Asking for extra strong protection, intervention and breakthrough for us and all in need. Also Lord please help with the new boss that co-workers met already and are concerned about, a new job, M's, K's, B's, F's and H's health. Thank you Lord. Amen
So it's National Day of Prayer in the US today. And I am not sure if God is angry at them, because their country is rapidly falling to smitherines, sadly :( And Canada, too.
Anyways, I am here to ask for prayer for this church that I attended back during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lord knows the details.
And for my dear sweet ex ( the Lord knows the details ) and for 2, young-ish upcoming American Christian artists PW & Mr. BL. Please pray that the Lord be with them as they tour, and with their wives and their families, as well, in their absence. Please keep the nasty Conservative Christians of America away from them and please help them all to continue faithfully serving the Lord.
I will seek my friend who is a Pastor for prayer on this matter. For now; I pray that you will be able to find ways to distribute the Word; and that no matter what the Lord will continue to bring results according to HIs promises that His Word doesn't go out void but accomplishes what He has set forth. I am aware somewhat of the terrible persecution in your nation. Our media is silent on the matter; and we have to seek the information from other believers or at the very least from sources other than mainline news.
In a more general concern I see how many prayers; including your own seem to be missed entirely. I am not sure if there is some way we can rally here; especially for needs abroad (I'm in the USA). I'm hoping that this site finds some way to meet urgent needs; but it isn't their responsibility and we need more people to respond. Perhaps everyone could be encouraged to chek out prayer requests either by going to prayers or ALL comments to see what has come in since they last posted so as to keep the rest of the Body of Christ in mind who are suffering in like manner. Unfortunately at least from my experience in recent years there seems to be a great lack of sufficient prayer in churches and people often aren't taking things by the reins with impromptu prayers when there are times of need. The other thing is that unless we are effectively weilding the sword of the Spirit or surrendured to the Lord many prayers are ineffective because they are half hearted or just asking God for the first thing that comes to mind; to solve an immediate issue rather than really seeking the Lord. In your situation we can pray for God to remove the wickedness that the enemy is doing through people by either changing hearts or if it is His will by removing the person. Any prayers of that type should be prayed without our own hatred or ill will being in the way.
Let me know any specific requests; and maybe a bit more general information about your situation.
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
Re.1:1-7"Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness" (2 of 2)
Jesus said, "Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) So what is the mystery of the seven stars "which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." (Re.1: 20) The seven churches carry names and can be located in Asia Minor. The mystery of the Number Seven tells us that the entire congregation, the angelic host are represented and they are in the right hand of the Son. They are witnesses in heaven to the church as a body. So are the believers whose heart was steadfast in faith.
Now we shall consider the verse: 1:7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." The cloud of witnesses accompanied in the night vision of Daniel. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."( Dan 7:13-14) Here we have a narrative mode that the Spirit employs where the specific overarches to the end times. This Min-Max mode helps us rightly place the role of Israel in the Salvation Saga. Israel's understanding of his nation is only a jump-off point for the church purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Evangelism pleases the Lord. The Christian life must never be lived according to "shoulds." Yet we hear that word often in relation to Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, and other Christian practices. "I should do that, but . . ." The but is a bigger problem than we want to admit. God's children will naturally want to please their Heavenly Father; it is their greatest delight. So our compass is set with God at true north. In everything we do, we feel the magnetic pull toward pleasing God. Even mundane tasks can be completed with joy because we are doing what God has given us to do ( 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Teaching other people how to have a relationship with Jesus is one way to please Him. And in pleasing Him we are most fulfilled ( Galatians 2:20).
END ARTICLE.
When we are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before us. Instead of working together, we are at odds with one another.
Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. They simply have nothing in common,
just as Christ has nothing in common with "Belial,
The "unequal yoke" is often applied to business relationships, Marriage ect..
We are to love everyone as Christ do and share the Gospel but we must understand that unbelievers have opposite worldviews and morals, and decisions made daily will reflect the worldview of one partner or the other.
In this world we are to be as Daniel in Babylon. He inspired Nebuchadnezzar. See Daniel 4
Re.1:1-7 "Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness" (1 of 2)
Jesus Christ as the faithful witness to the holiness of God. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;/ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,/ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ep.4: 4-6). This oneness defines unity of the Spirit. God is a Spirit which is 'in you all' refers to the one body, the church to which Jesus is the Lord.
The church is a living organism since Jesus triumphed over death everlasting life is what faith signifies. It is Person specific. The earth which was without form and void acquires the head and body, It is what creation of Eve instructs us. Adam's deep sleep was caused by God and when he wakes up exclaims, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."(Ge.2:22). By several list of genealogies the Spirit gives us an unbroken track where faith creates several heroes of faith, every one of them foreshadows Jesus who shall be born of a virgin. This sign was given before the great congregation of angels and children of men.
He.11:3 refers to the will of God the Father and the fulfilment aspect of God the Son. The paternity test of faith the DNA of Jesus passed the test. His resurrection proves the point. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."(Ac.2:24) Peter refers to the psalm, which tells us why. "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) Faith is not merely a flash in the pan but is the result of loving God and as Moses exhorts the nation of Israel, "An d thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might./And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart"(De.6: 5-6) This is how Jesus fulfilled his Father's mandate.
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
I have friends that may be unsaved judging by their testimony, lives, response to certain things such as worldly things and Church things or "Spiritual things"
I have one friend in particular that has no Spiritual insight, void of peace and have no love for what he calls "Religious people" but he enjoys to dabble in the chaotic ways of the world.
When we first met I told him I was a Christian. He doesn't go to Church for reasons I won't get into but I don't think he ever knew what Christian means or how to define one.
However, I believe he found something unique about my way of life and noticed my firm stance for what I believed in.
He began to watch his steps and began to trust and take counsel from me and left off trying to counsel me with his worldly take on life and his ignorance of God.
Today he has gained a respect for the word of God.
Our relationship to the lost world is to introduce Christ.
We do that "Not by acting out a performance" but by truth, and his word.
The word and our deeds should align. (That's God's doing).
TRUTH.
They'll understand by listening and watching us that we are not perfect but we follow that which is. (Jesus )
We have a name we must uphold. We can't follow them in this world. "The darkness that it has to offer"
We are to be a light for them to lead them out of it. We are light bearers that shines light on Christ. We show a lost world that the way to the father is through the Son.
So to your friend you are here to be a leader and not a follower. Philippians 2:15.
You are to be a Evangelist to them in some way.
The Apostles set the foundation and was left here to do this and we are here to build on it.
John 17:14-21 says it best. We don't separate ourselves from them. We separate ourselves from all aspects of their way of life.
Thank YOU FATHER for the peace and comfort we have in YOU and the work done at Calvary by YOUR Son JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR. GOD to shine HIS face and gloriously bless all who love and seek YOU diligently. May we diligently read, study, meditate, memorize and especially apply YOUR commandments in our lives daily.
LORD, bless our leadership and our nation to be obedient and faithful to YOU.
GOD bless all on this forum on this day May 2, 2024. Help us to turn our eyes upon JESUS and look full on HIS wonderful face.
Please pray Lord Jesus bind any harmful effects from my drinking coffee, that had a spider in it. Please pray Lord Jesus bind any danger from that, keep me in good health. In Lord Jesus name
For I hope to be born in Christ Jesus. I have been astray my entire life, but believes Christ Jesus died for me and the heavenly father resurrected him. My belief and faith is because of my Lord and savior Christ Jesus. I hope and pray for prayer's from my sister's and brother's in Christ. This is my first time on this app so All, please bare with me, thanks
Do you recall Jesus said, "behold, your house is left desolate"? Math 23:38, the he is the messiah. The entire 70 weeks concerned the coming of Jesus, true the prince that shall come destroyed the city, 70 A.D. The "subject" throughout the explanation of the 70 weeks was Jesus. The 70 weeks culminated with the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, would have been 3 and a half years after the crucifixion.
The cloud of witnesses are angels as the fellow-servant of StJohn says, "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things./Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:"(Re.22:8-9)
They were with God even before the foundation of the world. The night vision of Daniel mentions their presence when the books were opened and judgement was set. When God called us they were present as witnesses for our soul. We as a body served in turn for them a sign. In short without taking both worlds as one we are up the creek without a paddle. The seven angels to the seven churches are indicated by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus Christ in his glory. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" tells how little Satan understood of the concept of Salvation or of Atonement. His pride had made him blind to the beauty of holiness that marked the Son.
Naturally Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High and above the congregation of witnesses.
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:/I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Here we are faced with a number of entities which are associated with the world of the Spirit. Mount of the congregation for instance is two terms compounded from the mountain of God and the great congregation also called the cloud of witnesses. It is also set down, 'in the sides of the north' location evidently set in context of the throne of God. It merely indicates God as the judge and judgment calls for witnesses where angelic host play their part. Lucifer's revolt began in heaven so it is judged there.
Firstly the two worlds the heaven and the earth are framed by the word. Faith is what holds them as one. Divine Will according to the word or the Law evolves into a world of the body, which is a spiritual body, and St Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit calls it a building 'eternal in the heavens'. The earth which was without form and void shall be the House of Prayer for all nation. Christ is the head and the church is the body. 'A body hast thou prepared' refers to the word become flesh. By fulfilling the will of the Father the church is formed. It is to this body, made up of a great congregation the Psalmist refers, "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." (Ps.40:9). The saints redeemed from the earth shall continue the life everlasting clothed with their spiritual bodies. As St Paul says further down "For we walk by faith not by sight." Jesus talk that we hear is dud without the walk. faith cannot be faith without the walk.
I asked for God's speedy intervention on my affairs, I pray for sound mind and better opportunities, I asked for God's protection and unusual turnaround in Jesus name Amen.
God set everything perfect. God set Lucifer perfect in beauty. But his pride was his own invention. As a spirit he tinkered with his thoughts Jesus says "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." ( John 8:44) For this reason Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as the son of perdition. The beast is another. Their sin traces who their father is. Man is shaped by his thoughts and for this reason what is a merchant prince but a mean fellow whose wakeful life is seized by profits and raking the muck of turning up wealth. In old China they were held in low esteem. In our society they are looked upto though they are as cantakerous as a Musk or as Bezos who has to monitor 7x24 their employees.
James says,"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 is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed./Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(Jas.1:13-15)
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:"
There are two ways of speaking. One is this, "I believed therefore have I spoken." St Paul annotates it to indicate salvation that comes from open confession. At the bottom what works is the spirit of faith which outpours from God a Spirit. Holiness of God makes no separation and every man is entitled to it. So St Paul explains,"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ps.116:10; 2 Co.4:13; Ro.10:10)
Second way is what Lucifer, an angel employed. God charges him thus, "For thou hast said in thine heart,"I will ascend into heaven." God makes angels spirits so their thoughts have a centre. Since they do not have a body we cannot foist upon them a heart that we associate with human anatomy. Mind is indicated here. Satan expresses, "I will" which contradicts the will of God the Father so pride is a spiritual anomaly that Satan has coined. No man may invent in the world of the Spirit as one invents a tool from flint or a water wheel. He works with his visible world. Now what is evolution but tinkering with what is already existing, which is outside the will of man. The Bible is the God document and the Spirit is not teaching us anthropology or a treatise on ethnography but of the righteousness of God.
Without the Spirit giving us grace, what is faith as it is bandied about in the churches? Justification, yes but works, oh no! I wonder if Luther had got his scripture right? St James in his epistle was correct to connect works where it rightfully belongs. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."(Jas.2:17)
I have a question about feelings or falling in love. I am a divorce and I am in love with one of my friend & my friend doesn't love me & is in love with someone else & he has still not expressed his love to her. He says God's will is not there to marry me, but God spoke to me that he is the right person who will restore everything that I lost. I am continuously praying for him to accept me, is it wrong to do it
So it's National Day of Prayer in the US today. And I am not sure if God is angry at them, because their country is rapidly falling to smitherines, sadly :( And Canada, too.
Anyways, I am here to ask for prayer for this church that I attended back during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lord knows the details.
And for my dear sweet ex ( the Lord knows the details ) and for 2, young-ish upcoming American Christian artists PW & Mr. BL. Please pray that the Lord be with them as they tour, and with their wives and their families, as well, in their absence. Please keep the nasty Conservative Christians of America away from them and please help them all to continue faithfully serving the Lord.
Thank you so much and God bless :)
I will certainly be praying for the ministry you are involved with in West Bengal India.
God bless you
In a more general concern I see how many prayers; including your own seem to be missed entirely. I am not sure if there is some way we can rally here; especially for needs abroad (I'm in the USA). I'm hoping that this site finds some way to meet urgent needs; but it isn't their responsibility and we need more people to respond. Perhaps everyone could be encouraged to chek out prayer requests either by going to prayers or ALL comments to see what has come in since they last posted so as to keep the rest of the Body of Christ in mind who are suffering in like manner. Unfortunately at least from my experience in recent years there seems to be a great lack of sufficient prayer in churches and people often aren't taking things by the reins with impromptu prayers when there are times of need. The other thing is that unless we are effectively weilding the sword of the Spirit or surrendured to the Lord many prayers are ineffective because they are half hearted or just asking God for the first thing that comes to mind; to solve an immediate issue rather than really seeking the Lord. In your situation we can pray for God to remove the wickedness that the enemy is doing through people by either changing hearts or if it is His will by removing the person. Any prayers of that type should be prayed without our own hatred or ill will being in the way.
Let me know any specific requests; and maybe a bit more general information about your situation.
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
God bless,
RLW
Jesus said, "Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) So what is the mystery of the seven stars "which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." (Re.1: 20) The seven churches carry names and can be located in Asia Minor. The mystery of the Number Seven tells us that the entire congregation, the angelic host are represented and they are in the right hand of the Son. They are witnesses in heaven to the church as a body. So are the believers whose heart was steadfast in faith.
Now we shall consider the verse: 1:7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." The cloud of witnesses accompanied in the night vision of Daniel. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."( Dan 7:13-14) Here we have a narrative mode that the Spirit employs where the specific overarches to the end times. This Min-Max mode helps us rightly place the role of Israel in the Salvation Saga. Israel's understanding of his nation is only a jump-off point for the church purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Part 3.
Evangelism pleases the Lord. The Christian life must never be lived according to "shoulds." Yet we hear that word often in relation to Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, and other Christian practices. "I should do that, but . . ." The but is a bigger problem than we want to admit. God's children will naturally want to please their Heavenly Father; it is their greatest delight. So our compass is set with God at true north. In everything we do, we feel the magnetic pull toward pleasing God. Even mundane tasks can be completed with joy because we are doing what God has given us to do ( 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Teaching other people how to have a relationship with Jesus is one way to please Him. And in pleasing Him we are most fulfilled ( Galatians 2:20).
END ARTICLE.
When we are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before us. Instead of working together, we are at odds with one another.
Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. They simply have nothing in common,
just as Christ has nothing in common with "Belial,
The "unequal yoke" is often applied to business relationships, Marriage ect..
We are to love everyone as Christ do and share the Gospel but we must understand that unbelievers have opposite worldviews and morals, and decisions made daily will reflect the worldview of one partner or the other.
In this world we are to be as Daniel in Babylon. He inspired Nebuchadnezzar. See Daniel 4
God bless.
Jesus Christ as the faithful witness to the holiness of God. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;/ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,/ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ep.4: 4-6). This oneness defines unity of the Spirit. God is a Spirit which is 'in you all' refers to the one body, the church to which Jesus is the Lord.
The church is a living organism since Jesus triumphed over death everlasting life is what faith signifies. It is Person specific. The earth which was without form and void acquires the head and body, It is what creation of Eve instructs us. Adam's deep sleep was caused by God and when he wakes up exclaims, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."(Ge.2:22). By several list of genealogies the Spirit gives us an unbroken track where faith creates several heroes of faith, every one of them foreshadows Jesus who shall be born of a virgin. This sign was given before the great congregation of angels and children of men.
He.11:3 refers to the will of God the Father and the fulfilment aspect of God the Son. The paternity test of faith the DNA of Jesus passed the test. His resurrection proves the point. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."(Ac.2:24) Peter refers to the psalm, which tells us why. "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) Faith is not merely a flash in the pan but is the result of loving God and as Moses exhorts the nation of Israel, "An d thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might./And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart"(De.6: 5-6) This is how Jesus fulfilled his Father's mandate.
He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Part 2.
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
See part 3.
Evangelizing.
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
See part 2.
I have friends that may be unsaved judging by their testimony, lives, response to certain things such as worldly things and Church things or "Spiritual things"
I have one friend in particular that has no Spiritual insight, void of peace and have no love for what he calls "Religious people" but he enjoys to dabble in the chaotic ways of the world.
When we first met I told him I was a Christian. He doesn't go to Church for reasons I won't get into but I don't think he ever knew what Christian means or how to define one.
However, I believe he found something unique about my way of life and noticed my firm stance for what I believed in.
He began to watch his steps and began to trust and take counsel from me and left off trying to counsel me with his worldly take on life and his ignorance of God.
Today he has gained a respect for the word of God.
Our relationship to the lost world is to introduce Christ.
We do that "Not by acting out a performance" but by truth, and his word.
The word and our deeds should align. (That's God's doing).
TRUTH.
They'll understand by listening and watching us that we are not perfect but we follow that which is. (Jesus )
We have a name we must uphold. We can't follow them in this world. "The darkness that it has to offer"
We are to be a light for them to lead them out of it. We are light bearers that shines light on Christ. We show a lost world that the way to the father is through the Son.
So to your friend you are here to be a leader and not a follower. Philippians 2:15.
You are to be a Evangelist to them in some way.
The Apostles set the foundation and was left here to do this and we are here to build on it.
John 17:14-21 says it best. We don't separate ourselves from them. We separate ourselves from all aspects of their way of life.
More on Evangelism.
LORD, bless our leadership and our nation to be obedient and faithful to YOU.
GOD bless all on this forum on this day May 2, 2024. Help us to turn our eyes upon JESUS and look full on HIS wonderful face.
The cloud of witnesses are angels as the fellow-servant of StJohn says, "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things./Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:"(Re.22:8-9)
They were with God even before the foundation of the world. The night vision of Daniel mentions their presence when the books were opened and judgement was set. When God called us they were present as witnesses for our soul. We as a body served in turn for them a sign. In short without taking both worlds as one we are up the creek without a paddle. The seven angels to the seven churches are indicated by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus Christ in his glory. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" tells how little Satan understood of the concept of Salvation or of Atonement. His pride had made him blind to the beauty of holiness that marked the Son.
Naturally Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High and above the congregation of witnesses.
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:/I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Here we are faced with a number of entities which are associated with the world of the Spirit. Mount of the congregation for instance is two terms compounded from the mountain of God and the great congregation also called the cloud of witnesses. It is also set down, 'in the sides of the north' location evidently set in context of the throne of God. It merely indicates God as the judge and judgment calls for witnesses where angelic host play their part. Lucifer's revolt began in heaven so it is judged there.
Firstly the two worlds the heaven and the earth are framed by the word. Faith is what holds them as one. Divine Will according to the word or the Law evolves into a world of the body, which is a spiritual body, and St Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit calls it a building 'eternal in the heavens'. The earth which was without form and void shall be the House of Prayer for all nation. Christ is the head and the church is the body. 'A body hast thou prepared' refers to the word become flesh. By fulfilling the will of the Father the church is formed. It is to this body, made up of a great congregation the Psalmist refers, "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." (Ps.40:9). The saints redeemed from the earth shall continue the life everlasting clothed with their spiritual bodies. As St Paul says further down "For we walk by faith not by sight." Jesus talk that we hear is dud without the walk. faith cannot be faith without the walk.
God set everything perfect. God set Lucifer perfect in beauty. But his pride was his own invention. As a spirit he tinkered with his thoughts Jesus says "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." ( John 8:44) For this reason Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as the son of perdition. The beast is another. Their sin traces who their father is. Man is shaped by his thoughts and for this reason what is a merchant prince but a mean fellow whose wakeful life is seized by profits and raking the muck of turning up wealth. In old China they were held in low esteem. In our society they are looked upto though they are as cantakerous as a Musk or as Bezos who has to monitor 7x24 their employees.
James says,"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 is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed./Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(Jas.1:13-15)
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:"
There are two ways of speaking. One is this, "I believed therefore have I spoken." St Paul annotates it to indicate salvation that comes from open confession. At the bottom what works is the spirit of faith which outpours from God a Spirit. Holiness of God makes no separation and every man is entitled to it. So St Paul explains,"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ps.116:10; 2 Co.4:13; Ro.10:10)
Second way is what Lucifer, an angel employed. God charges him thus, "For thou hast said in thine heart,"I will ascend into heaven." God makes angels spirits so their thoughts have a centre. Since they do not have a body we cannot foist upon them a heart that we associate with human anatomy. Mind is indicated here. Satan expresses, "I will" which contradicts the will of God the Father so pride is a spiritual anomaly that Satan has coined. No man may invent in the world of the Spirit as one invents a tool from flint or a water wheel. He works with his visible world. Now what is evolution but tinkering with what is already existing, which is outside the will of man. The Bible is the God document and the Spirit is not teaching us anthropology or a treatise on ethnography but of the righteousness of God.
Without the Spirit giving us grace, what is faith as it is bandied about in the churches? Justification, yes but works, oh no! I wonder if Luther had got his scripture right? St James in his epistle was correct to connect works where it rightfully belongs. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."(Jas.2:17)
I don't understand what God is telling me