Live no longer as the Gentiles!

Live no longer as the Gentiles... in the world.  There are numerous scripture that tell us how to Not be of this world. That we cannot live in both the Kingdom of God and this world. Those scriptures that come to mind can be found in John, 1 John and 1 Cor and many many others. Why? Because it was essentially Jesus's purpose to show us that this world is passing away and only the world that is God's Kingdom is eternal. Though born into this world, we are overcomers through Jesus Christ ~ 1 John 5:4.

So Remember... You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God ~ Ephesians 2:2.


"With the Lord's authority I [Paul] say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kid of impurity. But that isn't what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off you old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 

Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don't sin by letting anger control you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foot hold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement o o those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his won, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you" ~ Ephesians 4:17-32.

One cannot live in two worlds ~ 1 John 2:15.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all Else! Matthew 6:33.

Alive in Christ
As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins,  in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is no at work in the sons of disobedience. We all lived among them at one time in the cravings of our flesh, indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.… Ephesians 2: 1-3.

When calling into question doctrine and interpretation is Not judging!

It can be difficult today to talk with Christians of different denomination about faith and understanding the word of God = The Bible. There are many Christians that are pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation.  There are those that different on when the Millennium is going to be and some think it is even now. Some differ on God's grace, the recipient of the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit as well as fruits of the Spirit.

Catholics had recently changed the wording of the liturgy so much so that some parishioners have fallen out of that 'faith'.  Firstly, the only faith is in Jesus Christ. His Word, the Word of God is written in the Bible. We cannot add to it nor take away from it. Everyone can and should read the Bible, also join in Bible study groups and feel free to be open and frank about concerns and needs which includes questioning any woman or man's as in people's interpretations as they read it. We should always support as in build each other up using the Word of God in order to arrive a greater understanding of God's Word.

This is not judging someone's faith... For if their faith is in Jesus Christ there is nothing to judge.

In the process of open dialogue... remember to   “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”
~Galatians 6:2

How to understand 2 Thessalonians 3:10?

Many Christians are hung up on 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ...

I say hung up because they take the literal understanding before the spiritual understanding.

"nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”…
The important clauses being: "not to be a burden"...and "not that we lack this right". Paul (relating the Word of God) is telling us that we should not take advantage of/depend on others to satisfy our basic needs (not that they did not have a right as church leaders to expect a meal and housing for their work as church leaders). Why? Because, if others have to care about us first (we depending on them), they cannot care about their walk with the Lord and will not eat from their input - service!

The Lord gives us all gifts and with those gifts we are expected to serve the Lord first and foremost. And, this goes both ways, if we neglect our gifts in order to wait on / work for others who do not work for themselves not using their God given gifts, then they suffer and we will suffer and no one eats from their input - serving the Lord. The Parable of the Talents and the Scripture telling the story of Mary and Martha (who busied herself neglecting the Lord) supports this scriptural understanding as does Romans 12 and 16 and 2 COR 10:15-16 ~ "Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended... preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working."

Yes, real work is involved but it is work of the Holy Spirit in us, not the 'work' of this world that makes us right with God. 2 Thessalonians is about our work for the Lord, to make our life a representation of His Kingdom.

The Words You As a Christian Should Never Hear!

What are those words... "I didn't know you were a Christian".

Know this ~ 2 Peter 1: 3-11

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christian Women ~ At Home, Chaste!

Chaste = Modest, very simple in design or execution : Austere, clean and spotless. 

Christian women "are to be sensible, pure 'chaste', workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored" ~ Titus 2:5.

"Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things" ~ 1 Timothy 3:11.

"Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes"… ~ 1 Peter 3: 1-3

And so you say what about Proverbs 31?  Yes, what about that!

~ The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

A wife of noble character finds herself at home first and foremost and value is given to her for that.

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