Christmas is a time to remember that God sent his only Son to earth to die on a Cross for our sins...
Christmas is a time to give thanks for the hope of having Jesus...
Christmas is a time to reflect and understand the message of Jesus: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)
And then Jesus is knocking at his door. You open?
Ancient coins have been found depicting a tree stump (representing the dead Nimrod) and a small tree growing nearby (Tammuz). The idolatrous Israelites performed their rituals under trees:
“...yet on every high hill and UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE YOU WALK BROWING UP AND WHOLORYING YOURSELVES.” Jeremiah 2:20
“Only acknowledge your iniquity, which you have transgressed against YHWH your God; AND YOU HAVE EXTENDED YOUR WAYS TO STRANGERS, UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE, AND YOU HAVE NOT HEARDED MY VOICE, SAYS YHWH.” Jeremiah 3:13
It was also the custom of the apostate Hebrews to decorate the tree for the worship of idols:
“(...) Because the customs of the nations are despicable;
Because the FOREST TREE he cuts down, the work of the hands of an ax worker.
WITH SILVER AND WITH GOLD HE DECORATES IT…” (literal translation of Jeremiah 10:3-4, directly from the Hebrew).
In the text above, it is not clear whether there was a cult to the tree itself or to the idol arising from it. For some scholars, the quoted passage refers to decorating the tree for idolatrous purposes (see “All About Christmas 2,000 BCE to Date”, written by Ed Stevens and edited by James Trimm).
Ed Stevens and James Trimm teach that the Egyptians used palm trees and the Romans PINE trees for the worship of their gods, which later resulted in the “Christmas Tree” (“All About Christmas 2,000 BCE to Date”, written by Ed Stevens and edited by James Trimm).
The use of trees for idolatrous purposes has a remote origin in Babylonian religion. Many Hebrews even performed profane cults under trees, as well as decorating them in honor of the gods. A similar custom was observed by the Egyptians and the Romans. All of this ended up being syncretized in the Christmas Tree.
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My mom isn't watching...
My leader is not watching...
My pastor is not watching...
My wife, my husband are not seeing...”
"God is watching and so is the devil, and he doesn't play at being the devil"!
“Technology can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse if we don't have control...” (Débora Menezes).
*Posted by Júlio César Prado
It is impossible for any Christian who spends his nights, month after month, week after week, day after day watching the top shows: soap operas, Big Brother (BBB), movies and shows, to develop a Christian mind.
My advice? Stop watching television and cut off cable, especially Netflix. A young couple a few days ago confessed: “We canceled cable TV because we want to have time to study the Bible and read the books that will help us develop a Christian mind. The husband said: I can't control the television, I'm spending almost all my time indoors watching TV. We have radically decided to cancel cable TV.”
In an article published on the website Observatório da Imprensa, journalist and Doctor of Philosophy, Orlando Tambosi wrote that “the market war drags the television networks more and more towards vulgarity, obscenity, rudeness, the exploitation of sex and violence , without distinction of public and time”. Rede Globo's nine o'clock soap operas are totally diabolical. When you sit in the living room to watch soap operas, a legion of demons (fallen angels) accompanies you and your guardian angel turns away completely. Christians who await the return of Jesus should never watch soap operas and other TV programs because we are living in the end times.
The eroticization of the Internet is a more real phenomenon than one might imagine at first glance. International surveys show that one third of Internet accesses are made by people looking for some kind of virtual sexual activity. These include visits to "sites" with explicit sexual content and endless hours spent in so-called erotic chat rooms. The phenomenon has behavioral implications and a surprising economic implication. On the behavioral side, experts are frequently diagnosing Internet sex addiction, which ruins marriages and alienates people from normal relationships.
In Brazil, psychologists already receive patients complaining about spending 14 hours a week in front of the screen in search of virtual erotic adventures. They can't kick the habit without expert help. In exchange for virtual pleasure, many people completely lose contact with reality and need special care to get rid of the disease – just like drug addicts - As the network expands at breakneck speed, the problem tends to take on an ever-increasing dimension. bigger time.
TV and the Internet, little by little anesthetize the spiritual conscience and predispose us to the most corrupt things. If Heaven is our destination, if that's where we want to go, then we need to make radical changes that will help our spouse and children get to Heaven. Please, dear wives, don't go to sleep leaving your husband alone on the internet. The man is generally defined as a “nocturnal animal” he needs the help of a wise wife who takes him to bed earlier. “Right thoughts, and pure and holy purposes, do not come to us spontaneously, we have to fight for them” (Counsels on Health, pg. 291).
We will never have a Christian mind without reading our Bible daily with meditation. Because? Because we cannot be profoundly influenced by something we do not know and have not experienced. The apostle John, who at first was known as the “son of thunder” because of his temper, but who later became known as the “disciple of love”, gives us the hint of victory: “What was from the beginning, the what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at, and our hands have touched of the Word of Life... this we proclaim to you” (1 John 1:1, 3).
By beholding Jesus in the gospels, assimilating His character and mind through prayerful study of the Bible, our minds begin to like what Jesus likes, and the evil desires of human nature lose their hold on us. It works like a daily download of the heavenly program that is downloaded by the Holy Spirit and implanted in our minds. This heavenly program is called: The Mind of Jesus! The Holy Spirit communicates the Mind of Jesus to us, not in a day, or in a month, but during a lifetime. It's an ongoing, daily process that doesn't happen by miracle, but by fellowship alone with God and His Word. The mind of Jesus is a very heavy file that contains all of His character traits and temperament developed during His 33 years of earthly life. This heavenly download is slow and our mind, our hard disk, would not support something faster, however, it can be speeded up or delayed, and even interrupted, depending on the frequency of this communion.
“It is in good thoughts that the only safety for every soul lies. Man 'as he thinketh in his soul, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7). The faculty of mastering develops through exercise. What seemed difficult at first becomes easy by constant repetition, until pure thoughts and actions become habitual” (Counsels on Health, p. 295).
We need to develop selective awareness. “God does not want us to hear all there is to hear, nor to see all there is to see. It is a great blessing to close our ears so that we do not hear, and our eyes so that we do not see” (Mind, Character and Personality, p. 332) (Photo: Disclosure).
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*Júlio César Prado is a journalist
Because it hurts?
It is necessary…
When Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, he suffered innumerable pains; humiliated, slandered, arrested... his pain favored not only him, but countless people, including those who led him to suffering.
After his father Jacob died, his brothers were afraid that Joseph would take revenge on them.
What did he say?
You meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good, to make it as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20
Paul suffered a lot for the sake of the Gospel of CHRIST, that is, to take the teachings of JESUS.
So that for Paul not to exalt himself, he was given through Satan, a thorn in the flesh; he pleaded with the LORD three times that this thorn be taken away from him.
What was the answer?
My grace is sufficient for you, because My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9a
Nobody likes to be in pain; but for the greater good, it may be necessary, for the benefit of the life of one, and many...
Joseph and Paul teach us with the pain of suffering:
After Joseph's humiliations and pains, he was exalted;
Joseph's pain benefited his family and other nations;
Humiliation and pain put the person in a place of total dependence on GOD;
There are useful and necessary pains;
Pains will bring benefits to the sufferer, and to others;
Do not beg the LORD to remove the thorn that causes pain;
The thorn reminds you that the grace of the LORD JESUS is sufficient;
His strength perfects us in our immense weakness.
Paul suffered to bring the Gospel to humanity.
Let's endure the pain of thorns, to generate miracles and benefits in our lives, and in other people's lives?
His grace is sufficient for us!
IT'S BETTER SUFFER NOW
God's children are continually corrected and disciplined by Him, to teach them the truth, purify their faith, teach resilience and detach their hearts from this world.
The others are left to the passions of their hearts, to the mistakes and lies common to men and even enjoy an apparently peaceful and trouble-free life. However, in that sinful slumber they will be taken suddenly and judged and justly condemned for their sins.
Happy is he whom the Lord rebukes and disciplines like a son.
HEBREWS 12.4-11
The devil doesn't want us to know the truth about him!
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” James 4:7.
“And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20.
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of his testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.'” Revelation 12:11.
“Be sober; watch; for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; whom you resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are fulfilled among your brethren in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” 1 John 4:4.
“Whoever commits sin is of the devil; because the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8.
Satan doesn't want us to know that we have nothing to fear
“Do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.
“Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.” Luke 10:19.
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.
He doesn't want us to know about the power we have access to.
"What do we say, then, to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.
“And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in needs, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ's sake. Because when I am weak then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
“No temptation has overtaken you but a human one; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
The devil doesn't want us to know the promises we have in Christ
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
“Who brought us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; In whom we have redemption through his blood, namely, the remission of sins;.” Colossians 1:13-14.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, through sin condemned sin in the flesh; That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4.
"I'm already crucified with christ; and I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
“To wit, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” Romans 10:9-10.
“But God proves his love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
“As the east is far from the west, so remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12.
Satan does not want us to know that there are conditions
“Not everyone who says to me: Lord, Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.
“And be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22.
"And we are witnesses of these words, we and also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to them that obey him." Acts 5:32.
He doesn't want us to know that we have to reap what we sow
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit, of the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8.
“Then, when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is complete, brings forth death.” James 1:15.
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, if he loses his soul? Or what will a man give as a reward for his soul?” Matthew 16:26.
The devil doesn't want us to know what the future is
“O my enemy, do not rejoice over me; though I have fallen, I will rise; if I dwell in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Micah 7:8.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord; thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you the end you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11.¨
Armed to win! God's Word provides us with all the weapons we need to resist Satan and destroy his works. No wonder the devil doesn't want us to know about these Bible verses! If we commit ourselves to the service of God, we will notice the angry devil, but we can be bold to fight back, because we have the promise of victory – always! The result will be confidence, rest and peace in our spirit, fruit of the Spirit will manifest in our lives and we will gain eternal life!
SOURCE: https://cristianismoativo.org/30-versiculos-da-biblia-que-o-diabo-nao-quer-que-voce-saiba
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Be alert and watch. The Devil, your enemy, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
For we are God's creation, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Devote yourselves to prayer, be alert and be thankful.
Colossians 4:2
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the men of Ashdod heard that repairs to the walls of Jerusalem had advanced and that the breaches were being closed, they were furious. Nehemiah 4:7
You shook the earth and split it open;
repair your breaches,
for it threatens to collapse. Psalms 60:2
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We are often tested, proven...
The question is: What is our attitude in the face of ordeal? Are we faithful to the Creator or do we despair...
Daniel 3:1-30
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide; he raised it up in the field of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the princes, the prefects, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the captains, and all the officials of the provinces, to come together to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
3 Then the princes, the prefects, and governors, the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, and all the officials of the provinces, came together to dedicate the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they were standing before the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 And the herald cried with a loud voice: It is commanded you, O peoples, nations, and languages:
5 When you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp, the sambuca, the psaltery, the bagpipes, and all kinds of music, then you will fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has. lifted up.
6 And whoever does not fall down and worship her will be thrown into the fiery furnace at once.
7 Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp, the sambuca, the psaltery, and all kinds of music, all peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 So immediately some Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews.
9 And they answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever!
10 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp, the sambuca, the psaltery, and the bagpipes, and of all kinds of music, should fall down and worship the golden statue;
11 And whoever did not fall down and worship would be thrown into the fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jewish men whom you appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, took no notice of thee; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue that you have set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in anger and fury, sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that ye serve not my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now therefore, if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp, the sambuca, the psaltery, the bagpipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the statue that I made , good is; but if you do not worship it, you will be thrown right into the fiery furnace. And who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, We do not need to answer you about this matter.
17 Behold, our God, whom we serve, he is able to deliver us; he will deliver us from the fiery furnace, and out of thy hand, O king.
18 And if not, know, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and the aspect of his countenance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; he spoke, and ordered the furnace to heat seven times hotter than it used to.
20 And he commanded the mightiest men, who were in his army, to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to cast them into the fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound, dressed in their cloaks, their tunics, and their hats, and other garments, and they were thrown into the fiery furnace.
22 And because the king's word was urgent, and the furnace was exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished, and rose up quickly; he spake, saying to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? They answered and said to the king, It is true, O king.
25 He answered, saying, But I see four men loose, walking about in the fire, without suffering any harm; and the aspect of the fourth is like the Son of God.
26 Then when Nebuchadnezzar came to the door of the fiery furnace, he spoke, saying, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come! Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
27 And the princes, captains, governors, and the king's counselors came together, and beholding these men, they saw that the fire had no power over their bodies; not a hair of their head had been burned, nor had their cloaks changed, nor had the smell of fire passed over them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar spake, saying, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, for they violated the king's word, choosing to give up their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any other god but their God.
29 By me, therefore, a decree is made, that every people and nation and tongue that speak blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be broken in pieces, and their houses made a dunghill; for there is no other God that can deliver like this one.
30 Then the king made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prosper in the province of Babylon.
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DO NOT BETRAY THE CREATOR!
Idolatry is a great danger. It leads us to worship things other than God. Only God deserves our worship. Nothing is more important than loving God above all things.
Idolatry is not just worshiping other gods or lifeless images. Idolatry is putting anything above God in our lives. We can idolize a person, a job, a political party, money... To avoid idolatry, we must always put God first in everything we do.
"Thou shalt have no other gods besides me. "Thou shalt not make for thyself any idol, nor any image of anything in heaven, or on earth, or in the waters under the earth. Exodus 20:3-4
"I am the Lord; this is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
nor to images my praise. Isaiah 42:8
"Do not turn to idols or make yourself gods of metal. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:4
Their idols, of silver and gold,
are made by human hands. They have a mouth but cannot speak;
eyes, but cannot see; they have ears but cannot hear;
nose, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel anything;
feet, but cannot walk;
and they make no sound in their throats. Let those who make them become like them
and all who trust in them. Psalms 115:4-8
Therefore, my beloved brothers, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:14
Now the works of the flesh are manifest: sexual immorality, impurity and licentiousness; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before: Those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Some of the Israeli authorities came and sat down before me. Then the Lord said to me, "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and set ungodly stumbling blocks before them. Shall I let them consult me? Now say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Israelite to set up idols in his heart and put an ungodly stumbling block before his face, and then go and inquire of a prophet, I the LORD myself will answer him according to his idolatry. This I will do to win back the heart of the nation of Israel, which abandoned them in exchange for their idols. "Therefore say to the nation of Israel, This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn away from your idols and renounce all detestable practices! "When any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel separates himself from me, sets up idols in his heart, and sets an ungodly stumbling block before him, and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I, the Lord, myself, will answer him. I will set my face against that man and make him an example and an object of mockery. I will cut him off from among my people. And you will know that I am the Lord. "And if the prophet is deceived and led to utter a prophecy, I, the LORD, will have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my arm against him and destroy him, and bring him out of the midst of my people Israel. Ezekiel 14:1-9
For the rebellion
it is like the sin of witchcraft;
arrogance as the evil of idolatry.
Just like you rejected
the word of the Lord,
he rejected him as king." 1 Samuel 15:23
So put to death everything that belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5
Claiming to be wise, they became mad and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made after the likeness of mortal man, as well as birds, quadrupeds, and reptiles. Romans 1:22-23
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21
"Those who believe
in useless idols
despise mercy. Jonah 2:8
Great will be the suffering
of those who run after other gods.
I will not partake of your blood sacrifices,
and my lips won't even mention
their names. Psalms 16:4
Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they will not be able to save them when disaster strikes them. Jeremiah 11:12
The rest of mankind who did not die by these plagues did not even repent of the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Revelation 9:20
"Gather together and come; assemble,
you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant are those who take
back and forth
wooden pictures,
who pray to gods they cannot save.
Isaiah 45:20
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were, as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to indulge in revelry." 1 Corinthians 10:7
Your land is full of idols.
They bow before the work
from your hands,
before what your fingers have done. Isaiah 2:8
"Cursed is anyone who carves an image or makes a cast idol, the work of craftsmen, detestable to the Lord, and raises it up secretly."
All the people will say, 'Amen!' Deuteronomy 27:15
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HE WHO KNOWS THAT HE MUST DO GOOD AND DOES NOT COMMIT SIN!
James 4:17
He therefore who knows how to do good and does not do it, commits sin.
Deuteronomy 6:18
And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land, which the LORD swore to thy fathers;
1 Peter 3:17
For it is better for you to suffer doing good (if the will of God so wills), than doing evil.
1 Peter 2:20
For what glory will that be, if, in sinning, you are buffeted and suffer? But if, in doing good, you are afflicted, and you suffer it, this is pleasing to God.
1 Peter 2:15
For so it is the will of God, that by doing good you shut the mouth of the ignorance of foolish men;
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we have not fainted.
Romans 7:19
Because I don't do the good I want, but the bad I don't want that I do.
2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are zealous for what is honest, not only before the Lord, but also before men.
Matthew 6:3
But when you give alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does;
Deuteronomy 12:8
You shall not do according to all that we do here today, every one of whom is good in his own eyes,
2 Peter 2:21
For it would be better for them not to know the way of righteousness, than, knowing it, to turn away from the holy commandment which was given them;
Galatians 4:18
It is good to be zealous, but always good, and not only when I am with you.
Romans 7:15
Because what I do I don't approve of; for what I want that I do not, but what I hate that I do.
2 Chronicles 25:2
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not with a whole heart.
Psalms 118:23
It was the LORD who did this, and it is a wonderful thing in our eyes.
Amos 3:10
Because they do not know how to do what is right, says the LORD, treasuring up violence and destruction in their palaces.
Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that each one will receive from the Lord whatever good he does, whether servant or free.
John 13:7
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know afterwards.
Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his eyes, but the LORD searches the hearts.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
Indeed, there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Luke 10:42
But only one is needed; Mary chose the good part, which will not be taken away from her.
Luke 12:57
And why do you not also judge for yourselves what is right?
2 Kings 7:9
Then they said to one another: We do not do well; this day is the day of glad tidings, and we are silent; if we wait until the morning light, some evil will befall us; therefore now let us go and declare it to the king's house.
Psalms 38:20
Those who give bad for good are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
1 Peter 3:13
And who is it that will harm you, if you are zealous for what is good?
1 Peter 3:14
But also if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of them, nor be troubled;
Ephesians 6:7
Serving willingly, as to the Lord, and not to men.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
And you, brethren, do not get tired of doing good.
Proverbs 21:3
Doing justice and judging righteously is more acceptable to the LORD than offering sacrifice to Him.
Ezekiel 18:24
But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does after all the abominations that the wicked do, shall he live? All his righteousness which he has done will not be remembered; in his transgression by which he has transgressed, and in his sin by which he has sinned, in them he shall die.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from their owners, when it is in your hand to be able to do so.
Romans 2:14
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, naturally do the things that are of the law, since they do not have the law, they are a law to themselves;
Ecclesiastes 7:15
All this I saw in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his days in his iniquity.
Revelation 22:11
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still, and he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him do justice still; and whoever is holy, let him be sanctified still.
Romans 13:3
Because magistrates are not a terror to good works, but to bad ones. Will you, then, not fear the power? Do good, and you will have praise from her.
Romans 7:21
So I find this law in me: that when I want to do good, evil is with me.
Genesis 4:7
If you do well, will there be no acceptance for you? And if thou dost not do well, sin lies at the door, and its desire shall be unto thee, and thou shalt rule over it.
Luke 12:47
And the servant that knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
1 John 3:10
In this are manifest the children of God, and the children of the devil. Whoever does not do righteousness, and does not love his brother, is not of God.
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, no good dwells: and for the will is in me, but I cannot do good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Examine everything. Hold the good;
Matthew 6:1
Take heed that you do your alms before men, that ye may be seen of them: otherwise ye shall have no reward with your Father which is in heaven.
Ephesians 6:1
YOU children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Exodus 18:17
But Moses' father-in-law said to him, What you do is not good.
Romans 2:7
Namely, eternal life to those who, with perseverance in doing good, seek glory and honor and incorruption;
Luke 10:40
Martha, however, was busy with many services, and coming to her, she said: Lord, don't you care that my sister lets me serve alone? She tells him to help me.
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JESUS IS WITH YOU UNTIL THE END OF THE CENTURIES AND FOR ALL ETERNITY...
MATTHEW 28:19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;
20. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
God is present! Nothing gives us more security than knowing that God is with us. When we have this notion, everything becomes easier, because we know that we are not alone.
God is always with us, with open arms to welcome us, but the problem is that many times we are not with Him. We often turn away from God, turn our backs and don't know why things in our life are not going well.
But if God is with me, why do bad things happen?
The fact that God is with us does not mean that we will never have afflictions. Sometimes we will experience difficulties, but that does not mean that God has abandoned us. In the midst of challenges and afflictions, God is present and helps us to endure. When we persevere through bad times, we gain maturity and grow in our spiritual life.
God is with you: what the bible says:
Was it not I who ordered you? Be strong and brave! Do not be terrified or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
So fear not, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will hold it
with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, until the end of time."
Matthew 28:20
Keep yourself free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God himself said:
"I will never leave you,
I will never forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave them, he will never forsake them."
Deuteronomy 31:6
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ. Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20
I will make you
a fortified bronze wall
before this people;
will fight you,
but they won't win,
because I'm with you
to rescue him and save him",
declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 15:20
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and I pray that, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17
No one will be able to resist you every day of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you, I will never forsake you. "Be strong and courageous, for you will lead this people to inherit the land that I swore to their ancestors. Joshua 1:5-6
Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
Judges 6:12
With you I can move forward
against a troop;
with my God
I can cross walls.
2 Samuel 22:30
The Lord be with his spirit. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 4:22
do not cast me out of your presence
nor take your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalms 51:11
Then Moses said to him, "If you do not go with us, do not send us. How will it be known that I and your people can count on your favor if you do not accompany us? What else can distinguish me and your people from all others? other peoples on the face of the earth?" Exodus 33:15-16
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How to Understand God's Will? What is God's Will?
God's will is his will in relation to all things. Through His will He decrees and permits every action that takes place in the existence of the universe. God is sovereign and nothing can escape his will. This means that nothing happens outside of God's will. If any activity could take place beyond God's will, then God would not be God, for there would be something over which He would not have dominion.
So if God's will extends over all things, it is understandable that many people are concerned about how to understand God's will. This is indeed a valid and important concern. But first it is necessary to consider what the will of God really is and what that will has to do with us.
What does the Bible say about God's will?
The Bible talks a lot about the will of God, so as to make it clear that this will is the ultimate cause of everything that happens. In Scripture we read that all things were created by the will of God (Revelation 4:11).
Furthermore, the continued existence of everything that exists is due to God's own will. The apostle Paul writes that God “works all things according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). Notice that the apostle uses the present participle to teach that God's operation in the universe according to his will is an ongoing activity.
Everything that happens, both on a general level and on a personal level, is subject to the will of God. On a general level, the history of humanity progresses and develops according to the will of God. God is the one who has dominion over the kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:32). He is the one who “changes times and hours; He removes kings and sets up kings; and He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the intelligent” (Daniel 2:21).
On a personal level, all events in our lives occur according to God's will, so we should never think that we have any absolute control over what we can and cannot do. So the best thing is to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).
The Different Aspects of God's Will
A very important distinction about the will of God is that which distinguishes His secret will from His revealed will. Many biblical texts talk about these two aspects of God's will, but there is one in particular that punctuates this issue in a very objective way.
In the book of Deuteronomy we read, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Notice that in this text Moses speaks of “hidden things” and “revealed things”.
The Secret and Decretive Will of God
The "covert things" that the text of Deuteronomy speaks of are the secret will of God which includes the details of how He governs the universe, and which obviously also encompasses future events. So the secret will of God concerns his hidden decrees. That's why it is also called "decretive will".
Therefore, when God decrees something, in fact what He decreed happens. This is unavoidable, for if God's decreeing will could be prevented, He would not be God (Job 42:2).
We usually only know about God's secret will after the events He has decreed have taken place in time. So it's no use trying to “discover” God's will in this regard, because that would be a futile search. The biblical text says that “the secret things belong to the Lord”, that is, they are none of our business.
But unusually God resolved to reveal to us, by His Word, some of His secret decrees. Here it is worth emphasizing that it is not man who has discovered part of God's secret will, but God is the one who has freely decided to remove the veil and make some of His secret decrees known to man. As an example of this, we can cite biblical prophecies about future events.
It is also important to understand that God accomplishes His decretive will both causally and through the free action of His creatures—although this does not negate human responsibility in the process.
There is a Bible verse that clearly shows this truth: “Him was handed over to you by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, whom you took and crucified and killed by the hands of the unjust” (Acts 2:23). Note that the biblical text says in the same sentence that Christ's suffering took place by the decretive will of God, and that those who crucified and killed him were responsible for the injustice they did (cf. Acts 4:27,28).
The Decretive Will of God and the Existence of Evil
Here it is clear that God's decretive will often includes the sinful acts of His creatures as well. However, it must always be kept in mind that this never goes so far as to make God the author of sin and make Him one who delights in wickedness.
We really can't fully explain how this could be possible. But in the Lord's mind – which is infinitely greater than ours – this makes perfect sense. For now, most scholars hold that God's will regarding sin is permissive rather than causative. In other words, God allows sin, but He does not effect sin. Furthermore, even though God's will permits sin, it does not mean that He takes pleasure in sin.
Therefore, in His decretive will God can use even bad things to fulfill His good purpose. The story of Joseph of Egypt is a clear example of this, in which it was part of God's secret will to turn the evil done by Joseph's brothers against him for good (Genesis 50:20).
In that same vein, it is often God's will for believers to suffer (1 Peter 3:17). But at the same time, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his decree (Romans 8:28). So in God's decrees, even suffering is useful to perfect the character and mature the faith of the redeemed.
The revealed and preceptive will of God
The text of Deuteronomy also says that there are things that have been revealed by God. These things “belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law.” So God's revealed will generally contains His precepts for His creatures. That is why most of the time it is also identified as the “preceptive will”.
The preceptive will of God is the rule of life which the Lord has ordained for his creatures; it is what God wants us to do; they are the commandments He wants us to obey. Unlike God's decretive will, which is irresistible – that is, it is always fulfilled –, God's preceptive will can be resisted – that is, it is frequently disobeyed.
How can we understand God's will?
We have seen that we can speak of the will of God in different aspects. But many people overlook this when they ask how to know God's will. It is common for people to want to "discover" God's will for future events in order to determine what decision to make in the present.
First of all, there is no such thing as "discovering God's will." Man does not discover anything about God. He only receives what God himself has decided to reveal about himself. So the correct thing is to speak of “understanding the will of God”.
Consequently, secondly, it is useless to want to speculate on the secret will of God, for no one has the authority to reveal it but God himself. Since information about future events is part of His secret and decree-making will - and most of these decrees are actually hidden from us - we should seriously be suspicious of anyone who claims to have a new revelation of God's will, whether for our lives in particular, whether for the direction of the Church or the world. Everything that God actually wanted us to know about his decretive will is revealed in the Bible.
Therefore, third, the only reliable source of revelation of God's will is Scripture. It is the will of God revealed in the Bible that we must seek to understand and obey. If on the one hand the Bible reveals only part of God's decretive will, on the other hand it fully reveals what His preceptive will is.
Therefore, the Bible contains everything we need to know about what God wants us to do. But that doesn't mean we can find in Scripture a list of "can's" and "can'ts" about every everyday situation in our lives. In fact, it clearly and objectively brings a series of general principles that, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we can apply to our lives - whether in the decision about a marriage, a new job, a move to another city, etc.
Living and Understanding God's Will
We must dedicate ourselves to obeying God's will expressed in His commandments, as we trust that His secret will for us will be carried out in accordance with His holy, wise, loving, and righteous nature. God's will will never be contrary to his nature.
When we find ourselves in the midst of a painful and difficult situation, we must know that nothing is apart from God's will. As Louis Berkhof says, “God has his reasons for willing as he wills, reasons which induce him to choose one end over another; and a series of means to an end, in preference to other means” (Systematic Theology).
Furthermore, the Bible says that we should trust the Lord with all our heart, for He wants to guide our ways (Proverbs 3:5,6). While we trust that He is best dealing with the things that are hidden from us, we should delight in His preceptive will which is revealed in Scripture, and meditate on it day and night. In so doing we will be blessed and separated from the wicked (Psalm 1:1-4). The apostle Paul sums up what this will of God is for us by saying, “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Finally, if you want to know what God's will is about who to marry, what job to take, what city to live in, submit your choices to God's preceptive will revealed in the Bible. Then you will be able to make a decision that does not disobey the Lord's commandments. And if there is more than one option that is not contrary to the moral and spiritual principles of the Word of God, then you are free to choose whichever suits you best.
When we seek to know what God's will is, we do not walk blindly, for His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105).
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NOT WITH THINGS SACRIFIED TO IDOLS
#stayexhortation #guideyourchildren
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
NOW, concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Science swells, but love builds up. And if anyone thinks he knows something, he still doesn't know how he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known to him.read more.
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as people of understanding, judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of blessing, which we bless, the communion of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break the communion of the body of Christ? read more.
Acts 15:20
Verse Concepts
But write to them to abstain from defilements from idols, from fornication, from what is suffocated and from blood.
Acts 15:29
Verse Concepts
That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from meat strangled, and from fornication, from which things you do well if you keep yourselves. Well go.
Acts 21:25
Verse Concepts
But as for those who believe of the Gentiles, we have already written, and found it good that they should observe none of these things; but that they only guard themselves from what is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
Ezekiel 23:37
Verse Concepts
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; they committed adultery with their idols, and even their children, which they begat from me, they caused to pass through fire to consume them.
Ezekiel 23:39
Verse Concepts
For when they had sacrificed their children to their idols, they came to my sanctuary on the same day to desecrate it; and, behold, they did so in the midst of my house.
Exodus 34:15
Verse Concepts
that thou shalt not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the earth, and that they prostitute themselves after their gods, nor sacrifice to their gods, and thou, their guest, eat of their sacrifices,
Numbers 25:2
Verse Concepts
These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
Exodus 32:6
Verse Concepts
And the next day they rose early, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink; then they got up to play.
1 Corinthians 10:7
Verse Concepts
Be not ye therefore idolaters, as some of them were, as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Revelation 2:14
Verse Concepts
But I have a few things against thee: for thou hast there that follow the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast stumbling blocks before the children of Israel, that they might eat of the sacrifices of idolatry, and commit fornication.
Revelation 2:20
Verse Concepts
But I have this against you, that you tolerate Jezebel, a woman who calls herself a prophetess, teaching to deceive my servants, so that they commit sexual immorality and eat the sacrifices of idolatry.
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