God Will Defend You

This post is from notes taken at our Bible Study Sunday mornings at church.

 

We can learn as we study God's Word

The prophet Zephaniah is speaking for God regarding the sinful cities now known as Egypt.  These cities were proud and careless and the heart of their nation was lifted up.   

They were disobedient worshiping other gods instead of Lord Jehovah.  The people followed after witchcraft and wizards and sorceries of all kinds.  They were looking unto fortune tellers and false prophets instead of seeking God for direction.  

 

The entire nation was so ingrained in unrighteousness that God wanted to wipe them all out in order to cleanse even the generational curses. 

God sent prophets to warn the people and to tell them that He was planning to send enemies to destroy them all. 

King Hezekiah in 2 Kings Chapter 19; became afraid of what God was going to do and he cried out to God for mercy.  At the same time as he was praying, God was speaking to the prophet Isaiah sending him to the King telling him not to be afraid because God would defend them for King David’s sake.

2 Kings 19:35-36 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 

So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.  And it came to pass, as the wicked king was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that two of his sons smote him with the sword: And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

All this is ground work for us to understand the artistic culture of the past and the huge buildings statues and roadways they engineered.  God said he would level all this and only animals would dwell there.  Those who might pass by would hiss and make fun of what was once great.

We as Christians must pray and intercede for our nation who in many ways is similar to this nation we view from Old Testament Bible times. 

God knows our going out and our coming in and He desires our heart to be fixed toward Him.  Pray for our Nation and for those whose heart is turned in other ways that are not pleasing to God.

 

The Barren Woman weeps - - Because she has no Babies

A New Born Baby

The Barren Woman – is heart broken - - Because she has no Babies !  The Bible lists several women who were barren, but God heard their cry and answered their prayer.

 

We have been praying for our city as we weep because we need some NEW BORN again Christians. This post is a review of our lessons on Wednesday at Open Door Church.

 

Genesis 11:30 “Now (Abraham’s wife) Sarah was barren; she had no child.” 

 

Genesis 25:21 “And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” 
(In this case it was the husband who prayed for his barren wife.)

 

Judges 13:3 “And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman (Sampson’s mother) and said to her, “Behold, you are barren, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” 

 

1 Samuel 1 - - Hannah, Samuel’s mother had no children - - so she wept and silently prayed with only her lips moving, but God heard her cry.

 

Luke 1:7 “But the (Priest Zachariah and his wife) had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” 

 

Isaiah 54:1 ““Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.” 

 

A barren woman knows deep sorrow, because she desires to have a child.  We can see that in each of these Bible instances, God intervened and caused each woman to bring forth children. 

 

These stories are speaking about literal human babies.  Today I want us to consider Spiritual new Born Babies who need the “MILK” of the Word, and as they grow in Christ are ready soon to digest the MEAT of the Word. 

 

1 Peter 2:2   As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Corinthians 3:2  I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you weren't ready for it. And you're still not ready!

 

You have heard people commenting about the cute babies and make remarks, how they wish they could stay little all the time.  Honestly that would be a shame for that to happen, because babies are supposed to grow, learn, mature and become self sufficient.

 

Babies are messy - - they are noisy they fuss and scream when you want them to be quiet they throw up, need their diapers changed, need you to nurse and feed them because they can’t hold a spoon.

 

When they begin to crawl, they put things in their mouth that should not be there, babies want their own way and let you know it.

 

Babies must learn good manners, to be polite, and obey rules so we make provision for them to be taught.  Some things they will learn by experience the hard way.

 

The sad thing is when an adult still has to be spoon fed, and given a bottle, or a pacifier to make them happy.

 

Hebrews 5:14   But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

We must get ready for an influx of new babies (new born again Christians) who will need to begin with the basics from God’s Word. 

 

It is time each of us make preparations to become a “Mother (or father) in Israel” for those who need a mentor to teach and help them along the way.    It is time for us to review the Basics ourselves so we can assist others.

~ ~ ~

 

Tips toward Spiritual Growth   by Mary Fairchild  (edited )

 

Here are 4 essential steps to move you forward toward spiritual growth. Though simple, they are vital to building your relationship with the Lord.

Step 1 – Read your Bible daily.

Find a Bible reading plan that’s right for you. A plan will keep you from missing anything God has written in His Word.   

Step 2 – Meet together with other believers regularly.

• The reason we attend church or gather with other believers regularly (Hebrews 10:25) is for teaching, fellowship, worship, communion, prayer and to build one another up in the faith (Acts 2:42-47).

Step 3 – Get involved in a ministry group.

Most churches offer small groups and many ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God where you should “plug in.” It’s the people who really “get plugged in” that find their purpose and soar in their walk with Christ.

Step 4 – Pray daily.

Prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t have to use big fancy words.

There are no right and wrong words. Just be yourself. Give thanks to the Lord daily for your salvation. Pray for others in need. Pray for direction. Pray for the Lord to fill you daily with His Holy Spirit.  You can pray with your eyes closed or open, while sitting or standing, kneeling or lying on your bed, anywhere, anytime. So begin to make prayer a part of your daily routine.

Additional Spiritual Growth Tips:

• Follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism
• Avoid Backsliding
• Create a Devotional Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run to the Heavenly Father

Today was Mother's Day, and although I went to Sunday School, and the worship portion of Church, I had to leave because my daughter and her husband had planned to take me to dinner to celebrate the day.  So - - I do not have a recent sermon to post - - but I am posting an older sermon for your viewing:

I want My Daddy

Matthew 18:1-6  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said,  Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.   

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

The sermon at Open Door Church, was a bit longer but this is a digested message to keep your interest.

Pastor Allan was in the motion of putting his guitar down when his young 5 year old daughter escaped from the baby sitter and ran down the Church aisle calling for her daddy.

He took her tiny hands in his and prayed with her to have a good lesson in children’s church and kissed her on the top of her head.

He mused; A child’s will and desire is only thinking about themselves. 

The driving force to see her dad sent her running to meet Him.  Although this was an awkward time for Pastor, he acted as a gentleman like unto our Father God.

With God there is NO inconvenient time for us to run to Him.  God has a tender heart and is always a gentleman and does not force His will upon us. 

Children emulate their parents.  

Who are you emulating? 

Realize we are children of the living God and we are precious in His sight. May all doubt and fear be stripped away as we willing run to the Father God.  Do you realize that God is in you even in your brokenness?  A respectful yet humble person can get things done for the kingdom.

As the Pharisee was praying, he was bragging about how good he was.  He was proud and his heart was hard.  

How is your heart?  Is it hard or soft?

At times we get caught up on what we can’t do, and fail to recognize what God is doing for us and for those around us.  He never stops loving you, no matter what.

The more we praise God and desire Him, He will show up.

This is important, that we learn to forgive and to accept forgiveness.  

May we earnestly desire to serve God out of Love, and not out of obligation.

Press in because you want to love and worship Him.  The bent over woman pressed in and touched the hem of His garment and was immediately made well.

If we just do enough to get by – that is not pressing in.  Let’s not do average anymore, but press toward the mark of the High Calling.  No low bars, but let us raise the standard.

What was Christ’s standard of living?  He walked in the dust, but He spent many nights alone with God in prayer. 

Allow Jesus to take away all that is ugly and nasty in our lives and to reflect in our spirit and in our faces the joy of the Lord.  

Be still and let God be God.

Un-forgiveness prevents us from loving people.

Sometimes it is difficult to forgive; someone stole our innocence, someone abused us, they cheated us, they stole from us.

When you hate and judge, you are judged.  When you fail to forgive it hurts you worse than it does them.

We are searching for acceptance, like a little child who is desiring to be welcomed and to find a place.

No matter how long you have served our Lord, you are still a work in progress, so keep pressing in and keep running to the open arms of the Heavenly Father.

Be a Zerubbabel

This post was a lesson taught by Hazel at our praying over our city meeting.

Be a Zerubbabel and Shout Grace to your Mountain

Zechariah 4:6-10 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Who are you, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain: and he shall bring forth its headstone with shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace unto it.

Then the word of the Lord came to me:  “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

(Those who have made fun of this day of small beginnings will celebrate when they see Zerubbabel holding this important stone. Those seven lamps represent my eyes—the eyes of the Lord—and they see everything on this earth.)

~ ~ ~

In our city we have a large mountain of poverty; many are on welfare and disability.  A large crowd of our citizens are homeless, some have been released from jail, and others are bound by alcohol, drugs and addictive habits. 

Thankfully, we also have recovery programs in our city where many are doing the work toward recovery.  Some have experienced being made new in Christ Jesus.  All in all there is a great need in our area for jobs and industry. 

God often reveals himself on the mountaintop.  Mountains and hill tops are mentioned in the Bible over 500 times.

In the Old Testament, we consider Mt Ararat where the Ark positioned its-self after the flood, Mt Sinai where Moses received the law and the 10 commandments. Perhaps Abraham and Lot were on a mountain as Lot looked over the plains and chose the well watered land and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 

The book of Matthew, in particular, has six significant mountain scenes: Jesus’ temptation (4:8); the Sermon on the Mount (5:1); a number of healings (15:29); the Transfiguration (17:1); Jesus’ final discourse (24:1); and the commissioning of the Apostles (28:16).

Perhaps the most significant mountain scene in the Gospels, however, is the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus is accompanied by Moses and Elijah, who themselves encountered God on the mountaintop in the Old Testament. Now, they encounter God through Jesus and Jesus, in turn, is seen as the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

Not to forget the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-49, Act 1:9-12.) Jesus prays here before his arrest and crucifixion. Later he ascends into heaven with a promise that He will return in like manner. 

All those mountains remind me that often we face a mountain of trouble in our lives.  Jesus taught that it was acceptable to speak to the mountain and tell it to go and to be removed.

Prayer Starter:

Lord God, I speak to the mountains of discouragement, sickness, ungodly habits, doubt and unbelief, fear with its torments and tell them to go in Jesus Name.  I release courage, comfort, health, faith, harmony, peace, boldness and provision in all its forms to replace these mountains.   Thank you Lord Jesus for your faithfulness.

God Almighty

This post is from my notes taken at our Bible Study Sunday morning at church.

 

 

 

The setting is in the days of Jonah who refused to preach to Nineveh because in his eyes they weren’t worth saving.

The prophet Micah was prophesying about the last days when war shall be no more, and peace shall reign.  He continued to prophesy that God would punish Assyria because of their cruelty and spirit of war.  God would bring vengeance upon Nimrod and cut off witchcrafts and Sooth Sayers, and tear down the graven images, and they would no more worship the work of their hands.

Micah 4:1-4  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
Micah 5:6  And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian,

God was cleaning house.  Micah continued in chapter 6 that if the people would humble themselves and pray, God would hear and rescue them and bless them. 

God demands that we worship Him only and the children of Israel forgot so quickly.

Jonah went to Nineveh to preach repentance, and the king and the people did listen and repent for a season. 

We are the people and we sit in darkness.  Our nation is full of rebellion and wickedness.  We ourselves must be careful how we live and walk before others who watch our behavior.  

God threw up his hands and said, “Go for it.  It is in your face, and you will reap what you sow. 

Micah continued in chapter 7 asking “Where are the good men?  He could only view people who did evil with both hands earnestly.  They were rebellious children who dishonored their parents and God. 

It is most necessary and foremost for us to have a relationship with our Father God.

We must consider our actions, our pride, stubbornness, selfishness and complaining.  If we want God’s blessings we must obey His will and follow His plans for our lives.

Micah 7:7  Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Confess your sins and decide to allow God to guide and lead you in paths of righteousness. 

 

Be careful who you trust in this world.  Place your trust in God Almighty and in no other.

 

Let’s Get Real

This post is from my notes as Guest Pastor David ministered Sunday Morning.

 

 

Pastor David began by praying, “Lord give us hearts and minds for understanding.”

Often many seem to be a prisoner of their past; but recognize that your past is not a life sentence.

“Satan will take you further than you mean to go, and it will cost you more than you expect to pay.”

Get on with your life commit to our Lord Jesus Christ, and totally serve God.

An early time with the Lord is beyond understanding.  Pastor David confessed he tries to get up ahead of everybody for a personal quiet time about 4:00 am.  God will begin to speak and we may hear what we don’t want to hear but it will be what we need.

The Lord spoke to me saying, “These are my people too, but they are in various stages of spiritual growth.  They need to be fed the Word.”

Now let’s talk about your wife, and what are you doing for her?  Take care not to be critical.  It is so easy to find fault, but it doesn’t build anyone up.  Instead criticism destroys, and is a total tool of the devil to tear up relationships.

You do not want to disqualify who God wants to use.  I am a follower of Christ and I want to be real.

Yes, we do need to look and examine things in the right way; but not in judgment. 

“Judge not that you be not judged.”   We are quick to see the splinter in someone’s eye when there is a big log in our own eye.  We are to get rid of our own fault then you can help others.   Our judgment is to be by the Word of God:

I Corinthians 5:9-12  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not entirely with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world.  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.

We can’t leave this world, for we will need to witness to such as these.

We need to speak about forgiveness.  Be quick to apologize and to ask forgiveness.  Satan will condemn even after you are forgiven.  Understand he is the accuser. He brings up past failures; simply know that he is a liar and that Jesus sees you as not under condemnation.  We need to come to grips with that because God is the Judge.

Yes, we must be concerned about others, and when we speak, we can ask God for the right words to say.  It is necessary to have respectful relationship between our fellow man, and to Love One Another.  To pray for them, encourage and lift them up.  We all have a ways to go.

Pastor David relates:  We have a program to help released prisoners become the Man of God they need to be and to learn how to become a Dad to their children whey they have been gone for so long.  (In prison)

Pastor David closed in prayer and invited those who would like personal prayer to come forward.  Many came forward.

“Father, I thank you for everyone present here.  May they be open to listen to what you desire them to hear.  I ask your blessing upon the lives of those who have been misused; and that you will restore joy and peace to their lives. 

  

God Loves Nations

This post is from my notes during our Bible Study Sunday Morning at Church.

 

The Assyrians were a Feared Nation because of their cruelty
and Jonah did not want to preach to them.

 

 

God Loves Nations

 

We have national pride as we honor our flag and sing our patriotic songs.  We study through history the different cultures.  America has sent more missionaries than any other nation to bring the Good News of Salvation.

 

As we study the history of Assyria a particular nation.  We discover the structure of this story is Anti-Christ.  Some believe their destruction was prophesied by Nahum, as Assyria was guilty of war and its cruelties.  They captured and tortured prisoners, and made slaves of others cruelly mistreating them.

 

God desires to loose those who are blended into our society, but are captured by Satan.

Let us do some positive loosening; loose your Identity in Christ; loose honor as you bind shame.  Loose your ability to move forward.  Many need to return to the cross and allow the blood of Jesus to remove our shame and restore them to the family.  God brings us into sanctuary regardless of our circumstances.

 

Leaders and Generals take charge and qualify others and delegate responsibility.

 

Jonah knew the wicked history of Assyria and he ran from the command of the Lord to go and preach to them.  Asher was their main god, but there were also other gods they worshipped and not the true God.

 

Assyria captured 46 cities of the Jews and tortured prisoners in various terrible ways.  Manasseh was taken captive, and Nineveh was the capital of their nation.

 

Jonah said, “No way will I go and preach to them, because I want them all dead.”

He knew their slave labor built huge roads with way stations for travelers to rest.

 

The Prophet Nahum prophesied that God loved Assyria, but because of their evil and rebellion they would be completely destroyed.

 

In the book of Genesis, Noah was blessed and told to be fruitful and multiply.  Living creatures will fear you, and creatures were given for food, but don’t eat the blood.  Do not kill your brethren, and God promised to establish his covenant with a rainbow signifying that he would not destroy the world by water again.

 

Noah drank wine from his vineyard and in a drunken slumber, removed his clothes.  His son Ham looking in the tent, told his brothers what their dad had done.  One son, took a blanket and backing in quietly covered the nakedness of his father.

 

When Noah woke and realized what had happened, he cursed Ham to be a servant for the rest of his days.

 

Don’t shrug off sin and joke about it.  Know that God will cover sin with his blanket of mercy and grace. 

 

The people began to worship gods of wood and stone, and there followed generational curses.

 

We as Christians can make a decree and declare that any curse stops here and goes no further.

 

Grief Meeting Lesson 9

After the recent death of my husband, my daughter Judie signed me up for a Grief Class at the Nazarene Church every Sunday Afternoon at 3:00pm.  Judie suggested that I take notes and Post as perhaps you are grieving and this may help you.  As you can see I entered late, but this is still helpful.

This post is from notes at our Grief Meeting 

 

 

Tears to Joy and Getting Stuck in Grief - - Lesson 9 

If you are having trouble getting rid of a negative image of your loved one’s death, think about the beautiful memories.

If you are angry at your loved one what ever the reason - - write a letter to the person and get it out of your system - - of course don’t mail it.

We act out our grief in different ways.  Some feel like running away and want to drive and drive and drive.

Tear Soup is not wrong, but when you decide to change your tears into joy, find something to make you smile and laugh.

If your grief continues for 3 to 5 years, be careful because you are stuck in grief. 

 

Signs of being stuck in grief: 

1. Shrines around the house,

2. Won’t touch the room they occupied or remove their clothes and personal items. 

3. Having symptoms same as your loved one had.

4.  Uncontrolled weeping and crying. 

 

1.     Time heals – of course you loved them and miss them.

2.     Keep busy and take care of your self

3.     Healing is not forgetting and is not callous.

4.     Understand although God took your loved one according to His plan, life will be different so welcome change.

5.     Progress is steady - -  Walk by truth and not feelings.  God has not abandoned you.

6.     God is with you in your situation.

Some fall into bitterness - - stop and know that God loves you and is with you even more than before.

The enemy plants lies in your thinking;  Realize Jesus brings truth.

We know this is a reality of absence, but realize our faith is true even if we don’t “Feel” God’s presence, Trust that He is there.

Getting “Unstuck” is going “though” and not trying to go around, under or over.

1.     Do your Grief Work:

2.     Don’t obey your “feelings” Luke 22:42 emotions are up and down, but reach out to God.  Don’t pretend what is not true, make a choice to joy.

3.     Worship God honestly.  Say: “God I trust you more than my feelings and more than my anger.  You may not feel like praising God.  Find little things to Praise him for. 

 

Take a walk and praise God for things you see.  Psalms 63:3,4. Job 1:20,21  Don’t withdraw from worship services at your church.  Also on purpose worship God in your home.

4.     Be grateful: I Thessalonians 5:18 Thank God for everything.  Be happy for your loved one is no longer in pain and suffering.

5.     Accidental death, murder, suicide are the most difficult to practice gratitude, but make a list of things and people around you that you are thankful for.

6.     Put God on display I Thessalonians 4:13. May others see you “holding up.”

Don’t isolate yourself, but reach out to help others.  Solitude is feeling sorry for yourself.

You may experience flashbacks and you wonder, “Where did that come from?” 

It is not necessarily better but life is different.  Choose to do the right thing.

 

 

 

Not Measuring Up ??

This post is from my notes as Pastor Allan ministered Sunday morning at Open Door church.

 

I said, "Measure Up"

God gives us a promise and it is up to us to reach out and receive it.  As we stand by Faith on that promise, it becomes easier to apply it to our lives; then we continue to receive and walk in it.

 

There are times God has to move our theology around.  You may have been raised in a church that caused you to fear that you could not measure up. 

The Law is no longer over us but Christ is.   I John gives us a new way of thinking.  Jesus said He did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill the Law.  Jesus cared about people and loved us enough to die for us.

Don’t embrace the doctrine of legalism, but hold on to Grace and be the person God desires you to be.  Take care not be come a wishy-washy person in what you allow. 

 

Understand that God demands we walk a righteous and holy life before Him. 

God will grant you the strength to overcome as you simply come and make that quality decision and choice to serve God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind.

Put away self righteousness and receive the New Wine of the Holy Spirit.  I do not mean the wine that comes in a bottle, but the spiritual wine from heaven.

Watch the spirit of rebellion that rises up to do it your own way.

Be cautious to understand that “Rules” and “Steps,” (the Law) will not save you.  You are not under the “Law” to please everyone else, only to be sensible and please Jesus. 

What about showing up every time the doors of the church are open?  Allow God to lead you for the meetings that will help you build a relationship with God and others. 

I am reminded of the Scripture that says NOT to neglect the assembling of your-selves together as believers and even more so as the Time of Christ’s return approaches.

You have seen, the sign: WASH YOUR HANDS posted, and in some places it is law, but actually it is common decency and good common sense.

Love God and love people, think of others and not always of your-self.

Begin to take the Bible to another level. 

I John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Jesus gave us the Law of Love:  To love God with all our strength, with all our soul and all our mind , and to love others as much as you love yourself.

I John 4:9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

The Old Testament Law is heavy and perhaps more than you can do to measure up.

Paul said in Acts 15:  "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from defilements of Idols, and from Fornication, and from eating things strangled, and from blood.

Paul was versed in the Law, but the Law of liberty is to be led by the Holy Spirit and observe what is written in the Bible.

It is time to stop the nonsense of Judgment and Condemnation.  We are our worst critic.  Break the hold of what you may have been told that “You are no good, and will never amount to anything.”  You were worth Jesus dying for you.

When you receive Jesus you also receive His righteousness and He has made you worthy, now walk in it.  Begin anew to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  Then line up with the Word of God.  If you say you are a Christian, can others use you as their example?

The big question is:  Are you pleasing Jesus? 

The New Testament says if you sin, repent quickly and go on, - - don’t give up by believing all the lies you are listening to. 

Don’t take one scripture and make it law; but compare and see the entire setting to catch the complete meaning.

Paul asks the question - - in Romans 6   What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  

Romans 3:28, 31  Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Jesus came to save you from Sin, so let him do that for you.

I John 3:9  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.

Pastor said: I must be honest with you.  There are some things I can no longer do because doing so will break my relationship with God.  If I disobey, automatically condemnation sets in and I repent and go on.

Some think they can have a beer - - however in doing so - - are you a stumbling block to others?  Are you tired of justifying some things you do; when God is asking you gently to stop.

So if you sin - - Repent and get up and serve Jesus.