7-12
DEBRA
TO DEBRA: HI DEBRA HOW ARE YOU? YEA, THE NEWS SEEMS TO DO THAT THESE DAYS! THANK GOD JESUS GIVES US THE GOOD NEWS AND BECAUSE OF HIS GOOD NEWS WE ARE KEPT IN PERFECT PEACE. MY SISTER IS THE SAME WAY, SHE CAN’T STAND TO WATCH THE NEWS, BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE WORLDS PROBLEMS, SO I ASKED HER ONE TIME, HOW SHE WILL KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS SINCE WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO WATCH AND PRAY, AND SHE SAID, I JUST KEEP MY MIND ON JESUS AND I TRUST THAT HE WILL SHOW ME THE SIGNS OF THE TIME, AND HOW TO BE PREPARED. SHE IS REALLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT YOU KNOW! JESUS WILL GIVE US HIS PEACE, NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES PEACE, AND HE WILL SHOW US OF THINGS TO COME!
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” Ephesians 2:13, 14
“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
MARK, JOHN, AND JAMES
TO MARK, JOHN, AND JAMES: STREET WITNESSING OR ANY COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS AN EFFORT ON OUR PART TO TELL STRANGERS OF THE LOVE OF GOD, HIS OFFER OF SALVATION, AND HIS OFFER OF FORGIVENESS. SOME WILL GO AND TELL A STRANGER ABOUT JESUS AND HIS LOVE FOR THE WORLD, SOME WILL TELL THEM OF HIS OFFER OF SALVATION UNTO THE WORLD, AND SOME WILL MENTION ABOUT BEING FORGIVEN FROM THEIR SINS. THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, THAT JESUS LOVES THEM, AND THAT HE HAS MADE A WAY TO SAVE THEM FROM THE UGLY WRATH TO COME! THIS IS THE GREAT COMMISSION OR DIRECTIVE GIVEN UNTO US. SO TODAY LET’S FOCUS ON ONE OF THESE THREE TO START. THREE MEN WITH THREE STARTING TOPICS: LOVE, FOREGIVENESS, AND SALVATION! EACH ONE OUGHT TO SELECT ONE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!
“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast coved all their sin. Selah.” Psalm 85:2
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17
SUSAN
TO SUSAN: REALLY? SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS RIGHT AND CAN DO NO WRONG! I’M SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENED TO YOU! YOU HANDLED IT SO MUCH BETTER THAN MANY DO! TO SIMPLY TELL SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS, AND KEEPING CALM IN THE MIDST OF THEM YELLING AT YOU AND SHOUTING OBSCENITIES! THIS IS THE SAME BEHAVIOR THAT MANY IN THE WORLD, IF THEY WERE CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, WOULD BE GUILTY OF SOME SORT OF ROAD RAGE OR WORSE! SO WHAT DID THEY SAY WHEN YOU TOLD THEM OF JESUS AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS? EXACTLY, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES! I’M GLAD THAT EVERYONE IS ALRIGHT.
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness." Romans 8:10
ELIJAH
TO ELIJAH: HEY ELIJAH! WHAT AN AWESOME TESTIMONY YOU SHARED WITH US, SURELY JESUS WILL DELIVER US OUT OF THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER! IT IS AMAZING HOW GOD WORKS TO RESCUE HIS PEOPLE! WOW! YOU HAD YOUR VERY OWN FIERY FURNACE FOR SURE, AND A FORTH MAN IN THE FIRE TOO! SHADRACH, MESHAK, AND ABEDNIGO MIGHT HAVE EVEN BEEN AMAZED IF THEY LISTENED TO YOUR TESTIMONY! I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR HIS LOVING KINDNESS, GOODNESS, AND GRACE THAT KEEPS US, PREPARES US, DELIVERS US, AND USES US AS HIS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY WITH US IT HAS CERTAINLY BUILT UP OUR FAITH!
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:32, 36
"And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." Revelation 12:11
OLIVIA
TO OLIVIA: GOOD MORNING OLIVIA HOW ARE YOU? HOW WAS YOUR DAY YESTERDAY? HOW NICE IT IS TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH LIKE MINDED BROTHERS AND SISTERS. JESUS DESIRES THIS WITH US ALWAYS ALSO. HE STANDS WAITING TO TALK TO US EARLY EVERY MORNING AND THROUGHOUT EACH DAY. WHAT A PRECIOUS GIFT WE HAVE IN OUR FRIENDS! SO WHAT WILL YOU DO TODAY? GREAT, IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE FREE TIME AND TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL. ENJOY YOUR TRIP AND REMEMBER TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS SINGING SONGS TOGETHER AND HAVING FUN!
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.” Zechariah 2:10
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Mathew 18:20
TO THE A&L BIBLE STUDY GROUP: ON DELIVERANCE
GOOD MORNING FRIENDS. WHEN CONSIDERING THE NAME OF JESUS AND HOW JESUS IS VIEWED IN TODAYS WORLD WE MUST CONSIDER OUR ROLES AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. TODAY WE WILL FOCUS ON JESUS’ ROLE IN OUR DELIVERANCE FROM THESE HARD TIMES THAT SEEM TO PREVAIL IN THE WORLD. PLEASE TURN WITH ME TO THE BOOK AND CHAPTER OF ISAIAH 61:1
Isaiah 61:1 “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Friends God desires that we are set free! This requires that we trust God in all things. We are never free when we do not trust him, because without a total surrender to God we are still in bondage to another! As Disciples we cannot say that we are hoping that God works it all out while we follow him, we cannot say that we are suggesting through prayer that God will do what we need while we follow him everywhere, we must say that we are trusting God to do what he says he will do while we follow him! This is not always easy so let us focus today on trusting him more! As Disciples of Christ we walk with God seeking to do his will. Sometimes as we travel we are put to extreme tests of our faith and often we feel as though we have been left alone. We pray and wait for God to answer, we are stretched to the limit and pressed on every side only to hear God sometimes say wait or sometimes say nothing at all! Jesus felt this also. He was put under extremely stressful situations; many people left his side and chose not to follow Him anymore. This week we will be looking at God and what he teaches us about deliverance. Deliverance belongs to the Lord and we will focus on why it is important to understand this. Jesus teaches us that it requires trust in God to experience a full deliverance from our troubles!
TRUSTING GOD
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and--*their righteousness is of me*, says the Lord." Are you under the gun? Does it seem that the world is against you because of your stance with Christ? Nothing that comes against a child of God will prevail! Nothing opposed to God's will in your life shall prosper!! Isaiah 55:11 "so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Jesus says, "My word shall accomplish that which I please." His word shall not come back void!!! Suppose that Jesus selected you to receive his word in your life, he has sent his word into you, now based upon what we just read, how likely is it that his word will not succeed in it's purpose that he desires to be accomplished??? Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire..." God shall have no part in the lake of fire, save to cast all listed above into it! To say that God cannot or will not perform what he sent his word to do, is to say he is a liar and that he will be cast into the lake of fire with all those that offend! Either he will do it and is righteous or he won't and is a liar! Which one is he??? Does God lie or not? He will do what he has promised! If we truly trust God we know that God does what he says! Genesis 22:1-19 In these verses we see that God tested Abraham and he trusted God during the test and because he trusted God, God provided all that Abraham needed! Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." He will do what he has promised!!! Genesis 21:1-3 “And the lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, and at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac." You see Isaac was a promise from the Lord, yet it came to Abraham & Sarah in their old age and it was a miracle that many would not believe, but Abraham and Sarah trusted God's promise, and received it. James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the lord has promised to them that love him." If you endure the test, the trial, the waiting, and continue in the lord, you shall receive the promises of the Lord.
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: RENDER UNTO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE EXAMPLE THAT WE SET. ABBIE YOU HAVE SET SUCH A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF CARE WHEN YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS DECIDED TO VISIT THOSE THAT ARE HURTING. I AM SO THRILLED TO HEAR THIS! THIS IS TRUE RELIGION AND UNDEFILED FOR SURE. SO WHAT’S NEXT? THERE IS A HOSPITAL AND A RESCUE MISSION ON FEDERAL WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO CALL AND SEE ABOUT MAKING A VISIT? OH, AND THERE IS ALSO A RETIREMENT VILLAGE THERE TOO! I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO WITH YOU ALL THE NEXT TIME YOU PLAN TO VISIT.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps.” 1Peter 2:21
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. Ephesians 5:1, 2
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34
LUKE
TO LUKE: (FRIENDS) HEY LUKE HOW ARE YOU? HOW WAS THE GATHERING LAST NIGHT? I SEE, SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT TURN OUT FOR A GREAT PURPOSE. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH FRIENDS AND EVEN BETTER TO KNOW THAT JESUS IS OUR COMPANION THAT IS ALWAYS WITH US! IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW YOU HAVE MANY FRIENDS. SHOWING OURSELVES FRIENDLY TO THOSE THAT WE KNOW AND EVEN STRANGERS THAT WE DON’T KNOW CAN ONLY LEAD TO HAVING MORE FRIENDS AND THESE ARE FRIENDS THAT ARE MUCH MORE THAN VIRTUAL.
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
“When my Father and my Mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Psalm 27:10
“I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.” Psalm 119:63
KIM
TO KIM: HI KIM, WE MUST KNOW THIS FOR OURSELVES AND ABOUT OURSELVES, THAT WHICH JESUS ALREADY KNOWS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND. IN OTHER WORDS JUST BECAUSE JESUS KNOWS ALL ABOUT US AND WHO WE ARE AND HOW OUR HEART IS TOWARDS HIM AND LIFE IN GENERAL THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD STOP LEARNING. GOD IS OUR GUARDIAN AND WE ARE HIS CHILDREN, SURRENDERED, TEACHABLE, AND READY TO FOLLOW HIM. WE SHOULD NEVER ASSUME THAT JUST BECAUSE HE HAS OUR BACK THAT WE CAN STOP LEARNING. AS ONE HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID IN TIMES PAST: “STUDY TO SHOW THYSELVES APPROVED UNTO GOD.”
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against tem that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1Peter 3:12, 13
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
DEBRA AND ABBIE
TO DEBRA AND ABBIE: GOOD MORNING! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY! GOD IS SO GOOD TO US! SO WHAT’S ON YOUR AGENDA FOR TODAY? I KNOW, SAD TO SAY, BUT THIS WORLD IS BECOMING MORE UNSTABLE EVERYDAY. WE MUST BE DETERMINED TO NOT LET THESE TYPE OF PEOPLE STEAL FROM US OUR LIVELYHOOD AND OUR PEACE. ALWAYS WE CAN KNOW THAT JESUS IS OUR SECURITY AND WILL GUARD OUR BACK. FOR SURE HE WILL WISPER IN OUR EAR WHEN TROUBLE IS NEAR! LET US PUT OUR EYES AND OUR FOCUS ON JESUS AND NOT GIVE OUR DAY TO FEAR. THEIR PLANS TO SEND US INTO FEAR WILL NOT PREVENT US FROM WALKING IN FAITH THOUGH!
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen. Jude 24, 25
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.” 2Thessalonians 3:3
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
MARK AND JOHN
TO MARK AND JOHN: IT SUFFICES TO SAY, GOD IS OUR SUFFIENCY, HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH AND WITH HIM WE ARE NEVER WANTING FOR MORE AND MORE AND MORE! GOD SUPPLIES ALL OF OUR NEEDS WITHOUT FAIL. SOMETIMES WE THINK THAT GOD HAS LET US DOWN OR FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AND WHY WE NEED SOMETHING OR SOMEONE, BUT IN TRUTH THAT IS WHEN WE FAIL TO UNDERSTAND GOD AND HOW HE WORKS. GOD IS ON OUR SIDE ALWAYS WORKING ALL THINGS UNTO OUR GOOD. IF FOR EXAMPLE THERE IS SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THAT WE HAVE ASKED GOD FOR AND WE DO NOT HAVE IT YET, IT MAY BE THAT WE DO NOT ACTUALLY NEED IT, OR THAT WE MUST WAIT FOR IT, OR THAT IT’S ALREADY HERE AND OUR EYES CANT SEE IT! TRUST GOD BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR US AND WILL WORK IT ALL OUT SOON!
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2Corinthians 9:8
JAMES AND SUSAN
TO JAMES AND SUSAN: YOU BOTH STRIKE ME AS COMPLETELY CONTENT AND FULLY SATISFIED, IF ANOTHER SHOULD ASK, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE REASON FOR YOUR FULFILLMENT? AH! AND SO IT IS THAT JESUS STATISFIES YOUR DESIRES? WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN IT SEEMS THAT YOU HUNGER OR THIRST FOR MORE IN LIFE? DO YOU EVER TALK ABOUT THIS TOGETHER? WE ARE SO BLESSED IN SO MANY WAYS! THE GOODNESS OF GOD TOWARDS US IS MORE THAN WE SHOULD EVER EXPECT! HE IS SO GOOD! AMEN!
“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
“The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live forever.” Psalm 22:26
“And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:14
NOVEMBER
ELIJAH AND OLIVIA
TO ELIJAH AND OLIVIA: LET US PRAISE HIM, EVEN JESUS WHO IS OUR EVERYTHING! FRIENDS IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AND TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE WITH US SEEKING OUR GOD. THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM, HE IS OUR ALL IN ALL. LET US PRAISE HIM! JESUS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, THE LOVE BEYOND ALL LOVES, THE FRIEND GREATER THAN ANY OTHER FRIEND WE COULD EVER HAVE, LET US PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM IN THE HEAVENS, PRAISE HIM IN THE EARTH, PRAISE HIM WITH OUR CHURCH AND ALL CHURCHES THAT ARE CALLED HIS BRIDE, LET US PRAISE HIM, HE IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE! OUR EVERYTHING, OUR GOD HE IS! LET US PRAISE HIM!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2Corinthians 5:21
“Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen! Ephesians 3:20, 21
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: HI ABBIE IT’S BEEN A WHILE, HOW ARE YOU? WELL GOD’S WORD IS TRUE, THERE IS NO ERROR IN HIM OR IN HIS WORDS THAT HE HAS GIVEN TO US. FOR MANY YEARS SELECT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO TEAR IT APART AND DISPROVE WHAT GOD HAS SAID ALL TO NO AVAIL! GOD IS INFALLIBLE AND HIS WORD WAS, IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE! IF PEOPLE WOULD SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES THEY WOULD FIND ETERNAL LIFE, INTERESTING HOW MANY HAVE DONE JUST THAT AND HAVE IN THE PROCESS CONCLUDED THAT JESUS IS TRUTH AND HAVE ELECTED TO ACCEPT HIM AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR. PRAISE GOD! WE SERVE AN INFALLIBLE GOD WHO IS WITHOUT ERROR!
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1Peter 1:24, 25 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
“Forever, O Lord, they word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
LUKE
TO LUKE: LUKE! HOW ARE YOU? I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND MUST ADMIT THAT FOOTBALL SEASON CAN BE DISTRACTING, BUT WE ALLL HAVE OUR FAVORITES! I AM PULLING FOR MINNESOTA AND HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL FOR MANY YEARS, SPEAKING OF FAITHFUL, OUR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD AND TO ALL THAT HE CALLS US UNTO IS THE MARK OF THE RIGHTEOUS, FOR WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY OUR FAITHFULNESS! OUR FAITH IN JESUS BRINGS US TO OUR DEED OF INHERITANCE WHEREBY WE SHALL INHERIT A BETTER COUNTRY AND OUR MANSION IN HEAVEN!
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Mathew 25:34
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2Corinthians 1:20
KIM AND DEBRA
TO KIM AND DEBRA: IT IS A GREAT DAY TODAY! PRAISE JESUS! I AM PROUD OF OUR LADIES FELLOWSHIP GROUP, TO SEE SO MANY COME TO LEARN OF THE LORD AND TO SHARE IN FELLOWSHIP, IT IS WONDERFUL! JESUS TRULY IS OUR GUIDE FOR LIFE! EVER LEADING US INTO ALL TRUTH AND SECURING FOR US OUR MANSION IF YOU WILL OR PLACE IN HEAVEN BY HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE! AS HE HAS SAID, “IT IS FINISHED!” HE IS OUR LAMP, OUR LIGHT, OUR GUIDE, OUR FAITHFUL INSTRUCTION, AND OUR TRUE DELIGHT! I AM THRILLED TO SEE YOUR JOY IN THE LORD AND TO KNOW THAT YOU BOTH ALONG WITH THE MANY OTHERS ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE LORD IS DOING!
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
MARK AND JOHN
TO MARK AND JOHN: THE BIBLE CERTAINLY IS OUR STABILITY! WE CAN MAKE OUR STAND ON HIS PROMISES AND SO SHALL WE SET OUR FEET ON EACH ONE! HOWEVER, MANY OUT THERE ARE UNAWARE OF GOD’S PROMISES, WHERE THEY MAY BE FOUND, AND HOW TO USE THEM AT THEIR TIME OF NEED. FORGETTING ALL THAT GOD HAS PROMISED UNTO THOSE THAT LOVE HIM AND HAVE SET THEIR LOVE UPON HIM, THEY PRAY HOPING FOR HIS HELP, BUT TO HOPE IS ONE THING, AND TO STAND FIRMLY KNOWING ALL THAT GOD HAS PROMISED IS ANOTHER, WE ARE STABLE IN THE KNOWING AND SHAKY IN HOPING ONLY! IT IS UPON US WHO KNOW, TO TEACH ALL WHO HOPE THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT HE HAS SAID, THAT GOD WILL DO IT AS HE PROMISED IT, THEREFORE IT WILL BE DONE!
“For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 12:25
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2Thessalonians 3:3
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25
JAMES
TO JAMES: YES, BILLIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FROM THOSE THAT HAVE CREATED WORK OUT PLANS THAT ARE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON THE OUTER MAN WHILE OUR TRUE STRENGTH LIES WITHIN THE INNER MAN, OUR PHYSICAL BODIES WILL BREAK DOWN AND WE WILL LOSE STRENGTH, IT IS A CERTAIN THING THAT AS WE AGE WE LOSE OUR PHYSICAL STRENGTH. JAMES THE BEST THING WE CAN DO TO STAY STRONG IS TO FOCUS ON OUR INNER STRENGTH BECAUSE THE INNER MAN IS RENEWED DAILY AND WILL REMAIN STRONG UNTO THE END.
“O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Daniel 10:19
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:16, 17
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
SUSAN AND OLIVIA
TO SUSAN AND OLIVIA: I HEARD THAT SHE WAS A BIT DISCOURAGED AND WHAT WAS IT THAT SETTLED THE MATTER? AWESOME, IT IS ALWAYS REFRESHING TO HEAR SUCH STORIES THAT LIFT UP ANOTHER. TELL ME, WHAT WAS IT THAT YOU SAID TO HER? IT IS SO EASY TO SEE HOW A PERSON COULD BE DISCOURAGED IN THE TIMES THAT WE ARE LIVING IN. THANK GOD FOR JESUS OUR CONFIDENCE AND OUR HOPE! GOD ALWAYS HAS A WORD FOR US THAT LIFTS US UP IN OUR TIMES WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES DOWN IN SPIRIT. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS, BE SURE TO TELL THE OTHERS IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN HELP.
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35, 36
“Being confident in this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:7
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
DECEMBER
ELIJAH
TO ELIJAH: HOW’S IT GOING ELIJAH? THIS IS SO TRUE! THERE ARE SO MANY THAT ARE WHAT I CALL THE WALKING WORRIED, BECAUSE THEY ASK ME SO MANY TIMES HOW CAN THEY HAVE SOME PEACE IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES, THEY TELL ME WHAT THEY DO SO OFTEN IS JUST TURN OFF THE NEWS AND STOP LISTENING BECAUSE THERE IS NO GOOD NEWS ANYMORE, WELL AS YOU HAVE SAID, THIS IS NOT TRUE! THERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR ALL, DESPITE WHAT WE HEAR ON THE TELEVISED NEWS BROADCASTS, AND OF COURSE THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THERE IS PEACE IN JESUS! WE DO NOT HAVE TO HIDE OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND AVOID THE WORLD, BUT RATHER WE NEED TO SET OUR HEADS IN THE BIBLE, GOD’S WORDS OF PROMISE!
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: HI ABBIE AS YOU KNOW THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US. HOW WILL YOU SPEND THIS THANKSGIVING? IT’S SO GREAT TO HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO ENJOY THIS DAY WITH. I PRAY ALSO THAT MANY WILL HAVE A HEART TO INVITE AT LEAST ONE LONELY PERSON TO THEIR HOME. THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE VERY LONELY FOR SOME. THIS THANKSGIVING DAY LET US GIVE THANKS WITH ALL OF THOSE AROUND US UNTO OUR GREAT GOD AND KING FOR THE SO MANY WONDERFUL BLESSINGS THAT WE SHARE!
“I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.” John 14:18
“For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 1Samuel 12:22
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
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LUKE
TO LUKE: FROM ONE END OF THE SCOPE UNTO THE OTHER WE SEE THAT THE HOLIDAYS BRING MANY EMOTIONS! JOY TO THE WORLD IS WHAT WE HOPE TO FIND IN THE HEARTS OF MANY, BUT SOMETIMES THE HOLIDAYS BRING ABOUT LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION. I WAS JUST TALKING WITH ABBIE ABOUT LONELINESS AND INVITING SOME TO THANKSGIVING DINNER, NOW WE SHALL ADDRESS THE DEPRESSION OF THE HOLIDAYS. IN JESUS THERE IS ALL JOY, BUT IN THE WORLD WE FIND ANOTHER. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO THROUGH IT ALL WILL HAVE THEIR EYES STAYED UPON THE LORD! THIS IS THE SECRET TO JOY!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS.” Philippians 4:8
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not grow weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
KIM AND DEBRA
TO KIM AND DEBRA: IT IS EASY AT TIMES TO NOT BE SATTISFIED WITH THE WAY OUR LIFE IS GOING OR TO BE DISSATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS OF OUR EFFORTS, WE WANT MORE FROM OUR LIFE! THIS IS USUALLY WHEN WE FORGET THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN JESUS, WHEN WE REMEMBER THE BENEFITS OF THE LORD WE QUICKLY HAVE A RENEWED SPIRIT WITHIN US AND BEGIN ONCE AGAIN TO REJOICE! TRUSTING IN THE LORD IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ISSUE, BUT WE OFTEN FAIL TO TRUST UNLESS WE CAN SEE RESULTS. THIS IS WHY WE ARE REMINDED TO WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE WON’T SEE THE RESULTS OF ALL THAT WE DO IN THE LORD, BUT REST ASSURED THAT WE WILL SEE THEM IN THE END!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satistfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.” Psalm 103:1-5
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 9
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily shalt thou be fed.” Psalm 37:3
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MARK, JAMES, AND JOHN
TO MARK, JAMES, AND JOHN: I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH TIME THAT MANY UNBELIEVING AND UNSAVED PERSONS OFTEN FEEL THAT THEY CANNOT COME TO JESUS BECAUSE OF A SELF INFLICTED CONDEMNATION. CONDEMNATION HOLDS MANY BACK FROM THE LIBERTY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE IN CHRIST. JESUS HAS COME TO SET THE CAPTIVE FREE AND HE NEVER WILL CONDEMN THOSE THAT ARE FOUND IN HIM. THIS CONDEMNATION ONLY COMES FROM THE DEVIL. THE BEST THING WE CAN DO TO WIN THE LOST IS TO SHOW THEM THE LOVE OF GOD.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgression from us.” Psalm 103: 10, 12
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
SUSAN
TO SUSAN: MANY WILL SAY, “I AM TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT!” REGARDING GOD AND HIS WAY, YET IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIGURED OUT! GOD SAID IT, HE MADE IT, HE DID IT, IT IS FINISHED! THERE IS NO CONFUSION IN HIM! GOD HAS MADE THE WAY CLEAR AND CUT DRY THE PATH THAT WE SHOULD GO, THE WORLD MUDDIES UP ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE IN AN EFFORT TO DISTORT GOD’S TRUTHS AND IN AN EFFORT TO LEAD MANY ASTRAY! CONFUSION IS OF THE DEVIL, HE IS THE FATHER AND THE AUTHOR OF ALL DOUBT! LET US TAKE OUR STAND ON WHAT WE KNOW IS TRUE FOREVER AND ALWAYS, GOD’S WORD IS TRUE FOREVER AND ALWAYS!
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1Corinthians 14:33
“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7
ELIJAH
TO ELIJAH: REACHING OUT TO OTHER BELIEVERS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING TO DO WHEN TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL. THERE IS STRENGTH IN UNITY! BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALIKE IN THE LORD NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS AND SHARPEN EACH OTHER AS IRON SHARPENS IRON. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT GOD THAT TEMPTS US TO SIN, BUT OUR ENEMY AT WORK SEEKING TO ENTICE US AT WHICH TIME WE NEED THE LIFE ROPE OF OUR FRIENDS TO PULL US BACK IN TOWARDS JESUS AND TOWARDS EACH OTHER, IT IS IN FACT MUCH LIKE TUG-O-WAR FOR OUR SOUL!
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man in tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed.” James 1:13, 14
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a rouring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist ye steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1Peter 5:8, 9
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
TO THE A&L STUDY GROUP:
ABBIE, LUKE, KIM, DEBRA, MARK, JOHN, JAMES, SUSAN, ELIJAH, AND OLIVIA; 2014 HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR WITH MANY BLESSINGS FROM OUR GOD AND FATHER, IT HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO GROW IN WORD TOGETHER. I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR US IN 2015! HE IS SO AMAZING, SO FAITHFUL, AND OF COURSE ALWAYS SO TRUE! SO LET US NOW ALL SET THESE MATTERS OF FAITH AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR LIVES ALWAYS PLACING JESUS FIRST AND ABOVE ALL, AND LET US MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER INTO A NEW HOPE FILLED YEAR WITH JESUS AT OUR SIDE, IN OUR HEART, AND WATCHING OVER US AS WE JOURNEY. WITH MANY PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR A CONTINUED GROWTH IN LOVE, FAMILY, AND UNITY THROUGHOUT THIS NEW YEAR! SO AS IT IS WRITTEN,
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." Isaiah 1:18, 19
Let's get this party started right! - 2015 needs that we start the New Year the right way.
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: YOUR QUESTION ABOUT ANGER IS NOT WITHOUT MERIT. THERE IS GREAT VALUE IN ANGER. HOWEVER WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO BE ANGRY, BUT SIN NOT! IS THIS POSSIBLE? OF COURSE IT IS. THIS IS MORE ABOUT CONTROL, A CONTROLLING OF OUR ANGER. IT IS NOT A SIN TO BE ANGRY ONLY THAT WE CONTROL OUR ANGER AND RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO THOSE THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS ANGER TO COME ABOUT. ALWAYS BE SLOW TO ANGER, NEVER ALLOWING A HARSH REACTION TO PULL US INTO SIN. ALWAYS TRUST GOD TO INTERVENE. THIS SHOULD BE OUR CHARACTER.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19, 20
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32
“For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.” Hebrews 10:30
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
LUKE
TO LUKE: YOU RECENTLY MENTIONED A FELLOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT IS HAVING A BIT OF TROUBLE WITH WHAT JESUS HAS SAID TO US REGARDING OBEDIENCE, AND AS YOU AND I BOTH KNOW WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST WHEN IT COMES TO THESE LIFE MATTERS. THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS NOT THAT THIS FELLOW CANNOT ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS REQUESTED BY JESUS, BUT RATHER THAT HE IS REBELLIOUS AND REFUSES TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD’S COMMANDMENT. THIS YOUNG MAN DETERMINES TO DO IT HIS OWN WAY, AS MANY OF US HAVE DONE ALSO, BUT WE HAVE LEARNED THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR REBELLION. THERE IS ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY WHEN WE DO THINGS OUR OWN WAY!
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19, 20
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1Peter 5:5, 6
“There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.” Proverbs 12:21
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
KIM AND DEBRA
TO KIM AND DEBRA: REGARDING YOUR STORY OF THIS YOUNG GIRL, SADLY THIS YOUNG GIRL IS CONFUSED. WE KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT THE REASON FOR THIS CONFUSION IN HER LIFE, YET GOD IS OFTEN BLAMED. THE DEVIL CAUSED HER TO FEAR AND THEN SHE TURNED AWAY FROM GOD AS THOUGH HE WOULD CAUSE HARM TO HER LIFE BY KEEPING HER FRIENDS AWAY. IN A LITTLE WHILE SHE WILL REALIZE THAT JESUS IS NOT TO BLAME, AND THAT THE RIGHT KIND OF FRIENDS IN HER LIFE WOULD NEVER LEAVE HER FOR ACCEPTING HIM AS HER SAVIOR. BE PATIENT AND TRUST GOD, THE SEED HAS BEEN PLANTED!
“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,” 1Corinthians 14:33
“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
MARK, JAMES, AND JOHN
TO MARK, JAMES, AND JOHN: IT IS NICE TO SEE CHRISTIANS TRAVELING TOGETHER. THERE IS POWER WHEN THERE IS ONE OR MORE BECAUSE JESUS IS IN THE MIDST! HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT POWER? WHEN WE ARE IN NEED OF COURAGE GOD ENCOURAGES US TO LOOK TO HIM, TO TRUST HIM, AND TO TAKE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER KNOWING THAT JESUS IS WITH US. LET US TOGETHER ALWAYS HOPE IN THE LORD! YOU WILL FIND THAT YOUR WITNESS WILL ALWAYS HAVE ITS GREATEST STRENGTH WHEN IT IS SURROUNDED BY OTHER CHRISTIANS.
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
ABBIE
TO ABBIE: THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING TODAY AND A GREAT MAJORITY ARE SUFFERING DUE TO FINANCIAL TROUBLES. IT IS NOT GOD THAT DESIRES THAT WE SUFFER IN THE CARES OF THIS WORLD, IT IS THE CARES OF THIS WORLD THAT CHOKE HIS WORD IN OUR LIFE, HOWEVER FINANCES MANY TIMES ARE A HINDERANCE IN OUR LIVES PREVENTING US FROM MOVING FORWARD FOR LACK OF RESOURCES. WE MUST IN THESE TIMES REMEMBER IT IS NOT GOD THAT HINDERS, BUT RATHER OUR ENEMY, HE WILL ALWAYS STAND AGAINST THE WORK OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. IN THESE TIME WE A CALLED TO WAIT UPON THE LORD IN FAITH KNOWING THAT OUR BLESSING IS COMING SOON!
“Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3John 2
“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause all thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 28:2-8
MARK
TO MARK: HEY MARK HOW ARE YOU? YEA, LIKE YOU MANY ARE FEELING THE PRESSING OF THE TIMES THAT WE ARE IN. WE OFTEN FEEL AS THOUGH WE ARE FORSAKEN BY THOSE THAT WE CARE ABOUT BUT WE CAN KNOW THAT JESUS WILL NEVER FORSAKE US, WE MAY FEEL PERSECUTED AND CAST DOWN, BUT HE IS ALWAYS THERE! I THINK MANY WILL COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST RATHER THAT THE CARES OF THIS WORLD. WE NEED MORE EXAMPLES LIKE YOU! AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:10
“For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Deuteronomy 4:31
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
TO LUKE -In honor of Kayla Mueller
TO LUKE: HELLO LUKE HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? SURE IT’S BEEN A WHILE! SO IT IS HARD TO SAY WHAT GOD WILL DO NOW WITH ALL OF THESE THAT INFLUENCE THE WORLD WITH VIOLENCE AND TREACHERY AGAINST HIM, OF COURSE WE KNOW THAT HE WILL AVENGE AND VINDICATE THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT TO GUESS HOW HE WILL NOW MOVE ON THIS INJUSTICE WOULD CERTAINLY FALL SHORT OF WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THOSE THAT HATE AND MURDER THE INNOCENT TO SPREAD TERROR AND FEAR. WHO IS IT THAT CAN UNDERSTAND THE GREAT MOVING OF HIS HAND? WE CAN ONLY BE SURE THAT HE WILL MOVE AS HE HAS PROMISED, VENGEANCE IS MINE SAYETH THE LORD I WILL REPAY!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8: 35-37
“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purposes. Romans 8:28
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19
KIM AND DEBRA
TO KIM AND DEBRA: YEA, THIS IS THE BOOK AND MOVIE THAT I CALL 50 SHADES OF SHAME! SO MANY ARE GOING TO SEE THIS AND READING THIS, BUT LITTLE DO THEY KNOW THAT SHADES ARE MEANT TO HIDE THE LIGHT AND IN THIS CASE THE TRUTH! HOW POPULAR THEY ARE MAKING A THING THAT ACTUALLY CONDONES THE VICTIMIZING OF WOMEN! THEN AMONGST CHRISTENDOME THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE BRINGING THIS INTO THE CHURCH AS A BIBLE STUDY! WELL WHAT DOES THE BIBLE CONCLUDE ABOUT SIN, RAPE, AND THE LIES OF THE WORLD THAT CAUSE MANY TO GLORIFY PERVERTED SEX AS A MEANS OF PLEASURE? THIS IS ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE STUDIED AND WE WILL FIND HOW GOD FEELS TOWARDS THOSE WHO DO SUCH THINGS! 50 SHADES OF “NO WAY!” TELL AS MANY WOMEN AS YOU CAN TELL ABOUT HOW THIS MOVIE AND BOOK IS LEADING WOMEN INTO SIN BY APPEALING TO THEIR DESIRE FOR A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAN!
“And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.” Hosea 2:19, 20
“Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.”1Corinthians 7:2-4
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
JOHN
TO JOHN: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT LOVE: IS LOVE AN EMOTION? AND IS LOVE A NOUN OR A VERB? THIS IS A VERY GOOD TOPIC FOR TODAY, ON THIS VALENTINES DAY LOVE IS THE MAIN FOCUS, BUT CAN WE JUST GET LOVE ANYWHERE? OR FROM ANYONE? AND SHOULD WE GIVE OUR LOVE TO EVERYONE? THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS TO ANSWER HERE. TODAY LET US GO TO THE MASTER AND AT HIS TABLE TO FIND THESE OUT! LOVE IS ALL OF THESE AND MUCH MORE, BUT TRUE LOVE BEGINS WITH JESUS. HE IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR LOVE. WE SEE THAT JESUS LOVES US WITH ALL OF HIS EMOTION AND WE SEE ALL OF HIS EMOTIONS OF LOVE POURED OUT FOR US AT THE CROSS. IT IS HIS ACTIONS OF LOVE THAT SAVES US AND IT IS HIS LOVE THAT BECAME THE OBJECT OF SACRIFICE. SO YES, LOVE IS ALL OF THESE AND MORE!
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. For no man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1John 4:7-12
“And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13:13
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
JAMES
TO JAMES: IT WOULD SEEM THAT MANY THINGS IN THE WORLD ARE EITHER UPSIDE DOWN OR BACKWARDS WHEN WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND STILL WE FIND SO MUCH HATE, WHEREBY WE HEAR CONTINUOUSLY IN THE NEWS OF ONE AFTER ANOTHER SLAYINGS AND MURDERS ALIKE OF VARIOUS ETHNICITIES WHETHER THEY ARE JEWS OR GENTILES, BLACK OR WHITE, MUSLIM OR CHRISTIAN THIS DOES NOT MATTER WHEN THE CONDITION OF MANY HEARTS ARE THAT OF HATRED. IT SADDENS US TO HEAR OF ANY LOSS OF LIFE WHEN WE KNOW THAT OUR LORD CAME TO GIVE LIFE AND NOT TO TAKE IT! WHAT CAN WE DO? WE SHALL LOOK TO JESUS AND AWAIT HIS RETURN AS WE KNOW HE IS COMING SOON!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:35-37
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
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SUSAN AND OLIVIA
TO SUSAN AND OLIVIA: WE WILL HEAR MORE OF THIS STIRRING OF AN EXODUS FOR SURE! PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS ABOUT GOD’S BUSINESS PREPARING FOR AND CALLING FOR THE WORLD’S JEWISH TO COME HOME TO ISRAEL. THIS IS A SIGN OF THE END TIMES AND GOD IS MOVING. SO WATCH AND PRAY AS WE ARE INSTRUCTED THAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR JERUSALEM WHILE THE WORLD SLUMBERS IN THEIR DARKNESS UNAWARE OF THE TIMES THAT WE LIVE IN. GOD IS FOREVER FAITHFUL AND GIVES SHELTER TO US IN THE MIDST OF THESE STORMS!
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1Peter 4:12, 13
“And it shall be said in the day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
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ELIJAH
TO ELIJAH: YES, IT IS WELL, WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILTY AS CHRISTIANS TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS AND TO OFFER TO OTHERS HELP IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED JUST AS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN UNTO US. WE WERE BEFORE STRANGERS, YET TAKEN IN BY THE LOVE OF GOD. SO IT IS UPON US ALL THE RESPONSIBILTY TO OFFER TO OTHERS THESE SAME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN UNTO US BY GOD’S GREAT GRACE, NOT THAT ANY OF US DESERVED IT BECAUSE OF OUR WORKS OR STATUS IN SOCIETY, BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE AND HE LOVES TO LOVE US!
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth. 1John 3:16-18
“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. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Galatians 6:1-6
http://souls-for-christ.com/id13.html
ABBIE & LUKE
TO ABBIE & LUKE: I JUST PASSED THE EXIT TO THE EAST COAST AND WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU BOTH. HOW NICE IT WILL BE TO SEE YOU SOON. ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU BOTH ARE ALWAYS HERE IN OUR BIBLE STUDY SHARING WITH US YOUR SMILES AND JOY. OUR FELLOWSHIP SHALL NEVER BE DISMISSED OR IGNORED AS IT IS BECAUSE OF THESE TIMES WITH OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS THAT WE TRULY SPARPEN OUR SKILLS AND INCREASE OUR FAITH. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU BOTH AGAIN SOON!
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:3, 7
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
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KIM
TO KIM: WHILE WE ALL HAVE CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN WE GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OUR DAILY ACTIVITIES IT SHOULD NOT BE FILLED WITH REASONS WHY WE HAVE NOT PURSUED THE COMPLETION OF OUR RESPONSILBILITY. YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE SOMEWHAT ASTONISHED THAT MANY TODAY ARE SIMPLY SHRINKING BACK FROM DUTY AND SEEKING A PLACE THAT THEY MAY NOT BE CALLED UPON TO SERVE. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING THE GOOD NEWS TO A WORLD THAT MAY REJECT IT.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mathew 5:13-16
“And the people asked him, saying, what shall we do then? He answereth and sayeth unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat let him do likewise.” Luke 3:10, 11
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MARK
TO MARK: YOU RAISE A GOOD TOPIC AS A WATCHMAN. IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES WE NEED TO KEEP WATCH AND TO PRAY, AS IT IS THE ENEMY DESIRES TO ANNIHILATE ZIONISM AS THEY SAY FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH! CERTAINLY THESE ARE TROUBLED TIMES, BUT ALL IS IN KEEPING WITH WHAT OUR LORD HAS EXPLAINED TO US MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. WOE UNTO ALL WHO WILL TURN GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS INTO DARKNESS AND CLAIM THAT THEIR WAYS ARE LIGHT! TELL THEM ALL TO TAKE COURAGE AND TO FEAR NOT BECAUSE OUR LORD IS WITH US AND WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US!
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
“Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 5:24
“The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
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LUKE
TO LUKE: HEY LUKE HOW ARE YOU? YEA I HEARD, 27 IN TUNISIA DEAD, AGAIN LET’S PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL INTERVENE IN THE MIDST OF THIS HATE AND THE NEVERENDING DESIRE FOR SOME TO BRING TERROR INTO THIS WORLD! OUR GOD IS LOVE! AND LOVE WILL OVERCOME! IF WE TAKE TIME TO LOOK AROUND THE WORLD AT ALL THE EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING WE SOON DISCOVER THAT THESE THINGS ARE RIGHT AT OUR DOORSTEP AND NOT SO FAR AWAY. THIS SHOULD PROVOKE US ALL TO WAKE UP AND DRAW NEAR TO JESUS AND SEEK HIS MERCY!
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 2Corinthians 4:8, 9
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:7
“And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
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