heartstrings

Thank you brother.

Thank you brother Alan.

Thank you so much, brother Jim. Thanks for the prayers.

My son was involved in an accident, on one of our vehicles, and it looks like we will be sued. I can't go into details on here but sure could use some prayer. To compound that, it's lambing time, we have already lost 10 lambs. Then yesterday someone bought one of our pieces of skid steer/tractor equipment and, by the end of the day, severely damaged it, then stopped payment on our check. I sent their photo to the manufacturer and they said it was abused but I have received no word yet when a replacement part will be sent. I'm feeling pretty low.

Ok. So, Chambers put more emphasis on "piety" coupled with some kind of dreamy "meditation" or "surrender" instead of studying the word of God? Not interested.

Although I have done some Bible study, I have done very little in the line of reading about men of God or theologians. A new pastor acquaintance of mine just requested that i "Like" his Oswald Chambers page. I've heard the name before but don't have time to check this out. Maybe some of you will know: who was Oswald Chambers and what type theology is he known for? Thanks

There's a parable in Matthew 13 about a sower who sowed seed representing "the word of the Kingdom": This "seed" was the real deal. Now some of that seed fell on "stony places" and sprang up, but it had never taken root. So those in the "stony places" actually heard the TRUE word but only had a "head knowledge" because they neither really trusted Christ nor were indwelled with the Holy Ghost. But that's not what this is about. The Philippian Jailor was not told to do a "repeat after me" prayer. Salvation has to take place in one's HEART, not LIPS. Teaching kids to sing praises to the pastor, aside from stealing God's glory, is controlling people. Making tons of money off people, sleeping with other mens' wives and underage girls by using "feigned words" is making "merchandise" of them. Teaching "repeat after me prayers" thereby inducing folks to THINK they received salvation, is a "damnable heresy" as the whole world condemns Christianity because of the "pernicious ways". But "damnable heresies" sneak in among us "privily". 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Well, I don't know if I'll be up that late on the 28th, but...Happy Birthday!

Ephesians 5:11

Then there is also a type rejection that is much more subtle. Examples I am more familiar with are: Saying that one can lose their salvation. This denies the true character of God's trustworthiness. It's "another Jesus" Saying that God chooses some sinners for salvation and others for damnation. This denies the true character of God's love. Neither is this the true Jesus. One can SAY that "Jesus is come in the flesh" while at the same time their spirit denies Him. They do it every day. These will one day say "Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name.........?" 1 John 4 King James Version (KJV) 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

"Correlating the two concepts" of "God choosing us before the foundation of the world" with "our responsibility to trust Him" is a non-issue. God's choosing us for salvation is not even what Ephesians 1:4 is about: the point of God's choice is "......that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”. Ephesians 1:4 actually can be explained more with Matthew 5:43-48 and 1 John chapter 4. Because love is God's very nature and it is God Himself who predetermined that we be as He is; that is, we are to walk in love, to love not only our loved ones, but our neighbor and even our enemies. God knows who will be saved and who will not, but that doesn't stop Him from loving those enemies and from drawing them to Himself anyway because Matthew 5:43-48 says so. I find no problem "correlating two concepts" because no such two concepts exist.

I was going to mention Job 19:27 but Pastor Markle beat me to it. Also take a look at Psalm 23 where David said "and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever". David, also, was "secure" in the knowledge of where he was going to spend eternity..

No. The sacrifices and observances of the law never saved anyone; it was always by grace through faith. King James Bible Par ▾ hebrews 10 1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Luke 2:25-35 King James Version (KJV) 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Every single verse in this passage indicates that Simeon was already a child of God, looking FORWARD toward to Christ. He was an "old testament saint".

The thief on the cross was never baptized, yet he went to be with the Lord.