Tag: warning

Letter to Ephesus, a Story of Tenacity

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To the Church in Ephesus

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7

Have you became so focused on your walk with Jesus that you have become a robot? So focused on trying to be perfect, always making sure that if someone is doing something they should not be without correction, you make sure they are rectified. I know it is hard when God has done so much for us that we do not understand how others can’t see the way we see it. We will become course in our correction, this abrasiveness is unfeeling lacking in love. The bible does say that as; Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1 ESV So as you can see we are supposed to help correct those who have fallen, but notice that it says in gentleness. Gentleness, in love, tenderness is the key to what it is telling us to do, if you read on it tells you “lest you be tempted”. Be tempted? As it says in Rev 2:4 we are told that you can lose the love that you once had. That is not good we are supposed to love or neighbor, without that love we are doing the opposite of what Jesus told us to do. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESV So have you ever wondered exactly what love looks like: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV There are some that have been convinced that because we are Christians that we can do no wrong because God will always forgive us (“do the works you did at first”), that is correct but if we keep on doing the same things over and over again we are told that we need to repent. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 ESV Then there are those that have been praying for what is or seems to be years, remember in both instances: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV

Getting to Know Him

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Citation:

“Bible Gateway Passage: – English Standard Version. version=ESV.

Devil

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Devil

 

Devil

What is a punk the Merriam dictionary says: a petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian. In the thesaurus words that are related: awful, brutal, damnable, deplorable, detestable, disastrous, dreadful, execrable, gnarly, horrendous, horrible, pathetic, stinky, sucky, terrible, unspeakable; defective, faulty, flawed; egregious, flagrant, gross; coarse, common, crappy, junky, lesser, low-grade, mediocre, miserable, reprehensible, rotten, rubbishy, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, trashy; abominable, odious, vile; useless, valueless, worthless; inadequate, insufficient, lacking, mean, scanty, stingy; miscreant, villainous; counterfeit, fake, phony, sham

To begin with; when you read these words it is amazing how just one word truly defines what the devil is. In Revelation 12 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. In the bible it tells us exactly what Satan is doing right now 1 Peter 8 Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up. You see the Devil is a lot like that kid that picked on you while you were in school, they were usually jealous of something that you had that they did not have. Well you have something that Satan does not have and that he can never get, Salvation through Jesus Christ. Satan was thrown out of heaven because he felt he was better than his creator, God. Isaiah 14 12 “King of Babylon, you thought you were the bright morning star. But now you have fallen from heaven! You once brought down nations. But now you have been thrown down to the earth! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will go up to the heavens. I’ll raise my throne above the stars of God. I’ll sit as king on the mountain where the gods meet. I’ll set up my throne on the highest slopes of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will rise above the tops of the clouds. I’ll make myself like the Most High God. 15 But now you have been brought down to the place of the dead. You have been thrown into the deepest part of the pit. It was because of the Devils arrogance that he was thrown into the pit. Ezekiel 28 12 You were the model of perfection. You were full of wisdom. You were perfect and beautiful. 13 You were in Eden. It was my garden. All kinds of jewels decorated you. Here is a list of them. carnelian, chrysolite and emerald topaz, onyx and jasper lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl Your settings and mountings were made out of gold. On the day you were created, they were prepared. 14 I appointed you to be like a guardian angel. I anointed you for that purpose. You were on my holy mountain. You walked among the gleaming jewels. 15 Your conduct was without blame from the day you were created. But soon you began to sin. 16 You traded with many nations. You harmed people everywhere. And you sinned. So I sent you away from my mountain in shame. Guardian angel, I drove you away from among the gleaming jewels. 17 You thought you were so handsome that it made your heart proud. You thought you were so glorious that it spoiled your wisdom. So I threw you down to the earth. I made an example out of you in front of kings.

Second; with that said we need be diligent about reading or bible, when we are reading our bible we are spending time with Jesus. There are things in this world that look like the truth but are far from it. 2 Corinthians 11 14 Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. When we take somebodies word for what Jesus said to do, how do we know for sure that what they are saying is coming from God or from a more deceitful agenda. 2 Corinthians 11 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. In the bible it tells us to test all things. 1 John 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. The more you become familiar with what the bible says the more you will know exactly what Gods will is for you Romans 12 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. This is why in Ephesians 6 17 The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. God tells us to know our bible so that we can cut out like a sword the deceptive garbage that the devil throws at you. The Devil has been around for a while and he has perfected a lot of ways to make us question the reality of God.

Finally; when you are with Jesus Christ he makes sure that you do not have to worry. 1 Corinthians 10 13God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. In this bible verse he says that you will be tempted but he will also provide you a way to bare the temptation. He will take care of you when the devil is trying to hurt and tempt you 2 Corinthians 11 12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. God does not appreciate those who try to hurt his children. In everything we do we need to put our faith in Jesus Christ first because Psalms 118 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Throughout your life Satan will try everything to make you question if you should depend on God. The Devil will use everything he can to get you to turn away Jesus Christ using family, friends and life’s hardships. So always remember 1 Peter 5 9 Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.

In conclusion; this is why I believe the word that best describes the Devil is PUNK. He wants everybody to take the path that he took. The saying “Misery Loves Company” could not be truer. God Bless You and have an awesome day!

Satan

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Satan banner

satan

What is a punk the Merriam dictionary says: a petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian. In the thesaurus words that are related: awful, brutal, damnable, deplorable, detestable, disastrous, dreadful, execrable, gnarly, horrendous, horrible, pathetic, stinky, sucky, terrible, unspeakable; defective, faulty, flawed; egregious, flagrant, gross; coarse, common, crappy, junky, lesser, low-grade, mediocre, miserable, reprehensible, rotten, rubbishy, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, trashy; abominable, odious, vile; useless, valueless, worthless; inadequate, insufficient, lacking, mean, scanty, stingy; miscreant, villainous; counterfeit, fake, phony, sham

To begin with; when you read these words it is amazing how just one word truly defines what the devil is. In Revelation 12 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. In the bible it tells us exactly what Satan is doing right now 1 Peter 8 Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up. You see the Devil is a lot like that kid that picked on you while you were in school, they were usually jealous of something that you had that they did not have. Well you have something that Satan does not have and that he can never get, Salvation through Jesus Christ. Satan was thrown out of heaven because he felt he was better than his creator, God. Isaiah 14 12 “King of Babylon, you thought you were the bright morning star. But now you have fallen from heaven! You once brought down nations. But now you have been thrown down to the earth! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will go up to the heavens. I’ll raise my throne above the stars of God. I’ll sit as king on the mountain where the gods meet. I’ll set up my throne on the highest slopes of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will rise above the tops of the clouds. I’ll make myself like the Most High God. 15 But now you have been brought down to the place of the dead. You have been thrown into the deepest part of the pit. It was because of the Devils arrogance that he was thrown into the pit. Ezekiel 28 12 You were the model of perfection. You were full of wisdom. You were perfect and beautiful. 13 You were in Eden. It was my garden. All kinds of jewels decorated you. Here is a list of them. carnelian, chrysolite and emerald topaz, onyx and jasper lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl Your settings and mountings were made out of gold. On the day you were created, they were prepared. 14 I appointed you to be like a guardian angel. I anointed you for that purpose. You were on my holy mountain. You walked among the gleaming jewels. 15 Your conduct was without blame from the day you were created. But soon you began to sin. 16 You traded with many nations. You harmed people everywhere. And you sinned. So I sent you away from my mountain in shame. Guardian angel, I drove you away from among the gleaming jewels. 17 You thought you were so handsome that it made your heart proud. You thought you were so glorious that it spoiled your wisdom. So I threw you down to the earth. I made an example out of you in front of kings.

Second; with that said we need be diligent about reading or bible, when we are reading our bible we are spending time with Jesus. There are things in this world that look like the truth but are far from it. 2 Corinthians 11 14 Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. When we take somebodies word for what Jesus said to do, how do we know for sure that what they are saying is coming from God or from a more deceitful agenda. 2 Corinthians 11 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. In the bible it tells us to test all things. 1 John 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. The more you become familiar with what the bible says the more you will know exactly what Gods will is for you Romans 12 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. This is why in Ephesians 6 17 The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. God tells us to know our bible so that we can cut out like a sword the deceptive garbage that the devil throws at you. The Devil has been around for a while and he has perfected a lot of ways to make us question the reality of God.

Finally; when you are with Jesus Christ he makes sure that you do not have to worry. 1 Corinthians 10 13God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. In this bible verse he says that you will be tempted but he will also provide you a way to bare the temptation. He will take care of you when the devil is trying to hurt and tempt you 2 Corinthians 11 12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. God does not appreciate those who try to hurt his children. In everything we do we need to put our faith in Jesus Christ first because Psalms 118 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Throughout your life Satan will try everything to make you question if you should depend on God. The Devil will use everything he can to get you to turn away Jesus Christ using family, friends and life’s hardships. So always remember 1 Peter 5 9 Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.

In conclusion; this is why I believe the word that best describes the Devil is PUNK. He wants everybody to take the path that he took. The saying “Misery Loves Company” could not be truer. God Bless You and have an awesome day!

Teaching of Balaam

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The Teaching of Balaam

As the Israelites were moving across and procuring the land that God had told them was going to be their home King Balak and other kings were afraid and called on Balaam to curse the Israelites. Numbers 22:2-5  And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor. We see in Joshua 13:22 Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, Balaam has made a reputation for himself and is why they would call on him. Further in Numbers 22:7-11 we are told that; the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message. And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.” As you can see they did not get the answer that they wanted so the kings tried over and over again offering more and more money. In fact because of it God one upped those that were trying to curse the Israelites; Deu 23:4-5 because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you. But before the Israelites left this area some conformed to the culture of the area; Num 25:1-3  While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab.  These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. 2 Peter 2:13-15 They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing. This angered God; Numbers 25:3-5 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the Lord, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” And Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor.” Numbers 31:16 16 Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. Joshua 13:22 Balaam also, the son of Beor, the one who practiced divination, was killed with the sword by the people of Israel among the rest of their slain. Back in the past God did not mess around that is why we are warned; Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Getting to Know Him

Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..

Citation:

Open bible info
Editor: Stephen Smith. Publication date: Apr 10, 2020. Publisher: OpenBible.info.

ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Bible Gateway

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., http://www.biblegateway.com/‎.

Divination

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Divination

Divination is “foretelling future events, or discovering things secret by the aid of superior beings, or other than human means”. It is used, in Scripture, of false systems of ascertaining the divine will. It has been universal in all ages, and all nations alike, both civilized and savage.

Numerous forms of divination are mentioned, such as
divination by rods, Hos_4:12,
divination by arrows, Eze_21:21,
divination by cups, Gen_44:5,
consultation of teraphim (images), 1Sa_15:23; Eze_21:21; Zec_10:2,
divination by the liver, Eze_21:21,
divination by dreams, Deu_13:2-3; Jdg_7:13; Jer_23:32, and
consultation of oracles. Isa_41:21-24; Isa_44:7.

Moses forbade every species of divination, because, a prying into the future, clouds the mind with superstition, and because, it would have been an incentive to idolatry. But God supplied his people with substitutes for divination which would have rendered it superfluous, and left them in no doubt as to his will in circumstances of danger, had they continued faithful. It was only when they were unfaithful that the revelation was withdrawn.

Smiths Bible Dictionary

Who were the Nicolaitans

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Dear Heavenly Father, as I get to know You more Lord, I am amazed the love that You have for me. Please soften my heart and please allow the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me understand everything that You have in these words. Show me how to apply this message in my life. In Jesus Name Amen

Nicolaitans:

nik-ṓ-lā´i-tanz Νικολαΐταί, Nikolaitaı́

A sect or party of evil influence in early Christianity, especially in the 7 churches of Asia. Their doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, “who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication” (Rev_2:14-15). Their practices were strongly condemned by John, who praised the church in Ephesus for “hating their works” (Rev_2:6), and blamed the church in Pergamum for accepting in some measure their teaching (Rev_2:15). Except that reference is probably made to their influence in the church at Thyatira also, where their leader was “the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess” (Rev_2:20; compare Rev_2:14), no further direct information regarding them is given in Scripture.

Reference to them is frequent in post-apostolic literature. According to Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., i. 26, 3; iii. 10, 7), followed by Hippolytus (Philos., vii. 36), they were founded by Nicolaus, the proselyte of Antioch, who was one of the seven chosen to serve at the tables (Act_6:5). Irenaeus, as also Clement of Alexandria (Strom., ii. 20), Tertullian and others, unite in condemning their practices in terms similar to those of John; and reference is also made to their Gnostic tendencies. In explanation of the apparent incongruity of such an immoral sect being founded by one of “good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (compare Act_6:3), Simcox argues that their lapse may have been due to reaction from original principles of a too rigid asceticism. A theory, started in comparatively modern times, and based in part on the similarity of meaning of the Greek “Nikolaus,” and the Hebrew “Balaam,” puts forward the view that the two sects referred to under these names were in reality identical. Yet if this were so, it would not have been necessary for John to designate them separately.

The problem underlying the Nicolaitan controversy, though so little direct mention is made of it in Scripture, was in reality most important, and concerned the whole relation of Christianity to paganism and its usages. The Nicolaitans disobeyed the command issued to the Gentile churches, by the apostolic council held at Jerusalem in 49-50 AD, that they should refrain from the eating of “things sacrificed to idols” (Act_15:29). Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the Christian communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon them suspicion and dislike, was yet necessary to prevent a return to a pagan laxity of morals. To this danger the Nicolaitans were themselves a glaring witness, and therefore John was justified in condemning them. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul gives warning against the same evil practices, basing his arguments on consideration for the weaker brethren (compare 1Co_8:1-13).

The Jerusalem council (Act_15:20; Act_15:29), while releasing Gentile converts from legalism, required their abstinence from idol meats and associated fornication. The Nicolaitans abused Paul’s doctrine of the grace of God into lasciviousness; such seducers are described as followers of Balsam, also in 2Pe_2:12-19; Jude_1 (“the son of Bosor” for Beor, to characterize him as “son of carnality”: bosor “flesh”). They persuaded many to escape obloquy by yielding as to “eating idol meats,” which was then a test of faithfulness (compare 1 Corinthians 8 and 1Co_10:25-33); they even joined in the “fornication” of the idol feasts, as though permitted by Christ’s “law of liberty.” The “lovefeasts” (Jud_1:12) thus became pagan orgies. The Nicolaitans combined evil “deeds” which Jesus “hates” with evil “doctrine.”

Thoughts

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“What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.”   Hans Urs von Balthasar

Thoughts

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“If you love someone who is ruining his or her life because of faulty thinking, and you don’t do anything about it because you are afraid of what others might think, it would seem that rather than being loving, you are in fact being heartless.”   William Wilberforce

Temptation

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Last…..

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

Now as we look further the devil shows how deceitful and tricky he can be. The devil now uses the words of Jesus Himself “for it is written”, this is a perfect example of how the devil uses any means necessary to deceive anyone he is trying to overcome. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 The devil will even try and use the bible to confirm his detours, make sure you are familiar with the words that God gave us. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 We are told in the bible the closer we get to Christ’s return it is going to get even easier for the devil to deceive people:  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 With this said you can see how the devil will be able to trick people, he will tell them what they want to hear, they will look to their own knowledge not trusting what God has told us all in the bible. Trust Him, have the faith of the mustard seed allowing God to be your guide.

MORE….

Temptation

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Last…..

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

What do you think Jesus meant when He said: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God? There are times when we worry that God will not have your back; the difficult yet easy thing to do is trust Him He’s there for you. Later in the book of John we are reminded that: Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:31-59 God took care of the Israelites while they were on the 40 year journey to the Promised Land, yes remember 40 years. He further reminds us: Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 These history lessons in the bible are there to show us just how much He is willing to do for each one of us. It does not matter if He is taking care of the birds that fly or helping a whole civilization survive. God tells us in Ezekiel 34:11-31 “ Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. REMEMBER you are one of His sheep, He is your shepherd and will take care of you.

His Sheep

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Dear Heavenly Father, I feel like I can’t breath, like I am being suffocated. Everything around me is going wrong Lord every direction I move causes me more and more anguish. Lord help me to take a breath, guide my path and help me escape all of the persecution that I feel. Lord send the Holy Spirit to be my guide, filling me completely and covering me with the blood of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name Amen

When everything seems to overwhelm you, you feel like you are being attacked. The whole world seems to be against you, worst yet it feels like God is punishing you remember what He told you: “ Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. REMEMBER you are one of His sheep, He is your shepherd and will take care of you. Ezekiel 34:11-31

 

 

Temptation

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

And Jesus answered it is written; have you ever contemplated what this would refer to. We have been told that all scripture comes from God: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 So when Jesus says it is written He is referring to the Old Testament (Torah) at the time there were no letters from Paul, the gospels had not been written, Jesus had not completed his ministry. So when he is saying it is written you need to look no further than the bible itself. “Always remember  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. Romans 15:4

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Temptation

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

While Jesus was in the wilderness He was fasting, let’s consider what exactly fasting is. A fast is quite simply not eating food for a personal set amount of time. The Christian view of a fast takes it a little further, it is a time to abstain from anything distracting you from keeping your eye’s on God’s will and humbling yourself before God. It is a time to prayer and repentance looking into ourselves and asking for God’s direction. Daniel was a man focused on what God wanted him to do, he would fast to understand what God wanted. This is what Daniel would do: At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.  I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Daniel 10:2-3 Isaiah puts it this way after some had fasted making fasting into a show and trying to garner personal gain: Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?  “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness,  to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:5-7 He was scolding the people he was addressing but it is a great definition for consideration when you are wondering what a fast is. 

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Temptation

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

     So Jesus knew exactly what He was walking into, He did not say there’s, “no way I am going for a stroll in the wilderness”. In fact not only did He walk into the wilderness but He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. You know your limitations could you face this kind of temptation with nothing to eat? He was tired, grumpy, weak and ready to grab a burger this is when the devil approached Him. Most of us would have said no thank you, it is one thing to face an adversary when you have it all together but at the point when you are at your weakest; really! Jesus knew that when He walked into this attack that He would have help:  I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Temptation

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

 “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness”; have you ever really thought about who the Spirit was? Lets see if we can analytically break this statement down; always remember that  when you have a question about the bible always use the bible as your reference it will answer all of the questions you have. So what does the bible say the spirit is:  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 Think about that; Isaiah explains it well the spirit is a counselor, a source of strength, knowledge, and a foundation of respect. It’s our Lord’s Spirit; even Jesus was led by the spirit, this is the very same Spirit that we are given as our guide. We should use His example as an explanation of what we should be doing. He listened to the spirit allowing the spirit to be His guide. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

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Temptation 1

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11

When we read this there is so much knowledge we can gain if we look a little deeper in the notion of temptation. The synonyms of temptation are: Lure, enticement, attraction, offer, invitation, pull, bait, turn-on, desire, urge, impulse, compulsion, longing, wish, appeal. When we look at these words used to describe what temptation is it really is no wonder why the devil is able to deceive us as easy as he does. When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness have you ever thought about….. MORE

Don’t be Fooled!

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Dear Heavenly Father, guide me in everything Lord so that I am not fooled by smooth talking deceitful people that are either deceived themselves or looking for self-gratification. Just give me the wisdom that I need to discern what is true and right. In Jesus Name Amen

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15

 

Chosen 8

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Dear Heavenly Father, I will do my best to have humility always offering kindness to everyone. Continuously having a meek heart trying to understand every situation that surrounds me, with Your help and direction I will present myself as Your representative. Thank you Lord for this opportunity, may I never let You down. In Jesus Name Amen

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience Colossians 3:12

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Focused on a Date! Part 4

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Day and Hour

Dear Heavenly Father, I have been looking forward to Your return my whole life and cannot wait until I get to meet you face to face. When everything around me seems to be falling apart all I can think of is how awesome it is going be when I sit in Your splendor. Lord help me to accept these issues on this earth that are making it so hard to deal with. In Jesus Name Amen

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Third, there is disappointment that repeatedly gets placed in the minds of people when they keep on getting told a new date that never happens. The definition of disappointment is: sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. When people feel this discouragement over and over again it causes doubt that some cannot deal with, inevitably causing them to emotionally fall away from God. When this happens we are told we are opening a gateway: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8-8 We have been told that no one knows the time or the day except the father we are allowing this inner turmoil to eat the church from the inside out, it is like a deadly bacteria. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones .Proverbs 3:7-8 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

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Focused on Date! Part 3

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Day and Hour

Dear Heavenly Father, this nervousness and feeling of doubt is sometimes hard to deal with Lord. Please comfort me and put a hedge of protection around me. Just give the comfort that only You can give. In Jesus Name Amen

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Second, the anxiety that it causes, that kind of seems like a weird statement when we are talking about the end of the world don’t you think? There will be a certain amount of anxiety when you focus on what is going to happen on the date that Jesus Christ returns. The questions can be split into separate issues. Do you have anxiety because it is going be the end of everything as you know it. Or do you have anxiety because of a healthy respect for the Lord.If your worry comes from the idea that everything will end and there will be nothing left we have been told: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the
world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.1 John 2:15-17 Considering a healthy fear, this is when you want to make sure you have done everything you could possibly do so that God will be completely happy with you. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13 If you are prepared by doing what we have been told (loving, sharing, having humility, knowing His word, being kind). If you have lived a life that is inline with what we are told to do in the bible: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34      

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Focused on a Date! Part 2

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Day and Hour

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to accept and understand that everything is done in Your time. I know for me it seems like it takes forever but I know You have control over what is coming. Please forgive me if I have acted like a spoiled child. Help me to focus on Your will and plan while I deal with my thoughts and devices. In Jesus Name Amen

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To begin with, the discontent that people feel when they think that something is being either hidden or kept away from them is a perfect distraction; Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. 1 Peter 5:8  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that
the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.1 Thessalonians 5:1 When allowing this distraction into your mind it will take your focus away from what we have been told to do by God: honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 I know what you are think well I know the bible I can do that! Stop and really meditate on that thought, ask yourself if someone came up to me and asked anything about Jesus Christ you can say with all confidence that you know everything about Him. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8   

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Does this offend you? Will you turn and leave?

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Dear Heavenly Father; I know that there are going to be things that I do not understand and issues that I think are not I know better. Lord give me the perseverance and understanding to see past my feelings and see what is in Your heart. Have patience with me while I learn to share the heart You have, the compassion, ultimate understanding and forgiveness so I can become more like You. In Jesus Name Amen

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?  Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. John 6: 60-67 

 

Something to Believe in!

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bible-faith-6

Dear Heavenly Father, You have made it impossible to deny that You are there. Thank you for walking with me through everything the good, the bad, and everything I don’t understand. In Jesus Name Amen

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Guidance for Politics

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Bible politics

Dear Heavenly Father, place your hand on all of the upcoming elections and the process of the political elections. Help them to look to you for guidance and supervision. In Jesus Name Amen.

Self examination

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Bible question

Self examination! Dear Heavenly Father show me were I can be better, please forgive where I have failed. In Jesus Name Amen

Temptation

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Bible blame

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:12-14

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Triumph

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Bible Victory

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

Salvation

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Bible Salvation

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Love them anyway!

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bible sad

Why be religious?

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5.0.2

Do not be religious the bible forbids it! As we are new Christians or are looking for answers to all the questions to the universe it is hard and sometimes confusing. Over here this guy said to follow the books of law, but wait a second this other person said that you can do what ever you want, no she said it is entirely different. The tug of war that we feel sometimes can tear us apart and make so that we turn away from what is most important! God and what he has shared with us in the bible is what matters! Did you realize that when you go to a church you are not there for the people at the church but for the one that sent us there in the first place, the people at the church are there to share in the love that God has given each and every one of us (they are there for support). This tug of war is the gateway to a religious person! For me I will sit down and pray and ask God to show me what he wants for me it is different for everyone but still it is the same.

  1. We are saved through Faith in Christ Romans 3: 28  For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Galatians 2:16  know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
  2. Always remember: Galatians 3:10-13 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
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