An uplifting forum for those in the auto industry who believe in or are curious about the integrity of the Holy Bible and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Location: Grayslake, IL
Members: 155
Latest Activity: Feb 13, 2017
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What is your faith like...is it a noun, a thing, or a verb, something in action to which others might point and remark there is something "different" about you.
This is not an academic exercise. There is nothing that Jesus preached or His apostles wrote about faith and following Christ that is not verb-oriented. Yes, faith itself is a noun, but as James says, faith without works is dead. Please do not read this to mean works = salvation. Scripture is very clear that salvation is by faith alone.
So, what do we mean by being a Verb Christian? Is it attending church or tithing or donating time and money to charity...or taking care of an elder relative? These are all good things we all should do, if presented with the opportunity. Church attendance by itself simply says the individual attends church -- it reveals nothing about their changed heart, their obedience to Christ's commands or their submission of their ego/themselves/stuff/TV/sport/business to God and to others (especially their spouse).
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1. Praying for unbelievers is like a STAIRWAY to Heaven. People come to believe in Jesus in a series of steps. No one skips stairs. Turn to John 9 where Jesus heals a man blind from birth. Who did the healed man say Jesus was in verse 11? A MAN. In verse 17? A PROPHET. In verse 38? LORD.
The implication? We must pray people through the steps leading to a decision.
God bless you! Have a great day!
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I see God working good out of the events in my life time and time again. Isn't He wonderful?
Brothers and Sisters: Thought for the weekend: How do you understand Christ's command that we must deny ourselves? What does that mean to you? How have you changed in response to your obedience to this command?
A Favorite Scripture message from "The Letter to the Hebrews" 2:14-18: "Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."
I find profoundly strengthening in my faith these words. And, the last three words: "are being tested" makes these words relevant to each and everyone of us for all time. I pray you find this a message of encouragement.
HOW DO WE WAIT?
Unpacking James 5: 7-8
Words to explore:
Wait/Waiting (s1551) – to expect, to tarry, to wait in confident expectation for, eagerly watch toward
Patience/patient (s3114) – to be long-spirited (long-suffering), to be slow to anger, to tolerate, to endure
STEPS TO BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN PATIENT WAITING
1. TAKE THE LONG VIEW OF THE SITUATION: An attitude that desires instant gratification or fulfillment or an immediate solution is the opposite of being long-spirited. We should not, must not accept urges from within or urging from others that push us to accept self-righteous or self-determining conclusions. We wait upon the Lord. God is sufficient for all things at any given moment, even patience for not knowing, for not having, for not feeling better right now. James 5:7; Prov. 14:12; Phil 9:12-14 and 2 Peter 1:5-11
2. TEACH YOURSELF TO ENJOY LIVING IN HOPE AND EXPECTATION: The Lord directs our steps. Plan certainly, but don’t get caught up in the imagination or expectation of how you would like events to unfold as you would prefer. Teach yourself to enjoy or at least be OK with the tension between not knowing and knowing that God is in control. Prov. 16:9
3. BE PREPARED: Have your equipment cleaned and sharpened. Eagerly look forward to fulfillment of your hope, but prepare for it to happen at any time. James 5:8 and Ephesians 6:10-20
4. BE STRONG AND BE STEADY: “If I say, ‘my foot slips,’ you are there, O Lord, to lift me up.” Expect along your road bumps, setbacks, trials, challenges to your hope. When these happen, it doesn’t have to mean disaster. Roll with them, knowing such events are sure to occur as you grow in faith and closer to God. Scripture arms us with the sword and the armor to stand steady and stand firm against adversity. Psalms 94:18-19, James 5:11
5. BE IN GOD’S ARMS AND GOD’S GRACE: Waiting on the Lord is not an emotion; it is independent of how we feel at any given moment. Regardless of our emotional state, God’s Word is true; this is the reality to focus on – and not whether we “feel it” or “feel like it.” Patience and waiting help teach us to trust God and build confidence that his promises will be ours, but God must be at the center of all of what we hope and long for. Psalm 127:1, Prov. 3:5-8, Prov. 3: 25-26 and 2 Timothy 1:7.
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